digitalFAQ.com Forum - Blackmagic DeckLink Studio, RMAA results (ADC only)

For some time I've been wondering what kind of integrated audio ADC is included in Blackmagic DeckLink Studio (and other BM products). For this test I used RME Fireface UC audio interface for DAC and reference and RightMark Audio Analyzer software.

Results are not definite truths nor professionally controlled and concluded. Further reading about RMAA caveats:
http://nwavguy.blogspot.fi/2011/02/r...yzer-rmaa.html

Balanced Cordial 60cm TRS cable was used for all tests. Balanced circuitry is said to be more noisy than normal, but I didn't want to redo everything to test a tiny change.

Baseline, RME external loopback (+4dB):
http://www.siluriformes.net/dfaq/AN3.../an34-an78.htm

RME (-10dB) -> BM (-10dB):
http://www.siluriformes.net/dfaq/AN3.../an34-bm12.htm

RME (+4dB) -> BM (+4dB):
http://www.siluriformes.net/dfaq/AN3.../an34-bm12.htm

RME ("HiGain") -> BM (+4dB):
http://www.siluriformes.net/dfaq/AN3.../an34-bm12.htm

RME (+4dB) -> BM (+4dB +4.8dB gain):
http://www.siluriformes.net/dfaq/AN3.../an34-bm12.htm

RME (+4dB) -> BM (+4dB +7.6dB gain):
http://www.siluriformes.net/dfaq/AN3.../an34-bm12.htm

As you can see I tried many types of level matching and it did do some good. Blackmagic control panel settings regarding the audio gain control gave weird results and when I chose to add for example +3dB, in reality the gain changed much less. With higher gain on Blackmagic end I could achieve better dynamic range up to a point. Well, you can see from the results what happens with too much gain. Pretty counter intuitive. As a side note; BM video gain controls also f-up the signal and like I've said before it's better to adjust levels after capturing than with BM's proc amp.

In summary I would say that Blackmagic Decklink Studio has good enough audio ADC for VHS and other home video formats but I would be a bit more careful when doing something more professional.