Ferrofish Pulse16 16-Channel AD/DA Converter with ADAT

The Ferrofish Pulse16 is a 16-channel AD/DA converter that adds 16 balanced analog inputs and outputs to an audio interface or mixer with ADAT ports.

Conversion and ADAT

Its inputs and outputs are 1/4-inch TRS jacks, each set from -8 dBu to +20 dBu in 1 dB steps. Four ADAT ports in each direction carry all 16 channels at up to 96 kHz, or 32 channels each way at 48 kHz.

The low-latency converters run from a temperature-compensated clock with a jitter-reduction PLL. Both sides reach a 114 dB signal-to-noise ratio, and A/D latency is 0.25 ms at 48 kHz.

Routing, Screens, and Control

An internal matrix routes every analog and ADAT channel in groups of eight. The front headphone output, on its own stereo channel, monitors any mono or stereo input or output. Two color screens show all 32 analog levels and every setting, with help pages on screen.

Seven presets store routing, gains, and levels, and a panel lock guards the settings. The RemoteFish software for PC and Mac controls the unit remotely over MIDI, through its two 5-pin DIN ports.

MADI Upgrade and +24 dBu Version

An SFP port takes a MADI module: with the module and a firmware upgrade, the Pulse16 becomes a Pulse16 MX, adding 64 x 64 MADI channels and operation at up to 192 kHz. Ferrofish also builds a +24 dBu version to order, raising the maximum level of all 16 analog inputs and outputs to +24 dBu to meet the SMPTE standard. The +24 dBu option cannot be added to a unit later.

Features

• 16 balanced 1/4-inch TRS inputs and outputs
• Level from -8 dBu to +20 dBu in 1 dB steps
• 4 + 4 ADAT ports: 16 channels at 96 kHz, 32 at 48 kHz
• 114 dB signal-to-noise ratio
• Routing matrix in groups of eight
• Front headphone output for any input or output
• Two color screens with on-screen help
• Seven presets and panel lock
• Word clock input and output on BNC
• SFP port for the MADI upgrade