Ferrofish A16 AE User manual

Manual
A16 AE
professional 16 channel AD/DA converter
advanced audio applications
FERROFISH

© Ferrofish GmbH
Version 1.1

Introduction
Introduction
Thank you very much for choosing to purchase this product.
The A16 AE can convert simultaneously, 16 audio channels
from digital to analogue (DA) and 16 audio channels from
analogue to digital (AD). You can use ADAT as digital
interface, or MADI (optional).
The two TFT screens display the levels of all inputs and
outputs in high resolution.
The A16 AE combines high quality 'audiophile' conversion
characteristics with flexible routing / I/O that fits seamlessly
into your professional studio.
Software und Updates
For further information and current drivers and software please
visit our website: www.ferrofish.de
1

Operation
Operation
The A16 AE can be controlled via three front panel buttons
SAMPLE RATE, SYNCHRONIZATION and MENU.
Alternatively, you can use your PC to remote control the A16
AE using the MIDI interface.
In the main screen the frequency and synchronization can be
set using the corresponding buttons.
Pressing MENU opens the main menu, where you can
navigate with the SAMPLE RATE and
SYNCHRONIZATION functions.
Pressing MENU again will then confirm the selected function
choice.
main screen
The TFT main screen shows all 32 channels of the A16 AE as
well as the basic settings of sample rate and the input signal
from which the A16 AE takes it's timing.
2

Digital Interfaces
Digital Interfaces
Every digital device requires a sampling rate for proper
operation. The A16 AE can either generate such sampling rate
itself (Master) or receive it from another device (Slave).
It is important that all devices within a digital domain work
with the same sampling rate. For that reason there has to be
exactly one master generating the sampling rate, while all other
devices have to refer to this sampling rate as a slave.
It is not possible to connect two master devices with
each other, even if set to the same sampling rate.
Because the units are not synchronized, even the
smallest variations of the sampling rate would cause
failures.
With the SYNCHRONIZATION button you can select
whether the device shall be master or slave to MADI, ADAT or
BNC.
If the corresponding field in the TFT is green, the
A16 AE found a valid sampling rate at the selected input.
In case you have set the A16 AE as MASTER, it will generate
the sampling rate. Now you can select the frequency between
32kHz and 96kHz via SAMPLE RATE.
3

Digital Interfaces
ADAT
ADAT is probably the most common digital audio connection
used in multichannel interfaces. Since an ADAT cable can
transmit 8 channels only, the A16 AE has two pairs of this
interface. The number of available channels is only half or only
a quarter in case of higher frequencies:
Frequency ADAT Channels
32kHz, 44,1kHz, 48kHz 2 x 8 channels
88,2kHz, 96kHz 2 x 4 channels
192kHz* 2 x 2 channels
* only supported with installed MADI option.
If you use ADAT for higher frequencies, the first 8 (or 4)
outputs will be used only. The remaining outputs will repeat
the signal of the first 8 (or 4) outputs. Only the first 8 (or 4)
channels will be used as analog inputs respectively.
Set the desired mode using the SAMPLE RATE button.
MADI (option)
MADI is a very popular audio interface offering 64 channels at
a maximum cable length of 2 kilometers!
Furthermore, when using more than one A16 AE, it is also
possible to daisy chain the MADI cable. In this case the
4

Digital Interfaces
device's output will be connected to the next device's input.
Hence you can connect, for example, four A16 AE in a row in
order to use the maximum number of 64 MADI channels.
For more information concerning the MADI upgrade please
visit our website: www.ferrofish.de/upgrade
WORDCLOCK
When using many devices which should run with the same
sample rate, it is a good idea to use the Wordclock (BNC)
connection of the A16 AE. It has both in and out connections
to synchronize timings between multiple devices. The A16 AE
can output a master wordclock, or accept (and then throughput)
a signal from other devices.
status screen
The status screen is a useful help when configuring the
A16 AE, giving an overview of the digital inputs. To activate
it, press MENU and then select status. The screen shows for
every digital input, whether it receives a valid signal (signal)
and whether this signal's sampling rate is correct (lock). Only if
both conditions are met, the A16 AE will use the signal.
5

Analog Interface
Analog Interface
All analog in-/outputs are balanced and can be adjusted to
levels from -10dBu (“consumer”) to +4dBu (“professional”).
If you adjust the output, for example to +4dBu, you should set
the corresponding input to -4dBu in order to balance the
amplification one by one.
In doing so you can adjust the level of each channel
individually.
The settings are chosen in a way that, in case of analog full
scale, a headroom of 6dB remains to avoid any digital clipping.
Hence you can amplify the inputs by max. 6dB
without the converters of the A16 AE distorting the
signal. Accordingly the output signal will be on full
scale if the digital signal is still below 6dB.
The following table shows the common standard levels and the
corresponding level adjustment of the A16 AE:
Setting Application
+4dBu (+6dBu) Professional level with 6dB headroom
-2dBu (+6dBu) Professional level without headroom
-10dBu (+6dBu) Consumer level with 6dB headroom
6

Analog Interface
Level and gain screen
All analog levels and gains can be adjusted independent of
each other in steps of 0.5dB. Please press MENU and then
select level or gain.
Now you see a fader for each of the 16 channels (depending on
the selection either the input channels or the output channels).
In the first step you select those faders you want to move. You
may select various groups of faders or individual faders.
Next, press MENU in order to move the selected faders. In the
top right corner of the window you can see the current level of
each fader.
Press and hold MENU to leave the settings menu.
Software
The remote control software for the A16 AE you find on our
website. In addition you will find a program to upload your
own logo in the A16 AE.
Please visit the download area of our website:
www.ferrofish.de
7

CE / FCC Compliance
CE / FCC Compliance
This device complies with the limits of the European Council
Directive on the approximation of the laws of the member states
relating to electromagnetic compatibility (RL89/336/EWG,
RL73/23/EWG).
This device complies with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules.
RohS
This device has been soldered lead free and fulfills the
requirements of the RohS directive.
Information about Disposal
According to the Directive on Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment – RL for electrical and
electronical devices ) RL2002/96/EG this device has
to be reused or recycled after its usage.
8

Warranty
Warranty
Each A16 AE is tested by us and all functions are checked extensively. Only
high quality components are used, which enables us to give two years full
warranty. As confirmation for the purchase date please keep the sales receipt.
In case of a defect please consult your dealer. Defects, which are caused by
improper installation or use are not subject to the warranty. In this case the
repair is with costs.
Compensation in any kind, i.e. of secondary damages is excluded. Any liability
beyond the merchandise value of the A16 AE is excluded. General terms and
conditions of Ferrofish GmbH apply.
Disclaimer
This documentation describes the actual state of development. Ferrofish does
not grant any warranty, neither explicit nor implicit, for the correctness of this
documentation. I.e. Ferrofish isn't be liable for loss of data in assiciation with
this product or this documentation. In particular Ferrofish is not liable for
consequential damage, which are result from using the product or
documentation.
This document may use trade names or product names of other companies, these
are subject to legal regulations, and are owned by the property holders
accordingly. This is also true, even if it's not stated in the text explicitely.
This product and documentation are subject to the current terms and conditions
of the Ferrofish GmbH.
9

Warranty
[e-mail]
www.ferrofish.de
10
advanced audio applications
FERROFISH