I/O Converters

Harrison, creator of world class audio mixing consoles, presents the Harrison digital signal conversion system for professional audio applications. Originally developed to interface with Harrison's digital.engine™ these converters are also equally suited to operating as a stand alone audio signal converter system.  The sound quality of Harrison's analog circuitry is beyond question.  These converters have been used in the most critical listening applications around the world, and we receive constant positive feedback about the sound.  Our low-jitter, high-headroom system predates the "boutique" converters now on the market, and continues to outperform all of them.

 Whatever the mixing environment, be it strictly digital or a mixed signal environment, a high performance signal converter is pivotal in the success of the transition. With its compact and comprehensive approach to signal conversion, Harrison's rack mount digital converters are the ultimate solution. Modular in design, scalable for any size set up, and extraordinarily powerful, Harrison's digital converters provide a high performance comprehensive conversion solution at the most cost-effective price available. Because Harrison's digital converters employ industry standard MADI protocol, they are compatible with a wide range of devices.

Overview:
The Harrison digital signal conversion system is modular and scalable. Individual carriers - the units which actually convert the signal - are housed in 3RU cages which can be mounted in standard racks. Any two carrier types can be combined in a single cage. Because these units are modular the system can be scaled to any size; there is no inherent limit to the number of converters that can be employed by a system. In large systems outfitted with multiple carrier types, carriers can be moved and rearranged to accommodate any set up.

Available carrier types:

• 24 analog, 16 AES-> MADI,  MADI->16 analog 16 AES New!
• 56-channel Analog->MADI (A/D)
• 56-channel MADI->Analog(D/A)
• 56-channel MADI->AES
• 56-channel AES->MADI

• Logic I/O (sensors and relays)
• Remote controlled mic preamps

 AES(XLR) and Wordclock(BNC) connectors on the rear of the rack mount cages allow for interfacing a sync reference signal. Sample rate conversion is available on both AES Input carriers AND on AES output carriers.

Details:
AES carriers (receive or transmit) support 28 stereo
pairs interfaced on four, 25-pin D connectors. Analog (ADC or DAC) cards support 56 balanced signals across seven, 25-pin D connectors. Each carrier supports one MADI signal stream, either going out from or into the carrier, depending on carrier type. The MADI data stream consists of 56 channels of audio transmitted over coaxial cable at up to 54 K (+12.5% of a 44.1K sample rate). The data transmission speed may also vary as low as 12.5% below the sample rate. Carriers possess power, sync presence and error indicators and may be reset independently.

MADI connection to and from the carrier is via 75 ohm coaxial cable with BNC-type connectors. Maximum coaxial cable length is 50 meters (164 feet). Each carrier will operate at 96K with the MADI stream reduced to 28 signals. Each rack mount cage is powered individually by either an internally mounted supply or by an optional external 2RU power supply. Redundant power supplies are available for units powered by an external power supply.