Model: ADAT AI3 (Demo)
Our Price: $449.95
Description: The Alesis AI-3 is an analog to digital converter audio interface that has 8 channels of input and 8 channels of output in a single space rack-mount. It converts the audio to the ADAT light-pipe protocol which is one of the most widely used audio protocols and is supported by a large number of other audio devices. It can be used for professional and home studios as wall as for video post production. This is a great way to add extra channels to your 0R2 or other digital mixer.
It uses 20-bit AD/DA converters and has a maximum samplerate of 48 kHz and is Sigma-Delta type with 128 times oversampling. This is somewhat of lower than expected specs than current 24-bit converters. The sound of the AI3 as compared to the Behringer ADA8000 is about the same, the Behringer is less brittle sounding but that doesn't mean that the AI3 sounds brittle. The number of bits a converter has doesn't really mean much as it's really more on how well the system clock and other components are put together. The 20-bit converters still offer a 96dB dynamic range.
The frequency response is 20Hz to 20 kHz with +/- 0.05 dB of gain change within the frequency range. It has a pretty decent SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) of about 100dB in both balanced and un-balanced operation. If you aren't sure of which type, balanced or unbalanced, to use: Use Balanced. They are 1/4" Stereo looking cables that work like XLR cables and offer greater noise rejection and dynamic range.
The 8 inputs are found on the back panel of the single space 19" rackmount box. They accept either 1/4" unbalanced (normal line level instrument cord) or 1/4" balanced (stereo 1/4" Tip Ring Sleeve) plug. There is a line source level button on the front panel that lets you select either +4 or -10 for balanced or un-balanced operation.
The 8 outputs are also on the back panel and also accept either 1/4" balanced or un-balanced connections. A single ADAT light pipe optical cable when not being run in S/MUX (created by the legendary Sonorus) is capable of a maximum eight channels where each channel is running at 48kHz sample rate and 24-bit depth.
As with most ADAT light pipe interfaces it is recommended not using APF (TOS-Link) cables longer than 33 feet (10 meters) as the light becomes lessened as the length increases and Alesis has determined that 33 feet is the longest length before any clocking problems start to develop.
The meters on the front are really for checking if you have signal or if it's too hot. Most people will probably be using this with a computer based setup which has glass-console (computer screen) meters. These meters aren't for fine tuning the gain of an input channel.
The Alesis AI-3 has a switch on the front panel that allows you to select which type of input or output you want to use either "OPTICAL" or "ANALOG". This is mainly to route the ADAT audio data coming from say a Yamaha OR2 and route it to the analog outputs and simultaneously reroute it out the digital output. There is also a switch for the analog and digital outputs as well.