Topic: UCXII with BO968 Digital Breakout-Cable: using SPDIF as a 2nd AES/EBU?

Hi,
On a Fireface 400, Fireface UC or Fireface UCX, the SPDIF I/O can be used as AES/EBU I/O, simply with adapter cables from RCA to XLR.
On page 41 of the Fireface UCX manual : To receive signals in AES/EBU format, an adapter cable is required. Pins 2 and 3 of a female XLR plug are connected individually to the two pins of a phono plug. The cable shielding is connected to pin 1 of the XLR and the ground contact of the phono plug.

And on page 42 of the Fireface UCX manual : Professional AES/EBU equipment can be connected to the Fireface UCX thanks to its ‘Profes- sional’ format option and a doubled output voltage. Output cables should have the same pinout as those used for input (see above), but with a male XLR plug instead of a female one.

I used this features and it worked flawlessly.

Can I connect the same adapter cables to the BO968 Digital Breakout-Cable RCA connectors in order to have a second AES/EBU I/O?

Re: UCXII with BO968 Digital Breakout-Cable: using SPDIF as a 2nd AES/EBU?

yes

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

Re: UCXII with BO968 Digital Breakout-Cable: using SPDIF as a 2nd AES/EBU?

Thank you, great news!

I was wondering if the output level would be sufficient.
As the specifications for the SPDIF on the Fireface UCX II are only: Output level Professional 1.2 Vpp, Consumer 0.6 Vpp

Less than the Fireface 400: Output level Professional 2.0 Vpp, Consumer 0.8 Vpp

And much less than the Fireface UFX : Output level Professional 4.5 Vpp, Consumer 2.6 Vpp

Re: UCXII with BO968 Digital Breakout-Cable: using SPDIF as a 2nd AES/EBU?

It is sufficient for the most case.
The limits of the specification is not the limit where a gear is working.
Most gear can handle signals below the limits.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

Re: UCXII with BO968 Digital Breakout-Cable: using SPDIF as a 2nd AES/EBU?

Thank you for the precision.
This is an excellent news smile

Best wishes,
Todor

6

Re: UCXII with BO968 Digital Breakout-Cable: using SPDIF as a 2nd AES/EBU?

The linit is the official spec which calls for 0.5 V.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME