Muff's Modules & More

Kent · Last edited by Kent on Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:20 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hello all. Why don't we do it ourselves and develop a list of audio interfaces that can pass DC voltages?

We need to agree upon what this means. For now, let's all use the same audio files for the sake of consistency. If the interface passes these files, then proceed with the "one minute test". All 'qualified' interfaces in this thread should hold a minimum of +5VDC & -5VDC for one minute. Feel free to comment upon this within this thread.
+/- 10VDC would be fantastic, but highly unlikely.

I need to rely upon one of you guys to generate the 'one minute' test files. Shoot 'em over to me and I'll attach them to this post.

Here's my list of tested interfaces. Thus far, I've only tested the outputs. I just want to get the list started & will append to it at a later date. Here goes:

Mackie Designs

Onyx 1200F : FAIL

Onyx 400F : FAIL

Onyx Satellite: FAIL

U-420 & U-420d: FAIL

d4Pro DJ Mixer: FAIL

ProFX Mixer: FAIL

TAPCO

Link•Firewire: FAIL

Link•USB: FAIL

Noting the inputs will be of value in a rig. I'll get to those later.

Files

DC Wave File from RME's site

http://www.imjohn.com/misc/ForKent/ForKent2_.05HzSquare.wav

http://www.imjohn.com/misc/ForKent/ForKent2_.5HzTo.001HzSquare.wav

3vcos · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:50 pm Post subject:

so are there any devices that have been confirmed to pass DC voltages? (compatable with Volta)...

rlainhart · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject:

So far, the only ones I've heard of as specifically compatible are "MOTU interfaces with 1/4" outputs". That would include the 828, 828mkII, 828mk3, Ultralite, UltralitemkII, Ultralitemk3, Traveler, Travelermk3 (was there a TravelermkII?), 896HD, 896mk3.

rlainhart · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject:

Note that list includes some older discontinued units, some of which should be easy to find cheap on eBay or other sources.

panda30y · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:28 pm Post subject:

According to stretta's twitter account, the RME Fireface does not have DC coupled output despite what their website says. So add that to a list of interfaces that don't cut it.

I'm sure most people have seen it, but he does have a wonderful blog which shows he works (at least in some capacity) for MOTU. http://stretta.blogspot.com/

criticalmonkey · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:24 am Post subject:

I can confirm these will pass dc: motu orig 896 and motu 2408 mk2
though not sure about volta compatibility

motu 2408mk1 will not

Kent · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:04 am Post subject:

astroschnautzer · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:53 am Post subject:

I would be interested if somebody finds an adat ad/da that has dc coupled outputs. Or if somebody finds a way to mod an adat ad/da interface for dc coupling.

doctorvague · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:39 am Post subject:

Thanks for the info and testing!
I own a 2408 Mk1 and have already tested this in the past in a little different manner. It has RCA outs that are rated -10db (consumer), not +4db line outs - a distinction worth mentioning here. I was only able to get just under 2 volts out of it. I am using short (5ms) wav files that are a straight line, not a sine wave, etc, to generate triggers. I tried files at various levels to test where it maxes out. The triggers do work and can be brought up to higher level with any CV module that has some gain.
Here's a thread on EM detailing my previous exploits creating trigger pulses, which is probably a bit superfluous here:
http://electro-music.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28737
The way I was approaching triggers, multiple trigger channels can be OR'd together then amplified with one buffer amp. But with multiple outputs/CV's being used you'd have to have a buffer amp for each channel = not very practical.

Won't have time to do any more testing until next week, but the 2408 fails the 5V test anyway.

FWIW, my Ramsa DA7 console +4 outputs generated about 9V max using the above method (short triggers, not continuous CV).

Cheers
Phil

sydilaxe · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:53 am Post subject:

I tested the following:

Metric Halo interfaces (ULN/2 2882): Does not pass DC.

It also looks like my Behringer ADA-8000 does not pass DC either (and I had high hopes for that one!).

Anyway...looks more and more like a MOTU interface is the way to do. I bet they will actually sell more of their interfaces that users will only want to dedicate to Volta.

Kent · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:59 pm Post subject:

Great post & link, Doctor Vague. Thanks for that.

Sydilaxe, MOTU is competing against their own legacy products. If people want an interface that can pass CV (and that is all that they care about) then they will definitely go low-ball on the price.

Dragonslair · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:59 pm Post subject:

M-Audio Delta 44/66 - FAIL

Kent · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:09 pm Post subject:

Dankeschön!

Dragonslair · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:49 pm Post subject:

Your welcome,
I would also assume none of the other M-Audio interfaces would work, since they are based around the same basic hardware designs.

lukas412 · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:09 am Post subject:

Headphone output on an original RME Multiface will work, main outputs will not. I have heard that the new version with the volume control for the headphones will not work.

Luke

astroschnautzer · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:18 am Post subject:

binray · Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

felix · Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:58 pm Post subject:

Apparently the various E-MU interfaces do not filter DC on the outputs. I don't have one to actually verify that though.

jovius · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:24 am Post subject: m audio delta 1010

thought i mite have a chance with this m audio delta 1010, it's 1/4 tsr but fail :-(.......

slight change of path but I've got a emu 6400 in a rack in a basement might dig it out just to see if i get anything out of it, could be some interesting modulation possibility if it works

Chuck E. Jesus · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 2:00 pm Post subject: