JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.
Stock up on studio essentials before your next session. Explore top selling gear from the best brands.
Checkout using your account
This form is protected by reCAPTCHA - the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Checkout as a new customer
Creating an account has many benefits:
BURL Audio has long been synonymous with innovation and exceptional audio quality, earning a reputation for redefining digital conversion with the brand’s renowned Mothership series. From world-class recording studios to project setups, the BURL Mothership has become a trusted tool for engineers looking to add vintage vibe to modern digital recordings.
Now, BURL is expanding its legacy with the introduction of BURL BLACK—three new daughter cards deliver even more channels of the brand’s signature all-discrete, Class A conversion for a fraction of the price.
Powered by the new and improved Mothership 3—the first major revision of the Mothership platform in years—BURL BLACK unlocks unprecedented channel counts and unparalleled flexibility for studios ready to push their limits without compromising on sound quality.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the three new BURL BLACK series daughter cards, as well as the new features of the Mothership 3.
BURL BLACK is the perfect solution for recording musicians, project studios, and professional facilities in need of high-channel-count recording systems, delivering exceptional performance at a more accessible price point than BURL's flagship GREEN line.
BURL BLACK retains the core elements that BURL Audio is known for—discrete, Class A, transformer-coupled analog circuitry for ADCs and discrete op-amp outputs for DACs. However, the BLACK line is designed with higher channel density, offering more channels per card at a lower cost.
While BURL GREEN remains the top choice for those prioritizing absolute audio fidelity, the BLACK series outperforms most competitors in its price range, making it a game-changer for budget-conscious professionals.
BURL BLACK introduces three new daughter cards for the modular Mothership 3 AD/DA interface. Let’s take a closer look at what each of the new converter cards has to offer.
The BAD16 daughter card offers 16 channels of BURL’s signature all-discrete, Class A, transformer-coupled analog-to-digital conversion in a single module. Designed with the latest NextGen BX8 input transformers, the BAD16 offers the same rich, harmonically complex sound engineers have come to expect from BURL, but with a higher channel count and lower cost.
The BDA16 daughter card brings 16 channels of BURL’s renowned op-amp-driven digital-to-analog conversion into the new BLACK series. Featuring the latest NextGen analog design and the BOPA14 op-amp, the BDA16 is built to deliver the same warmth and depth that BURL users expect, but with increased channel density and at a more accessible price point.
The BDA12 ORCA daughter card takes BURL Audio’s Class A digital-to-analog conversion to new heights, combining 12 channels of pristine DAC with an integrated stereo monitor section. Featuring BURL’s NextGen analog circuitry and the BOPA14 op-amp, the BDA12 ORCA is designed to deliver the same warmth, clarity, and depth that BURL is known for.
But the BDA12 ORCA offers more than just output channels—it includes a stereo Class A speaker and headphone monitor section, allowing users to hear their mixes with unmatched accuracy and detail. This makes the BDA12 ORCA an excellent choice for those seeking a compact but powerful solution that integrates high-quality monitoring with top-tier conversion.
When paired with a BAD16 in a B16 chassis, the BDA12 ORCA delivers a streamlined 16-in, 12-out setup with built-in monitoring—an all-in-one system for those who need exceptional sound and control without compromising on space or budget.
Mothership 3 represents a major leap forward from its predecessor, unlocking the full potential of BURL’s modular converter system. With the B80 and B16 Mothership 3 systems, up to 64 channels of I/O are possible per daughter card slot.
With these capabilities, the B80 Mothership 3 now supports a maximum of 128 channels of I/O with BMB2-MADI or BMB3-DANTE at 44.1kHz or 48kHz. In smaller setups, the B16 chassis can accommodate 32 channels of I/O, offering an efficient solution for mid-sized studios.
In addition to unlocking the full channel count of the Mothership system, the new Mothership 3 BMBx Motherboards automatically configure daughter card I/O mapping.
Thanks to a new intercommunication protocol between the Mothership 3 motherboards and daughter cards, the system instantly recognizes the specific cards installed, eliminating the need for manual jumper settings.
With Mothership 3, any combination of daughter cards—whether ADCs or DACs—can be installed in any slot. The motherboard will automatically map the channels in the correct order, assigning the leftmost input as channel 1 IN and the leftmost output as channel 1 OUT.
This dynamic mapping system allows users to intermingle input and output cards as needed, providing unmatched flexibility for complex setups.
Speaking of streamlined jumper settings, another advantage of the new Mothership 3 design is its automatic AVID Delay Compensation.
Both the B16 and B80 Mothership 3 models with the BMB1-Digilink will automatically configure delay matching for all daughter cards. This seamless integration means users no longer need to manually adjust jumper settings, further streamlining the workflow.
Mothership 3 marks the beginning of a new chapter, with all new motherboards and daughter cards programmed to support the new platform. While the BURL GREEN line remains compatible with both Mothership 2 and Mothership 3 (via the D Jumper setting), BURL BLACK is exclusive to Mothership 3.
For users looking to upgrade, Mothership 3 promises broader functionality, higher channel counts, and automatic I/O configuration, ensuring compatibility with future BURL Audio developments.
* Required Fields
exclamation-circle
