Dangerous Music CONVERT-AD+

Pre-order product: ships within 5 days of payment.

Stereo A/D converter

If you thought all A/D converters were alike, the CONVERT-AD+ will surprise you. In a single rack unit, this stereo analogue-to-digital converter combines transparent conversion with colour and control tools designed for mastering and recording. It is aimed at engineers who want a single reference conversion stage that can also colour the signal on demand.

• Dual switchable input: choose between two stereo analogue inputs at the push of a button
• ClipGuard: hides the clip indicator on the destination (your DAW, for example)
• Zoomable VU meters: focus on the loudest 10 dB of the track to better monitor dynamics
• Switchable transformers: insert a pair of Hammond transformers to colour the signal
• Emphasis control: adds a shelving EQ and compression combination that changes the saturation character

Two sources, one converter

At the push of a button, the CONVERT-AD+ switches between two balanced stereo line sources. This is handy for comparing two analogue chains, or for moving from one mastering chain to another without repatching. Three calibration levels are available, and six sample rates can be selected, or detected automatically to match the rest of the studio.

X-FORMER and EMPHASIS: colour on demand

The X-FORMER button inserts a pair of customised Hammond transformers, wired in series, into the signal path. With the transformers engaged, the EMPHASIS control blends in a proprietary combination of shelving EQ and compression that works on second-order harmonic distortion. Dangerous Music describes the result as a stronger low end and gentle saturation in the mids and highs. The control goes from none to the full effect.

Metering and ClipGuard

The digital meter has a normal mode and a Peak Hold mode. Its zoom shows only the top 10 dB of the signal, where the dynamics of a master are decided. ClipGuard turns the CONVERT-AD+'s over indicator from green to yellow and switches off the clip LED on the destination. Note: it is not a limiter. The audio is not changed, and audible clipping remains audible.

JetPLL clock

The clock uses patented JetPLL technology, licensed from Sonopsis, to reduce jitter. Word clock runs in internal, external or master mode: the CONVERT-AD+ can serve as the studio's master clock.

Specifications

• Format: 1U rackmount
• Inputs: 2 switchable balanced stereo analogue line inputs
• Calibration: 3 selectable levels
• Sample rates: 6 selectable rates or auto-sensing
• Digital outputs: dual AES, ADAT optical, S/PDIF optical, S/PDIF coaxial
• Clock: JetPLL, internal, external or master word clock
• Colour: Hammond transformers (X-FORMER), EMPHASIS EQ and compression
• Metering: normal and Peak Hold modes, zoom on the top 10 dB
• USB connection to Mac and PC

To complete a Dangerous Music mastering chain, see also the Dangerous Music BAX EQ.