Aardvark DirectPro 24/96 PC Studio Interface with Cubase LE (Windows)
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zZounds Gear Experts Say...
DirectPro Supports: Win 95, 98, ME, 2000, NT, XP, ASIO, DX, GSIF. Now ships with Cubase LE.
Overview
Finally, there's a system that allows you to capture your creative spirit directly to the PC from anywhere in your professional studio. The Direct Pro 24/96 features 4 high quality class A mic preamps with combo XLR/1/4 in. inputs, 6 outputs, 24-bit/96kHz, SPDIF 2 ms Latency, SPDIF, and MIDI. The powerful DSP mixing control panel and direct mic/line inputs make the 24/96 the perfect solution to record directly to your computer without a mixer. Includes DSP Reverb, EQ & on-board compressor and shielded PCI card for pristine sound. It works well with all recording software such as Cubase SX, SONAR. PC/MAC, ASIO, GSIF, etc.
Now you can go right into the computer from practically any source in your studio. The 4 premium MIC pre-amps are cleaner than any mixer on the market, and the ability to plug in any line level input makes it all the more powerful. This lets you go from any instrument or vocal directly into the computer with guaranteed professional 24-bit fidelity.
From those 4 flexible inputs you can record multiple channels simultaneously, add real-time DSP effects, and then edit, mix, master, and burn the final CD masterpiece. The rugged breakout box houses the custom MIC pres, and the shielded converters keep out any computer noise so that your music has a resolution and sound quality far better than any computer sound card available.
The all-in-one DIRECT PRO 24/96 not only lets you skip buying a mixer, tape machine, MIC pres, MIDI card, compressor, and professional… read more reverb, but it instantly turns your PC project studio into a professional editing powerhouse! ...and it comes with Cubase LE recording software.
The 2496 is compatible with almost all audio recording software, and is often used with Steinberg Cubase VST/32 & Nuendo, Cakewalk Home Studio & Sonar, Emagic Logic Audio, Syntrillium Cool Edit Pro 2000, and gets ultra low-latency performance with software synths and samplers like Native Instruments, GigaStudio and Propellerheads Reason.
Mic Preamps
Aardvark knows that getting great sound truly begins with the quality of the mic preamps. That's why they use a handcrafted discrete transistor design to make your microphones sound better than they ever have before. It even has an invariable phantom power supply so that you can use it with the world's best microphones.
Universal Inputs
Our clever inputs will accept any XLR Mic input or *" Line input with a 3-stage analog trim adjustment of up to 70 dB (that's more than a mixer!). This lets you go directly from any microphone right into the Direct Pro 24/96 and also completely avoids the noise and hassles of extra cables and connectors.
Headphone
Getting truly professional recordings is almost impossible when you're monitoring with a * second delay. The Direct Pro 24/96 not only provides real-time effects making latency a thing of the past, but it also gives you an easy headphone output so your tracking is perfectly smooth and in realtime, just like your tracking live with classic analog gear.
Compressor
Add professional punch to your bass and drum tracks to get a massive sound that rivals that of the world's top professional studios. Almost any track comes alive with the smooth and natural sounding circuits that are included in the Direct Pro 24/96, completely eliminating the need to buy an outboard compressor.
Multi-Band EQ
A transparent 3-Band equalizer with a professionally sweepable mid-range allows you to control your sound with an accuracy that even expensive outboard mixers can't beat. And because the Direct Pro 24/96 does it with DSP and software, you can save your settings as presets to make demoing EQ's as easy as point and click.
Master Reverb
All of the classic sounds of an expensive outboard reverb unit are included, complete with the style and finesse of different rooms around the world. The Direct Pro 24/96's lush, natural-sounding reverb gives you 3 ambient settings characteristic of a quiet room, a large hall or even a Classic European style church to make you sound like you never have before.
Aardvark DirectPro 24/96 PC Studio Interface
24-Bit 96 kHz
4 XLR MIC Inputs
4 TRS 1/4" Inputs
Phantom Power
10-Channel Mixer
6 Analog Outputs
24-Bit S/PDIF
MIDI In/Out
Headphone Jack
Real-Time DSP Effects:
Reverb
Compressor
3-Band EQ
The Direct Pro Package Includes:
Direct Pro 24/96 Breakout I/O Box
Direct Pro 24/96 Host PCI Card with DSP
Direct Pro 24/96 Manual
Custom 25-pin Shielded Cable
Software Control Pane
Windows 95/98 and ASIO Drivers
Cubase LE read less
Now you can go right into the computer from practically any source in your studio. The 4 premium MIC pre-amps are cleaner than any mixer on the market, and the ability to plug in any line level input makes it all the more powerful. This lets you go from any instrument or vocal directly into the computer with guaranteed professional 24-bit fidelity.
From those 4 flexible inputs you can record multiple channels simultaneously, add real-time DSP effects, and then edit, mix, master, and burn the final CD masterpiece. The rugged breakout box houses the custom MIC pres, and the shielded converters keep out any computer noise so that your music has a resolution and sound quality far better than any computer sound card available.
The all-in-one DIRECT PRO 24/96 not only lets you skip buying a mixer, tape machine, MIC pres, MIDI card, compressor, and professional… read more reverb, but it instantly turns your PC project studio into a professional editing powerhouse! ...and it comes with Cubase LE recording software.
The 2496 is compatible with almost all audio recording software, and is often used with Steinberg Cubase VST/32 & Nuendo, Cakewalk Home Studio & Sonar, Emagic Logic Audio, Syntrillium Cool Edit Pro 2000, and gets ultra low-latency performance with software synths and samplers like Native Instruments, GigaStudio and Propellerheads Reason.
Mic Preamps
Aardvark knows that getting great sound truly begins with the quality of the mic preamps. That's why they use a handcrafted discrete transistor design to make your microphones sound better than they ever have before. It even has an invariable phantom power supply so that you can use it with the world's best microphones.
Universal Inputs
Our clever inputs will accept any XLR Mic input or *" Line input with a 3-stage analog trim adjustment of up to 70 dB (that's more than a mixer!). This lets you go directly from any microphone right into the Direct Pro 24/96 and also completely avoids the noise and hassles of extra cables and connectors.
Headphone
Getting truly professional recordings is almost impossible when you're monitoring with a * second delay. The Direct Pro 24/96 not only provides real-time effects making latency a thing of the past, but it also gives you an easy headphone output so your tracking is perfectly smooth and in realtime, just like your tracking live with classic analog gear.
Compressor
Add professional punch to your bass and drum tracks to get a massive sound that rivals that of the world's top professional studios. Almost any track comes alive with the smooth and natural sounding circuits that are included in the Direct Pro 24/96, completely eliminating the need to buy an outboard compressor.
Multi-Band EQ
A transparent 3-Band equalizer with a professionally sweepable mid-range allows you to control your sound with an accuracy that even expensive outboard mixers can't beat. And because the Direct Pro 24/96 does it with DSP and software, you can save your settings as presets to make demoing EQ's as easy as point and click.
Master Reverb
All of the classic sounds of an expensive outboard reverb unit are included, complete with the style and finesse of different rooms around the world. The Direct Pro 24/96's lush, natural-sounding reverb gives you 3 ambient settings characteristic of a quiet room, a large hall or even a Classic European style church to make you sound like you never have before.
Aardvark DirectPro 24/96 PC Studio Interface
24-Bit 96 kHz
4 XLR MIC Inputs
4 TRS 1/4" Inputs
Phantom Power
10-Channel Mixer
6 Analog Outputs
24-Bit S/PDIF
MIDI In/Out
Headphone Jack
Real-Time DSP Effects:
Reverb
Compressor
3-Band EQ
The Direct Pro Package Includes:
Direct Pro 24/96 Breakout I/O Box
Direct Pro 24/96 Host PCI Card with DSP
Direct Pro 24/96 Manual
Custom 25-pin Shielded Cable
Software Control Pane
Windows 95/98 and ASIO Drivers
Cubase LE read less
Specs
Converters: 24-bit, 96 kHz A/D D/A Shielded Converters
THD+N: .002% @ 1 kHz
Dynamic Range: D/A 110dB, A/D 100dB
Frequency Response: 7Hz-44KHz, +/- .5 dB at 96 kHz
Sample Rates: 96 kHz, 48 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 32 kHz
Mic Preamp: Discrete, 8 transistor/channel design
*Freq. response at -3db: 1.6 Hz- 200kHz
*EIN at 20Hz-20kHz, 150 Ohm: -130 dBu
*THD at 20db gain: 0.0005%
Phantom Power: 48 Vdc, max current: 40mA
Analog Inputs: 4 Combination 1/4 in. and XLR Connectors:
*XLR MIC Inputs (with 60 dB Level Trim) Phantom Power Switch on Front
*1/4 in. Guitar/Instrument Inputs (with 40 dB Level Trim)
*1/4 in. Unbalanced Line Inputs at -10dBv (with 40 dB Level Trim)
*1/4 in. Balanced Line Inputs at +4dBu (with 40 dB Level Trim)
Analog Outputs: Six 1/4 in. TRS outputs +4 dBu balanced/-10 dBv unbalanced
HEADPHONE Output: Stereo HEADPHONE JACK Output on Front
Digital I/O S/PDIF In/Out (RCA Connectors)
OPTIONAL: AES/EBU In/Out
MIDI I/O MIDI In/Out on 5-pin DIN Connectors
Sync I/O: S/PDIF Digital Clock, MIDI
Modes: Full Duplex Simultaneous Record/Play
Expansion: Up to any 4 Aark cards can be used simultaneously in one PC
Computer Card Type: PCI Bus Architecture, 5 in. Length
Connectors on Card: 25-pin Connector to Breakout I/O Box
Powerful DSP: 24-bit, 80 MIPS
Minimum System: 133 MHz with Win 95/98; 32 MB RAM
Options
AES/EBU I/O: AES/EBU I/O connects to S/PDIF I/O
19 in. 2U MONO Rack: MONO Rack for 1 Direct Pro 24/96
19 in. 2U DUAL Rack: DUAL Rack for 2 Direct Pro 24/96
THD+N: .002% @ 1 kHz
Dynamic Range: D/A 110dB, A/D 100dB
Frequency Response: 7Hz-44KHz, +/- .5 dB at 96 kHz
Sample Rates: 96 kHz, 48 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 32 kHz
Mic Preamp: Discrete, 8 transistor/channel design
*Freq. response at -3db: 1.6 Hz- 200kHz
*EIN at 20Hz-20kHz, 150 Ohm: -130 dBu
*THD at 20db gain: 0.0005%
Phantom Power: 48 Vdc, max current: 40mA
Analog Inputs: 4 Combination 1/4 in. and XLR Connectors:
*XLR MIC Inputs (with 60 dB Level Trim) Phantom Power Switch on Front
*1/4 in. Guitar/Instrument Inputs (with 40 dB Level Trim)
*1/4 in. Unbalanced Line Inputs at -10dBv (with 40 dB Level Trim)
*1/4 in. Balanced Line Inputs at +4dBu (with 40 dB Level Trim)
Analog Outputs: Six 1/4 in. TRS outputs +4 dBu balanced/-10 dBv unbalanced
HEADPHONE Output: Stereo HEADPHONE JACK Output on Front
Digital I/O S/PDIF In/Out (RCA Connectors)
OPTIONAL: AES/EBU In/Out
MIDI I/O MIDI In/Out on 5-pin DIN Connectors
Sync I/O: S/PDIF Digital Clock, MIDI
Modes: Full Duplex Simultaneous Record/Play
Expansion: Up to any 4 Aark cards can be used simultaneously in one PC
Computer Card Type: PCI Bus Architecture, 5 in. Length
Connectors on Card: 25-pin Connector to Breakout I/O Box
Powerful DSP: 24-bit, 80 MIPS
Minimum System: 133 MHz with Win 95/98; 32 MB RAM
Options
AES/EBU I/O: AES/EBU I/O connects to S/PDIF I/O
19 in. 2U MONO Rack: MONO Rack for 1 Direct Pro 24/96
19 in. 2U DUAL Rack: DUAL Rack for 2 Direct Pro 24/96
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars.
(57 ratings)
Submitted August 2, 2004 by a customer from yahoo.com
"for guitar/vocal musicians ONLY"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
for guitar/vocal musicians who want to lay down tracks with a simple multi-track recording program.
Sound
WOW! Quality circuitry. Ultra quiet / great signal-to-noise ratio!
Features
Had everything I wanted except for a volume knob for the headphones output.
Quality
Hands down the most durable and well-built breakout box/interface I have ever touched. The mic pre-amps / connections are solid and free of noise.
Value
eh...
Manufacturer Support
AWFUL DRIVERS !!! Incredible sound card, but it's worthless if the company does not make dynamic and up-to-date drivers. This soundcard will probably be fine for someone just using Cool Edit Pro (adobe audition) or a simple mult-track recording program. But if you use lots of soft synths and sequencing programs (fruity loops, rebirth, live, reason, etc...) then DO NOT PURCHASE THIS SOUNDCARD. You have been warned. I contacted customer support. They never replied.
The Wow Factor
I returned the card and bought an M-Audio product instead.
Musical Style:
minimal / experimental / dance / jungle / stoopid
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