AES42

The DMC-842 operates as power supply and control device for digital microphones, supporting the AES42 standard. The operating modes defined in AES42, Mode 1 and Mode2, are supported individually per input. Mode 1 defines an asynchronous operation. Working with several Mode 1 microphones requires the use of sample rate converters, which are included in the DMC-842. Mode 2 allows for a synchronized operation. In both modes control data can be sent to and status data can be received from the microphone. These can settings for gain, polar patterns, hi-pass filter and compression. Further functions are already specified in the AES42 standard, but availability depends on the individual microphone. All microphone parameters are directly accessible from the unit's front panel.
As Digital Phantom Power can be switched on or off on individual channels, the DMC-842 can also handle 'standard' AES3 and AES/EBU signals at the same time. Using the built-in sample rate converters, these can even be asynchronous.
In many respects, the DMC-842 is an ideal companion to RME's Micstasy. Using the same interface connections as found in the Micstasy (ADAT S/MUX and AES/EBU built-in, MADI optional) it ensures problem-free set-up of combined systems for both analog and digital microphones. The DMC-842 even includes analog line level outputs, so a mixed setup with purely analog devices (for example for monitoring purposes) poses no problems.

I64 MADI card

The I64 MADI Card provides the DMC-842 with a 64-Channel MADI input and output. Coaxial and optical output operate in parallel to the AES/EBU and ADAT output, therefore deliver the same data.
The I64 MADI Card features an optical as well as a coaxial MADI input. The input is switched automatically, according to where a valid input signal is detected. Full redundancy is ensured by the automatic input switching, immediately changing to the other input in case of loss of the input signal.
The MADI input will operate as an optional clock source (Clock section, OPTN) as well as a thru-input. Since each DMC-842 uses only 8 channels, up to 56 channels can be passed through. This technique is used to serially cascade several DMC-842. Incoming MADI data is passed through unchanged, only one block of eight channels is replaced. This allows up to 8 devices to be connected serially. All 64 combined channels are available at the last device's MADI output.
With an installed I64 MADI Card the DMC-842 can be remote controlled via MADI. At the same time MIDI data are transmitted via MADI.
When multiple devices are connected serially, the MADI I/O of each DMC-842 causes a delay of 3 samples. Therefore at the MADI output of the last device, the data of all upstreamed devices are delayed. The problem of this offset is solved by the function Delay Compensation. Using the I64 MADI Card provides the ability of 8 channels being used as return path, sending audio via MADI to the DMC-842's ADAT, AES and analog outputs. For example stage and studio monitors can be fed from the DMC-842. The MADI output continues to carry the analog input signals and the fed-through input data