NTP DAD Core 256 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with DADlink Module

The NTP DAD Core 256 may not take up much space, but the power you can squeeze out of this little box might just make your jaw drop to the floor. 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 for just about any application.

The size and shape of Core 256 fits nicely for sharing a 1U rack shelf with a Mac Mini running Dolby Atmos Renderer, Dolby Atmos Production Suite or Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite. For immersive audio post production facilities, this solution will represent the missing link that streamlines and optimizes the multichannel workflows seamlessly.

This configuration features the DADlink module pre-installed. This enables you to connect to other DADlink-compatible hardware units with an ultra-fast connection.

• 848 Input and Output Channels
• Digital Router and Monitoring Interface
• Thunderbolt 3 I/O (256 channels)
• Dante AoIP I/O (256 channels)
• MADI BNC I/O (64 channels)
• MADI SFP I/O module option (128 channels)
• ADAT dual TosLink I/O (16 channels)
• 512x64 channels Pro|Mon Summing and Speaker EQ Processing

THE ULTIMATE DIGITAL BRIDGE

Even though it is a tiny Dolby Atmos hero, Core 256 is of course ready to take on a wealth of other tasks in the Post Production, Studio and Installed Audio spheres. With Dante, MADI and ADAT ports onboard and versatile and flexible DADman routing control available, it is also a stellar 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, Core 256 is your super low-latency entrance. And 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.

THUNDER | CORE NEAR-ZERO LATENCY

The DAD Thunder|Core Technology provides a Thunderbolt 3 connection with near-zero latency for interfacing between audio applications on macOS or Windows computers and the Thunder|Core audio hardware. The interface provides a fast Thunderbolt 3/PCIe connection and data transfer with 2 samples latency on the connection and a total of 9 samples in the digital interface, as total also includes EQ and summing processing within the unit. The channel capacity is up to 256 audio channels at 48 and 96 kHz, and the latency at 96kHz is 95 microseconds. The total round-trip latency with an audio software application will depend on the buffer size set for the application. With a buffer size of 32 samples, the latency is 670 microseconds at 96 kHz.

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

NTP DAD CORE 256 THUNDERBOLT 3 AUDIO INTERFACE WITH DADLINK MODULE FEATURES:

The basic I/O configuration for the Core 256 interface is:

• 2 Thunderbolt 3 Ports (each with 15W power)
• 256 Bidirectional Channels at 48 & 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 96kHz (IP Core)
• WC I/O
• SPQ: 64 channels with 16 Filters
• Pro|Mon Support
• Summing Processor 64 Output / 512 Input Busses
• Internal Router: 1500 x 1500
• 32bit Floating Point Processing
• Avid Eucon Enabled Devices via DADman
• APPLE Silicon M1 and Intel Compatible Software
• Control via Ethernet or Thunderbolt Connection
• 12V DC External Power (Max 60W)
• ½ Rack Unit, 1U Height