Synthax, the Americas distributor for Ferrofish, announces the introduction of the Ferrofish A32 AD / DA converter with support for Dante audio networking.
Designed to streamline system cabling in both live and installed sound applications, the A32 Dante supports a wide range of audio formats.
By utilizing uncompressed, multi-channel digital media networking technology with low latency and synchronization, the A32 Dante is designed to eliminate the unsightly and often trouble prone mass of cables utilized in large scale productions or AV installations. Dante does away with heavy, expensive analog or multicore cabling, replacing it with low-cost, easily-available CAT5e, CAT6, or fiber optic cable for a clean, lightweight, and economical solution over a single, standard IP network.
The A32 Dante supports a wealth of audio formats including 64 channels of MADI I/O, 32 channels of ADAT optical I/O, and 32 channels of analog I/O.
Additionally, any ADAT optical connector can be used alternatively as an S/PDIF or AES/EBU interface. Because of this wealth of I/O choices, the unit is also a very capable audio format converter while simultaneously functioning as an AD / DA converter. Audio can be freely routed (in groups of 8) between all interfaces. As an example, it is possible to use the first 32 Dante channels for converting to analog while using the remaining 32 Dante channels to connect the A32 Dante with ADAT equipment.
The new A32 Dante employs 24-bit 192 kHz converters with analog gain switches. The gains of each channel can be separately adjusted in 0.5 dB steps, and the standard levels (+4 dBu, +13 dBu und +20 dBu) are switched in the analog domain, ensuring the full analog performance of the converter is preserved.
The unit provides four TFT screens that permit the complete control of all levels and adjustments on the equipment, which includes extensive routing possibilities. Any input signal (in groups of 8) can be routed to any output signal. Equally notable, the A32 Dante’s remote control capabilities are impressive. In addition to remote operation via Dante, MIDI, or USB, the system also supports MIDI over MADI. This capability provides remote control of the A32 Dante via the same MADI cable carrying audio signal.
The new A32 Dante ensures audio quality in both the analog and digital domains. The A32 Dante’s analog circuit is complemented on the digital side by a 400 MHz Sharc DSP that facilitates precise audio calculations to ensure that, on the digital side, not a single bit is lost.
Mathias von Heydekampf, managing director at Synthax, comments on the new Ferrofish A32 Dante. “With its ability to serve as both an AD / DA converter and audio format converter, the new A32 Dante makes a terrific tool for commercial recording studios, large format audio productions, and the most sophisticated AV installations. Featuring intuitive operation and the ability to function via Dante, I am confident this new audio solution will find its way into a broad range of audio applications.”
The new Ferrofish A32 Dante carries an MSRP of $3.799. It will be available Q1, 2017.