Mackie 800R owner manual AES/EBU or S/PDIF OUT, 22 Ω/75Ω Switch, PRO/CONS Switch

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ONYX 800R

21. AES/EBU OR S/PDIF OUT

This DB25 connector produces a digital output for all

eight channels in either AES/EBU format (PRO) or S/PDIF format (CONS). The audio data is the same for either format, but the electrical characteristics (voltage level, im- pedance) and non-audio data bits (subcode) are different.

This can be connected directly to a recording device with AES/EBU or S/PDIF inputs using an appropriate digital recorder interface cable.

By the way, the most wonderful thing

about standards is that there are so

many to choose from. A variety of

alternate pin-out configurations are being used by various manufactur-

ers for the AES/EBU DB25 interface. You will need to make a conversion cable when connecting between two devices that use different pin-outs for the AES/EBU or S/PDIF DB25 connectors. See Appendix B for a wiring diagram of this connector.

For AES/EBU connections:

Note: Transferring digital audio over a

cable generates EMI (electromagnetic

interference) around the cable. Use a

high-quality shielded cable to mini- mize the EMI noise radiated around

the cable. For example, Belden’s 7880A cable shields each individual pair of wires as well as the entire cable, and is recommended by Belden for AES/EBU digital audio.

In general, the shorter the cable length, the less effect it has on the quality of the signal. The maximum length for an AES/EBU cable is 100 meters (about 325 feet), and a S/PDIF cable is limited to 10 meters (about 32 feet).

The three buttons located just above the AES/EBU OR S/PDIF OUT connector can be used to customize the digital signal. The 110Ω/75Ω and PRO/CONS buttons in particular give you added flexibility when interfacing with “finicky” digital inputs.

22. 110Ω/75Ω Switch

1.Most devices use a balanced 3-pin XLR connector for two-channel inputs, or a 25-pin DB25 connector for eight channels. Special AES/EBU cables are available from various manufacturers with DB25 connectors on both ends, or breakout cables are available for making digital audio connections from DB25 to XLR.

These off-the-shelf cable harnesses have four male XLRs for the outputs, and four female XLRs for the in- puts. Since the Onyx 800R only has digital outputs, you won’t use the female connectors.

2.If you want a more streamlined cable harness, you can make your own (or have one made) with only the four connectors.

For S/PDIF connections:

1.Most devices use an RCA connector for two-channel inputs, or a 25-pin DB25 connector for eight channels. Your best option for connecting to devices with RCA jacks is to use an AES/EBU breakout cable described above, and fit it with XLR-to-RCA adapters (or build your own custom cable harness with four RCA connec- tors on it). Use a DB25-to-DB25 AES/EBU cable for devices with DB25 S/PDIF connections.

If you are using the AES/EBU format, the output is a balanced differential signal at a voltage specified at be- tween 2 to 7 V peak-to-peak into 110 ohms. In the S/PDIF format, the output signal is unbalanced at a voltage of 0.5 V peak-to-peak into 75 ohms. So use the 110Ω position for AES/EBU, and the 75Ω position for S/PDIF.

Note: If you are using any kind of adapter to convert an AES/EBU connector to a S/PDIF connector, check to see if the adapter converts the impedance as well as the con- nector type. If this is the case, leave the 110Ω/75Ω switch in the 110Ω position. Only use the 75Ω position with true 75-ohm coaxial cable connected directly to a S/PDIF input.

23. PRO/CONS Switch

Use this switch to select between the professional AES/EBU format or the consumer S/PDIF format.

Note: Strictly speaking, AES/EBU can transmit up to

24-bits, while S/PDIF is limited to 20-bits because four bits are reserved for “user bits.” However, if 24-bit depth is selected, the four user bits are used for digital audio and 24-bits are transmitted (this is an accepted optional implementation of S/PDIF).

 

 

 

 

 

ANALOG MICROPHONE PREAMP WITH 192kHz DIGITAL OUTPUT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

110Ω

PRO

DUAL WIRE

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIDE

MID

 

 

OPTICAL OUT

EXTERNAL

75

Ω

CONS

SINGLE WIRE

YX MIC

PR

YX MIC

PR

YX MIC

PR

YX MIC

PR

YX MIC

PR

YX MIC

PR

YX MIC

PR

YX MIC

PR

 

 

 

WORD

 

 

 

 

ON

ON

ON

ON

ON

ON

ON

 

ON

 

44.1/48kHz

CLOCK IN

 

 

 

 

 

E 8

 

E 7

 

E 6

 

E 5

 

E 4

 

E 3

 

 

E 2

 

E 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MID/SIDE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DECODE

BALANCED LINE LEVEL

 

88.2/

TERMINATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INPUT

 

96kHz

AES/EBU OR S/PDIF OUT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORMAL

1-8 1-4

OFF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MID/SIDE

 

5-8 1-8

ON (75Ω)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCED LINE LEVEL

1-2

3-4

 

 

 

AES/EBU = 110Ω / PRO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

176.4/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUTPUT

192kHz

 

 

SPDIF = 75Ω / CONSUMER

~100-240 VAC 50-60Hz 105W

14

ONYX 800R

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Contents Premium Eight Channel Microphone Preamp Onyx 800R Table of Contents Glossary of Terms is a fairly comprehensive IntroductionWe know that many of you can’t wait to get your new Connections Getting StartedZero the Controls Set the LevelsHookup Diagrams HI-Z Channels From On-Stage Mic Splitter Onyx 800R Live Mixing Low-Cut Switch MIC/LINE SwitchPhase Switch Front PanelBIT Depth MID/SIDE Decode Rear PanelMIC Inputs Closer Look AT MID/SIDE RecordingOptical OUT TerminationAES/EBU or S/PDIF OUT 22 Ω/75Ω SwitchPRO/CONS Switch Many to choose from. a varietyDual WIRE/SINGLE Wire Switch Power ReceptacleTroubleshooting Appendix a Service InformationWarranty Service Is the input connector plugged completely into the jack?Review the preceding troubleshooting suggestions. Please RepairRCA Plugs and Jacks XLR ConnectorsAppendix B Connections Unbalancing a LineDigital DB25 ConnectorsAnalog Appendix C Technical Info Onyx 800R SpecificationsAC Power Requirements Onyx 800R Block Diagram Onyx 800R Limited Warranty Please keep your sales receipt in a safe place

800R specifications

The Mackie 800R is a high-performance 8-channel microphone preamp that is designed for recording professionals and studios that demand exceptional sound quality and flexibility. This versatile unit stands out due to its robust build quality, advanced features, and user-friendly operation, making it a vital addition to any audio setup.

One of the main features of the Mackie 800R is its high-quality mic preamps, which employ the renowned Onyx technology. The Onyx preamps are characterized by their high headroom, low noise, and excellent linearity, resulting in clear, detailed sound reproduction. Each channel provides a gain range of up to 60 dB, allowing it to accommodate a wide variety of microphones, from dynamic to condenser, ensuring your recordings are always crisp and professional.

The 800R also includes eight balanced TRS outputs, which allow for seamless integration with mixers and audio interfaces. This flexibility simplifies the workflow in any recording environment, making it easy to patch into existing setups. Additionally, the unit features both analog and digital outputs, providing options for connecting to ADAT and S/PDIF devices, further enhancing its versatility.

Another notable characteristic of the Mackie 800R is its user-friendly interface. Each channel is equipped with a direct output, a 48V phantom power switch, and a -20dB pad, which allows users to tailor their settings on the fly. The built-in LED indicators provide visual feedback on signal levels, ensuring that users can easily monitor their inputs.

This preamp is also designed for durability with its solid metal chassis, which is built to withstand the rigors of both studio and live environments. Its compact size makes it ideal for mobile setups, allowing engineers to take high-quality audio with them wherever they go.

In summary, the Mackie 800R is a powerful and reliable microphone preamp that provides outstanding sound quality and flexibility for recording engineers and musicians alike. With advanced Onyx preamp technology, multiple output options, and a user-friendly design, the 800R stands out as an essential tool for anyone serious about capturing high-fidelity audio.
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