RME ADI-642 MADI/AES Converter

Full Description

The ADI-642, an 8-channel format converter from MADI to AES and vice versa, is the latest addition to RME's successful MADI series. Amongst other applications, the unit can serve as ideal AES/EBU frontend for the Hammerfall DSP MADI PCI card. Up to 192 kHz at 24 bit are supported. Its most outstanding feature is an easy-to-use 72x72 routing matrix, which can assign an individual input channel to every single output channel, allowing free configuration of all 64 MADI channels and the 8 AES channels. Additional features include:

Native support for AES Double and Quad Wire

Native support for MADI Double and Quad Wire

Direct conversion between these formats

Automatic Delay Compensation when using more than one unit

Analog stereo monitor output, up to 192 kHz

Detailed status display for MADI and AES

Completely remote controlable via MIDI

Transfer of MIDI data via MADI

SteadyClock for maximum jitter reduction and clock regeneration

The compact unit with 19" width and 1 unit height serves as format converter MADI to/from AES . MADI handles 64 channels of 24 bit audio at sampling frequencies up to 48kHz, 32 channels up to 96kHz, and 16 channels up to 192kHz. All channels are transferred across a single cable, either coaxial (BNC) or optical network cable. In both cases, cable lengths of more than 100 meters can be achieved. The AES/EBU channels are provided via 4 XLR inputs and outputs, respectively. The ADI-642 accepts 56 channels and 64 channels as well as 96k and 192k frame at its input, and can be set to generate those formats at its output. This way the ADI-642 even serves as perfect interface between otherwise incompatible MADI devices.

FEATURES

A fully automatic input selection between optical and coaxial input offers a useful redundancy mode for critical applications. Extensive status displays give information about Lock and Sync states, audio content and the physical quality of the incoming signal.

The ADI-642 is compatible to all forms of increasing the sample rate. It supplies word clock in Single, Double und Quad Speed, distributes Double Wire 96kHz signals into the MADI data stream and to the AES ports, and even supports the double MADI sample rate (96K frame). The same applies to 192 kHz (Quad Wire, 192 kHz frame). The SyncAlign(r) and SyncCheck(r) technologies known from other RME products ensure perfect synchronization and clear detection of errors. Also multiple units can be stacked and operated sample-aligned, using word clock. All settings are stored when the unit is switched off.

Additionally the ADI-642 features an easy-to-use 72 x 72 Matrix Router. An input signal can be assigned to every output channel, both for AES and MADI. This not only allows free signal routing during format conversion, but also forwarding and routing of signals within the same format. An input signal can also be distributed to any number of outputs. With more than one ADI-642, several MADI signals can be combined (merged) to one MADI stream.

16 MIDI channels can be transferred across MADI (even with 64 audio channels). The device can be fully remote controlled and configured via MIDI, and all status displays can be queried through MIDI. Each ADI-642 can be given a separate ID, allowing separate remote controllability of various devices with only one MIDI channel.