The Fastest Track from DAD to DAD - A Wealth of Channels with Zero Latency at Any Sample Rate
NTP DADlink is a new proprietary audio and data format that establishes a super-fast highway between DADlink-compatible units such as AX64, AX Center, Core 256, AX32, and more. Depending on the sample rate, you can transfer up to 128 bi-directional channels between units at zero latency.
Sample rates from 44.1kHz to 384kHz are supported, and the dynamic range is a staggering 237 dB, ensuring a fast and reliable transfer at the highest audio quality imaginable.
In fact, DADlink is not only the fastest connection from DAD to DAD units, but other products by NTP Technology are also compatible with the DADlink format.
DADlink works with:
- AX64
- AX Center
- Core 256
- AX32*
- Penta 720*
- Penta 721s Series*
* Requires a firmware update, which will be available soon.
Sample Rates & Channel Counts
The DADlink format supports the following sample rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8.8kHz and 384kHz. The maximum number of bidirectional channels to run via DADlink depends on the sample rate you are using - lower sample rates equals higher channel counts.
- 44.1kHz/48kHz = 128 ch.
- 88.2kHz/96kHz = 64 ch.
- 176.4kHz/192k = 32 ch.
- 352.8.8kHz/384kHz = 16 ch.
DAD Audio Quality
Over several decades, we have kept a very high standard when it comes to sheer audio quality. It all started with pristine AD/DA converters, and if you use a DADlink connection it means that you have already passed your analog audio signals safely and completely unspoiled into the digital domains through our high-end A/D converters.
Within the digital domain, the transfer resolution via DADlink utilizes 28-bit floating point, which adds another 96 dB of headroom for a total dynamic range of 237 dB
Further, also to preserve your valuable audio quality across independent units, phase alignment is applied within the system delay. Normally, this is set to 7 samples, but you can increase it for larger systems.
Zero Latency & System-Wide Timestamps
DADlink transfers happens at zero latency. Of course there will always be be some measure of latency, but it has been widely accepted that e.g. 42 microseconds - or 2 samples - latency on the MADI format is referred to as 'near zero latency'
DADlink provides <100 nanoseconds of latency. This translates to 0.005 sample at 48kHz - or 400 times faster than on a MADI connection which is considered "near zero" latency. The DADlink format also ensures transparency for audio time stamps across DADlink-connected units.
How Does DADlink Work?
You can see the DADlink format as a digital audio signal extension that connects directly into the 'belly' of the digital processing system of a DADlink-compatible unit.
Since it is a proprietary format, we know every detail and corner of the systems on both sides of the connection, which is how we are able to minimize the latency and keep all aspects of the audio quality at a maximum.
Internally in all DADlink-compatible units, there is a system providing a 100% phase-accurate presentation of audio signals on the outputs regardless of the actual routing and processing path established in a unit via routing or monitor control, summing and SPQ.
This system relies on all input signals being provided with a proprietary time stamp when sampled, and each output interface having a buffer system, which aligns the signal to the same latency equal to the system delay, which you can set via the DADman control software. Normally, this means 7 samples (145 microseconds at 48kHz, 72,5 microseconds at 96kHz, etc.).
How to Make the Link
On the physical side, the MADI Module slot on any DADlink-compatible unit can be fitted with (optional) SFP modules on optical connectors with the following specs:
Optical: 850nm or 1300nm (or other wave lengths), 1000Base types. Single mode or multimode depending on optical fibers used.