Grimm Audio CC1v2 User manual

Please read this manual before operating the
unit.
Jitter is the Achilles heel of digital audio. A stable clock
is of vital importance for high quality sound.
CC1: without doubt The Final Word.
Please read this manual before operating the unit.

Manual CC1 © Grimm Audio
2
Table of Contents
1. Introduction 3
2. Important Safety Instructions 4
3. Installing 6
4. Operation 8
5. Setting up the studio 14
6. Jitter and PLL’s explained 18
7. Specications 23
8. Grimm Audio Limited Warranty 25
Table of Contents

Manual CC1 © Grimm Audio 3
1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing the Grimm Audio CC1 Central
Clock distributor for your production environment. This
product features a rich set of distributor functions,
based upon an ultra low jitter clock oscillator. It
embodies our company philosophy of providing the
most transparent signal chain possible, enabling you to
achieve the best possible results sonically and
artistically. Large parts of the CC1 circuitry, like the
oscillator and its power supplies, use a discrete design.
Because of this a CC1 has more than 700 components.
During construction 125 seperate elements are tested.
The CC1 can be used in a wide variety of applications
such as:
• House Sync generation in audio and/or video studios.
Sixteen outputs permit the use of the reliable “star”
distribution scheme. The extremely low jitter of the CC1
clock outputs maximises the sound quality potential of
the attached devices. In case you need to slave your
system to video clock, please insert a Grimm Audio VCC,
‘video to word clock converter’ before the clock input.
• Clock stability improvement, and hence improved
sound, of digital live desks and digital snakes.
• Clock distribution in broadcast studios.
• Improvement of your home audio system. For instance
in conjunction with word clock equiped devices or as
reclock unit in between a transport or media system
and a DA converter.
This manual describes how to set up the unit in your
studio, live or home environment as well as important
tips on how to get the best performance from the CC1.
In addition, some background information on the unit’s
operation is provided.
We hope this investment will bring you many years of
creative enjoyment and help you achieve your goals.
1. Introduction

Manual CC1 © Grimm Audio
4
2. Important Safety Instructions
Grimm Audio gaat er van uit dat u deze Engelstalige tekst
volledig begrijpt. Als u hier moeite mee heeft dient u contact
op te nemen met Grimm Audio. Op verzoek sturen wij u een
vertaling toe.
Grimm Audio nimmt an, dass Sie diesen Englischen Text
völlig verstehen. Wenn notwendig, nehmen Sie bitte Kontakt
auf mit Grimm Audio. Auf Wünsch wird Ihnen eine
Übersetzung zugeschickt.
Grimm Audio suppose que le lecteur comprend
parfaitement le texte en Anglais ci-dessous. En cas de doute
s.v.p. contacter Grimm Audio. Si necessaire, on pourra vous
envoyer une traduction.
Grimm Audio da por supuesto que el texto en versión
Inglesa no ofrece ninguna duda de interpretación y se
entiende integramente. Si este no fuese su caso rogamos
contacte con Grimm Audio quien, a petición, se encargaría
de enviarle la correspondiente traducción.
Please follow these precautions when using
this product:
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Dangerous voltage is inside this apparatus. Opening
is only allowed by qualied service personnel.
6. Verify line voltage before use.
7. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or
grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two
blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-
type plug has two blades and a third grounding
prong. The wide blade or the third prong are
provided for your safety. When the provided plug
2. Important Safety Instructions

Manual CC1 © Grimm Audio 5
does not t into your outlet, consult an electrician
for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
8. Protect the power cord from being walked on or
pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit from the
apparatus.
9. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or
when unused for long periods of time.
10. Do not use this apparatus near water.
11. Do not use this apparatus outside.
12. Do not expose the apparatus to dripping or
splashing. Do not place objects lled with liquids
(ower vases, drink cans, coee cups, etc) on the
apparatus.
13. Clean only with a dry, soft, non-uy cloth. Do not
spray any liquid cleaner onto the cabinet, as this
may lead to dangerous shocks. Do not spray any
liquid cleaner onto the faceplate, as this may
damage the wooden front panel.
14. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.
15. Do not install near any heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus
(including ampliers) that produce heat. Avoid
exposure to direct sunlight.
16. Use only attachments or accessories specied by
the manufacturer.
17. Use only with a cart, stand, bracket, or table
designed for use with professional audio or music
equipment. In any installation, make sure that injury
or damage will not result from cables pulling on the
apparatus and its mounting. If a cart is used, use
precaution when moving the cart/apparatus
combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
2. Important Safety Instructions

Manual CC1 © Grimm Audio
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18. This apparatus typically runs slightly warm when
operated. Install in a normal ventilated area. If the
product will be used in a rack, make certain there is
sucient air movement within the rack.
19. Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as when the power-
supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture,
does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
20. WARNING: To reduce the risk of re or electric
shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or
moisture.
3. Installing
Unpacking and Inspection
Your CC1 was carefully packed at the factory and the
carton it came in was designed to protect it from the
trials and tribulations of shipping. Keep the box and all
packing materials, so that in the unlikely event that you
need to return the CC1 for servicing, you can do so
safely.
Mounting the CC1
The CC1 can mount in any standard 19” rack. The CC1
does not produce RF elds nor is susceptible to them.
You can position it near other digital gear such as
computer and disk recorders without worry. In general it
is a good idea to keep some distance between monitors
(LCD and CRT) and audio and word clock cables because
of risk of induced low level noise due to stray magnetic
elds.
3. Installing

Manual CC1 © Grimm Audio 7
Grimm Audio products have a real wood face plate that
provides a beautiful and vivid appearance. To maintain
the outstanding looks, one is advised to take some
precautions:
- Do not place the CC1 in humid nor very dry
environments. The wood might crack.
- Do not use chemical or alcohol based cleaner on the
wood.
AC Power hookup
The CC1 has a linear power supply that needs to be
factory set for your local line voltage. Make sure to
check the noted line voltage on the back below the IEC
cable entrance (‘wired for ... V’) and verify that this
complies with your locally supplied line voltage. Grimm
Audio cannot be responsible for problems caused by
using the CC1 with improper AC wiring or voltage. Since
the CC1 does not have a power switch on the front
panel, a convenient way to power down the unit is to
use a power strip equipped with a switch.
3. Installing

4. Operation
Signal Connections
Manual CC1 © Grimm Audio
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AES-in
lock
status
Impe-
dance
group 1
(75 Ohm
or Lo-Z)
Impe-
dance
group 1
(75 Ohm
or Lo-Z)
Impe-
dance
group 2
(75 Ohm
or Lo-Z)AES-out
behavior
(thru or
mute)
Word
clock
input
AES-in
(also for
re-
clocking
purpose)
AES-out
(follows
AES3-in
when
available
and
selected,
otherwise
group 2)
Word
clock
outputs
group 1
Word
clock
outputs
group 1
Word
clock
outputs
group 2
Unlock
be-
havior
(hold or
mute)
Phase of
output
11, 12,
13, 14
(normal
or 180°)
Group 2
sample
rate multi-
plication
factor
Group 1
sample
rate multi-
plication
factor
Master
44.1/48 kHz
and Slave
4. Operation
Indication of
factory set
line voltage
value

Manual CC1 © Grimm Audio 9
Master mode
The leftmost front panel push-button selects between
two base clock rates: 44.1kHz or 48kHz. The two other
push-buttons determine the actual clock frequency
transmitted across the 16 BNC outputs. They control in
two groups. Group 1 are channels 1-12. The second
push-button sets the multiplication factor for this group
to 1x, 2x or 4x. Group 2 are channels 13-16, and their
multiplication factor is set by the third push-button.
Setting ‘48kHz’ using the leftmost push-button, ‘1x’ on
the middle selector and ‘2x’ on the rightmost selector
will set the clock rate on group 1 BNC’s to 48kHz and on
group 2 BNC’s to 96kHz.
The AES3 output has two functions, depending on the
setting of the dip switch marked ‘aes’ on the rear. It
determines whether the audio content found at the
AES3 input is passed through to the output (‘thru’) or not
(‘mute’). In mute mode the AES3 data will be black and
run at the rate selected for group 2. In thru mode, the
AES3 output will obviously run at the same rate as the
AES3 input. On loss of input signal, the output will
remain at the same sampling rate.
The exact behaviour of the AES3 output in master mode
depends on the use case:
1. No signal connected to the AES3 input. The AES3
output is a black signal (no audio) with the same
sampling rate as the Group 2 BNC outputs. The channel
status bits indicate “Grade 1 reference” if the CC1 has
gone through the optional frequency calibration,
otherwise “Grade 2 reference”. The AES lock indicator on
the rear is o.
2. A signal is applied to the AES3 input that is not
synchronous to the CC1. The AES3 output is a black
signal with the same sampling rate as the Group 2 BNC
outputs. The AES lock indicator on the rear blinks.
3. A signal is applied to the AES3 input that is
synchronous to the CC1, but the ‘aes’ dip switch is set to
‘mute’. The AES3 output will still be black and
synchronous. The presence of the aes signal has no
4. Operation

Manual CC1 © Grimm Audio
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eect. In master mode with the ‘aes’ dip switch set to
‘mute’, any signal at the AES3 input is basically ignored,
except that the ‘aes lock’ light on the rear will be on to
indicate the presence of a synchronous input.
4. A signal is applied to the AES3 input that is
synchronous to the CC1, and the ‘aes’ dip switch is set to
‘thru’. The AES3 output fully copies audio and subcode
data (but not the jitter!) from the AES3 input. In this
mode the AES3 output will never indicate ‘grade 1’ as
AES11 requires a black signal. The ‘aes lock’ light is on.
5. If the input signal is lost from case 4, the sampling
frequency setting is retained, as sudden loss of signal is
most likely accidental. This is dierent from case 1
where an AES3 input signal was never present. If the
removal of the AES3 input was on purpose, changing the
group 2 multiple on the front will return to case 1, and
the AES3 output will once again be synchronous to the
selected multiple of group 2.
Slave mode
Slave mode is the third setting on the leftmost selector.
In slave mode, the CC1 will look at the word sync input
as well as the AES3 input for a valid signal. Slave mode
permits the following use cases:
1. Word sync only. Upon selection of slave mode, the
CC1 selects the word sync input. The middle and right
selector once again set groups 1 and 2 to a multiple of
the base rate. The AES3 output will be black,
synchronised to group 2 and the channel status is
marked “no reference”. Upon loss of lock, the output
frequency will be held constant, see case 4.
2. AES3 only. Upon selection of slave mode, the CC1
selects the AES3 input. The ‘aes’ dip switch at the rear
selects whether the audio data is transmitted (thru) or
not (mute). In thru mode, the AES3 output will obviously
run at the same multiple as the AES3 input. In mute
mode it will be synchronous to group 2, audio is black
and marked “no reference”. Upon loss of lock the output
4. Operation