AD11

Product Description

The LavryBlack AD11 is a stereo Analog to digital converter that accepts either line level or microphone level analog inputs and outputs stereo digital audio via XLR, RCA, and USB. The Line input and Microphone input stages are completely separate and relay bypassed; so there is no compromise to the performance in either mode.

For more information on the LavryBlack AD11 click here

For general information see analog to digital converter.

Features

Recording at 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96 kHz with 24 bit word length
Super-stable internal clock
External clocking via word clock or AES sync
BNC Word Clock output for synchronizing other gear to the AD11
Digital output format selectable between AES/EBU and IEC (SPDIF)
Peak hold selectable on large wide range LED meters
Soft Saturation for peak level control without time constants (allows signal to be compressed or limited without undesirable interaction due to different attack and release times)
Combo input connectors accept +4 XLR pro level, pro microphone level or -10 1/4" instrument level inputs
Optional Rack Mount Kit (can be used to mount any combination of two LavryBlack units)

Applications

Tracking
Mixing
Overdubs
Mastering
Broadcast
Live/Location Sound
Post Production
Vinyl Transcription

Connections

Analog inputs

The AD11 has "Combo connectors" that can accept XLR or 1/4" T.R.S. or T.S. phone plugs for balanced or unbalanced sources. In the line level gain range of 0-12dB; the XLR input accepts "+4dBu" level signals. The XLR inputs can also accept low impedance microphone inputs in the microphone Gain range of 20-65dB. For use with condenser microphones, +48V Phantom power is selectable on each channel, and is disabled in the Line level Gain range (0-12dB).

The 1/4" input is wired in a standard manner so the tip is the "+" signal conductor for either T.R.S. or T.S. connections. The sleeve is the "-" signal conductor for T.R.S. connections and would be grounded by the sleeve in T.S. connections. In the Line level Gain range of 0-12dB, the 1/4" input applies 12dB of fixed gain to the signal to raise "-10dBV" consumer line level inputs to "+4dBU" professional line level; allowing the lower line level analog signals to be encoded at full digital level.

The XLR input is Pin 2 "+" and Pin 3 "-" for normal signal polarity. Thus, for unbalanced Line level XLR connections, the "hot" signal conductor would be connected to Pin 2 and the signal return would be connected to Pin 3. In Microphone mode, the AD11 accepts ONLY low impedance balanced microphone inputs.

The Maximum peak input level before distortion is different for balanced and unbalanced line level signals, and for XLR and T.R.S. connections. This is due to the use of an electronically balanced input for XLR inputs, and the additional gain automatically applied for T.R.S. inputs. Please note that the same peak level specification applies to “unbalanced” as well as “pseudo-unbalanced” signals. Pseudo-unbalanced sources use the same connectors as balanced signals, but virtually all of the signal level appears on the “+” conductor, and the “-” conductor has virtually no signal present. To the AD11 receiving the signal, it appears to be the same as an unbalanced signal, even though the “-” conductor it is actively driven by an amplifier in the source (not connected to ground, as in the case of an unbalanced source).

The meters of the AD11 display the digital output level, so under the right circumstances, it is possible to over-drive the analog input at a level that appears below “0” on the AD11 meters (“0dBFS” digital level). If an unbalanced professional line level signal is applied to the AD11 input with less than 6dB of front panel Gain on that channel, the Maximum peak input level capability of the AD11 may be exceeded, resulting in “clipping” at the analog input. The effects are the signal level on the AD11 meters never reaching “0” and the digital output’s signal peaks being distorted. The Maximum peak input level specifications are:

Maximum Input level to achieve “0dB Full Scale” digital level (Analog levels +0.25 dB):

XLR Balanced input:

With gain set to 0 dB +24dBu

With gain set to 12 dB +12dBu

With Gain set to 20 dB +4dBu (Only for low impedance balanced sources- typically microphones)

XLR Unbalanced input:

With gain set to 6 dB +18dBu

With gain set to 12 dB +12dBu

¼” input Balanced or Unbalanced:

With gain set to 0 dB +11dBu (+8.8dBV)

With gain set to 12 dB - 1dBu ( -3.2dBV)

Digital outputs

The digital outputs consist of (1) male XLR, (1) RCA socket, and (1) USB connector.

The output format for both the XLR and RCA outputs is selected by front panel setting for "AES" or "SPDIF" (which is IEC 60958 type II).

The USB output utilizes the native OS drivers for both Windows® and Apple® operating systems. The front panel AES/SPDIF format setting does not apply to USB audio, and has no effect on the USB output. For detailed information on settings and connections, see USB setup.

Synchronization

There are two BNC connectors for Sync in and Word Clock output. The Sync In connector can accept either Word Clock or AES sync signals, and front panel settings control the type and enable/disable external clocking. The AD11 is capable of clocking from an S-PDIF digital audio signal as well as an AES3 signal; so the setting is designated "dig-a" for digital audio (as versus "AES" or "AES sync"). The Sync in BNC connection has 75Ohm internal termination.

AC Power

90-264 VAC @ 47-63Hz

The power supply automatically adjusts to AC inputs in the range of 90 to 264 volts at line frequencies between 47 and 63 Hz. It is not necessary to change any settings.

Operating tips

When using unbalanced professional line level sources, it is recommended that a minimum of 6dB of AD11 front panel Gain be used. See Analog Inputs (above) for details.
When using condenser microphones with the AD11; if the microphone output is very low or non-existent, check that both the GAIN is set to the MicPre range of 22-65dB and that the phantom setting is enabled in the Setting Mode.
If there is no output when clocking from an external clock; in setting mode check:

The AD11 sample frequency setting matches the frequency of the incoming clock signal
The correct type of external sync is selected (wc for Word Clock or dig-a for AES or S-PDIF Sync)
The “lock” LED in the upper row of LED’s above the (lower row) wc or dig-a LED is illuminated.

Although the AD11 is capable of clocking from an external S-PDIF sync source; AES sync is recommended when possible due to the significantly higher signal voltage level.

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