• 2 1/4-inch TRS Send and 2 1/4-inch TRS

Avid HD Audio Interfaces Return back panel jacks for hardware inserts on
To record and play audio with Pro Tools, or with channels 1 and 2
qualified third-party CoreAudio-compatible appli- • 4 analog TRS line level back panel inputs
cations, you must have at least one Avid HD audio (Channels 1–4)
interface connected to the first port of HD Native
Thunderbolt. HD OMNI provides multiple analog input
connections, but only provides up to four
HD Native Thunderbolt supports up to 4 Avid HD channels of simultaneous analog input.
audio interfaces for up to 64 simultaneous chan-
nels of audio input and output. • Soft Clip and Curv limiting circuits to protect
against clipping on analog input
HD OMNI Audio Interface • 8 channels of analog back panel output using a
DB-25 breakout cable (sold separately) with
HD OMNI is a professional digital audio interface
variable output gain
designed for use with HD Native systems. HD
OMNI provides a compact preamp, monitoring, • 2 channels of analog back panel output using
and I/O solution for music production and record- TRS (Mirrors channels 1–2 or 7–8 on DB-25
ing, and post production studios. connector)
• Front panel stereo 1/4” headphone jack
For more information, see the HD OMNI
Guide. Digital I/O
• 8 channels of AES/EBU output (up to 192 kHz
Only one HD OMNI can be used in an Single Wire) using a DB-25 breakout cable (sold
HD Native Thunderbolt system. separately)
• 2 channels of AES/EBU XLR input (up to
HD OMNI Features
192 kHz Single Wire)
HD OMNI provides up to 8 discrete channels of • 2 channels of S/PDIF RCA input and output (up
Pro Tools input and output, with 4-segment LED to 192 kHz)
meters for input or output (selectable).
• 8 channels of ADAT TOSLINK input and output
Analog I/O • Support for ADAT S/MUX Optical for sample
• 24-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-an- rates of 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, and
alog (D/A) converters, with support for sample 192 kHz
rates up to 192 kHz • Support for two channels of S/PDIF Optical
• 2 high-quality Mic/DI preamps (Channels 1–2) with sample rates of up to 96 kHz
• 2 combined XLR and 1/4-inch TRS front panel • Real-time sample rate conversion (SRC) on Dig-
inputs for microphone and instrument level in- ital Inputs 1–2 of either AES/EBU, S/PDIF, or
put Optical (S/PDIF)
• 2 XLR back panel microphone inputs SRC is not supported with ADAT S/MUX.

8 HD Native Thunderbolt Interface Installation Guide

Monitoring HD I/O Features
• An additional stereo “CUE” output path in HD I/O provides up to 16 discrete channels of
Pro Tools for headphone monitoring from the Pro Tools input and output, with 4-segment LED
front panel headphone jack meters for input and output.
• Front panel Control Room (MAIN/ALT) and
Headphone monitoring volume control Analog I/O

• Flexible monitoring with fold-down from all ste- • Up to 16 channels of 24-bit D/A and A/D con-
reo and surround formats (up to 7.1 verters for superior analog input and output at
surround) sample rates of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz,
96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, and 192 kHz with Analog In
• Input mixer for low latency direct monitoring of
and Analog Out HD I/O cards
a variety of incoming signals (configured in the
Pro Tools Hardware Setup) • Soft Clip and Curv limiting circuits to protect
against clipping on analog input
Synchronization
Digital I/O
• Loop Sync input and output for connecting addi-
tional Avid HD audio interfaces and peripherals • Up to 16 channels of 24-bit digital I/O, using
AES/EBU, TDIF DB-25, or Optical at sample
• External Clock input and output for synchroniz-
rates of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz,
ing HD OMNI with external Word Clock
176.4 kHz, and 192 kHz with a Digital HD I/O
devices
card
• Real-time sample rate conversion on digital in-
HD I/O Audio Interface puts with a Digital I/O card (up to 16 channels of
HD I/O is a multichannel digital audio interface AES/EBU, Optical, or TDIF)
designed for use with HD Native systems. HD I/O • Support for S/MUX Optical for sample rates of
features extremely high quality 24-bit analog-to- 88.2 kHz and higher
digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) convert-
ers, and supports sample rates of up to 192 kHz. • Support for 2 channels of S/PDIF Optical
(enclosed) with sample rates of up to 96 kHz
HD I/O comes in three standard configurations: • 2 channels of AES/EBU I/O (enclosed) with
• 8 x 8 x 8 (8 analog in, 8 analog out, and support for sample rates up to 192 kHz
8 digital in and out) • 2 channels of 24-bit-capable S/PDIF I/O
• 16 x 16 analog in and out (enclosed) with support for sample rates up to
• 16 x 16 digital in and out 192 kHz

You can also add or remove HD I/O Analog Ex- Synchronization

pansion cards (ADC and DAC) and HD I/O Digital • Loop Sync input and output for connecting addi-
Expansion cards for custom configurations. tional Avid HD audio interfaces and peripherals

See the HD I/O Guide for more information. • External Clock input and output for synchroniz-
ing HD I/O with external Word Clock devices

Chapter 2: HD Native Thunderbolt Hardware Overview 9

 Expandability HD MADI Features
• Optional addition of I/O cards to expand analog • 2 MADI Optical and Coaxial inputs and 2
or digital I/O MADI Optical and Coaxial outputs for up to 64
• Simultaneous use of multiple Avid HD audio in- discrete channels of digital input and output (32
terfaces to further expand system input and out- channels per DigiLink Mini port)
put (for more information, see the • Supports sample rates of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz,
Expanded Systems Guide) 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, and 192 kHz
• 24- or 16-bit resolution
HD MADI Digital Audio Interface • Sample Rate Conversion (SRC) on input or
HD MADI is a 64-channel, digital audio interface output
designed for use with HD Native systems. HD • Front panel clock and SRC indicators
MADI supports the Multichannel Audio Digital
• Front panel signal present LEDs for input and
Interface (MADI) format and sample rates of up to
output
192 kHz. HD MADI provides simplified connec-
tivity between your HD Native system and MADI- • BNC Word Clock I/O for synchronizing HD
compatible audio equipment, such as routers, digi- MADI with external 1x Word Clock
tal mixing consoles, and converters. • BNC Loop Sync I/O for synchronizing HD
`

MADI with additional Avid HD audio interfaces

For more information about HD MADI, see
and peripherals (such as HD I/O, HD OMNI, or
the HD MADI Guide.
SYNC HD)
• Dedicated BNC Word Clock input and XLR
To use the full channel capacity of AES/EBU input (clock input only) for external
HD MADI, only a single HD MADI can be MADI synchronization (when using SRC on
connected to HD Native Thunderbolt using output)
two DigiLink Mini cables. No additional I/O
• Clock support for the following formats: Inter-
may be used with this configuration.
nal, Loop Sync, Word Clock, AES/EBU, and
MADI
• Varispeed modes (supports both 64- and 56-
channel standards)

10 HD Native Thunderbolt Interface Installation Guide

Chapter 3: Connecting and Configuring
HD Native Thunderbolt

This chapter provides information on connecting

HD Native Thunderbolt to your computer, and Connecting Audio Interfaces
connecting Avid HD audio interfaces to Each Avid HD audio interface provides several
HD Native Thunderbolt. different input and output options. For example,
HD OMNI supplies up to 8 channels of input and
output to your Pro Tools system, HD I/O supplies
Connecting HD Native up to 16 channels of input and output, and HD
Thunderbolt to your Computer MADI provides up to 64 channels. Audio inter-
faces can be connected directly to HD Native
To connect HD Native Thunderbolt to your
Thunderbolt, or through the Expansion ports on
computer:
other HD audio interfaces.
1 Make sure that your computer is shut down.
HD Native Thunderbolt supports up to 64 channels
2 With the included Thunderbolt cable, connect of audio input and output. To get a full 64 channels
one end to the Thunderbolt port on your com- of I/O, you can connect up to 4 HD I/O to HD Na-
puter. tive Thunderbolt. Two of the interfaces connect di-
3 Connect the other end of the Thunderbolt rectly to DigiLink Mini Ports 1 and 2, and the other
cable to the Thunderbolt port on the back of 2 interfaces connect to the Expansion ports on
HD Native Thunderbolt. those audio interfaces.

4 Start your computer. You can also get a full 64 channels of I/O with
HD MADI connected to HD Native Thunderbolt
HD Native Thunderbolt is powered by the Thun- using 2 DigiLink Mini cables. However,
derbolt bus, so no additional power is required. HD MADI will be the only audio interface in the
However, in certain situations, you may want to system.
power HD Native Thunderbolt separately. If this is
the case, you can connect a DC power adapter Refer to the HD OMNI Guide, HD I/O Guide, or
(sold separately) to HD Native Thunderbolt. HD MADI Guide for specific details regarding:

Press the volume/mute knob to toggle the ‹ Front and back panel connectors and
mute status of the headphone output. indicators
‹ Installation of optional expansion I/O cards
(HD I/O only)

Chapter 3: Connecting and Configuring HD Native Thunderbolt 11

 To connect HD audio interfaces: 3 Make the necessary Loop Sync connections.
1 If you are using a single HD audio interface
(such as HD OMNI), connect the Primary Port Connecting Loop Sync
to DigiLink Mini Port 1 on HD Native Thunder- If you are using two (or more) Avid HD audio in-
bolt with the included DigiLink Mini cable. terfaces or a SYNC peripheral, Loop Sync must be
2 Connect an additional audio interface by doing connected to maintain proper clock among the de-
one of the following: vices.

• Connect the Primary Port of the secondary inter- To make Loop Sync connections:
face to the Expansion Port of the primary inter-
1 Connect the Loop Sync Out of each interface to
face with an additional DigiLink Mini cable.
the Loop Sync In of the next interface with the
• Connect the Primary Port of the secondary inter- BNC cables included in your I/O packaging.
face to DigiLink Mini Port 2 on HD Native
Thunderbolt. 2 Connect the Loop Sync Out of the last interface

HD OMNI 12-foot DigiLink HD Native Thunderbolt

Mini cable

18-inch DigiLink
HD I/O Mini cable

Loop Sync
HD I/O cables

HD I/O

Making DigiLink Mini and Loop Sync connections

12 HD Native Thunderbolt Interface Installation Guide