The new card provides 16 AES channels, with the ability to change the inputs or outputs in groups of eight. Complementing the existing Mic/Line conversion cards, the AES3 offers a number of new device options, providing flexibility way beyond the 64 AES/EBU channels offered by its primary DD32E network device.
The user-configurable architecture will "bring huge benefits to the pro audio community". For example devices equipped with an AES3 Card and an eight-channel analogue converter card will allow the user to decide whether he wants to use 16 AES channels (I/O switchable in groups of eight) or use the eight analogue channels combined with eight AES3 channels.
Optocore support engineer, Christian Pötsch, reinforces the advantages of software-selectability between the analogue and digital inputs. "Enormous flexibility resides in this solution, which can be configured according to the user's needs - whether the user wants to use all 16 AES channels (and no analogue I/O), or a combination of both," he says.
"These are genuinely innovative network devices, which can be directly connected to SANE or the Optocore fibre network - without the need for a DD32E in the chain - as was the case with the previous X6 converters."
The new combination, he says, would work particularly well in amplifier racks - where the amps can be connected by AES, but with the option to incorporate any analogue input feeds as well.
(Jim Evans)
