Anyone using A16 Ultra on 24/96 via Z-link

[maky325]

Hi! I am searching for some experiences regarding A16 Ultra.

I was thinking whole time that A16 Ultra is only capable to deliver full 16 channels on max 48khz via optical or eight channels of 96 khz via S-Mux. Now (yes my bad, i was not reading all the info) i see that it is capable to deliver all 16 channels with 24/96 via Z-link.

This SONIC CORE-proprietary interface format, based upon FireWire technology, offers greater transfer bandwidth than ADAT. With Z-Link, simultaneous transfer of all 16 channels at 24 bits / 96 kHz is possible. Ideal for use with all Sonic Core systems that are equipped with Z-Link

So i am asking is A16 stable on 24/96 via Zlink? I am asking since i saw a lot of systems are capable to work at 24/96 but most of them are quirky, they have bad drivers etc.

I am not sure but is this heavy stress on PCI buss because of 24/96?

I have Scope Pro 15DSP with classic plate. Which plate should i buy to get this Z-link option if this is possible at all ?!?
When working with z-link how is A16 connected? Just with one firewire cable for card to A16. Two ??

Thanks for any tips..

[garyb]

it's connected via 2 fw cables to the z-link i/o plate. yes, it works. i don't think you need 24/96, it uses double the dsp, cpu and hard drive space and the cd will be 16/44.1 anyway...

[maky325]

Thanks for help garyb! Looking for other experiences also. Note to others: please dont let this go to another 16/44 vs 24/96 debate. I am just looking for first hand experiences and technical explanation. THX

[astroman]

Gary just gave the reasons (in advance), why there will be so few 'first hand experiences' ...
I wouldn't really expect problems with the converter shoveling data towards the PC, but trouble may start right with the Firewire chipset of the mobo, interrupt handling, data throughput, you know... the whole PC dilemma.
16/24/96 requires a neat and powerful box...

cheers, Tom

[maky325]

Please spare me 96khz irony. For example you can not know for what i need 24/96khz and if your idea is to convince me that 16bit/44khz is same as 24/96khz for recording various outboard gear you are shooting in empty space. Final medium also could not be CD per se
I have neat little box with quad inside.

Funny thing is that at the same time here at this forum one very very respected developer by this community (deserved of course) have a wish to use scope even beyond 96khz

Anyway can you explain me one thing about "firewire". If i get this right my a16 will be connected to something like this?
A16 to CARD and A16 to Computer Firewire at the same time?

[kylie]

Anyway can you explain me one thing about "firewire". If i get this right my a16 will be connected to something like this?
A16 to CARD and A16 to Computer Firewire at the same time?

big no!
Z-Link uses the IEEE1394 plugs, but CW / S|C uses a proprietary protocal (probably on top of the basic IEEE1394 protocol stack).
they might physically fit, but they are not compatible or interchangeable.
I cannot tell whether they might even have a different wiring. considering there is power on some pins (for supplying power to the Luna IO box) I can only advise against plugging Z-Link and Firewire together.

-greetings, markus-

[maky325]

Thanks Markus. So connections are from card to a16 only? Probably yes...i see two connectors on a16 backside.

[kylie]

Thanks Markus. So connections are from card to a16 only? Probably yes...i see two connectors on a16 backside.

yes. only CW / S|C cards to A16U (or Luna IO2496).
one cable carries 8 channels (like ADAT does), but with double bitrate (max). the channels per cable are even grouped like the ADAT ports. means you can only use port 1-8 (or 9-16) with a single cable. a Z-Link plate for the bigger boards has 2 Z-Link ports to have all 16 channels of an A16U available (plus one ADAT port).

the Z-Link ports are available on the Luna as well (one default and another one on the (optional) ADAT expansion).

-greetings, markus-

[maky325]

So basically i need this to be installed on my Scope card to get that functionality ?

http://www.sonic-core.net/shop/product_ ... oster.html

Z-Link I/O plate with 28 ins and outs
2 x Z-Link,
1 x ADAT In/Out,
1 x stereo analog In/Out (Chinch),
1 x stereo digital In/Out (S/P-DIF),
MIDI In/Out/Through

[Immanuel]

That or 2 Luna/Electra/Powersampler/Home cards

[kylie]

That or 2 Luna/Electra/Powersampler/Home cards

...or one of them together with the ADAT expansion board

[garyb]

yes, all correct.

[maky325]

Thanks to all. I already posted in Scope Purchasing forum. I will search for

Z-Link I/O plate with 28 ins and outs
2 x Z-Link,
1 x ADAT In/Out,
1 x stereo analog In/Out (Chinch),
1 x stereo digital In/Out (S/P-DIF),
MIDI In/Out/Through

That seems to be most useful thing for my setup. Thank you once again...

[Shayne White]

I remember testing out 96k with my A16U through Z-Link and it worked fine. The only issue is that a lot of Scope devices don't work in 96K because the modules are too large to fit on the DSPs without problems. Xite might be much more convenient in that regard except that no one knows when it will be released.

Shayne

[astroman]

Thanks Markus. So connections are from card to a16 only? Probably yes...i see two connectors on a16 backside.

my apologies, mpo - my original text was a Freudian slip by an insomniatic brain - I just had those connectors in front of my inner eye and since I've recently checked a ton of FW Interfaces for my notebook it just went straight to the types on my keyboard...
fortunately Markus saved the day

sorry, Tom

[voidar]

I would have used z-link had I not broken it on my A16U. Z-link carries voltage, so be carefull with your interface (!). It's actually possible to force it in the wrong way.

As for 24/96K. It could make sense to record that way and then resample to 32/48K (or 44K1) using r8brain Pro. Use the MinPhase option for some conversion mojo.

[kylie]

one of the rare occasions where I had to save the day for you, astro

just get some sleep, you'll be fine tomorrow...

-greetings, markus-

ps. I just started wondering if there was something like a Z-Link crossover cable possible for connecting 2 lunas in different computers. doing that now is reported to kill both boards with a smoke...
so don't bother trying.

[kylie]

I would have used z-link had I not broken it on my A16U.

you just voided them, didn't you?

Z-link carries voltage, so be carefull with your interface (!). It's actually possible to force it in the wrong way.

so does firewire. some fw interfaces like the focusrite saffire le are bus powered, too, when used on a 6pin fw port (4pin cables do not supply bus power). that means I expect them to be subject to destruction as well.

-greetings, markus-