If you own a pro-audio studio, ...
 ... you are always looking for practical, efficient & reliable products to help you operate your studio :
Soundscape audio cards can help you integrate PC-based audio with other audio equipment. Details of each particular audio card can be read at the Audio Card product page.
Soundscape iBox audio converters can be used as audio format converters and/or audio I/O devices, allowing for the most flexible routing between all available formats (MADI, AES, ADAT, TDIF & analog). Details of each particular interface unit can be read at the iBox & StudioHelpers product page.
Soundscape StudioHelpers, a range of small size audio converters, are especially designed to solve practical day-to-day problems. Details of each particular interface unit can be read at the iBox & StudioHelpers product page.
Overview iBoxes
Historically Sydec Audio Engineering had selected TDIF as the standard multichannel digital audio interface for its Digital Audio Workstations and Audio cards. The TDIF protocol supports eight input and output channels per connector at up to 48kHz, offers excellent audio performance and compatibility with high sample rates (up to 192 kHz), and includes a Master Clock signal.
The extensive iBox range of interfaces, complemented by the I/O896 and ADDA 2408-R, allows Soundscape users to enjoy easy compatibility with a multiplicity of digital and analogue audio formats including balanced and unbalanced analogue, AES/EBU, ADAT and MADI. It also offers solutions for high-quality microphone preamplification, and configurations to suit every budget.
The TDIF architecture is also flexible enough to allow several interfaces to be combined. The iBox models that do not use all of the eight channels specified by the TDIF protocol are equipped with a TDIF “Thru Port”, so that, for instance, a single TDIF port could be linked to two switchable microphone/line inputs, two balanced analogue ouputs, four AES/EBU inputs and outputs, and two unbalanced line inputs and outputs (using one iBox 2-Mic, one iBox 4-AES and one iBox 2-Line).
The Mixpander Bundles have been designed to easily handle the biggest mixing jobs. A number of them are based on TDIF, others on AES or ADAT. They provide up to 64 physical inputs & outputs per unit, plus a proprietary expansion bus connecting a Mixpander/9 (9 DSP) or Mixpander/5 (5 DSP) to the iBox for integration with audio streams on the PC.
The “classic” iBoxes & the TDIF Thru Port
   
The half-rack size, first generation iBoxes include:
- iBox 8-Line: eight channels of bidirectional TDIF/unbalanced analogue conversion.
- iBox 2-Line: two channels of bidirectional TDIF/unbalanced analogue conversion.
- iBox 2-Mic: two channels of bidirectional TDIF/balanced analogue conversion with microphone preamplification and individually switchable phantom power, line level inputs and outputs and a stereo headphone output.
- iBox 4-AES: four channels of bidirectional TDIF/AES/EBU conversion.
The iBox 2-Line, iBox 2-Mic and iBox 4-AES connect to a TDIF Port of the main device (typically a Soundscape DAW or audio card). Since they only use two (iBox 2-Line and iBox 2-Mic) or four (iBox 4-AES) of the TDIF interface’s eight input and output channels, they feature a TDIF “Thru Port” that can be used to “cascade” another unit. That unit can access the remaining TDIF channels. Note that the cascaded unit does not have to be one of the “classic” iBoxes. It could, for instance, be a Soundscape I/O 896 or ADDA 2408-R…
When the TDIF Thru port is used, the TDIF channels that are not used by the first unit are automatically linked to the lower numbered channels of the cascaded unit. For instance:
- If an iBox 2-Mic is connected to the TDIF A port of a Mixtreme 192, its inputs and outputs are identified as “1-2 Ux” in the Soundscape Mixer software.
- If an iBox 8-Line is then connected to the TDIF Thru Port of the iBox 2-Mic, its input and output channels 1 and 2 are identified as “3-4 Ux” in the software, its input and output channels 3 and 4 are identified as “5-6 Ux” in the software, and its input and output channels 5 and 6 are identified as “7-8 Ux” in the software. Note that the input and output channels 7 and 8 of the cascaded iBox 8-Line cannot be used.
The example above is based on a configuration with two iBoxes. Configurations with more iBoxes are also possible. For instance, the inputs and outputs of an iBox 2-Mic connected to the TDIF Port A of a Soundscape 32 will be identified as TDIF1-2 Ux in the Soundscape Editor. If an iBox 4-AES is connected to the TDIF Thru Port of the iBox 2-Mic, its inputs and outputs will be identified as TDIF 3-4 Ux and TDIF5-6 Ux in the Editor. And finally, if an iBox 2-Line is connected to the TDIF Thru Port of the iBox 4-AES, its two input and output channels will be identified as TDIF7-8 Ux in the Editor.
NOTE: In the examples above, “x” is the Mixtreme 192 or Soundscape 32 unit number and it is assumed that the channels are used as stereo pairs.
The iBox 48-TA, iBox 64-MADI-TA and iBox 64-MADI
 These new generation iBoxes all feature three TDIF ports and one Expansion Bus port. This is the key to their double nature: they can be combined with a Mixpander/9 or Mixpander/5 to form the Mixpander Bundle, the most powerful input/output and DSP-powered mixing, effects and processing solution available for PC-native audio sequencing software. Or they can be connected to a professional Soundscape digital audio workstation. Equivalent models based on ADAT or AES (instead of TDIF) also exist. For more details on any particular model, please have a look at the iBox & StudioHelpers product page.
Depending on the exact model, they also feature 24 analogue inputs and outputs and/or 64 MADI input and output channels.
The Expansion Bus is of the same type that is used to connect the hugely powerful Mixpander multi-DSP audio cards to the Soundscape 32 and compatible digital audio workstations. Users of PC-native audio recording software can now install a Mixpander in their PC, connect an iBox 48-TA, iBox 64-MADI-TA or iBox 64-MADI to its Expansion Bus port, and enjoy up to 64 simultaneous inputs and outputs (at up to 48kHz when using MADI) with DSP-powered mixing, effects and processing controlled from the Soundscape Mixer software. This is the “Mixpander Bundle”, which is seen by Windows-based audio applications as a “super-soundcard” with support for high-quality effects. In fact it is equivalent to a digital mixing desk installed in the computer. And this comparison really stands because with three TDIF ports, microphone preamps can also be added (connect one iBox 2-Mic for quality on a budget, or up to three ADDA 2408-R for breathtaking results!)
You could also connect one iBox 48-TA to the Expansion Bus port of a Mixpander and cascade a second iBox 48-TA off the first one’s TDIF ports for 48 simultaneous balanced analogue inputs and outputs. The possibilities are endless!
Alternatively, The TDIF ports of the The iBox 48-TA, iBox 64-MADI-TA or iBox 64-MADI can be connected to a Soundscape 32. In this configuration the iBox acts as a TDIF/analogue and/or TDIF/MADI converter, depending on model. Its Expansion Bus port is not used. If a Mixpander is present, it will be connected to the Expansion Bus port of the Soundscape 32.
The Soundscape ADDA 2408-R and I/O 896
The Soundscape ADDA 2408-R is the result of a collaboration between Sydec Audio Engineering and Digital Audio Denmark. It features eight world-class microphone preamplifiers with digitally controlled analogue gain, software remote control and many other features.
 
The Soundscape I/O 896 was developed by Sydec Audio Engineering and Apogee and can convert eight input and output channels between TDIF and the analogue, AES/EBU or ADAT formats.
Endless possibilities!
This article only hints at the possibilities offered by the Soundscape range of audio interfaces. Multiple Soundscape DAW units can be used as a single system controlled by the Soundscape Editor software, and any number of Mixtreme, Mixtreme 192 or Mixpander Bundles can be controlled from a single instance of the Soundscape Mixer software. Therefore it is possible to hook up almost any number and type of interfaces in a single system. And while the ADDA 2408-R and I/O 896 are not included in the “iBox” denomination, they can also be combined freely with the “classic” iBoxes or iBox 48-TA, iBox 64-MADI-TA or iBox 64-MADI. For instance, you could use two Mixtreme 192 cards (four TDIF ports) with one iBox 48-TA (three TDIF ports) and one ADDA 2408-R (one TDIF port). This would provide a 32 inputs/outputs system with eight microphone preamps.
The aim of this article was to describe and clarify some of the general concepts behind the iBox range, ADDA 2408-R and I/O896. We hope it has been useful in this respect. Once again, before committing to a configuration, please check the relevant product pages and make sure it fits your requirements, especially in terms of supported Sample Rates, Sample Resolution and number of inputs/outputs at the required Sample Rate. If in doubt, please contact your local Soundscape representatives or Sydec Audio Engineering.
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