Soundscape SS8IO-3 8 Channel Audio Interface
Revision 1.0a5
Internal clock generator (44.1kHz/48kHz).
Generates external Wordclock or Superclock signals from any clock source.
Wordclock phase shift is selectable via rear panel Option DIL switches.
Main Operation
The front panel buttons and LED indicators are used to set up the sample
rate and clocks. A description of the operation follows:-
S. RATE
The S. RATE (Sample Rate) button allows the internal wordclock of the
SS8IO-3 to be set to 44kHz or 48kHz. When internal clock is not being
used, the LEDs will indicate the actual sample rate that is being received.
If there is an error or the sample rate does not fall within the tolerances
which are normally expected, then the LEDs will flash. If pressing the S.
RATE button has no effect on the sample rate, then check that the
CLOCK (see below) is set to INT (internal).
CLOCK
The CLOCK button is used to select the source for the wordclock used. A wordclock can be derived from the
TDIF input, or from the external (EXT) wordclock/superclock (W/S CLOCK) input on the rear of the unit, or the
internal (INT) clock can be used. If there is no signal detected for the selected clock source, then the LED will
flash to indicate an error.
Using the SS8IO-3 with the mixtreme PCI Card or SSHDR1-Plus
Generally when the SS8IO-3 is used with an SSHDR1-Plus system, the major requirement will be to turn the 8
digital in/out channels from the SSAC-1 TDIF port into analogue channels. Connect the SS8IO-3 TDIF port to the
TDIF connector on the mixtreme PCI Card or SSHDR1-Plus unit. Normally the TDIF Clock setting should be
used for the SS8IO-3, as the SSHDR1-Plus or mixtreme PCI Card would be set to Internal Clock and so would
determine the sample rate.
Rear Panel Settings
OPTION 8-Way DIL Switch
The OPTION 8-way DIL switch on the rear panel of the SS8IO-3 allows setting of parameters relating to
generating or receiving wordclock (sample rate) and superclock (256 x sample rate) signals for the W/S Clock
in/out and for the TDIF port. These should only be changed from the factory default positions (shown below)
when you have a specific case thatrequires a different form of clock synchronisation. This would be the case if
you need to use superclock instead of wordclock.
Sync In sets the type of signal required at the W/S Clock input.
Sync Out sets the type of signal generated at the W/S Clock output.
n.c. is a spare switch with the current firmware revision.
Phase Selectallows the phase relationship of the wordclock relative to left/right clock (part of the digital audio
stream) to be selected. Some devices specify that there should be for example, a 90°phase shift between the
timing of the wordclock logic signal and the left/right clock, so it can be important in ensuring that the audio data
is transferred error free.
