Mackie D8B Owners Manual - Page 105

Installation and Connection of Optional I/O and Effects Cards The Input/Output cards are an essential part of the D8B multitrack system. These cards provide up to 24 tape outputs and inputs for use with any common analog and digital formats. Since the I/O cards are optional and interchangeable, you probably need to install them before you begin creating hit recordings. If you install multiple types of I/O cards, note which slots they're installed in. Making a note of each I/O card type and its exact slot will help avoid subsequent problems. There are several optional cards available for the Digital 8•Bus, which you can install into the card cage in the rear panel of the console. These cards provide additional inputs and outputs for specific applications, or additional digital signal processing power for effects. AIO•8 (Analog Hookup) This card provides 8 analog line-level inputs and outputs. Connections are made through two 25-pin D-Sub connectors. You can install this card in any of the Tape In/Out slots, or in the ALT I/O slot. DIO•8 (Digital Hookup) This card provides 8 digital inputs and 8 digital outputs. Connections are provided in both ADAT Multichannel Optical Interface and Tascam T/DIF-1 formats. You can install this card in any of the Tape In/Out slots, or in the ALT I/O slot. You can mix any combination of the AIO•8 and DIO•8 cards in the Tape I/O slots to suit your particular application. You can configure the card in the GUI (Setup>Digital I/O) and select the I/O connector you wish to use. Connections for ADAT The connection for ADAT is made with a fiber optic cable, sometimes referred to as "lightpipe." This connection provides 8 channels of digital audio. You can purchase this cable from your Alesis dealer, Monster Cable, Hosa, or other cable manufacturer. Connections for DA-88 The connection for T/DIF-1 is made with a 25-pin D-Sub connector. This connection provides 8 channels of bidirectional digital audio. This connection requires a 25-pin D-sub cable (Tascam Part Number PW-88D). OPT•8 Card (ADAT Optical) The inexpensive ADAT optical card functions with any device incorporating the ADAT format digital optical lightpipe. The OPT•8 card configures itself automatically; it doesn't need to be adjusted in the Setup>Digital I/O window. Lightpipe connections between the D8B and the connected record/ playback device are clean and efficient. PDI•8 Card (AES/EBU) This card provides 8 digital inputs and 8 digital outputs in the AES/EBU standard format. Connection is made through a 25-pin D-Sub connector. You can install this card in any of the Tape In/Out slots, or in the ALT I/O slot. AES/EBU is a standard two-channel digital protocol used for long balanced cable applications. Thus, each conductor actually transmits two channels of digital audio data. MFX Effects Card This card provides two additional DSP engines for running internal effects. The Digital 8•Bus is shipped with one MFX card installed in Slot A. You can install up to three more MFX cards in Slots B, C, and D. UFX Effects Card This card provides up to four additional DSP engines for running internal effects. The UFX architecture provides access to the newest and coolest third-party plug-ins, as well as an array of groovy new Mackie plug-ins. The D8B effects card slots accommodate any combination of UFX and MFX cards. D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 99