Digital Routing

optipatch
optipatch+
z-8.8 digital detangler
z-16.16 digital detangler
z-8.8r + z-16.16r digital detangler pro
z-32.32r digital detangler pro
z-64.64r digital detangler pro
z-128.128r digital detangler pro
z-256-256r digital detangler pro
z-rrc router remote control

The OptiPatch

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The OptiPatch is a fully automated router, patchbay, and distribution amplifier for your Lightpipe and S/PDIF optical digital audio signals. Just hook all your optical fibers to the OptiPatch: controlling who speaks to whom is as simple as the touch of a few buttons. You can send one source to multiple destinations. You can select between multiple sources to a single destination. Or you can do anything in between. And once you?e established a routing pattern, it can be saved and recalled later.

The OptiPatch is similar to a z-8.8 Digital Detangler equipped with eight optical inputs and eight optical outputs. The only differences are the form factor (1RU) and the 9V DC power supply.

The OptiPatch+

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The OptiPatch+ is the same as the OptiPatch, but with 15 inputs and 15 outputs. When fully connected, the OptiPatch can serve as the central switching hub for a total of 120 input channels and 120 output channels.

z-8.8 digital detangler

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As the product name implies, the z-8.8 is a good way to "detanglequot" the rat's nest of cables plaguing most digital audio facilities. The z-8.8 functions as a digital audio patchbay, a distribution amplifier, a router, a format converter, and a channel switcher, all in one box.

Product Description

If you have more than a couple of pieces of digital audio gear, you've probably found that getting them all hooked up and talking to each other is no simple task. Furthermore, you've probably found that re-configuring your set-up for different users or different modes of operation can be a real nightmare. The z-8.8 is designed to seamlessly integrate and re-configure your digital audio workplace.

For example, let's say you have several A/D and D/A converters, a couple of DAT machines, a CD transport, a digital audio workstation, and a couple of outboard effects processors. There are conceivably many different ways you would want to hook these devices together, depending on which source might need to feed which DAT machine, workstation, or D/A converter. Furthermore, if a single source needs to feed multiple destinations at the same time (e.g., an A/D converter feeding several DAT machines, a workstation, and a D/A converter for monitoring), daisy-chaining these destination devices is an unsafe and unreliable way to go. Matters are only complicated further if some of the devices have AES/EBU inputs and outputs, other devices have S/PDIF inputs and outputs, and still others have optical inputs and outputs.

The z-8.8 offers a solution to all of these problems. We offer a number of standard configurations and can custom-build to meet your particular needs a unit with any number of AES/EBU, S/PDIF, and optical input and output ports (4 AES/EBU, 2 S/PDIF, and 2 optical tends to be quite popular). Once configured as you require, you would hook up all of your digital audio sources and destinations to the z-8.8's rear panel. The connection pattern is then simply established by the touch of a few buttons on the unit's front panel.

The z-8.8 can distribute single sources to multiple destinations simultaneously and it can channel-switch between multiple sources to a single destination. Or, it can distribute and channel-switch at the same time. If the unit is equipped with different formats, it will make the electrical format conversion as necessary between ports. Also, the unit is fully asynchronous which allows it to handle multiple sample rates at the same time.

Product Specifications

Input and output connectors: as configured, RCA or BNC,XLR, and Optical (TOSLINK)
Input and output impedance: 75 ohms (coaxial) and 110 ohms (XLR)
Input and output resolution, SNR, THD+N: what comes in goes out!

Stocked Configurations

z-8.8 (8.0.0) - all AES/EBU on XLR
z-8.8 (4.2.2) - 4 AES/EBU on XLR, 2 S/PDIF on BNC and 2 S/PDIF optical on TOSLINK
z-8.8 (custom) - any configuration - allow one week for delivery

When ordering, specify z-8.8 (X.Y.Z) where X is the number of AES/EBU ports, Y is the number of coaxial S/PDIF ports, and Z is the number of optical ports.

z-16.16 digital detangler

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Built around the same proven technology as the z-8.8 digital detangler, the z-16.16 doubles the number of inputs and outputs and adds several nice features to the core of the z-8.8. Like its smaller sibling, the z-16.16 is a digital audio distribution amplifier, patchbay, and format converter, all in an easy-to-use two rack-unit package. Like all of our other routers, the z-16.16 is fully asynchronous, allowing it to handle multiple sampling rates and wordwidths simultaneously (including 24 bits at 96 kHz). The z-16.16 is completely self contained, requiring no breakout cables or remote control interface: the jacks are on the back and the controls and display are on the front. Additionally, you can still use our Mac or PC control software or our hardware remote control with it.

Product Description

The z-16.16 offers a solution to all of the same problems that the z-8.8 can solve but gives you twice as much i/o. Perhaps most significantly, the z-16.16 can be custom-configured, just like the z-8.8. Choose from any combination of AES/EBU, coaxial S/PDIF (BNC or RCA), and optical input and output ports. All copper input/output ports are transformer-isolated, and high-quality Scientific Conversions transformers are available for a small extra cost. A digital detangler is the ideal solution to managing the maze of digital cables and formats found in today's studios.

Product Specifications

Stocked Configurations

z-16.16 (16.0.0) - all AES/EBU on XLR
z-16.16 (10.4.2) - 10 AES/EBU on XLR, 4 S/PDIF on BNC and 2 S/PDIF optical on TOSLINK
z-16.16 (custom) - any configuration - allow one week for delivery

When ordering, specify z-16.16 (X.Y.Z) where X is the number of AES/EBU ports, Y is the number of coaxial S/PDIF ports, and Z is the number of optical ports.

z-8.8a lightpipe digital detangler

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At last! We've finally built a digital detangler that not only accommodates Lightpipe format -- it actually allows it to coexist peacefully with AES/EBU and S/PDIF.

Product Description

The z-8.8a lightpipe digital detangler is an automated patchbay and distribution amplifier for digital audio signals which are carried on TOSLINK. This includes both CP-340 S/PDIF- or AES/EBU-formatted two-channel signals or ADAT Lightpipe-format eight-channel signals. The z-8.8a is controlled from the front-panel: the routing pattern can be established at the touch of a few buttons. Up to 99 routing patterns can be stored and recalled, making reconfiguring your digital routing a snap.

The z-8.8a also includes bidirectional Lightpipe-to-S/PDIF or AES/EBU conversion. A single Lightpipe can be converted to and from four stereo pairs of S/PDIF or AES/EBU. Furthermore, the unit features eight channels of 24-bit real-time sample rate conversion, allowing the z-8.8a to convert eight channels of asynchronous S/PDIF or AES/EBU inputs at rates of up to 96 kHz to and from eight channels of Lightpipe. The sample rate conversion can be defeated if it is not needed.

Product Specifications

Input and output connectors: as configured, RCA for S/PDIF and Optical (TOSLINK) for Lightpipe.
Input and output impedance: 75 ohms.
Sample rate conversion: Input and output rates up to 24 bits at 96 kHz rates. Better than 120 dB dynamic range and SNR, less than -115 dB THD+N.

z-8.8r, z-16.16r, z-32.32r and z-64.64r digital detangler pro

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The digital detangler pro series is based on the same technology as the z-8.8 digital detangler, without the optical format capability (they're AES/EBU or S/PDIF only), but with the added convenience of remote/computer control.

Product Description

If you have more than a couple of pieces of digital audio gear, you've probably found that getting them all hooked up and talking to each other is no simple task. Furthermore, you've probably found that re-configuring your set-up for different users or different modes of operation can be a real nightmare. If the z-8.8 is not large enough for you or if you need the added convenience of a remote control or a Mac or Windows control interface, the digital detangler pro is the way to seamlessly integrate and re-configure your digital audio workplace.

For example, let's say you have many A/D and D/A converters, several DAT machines, CD transports, digital audio workstations, and outboard effects processors. There are conceivably many different ways you would want to hook these devices together, depending on which source might need to feed which DAT machine, workstation, or D/A converter. Furthermore, if a single source needs to feed multiple destinations at the same time (e.g., an A/D converter feeding several DAT machines, a workstation, and a D/A converter for monitoring), daisy-chaining these destination devices is an unsafe and unreliable way to go.

The digital detangler pro series offers a solution to all of these problems. Unlike the z-8.8, however, the digital detangler pros use multi-pin breakout cables for their AES/EBU connections. This is because of the high density of interconnect needed to establish up to 64 source and destination connections. The breakout cables are identical in pinout to those used by TASCAM for the DA88 eight-track DAT recorder. We supply the pinout so you can make your own cables, or we can supply you with extremely high-quality AES/EBU breakout cables.

Hook up all of your digital audio sources and destinations to the digital detangler pro's rear panel. The connection pattern is then simply established by the touch of a few buttons on the unit's remote control or a couple of keystrokes on the computer. Furthermore, both the remote control and the computer interfaces allow the creation of multiple presets, or "salvos" which can later be recalled for instant reconfiguration on-the fly.

As with the z-8.8, the detangler pros are fully asynchronous, which allows them to handle multiple sample rates at the same time. For the real do-it-yourselfer, we also supply the control protocol so you can build your own control interface (software or hardware). Other manufacturers have written their own control interfaces for the digital detangler pro so it can be used with their products. See, for example, Sonic Science.

Product Specifications

Input and output connectors: DB25-to-XLR
Input and output impedance: 110 ohms
Input and output resolution, SNR, THD+N: what comes in goes out!

Standard units are all AES/EBU. If any other configuration is needed, p[lease specify at time of order. Note, these routers do not handle the optical format due to their i/o interface connectors.

z-128.128r digital detangler pro

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Product Description

Are you getting tired of crawling behind your rack of digital gear every time you want to re-configure your signal flow? Are you troubled by the snake-pit of digital cables under your console? Do you wish you could control your digital signal flow from the same PC or Mac on which you run your digital audio workstatsion? Are you wondering how you're going to share equipment in a machine room between several different audio suites? Then you need a Digital Detangler Pro.

The z-128.128r Digital Detangler Pro is a fully automated router, patchbay, and distribution amplifier for your digital audio signals. Just hook all your digital gear to the Digital Detangler -- controlling "who speaks to whom" is as simple as the touch of a few buttons on the optional remote. You can send one source to multiple destinations, you can select between multiple sources to a single destination, or you can do anything in between. And once you've established a routing pattern, it can be saved and recalled later.

Best of all, the z-128.128r is modular, meaning that you can purchase it with 16x16 inputs-by-outputs and expand it in increments of 16 x 16 inputs-by-outputs. This allows you to purchase a digital audio routing solution that can grow with you: as your routing needs grow, so can your router.

Simply put, the Digital Detangler Pro is the smart way to interconnect your digital gear. It's an essential ingredient in any digital facility; install one today and you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. The z-128.128r is available with any combination of AES/EBU and coaxial S/PDIF*. We even have a special cable that will allow you to attach your Digidesign 192 Digital I/O directly to the z- 128.128r. Just call your Z-Systems dealer and they'll order a model that's perfect for you.

Product Specifications

Supports AES/EBU and, S/PDIF
Supports sample rates to 192 kHz
Supports wordwidths to 24 bits
Inputs/Outputs are terminated and transformer-isolated Port-to-port latencies are matched
Supports multiple sample rates simultaneously.
5 rack-unit form factor Uses DB25-to-XLR and/or DB25-to- RCA breakout cables (commonly available)
Special cable to match Digidesign
96 & 192 Digital I/O pin-out also available

z-256.256r digital detangler pro

Product Description

The z-256.256r Digital Detangler Pro is a fully automated router, patchbay, and distribution amplifier for your digital audio signals. Just hook all your digital gear to the Digital Detangler -- controlling "who speaks to whom" is as simple as the touch of a few buttons on the optional remote. You can send one source to multiple destinations, you can select between multiple sources to a single destination, or you can do anything in between. And once you've established a routing pattern, it can be saved and recalled later.

For added functionality, control the Digital Detangler Pro with our router control software, available for both Windows and Mac. Besides having the luxury of unlimited numbers of presets and the ability to give meaningful names to logical ports, a workgroup of users can share the Digital Detangler Pro from multiple network sites. Additionally, we can provide you with a protocol translator, allowing you to control the z-256.256r from a number of popular broadcast switcher control systems. This enables the z-256.256r to function smoothly

Best of all, the z-256.256r is modular, meaning that you can purchase it with 32x32 inputs-byoutputs and expand it in increments of 32x32 inputs-by-outputs. This allows you to purchase a digital audio routing solution that can grow with you: as your routing needs grow, so can your router.

Simply put, the Digital Detangler Pro is the smart way to interconnect your digital gear. It's an essential ingredient in any digital facility; install one today and you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. The z-256.256r is available with any combination of AES/EBU and coaxial S/PDIF*. We even have a special cable that will allow you to attach your Digidesign 192 Digital I/O directly to the z- 256.256r. Just call your Z-Systems dealer and they'll order a model that's perfect for you.

*Simply specify the number of AES/EBU and S/PDIF input/output ports. We can provide you with the cables to go from DB-25 to XLR and/or RCA. These cable assemblies are also available from other vendors.

Product Specifications

Supports AES/EBU and, S/PDIF
Supports sample rates to 192 kHz
Supports wordwidths to 24 bits
Inputs/Outputs are terminated and transformer-isolated
Port-to-port latencies are matched
Supports multiple sample rates simultaneously.
5 rack-unit form factor
Uses DB25-to-XLR and/or DB25-to- RCA breakout cables (commonly available)
Special cable to match Digidesign 96 & 192 Digital I/O pin-out also available

rrc router r digital detangler pro

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