Digital Audio
AES3 is a professional digital audio standard developed by the Audio Engineering Society for transmitting stereo PCM audio over balanced or unbalanced connections.
AES3, often referred to as AES/EBU, is the industry-standard digital audio interface used in professional recording, broadcasting, and live sound. It transmits two channels of uncompressed PCM audio via a 110-ohm balanced XLR cable or, in some cases, a 75-ohm unbalanced BNC or RCA connection.
The format supports sampling rates up to 192 kHz and bit depths up to 24 bits, including embedded clocking and metadata such as channel status and emphasis. AES3 ensures robust, noise-resistant transmission over long cable runs, making it ideal for studio interconnects and broadcast facilities.
It is closely related to SPDIF but designed for higher reliability and compatibility with professional equipment.
