DADlink is not only the fastest track from DAD to DAD units, as some units by NTP Technology are also compatible with the DADlink format. The actual channel count depends on the chosen sampling rate, between 44.1kHz and 384kHz, and the dynamic range is a staggering 237dB, ensuring a fast and reliable transfer at the highest audio quality imaginable. In short, the DADlink format acts as a digital audio signal extension that connects directly into the ‘belly’ of the digital processing system of a DADlink-compatible unit.
When DAD says that DADlink transfers happens at zero latency, of course, there will always be some measure of latency, but it has been widely accepted that e.g. 42 microseconds - or 2 samples - latency on the MADI format is referred to as 'near zero latency'. As DADlink provides <100 nanoseconds of latency, this translates to 0.005 sample at 48kHz - or 400 times faster than on a MADI connection.
Further, the DADlink format ensures transparency for audio time stamps across DADlink-connected units. "Since it is a proprietary format, we know every detail and corner of the systems on both sides of the connection, which is how we are able to minimize the latency and keep all aspects of the audio quality at a maximum," says Mikael Vest, Sales Director, DAD.
Internally in all DADlink-compatible units, there is a system providing a 100% phase-accurate presentation of audio signals on the outputs regardless of the actual routing and processing path established in a unit via routing or monitor control, summing and SPQ. This system relies on all input signals being provided with a time stamp when sampled, and each output interface having a buffer system, which aligns the signal to the same latency equal to the system delay. Users can set that via the DADman control software. Normally, this means 7 samples (145 microseconds at 48kHz, 72,5 microseconds at 96kHz, etc.).
When using DADlink as the connection between one or more units, this mechanism is preserved, including full-signal resolution and support for all sample rates. In systems with more units interconnected, one unit should be the clock master and the other units need to synchronize to the DADlink input in order to assure that all units has the same clock and time stamp reference. This is automatically distributed between all units via the DADlink connection.
"Pristine audio quality has always been the name of our game, and if you use a DADlink connection it means that the analog audio signals have already been through our A/D converters - perhaps even our preamps. And within the digital domain, the transfer resolution via DADlink is happening at 28-bit floating point, which adds another 96dB of headroom for a total dynamic range of 237dB. Further, also to preserve audio quality across independent units, phase alignment is applied within the system delay," adds Mikael Vest.
DAD (Digital Audio Denmark) is a brand owned by NTP Technology, a manufacturer of high-reliability audio routing and signal processing systems for broadcasters, audio mastering, editing and post production studios. Based in Copenhagen, DAD is renowned worldwide for analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog audio converters.
www.ntp.dk
www.digitalaudio.dk
