LavryBlue 4496

Product Description

The LavryBlue 4496 is a modular system that can house stereo AD, DA, and MicPre modules. There are four "slots" available in each 4496 chassis, and multiple chassis can be used together for additional channels in multi-track applications. Each converter module occupies one slot and each MicPre module occupies two slots. The 4496 can be ordered with as few as one module or up to eight channels of conversion. The MSYNC module provides clock and external synchronization to all AD modules in a chassis, as well as a BNC Word Clock output.

For more information on the LavryBlue 4496 click here

For general information see digital to analog converter analog to digital converter microphone preamplifier.

Features

Clocking (MSYNC)

Multichannel clock synchronization
Ultra-stable crystal-referenced internal or external sync operation at 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz
Wide lock mode is available for non-standard sample rates or vari-speed operation
One M·SYNC provides clocking and synchronization for all M·AD824 AD converter modules contained in the same 4496 chassis
Word Clock out to synch other units

Analog to Digital (MAD-824)

2 channels of sonically transparent 24 bit Lavry A-to-D conversion
Option to output digital audio 24 bit, 16 bit, or 16 bit plus dither and αcoustic βit Correction™ noise shaping.
Accurate LED metering.
Analog and Digital Saturation modes allow hotter recording levels.

Digital to Analog (MDA-824)

2 channels of sonically transparent Lavry D-to-A conversion
CrystalLock™ mode option eliminates the effects of source jitter on conversion accuracy.

Preamplification (MicPre)

2 channels of professional micpre
Impedance matching for Condenser, Dynamic, and Ribbon mic’s
Super-low noise and distortion over a wide input and gain range
Transformerless electronically balanced inputs and outputs provide sonic transparency with excellent channel matching.

Applications

Tracking
Location Recording
Overdubs
Broadcast
Live/Location Sound
Post Production

Connections

1.) Line outputs The MDA-824 and MicPre have XLR line outputs for balanced or unbalanced connection. XLR to RCA adapters or adapter cables can be used for connection to equipment with RCA inputs.

The XLR outputs can be configured for balanced or unbalanced connection using the internal jumper settings for "pin 2" and "pin 3;" which refer to the pin numbers of the XLR output connectors. The standard wiring for XLR to RCA adapters or adapter cables is to connect Pin 3 to Pin 1 ("ground") and pin 2 carries the signal. Thus, the correct internal jumper setting for both the XLR to RCA adapters and standard adapter cables is "Pin 2 Hot unbalanced. Please see the LavryBlue manual for setting instructions, and the Operation section of the manual for more details.

The XLR output is Pin 2 "+" and Pin 3 "-" for normal signal polarity. Thus, for the MDA-824 with balanced or unbalanced Pin 2 "+" connections, the signal polarity is "normal" or "non-inverted" when the front panel POLARITY switch is set to "Pin 2" Changing the Polarity setting to "Pin 3" will result in inverted signal polarity for balanced and unbalanced Pin 2 "+" connections.

The MicPre does not have a polarity setting. The XLR output is Pin 2 "+" and Pin 3 "-" for normal signal polarity as long as the input is connected with Pin 2 "+" wiring.

2.) Line inputs The MAD-824 has balanced XLR inputs. The balanced configuration is recommended for both balanced and unbalanced line level sources.

The XLR input is Pin 2 "+" and Pin 3 "-" for normal signal polarity when the internal DIP switch position #2 setting is "Off" (the factory default setting). Thus, for the MAD-824 with balanced or unbalanced Pin 2 "+" connections, the signal polarity is "normal" or "non-inverted." Changing the internal DIP switch position #2 setting to "On" will result in inverted signal polarity for balanced and unbalanced Pin 2 "+" connections.

The XLR input of the MicPre is designed to accept only low-impedance balanced professional microphone inputs or ribbon microphone inputs. The input offers excellent common-mode rejection and the polarity matches the XLR output (Pin 2 "+").

3.) Digital inputs The MDA-824's digital input is a female XLR connector; which can accept AES inputs or SPDIF inputs using a simple wired XLR to RCA adapter or adapter cable. Use of an impedance matching transformer is not recommended as long as guidelines for coaxial SPDIF connection cable length are followed.

The status of the digital input is displayed by the MDA-824 on the front panel by a Lock indicator and sample frequency indicators. If the input is "locked" to a valid signal; the

The input format for the XLR, RCA, and optical connections is AES or S-PDIF (IEC 60958 type II) stereo digital audio.

Please note that the outputs of many multi-disc players can carry multi-channel formats as well as stereo. In most cases; the player will switch to "stereo" mode automatically when a CD is inserted; bu tin cases where it does not or a different format disc is inserted, it may be necessary to set the players output to stereo format manually.
The optical connection is similar to ADAT lightpipe format. Many digital audio interfaces used in recording allow the optical I/O to be set to either format, and may default to "ADAT." If the DA11 does not indicate "lock" in setting mode; please check to be certain the digital audio interface is set properly.

The USB output utilizes the native OS drivers for both windows and Apple operating systems. There are a number of options in both Windows OS and Apple OS that allow bypassing of the mixer/level control and output sample frequency (SF) settings. However; unless one of these options is used, it is necessary to manually set the output sample frequency in the Windows SOUND control panel or Apple Audio MIDI Setup dialog to insure the DA11 is receiving the signal at the same SF as the file being played without sample frequency conversion being introduced automatically by the OS audio software. Please see the DA11 manual for more details.

Operating tips

When using the USB input, use advanced drivers such as Windows WASAPI to simplify operation and provide the best sound quality by bypassing the kernel mixer. The USB input is not recommended for professional applications.

Links

(link to manual)