ADA-8XR Modules

    8C-AD

    Analogue Line Input Module

    The 8C-AD Analogue Line Input Module type PREV039/4/2 provides eight electronically-balanced analogue input channels to the ADA 8XR, on eight female XLR connectors.

    Input line-up level (sensitivity) is variable for each channel over the range 0dBFS=+5.0dBu to 0dBFS=+24.0dBu, in 0.5dBu steps plus a fine trim.

    Each channel has a Prism Sound Overkiller progressive limiter capability, which prevents the A/D converter from reaching full-scale, even when the input level significantly exceeds the selected input range. More information about the Prism Sound Overkiller can be found in the Technical Background section of the Operation Manual.

    Control of the input line-up level and trim, and of the Overkillers, is via menus which are present in the ADA-8XR Menu System if the Module is fitted.

    ConnectionsElectronically balanced inputs, female XLRs
    Differential input impedance21k5 Ohm
    Full-scale input range (software-controlled)+5dBu..+24dBu in 1dBu steps,
    trims in 0.05dBu steps
    Absolute gain accuracy+/-0.05dB
    CMRR60Hz:<-100dB, 1kHz:<-90dB,
    20Hz..20kHz:<-65dB
    OverkillerSoftware selectable On/Off
    THD+N(997Hz, -1dBFS) -105dB (0.0006%)
    Dynamic range(997Hz, -60dBFS) 112dB
    IMD (SMPTE/DIN, 60Hz@-3dBFS & 7kHz@-12dBFS)<-100dB
    Maximum aharmonic spurium (997Hz @ -1dBFS)<-130dBFS
    Frequency response fs=192kHz-0.05dB: 6.2Hz..50.2kHz;
    -3dB: <1Hz..77.7kHz
    Frequency response fs=96kHz-0.05dB: 6.1Hz..43.3kHz;
    -3dB: <1Hz..48kHz
    Frequency response fs=48kHz-0.05dB: 5.5Hz..22.8kHz;
    -3dB: <1Hz..24.0kHz
    Frequency response fs=44.1kHz-0.05dB: 5.0Hz..20.1kHz;
    -3dB: <1Hz..22.0kHz
    Passband ripple: 96kHz<0.015dB; 48kHz: <0.015dB
    Inter-channel phase difference<0.03 degrees
    Channel separation: 1kHz>125dB,
    20Hz..20kHz: >117dB
    Group delay (input to AES3 output)20/fs

    The 8C-DA Analogue Line Output Module type PREV039/5/1 provides eight electronically-balanced analogue output channels from the ADA 8XR, on eight male XLR connectors.

    Output line-up level (gain) is variable for each channel over the range 0dBFS=+5.0dBu to 0dBFS=+24.0dBu, in 0.5dBu steps plus a fine trim.
    Control of the output line-up level and trim is via menus which are present in the ADA-8XR Menu System if the Module is fitted.

    ConnectionsElectronically balanced outputs, male XLRs
    Differential output impedance50 Ohm
    Full-scale output range (software-controlled)+5dBu..+24dBu in 1dBu steps,
    trims in 0.05dBu steps
    Absolute gain accuracy+/-0.05dB
    Output balance54dB
    THD+N: (997Hz, -1dBFS)-102dB (0.0007%) typical
    Dynamic range: (997Hz, -60dBFS)108dB
    IMD (SMPTE/DIN, 60Hz@-3dBFS & 7kHz@-12dBFS)<-94dB
    Maximum aharmonic spurium (997Hz @ -1dBFS)<-130dBFS
    Frequency response: fs=192kHz-0.05dB: 5.2Hz..37.2kHz;
    -3dB: 1.4Hz..74.4kHz
    Frequency response: fs=96kHz-0.05dB: 5.1Hz..38.9kHz;
    -3dB: 1.4Hz..47.4kHz
    Frequency response: fs=48kHz-0.05dB: 5.1Hz..22.6kHz;
    -3dB: 1.4Hz..23.9kHz
    Frequency response: fs=44.1kHz-0.05dB: 5Hz..20.8kHz;
    -3dB: 1.4Hz..22.0kHz
    Passband ripple<0.005dB
    Inter-channel phase difference<0.02 degrees
    Channel separation1kHz: >115dB;
    20Hz..20kHz: >110dB
    Group delay (AES3 to output)49.5/fs

    8C-DA

    Analogue Line Output Module

    8C-AES

    AES3 Digital I/O Module

    The 8C-AES AES3 I/O Module type PREV039/6/1 provides eight channels of digital audio input and output for the ADA-8XR on four AES3 carriers in each direction. The input and output sections of the module are completely independent – that is, they can be assigned to different Paths with different sample rates, Sync Sources and other options. The AES3 I/O module can be thought of as two modules in one – one input module and one output module.

    The module can accommodate extended sample rates (up to 192kHz) in Split96 (two-wire) or high-speed (one-wire) modes, and can output consumer or professional Channel Status. Inputs and outputs may be jumpered to comply with either AES3 or S/PDIF carrier voltage levels and impedances.

    Group delay (AES3 to output)34/fs
    ConnectionTransformer-coupled female DB25 connector
    AES3 mode: I/O impedance110 Ohm;
    Output carrier amplitude (loaded)3.2Vp-p
    S/PDIF mode: I/O impedance75 Ohm;
    Output carrier amplitude (loaded)0.5Vp-p
    Output channel statusProfessional or consumer
    Input jitter tolerance15UIp-p below 200Hz;
    0.5UIp-p above 8kHz (1UI=163ns @ 48kHz)
    Wordlength16, 20 or 24-bit
    One-wire or two-wire (“Split96”) input and output modes supported @ 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192kHz
    16

    Channel

    I/O

    Digital & Analogue

    2U

    Rack Mountable

    8

    Modular Slots

    8C-PTHD

    Pro Tools|HD Compatible Interface Module

    The 8C-PTHD Pro Tools HD compatible interface Module provides eight channels of digital audio input and output for the ADA-8XR in a form compatible with Digidesign Pro Tools|HD workstations.

    The Pro Tools HD I/O Module enables the ADA-8XR to replace a Digidesign 96 I/O or 192 I/O interface, providing superior audio performance and extra features.

    To the Pro Tools|HD software, an ADA-8XR fitted with a Pro Tools HD I/O Module looks similar to a 192 I/O and operates in a similar way, supporting sample rates up to 192kHz.

    Direct connection emulating 192 IO; up to 32 input / output channels can be connected on each cable, each HD card handling 8 channels

    The 8C-PTHDX Pro Tools HDX Compatible interface module provides eight channels of digital audio input and output for the ADA-8XR in a form compatible with Avid Pro Tools|HDX workstations.

    The Pro Tools HD interface Module enables the ADA-8XR to replace Avid HD I/O interfaces, providing superior audio performance and additional features.

    To the Pro Tools|HDX software, an ADA-8XR fitted with a Pro Tools HDX compatible interface module looks similar to an Avid HD I/O and operates in a similar way, supporting sample rates up to 192kHz.

    Direct connection emulating Avid HD I/O; up to 32 input / output channels can be connected on each cable, each HDX card handling 8 channels

    8C-PTHDX

    Pro Tools|HDX Compatible Interface Module

    8C-FW

    FireWire I/O Module

    The 8C-FW 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-8 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.

    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 PC (Vista and higher, 32 and 64 bit) 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 macOS applications up to and including Monterey, the Operating System will automatically recognise the connected ADA-8s and make it available to applications as an OS X Core Audio device. However, currently, Apple has dropped support for Core Audio over firewire in Mac OS 13 Ventura so all such audio devices, including this firewire option card, do not work.

    For computers without FireWire, this can also be used with Thunderbolt equipped computers via a third party Thunderbolt to FireWire adaptor. Of course FireWire adaptors are also available for ExpressCard and various flavours of PCI cards.

    Electrical Interface2 x 6 Pin IEEE-1394a Compliant
    IEEE-1394 Power Class4
    Audio FormatIEC 61883-6 (2nd Edition)
    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.