Results for firewire

Universal Audio has announced the Apollo 16 Thunderbolt-ready audio interface.

Delivering world-class conversion with 16×16 analog I/O, this uncompromising FireWire/Thunderbolt-ready interface combines superior sound and flexible routing with powerful onboard UAD-2 QUAD processing. With its professional DB-25 connectivity and multi-unit cascading for up to 32×32 analog I/O, Apollo 16 sets a new standard in high-resolution recording with classic analog sound.

“Building on the success of the original Apollo interface, the Apollo 16 is our flagship audio converter,” says Bill Putnam Jr., Universal Audio founder and CEO. “Its sound quality and scalability make it ideal for pairing with mixing consoles and outboard preamps, and the ability to track through UAD plug-ins in real time provides powerful sonic options for professional studios.”

Building upon decades of UA hardware expertise, Apollo 16 features meticulous analog circuit design, top-end converters, and DC-coupled outputs — providing the lowest THD and highest dynamic range of any converter in its class. Apollo 16′s deep, wide soundstage and exceptionally open and transparent sound makes it the ideal centerpiece for professional recording facilities.

With its standard UAD-2 QUAD processing onboard, Apollo 16 allows real time processing with UAD Powered Plug-Ins — with as low as sub-2ms latency — so recordists can monitor, audition, and “print” audio through stunning analog emulations from Ampex, Lexicon, Manley, Neve, Roland, SSL, Studer, and more. Apollo 16′s onboard UAD processing is also available during mixing and mastering, so that music producers can employ UAD plug-ins (VST, RTAS, AU) throughout the creative process.

Apollo 16 boasts straightforward 16×16 analog I/O via convenient DB-25 connections. Two Apollo 16 units can be cascaded over MADI for an expanded system with eight UAD processors and 32×32 simultaneous analog I/O, capable of handling large professional mixes. Dedicated XLR monitor outputs and stereo AES-EBU digital I/O round out the Apollo 16′s rear-panel audio connections.

Apollo 16′s routing capabilities include four stereo cue mixes with individually assignable outputs, and a new “Virtual I/O” feature that allows for Realtime UAD Processing of DAW tracks and virtual instruments.

Apollo 16 also offers compatibility with Intel’s high-bandwidth Thunderbolt technology on Macs via a user-installable dual-port Thunderbolt Option Card (sold separately). Thunderbolt provides greater UAD plug-in instances, improved performance at high sample rates, and reduced UAD plug-in latency in the DAW versus Apollo’s standard FireWire connection.

The Apollo 16 is expect to ship in Q2 2013, with an estimated street price of $2,999 USD. Apollo’s Thunderbolt Option Card is now available for an estimated street price of $499 USD.

More information: Universal Audio / Apollo 16

PreSonus has introduced the StudioLive 32.4.2AI, a 32-channel performance and recording digital mixer.

This new mixer features next-generation Active Integration technology, including a dual-core computing engine that packs over 64 times the processing power and an incredible 10,000 times more RAM than the previous top-of-the-line StudioLive 24.4.2. Its sophisticated, integral communications also makes possible wireless control of the mixer without requiring an external computer.

Featuring 32 Class A XMAX™ mic preamps with individually switched phantom power (plus an XMAX preamp for the Talkback input with always-on phantom), 32 line inputs, 14 aux mixes, 4 subgroups with variable output delay, Fat Channel dynamics processing and parametric EQ, a 48×34 FireWire S800 audio interface, and much more, StudioLive 32.4.2AI takes affordable digital mixing to a new level of sophistication.

Yet the new model retains the ease of use and fast workflow that helped make StudioLive mixers a worldwide success. All of the core mixing features are under your fingers, with no awkward bank switching.

StudioLive 32.4.2AI incorporates the same Fat Channel features as the award-winning StudioLive 24.4.2, including routing, panning, a high-pass filter and polarity reverse on every channel, and a full-feature gate, full-featured compressor, limiter, and 4-band fully parametric EQ on every channel, aux, subgroup, and effects bus. Taking advantage of the Active Integration engine’s massive processing power, the new mixer allows users to create two complete sets of EQ and dynamics settings for a channel and then make quick A/B comparisons with the Alt EQ/Dyn button.

Also new in this model are six mute groups with All On/All Off switches and six user-assignable Quick Scene Recall buttons that let you load specified, saved mixer scenes-sort of a speed dial for mixer scenes. The StudioLive 32.4.2AI also sports four internal effects buses: two with reverb and two with delay effects.

Unlike previous models, the StudioLive 32.4.2AI sports an Ethernet port that allows you to connect to an existing router-based network with an Ethernet cable or completely wirelessly. You also get a USB 2.0 port to host the included USB Wi-Fi LAN adapter for situations where a less powerful, ad hoc Wi-Fi network is sufficient. Using either wireless connection, the mixer can be directly controlled from a laptop or iPad®, and the aux mixes can be controlled from an iPhone® or iPod touch®; a FireWire connection to a computer is not required.

A line of option cards will be available for the StudioLive 32.4.2AI in late 2013. Every option card comes equipped with dual FireWire S800 and S/PDIF stereo output, as well as Ethernet (for control only). Two cards that add Dante for audio networking and Thunderbolt for even faster digital transfers are in development.

StudioLive 32.4.2AI is tightly integrated with updated versions of the same powerful software suite introduced for the earlier StudioLive models: VSL-AI control/editor/librarian for Mac® and Windows®, SL Remote-AI wireless remote control for iPad, QMix™-AI wireless aux-mix control for iPhone/iPod touch, Capture™ 2.0 preconfigured audio-recording software, and the highly lauded Studio One® Artist DAW. This combination of hardware and software provides features offered by no other mixer anywhere near this price class.

The StudioLive 32.4.2AI digital mixer is expected to be available in April 2013, with an anticipated MSRP of $4,999 USD and MAP of $3,999 USD.

More information: PreSonus / StudioLive 32.4.2AI

Universal Audio has released version 6.4 of its UAD Powered Plug-Ins.

Released in November 2012, UAD Powered Plug-Ins v6.4 delivers a host of long-requested features for PC-based audio engineers — including 64-bit UAD plug-in support for Windows 7, and Apollo Audio Interface/UAD-2 Satellite FireWire drivers for Windows 7 (a qualified PCIe-to-FireWire adapter card is required).

Note: This release does not include the UAD Oxford EQ plug-in (32-bit or 64-bit). If you are using UAD Oxford EQ, updating to UAD v6.4.0 is not recommended. 32-bit and 64-bit versions of UAD Oxford EQ will be included in a future release.

More information: Universal Audio

Universal Audio has announced a complete re-imagination of the popular UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform.

Highlighted by the new flagship UAD-2 OCTO DSP Accelerator card, featuring eight SHARC processors, the UAD-2 Series offers new Custom and Ultimate software bundles and more affordable pricing for all UAD-2 SOLO, DUO, and QUAD DSP Accelerator models.

Universal Audio UAD-2 OCTO Ultimate bundle.

• New OCTO DSP Accelerators — Heavyweight Processing Power
  The new top-of-the-line UAD-2 OCTO DSP Accelerator ($1,499US) features eight SHARC processors on a single PCIe card and easily installs into a PCIe-equipped Mac or PC workstation or compatible expansion chassis — giving music producers and engineers twice the processing power of its UAD-2 QUAD DSP Accelerator counterpart. For UAD power users running large audio sessions with high UAD plug-in instances and/or high sample rates, the UAD-2 OCTO DSP Accelerator is the uncompromising professional solution.
• New UAD-2 “Custom” Bundles — Pick Any 3 UAD Plug-Ins
  For just $400US more than a UAD-2 DUO, QUAD, or OCTO “Core” DSP Accelerator model, UAD users can now step up to UAD-2 Custom bundles, selecting any three individual UAD plug-ins within 45 days of their new UAD-2 hardware registration. With a world-renowned UAD plug-in library that includes Ampex®, Manley®, Lexicon®, Studer®, EMT®, Empirical Labs®, Neve®, SSL®, Roland®, and more, UAD-2 Custom bundles deliver a potential software value of more than $1,000US (depending on UAD plug-ins selected), at significant savings to new UAD-2 users.
• New UAD-2 “Ultimate” Bundles — The Definitive Collection
  Combining the most powerful UAD-2 DSP Accelerator hardware with the most complete UAD plug-in bundle available, the new UAD-2 OCTO Ultimate (PCIe card format) and UAD-2 Satellite QUAD Ultimate (FireWire format) packages offer an extensive library of more than 55 UA-developed plug-ins, up to and including UAD Software v6.3*. These UAD-2 Ultimate packages represent the definitive collection of more than 10 years of UAD plug-in development.
• More Affordable UAD-2 SOLO, DUO, and QUAD Core Models
  Alongside the new UAD-2 hardware and software introductions, UA is debuting new, more affordable pricing for the “Core” models of UAD-2 SOLO, DUO, and QUAD PCIe hardware and UAD-2 DUO and QUAD Satellite FireWire hardware. All UAD-2 Core models include the popular “Analog Classics” plug-in bundle, featuring the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN/1176SE Classic Limiting Amplifiers, Pultec EQP-1A, and RealVerb Pro plug-ins. Additional UAD plug-ins can be purchased from UA’s Online Store.

“We’re excited by the additional power and flexibility that this new UAD-2 lineup provides,” says CEO and Founder, Bill Putnam, Jr. “Not only has the processing power doubled with the UAD-2 OCTO model, but it’s now easier for users to customize their UAD-2 packages right out of the box. And with our new aggressive pricing for SOLO, DUO, and QUAD Core models, UAD-2 is now even more accessible to producers who want to add authentic analog tone in their recordings.

Estimated US Street Prices for UAD-2 Desktop (PCI-Express) and Satellite (FireWire) DSP Accelerators:

• UAD-2 OCTO (PCIe): $1,499 (Core) / $1,899 (Custom) / $5,499 (Ultimate).
• UAD-2 QUAD (PCIe): $999 (Core) / $1,399 (Custom).
• UAD-2 DUO (PCIe): $699 (Core) / $1,099 (Custom).
• UAD-2 SOLO (PCIe): $299 (Core).
• UAD-2 QUAD Satellite (FireWire): $999 (Core) / $1,399 (Custom) / $4,999 (Ultimate).
• UAD-2 DUO Satellite (FireWire): $699 (Core) / $1,099 (Custom).

More information: Universal Audio / UAD Powered Plug-Ins

Universal Audio has announced the release the Thunderbolt Option Card for the award-winning Apollo high resolution audio interface.

Compatible with Intel’s new Thunderbolt technology on the latest generation of iMacs®, MacBook® Pros, MacBook Airs®, and Mac minis, the Thunderbolt Option Card provides greater UAD plug-in instances, improved performance at higher sample rates, and reduced UAD plug-in latency versus Apollo’s standard FireWire connection.

“We’re really excited to be the first company to provide true integrated Thunderbolt connectivity in the audio interface market,” says UA CEO and Founder, Bill Putnam, Jr. “We’ve worked hand-in-hand with Intel to create rock-solid Thunderbolt connectivity for Apollo, and we are looking forward to seeing the impact this important step forward has on the digital recording community.”

The user-installable Thunderbolt Option Card includes two Thunderbolt ports, and easily slides into the expansion bay of Apollo. Bus power is provided to all downstream Thunderbolt peripherals, allowing music producers to connect devices in series with the Apollo interface — including hard drives, processors, and computer. When the Thunderbolt Option Card is engaged, Apollo’s FireWire 800 ports are instantly reconfigured as a hub for connecting FireWire devices — such as a hard drive or UAD-2 Satellite.

Universal Audio’s Thunderbolt Option Card provides a bandwidth and connectivity boost for your Apollo audio interface.

Thunderbolt Option Card features

• Enables Thunderbolt technology for Apollo DUO and QUAD Audio Interfaces on Thunderbolt-equipped Macs.
• Provides greater UAD plug-in instances, improved performance at higher sample rates, and reduced plug-in latency versus FireWire.
• Two Thunderbolt ports supply bus power for convenient daisy-chaining of peripherals.
• Allows Apollo’s built-in FireWire ports to be repurposed as a FireWire 800 hub over Thunderbolt.
• Easy user installation – tool and instructions included.
• Requires an Apollo High Resolution Audio Interface available from authorized dealers worldwide.
• Thunderbolt cable sold separately.

The Thunderbolt Option Card is available from authorized Universal Audio dealers worldwide, with an estimated street price of $499 USD.

More information: Universal Audio / Thunderbolt Option Card

Allen & Heath has announced it will introduce a brand new product to its range at PLASA, the ICE-16, a 16 In/16 Out audio interface allowing performers and audio engineers to easily capture high quality multi-track recordings direct to a USB drive or interface to a computer.

​Fitted into a compact 1U rack design, ICE-16 is capable of studio quality interfacing, converting and bi-directional streaming of 16 channels over high-speed USB or FireWire at 24 bit, 96kHz resolution. Alternatively, 16 channels can be simultaneously recorded straight to a USB hard drive or memory stick at up to 24bit 48kHz resolution .wav file. The ICE-16 is expandable, so you can link units together and synchronize recording of many channels.

ICE-16 connects to any audio mixer or analogue source using ¼” jacks for the inputs and RCA phono connectors for the outputs. Signal and peak metering is provided for each channel and can be switched to show input or output. Headphone monitoring is also included and switches on each channel enable checking of individual or multiple channels. ASIO drivers and Core Audio compliance ensure full compatibility with all the main DAWs, including Logic, Sonar, Cubase and Pro Tools.

ICE-16 features

• 16 analogue Inputs, 16 analogue Outputs.
• Front USB socket for easy capture to USB storage devices.
• Hybrid FireWire (IEE1394) / USB2 .0 16×16 audio interface.
• Industry standard wav file format.
• Up to 6 hours of 16 channel audio on a 32GB USB stick.
• Signal Present and Peak LED metering on each channel.
• Mono headphone bus for Input or Output monitoring.
• Daisy chain multiple units over FireWire.
• Familiar Transport buttons and intuitive controls.

The ICE-16 will be £699 GPB inc. VAT.

More information: Allen & Heath / ICE-16