The TASCAM IF-AE16 is a professional expansion card that adds 16 channels of AES/EBU digital input and 16 channels of AES/EBU digital output to compatible TASCAM mixers and multitrack recorders.

It supports uncompressed 24-bit digital audio at sampling frequencies up to 96 kHz. Built-in input sample-rate conversion allows digital sources running at different sample rates to be connected without requiring every source to use the host device’s clock.

Key Features

• 16 AES/EBU digital inputs
• 16 AES/EBU digital outputs
• Simultaneous 16-in/16-out operation
• 24-bit digital audio
• Supports 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz
• All 16 channels remain available at 96 kHz
• Built-in sample-rate conversion for incoming signals
• Accepts input sample rates from 32–192 kHz with SRC enabled
• Two 25-pin D-sub connectors
• Eight input and eight output channels per DB25 connector
• AES59-2012 TASCAM DB25 pin assignment
• Compatible with the TASCAM expansion-slot system
• Powered internally by the host device

Channel Configuration

Total digital audio capacity:

• 16 AES/EBU input channels
• 16 AES/EBU output channels

Supported formats:

• 16 channels at 44.1 kHz
• 16 channels at 48 kHz
• 16 channels at 88.2 kHz using double-speed operation
• 16 channels at 96 kHz using double-speed operation

Audio resolution:

• 24-bit

Unlike some digital expansion cards, the IF-AE16 does not reduce its audio-channel count when operating at 88.2 or 96 kHz.

Digital Connections

Number of connectors:

• Two

Connector type:

• Female 25-pin D-sub
• No. 4-40 UNC locking screws

Connector groups:

• AES/EBU channels 1–8
• AES/EBU channels 9–16

Each DB25 connector carries eight channels of digital input and eight channels of digital output. Compatible AES/EBU DB25 breakout cables are required to connect individual XLR-equipped devices.

Digital Audio Formats

Output format:

• AES3-2003
• IEC 60958-4
• Professional AES/EBU digital audio

Automatically detected input formats:

• AES3-2003
• IEC 60958-4 AES/EBU
• IEC 60958-3 S/PDIF data format

When receiving S/PDIF-format data, the physical connection must still comply with the IF-AE16’s balanced AES/EBU electrical interface. It does not provide standard RCA or optical S/PDIF connectors.

Sample-Rate Conversion

The IF-AE16 includes sample-rate conversion on its digital inputs.

With Sample-Rate Conversion Disabled

Supported input frequencies:

• 44.1 kHz
• 48 kHz
• 88.2 kHz
• 96 kHz

The incoming AES/EBU signal must be synchronised appropriately with the host system.

With Sample-Rate Conversion Enabled

Supported incoming frequencies:

• 32–192 kHz