South London-based composer Rafael Krux recently added a Prism Sound Dream ADA-128 modular conversion system to his production studio where he creates music for commercials, trailers, video games, TV shows and dozens of other indie projects.
Krux’s studio is also equipped with PMC 6-2 monitors, a Cubase DAW and a selection of analog synths and outboard equipment. “Audio quality is very important to me, and this is the main reason why I have invested in a Prism Sound Dream ADA-128 converter,” he says. “It is an exceptional unit that has given me all the inputs I need to incorporate my large collection of analog equipment into my workflow.”
The Dream ADA-128 is a modular converter offering up to 128 channels of 32-bit A/D and D/A conversion. It also provides distribution and processing, housed in a 2RU mainframe that can be fitted with up to 16 analog and digital IO modules (each of which nominally provides eight input or output ports, or both). Up to four host modules provide bidirectional multi-channel connections to host computers, workstations, networks, etc., with the ADA-128 providing routing between all of these inputs and outputs under user control, as well as a range of processing functions.
Since 2016, Krux has headed up Dual Horns Studio, which he established prior moving to the UK from Croatia so that he could be nearer to his client base. His music has been used for numerous projects and brands, including the Leah Remini show, America’s Next Top Model, Mercedes-Benz AMG, World of Tanks online, VICE, MIT, BMW, MARS, Samsung, Swarovski, Huawei, United Nations, and many more. He also has a boutique sample shop, Krux Audio, that works to produce simple yet high-quality samples and tools to help producers worldwide.
“My main goal is to inspire and motivate music producers and composers in the creation of new and exciting music,” he says. “My previous converter was part of my studio for two or three years and I recorded over 200 tracks with it. However, I always had a Prism Sound on my wish list because I was aware of the company’s reputation for audio quality. When I heard that the Dream ADA-128 was about to be launched, I knew it was time to upgrade.”
With the unit installed in his studio, he says he began listening to some of the tracks he had created with his previous converter and was surprised at the difference in sound quality: “I couldn’t believe how everything I’d recorded sounded so muddy. It hadn’t appeared that way at the time but when I put my music through the Prism Sound unit, it really was noticeable. With the ADA-128 I have a much bigger stage to work with. It makes mixing and mastering so easy that I feel as though I have a cheat sheet. I can hear everything clearly – it’s amazing. I did a test run with the mics and pre-amps that I usually use, and everything sounded so clean and organic. It was a much higher level of converter than I had been used to and I was just blown away.”
Krux is currently working on projects for Orchestralis, the music production brand he and his wife run, plus a few high-profile NDA projects, and creating more samples for Krux Audio. “It gives me great peace of mind to know that I am getting the best audio conversion possible,” he concludes. “There is absolutely no distortion, no matter how many different pieces of equipment I use. The combination of great monitors and a great converter is a game changer – I feel like I have an orchestra playing in front of me. The only think I can’t get over is how many years I’ve spent recording and not realising what really great audio really sounds like!”
