At the Summer NAMM in 1997, Apogee Electronics released the AD-8000, to date the company’s most inclusive analog to digital converter. The new device was met with a great amount of praise from professionals and the general public. The AD-8000 was created to offer an inexpensive 8-channel digital audio device that featured true 24-bit conversion and optional interface and D/A cards. Like many of Apogee’s converters, it also features their UV22 and Soft Limit processes, something no other company offers. The AD-8000 is priced so that both large and small studio owners can afford it.
The AD-8000’s eight channels give users outstanding audio quality, including a range of more than 114 dB and THD+Noise of more than -108 dB. It includes AES/EBU outputs, and the Apogee multimedia Bus allows installation of up to four interface cards. These optional cards include the Tascam TDIF, the Alesis ADAT, the AES, and Digidesign’s Pro Tools, and multi-channel conversions can be done between any of the available cards. Both S/PDIF and AES/EBU inputs are also provided to allow for processing external digital sources, and the AD-8000 includes an S/PDIF output as well.
In addition to this hardware, expansion cards for stereo and for 8-channel 24-bit D/A are also included, giving users the option of making the AD-8000 into a complete conversion system. The source/destination switching allows for digital track bouncing, monitoring, and overdubbing features. Apogee’s proprietary software, Soft Limit, allows for maximum level without overs, while the UV22 technology translates 24-bit high resolution output into lower resolution formats.
Another feature of the AD-8000 is its metering system, which features a six-mode bar-graph interface. It displays peak and average ballistics in addition to two-second and infinite hold. Overs are shown numerically, and users can define them. The device can also synchronize to a variety of different sample rates and external signals. For those looking for video sync, an expansion card is available. Internal 44.1 and 48 kHz sample rates are included, and any external sync rates are re-clocked using Apogee’s patented Low Jitter Clock. All of this technology is contained within a 2U rack-mounted unit that features a unique purple front panel. It retails for less than $6,000.
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Guy Charbonneau talking about audio recording and Apogee Converter.
At the Summer NAMM in 1997, Apogee Electronics released the AD-8000, to date the company’s most inclusive analog to digital converter. The new device was met with a great amount of praise from professionals and the general public. The AD-8000 was created to offer an inexpensive 8-channel digital audio device that featured true 24-bit conversion and optional interface and D/A cards. Like many of Apogee’s converters, it also features their UV22 and Soft Limit processes, something no other company offers. The AD-8000 is priced so that both large and small studio owners can afford it.
