Ferrofish PULSE16 16-Channel AD/DA and ADAT Converter

The PULSE16 is the high-quality solution to connect a wide range of external analog and ADAT studio equipment to a mixer or a computer interface. The high-density converter provides 16 x 16 balanced analogue TRS-I/Os and can handle pro studio levels up to +20dBu - adjustable in 1 dB steps. 2 x 4 ADAT ports provide full 16 x 16 channel operation - even with up to 96 kHz. The optical ADAT 'Lightpipe' interface is still the most affordable way to transfer a variety of audio channels. Originally designed for the Alesis Digital Audio Tape machine - hence the name - in 1991 ADAT is reliable, standardized and still everywhere.The PULSE series is using the recent high-performance low-latency converter generation from Cirrus Logic. Combined with a temperature-compensated high-precision clock and an active jitter reduction hardware design, the fan-less, 98-channel PULSE16 delivers an exceptional detailed sound. The PULSE16 incorporates a Word Clock I/O and a MIDI I/O for embedding signals and remote control of the unit. Many popular features from the flagship A32 have been added as well: Preset Management, Panel Lock and the sophisticated routing matrix. Internal Routing Matrix The PULSE16 provides an internal matrix for the free routing and splitting of all 48 Ins to all 48 Outs in blocks of 8 channels. The integrated headphone output on the front allows it to monitor every mono or stereo I/O directly on the unit. Dual TFT Display Two high-resolution TFT displays provide detailed level information for all 2 x 16 signals at a glance. The innovative on-board contextual help, much loved by Ferrofish users, allows it to use the high-tech device, without reaching for the manual. Inputs & Outputs 2 x 16 Balanced TRS -8 to +20 dBu (Gain in 1 dB steps). Up to 192 kHz on ADAT and MADI with the installed MADI SFP module. 2 x 4 TOSLINK Each port transfers eight channels at a sample rate of 48 kHz (= 32 In + 32 Out). This way the PULSE16 can work as a Splitter for analog and ADAT inputs. Phones Stereo TRS (Front) Monitoring of every PULSE stereo/mono I/O via an additional stereo DAC. Analog I/O The PULSE16 provides a unique flexible level setup for all analog inputs and outputs. Every I/O can be set to a different sensitivity in a mixer like screen, directly on the display. The level setup ranges from -8 dBu up to +20 dBu in single steps of 1dB. When the fader is set to 20, the output of a digital signal with 0dBFS will be +20dBu on the analog input or output. -8 dBu on the lower end is close to the level of analog consumer gear (-10dBV = -7.78dBu). ADAT I/O The PULSE16 features 2 x 4 ADAT I/O ports (white doors: outputs, black doors: inputs). With the reduction to four channels per port at 96 kHz (SMUX/2), it is still possible, to convert all 16 I/O to ADAT. ADAT conversion with up to 192kHz (SMUX/4) will be enabled with an installed MADI SFP module. In this mode it is still possible, to transfer 8 input and 8 output channels in total, using all four interface pairs. Additionally with the MADI SFP it will be possible, to route 32 channels of ADAT from/to MADI at 48 kHz.Thanks to the optical connection, ADAT-linked equipment avoids ground-loops and will not transfer harmful electrical spikes from one device to the next. Word Clock I/O The PULSE16 can generate its own high precision clock. It can send this clock or receive a master clock via the BNC I/O using a coaxial cable with 75 Ohm. Whether the PULSE16 runs in Master or Slave mode or termination on/off can be set via the display. MIDI I/O The integrated 5pin standard MIDI I/O ports can be used for controlling the unit over a MIDI cable from a host computer. With installed MADI option, it is possible, to c or de-c MIDI signals into the MADI stream (MIDI-over-MADI ). A very useful feature, to remotely control MIDI Equipment in the studio rack or on stage from the FOH. The kind of MIDI routing can be adjusted via the display. Device Lock The front panel control - except the headphone screen - can be locked with a PIN number. To lock the PULSE16, simply enter the PIN in the display. Every PULSE 16 has a fixed number (printed on the downside of the unit). Quality of Sound High Quality AD & DA The PULSE16 uses the most recent low-latency AD & DA generation from Cirrus Logic. The high performance converters capture and restore audio signals with all details, a highly neutral frequency response and low distortion. All analog inputs and output are using balanced TRS jacks and can be set independently to levels between -8dBu and +20dBu. High Resolution Sound The PULSE16 converts seamlessly all 16 analog I/O with sample rates of up to 96 kHz from/to the 16 ADAT I/Os (SMUX/2 mode). With the Ferrofish MADI SFP upgrade module, the PULSE16 can even convert and route all 16 analog I/Os at 192 kHz to MADI without limitation (incl. ADAT with SMUX/4). High Precision Clock The PULSE16 is driven by a high-accurate, internal low jitter clock. The sophisticated design combines an advanced jitter reduction circuit with a stable, temperature compensated oscillator. All digital data from the MADI, ADAT and BNC ports are automatically processed, resulting in the an ultra-low output jitter on all digital channels of 50 to 100 ps. Routing Matrix. Integrated The internal matrix allows the free routing and splitting of all 48 Inputs to all 48 Outputs in blocks of 8 channels. This matrix is shown as a grid inside the ROUTING menu. The inputs are shown in the columns, while the rows represent the outputs. A solid square between these lines indicates a connection. The routing is done in blocks of eight channels. Headphone I/O Monitoring The headphone output on the front allows it to monitor every mono or stereo I/O directly from the unit - no additional device or DAW interface is necessary. The headphones signal can be easily selected via a dedicated source control on the TFT display. Fully. Guided. Control Two high-resolution TFT displays provide complete control of all features:• Detailed level information for all 2 x 16 signals at a glance• Analog Gains• Routing matrix• Headphone control, including source selection.• Settings (e. g. Clock, Termination, TFT Brightness, Device Lock)• Preset control (Save, Load)The innovative on-board contextual help, much loved by Ferrofish users, allows it to use the high-tech device, without reaching for the manual.