24-Bit/192kHz Audio Interfaces from E-mu

Jan 17, 2004

Click image for closeup

E-MU Systems announced its new Digital Audio Systems at NAMM -- 24-bit/192kHz PCI audio interfaces that deliver everything musicians need to produce audio on a PC, including mastering-grade converters (the same A/D converters used in Digidesign's flagship ProTools HD 192 I/O interface), hardware-accelerated effects and mixing, and seamless compatibility with all major PC audio/sequencer applications. E-MU offers three Digital Audio Systems: the E-MU 1820M, 1820 and 1212M, each matched with I/O and sync options to suit the specific needs of musicians, recording engineers and sound designers, and ship with comprehensive WDM, DirectSound and ASIO 2.0 drivers for Windows 2000 and XP. E-MU's Digital Audio Systems ship in early February 2004 and will have an estimated U.S. street price of $499.99 for the E-MU 1820M, $399.99 for the E-MU 1820 and $199.99 for the E-MU 1212M.

Hardware-accelerated Effects, Mixing and Monitoring

All three Digital Audio Systems feature E-MU's E-DSP chip, an effects processor that can deliver over 16 simultaneous hardware-accelerated effects, freeing your computer from running CPU-intensive plug-ins that limit your audio performance-- a feature only offered by the most high-priced DAWs on the market. E-MU's Digital Audio Systems ship with over 500 effects presets, and the effects architecture is fully expandable, allowing you to add more effect plug-ins to your system as needed. The E-DSP chip also provides zero-latency, hardware-based mixing and monitoring via the included PatchMix DSP mixer, delivering unmatched flexibility in routing audio between all of your physical and virtual (ASIO/WDM) inputs and outputs-- no external mixer needed.

Total Analog, Digital and Sync Connectivity

E-MU's Digital Audio Systems all feature ADAT, S/PDIF and FireWire interfaces, as well as connectivity to a family of internal and external I/O and sync options.

The E-MU 1820 Digital Audio System ships with a 24-bit/192kHz half-rackspace breakout box that offers I/O expansion with everything from pristine 1/4" balanced inputs and outputs to specialized I/O like turntable inputs (with ground lug and hardware RIAA preamp), dedicated speaker outputs and two studio-grade TFPro preamps with 48V phantom power and 40dB of gain. These preamps feature Neutrik connectors and accept mic, line and Hi-Z level inputs for total flexibility in plugging any microphone or instrument straight into the system. This breakout box also provides two sets of MIDI I/O, and is powered over the EDI (E-MU Digital Interface) cable that connects it to E-MU's PCI card-- no external power needed.

The E-MU 1820M Digital Audio System ships with a mastering-grade version of the half-rackspace breakout box that features premium 24-bit/192kHz converters-- the same A/D converters used in Digidesign's high-end ProTools HD interface. These converters deliver 120dB SNR, an incredible audio spec at any price, but more so for a system priced at less than $500.

The E-MU 1212M Digital Audio System offers the same mastering-grade converters on a I/O daughter card, providing a pair of balanced inputs and outputs as well as MIDI I/O-- the perfect solution for any application that only requires a couple channels of premium analog I/O (i.e. mastering, remixing and running virtual instruments).

E-MU 1820M I/O Configuration:

• 2 TFPro Mic Preamps (w/48V Phantom Power)
• 6 Balanced Analog Inputs
• 8 Balanced Analog Outputs
• Turntable Input (w/ Ground and RIAA Preamp)
• 8 Speaker Outputs (configurable to 7.1)
• ADAT In/Out
• S/PDIF In/Out (Coaxial)
• S/PDIF Out (Optical)
• 2 Sets of MIDI In/Out
• FireWire Interface

Sync:

• Word Clock In/Out
• SMPTE In/Out
• MTC Out

Audio software package included.

E-MU 1820 I/O Configuration:

• 2 TFPro Mic Preamps (w/48V Phantom Power)
• 6 Balanced Analog Inputs
• 8 Balanced Analog Outputs
• Turntable Input (w/ Ground and RIAA Preamp)
• Speaker Outputs (configurable to 7.1)
• ADAT In/Out
• S/PDIF In/Out (Coaxial)
• S/PDIF Out (Optical)
• 2 Sets of MIDI In/Out
• FireWire Interface

Audio software package included.

E-MU 1212M I/O Configuration:

• 2 Balanced Analog Inputs
• 2 Balanced Analog Outputs
• ADAT In/Out
• S/PDIF In/Out (Coaxial)
• MIDI In/Out
• FireWire Interface

Audio software package included.

For more information, visit their web site at www.emu.com.