Audient ASP008

Description

ASP008 offers 8 channels of Audient’s premium mic pres packaged in a convenient 1U rack with digital output option for AES/ADAT. This provides the perfect upgrade for any user looking to step up to a world class quality of recording. Audient’s mic pres and A/D converters will bypass the mic pres and converters in your multi channel interface and bring warmth, clarity and punch to everything you record. Don’t take our word for it, get down to your local dealer and ask for a demo.

For a quick test, plug a bass guitar into the DI input and check out the solid bottom end, then plug in a decent mic, try out some quick vocals and listen to the dynamic subtleties you can capture with the ASP008 plus the amazing crispness of the top end. There is a fantastic smoothness to s and f sounds recorded through ASP008 and they are distinctly different from each other. Many traditional designs suffer from a blurring between s and f sounds making vocals much less present and distinct.

Specifications

Controls

48V: Phantom Power ON/OFF with 'soft start' feature to avoid thumps
INST/DI: CH 1&2 only. Selects jack instrument input with input impedance 1 MΩ
-20dB: 20dB Pad (CH1&2 ONLY)
LINE: Selects Line level input with input impedance of 10 kΩ
Polarity: Polarity invert
Filter: Selects 12 dB/octave Hi-Pass filter - range 25 Hz to 250 Hz
PK: Indicates signal levels within 4 dB of clipping
SIG: Indicates signal levels above -25 dBu
I/P Z: Input impedance select 200/1200/5000 Ω
GAIN: MIC/DI 0 to 60 dB. LINE -20 to 40 dB
Sample Rate: Selectable 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz
Dither: Selectable 16/20/24 bit

Interfaces

MIC Input: Electronically balanced XLR with variable input impedance
LINE Input: Electronically balanced 25 pin D wired to DA88 standard
INST/DI Input: Unbalanced front panel mounted jack
LINE Output: Electronically balanced 25 pin D wired to DA88 standard
Digital output: Optional 48/96 kHz AES, S/PDIF and 48kHz ADAT light-pipe
Ext Word Clock: BNC

Performance

Maximum input/output level: +21.5 dBu
THD: Typically better than 0.007% at 1 kHz any gain setting
EIN: Better than -127.5 dB @ 60d B gain/ref 150 Ω
Frequency Response: -0.3 dB @10 Hz to -3 dB @300 kHz at unity gain
CMRR: Better than 75 dB at 1 kHz and 60 dB gain

Dimensions: 480mm x 278mm x 44mm
Weight: 4.5 Kg
Power consumption: 40 watts

Mic pre design

Audient uses an 8 transistor, discrete Class A design to provide a low distortion, low noise front end to your system. With 60dB of gain available it will handle any signal you can throw at it.

Line inputs

A D-Sub on the rear allows 8 line inputs to be connected to the ASP008. The Line button switches this input through the unit, providing a simple way to feed your line sources into your recording system, either through the line outputs or via the A/D converters.

Variable high pass filter

With a variable potentiometer to adjust the cut off frequency, the HPF can be used to roll off low end rumble and unnecessary bass frequencies. The result is a clean, ready to record signal that will sit straight in the mix without further processing.

Variable impedance switch

Ribbon mics love this feature! Many mic pres don’t operate at the optimum impedance for ribbon mics, often taking the sheen off the sound. ASP008 will offer impedances up to 5000 ohms and 60dB of gain, perfect for all ribbon mics out there. Non ribbon mic users can enjoy the tonal differences possible with one mic simply by switching impedances.

Digital Output option

Audient knows a thing or two about converters. Although ASP008 was our first venture into A/D conversion, the design team has been working on converter design for some 20 years. We use the best converter chips available and take great care in both the analogue and digital stages to ensure we offer conversion that competes with the best out there.

The ASP008 converter offers up to 96kHz/24bit resolution through AES or ADAT connections.

Super channels

ASP008 has two channels that can take high impedance signals as well as mic signals. You can plug a guitar or bass straight into the front panel and enjoy to best DI sound available. A -20dB switch lets you pad down the signal if necessary.

Digital Card Option

A digital output option card is available to give AES/EBU and ADAT outputs. The card supports sample rates of up to 96kHz over ADAT S/MUX.