Avid Pro Audio Community

Avid Pro Audio Community

How to Join & Post  •  Community Terms of Use  •  Help Us Help You

Knowledge Base Search  •  Community Search  •  Learn & Support


Avid Home Page

Go Back   Avid Pro Audio Community > Pro Tools Hardware > Pro Tools | Carbon

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-18-2021, 02:31 PM
CoreRec CoreRec is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: LA
Posts: 6
Default Carbon is not -18dBFS like normal HD? Also, how to use S/PDIF?

Looking at upgrading from an HD6 Accel system w/ HD I/O and Symphony I/O that's been extremely reliable.

Like others, I tried HDX, but found the latency way too high once plugins were added (44.1). Plus the fan was unusably noisy.

The latency numbers with Carbon are less than half what HDX shows - very impressive!

I have some questions that I can't find answers to (or are curious oversights):

1. How can I use S/PDIF with Carbon? I can't see a way and that would be a real bummer of an omission - possibly deal breaker
2. How can it be expanded beyond the 24 I/O (I usually use 28 ins, but 30 when the band has a keyboardist)
3. The specs make it appear that Carbon is -20dBFS rather than -18dBFS like normal Digi/Avid IOs - is that right?
4. Does it possibly have SRC available on the ADAT I/O like 192s?
5. How long before preamp recall will be enabled like PRE and MTRX?

Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-22-2021, 06:13 PM
Matt Hepworth's Avatar
Matt Hepworth Matt Hepworth is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Phoenix or SLC
Posts: 550
Default Re: Carbon is not -18dBFS like normal HD? Also, how to use S/PDIF?

Interesting it's not -18dBfs. 24 I/O is definitely a tough spot if you can't expand. Maybe Kyle will chime in on some of the other questions.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-23-2021, 12:22 PM
originalscottyg originalscottyg is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Detroit
Posts: 1,368
Default Re: Carbon is not -18dBFS like normal HD? Also, how to use S/PDIF?

Almost all the other Avid converters (192s, HD I/Os, Omni, MTRX, etc., mbox series excluded) have calibrate-able analog I/O. So you can set up the analog side to be -18, -20, -16, etc. I'd be curious to know whether Carbon's analog I/O can be calibrated.
__________________
Scott Gatteño
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-23-2021, 01:36 PM
BScout BScout is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 4,144
Default Re: Carbon is not -18dBFS like normal HD? Also, how to use S/PDIF?

1) You can't directly. You could get a ADAT to AES converter (like from RME). AES and SPDIF are cross compatible (different connector and different impedance but otherwise the same so they can be changed passively with a cable)
2) Can't at the moment (if you still want it to run with the Carbon features)
4) If it had SRC, there would be an option box in the hardware setup. It doesn't have that. And SRC isn't mentioned. So nope.
__________________
Pro Tools Ult 2024.3, HDX 2, MTRX/SPQ, RME BBF Pro + MADIface ProS1 x 2, Fire HD10 + Max11, Dock, iPad Air5 Mac Mini 14,12, 12 core, macOS 13.6.5RAM 32GB, SSD 4TB, GPU 19 coreQNAP TVS-872XT 148TB TB3
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-23-2021, 03:52 PM
Kyle Splittgerber's Avatar
Kyle Splittgerber Kyle Splittgerber is offline
Avid
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 563
Default Re: Carbon is not -18dBFS like normal HD? Also, how to use S/PDIF?

Quote:
Originally Posted by CoreRec View Post
Looking at upgrading from an HD6 Accel system w/ HD I/O and Symphony I/O that's been extremely reliable.

Like others, I tried HDX, but found the latency way too high once plugins were added (44.1). Plus the fan was unusably noisy.

The latency numbers with Carbon are less than half what HDX shows - very impressive!

I have some questions that I can't find answers to (or are curious oversights):

1. How can I use S/PDIF with Carbon? I can't see a way and that would be a real bummer of an omission - possibly deal breaker
2. How can it be expanded beyond the 24 I/O (I usually use 28 ins, but 30 when the band has a keyboardist)
3. The specs make it appear that Carbon is -20dBFS rather than -18dBFS like normal Digi/Avid IOs - is that right?
4. Does it possibly have SRC available on the ADAT I/O like 192s?
5. How long before preamp recall will be enabled like PRE and MTRX?

Thanks!
Hello.
1. We're planning to implement Optical S/PDIF support on the ADAT ports, but I can't say when that will be available.
2. Like BScout said, you can't at this time. Max is currently 25 inputs x 34 outputs.
3. Carbon has +24 dBu max input/output level which translates to -20 dBfs of headroom with a +4 dBu signal. HD I/O has less headroom than Carbon as it has a max input/output level of +22 dBu.
4. No SRC
5. Can't provide a time estimate, but it's a very high priority feature.
__________________
Kyle Splittgerber
Senior Principal Product Designer
Avid
Berkeley, CA
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-12-2021, 02:29 PM
CoreRec CoreRec is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: LA
Posts: 6
Default Re: Carbon is not -18dBFS like normal HD? Also, how to use S/PDIF?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kyle Splittgerber View Post
Hello.
1. We're planning to implement Optical S/PDIF support on the ADAT ports, but I can't say when that will be available.
2. Like BScout said, you can't at this time. Max is currently 25 inputs x 34 outputs.
3. Carbon has +24 dBu max input/output level which translates to -20 dBfs of headroom with a +4 dBu signal. HD I/O has less headroom than Carbon as it has a max input/output level of +22 dBu.
4. No SRC
5. Can't provide a time estimate, but it's a very high priority feature.
So I need to set my Apogee to -20dBFS to match Carbon?
I'm not quite sure how this works with the way you worded it. Normally I set everything to -18dBFS which is +22dBu I believe.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-12-2021, 03:34 PM
JFreak's Avatar
JFreak JFreak is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tampere, Finland
Posts: 24,853
Default Re: Carbon is not -18dBFS like normal HD? Also, how to use S/PDIF?

Quote:
Originally Posted by CoreRec View Post
So I need to set my Apogee to -20dBFS to match Carbon?
I'm not quite sure how this works with the way you worded it. Normally I set everything to -18dBFS which is +22dBu I believe.
Yes. And it is always good to check the specs of any interface you are using, like DigiDesign 96 was/is 14, 192 was/is 18 and these new ones are 20. Apogee Symphony mk2 that I am using at home can be software calibrated to 12/14/16/18/20
__________________
Janne
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-13-2021, 02:31 AM
BScout BScout is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 4,144
Default Re: Carbon is not -18dBFS like normal HD? Also, how to use S/PDIF?

Despite this inaccurate "knowledge base" article, the MTRX has a 30dBu possibility. And the MTRX Studio has a 24dBU possibility.

https://avid.secure.force.com/pkb/ar...-Output-Levels

(anyone want to to give Avid the heads up they have it wrong on the MTRX -- kind of embarrassing)
__________________
Pro Tools Ult 2024.3, HDX 2, MTRX/SPQ, RME BBF Pro + MADIface ProS1 x 2, Fire HD10 + Max11, Dock, iPad Air5 Mac Mini 14,12, 12 core, macOS 13.6.5RAM 32GB, SSD 4TB, GPU 19 coreQNAP TVS-872XT 148TB TB3
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-13-2021, 02:53 AM
JFreak's Avatar
JFreak JFreak is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tampere, Finland
Posts: 24,853
Default Re: Carbon is not -18dBFS like normal HD? Also, how to use S/PDIF?

dBu and dBFS are two different things, albeit connected to the same thing - calibration.

It is not inaccurate to say (in a knowledgebase article) that calibration of -18dBFS will provide +4dBu analog output, meaning unity levels are +22dBu. So if a box is capable of +24dBu it can be calibrated to -20dBFS and if there is extra "capability" it is just headroom, I have never heard of anyone wanting to calibrate lower than -20dBFS.
__________________
Janne
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-13-2021, 10:48 PM
BScout BScout is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 4,144
Default Re: Carbon is not -18dBFS like normal HD? Also, how to use S/PDIF?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JFreak View Post
dBu and dBFS are two different things, albeit connected to the same thing - calibration.
This I know. Read what I wrote again understanding the specs of the equipment involved. And how they are stated in the KB.
The Knowledge Base article is wrong. The MTRX (full) is 30 dBu capable for AD. Looking at 24 channels of it.

-20dBFs calibration is standard for theatrical post (what I work in).

Whether you (or I) calibrate to 30dBu ( -26dBFs for +4) I know classical/location recordist who do and the MTRX/DAD aren't the first able to do this. Wrong is wrong.
__________________
Pro Tools Ult 2024.3, HDX 2, MTRX/SPQ, RME BBF Pro + MADIface ProS1 x 2, Fire HD10 + Max11, Dock, iPad Air5 Mac Mini 14,12, 12 core, macOS 13.6.5RAM 32GB, SSD 4TB, GPU 19 coreQNAP TVS-872XT 148TB TB3
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
-18dBFS (Europe) / -20dBFS (USA) Reference Tones splicestudios Post - Surround - Video 4 05-23-2009 05:56 PM
0 VU / -18dBFS LEDD 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 9 05-27-2004 07:58 AM
96I/O at -18dBFs??? is it possible? S-pole Pro Tools TDM Systems (Mac) 2 05-02-2003 05:32 AM
+4 dBm = -18dBFS or -20dBFS or -16 dBFS (ARGH!!) McMasters Pro Tools TDM Systems (Mac) 0 11-29-2002 10:02 AM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:22 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. Forum Hosted By: URLJet.com