Solid State Logic Alpha-LinK MX 4-16 User manual
Document History
82BSA201A September 2012 V1.0 Initial Release
Contents
Introduction 1
About this Setup Guide 1
Reading conventions 1
Prerequisites 1
Audio connections 3
Analogue and AES/EBU audio connections 3
MADI audio connections 3
MADI connection diagram 4
Alpha-Link MADI-AX Diagnostics mode settings 5
Starting the Alpha- ink in Diagnostics mode 5
Changing the 64/56 channel MADI mode 5
Selecting MADI High Speed/Non-SMUX2 mode 6
Selecting MADI as the EXT clock source 7
eaving Diagnostics mode and saving the settings 8
Setting up the Alpha-Link as clock slave 9
Setting up Alpha-Link routing 10
Routing MADI In to ANA Out (for playback) 10
Routing MADI In to AES Out (for playback) 10
Routing ANA In and AES In to MADI Out (for recording) 11
Setting up the Alpha-Link MX 4-16 and Alpha-Link MX 16-4 12
Setting up the MadiXtreme on PC 13
Setting up the MadiXtreme on Mac 15
Testing the system 16
Introduction
About this Setup Guide
The Alpha- ink MX 4-16 and Alpha- ink MX 16-4 are ideal partners for an Alpha- ink MADI-SX or Alpha- ink MADI-AX and
MaiXtreme, allowing full use of the 64 MADI input and/or output channels available on these units (at 44.1 or 48 kHz).
The aim of this Setup Guide is to clarify the connections and settings required to maximize the I/O capabilities of an
Alpha- ink MADI-SX (or MADI-AX) and MadiXtreme by the addition of an Alpha- ink MX 4-16 and an Alpha- ink MX16-4.
This will be done through a step by step example.
We’ll explain how to set up the MadiXtreme and Alpha- inks to provide a computer-based DAW with 40 analogue and 24 AES
inputs and outputs at 48kHz, with the AES inputs routed to/from MADI channels 1 to 24 and the Analogue inputs and
outputs routed to/from MADI channels 25 to 64.
We’ll also suggest how to test the system, and add a word about using headphones.
Reading conventions
In this Setup Guide the Alpha- ink MX 4-16 and Alpha- ink MX 16-4 may both be referred to as “Alpha- ink MX”. Our step
by step setup example will refer to an Alpha- ink MADI-SX but that information is equally applicable to an Alpha- ink
MADI-AX (except that “AES/EBU” or “AES” should be read as “ADAT” in the case of an Alpha- ink MADI-AX).
Prerequisites
For the purpose of this Setup Guide, it is assumed that:
• You have installed a MadiXtreme in your PC or Mac according to the MadiXtreme documentation, installed the driver
and if necessary, updated the firmware.
• You are already familar with the clock synchronization requirements of digital audio and have read the relevant
sections about this in the MadiXtreme, Alpha- ink and Alpha- ink MX documentation.
• Preferably, you are already familiar with the more advanced settings of the MadiXtreme and Alpha- ink. If you are not
yet familar with them, please consider reading the MadiXtreme & Alpha- ink Setup Guide, and following the step by
step “Quick Start” section of that document.
• You are equipped with all necessary cabling (4 simplex MADI cables, or two duplex MADI cables that can be split will be
needed).
• You are already reasonably familiar with your chosen computer platform (PC or Mac) and in particular with your
chosen DAW sotware.
The MadiXtreme receives its power from the computer. The Alpha-Link MADI- X and the two Alpha-Link MX
should be connected to the mains according to their respective documentation. Mains power connections will
not be discussed in this etup Guide, which is focused on clarifying an audio configuration.
Warning: In normal use the Alpha-Link outputs will be connected to your console and/or monitoring system. You are
advised to keep the the monitoring system powered off, at least until appropriate clock settings have been selected
for the MadiXtreme and Alpha-Links.
Page 1
Duplex cable (notice
the red sleeves around
both conductors)
The duplex cable
connectors are slid
apart
Two simplex cables (notice
the red and grey sleeves),
with their connectors paired
Audio connections
AAnnaalloogguuee aanndd AAEESS//EEBBUU aauuddiioo ccoonnnneeccttiioonnss
The Alpha- ink MADI-SX analogue and AES/EBU inputs and outputs, Alpha- ink MX 4-16 analogue outputs and Alpha- ink
MX 16-4 analogue inputs should be connected to your sound sources, processors and console/monitoring system
according to the respective documentation and your personal requirements. The Alpha- ink MX 4-16 analogue inputs and
Alpha- ink MX 16-4 analogue outputs will not be used and therefore do not need to be connected.
MMAADDII aauuddiioo ccoonnnneeccttiioonnss
MADI cables are usually supplied as duplex (paired) cables, which is ideal for a bidirectional audio connection between
two devices. A typical example is when an Alpha- ink MADI-SX or MADI-AX serves as a converter for a digital console’s
inputs and outputs: a single duplex cable is needed between the console and the Alpha- ink.
The configuration described in this Setup Guide is somewhat different, as it involves four MADI devices in a loop
arrangement. You will need to use simplex MADI cables. Note that duplex cables can usually be split easily along their
length to make simplex cables. Note also that the duplex cables’ connector pairs will need to be split (by sliding the
connectors alongside each other in opposite directions), and that new connector pairs should be made between simplex
cables, so that they can fit together into the same MADI I/O port.
The MADI connections should be as follows:
Madixtreme MADI output > Alpha- ink MX 4-16 MADI input.
Alpha- ink MX 4-16 MADI output > Alpha- ink MADI-SX MADI input.
Alpha- ink MADI-SX MADI output > Alpha- ink MX 16-4 MADI input.
Alpha- ink MX 16-4 MADI output > MadiXtreme MADI input.
On the Alpha-Link MADI- X (or MADI-AX) and Alpha-Link MX, the input and output sides of the MADI port are
labelled on the chassis. On a MadiXtreme MADI port there is no labelling, so please note that the input side is
closest to the BNC connector, with the output side farthest. If you are using a MadiXtreme 128, MADI port A
(which is the one used in our example) is the farthest from the BNC connector.
Page 2
Page 3
MMAADDII ccoonnnneeccttiioonn ddiiaaggrraamm
The blue arrrows in the following diagram represent MADI connections made via simplex cables:
The MadiXtreme and Alpha-Links are are originally delivered with rubber dustcaps inserted in the MADI ports to
keep them clean (as shown in the diagram pictures). Pull these dustcaps out to gain access to the ports. We
recommend keeping these dustcaps, and replacing them whenever the ports are not in use.
Alpha-Link MADI-SX
MadiXtreme
(Pictured: MadiXtreme 128)
Alpha-Link MX 4-16
Alpha-Link MX 16-4
utput side Input side
Page 4
Alpha-Link MADI-AX Diagnostics mode settings
Starting the Alpha-Link in Diagnostics mode
Press and hold down the SAMP E RATE and C OCK buttons before powering up the Alpha- ink to start in Diagnostics mode.
Do not release them until the XS ED starts flashing.
Changing the 64/56 channel MADI mode
We have set out to provide a computer-based DAW with 40 Analogue inputs and outputs and 24 AES/EBU inputs and
outputs at 48kHz. By default, the Alpha- ink is set to provide only 56 MADI I/O channels at 48 kHz. So we need to change
it to 64 channel MADI mode.
The 56/64 channel MADI mode selection is Option 1 of Page 1, so you will only need one button-press to switch to 64
channels.
As you have already started the Alpha- ink in Diagnostics mode, follow the steps below:
1) By default, Page 1 will be selected (indicated by ED 17 being lit in the Metering section). Keep that selection.
2) By default, Option 1 will be selected (indicated by ED 9 being lit in the Metering section). Keep that selection.
3) Press the INPUT button. ED 1 will go OFF, indicating that the Alpha- ink is now in 64 channel MADI mode.
The XS LED flashes to
indicate Diagnostics mode
Press, then hold down
during power-up
Press once ption 1 status changed
Page 5
Selecting MADI High Speed/Non-SMUX2mode
Whether to use SMUX2mode or High Speed (a.k.a non- SMUX2) mode when working at high sample rates is not critical, as
long as both devices have the same setting. For our example configuration we could leave the MadiXtreme and Alpha- ink
set to their default, which is SMUX2.
However, setting both of them to High Speed is preferable, as it will allow the Alpha- ink to correctly interpret changes in
the Sample Rate made from the DAW computer, in the TRack software (PC) or in the MadiXtreme Preferences (Mac), when
a low sample rate is selected.
While the Alpha- ink is still in Diagnostics mode, follow the steps below:
1) Page 1 should already be selected ( ED 17 lit). Keep that selection.
2) Press the OUTPUT button to select Option 2 (indicated by ED 10 being lit in the Metering section).
3) Press the INPUT button to change the connection mode ( ED 2 will be turned off).
Press
Press
ption 2 status
changed
ption 2 selected
Page 6
Selecting MADI as the EXT clock source
We have decided that the MadiXtreme will be used as clock master, with the Alpha- ink being synchronized to the
embedded MADI clock signal from the MadiXtreme. By default, the external clock source selection (active when the EXT
ED is lit on the front panel) is set to WordClock. We must change this to MADI.
With the Alpha- ink still in Diagnostics mode, follow the steps below:
1) The External Clock Source Selection is Option 3 of Page 2. Therefore, press the METERS button to select page 2
(indicated by ED 18 being lit in the Metering section, instead of ED 17).
2) Press the OUTPUT button repeatedly to select Option 3 (indicated by ED 11 being lit in the Metering section).
3) Press the INPUT button to change the external clock source selection from WordClock (default) to MADI ( ED 3 will
be turned ON).
Press repeatedly
Press
Press
ption 3 selected
Page 2 selected
ption 3 status
changed
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