Application Systems ADX-32 User manual

ADAT Multicore Extender
ADX-32 / ADX-64
User's Manual

Contents
1. Device connections....................................................................................................................................3
1.1. Front panel..........................................................................................................................................3
1.2. Rear panel............................................................................................................................................3
2. Typical setup..............................................................................................................................................4
3. Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................5
3.1. Overview..............................................................................................................................................5
3.2. Bene its................................................................................................................................................5
4. Installation notes........................................................................................................................................5
5. Front panel connections............................................................................................................................6
5.1. Cat5 Connection 1 / Jacks „A“ and „B“............................................................................................6
5.2. Cat5 Connection 2 / Jacks „A“ and „B“(ADX-64 only).....................................................................6
6. Rear panel connections.............................................................................................................................7
6.1. Power Input.........................................................................................................................................7
6.2. ADAT Connections 1-4........................................................................................................................7
6.3. ADAT Connections 5-8 (ADX-64 only) ..............................................................................................7
7. Settings.......................................................................................................................................................8
7.1. Input/output mode (DIP switches 1-4)...............................................................................................8
7.2. Termination (DIP switches 5-8)..........................................................................................................8
8. Wordclock synchronization.......................................................................................................................9
8.1. General................................................................................................................................................9
8.2. Wordclock synchronization over ADAT.............................................................................................9
8.3. Wordclock synchronization over separate coax cable.....................................................................9
9. Example con igurations...........................................................................................................................10
9.1. Digital 16/16 multicore......................................................................................................................10
9.2. Digital 24/8 multicore (sync over ADAT).........................................................................................11
9.3. Digital 48/16 multicore (sync over separate coax cable)................................................................12
10. Speci ications.........................................................................................................................................13
11. Warranty.................................................................................................................................................14
2

1. Device connections
1.1. Front panel
Connectors „Cat5 Connection 2“ are only available with the 64-channel version (ADX-64).
1.2. Rear panel
Connectors „ADAT Connections 5-8“ are only available with the 64-channel version (ADX-64).
Power
Cat5 Connection 1
A B Power
Cat5 Connection 2
A B
ADX-32/64
32/64-channel ADAT® multicore extender
Type 003
Made in Switzerland
www.appsys.ch
ADAT is a registered trademark of Alesis Corp.
Application Syste s
8..24V DC
5W
5
Input Output
6
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
ADAT5: Input ADAT6: Input ADAT7: Input ADAT8: Input
Outp. Outp. Outp. Outp.
Cat5 cable:
both (A and B)
plugged
7 8
Cat5 cable: only one (A or B) plugged
Input OutputInput OutputInput Output
Input Output
2
2345678
Cat5 cable:
both (A and B)
plugged
3 4
Cat5 cable: only one (A or B) plugged
Input OutputInput OutputInput Output
Power inputADAT Connections 5-8 ADAT Connections 1-4
ADX-32/64
32/64 channel ADAT multicore extender
Type 003
Made in Switzerland
www.appsys.ch
Serial Number:
ADAT® is a registered
Trademark of Alesis Corp.
Application Syste s
ADAT: Input ADAT2: Input ADAT3: Input ADAT4: Input
Outp. Outp. Outp. Outp.
Ø2.5/5.5mm
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2. Typical setup
4
Input/Output can
be set for each ADAT
at any point
Mixer
Mixer ADAT Lightpipe
Cat.5 cable
ADC / DAC
ADC / DAC
ADX 32
ADX 32
ADC / DAC
ADC / DAC
ADX 32
ADX 32
Monitor
Monitor
ADX 32
ADX 32
ADX 32
ADX 32
Cat.5 cable
carrying 32 channels
up to 100m distance
Daisy chaining allows
distribution up to
32 nodes
Multitrack Recorder
Multitrack Recorder
ADX 32
ADX 32

3. Introduction
3.1. Overview
With the ADX-32 you can transmit 4 ADAT Lightpipe connections (32 audio channels) over a single
Cat.5 network cable, up to 100 meters in distance.
The 64 channel version ADX-64 can transmit 8 ADAT Lightpipe connections (64 audio channels) over
two Cat.5 network cables – it consists basically o two ADX-32 in one case.
The system is designed to provide maximum lexibility: Transmit direction is selectable or each o
the our ADAT connections separately, giving you the option to transmit 32/0, 24/8, 16/16, 8/24, or
0/32 Tx/Rx channels. With ADX-64, you can select the direction or each o the eight ADAT-
connections, e.g. to build a 48/16 multicore system.
Multiple extenders can be daisy-chained together to transmit audio signals to multiple locations.
Thus, complex con igurations (e.g. audio distribution to multiple rooms or additional monitoring
stations) are easy and cost-e ective to set up.
Each ADAT connection ollows the „transmit once, receive multiple scheme“.
All ADAT connections operate completely independent o each other. This means it is possible to
transmit di erent data ormats, sample rates, resolutions and even ADAT and SPDIF signals together
over one Cat.5 cable.
3.2. Bene its
Much lower costs compared with MADI or analog transmissions (cabling!)
Lossless real-time transmission, virtually no latency or delays (in the nanosecond range)
Scalable: available in 32 or 64 channel versions,
the 32 channel version can be upgraded to 64 channels with an additional module
Heavily reduced cabling, one thin Cat.5 replaces 32 analog cables
Local loopback unction: each ADAT input is orwarded to the output on the same device. This
gives you the ability to connect additional monitors, or use it as wordclock source.
Compatible with all data ormats using TOSLINK connector technology:
ADAT Lightpipe, SPDIF, AC-3, DTS etc.
Quality product „Made in Switzerland“
4. Installation notes
CAUTION: Use the Cat.5 cable ONLY between ADAT Multicore Extenders!
NEVER connect ADAT-Multicore Extender with ethernet networking equipment
(PC, Switch, DSL modem whatsoever)!
ADAT Multicore Extenders and/or the networking equiment may be DAMAGED!
5

5. Front panel connections
5.1. Cat5 Connection 1 / Jacks „A“ and „B“
Transmits ADAT connections 1-4 over Cat5 cabling. Jacks „A“ and „B“ are electrically equal
(paralleled). Depending on the number o jacks used, the termination setting has to be altered (see
7.2. Termination (DIP switches 5-8)).
5.2. Cat5 Connection 2 / Jacks „A“ and „B“(ADX-64 only)
Transmits ADAT connections 5-8 over a second Cat5 cable.
The mode o operation is identical to connections 1-4.
6
Power
Cat5 Connection 1
A B
Power
Cat5 Connection 2
A B

6. Rear panel connections
6.1. Power Input
Power supply o the device.
Use only a DC adaptor with the indicated voltage, power, polarity and matching connector.
On wrong polarity, an internal resetteable use is tripped. Disconnect the power supply and wait 10
minutes be ore connecting again.
The second module in the 64 channel version is internally supplied with power, there ore it is no need
or an additional DC adaptor.
6.2. ADAT Connections 1-4
ADAT Lightpipe inputs and outputs 1-4. The transmission direction (transmit or receive) is set by DIP
switches, see 7.1. Input/output mode (DIP switches 1-4).
6.3. ADAT Connections 5-8 (ADX-64 only)
ADAT Lightpipe inputs and outputs 1-4.
The mode o operation is identical to connections 1-4.
7
8..24V DC
5W
Power input
Ø2.5/5.5mm
Input Output
2
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Cat5 cable:
both (A and B)
plugged
3 4
Cat5 cable: only one (A or B) plugged
Input OutputInput OutputInput Output
ADAT Connections 1-4
ADAT: Input ADAT2: Input ADAT3: Input ADAT4: Input
Outp. Outp. Outp. Outp.
2345678
5
Input Output
6
2345678
ADAT5: Input ADAT6: Input ADAT7: Input ADAT8: Input
Outp. Outp. Outp. Outp.
Cat5 cable:
both (A and B)
plugged
7 8
Cat5 cable: only one (A or B) plugged
Input OutputInput OutputInput Output
ADAT Connections 5-8
2 3 4 5 6 7 8

ADAT connections 5-8 can be used as additional outputs or the connections 1-4, in order
to use them as simple ADAT splitter.
7. Settings
Prior to use, the con iguration must be set by means o the DIP switches on the rear panel.
ADX-64: There are two DIP switch banks on the rear panel. Each bank sets the unction or the
corresponding 32 channel submodule.
7.1. Input/output mode (DIP switches 1-4)
The transmission direction or the ADAT connections 1-4 are set with DIP switches 1-4:
Input: ADAT connection is con igured as input. The received ADAT data is sent to the Cat5
cable.
The input signal is looped back to the corresponding output jack on the same
device ("local loopback"). This gives you the possibility to connect additional
monitoring, or to use the signal as wordclock source (see 9.2. Digital 24/8
multicore (sync over ADAT)).
Output: ADAT connection is con igured as output. ADAT data will be received rom the Cat5
cable and is orwarded to the optical output.
NOTE: For each ADAT connection, exactly one device on a bus must be set to "Input". All
others have to be set to "output" (only one signal source, but many signal sinks are allowed).
You can choose which o the devices acts as the sender ("Input") or each ADAT conection
independently.
7.2. Termination (DIP switches 5-8)
To avoid signal re lections which degrade signal quality, each end o the Cat5 cable has to be
terminated with matching resistors. These are integrated into the ADAT Multicore Extenders and can
be switched on by means o DIP switches 5-8.
On ADAT Multicore Extenders which are placed at the and o a Cat5 bus (that is, all devices
having only one Cat5 connector "A" or "B" plugged in), termination must be switched on.
On ADAT Multicore Extenders in the middle o a bus (that is, all devices where both
connectors "A" and "B" are used at the same time), termination must be switched off.
NOTE: Switches 5,6,7,8 must all either be„ON“ or all „OFF“ stehen. Other combinations are not
8
2345678
ADAT : Input (+Output loopback)
ADAT2: Input (+Output loopback)
ADAT3: Input (+Output loopback)
ADAT4: Input (+Output loopback)
ADAT : Output
ADAT2: Output
ADAT3: Output
ADAT4: Output
Termination ON
(only one Cat5 cable plugged)
ADAT : Output
ADAT2: Output
ADAT3: Output
ADAT4: Output
Termination OFF
(both Cat5 cables plugged)

allowed and cause mal unction.
8. Wordclock synchronization
8.1. General
In digital audio systems it is required that all devices (mixers, converters, e ects etc.) work with a
common clock (the so-called "wordclock"). This ensures that signal is processed on all channels in all
devices at the same time. Without a common clock, local clocks dri t apart with time, which may
cause disturbances like clicks, pops and dropouts.
ADAT Multicore Extender does not require a wordclock signal,
but transmits the wordclock signal which is contained in the ADAT data stream.
8.2. Wordclock synchronization over ADAT
The wordclock signal is generated by a master device (mostly the mixer) and is output along with the
audio data over the ADAT inter ace. Devices receiving the signal reconstruct the wordclock rom the
data stream.
When using ADAT synchronzation, there is no need or additional sync cables.
Use the "Local Loopback" unction (see 7.1. Input/output mode (DIP switches 1-4)) to have
additional ADAT sources or synchronization purposes. Look at the example in 9.2. Digital
24/8 multicore (sync over ADAT).
8.3. Wordclock synchronization over separate coax cable
This con iguration is o ten used in larger installations where simple ADAT sync is not su icient.
The sync signal generated by the master (mostly the mixer) is distributed over a separate cable to all
devices involved. Commonly used is 75 ohms coaxial cable with BNC plugs, with 75 ohms
termination resistors at each end.
I you want to use this kind o sync distribution, you have to lay an extra coaxial cable beside the Cat5
cables (see 9.3. Digital 48/16 multicore (sync over separate coax cable)).
9

9. Example con igurations
9.1. Digital 16/16 multicore
10
ADC / DAC (Wordclock slave)
ADC / DAC (Wordclock slave)
Mixer
(Wordclock Master)
Mixer
(Wordclock Master)
ADAT Lightpipe
Cat.5 cable
Analog cable
ADX 32
ADX 32
1
In Out
2
In Out
3
In Out
4
In Out
A Cat.5 B
ADX 32
ADX 32
In Out
1
In Out
2
In Out
3
In Out
4
A Cat.5 B
ADC / DAC (Wordclock slave)
ADC / DAC (Wordclock slave)