RME ADI-8 QS
RME’s ADI-8 QS is an 8-Channel high-end AD/DA converter with an unrivalled array of features. The device combines excellent analog circuit design with outstanding low latency AD/DA converter chips of the latest generation. Along with the integrated SteadyClock, the QS offers AD and DA conversion of the highest quality.
Connectivity and Features
RME’s ADI-8 QS is an 8-Channel high-end AD/DA converter with an unrivalled array of features. The device combines excellent analog circuit design with outstanding low latency AD/DA converter chips of the latest generation. Along with the integrated SteadyClock, the QS offers AD and DA conversion of the highest quality.
Analog and digital limiters, 4 hardware reference levels up to +24 dBu, AES/EBU and ADAT I/O (optional MADI I/O) at up to 192 kHz, remote control via MIDI, digital input and output trimming for full level calibration, volume control for all 8 analog outputs, either separately or globally, digital thru-mode, operation over a wide voltage range, and many more features make the QS truly unique.
The ADI-8 QS is RME’s reference – highest performance in every detail, at an unbeaten price/performance ratio!
Highlights
- 8-Channel AD converter, fully symmetrical design, 117 dBA
- 8-Channel DA converter, DC-coupled signal path, double balanced output, 120 dBA
- Low latency conversion: only 8 samples of delay!
- 4 x AES/EBU I/O via D-Sub, 8 channels @ 192 kHz
- 2 x ADAT I/O, 8 channels @ 96 kHz
- Digital input/output trim, range 6 dB per I/O
- Analog and digital limiter for AD-conversion
- 16 LED level meters with 7 LEDs each
- SyncCheck, unique technology to check clock synchronization
- All settings are stored permanently
- Fully remote controllable
Features
The 1 U height device offers an outstanding AD/DA conversion from/to AES/EBU and ADAT (MADI optional), at up to 192 kHz. The balanced inputs and outputs use RME’s circuit design, therefore guaranteeing outstanding noise and distortion values. Four different input and output levels each are available, offering a perfect adaptation to the analog domain. The latest generation AD/DA converters provide sample rates up to 192 kHz with an SNR of 120 dBA.
Due to its efficient jitter reduction, SteadyClock(TM) guarantees pristine sound quality independently from the quality of the external clock signal. Additionally, Intelligent Clock Control (ICC) will retain the last valid sample frequency in case of a loss of the input signal.
The technologies known from other RME products like SyncCheck® ensure perfect synchronization and clear detection of errors. Multiple units can be stacked and operated sample-aligned, using word clock. All settings are stored when the unit is switched off.
The QS can be fully remote controlled and configured via MIDI, and all status displays can be queried through MIDI. Each QS can be given a separate ID, allowing separate remote controllability of various devices with only one MIDI channel.
Low Latency
In the QS, RME uses a high-class AD converter from Cirrus Logic, offering exceptional Signal to Noise and distortion figures. The biggest difference to all other ADCs is its innovative digital filter, achieving for the first time a delay of only 12 samples in Single Speed (0.25 ms), 9 samples in Double Speed (0.09 ms), and 5 samples in Quad Speed (0.026 ms).
These values are less than a quarter of those available from even much more expensive devices. They represent an important step in further reducing the latency in the computer-based recording studio. At DS and QS, the added latency can simply be ignored. The DA-converter offers similar conversion in the range of 5 to 10 samples, turning analog digital monitoring into real analog-style monitoring!
Accessories
OPTIONAL: MADI I/O (I 64 MADI CARD)
The I64 MADI Card provides the ADI-8 QS with a 64-Channel MADI input and output. Coaxial and optical output operate in parallel to the AES/EBU and ADAT output, therefore delivering the same data.
The I64 MADI Card features an optical as well as a coaxial MADI input. The input is switched automatically, according to where a valid input signal is detected. Full redundancy is ensured by the automatic input switching, immediately changing to the other input in case of loss of the input signal.
The MADI input will operate as an optional clock source (Clock section, OPTN) as well as a thru-input. Since each ADI-8 QS uses only 8 channels, up to 56 channels can be passed through. This technique is used to serially cascade several ADI-8 QS units. Incoming MADI data is passed through unchanged, only one block of eight channels is replaced. This allows up to 8 devices to be connected serially. All 64 combined channels are available at the last device’s MADI output.
With an installed I64 MADI Card, the ADI-8 QS can be remote controlled via MADI. At the same time, MIDI data are transmitted via MADI.
When multiple devices are connected serially, the MADI I/O of each ADI-8 QS causes a delay of 3 samples. Therefore, at the MADI output of the last device, the data of all upstreamed devices are delayed. The problem of this offset is solved by the function Delay Compensation. Using the I64 MADI Card provides the ability of 8 channels being used as a digital return path, sending audio via MADI to the ADI-8 QS’s ADAT and AES outputs. For example, stage and studio monitors can be fed digitally from the ADI-8 QS. On stage, the use of an additional D/A-converter (e.g. ADI-8 DS) might be necessary. The MADI output continues to carry the analog input signals and the fed-through input data.
