Steinberg NUENDO 8 I/O 96k User manual

NUENDO 8 I/O 96k
Operation Manual
Handbuch
Mode d’emploi

NUENDO 8 I/O 96k

NUENDO 8 I/O I
Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Supplied Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Brief Description and Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Analog Specs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Digital Specs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
First Usage - Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Inputs and Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Analog Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Analog Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Digital Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Digital Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Clock Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Special Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Bit Split . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Combine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Copy Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
16 bit Operation and Dither . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
DS - Double Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Controls and Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Connector Pinouts / Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
D-Sub analog input / output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
D-Sub TDIF-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
TRS-jacks of analog input / output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

NUENDO 8 I/O
II
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Einleitung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Lieferumfang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Kurzbeschreibung und Eigenschaften . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Technische Merkmale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Analoger Teil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Digitaler Teil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Inbetriebnahme - Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Ein- und Ausgänge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Analoge Eingänge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Analoge Ausgänge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Digitale Eingänge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Digitale Ausgänge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Clock Sektion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Besondere Funktionen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Bit Split . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Combine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Copy Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
16 Bit Betrieb und Dither . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Dither . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
DS - Double Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Bedienungselemente und Anschlüsse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Frontseite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Rückseite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Steckerbelegungen / Blockschaltbild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Sub-D analoger Ein- und Ausgang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Sub-D TDIF-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Klinkenbuchsen analoger Ein- / Ausgang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Blockschaltbild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Garantie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Anhang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

NUENDO 8 I/O III
Table des matières
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Eléments fournis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Description rapide et caractéristiques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Données techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Spécifications analogique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Specifications numériques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Premiers pas - démarrage rapide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Entrées et sorties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Entrées analogiques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Sorties analogiques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Entrées numériques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Sorties numériques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Section Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Fonctions speciales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Bit Split . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Combine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Copy Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Opérations 16 bit et Atténuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
DS–Double Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Contrôles et Connecteurs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Façade avant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Façade arrière . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Brochage / Schémaélectronique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Entrée / sortie analogique D-Sub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
D-Sub TDIF-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Les jacks TRS de l'entrée/sortie analogique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Schémaélectronique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Garantie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Appendice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

NUENDO 8 I/O
IV

1
Introduction

NUENDO 8 I/O 96k
8 Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of a NUENDO 8 I/O 96k. This hi-quality analog to
digital and digital to analog converter includes ADAT optical and TDIF-1 digital inter-
faces. It precisely converts analog audio data into a digital data stream and into the
format of your choice. Newest circuit technology combined with latest integrated cir-
cuits result in a unique and outstanding device, meeting highest quality standards.
The Nuendo 8 I/O 96k will excite you even after many years of operation.

2
Supplied Contents

NUENDO 8 I/O 96k
10 Supplied Contents
PleaseensurethatallthefollowingpartsareincludedinNuendo8I/O96k'spackaging
box:
•Nuendo 8 I/O 96k
•Manual
•Power cord
•2 x 2m optical cable (TOSLINK)

3
Brief Description and Characteristics

NUENDO 8 I/O 96k
12 Brief Description and Characteristics
TheNuendo8I/O96kisan8-channelanalogtodigitalanddigitaltoanalogconverter
in a 19" rackmount enclosure of 1 U height. Latest 24 bit / 96 kHz converters offer a
117 dBA dynamic ratio. This value is not only printed in the brochure, thanks to our
Low Jitter Design it is available with every sold unit.
TheservobalancedanaloginputsandoutputsarefittedwithbothD-sub(foroptional
XLRmulticore)and 1/4"TRSjacks.ThecompletesignalpathfromthejackstotheADC
is balanced. Both signal paths A/D and D/A are internally DC-coupled, for highest
phaseaccuracy atlowestroll-off.The digital inputsandoutputsare available asADAT
optical and TDIF-1 connectors.
To maintain the full dynamic range within the best operating level. Steinberg’s
Nuendo8 I/O 96kincludes electronic switchesof the newesttechnology, which intro-
duce no additional noise or distortion to the audio path. Two switches on the front
panelletyoucontrolinputandoutputlevelforaperfectadaptationtothemostoften
used standards -10 dBV and +4 dBu. Each analog input has a 'Signal Ok' and 'Over'
LED, so levels and Overload are easy to check.
The A/D-converter can provide several internal clocks (44,1, 48, 88,2 and 96 kHz). The
uniqueIntelligent Clock Control technology(ICC)enables a flexible operationwith in-
ternal clock, external word clock or the digital input signal. These options, also availa-
ble for the D/A-conversion, are easy to understand and easy to use. The current state
of locking and clock synchronisation is shown by blinking or constant lit LEDs.
Thedigital section of the Nuendo 8 I/O96k includes three outstanding functions. Bit
Splitallowstosplitone24bitsignaltotwo16bitoutputs.Thistechniqueallowsforex-
ampletousetwo8-channel16bittaperecorderstorecord8channelsin24bitresolu-
tion.Using Bit Combine will put the splittedsignals back to one full 24 bitsignal. The
methodof splitting/combining is compatible to Yamaha’s digital mixing desk 02R, so
theNuendo8I/O96kcanbeuseddirectlyin24bitoperationwiththisdesk!Recording
to16bitdeviceswithoutusingBit Split(avoidingthe doublenumberof channels)can
bedone at highest sonic quality using theNuendo 8 I/O 96k' Dither Option.
Furthermore the unique Copy Mode lets you fully make use of the device’s digital do-
main. Copy Mode routes the digital input to the digital outputs ADAT and TDIF. As
theseoperatesimultaneouslywithidenticaldatatheNuendo8I/O96knotonlyturns
intoasuperiourADAT/TDIFconverterbutalsoallowscopyingbetween devicesof the
same format and a distribution to different devices. In Copy Mode both Bit Split and
Combine are also available, so the functionality is boosted again. That's why we call
our Nuendo 8 I/O 96k an Intelligent Audio Solution.

4
Technical Specifications

NUENDO 8 I/O 96k
14 Technical Specifications
•Power supply: Internal, 100-240 V AC, 30 Watts
•Dimensions 483 x 44 x 205 mm
•Weight: 2 kg
Analog Specs
A/D
•Resolution A/D: 24 bit
•Signal to Noise ratio: 113 dB RMS unweighted, 117 dBA
•THD: < -110 dB, < 0.00032 %
•THD+N: < -104 dB, < 0.00063 %
•Crosstalk: > 130 dB
•Maximum input level A/D: +19 dBu
•Frequency response A/D, -0.1 dB: 5 Hz - 21.5 kHz
•Input Line: 1/4" TRS and 25 pin D-sub, servo balanced
•Input impedance Line: 10 kOhm
•Input sensitivity switchable: +4 dBu, -10 dBV, Lo Gain
•Input level for 0 dBFS @ Lo Gain: +19 dBu
•Input level for 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
•Input level for 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV
D/A
•Resolution D/A: 24 Bit
•Dynamic Range: 112 dBA (unmuted)
•THD: < -104 dB, < 0.00063 %
•THD+N: < -102 dB, < 0.0008 %
•Crosstalk: > 110 dB
•Maximum output level D/A: +19 dBu
•Frequency response D/A, -0.1 dB: 5 Hz - 21.6 kHz
•Output Line: 1/4" TRS and 25 pin D-sub, servo balanced
•Output impedance Line: 47 Ohm
•Output level switchable: Hi Gain, +4 dBu, -10 dBV
•Output level at 0 dBFS @ Hi Gain: +19 dBu
•Output level at 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
•Output level at 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV

NUENDO 8 I/O 96k
Technical Specifications 15
Digital Specs
•Super Low Jitter Design: < 4 ns word clock PLL, < 1 ns ADAT PLL, < 1 ns internal
•Internal sample rates: 44.1 kHz, 48
kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz
•Word clock In range: 27 kHz - 57 kHz
•Internal resolution: 24 bit
•Outputs: ADAT optical (24 bit), TDIF-1 (24 bit), word clock
•Inputs: ADAT optical (24 bit), TDIF-1 (24 bit), word clock
•ADAT In clock range: 33 kHz - 57 kHz
•Bit Split: 24 bit to 1 channel 16 bit and 1 channel 8 bit
•Sample Split: 96 kHz to 2 channels of 48 kHz
•Copy Mode: Direct 24 bit copying from ADAT to ADAT/TDIF and vice versa
•Dither: 1 LSB TPDF switchable

NUENDO 8 I/O 96k
16 Technical Specifications

5
First Usage - Quick Start

NUENDO 8 I/O 96k
18 First Usage - Quick Start
Theclearlystructuredfrontpaneldesignensuresaneasystartwhenworkingwiththe
device for the first time. Nevertheless we recommend to study at least the chapters
'ClockSection' and 'CopyMode',asthe extensive usageofformatconverter and clock
options may result in some behaviour that may require further explanation. You can
find more information in chapter 7 (Clock section) and in the Copy Mode section of
chapter 8.
ConnecttheTRS-jacks(ortheD-subconnector)withtheanalogsignalsource.Change
theinputsensitivityby pressingINPUTLEVELuntilthe inputlevelissufficientto avoid
noisy operation. Try to achieve an optimum input level by adjusting the source itself.
Raisethesource’soutput leveluntiltheOverLED'sflashatthe loudestpartsofthesig-
nal, then reduce the level a bit until no more overs are detected.
Theanalog line inputs of the Nuendo8 I/O 96k can beusedwith +4 dBu and -10dBV
signals.They are fitted with both D-sub(for an optional XLR multicore)and1/4" TRS
jacks.Bothareinternallyconnected,sonotoperationalatthesametime.Theelectronic
inputstageisbuiltinaservobalanceddesignwhichhandlesmonauralandstereojacks
correctly.When used unbalanced it automatically correctsthe gain by 6 dB.
When switched on for the first time, the Nuendo 8 I/O 96k starts in a default mode
which should be suitable for most applications:
•A/D-converter in master mode (CLOCK INTERNAL)
•D/A-converter in slave mode (CLOCK INPUT)
•Sample rate 44.1 kHz
•Input ADAT optical
OntheD/A-sideyou justhaveto choosethedesired digitalinputby pressingDIGITAL
INPUT. A coarse correction of the analog output level can be done by pressing OUT-
PUT LEVEL.
The Nuendo 8 I/O 96k stores all current settings and automatically activates them
when the device is turned on.
WerecommendSteinberg’sST24/96orNuendo9652digitalinterfacecards fordigital
datatransfer into a PCIbus equipped computer. These cardshave the highest reputa-
tion and are the ultimate solution for master and multitrack tasks.

6
Inputs and Outputs

NUENDO 8 I/O 96k
20 Inputs and Outputs
Analog Inputs
TheNuendo8 I/O 96k's rear provides 8 (stereo) 1/4" TRS jacks and a 25 pin D-sub jack.
Both are internally connected, so not operational at the same time. The electronic in-
putstage isbuiltin a servobalanceddesign whichhandlesmonauraland stereojacks
correctly. When used unbalanced it automatically corrects the gain by 6 dB.
❐ When using unbalanced cables with XLR jacks pin 3 of the cables jack should be con-
nected to pin 1 (ground). Otherwise noise may occur, caused by the unconnected nega-
tive input of the ADI's balanced input.
The25-pinD-subconnectorfollows thepinoutknown fromdevicesmanufactured by
Tascam.Refertochapter10forapinoutlisting.Wedonotrecommendtomakesucha
cablebyyourself,asitisextremelydifficulttointegrate8balancedlinesintoasmallD-
sub housing without shorts. Your dealer will be glad to provide you with a profes-
sional Tascam multicore, D-sub to XLR, made in the length of your choice.
Oneof the main issues when working with an A/D-converter is to maintain the full dy-
namicrange within thebestoperatinglevel. Because ofthisSteinberg’sNuendo 8I/O
96k includes electronic switches of the newest technology, which introduce no addi-
tional noise or distortion to the audio path. The key INPUT LEVEL allows a perfect ad-
aptation for all 8 channels to the most often used levels -10 dBV and +4 dBu.
Each analog input has a 'Signal Ok' and 'Over' LED, so levels and Overload of each
channelareeasyto check.ThegreenLEDbeginstolightat-40dBFSinan analogfash-
ion (more bright at higher levels). When this LED lights up only seldom or never, the
input level is too low, causing a noisy and distorted recording.
The 'standardized' studio levels do not result in an (often desired) full scale level, but
take some additional digital headroom into consideration. The amount of headroom
isdifferentindifferentstandardsandagaindifferentlyimplementedbydifferentman-
ufacturers. Because of this we decided to define the levels of the Nuendo 8 I/O 96k in
a most compatible way. The headroom of the Nuendo 8 I/O 96k is defined according
to the chosen reference level.