M-AUDIO Flying Calf User Manual
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The level of the analog signal that goes into the Flying Calf should
be adjusted for optimum A/D sampling quality. For best conver-
sion, the input signal should have enough amplitude to take
advantage of nearly all 24 bits of A/D resolution. In other words,
peak levels of the incoming audio signal should be loud enough
to approach the A/D converter's maximum acceptable (full-scale)
signal level. The Flying Calf front panel A/D Input Level indica-
tors aid in this adjustment. Set the level of the audio input signal,
using a mixer or preamplifier device, so that you light as many
level indicator LED's as possible without lighting the red Clip
LED's. When the Clip LED's light, the audio signal is being
"clipped" at the maximum allowable input level of the A/D con-
verter. This may cause extreme distortion and should be avoided.
Note: An occasional CLIP reading is sometimes OK -- it's best to
let your ears be the judge!
The A/D sample rate should be set according to your applica-
tion's needs. Quite often the sample rate you select will be dictat-
ed by the sample rates accepted by other components in the sys-
tem (such as sound cards, digital audio workstations, CD-ROM
programmers, and DAT machines).
The Flying Calf A/D supports two standard sample rates:
44.1 kHz: Historically, this is the most commonly used sample
rate because it’s the current consumer CD audio sam-
ple rate (a.k.a. “redbook audio”). Therefore, audio
captured at 44.1 kHz does not require sample rate con-
version in order to be “burnt” to CD-ROM.
48 kHz:
Until recently, this sample rate was reserved for top-of-
the-line professional systems. Today, however, it’s
supported by most computer sound cards and soft-
ware applications. Compared to 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz will
achieve higher fidelity conversion at the expense of
more storage space per second of recording (if saved to
a disk drive, DAT cartridge, etc.).