Digital Audio Denmark AX64 Base Unit with DADlink Module

The Digital Audio Denmark AX64 is a versatile and modular multi-format audio interface with 8 slots for the acclaimed audio I/O cards known from the AX32 and Penta product family. Up to 8 analog cards can be installed, providing 64 analog input or output audio channels with the renowned DAD high-end sonic quality. This AX64 configuration features the DADlink module pre-installed. This enables you to connect to other DADlink-compatible hardware units with an ultra-fast connection.

With tons of channels, a wide palette of digital connectivity, built-in SPQ processing, Eucon control compatibility, internal summing engine and drivers for macOS and Windows 10, it is a pristine digital audio interface by any measure and is suited for just about any application. In short, AX64 is the ultimate modular multi-format interface, which is ready to take on a wealth of tasks in the Post Production, Studio, Live Music and Installed Audio spheres.

• 1744 available input and output channels
• Multi-format audio A/D, D/A and D/D converter
• Digital router and monitoring interface (analog expansion option available)
• Thunderbolt 3 I/O (256 channels)
• Dante AoIP I/O (256 channels)
• MADI I/O (64 channels) onboard
• MADI SFP I/O module option available (128 channels, not included)
• ADAT I/O (16 channels)
• 8 slots for optional multi-format DAD I/O cards
• 512 x 64 channel Pro | Mon summing and speaker EQ processing

DAW INTERFACING

With Dante, MADI and ADAT ports onboard, native interfaces and versatile and flexible DADman routing control available, it is a stellar A/D, D/A and D/D converter that can grab any digital audio channel – convert it if needed – and route it anywhere. Another application would be as a dedicated audio interface for your DAW. Whether you run Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Nuendo, Cubase, Ableton Live, Digital Performer or any other DAW, AX64 is your super low-latency entrance. With the ADAT, MADI and Dante connectivity, you can easily add analog preamps or insert points to the mix.

CONTROL

The Thunder|Core Audio interface is controlled via the DADman software. DADman can connect to the Thunder|Core interface either via Ethernet or via a communication channel in the Thunderbolt connection. More units can be daisy chained via the Thunderbolt ports, and each unit will appear in DADman control software. Using control over Ethernet the two RJ45 connectors acts as a switch for connection to more units. The Dante /AES67 audio is also passed on the two RJ45 connectors.

DADLINK MODULE

The pre-installed DADlink module enables you to connect to other DADlink-compatible hardware units with an ultra-fast connection. DADlink is a proprietary audio and data format that establishes a super-fast highway between DADlink-compatible units such as AX64, AX Center, Core 256, AX32, and more. Depending on the sample rate, you can transfer up to 256 bidirectional channels between units at zero latency on two optical fibers. Sample rates from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz are supported, and the dynamic range is a staggering 237 dB, ensuring a fast and reliable transfer at the highest audio quality imaginable. In fact, DADlink is not only the fastest track from DAD to DAD units, as some units by NTP Technology are also compatible with the DADlink format. Compatible with AX64, AX Center, Core 256, AX32, Penta 720, and Penta 721s Series.

The DADlink format supports the following sample rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, 352.8.8 kHz and 384 kHz. The maximum number of bidirectional channels to run via DADlink depends on the sample rate you are using – lower samples rates equals higher channel counts.

• 44.1 kHz/48 kHz = 128 channels
• 88.2 kHz/96 kHz = 64 channels
• 176.4 kHz/192 kHz = 32 channels
• 352.8.8 kHz/384 kHz = 16 channels

FEATURES

The basic I/O configuration for the AX64 multi-format interface is:

• Two Thunderbolt 3 ports (each with 15 W power)
• 256 bidirectional channels at 48 and 96 kHz
• ASIO/Core audio Thunderbolt PCIe drivers
• MADI/BNC-Optional 2 x SFP/BNC MADI
• ADAT/Litepipe (16 channels)
• Dante: 256 channels at 48 kHz, 128 channels at 96 kHz, 64 channels at 192 kHz (IP Core)
• WC I/O SPQ: 64 channels with 16 filters
• Pro|Mon Support Summing Processor 64 output/512 input busses
• Internal outer: 4096 x 4096
• 32-bit floating point processing
• 8 slots for any available expansion cards
• Avid Eucon-enabled devices via DADman
• Apple Silicon M1 and Intel compatible software
• Control via Ethernet or Thunderbolt connection