QSC Audio S series user manual Connections Digital Audio Inputs/Outputs Rave 80/81/88

Connections: Digital Audio Inputs/Outputs (RAVE 80/81/88)

DIGITAL AUDIO CONNECTIONS

The digital RAVE models (RAVE 80/81/88) use the AES3 (also known as AES/EBU) digital audio standard. Each AES3 XLR jack carries 2 channels of digital audio, each carrying between 16- and 24 bits per sample.

All digital audio I/O on a RAVE unit are terminated in accordance with the AES3 specification. AES3-1992 warns against the use of more than 1 receiver across the cable. If you need to supply the same AES3 signal to more than one receiving device, you will need a suitable digital distribu- tion amplifier. AES3 inputs automatically and independently perform digital sample rate conver- sion. This allows any source device to run asynchronously to the network and to other sourcing devices.

Each AES3 input or output carries a pair of digital audio channels through a balanced 3-pin XLR connector. Like analog equipment, outputs use connectors with male pins and inputs use connectors with female pins. Unlike analog equipment, AES3 cables must use 110 ohm digital audio cable. The connector’s Pin 1 is used for the cable shield and the signal ground. Pins 2 and 3 are for the digital audio signals.

To construct an AES3 digital audio cable: use 110 ohm digital audio cable; terminate using XLR connectors per the pinout provided to the right.

Use 110 ohm AES/EBU digital audio

cables for digital audio connections

Digital audio connections- RAVE 88s shown

Channel numbers and connector pinouts are labeled on the rear of the unit, as shown in the illustration above. The actual channel assignment depends on the model.

RAVE 88 : 8 digital AES3 channels (16 audio channels): 4 inputs and 4 outputs labeled 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8

RAVE 81 : 8 digital AES3 input channels (16 audio channels) labeled 1-2 through 15-16 on the rear of the unit.

RAVE 80 : 8 digital AES3 output channels (16 audio channels) labeled 1-2 through 15-16 on the rear of the unit.

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