Z-Systems Announces New Digital Detangler

Drawing of Front Panel

Drawing of Rear Panel (Click for a close-up)

Z-Systems introduces the latest addition to its series of Digital Detangler Pro Audio Routers. The new z-256.256r Detangler Pro enables recording studios and post facilities studios to seamlessly integrate and reconfigure their digital audio workplace. The unit accommodates up to 256 stereo/two-channel inputs routing in any combination to a total of 256 outputs. Asynchronous sources and destinations can be either 24-bit AES/EBU or S/PDIF format, at sampling rates to 192 kHz, and beyond. I/O crosspoint assignments can be selected via a dedicated serial port, using either the firm's dedicated hardware remote or networked MacOS and Windows control software. The z-256.256r is modular in increments of 16x16.

"Our z-Series Digital Audio Routers," confirms Z-Systems president Glenn Zelniker, "are designed to eliminate the problem of interconnecting converters, effects processors, recorders, workstations, etc., that operate at different sampling rates and use different digital I/O formats. Each system features the added convenience of a remote control or a Mac or Windows-based control interface." The remote control and computer interfaces allow the creation of multiple I/O presets, or salvos, that can later be recalled for instant reconfiguration.

"There are many different ways a studio or large installation might need to interconnect a number of digital sub-systems, recorders and playback sources," Zelniker continues. "For example, a specific source might need to be connected to a targeted DAT machine, a workstation, a hard-disk recorder or a D-to-A converter. Furthermore, if a single source needs to feed multiple destinations at the same time - for example, an A/D converter connected to several recorders, a workstation and a D-to-A converter for monitoring - daisy-chaining these destination devices can be unsafe and unreliable. The new large-format z-256.256r solves these and other problems."

Rear-panel D-sub connectors require breakout cables identical in pin-out to the DB25-to-XLR breakout cables used by TASCAM DA-Series MDM Eight-tracks and related units. Z-Systems supplies pin-out designations or pre-fabricated AES/EBU breakout cables.