Using Carbon Pre as an Eight Channel Mic Preamp expansion

What is ADAT Expansion?

ADAT expansion refers to the process of increasing the number of available audio input and output channels on an audio interface or other digital audio devices by using the ADAT (Alesis Digital Audio Tape) protocol. This is typically done by connecting an external ADAT-compatible device, such as a mic preamp, converter, or expander, to your primary audio interface. The key benefits of ADAT expansion include increased flexibility and scalability for recording and mixing larger projects.

How ADAT Expansion Works

By utilizing ADAT-compatible devices, you can easily add more inputs and outputs to your setup. Here’s a closer look at how ADAT expansion functions:

1. Digital Audio Transmission: ADAT uses optical cables (commonly TOSLINK) to transmit up to 8 channels of digital audio over a single optical cable.
2. Connecting Devices: To expand your audio interface, you connect an ADAT-compatible expander to the ADAT input and/or output on your primary audio interface. This setup allows you to add additional preamps, inputs, or outputs to your existing system without needing a new audio interface.
3. Synchronization: The devices involved need to be synchronized to ensure proper timing and data integrity. This is usually done via a word clock connection or using the ADAT signal itself for clocking.

How to Add inputs to Your Audio Interface with Carbon Pre

Pro Tools Carbon | Pre is a versatile, high fidelity mic preamp that can integrate seamlessly with a MTRX Studio, HD IO, or any other audio interface with available connectivity. It’s designed to expand your audio interface's recording capabilities by providing additional pristine mic preamps through ADAT or analog connections. Carbon Pre offers the highest fidelity with multiple AD/DA converters on each input and output, ensuring exceptional audio quality by capturing every detail and providing a wide dynamic range. Here’s how to set up a Carbon Pre with your existing setup, using MTRX Studio as an example:

1. Connect to your audio interface

Connect the ADAT ports or analog outputs from Carbon Pre to your interface.

• Connect both ADAT cables if you plan to run at higher sample rates such as 96k. This will allow you to maintain a count of 8 preamps over ADAT at this higher sample rate
• If you plan on primarily running at a base sample rate, you can connect two separate Carbon Pres, one to each available ADAT port.
• If you are connecting from the analog outputs of Carbon Pre, sample rate is not an issue for channel count. 8 channels at all sample rates when going out the DA.

2. Connect the ethernet cable 

Connect the ethernet port from Carbon Pre to your workstation. You can place it on most any network connected to your computer to adjust the Carbon Pre settings.

Note: The Ethernet connection does not transmit any audio. This is for data transfer only.

3. Set up clocking

Since we are connecting two digital interfaces, there are two primary ways of doing this.

1. Connect an additional ADAT cable from MTRX Studio output to Carbon Pre input. Carbon Pre will always clock off of this ADAT connection when set up this way.
2. Alternatively, you can take the Word clock out from your interface and connect it to Word clock in on Carbon Pre. (With this connection type, you will need to update the sample rate on the front panel of Carbon Pre manually).

4. Route your analog signal

In DADMan, route the incoming ADAT or analog signals to the desired DigiLink or Thunderbolt channels going to Pro Tools.

5. Control Carbon Pre with Pro Tools

In Pro Tools, go to Peripherals – Mic Pre and select Carbon Pre from the drop down to enable control over the preamps. And lastly, go to Setup – IO– Mic Preamps and select the channels Carbon Pre is routed to.

Now you’re record-ready

Now when you create a track assigned to one of these inputs, you can access all the Preamp controls directly from Pro Tools and any EUCON-enabled control surfaces (including the free Avid Control app).

This setup process is essentially the same for any interface with available ADAT or Line inputs. We happen to love the combination of a Pro Tools | Carbon Pre with a MTRX Studio because it gets you a few specific benefits including a solid immersive audio setup.

Unbox MTRX Studio with Colt Capperrune