SOLID STATE LOGIC Alpha Link MADI AX IO Bundle [7/32] I o capabilities

I/O Capabilities

The number of channels available on each audio interface provided by the Alpha-Link is determined by the sample

rate and in certain circumstances by the mode of operation chosen.

Each unit can operate at one of four nominal sample rates; 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz and 96kHz. If locked to an

external clock source, each unit can also operate at a deviation of up to ±10% from these rates. Throughout this guide

we will often refer to the lower set of sample rates (44.1kHz, 48kHz) collectively as ‘Fs’ whilst the higher rates, being

twice the lower set, will be refered to as ‘2Fs’.

Early digital audio interfaces designed to run at 2Fs rates did so by modifying the way that data is packed into the

digital audio stream without increasing the actual transmission rate. This leads to a lower channel count for a given

interface but results in a 2Fs interface that is broadly compatible with the original Fs rate interface. Later improvements

for some interface types lead to ‘proper’ double speed 2Fs interfaces that did not compromise the channel count but

were no longer compatible with older Fs rate interfaces. These developments resulted in two different modes of

operation at the higher 2Fs rates; ‘Legacy’ or ‘SMUX’ and ‘High Speed’. The channel count differences are loosely

summarised in the following table and further information will be found towards the rear of this guide.

Audio Interface

Sample Rate and Mode

Fs 2Fs (Legacy/SMUX) 2Fs (High Speed)

ADAT 24 Channels 12 Channels n/a

AES/EBU 24 Channels 12 Channels 24 Channels

Analogue 24 Channels – irrespective of sample rate

Expansion Port 64 Channels – irrespective of sample rate

MADI 56 or 64 Channels 28 or 32 Channels 28 or 32 Channels