Ferrofish Pulse16 MX 16-Channel AD/DA Converter with MADI and ADAT

With 16 balanced analog inputs and outputs, ADAT, and an optical MADI port, the Ferrofish Pulse16 MX, a 16-channel AD/DA converter, links analog gear and ADAT devices to a MADI system at up to 192 kHz.

MADI and ADAT

The MADI port carries 64 x 64 channels at 48 kHz, or 16 x 16 at 192 kHz, over one optical cable pair. Its multimode SFP module comes installed and can be swapped for a singlemode module. The MADI stream also carries MIDI for remote control, and the unit compensates for delay along a MADI chain.

Four ADAT ports in each direction convert all 16 analog channels at 96 kHz, or 32 channels each way at 48 kHz.

Conversion

The 1/4-inch TRS inputs and outputs are each set from -8 dBu to +20 dBu in 1 dB steps, and both sides reach a 114 dB signal-to-noise ratio. A temperature-compensated clock and a jitter-reduction PLL drive the low-latency converters. Ferrofish builds a +24 dBu version to order, with all 16 analog inputs and outputs raised to a +24 dBu maximum level to meet the SMPTE standard. The higher level cannot be added to a unit later.

Routing, Screens, and Control

Every analog, ADAT, and MADI channel can be routed in groups of eight through an internal matrix. The front headphone output monitors any mono or stereo input or output. Two color screens show all 32 analog levels and every setting, and seven presets store routing, gains, and levels.

The RemoteFish software for PC and Mac controls the unit over MIDI or MIDI-over-MADI.

Features

• 16 balanced 1/4-inch TRS inputs and outputs
• Optical MADI: 64 x 64 at 48 kHz, 16 x 16 at 192 kHz
• Multimode SFP module included, singlemode optional
• 4 + 4 ADAT ports
• 114 dB signal-to-noise ratio
• Routing matrix in groups of eight
• Front headphone output for any input or output
• Two color screens and seven presets
• Fanless 1U chassis