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2 With your new Sync DA, you will be able to: - Keep more digital audio devices in perfect sync. - Verify any digital audio signal's exact sample rate. - Distribute low-jitter sync long distances. - Dedicate any digital device as the master clock. Avoid clicks and pops in your digital audio. Prevent digital devices from not working smoothly together. - Avoid high jitter caused by long cables. - Avoid having to 'Tee Off' Word Clock to obtain more outputs. All these features add up to a solid, flexible sync distribution system that will last you through years of use. Take a few minutes to read through this manual. It will guide you through Sync. D.A. operations and will have you up and running in moments. FCC Statement This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide a reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful Interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense. For your safety, record your serial number below: Aardvark Computer Systems, Inc Serial: _

3 Contents Introduction.4 Panel Interface '" 5 Inputs 6 Outputs 7 Sample Rate Verification Display 8-9 Sample Rate Descriptions 10 Application Diagrams Altering Jumper Configurations 14 Opening the Sync D.A 14 Technical Specifications 15

4 Introduction-What to Expect from Your Sync D.A. Congratulations on purchasing your new Sync DA! It should help in figuring out the sometimes complicated digital audio sync problems encountered when combining different digital audio devices in one studio. This manual will provide the information you need to operate the Sync DA and will also offer some suggestions on how to best set it up with your studio. You may find that digital audio sync problems are sometimes frustrating and can cause even some of the most expensive digital devices to not work properly together. A critical factor in getting all things digital in your studio to interact perfectly is having all of them slaved to one master clock. This way, all your devices run at identical speeds and sample rates, preventing clicks, drop-outs, and out-of-sync problems due to different clocking structures. Since the Sync DA is only a distribution amplifier, it cannot generate a digital audio clock on its own. It must have a source device, usually a master sync generator, to provide it with a clock for it to distribute. In the Application Diagrams section, you will see several situations where the Sync DA is used in conjunction with Aardvark's master digital audio sync generator, the AardSync II. This device generates digital audio sync with the capability to run at any sample rate as well as lock to external video. The Sync D.A. will simply distribute this low-jitter clock to many more devices using the master clock as reference for the entire studio. Alternately, you can achieve low-jitter sync throughout an entire facility by using the AES/EBU output of the AardSync II connected to the AES/EBU input of your Sync D.A. The AES/EBU input can also use an AES/EBU digital audio signal as its source for sync. It will use the timing from that digital audio signal and translate it into many useful WC and 256 Superclock outputs. This might help in situations where you have a device unable to externally lock to a master generator, forcing you to dedicate that digital device as the master. Since the digital audio output of that device already has the clock inherent in the signal, the Sync DA can distribute that same clock to the rest of your devices. This way, you have made a master generator out of any digital audio device! We recommend that you only use this when necessary because you will be limited to the jitter performance and possible sample rates of that device. We hope the Sync D.A. will make life easier for you. Please read through this manual carefully so you are familiar with all the things the Sync DA can do to help sync up your digital studio. 4 Sync DA Owner's Manual

5 Back Panel - Panel Interface <t: UNIVERSAl. SYNc DISTRIBUTION 1X6 Word Clock, AES/EBU. 0 <i: Front Panel -I u (j) I Up we AESlEBU ' / ' / o~ B V) o,f~6c5b666666o D\.:: INPUT -l THRU \ OUTPUTS til};,) Power Bullon '3' Power Light Indicates unit is powered Source Indicator The "wc" and "AES/EBU" lights verify which input the Sync DA is using as its source. It is possible for only one to be lit at any Sample Rate Verification Display This displays the exact sample rate being distributed. (Sse page 8) INPUTS: These are the possible source inputs providing the sync to be distributed on the outputs. If both are plugged in simultaneously the unit defaults to the "AES/EBU input." 1) If 'WC' is source: The 'AES/EBU input' must not be connected. Therefore, there will be no output of "AES/EBU Thru' or the "256" Superclock. 2) If 'AES/EBU" is source: All outputs and 'AES/ EBU Thru" are active. ~... THRU: The "AES/EBU Thru" is not an output when you are using the "wc' input. The 'AES/EBU Thru" is always set to output the same signal as the "AES/EBU Input." '1(71} WC OUTPUTS: Word Clock outputs to be connected to any digital audio device's Word Clock input. Not configurable. ~ Configurable Outputs: These can be either "256" Superclock or "wc" outputs, and are changed via a jumper on the inside of the unit directly behind each connector. "256" Superclock is only generated if the AES/EBU is used as the source. The Sync DA standard configuration is five WC, one 256 as displayed on the back panel Aardvark, Inc. 5

6 Inputs One of the most unique features of the Sync DA is it's ability to derive digital audio sync from one of two sources, either a WC input or an AES/EBU input. The ability to use clock from the AES/EBU signal allows you to sync an entire facility without the high jitter and timing errors that arise when using long WC cables. Using AES/EBU input Using the AES/EBU input significantly increases the Sync DA capability over using the WC input. Aardvark recommends using this input whenever possible. Use of the AES/EBU input accomplishes the following: Allows for running up to 300 feet of low-jitter digital audio sync. The Sync DA will strip off the timing from any AES/EBU audio signal Easy access to the master digital audio source by AES/EBU Thru. Low-Jitter 256 Superclock. Using we input When using the WC as the input to the Sync DA, the 256 Superclock is NOT active. This is due to the high jitter that will fundamentally be introduced anytime you derive a 256x oversample Clock from a much slower WC 1x fundamental clock. The AES/EBU input is based on the 256x clock and can be transformed to the 256 Superclock with no decrease in quality. If you need the 256x Superclock for Digidesign~, you must use the AES/EBU input! CAUTION: No WC to AES/EBU The AES/EBU thru is directly associated with the AES/EBU input. If there is nothing connected to the AES/ EBU Input, then you should expect nothing on the AES/EBU Thru. CAUTION: 20ft Maximum Cable lenqth for WC Input. For best jitter performance, you must keep any WC cable length to under 20ft. The digital audio jitter will increase greatly with an increase in cable length. CAUTION: Both Inputs Connected If both the WC and the AES/EBU inputs are connected at the same time, the Sync DA will derive it's timing from the AES/EBU input source while the WC input will be ignored. This can be verified on the front panel LED Source Indicator. 6 Sync DA Owner's Manual

7 Outputs On the back of the unit, you will find two inputs, six outputs and one AES/EBU Thru. Two of the six BNC output connectors can be jumper configured to be either WC or 256 Superclock, giving you the most flexibility to include as many digital audio devices as possible for your studio. The two configurable connectors allow the user to use the Sync DA in anyone of the following three configurations. In order to obtain configuration II or III, the user must open the unit and change the jumpers accordingly. All other outputs are not configurable. Configuration I (Standard): Five WORD CLOCK OUTPUTS / One 256 SUPERCLOCK Unless otherwise noted, the Sync DA's two user configurable jumpers are set from the factory as stan dard with five WC outputs and one 256 Superclock output as displayed on the back panel. Configuration II: Six WORD CLOCK OUTPUTS / NO 256 SUPERCLOCK By changing both JP1 & JP2 to 'Standard Word Clock,' the user is offered custom modification with a maximum of six Word Clock outputs. Configuration III: Four WORD CLOCK OUTPUTS / Two 256 SUPERCLOCK Changing both JP1 & JP2 to '256 Superclock' will generate two Digidesign~ 256 Superclocks and four Word Clock Outputs. AES/EBU Thru CAUTION: The 'AES/EBU Thru' is not an output when you are using the WC input. The 'AES/EBU Thru' is always set to output the exact same signal as the 'AES/EBU Input'. When Both Inputs are Applied If the Sync DA has both the AES/EBU and the WC input applied at the same time, it will only use the AES/EBU input to drive the outputs. Even if you have been using the WC input, once the Sync DA detects a signal on the AES/EBU input, it will use that as the source and will completely ignore the WC input. At any time, the user can verify via the front panel Source Indicator which will clearly display which input is being used as the source. AES/EBU Input Any time there is an AES/EBU signal applied to the input, the unit automatically defaults to drive the outputs using that source. The WC input is completely ignored. All outputs (WC, 256 and AES/EBU thru) will be active and in perfect sync. Word Clock Input CAUTION: When using the WC input of the Sync DA, the AES/EBU input must not be applied because the unit will then default to the AES/EBU signal. Therefore, there will be no output of the AES/EBU Thru. Because of jitter considerations, the unit will also not generate a 256 Superclock derived from the WC input. If you need to generate the 256 Superclock, you must use the AES/EBU input as the source Aardvark, Inc. 7

8 Sample Rate Verification Display First look at the middle three LEOs to determine the sample rate. If no other LEOs are lit, the digital audio sample rate is exactly as shown. If one or two of the other LEOs are lit, then you must multiply or divide the shown sample rate to obtain the precise frequency. Sample Bate Verification Display Down Up Down Up ' % ----I Sample Rate '---- 4%----1 I) (I These two LED's will detect a.1 % slower (Down) or faster (Up) in the base sample rate. The.1 % is the digital audio adjustment necessary when transferring 24 Frame film to/from Frame NTSC video. 0.1 % is an approximation. The actual values can be calculated as shown below. Down 11I2 Sample Rate X 1000 Sample Rate "T" Qj These three LED's indicate the base sample rate of the digital audio input measured in khz. An adjustment must be made if one of the Up/Down LED's in the display are lit. If they are not, then the LED represents the exact sample rate. These two LED's will detect a 4% slower (Down) or faster (Up) in the base sample rate. The 4% is the digital audio adjustment necessary when transferring 24 Frame film to/from 25 Frame PAL/SECAM video. The 4% is an approximation. The actual values can be calculated as show below. Sample Rate X - Sample Rate + ~ 11I Blinkjng LED's - If the Sample Bate Verification Display LED's are slowly blinking in order, then the input is running at a rate other than what it is possible to display (See next page). The Sync D.A. will still properly distribute the clock even when the LED's are blinking. 8 Sync D.A. Owner's Manual

9 Sample Rate Verification Display LED Display Formula Sample Rate '" '-.1%---" '---.%---1 ~... '" '-.t'm,---i ' ,..-/ '" ~... '"... 0 '" n 44" '" '--.t%--i '- "' khz +1 OOO;{OOI ~ khz ,..,---.,,,,,-/ '---...",,---1 '" khz x~5 ~ khz... '" :J.2 ".f '" khz ~ khz,-.,,,,,---1 '--- 4"'---" khz x1ooo;{oo! ~31.9G8kHz khz ~ khz khz ~ khz 0... '" '"... 0 '"....., '"... '"....., '",-.,,,,-J '---.", khz x1ooo;{ooi ~ khz '--.''\ '---.", khz +IOOO;{OOI ~ khz... '" '"... '" '" '--.,%---1 ' khz x2~5 ~ khz az 4U...,-.,,,,---,, '---..",---I khz Y25 ~ khz ",-.,,,.----, ' '110-/... 0 '".. 0 0,---.,,,, '" '--- 4'lf.-/ 0 0 1OOO... '" U ,-.,%---1 '---.",---1 '" 0... '" '--.1' '--- 4""-/ U f khz x1ooo;{ooi x2~5 ~ khz khz x ;{OOI-;-2Y25 ~ khz khz +!OW;{OO!x 2 Y25 ~ khz khz +IOOO;{OOI -;J4125 ~ khz '---.1,.---1 ~ U '---.", '"..... '" khz ~ khz '--.., '--- 4"'-/ khz x1ooo;{oo! ~ khz... 4U.. '---...,.---1 '" '---,'%---1 " khz +IOOO;{OOI ~ khz '" '-. ",--1 '---.",-J khz x~5 ~ khz... '".. 44, '--.1'llo---l '---.",-J khz ~h5 ~ khz u, ~ khz x1ooo;{oo! x 2 Y25 ~ khz... 0 '" U +t.t,-.,,,,---,, '" '--- 4'llo-/ khz x ;{OOl+2Y25 ~ khz '--. ".---1 '---.", OOO '-.t""---i '---.", '" n 44,1... '-.''''--1 ' "'--' '"... n ,-.,"'---1 '---...%---1 '"... u, khz +1 OOO;{OO Ix 24/25 ~ khz khz +,OOO;{ool ~ khz 1997 Aardvark, Inc. 9

10 Sample Rate Descriptions 1 Sample Rate khz khz Description Standard Rate for Broadcast Film Speed Terms khz khz No common practical use for these frequencies khz khz khz khz khz khz Standard rate for CD Film to NTSC Video NTSC Video to Film PAL Video to Film Film to PAL Video 24 fps pulled down to fps fps pulled up to 24 fps 25 fps pulled down to 24 fps 24 fps pulled up to 25 fps khz khz khz khz Custom Application Custom Application Custom Application Custom Application 25 fps pulled down to fps.1% down 4% up.1% up 4% down fps pulled up to 25 fps khz khz khz khz khz Standard rate for video Film to NTSC Video NTSC Video to Film PAL Video to Film Film to PAL Video 24 fps pulled down to fps fps pulled up to 24 fps 25 fps pulled down to 24 fps 24 fps pulled up to 25 fps khz khz khz khz Custom Application Custom Application Custom Application Custom Application 25 fps pulled down to fps.1% down 4% up.1% up 4% down fps pulled up to 25 fps 10 Sync D.A. Owner's Manual

11 Application Diagrams we AardSync II Word Clock Sync D.A. Master Sync Generator (up to 20 ft) Digital Sync Distribution Digidesign ~256 Pro Tools I V.T.R. :. Video IAardyarK I. AES/EBU A/D D/A I Sync I OAT. ~ S~~: ~ Yamaha Sonic we ~ Tascam Digital 02R/03D Solutions Mixer we we J DA 88 we Alesis laid D/A j, 'I - I 1 B.R.C. I I we I ADAT I I ADAT I DA-60 :: I DA-88 I Sync D.A. Benefits Guarantees perfect low-jitter sync for many devices. Expands AardSync II capability to sync any number of devices in the same studio. Verifies clock sample rate. Verifies correct input source. Benefits of AardSync II as Master Guarantees low-iller for better AID and D/A converter performance, Generates all possible sample rates, including pull-ups and pull-downs. With UVG option, can generate video to sync VTR's. 80th video and digital audio signals are generated from one low-jitter clock Aardvark, Inc. 11

12 Application Diagrams Video House Sync AardSync II AES/EBU - "1;yii'c Master Sync Generator Digidesign L256 Pro Tools a iii I I Yamaha 02R/03D Sync D.A. (up to 300 ft.) Digital Sync Distribution Digidesigr 256 I Ib Alesis Pro Tools B.R.C. Sonic Solutions we AES/EBU I ADAT I I ADAT I ~NDD/A IpCM-80rl we we t''wf~rnlc ~ync STUDIO A STUDIO B Sync D.A. Benefits Takes advantage of AES/EBU input to carry low jitter sync long distances. Allows the AardSync II to sync an entire facility with clean digital audio sync. Verifies exact sample rate and input source. Provides AES/EBU Thru. Converts AES/EBU sync to 256 Superclock to sync Digidesign<'il. Benefits of AardSync II as Master Provides low-jitter AES/EBU outputs to take to several Sync D.A.'s Guarantees low-jitter for better A/D and D/A converter performance. Can lock to any external video blackburst. Locks all digital audio devices together, as well as maintaining perfect sync with any video house sync. Generates all possible sample rates, including pull-ups and pull-downs. 12 Sync D.A. Owner's Manual

13 Application Diagrams Master Example 1 Sync D.A. Digital Sync Distribution, I i I Digital Audio Workstation Alesis Yamaha ~C B.R.C. 02R/03D Example 2 Sync D.A. Digital Sync Distribution b AES/EBU in Tascam Digital Digital Mixer Master Audio Workstation WC OAT I WC WC DA-88 l: DATI DA-88 WC I 1 DATI Sync D.A. Benefits Allows for many WC and 256 outputs to be generated from a device's AES/EBU output. Allows clock in that device to sync all other devices Provides AES/EBU Thru, for taking audio to another device. Allows for verification of exact sample rate of master source, Benefits of DAW, Mixer, MDM or DAT as Master Allows the clock in that device to sync all other devices. Can use an actual digital audio signal for the master source. Allows for a device not capable of locking externally to still be in sync by making it master. CAUTION: If the clock is jittery in the master, this jitter will be distributed throughout the facility. CAUTION: You are limited to the sample frequencies generated by the master. CAUTION: The master device must generate a continuous AES/EBU signal for Ihe Sync DA 10 distribute at all times Aardvark, Inc. 13

14 Altering Jumper Configurations Custom configuration of the Sync D.A. may be accomplished via repositioning of the internal jumper setup. To access the jumpers, see the following section. Configuration I Unless otherwise noted, the Sync D.A. is shipped with JP2 configured as Word Clock and JP1 configured as 256 Superclock. Front Configuration II By changing both JP1 & JP2 to 'Standard Word Clock,' the user is offered custom modification with a maximum of six Word Clock outputs Configuration III Changing both JP1 & JP2 to '256 Superclock' will generate two Digidesign 256 Superclocks and four Word Clock Outputs. ~..?;... o::'~~;~ii",{:t~/~~,:~~~:.t~; It:". ",,"- "',,,~,'.,,"l :-,'="... CAUVQN;',Qn!X~~~:i2 rig~tmost,s.nc OMtp'~Jn connecto(s are user. conflgurable..,. ~. ' <'_.~,~~~.~'~'. ~,:.~.: """ '~. ~ ~:. : "'~,, ":~ '~f,"/,~ CAUTION: Tbe'j~rnper located dtreclryd$s;) hind eac~resp~~ti~econnecto,: re~~1fi9q~~~~ that partlcular;rc_qnnector..,',..,' ">.,., ";,,,..;.:,~:fj ~,..: 'r~ 'r, "',,..~.,t I~~... '\.",_':"'? I I. I JP2 JP1 Fii1 Standard ~ Avid/DigldeslgW ~ Word Clock ~ 256x FS clock ~ Avid/DigidesigW FIll Standard ta:j 256x FS clock l:.-j Word Clock 14 Sync D.A. Owner's Manual

15 Opening the Sync D.A. Custom configuration of the Sync D.A. may be accomplished via repositioning of the internal jumper setup. For information on jumpers, see the previous section. ~":. Steps to open the Sync D.A. 1) Remove the two screws from the rear panel.... " " (7+ r.:3jiow:o:v:;::s\1 ~~ 2) The rear panel and plastic bezel should now come off easily.... " 3) Once the rear panel is off, slide the black case towards the rear of the unit until completely removed Aardvark, Inc. 15

16 Tech~ical Specifications! Sync Source Input: Word Clock or AES/EBU Sync Outputs: 5 Word Clock 1 256x Superclock 1 AES/EBU Thru (6 'WC' or 2 '256' Outputs Possible) Nominal DC Power: 12 Volt 500 ma Weight: 3.51bs Dimensions: 7"x9"x1.5" (17.8x22.9x3.8cm) Operating Temp: 32to 104 deg F (0 to 40 deg C) d 202 E. Washington, Suite 306 Ann Arbor, MI U.S.A. Ph: FAX: A.aJ:, var kc)