Neumann has introduced the DMI-8, an eight-channel digital microphone interface that simplifies the setup of digital microphones in a production environment.
The DMI-8 provides AES 42 to EBU conversion, synchronization of the microphones without a sample rate converter, automatic word clock or AES 11 synchronization, all sample rates from 44.1kHz to 192kHz and complete control and storage of the settings via Macintosh or PC.
The unit is especially useful in complex setups of digital microphones where a large number of microphone channels are operated in parallel. The DMI-8 has the capability of cascading up to 128 channels, has level meter and gain setting on the front panel, operable even without a computer, has D-sub 25 outputs with Tascam and Yamaha pin assignments and has an optical ADAT interface. It also features an open architecture for later connection to other multichannel interfaces and audio networks, such as EtherSound and MADI.
The interface can be used with microphones from any manufacturer that comply with the jointly established AES 42 standard. The new device significantly reduces the cost per channel for digital microphones because no additional converters or high-quality analog preamplifiers are required. There is also a high resistance to interference.