If you have more than a couple of pieces of digital audio gear, you've probably found that getting them all hooked up and talking to each other is no simple task. Furthermore, you've probably found that re-configuring your set-up for different users or different modes of operation can be a real nightmare. (Constantly evaluating new converters, clocks, recorders, and interface cards, we've certainly had our share of headaches at the Meth Lab). The Z Systems Digital Detanglers are designed to seamlessly integrate and re-configure your digital audio workplace.

For example, let's say you have several A/D and D/A converters, a couple of DAT machines, a CD transport, a digital audio workstation, and a couple of outboard effects processors. There are conceivably many different ways you would want to hook these devices together, depending on which source might need to feed which DAT machine, workstation, or D/A converter. Furthermore, if a single source needs to feed multiple destinations at the same time (e.g., an A/D converter feeding several DAT machines, a workstation, and a D/A converter for monitoring), daisy-chaining these destination devices is an unsafe and unreliable way to go. Matters are only complicated further if some of the devices have AES/EBU inputs and outputs, other devices have S/PDIF inputs and outputs, and still others have optical inputs and outputs.

The Digital Detanglers offer a solution to all of these problems. With nearly a dozen standard I/O configurations and the ability to customize those options even further, Mercenary and Z Systems can supply a unit to meet just about any need. Once configured as you require, you would hook up all of your digital audio sources and destinations to the Detangler's rear panel. The connection pattern is then simply established by the touch of a few buttons on the unit's front panel or (in the case of the Detangler Pro) remote control.

The Detangler can distribute single sources to multiple destinations simultaneously and it can channel-switch between multiple sources to a single destination. Or, it can distribute and channel-switch at the same time. If the unit is equipped with different formats, it will make the electrical format conversion as necessary between ports. Also, the unit is fully asynchronous which allows it to handle multiple sample rates at the same time.

Because there are so many configuration options and because certain options are only available in certain configurations, we ask that you call or e-mail us before buying, so we can help you make sure you get the right piece for your needs.