ADA-8XR FireWire Applications
FireWire Module information
The FireWire I/O Module type PREV039/10/1 provides up to eight channels
of digital audio input and output for the ADA-8 or ADA-8XR over a
FireWire (also known as IEEE-1394) bus connection.
The FireWire I/O Module enables the ADA-8XR to be used as a high quality ‘soundcard’, or I/O interface, for native PC and Macintosh workstation applications. Up to four ADA-8s may be connected on the same FireWire bus allowing up to 32 channels of simultaneous recording and playback.
Each FireWire card caters for 8 simultaneous input and output channels at up to 96kHz sampling rate, or for 4 simultaneous input and outputs channels at 176.4 and 192kHz sampling rates. 8 channel simultaneous input and output applications at sampling rates over 96kHz require two FireWire cards. 16 channel input or 16 channel output applications are also supported at up to 96kHz with two FireWire cards.
The FireWire I/O Module enables the ADA-8XR to be used as a high quality ‘soundcard’, or I/O interface, for native PC and Macintosh workstation applications. Up to four ADA-8s may be connected on the same FireWire bus allowing up to 32 channels of simultaneous recording and playback.
Each FireWire card caters for 8 simultaneous input and output channels at up to 96kHz sampling rate, or for 4 simultaneous input and outputs channels at 176.4 and 192kHz sampling rates. 8 channel simultaneous input and output applications at sampling rates over 96kHz require two FireWire cards. 16 channel input or 16 channel output applications are also supported at up to 96kHz with two FireWire cards.
For Windows XP PC applications a driver is supplied with the module,
which makes the ADA-8(s) appear as Windows Driver Model and ASIO compliant audio
device(s).
For Macintosh OS X applications, the Operating System will automatically recognise the connected ADA-8XR and make it available to applications as an OS X Core Audio device.
For computers without FireWire, this can also be used with Thunderbolt equipped computers via a third party Thunderbolt to FireWire adaptor.
For Macintosh OS X applications, the Operating System will automatically recognise the connected ADA-8XR and make it available to applications as an OS X Core Audio device.
For computers without FireWire, this can also be used with Thunderbolt equipped computers via a third party Thunderbolt to FireWire adaptor.
Connections
The FireWire I/O Module has two
six-pin FireWire sockets for connection to the bus. The module may only
be connected to FireWire 400 (1394a) buses. The module does NOT support
direct connection to FireWire 800 (1394b) buses.
The module does not require FireWire bus power in order to operate and so may be connected, using the appropriate lead, to the four-pin FireWire connector type often found on notebook computers. When connected to a six-pin, power providing, FireWire interface the module passes power straight through to the next device on the bus.
In a single ADA-8XR application simply connect a FireWire cable between the workstation and either of the module’s six-pin sockets. In most cases you will require a six-pin to six-pin FireWire cable (for desktop computers), or a four-pin to six-pin cable (for notebook computers).
The module does not require FireWire bus power in order to operate and so may be connected, using the appropriate lead, to the four-pin FireWire connector type often found on notebook computers. When connected to a six-pin, power providing, FireWire interface the module passes power straight through to the next device on the bus.
In a single ADA-8XR application simply connect a FireWire cable between the workstation and either of the module’s six-pin sockets. In most cases you will require a six-pin to six-pin FireWire cable (for desktop computers), or a four-pin to six-pin cable (for notebook computers).
Additional ADA-8XR units may be added to the bus, by connecting a six-pin
to six-pin cable between the unused socket on the first unit to either
of the sockets on the next unit.
Do NOT connect a cable back to the workstation from the last unit in the chain, as this will create a loop, which will stop the FireWire bus from operating correctly.
In the case that two FireWire I/O Modules are fitted to the same ADA-8, the modules must be connected together externally using a six-pin to six-pin cable.
For newer computers with Thunderbolt ports, we have also successfully tested the ADA-8XR with a Thunderbolt to FireWire adaptor.
Do NOT connect a cable back to the workstation from the last unit in the chain, as this will create a loop, which will stop the FireWire bus from operating correctly.
In the case that two FireWire I/O Modules are fitted to the same ADA-8, the modules must be connected together externally using a six-pin to six-pin cable.
For newer computers with Thunderbolt ports, we have also successfully tested the ADA-8XR with a Thunderbolt to FireWire adaptor.
FireWire Module Applications
A selection of Factory Stores have been created for various applications of the FireWire I/O Module,
they are described below.
Analogue to Digital / Digital to Analogue (+ Digital)
If your ADA-8XR is fitted with a single FireWire I/O Module, the “FireWire AD/DA” store will appear in the store banks when the Factory Stores are recalled. Use this store for common A/D and D/A applications with sample rates up to and including 96kHz.
When this store is recalled the FireWire I/O Module is configured for 8 in / 8 out operation. Giving a total of 8 input channels and 8 output channels.
If you have an ADA-8XR and wish to use this store with sample rates above 96kHz, you can do so by adjusting the FireWire I/O configuration to 4 in / 4 out as described in section 9.5.2 of the ADA-8XR Module Reference Manual. The unit will operate as before, except that input and output channels 5 to 8 will not be active.
Path 1 is configured for analogue to digital conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation. See sections 9.7 and 9.8 of the ADA-8XR Module Reference Manual for further information on controlling the ADA-8XR from the workstation.
Path 2 is configured for digital to analogue conversion. The path is synchronized to the FireWire I/O Module and the path sample rate is set to ‘=Ext’. These settings ensure that Path1 and Path 2 are synchronous.
Note that if an AES3 I/O Module is also fitted to the ADA-8, Path 2 will be set up to use both the analogue and AES3 outputs.
16 Channel Analogue to Digital
If your ADA-8XR is fitted with two FireWire I/O Modules, and two Analogue Line Input Modules, the “FireWire 2xADC” store will appear in the store banks when the Factory Stores are recalled. Use this store for 16 channel A/D applications with sample rates up to and including 96kHz.
When this store is recalled each FireWire I/O Module is configured for 8 in / 2 out operation. Giving a total of 16 input channels and 4 dummy output channels (the dummy output channels are required to maintain synchronization between FireWire I/O modules).
Path 1 is configured for analogue to digital conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation.
Path 2 is configured for analogue to digital conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation.
See sections 9.7 and 9.8 of the ADA-8XR Module Reference Manual for further information on controlling the ADA-8XR from the workstation.
Analogue to Digital / Digital to Analogue (+ Digital)
If your ADA-8XR is fitted with a single FireWire I/O Module, the “FireWire AD/DA” store will appear in the store banks when the Factory Stores are recalled. Use this store for common A/D and D/A applications with sample rates up to and including 96kHz.
When this store is recalled the FireWire I/O Module is configured for 8 in / 8 out operation. Giving a total of 8 input channels and 8 output channels.
If you have an ADA-8XR and wish to use this store with sample rates above 96kHz, you can do so by adjusting the FireWire I/O configuration to 4 in / 4 out as described in section 9.5.2 of the ADA-8XR Module Reference Manual. The unit will operate as before, except that input and output channels 5 to 8 will not be active.
Path 1 is configured for analogue to digital conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation. See sections 9.7 and 9.8 of the ADA-8XR Module Reference Manual for further information on controlling the ADA-8XR from the workstation.
Path 2 is configured for digital to analogue conversion. The path is synchronized to the FireWire I/O Module and the path sample rate is set to ‘=Ext’. These settings ensure that Path1 and Path 2 are synchronous.
Note that if an AES3 I/O Module is also fitted to the ADA-8, Path 2 will be set up to use both the analogue and AES3 outputs.
16 Channel Analogue to Digital
If your ADA-8XR is fitted with two FireWire I/O Modules, and two Analogue Line Input Modules, the “FireWire 2xADC” store will appear in the store banks when the Factory Stores are recalled. Use this store for 16 channel A/D applications with sample rates up to and including 96kHz.
When this store is recalled each FireWire I/O Module is configured for 8 in / 2 out operation. Giving a total of 16 input channels and 4 dummy output channels (the dummy output channels are required to maintain synchronization between FireWire I/O modules).
Path 1 is configured for analogue to digital conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation.
Path 2 is configured for analogue to digital conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation.
See sections 9.7 and 9.8 of the ADA-8XR Module Reference Manual for further information on controlling the ADA-8XR from the workstation.
16 Channel Digital to Analogue
If your ADA-8XR is fitted with two FireWire I/O Modules, and two Analogue Line Output Modules, the “FireWire 2xDAC” store will appear in the store banks when the Factory Stores are recalled. Use this store for 16 channel D/A applications with sample rates up to and including 96kHz.
When this store is recalled each FireWire I/O Module is configured for 2 in / 8 out operation. Giving a total of 16 output channels and 4 dummy input channels (the dummy input channels are required to maintain synchronization between FireWire I/O modules).
Path 1 is configured for digital to analogue conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation.
Path 2 is configured for digital to analogue conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation.
See sections 9.7 and 9.8 of the ADA-8XR Module Reference Manual for further information on controlling the ADA-8XR from the workstation.
Analogue to Digital / Digital to Analogue Cascade
If you have an ADA-8XR that is fitted with two FireWire I/O Modules, an Analogue Line Input Module, and an Analogue Line Output module the “FWire AD/DA Casc” store will appear in the store banks when the Factory Stores are recalled. Use this store for common A/D and D/A applications with sample rates up to and including 192kHz.
When this store is recalled each FireWire I/O Module is configured for 4 in / 4 out operation. Giving a total of 8 input channels and 8 output channels.
Path 1 is configured for analogue to digital conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation. Input channels 1 to 4 are handled by the FireWire I/O Module in DIO Slot 1 and input channels 5 to 8 are handled by the FireWire I/O Module in DIO Slot 2.
Path 2 is configured for digital to analogue conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation. Output channels 1 to 4 are handled by the FireWire I/O Module in DIO Slot 1 and output channels 5 to 8 are handled by the FireWire I/O Module in DIO Slot 2.
If your ADA-8XR is fitted with two FireWire I/O Modules, and two Analogue Line Output Modules, the “FireWire 2xDAC” store will appear in the store banks when the Factory Stores are recalled. Use this store for 16 channel D/A applications with sample rates up to and including 96kHz.
When this store is recalled each FireWire I/O Module is configured for 2 in / 8 out operation. Giving a total of 16 output channels and 4 dummy input channels (the dummy input channels are required to maintain synchronization between FireWire I/O modules).
Path 1 is configured for digital to analogue conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation.
Path 2 is configured for digital to analogue conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation.
See sections 9.7 and 9.8 of the ADA-8XR Module Reference Manual for further information on controlling the ADA-8XR from the workstation.
Analogue to Digital / Digital to Analogue Cascade
If you have an ADA-8XR that is fitted with two FireWire I/O Modules, an Analogue Line Input Module, and an Analogue Line Output module the “FWire AD/DA Casc” store will appear in the store banks when the Factory Stores are recalled. Use this store for common A/D and D/A applications with sample rates up to and including 192kHz.
When this store is recalled each FireWire I/O Module is configured for 4 in / 4 out operation. Giving a total of 8 input channels and 8 output channels.
Path 1 is configured for analogue to digital conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation. Input channels 1 to 4 are handled by the FireWire I/O Module in DIO Slot 1 and input channels 5 to 8 are handled by the FireWire I/O Module in DIO Slot 2.
Path 2 is configured for digital to analogue conversion. The path synchronization source and sample rate are controlled by the workstation. Output channels 1 to 4 are handled by the FireWire I/O Module in DIO Slot 1 and output channels 5 to 8 are handled by the FireWire I/O Module in DIO Slot 2.
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