MACKIE Digital 8Bus D8B v5.1 - Manual (Page 105)

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 99
Installation and Connection of
Optional I/O and Effects Cards
The Input/Output cards are an essential part
of the D8B multitrack system. These cards
provide up to 24 tape outputs and inputs for use
with any common analog and digital formats.
Since the I/O cards are optional and interchange-
able, you probably need to install them before you
begin creating hit recordings. If you install multiple
types of I/O cards, note which slots they’re installed
in. Making a note of each I/O card type and its exact
slot will help avoid subsequent problems.
There are several optional cards available for
the Digital 8•Bus, which you can install into the
card cage in the rear panel of the console. These
cards provide additional inputs and outputs for
specific applications, or additional digital signal
processing power for effects.
AIO•8 (Analog Hookup)
This card provides 8 analog line-level inputs
and outputs. Connections are made through two
25-pin D-Sub connectors. You can install this card in
any of the Tape In/Out slots, or in the ALT I/O slot.
DIO•8 (Digital Hookup)
This card provides 8 digital inputs and 8 digital
outputs. Connections are provided in both ADAT
Multichannel Optical Interface and Tascam T/DIF-1
formats. You can install this card in any of the Tape
In/Out slots, or in the ALT I/O slot. You can mix any
combination of the AIO•8 and DIO•8 cards in the
Tape I/O slots to suit your particular application. You
can configure the card in the GUI (Setup>Digital I/O)
and select the I/O connector you wish to use.
Connections for ADAT
The connection for ADAT is made with a fiber
optic cable, sometimes referred to as “lightpipe.”
This connection provides 8 channels of digital audio.
You can purchase this cable from your Alesis dealer,
Monster Cable, Hosa, or other cable manufacturer.
Connections for DA-88
The connection for T/DIF-1 is made with a 25-pin
D-Sub connector. This connection provides 8 channels
of bidirectional digital audio. This connection requires
a 25-pin D-sub cable (Tascam Part Number PW-88D).
OPT•8 Card (ADAT Optical)
The inexpensive ADAT optical card functions
with any device incorporating the ADAT format
digital optical lightpipe. The OPT•8 card configures
itself automatically; it doesn’t need to be adjusted
in the Setup>Digital I/O window. Lightpipe connec-
tions between the D8B and the connected record/
playback device are clean and efficient.
PDI•8 Card (AES/EBU)
This card provides 8 digital inputs and 8 digital
outputs in the AES/EBU standard format.
Connection is made through a 25-pin D-Sub
connector. You can install this card in any of the Tape
In/Out slots, or in the ALT I/O slot.
AES/EBU is a standard two-channel digital
protocol used for long balanced cable applications.
Thus, each conductor actually transmits two
channels of digital audio data.
MFX Effects Card
This card provides two additional DSP en-
gines for running internal effects. The Digital
8•Bus is shipped with one MFX card installed in
Slot A. You can install up to three more MFX
cards in Slots B, C, and D.
UFX Effects Card
This card provides up to four additional DSP
engines for running internal effects. The UFX
architecture provides access to the newest and
coolest third-party plug-ins, as well as an array of
groovy new Mackie plug-ins. The D8B effects card
slots accommodate any combination of UFX and
MFX cards.