Question about I/O on D8B...

[BrianJ]

Take a good read to this database entry: Purchasing A Pre-Owned d8b: Checklist.

Most of the boards are equipped with digital ADAT (DIO8 and OPT8) cards. I would be looking for one that have OPT8 cards in the Tape Out slots. These cards do not have the polarity reversal issues that the DIO8 cards may have. More about this here.

I'm using RME's Digiface interface and it works wonders. The Digiface has three different optional card to interface with: PCI, PCIe and Express Card. Find out what slots you have on the PC available and buy accordingly.

Don't forget to buy the optical cables !!

Peter Holmquist.

Peter,
I couldn't see anything about a polarity issue in the link you posted...? Just that early versons of the DIO-8 cards only had 16-bit eeproms...? Is this what you're talking about? Please let me know if this is what you're talking about, or if there's something else I need to be aware of here?

Also, the DIO-8 boards are the Apogee digital i/o boards correct?

Thanks!

Brian

[Petersueco]

DIO8 Cards: If you have old DIO8 cards, you should check their EPROMs to insure that they are 24-bit. The DIO8s first shipped with 16-bit EPROMs. If the EPROM says "ver 2" or above then it is 24-bit. Mackie will ship you 24-bit EPROMs if you need them. To date, they do not charge for the EPROMs, but that may change and they may charge you for shipping. If you purchased a used d8b with DIO8 cards installed, or purchased some used DIO8 cards, you should check to make sure the EPROMs are up to date. All you have to do is remove the cards and look at the paper label on the EPROMs. Who knows how long they were on the shelf before they found their way to you, or if the party you purchased your board from performed any upgrades.

[anyhorizon]

Check out this page to answer your question.

Peter

[BrianJ]

Check out this page to answer your question.

Peter

Ok...here's the quote...

"When I send a TDIF signal out to my digital recorder - then send that signal to a DAW, the signal is inverted. Why?
The DIO-8 inverts polarity on both the ADAT Optical and TDIF connectors on both the input and output. So there are two inversions when recording and mixing on the D8B. When using DIO-8s, audio is inverted once as at leaves the D8B to go to your recorder, and it is inverted again when it returns. Therefore you should not need to do anything on the D8B to account for this. Your audio will be recorded with a polarity inversion - unless you have a 'Black Face' ADAT which also inverts on the in and out or DIO-8s in both your D8B and HDR/MDR) so you may need to account for this if you are mixing elsewhere or mixing from audio that was not recorded with the inversion."

Ok...so let's look at a scenario...I plug a mic into input 1 on the D8B, I record that channel on my DAW on the PC via the DIO-8 card...is this saying that the signal will be inverted? So the DIO-8 cards are useless if you are recording to a DAW???

Brian

[anyhorizon]

Check out this page to answer your question.

Peter

Ok...here's the quote...

"When I send a TDIF signal out to my digital recorder - then send that signal to a DAW, the signal is inverted. Why?
The DIO-8 inverts polarity on both the ADAT Optical and TDIF connectors on both the input and output. So there are two inversions when recording and mixing on the D8B. When using DIO-8s, audio is inverted once as at leaves the D8B to go to your recorder, and it is inverted again when it returns. Therefore you should not need to do anything on the D8B to account for this. Your audio will be recorded with a polarity inversion - unless you have a 'Black Face' ADAT which also inverts on the in and out or DIO-8s in both your D8B and HDR/MDR) so you may need to account for this if you are mixing elsewhere or mixing from audio that was not recorded with the inversion."

Ok...so let's look at a scenario...I plug a mic into input 1 on the D8B, I record that channel on my DAW on the PC via the DIO-8 card...is this saying that the signal will be inverted? So the DIO-8 cards are useless if you are recording to a DAW???

Brian

No. Just so long as you use a DIO 8 to get the signal back into the desk. To be quite honest, if you're using Optical as a means of interface, you're better off and will be doing much less head scratching using OPT 8 cards. The fact that Apogee is screen printed on the DIO 8 cards is a marketing ploy and of no relevance. They're OK but it's just another thing to be concerned about.

Peter

[BrianJ]

Ok, thanks!!!

[Casey_Pittman]

Ok, I really like the Rme 9652 that was mentioned earlier...only problem is that I think it might only work on 32-bit systems...I have windows 7 64-bit...can anyone confirm it works on win7 64???

I'm running win7 64 bit just fine. RME has drivers for it you just need to look for them.

-Casey

[MOSHWITZ]

Sup?

I'm on Win-7 64 with a RME HDSP 96/52 ,,,has worked flawlessly for years, so good I've been thinking I'm gonna sell my spare RME that I bought as a backup but just haven't got around to listing it.

MOSHON
DAVE

[FrankH]

I sold my old Steinberg/Nuendo OEM version of the RME Hammerfall 9652 card to another forum member a few months ago. It had served in two different PPC Macs. When I bought an Intel Mac, PCI was gone, so it got shelved.

I followed up on the sale. The new owner went to the RME site, DL'd the latest Win-7 driver and TotalMix software and was up and running, trouble free. RME has been quite good about maintaining drivers well beyond the discontinuation point of their older products.

[BrianJ]

Check out this page to answer your question.

Peter

Ok...here's the quote...

"When I send a TDIF signal out to my digital recorder - then send that signal to a DAW, the signal is inverted. Why?
The DIO-8 inverts polarity on both the ADAT Optical and TDIF connectors on both the input and output. So there are two inversions when recording and mixing on the D8B. When using DIO-8s, audio is inverted once as at leaves the D8B to go to your recorder, and it is inverted again when it returns. Therefore you should not need to do anything on the D8B to account for this. Your audio will be recorded with a polarity inversion - unless you have a 'Black Face' ADAT which also inverts on the in and out or DIO-8s in both your D8B and HDR/MDR) so you may need to account for this if you are mixing elsewhere or mixing from audio that was not recorded with the inversion."

Ok...so let's look at a scenario...I plug a mic into input 1 on the D8B, I record that channel on my DAW on the PC via the DIO-8 card...is this saying that the signal will be inverted? So the DIO-8 cards are useless if you are recording to a DAW???

Brian

No. Just so long as you use a DIO 8 to get the signal back into the desk. To be quite honest, if you're using Optical as a means of interface, you're better off and will be doing much less head scratching using OPT 8 cards. The fact that Apogee is screen printed on the DIO 8 cards is a marketing ploy and of no relevance. They're OK but it's just another thing to be concerned about.

Peter

Ok Peter, I found a d8b close to me that's for sale, was used in a studio for years but was assured its all in working order. The writing on the STOP and PLAY buttons is worn off, and theres a spot of the white scribble strip that's peeled off, but looks to be in otherwise good shape. It has the apogee word clock card, as well as 3 Opt-8 cards like you suggested.

Now, since I'm not real familiar with them yet, what should I be looking for when I go to get it? Is there a test I can do? Maybe a demo mode or something to verify if everything is working as it should?

Any info you could give me on checking the unit would be greatly appreciated...! Thanks again !

Brian