ADAT Lightpipe question

[mattyj414]

Hey all, I've been researching audio interfaces and am looking into several for home studio purposes. I have a qestion about ADAT lightpipe. How does this connection work> I mean what are the options concerning this feature? I understand all of the other connections and their purpose but when I ask other people about how to use this connection, it gets confusing. It's almost like they know but can't explain it. Can someone here give be a connection example. Thanks for you time..MJ

 

[bennychico11]

The ADAT Optical protocol works on a 24-bit NRZ (Non-Return-to-Zero) encoding scheme that sends information along a high-bandwidth fiber-optic cable. Basically, each audio channel can be carried at 24-bit resolution. The samples from all eight audio channels are organized into a single block of information called a "data frame," each of which contains 256 bits. This leaves 64 bits that can be used for synchronization and specialized "user" applications.

This data frame is sent through a fiber-optic cable by means of a light transmitter (hence the name "Lightpipe") and is received in the other unit by a light-detecting element. A single-sided, 5-volt power supply runs the system. When all is said and done, the receiver’s output produces an exact replica of the signal that was introduced at the transmitter, except for a slight increase of delay.

 

[AlexW]

The connections/cables are called Toslink. It's basically a fiber optic cable with standard connectors on each end that fit into the Toslink input/output connections on your gear. The signals sent across conform to an ADAT protocol that allows the sending and receiving of multiple channels of data. Most gear allows the transfer of 8 separate channels. Not sure if the ADAT protocol allows for more or not.

 

[mshilarious]

Hey all, I've been researching audio interfaces and am looking into several for home studio purposes. I have a qestion about ADAT lightpipe. How does this connection work> I mean what are the options concerning this feature? I understand all of the other connections and their purpose but when I ask other people about how to use this connection, it gets confusing. It's almost like they know but can't explain it. Can someone here give be a connection example. Thanks for you time..MJ

It's very simple, it's an optical connection that carries 8 channels of digital audio, 24 bit at 44.1 or 48, and a clock signal as well. Each cable goes a single direction, either in or out, not both. Some gear also supports higher sample rates, 88.2 or 96, but with only 4 channels.

Some examples:

There are a number of 8 channel preamps with ADAT lightpipe out--they will send 8 channels of digital audio to a device, such as a soundcard or hard drive recorder--that can receive it. HDRs and digital mixers will use ADAT for input and output, often to each other. External converters commonly use ADAT too.

You can even use a pair of converters live as a digital snake. Seems like the expensive approach, but somebody must be doing it . . .

 

[giraffe]

me like light pipe, think good

 

[Track Rat]

me like light pipe, think good

I'm just a caveman. Your Lightpipe frightens and confuses me.........

 

[mshilarious]

I'm just a caveman. Your Lightpipe frightens and confuses me.........

But I do know one thing: That a homereccer who bought a Behringer Feedback Destroyer that broke as soon as he took it out of the box is due $200 in compensatory and $1 million in punitive damages!

I miss Phil

 

[7string]

me like light pipe, think good

Adat lightpipe... pipe explode... Adat play Richard Pryor...