The 896 offers individual gain trim controls for the eight analogue inputs, with up to 40dB range, as well as individual phantom power switches, suggesting that this unit boasts more discrete mic preamp circuitry than the 828. Above these are the 10-segment meters, the first eight of which are for the analogue inputs. The next bank of eight meters is programmable, and the user can choose whether they display analogue output, ADAT input or ADAT outputs. Two further pairs of meters display main output level and the level at the AES-EBU digital output. The clock indicator LEDs show the currently selected sample rate; if the unit is waiting for external clock and no incoming clock source is detected, they flash to indicate this.

The 896's eight analogue inputs are all on the back panel, and use Neutrik combo connectors accepting either XLR or quarter-inch jack plugs. Each input has a three-way level switch for mic, line or 'fixed' level, and analogue-to-digital conversion is carried out using 24-bit, 64x oversampling converters. Above the inputs is a row of eight analogue outputs with XLR connectors, switchable between +4 and -10 dB levels. Digital-to-analogue conversion is taken care of by 24-bit, 128x oversampling converters. To the left of the analogue outputs are two XLR connectors for the AES-EBU input and output, which are equipped with a sample-rate converter so they can operate at different sample rates from the rest of the 896. There is also a pair of XLR connectors for the main outputs. Also on the back panel are the ADAT optical input and output, the nine-pin ADAT Sync D-type connector, word clock in and out and two FireWire sockets. This last feature is a welcome improvement over the single socket provided on the 828, and facilitates daisy-chaining up to four units (potentially achieving 72 inputs and outputs!).