FINALLY. Everything I have wanted in an interface in one package without having to buy multiple units or sacrifice certain connection points. I've had the Orion 32 for a while and I'm definitely going to be picking this up instead.
Hey there, glad you like the A32pro! Unfortunately the A32pro series aren't designed as interfaces, so you would still need to use some its I/O to connect to an interface for use with a computer!
Hello, important question, does the unit need to be pressed on to activate every session like a momentary switch, or does it have a hard switch on off, which can be left on, so the power conditioner turns on the entire rack at the same time? I ask this of both generations of the a32.
Hi and yes, both the A32 and new A32pro range will store the 'power on' state when switched off via mains or a power conditioner. This is also true for the Pulse16 Series as well.
So this can work like a summing mixer and ADAT and audio interface ? ... question is, If i connect my gear and use the monitor outputs, it will work without the need of a computer ?
Hi you still need an audio interface (with ADAT or MADI connections) as the A32pro is a standalone AD/DA converter. The USB is just for remote control and firmware updates. If you go for the Dante model, technically you can use it as an interface with Dante Virtual Soundcard / ethernet. It's also not really a summing mixer as you can't sum to 2 channels. Summing mixers are also often designed to impart some pleasing colour to the mix (whereas Ferrofish AD/DAs are meant to be transparent). If you use it with an RME interface (e.g. Digiface USB, MADIface USB, Fireface UFX III etc), you can use TotalMix FX to sum everything down to 2 channels. If i connect my gear and use the monitor outputs, it will work without the need of a computer ? - Depends what you're connecting to, but essentially yes. For example if you connect a line-level synth directly to the analogue inputs, then route that out to the analogue outputs, you could then send that signal directly to your monitors.
If I’m not mistaken the older converters required a separate interface to connect to a computer, is this the same case or can the usb on the back of the unit plug straight into a computer? Thanks so much this looks amazing
Hi and yes, both the A32pro and A32pro Dante are 'traditional' AD/DA converters, i.e. they lack a built-in means of passing audio to and from a computer. The USB connection is solely for firmware updates and remote control (via Ferrofish's RemoteFish software). As with the older devices, a sound card or interface is required to connect with a computer. An interface with MADI is ideal - we regularly spec the A32pros with MADI devices from RME (MADIface USB / HDSPe MADI FX / Fireface UFX+). (** Note that the Ferrofish A32pro Dante can in fact be used as an interface (via Ethernet) with Dante Virtual Soundcard. We wouldn't usually advise this however, as the latency and reliability isn't on par with RME's drivers.)
Could this connect somehow to the MADI out on the RND RMP-8 which has XLR type MADI, then into RME UFX+ via MADI? How do i adapt the XLR type MADI connection?
Hi I've just had a look at the RMP-8, the digital XLRs on there are for AES-3 (another digital format). However the answer is yes - you could go from the RMP-8 via Dante (ethernet) into a Ferrofish A32pro Dante, then output from the Ferrofish to an RME UFX+ via MADI. (You will also need a MADI LC to SC cable, as the Ferrofish uses LC for the MADI optical connection, and the UFX+ uses SC connectors.)
Hi, Ferrofish are remaining fairly tight-lipped about this right now, however we expect it will be some sort of additional software which can run directly from the A32pro’s DSP (such as audio plugins, or additional features for Dante users).
Is this aim to be a format converter or has a DAW Conectivity for studio aplication? mixing,,mastering,, etc. it is kind of unclear the range of use for this device. any info will be much apreciate it. dont get me wrong,looks just fantastic!
Hi Dave, it's an AD/DA and format converter, so useful anywhere you need to convert a lot of analogue, line-level audio signals into digital (and back again)! In the studio its main use is for expanding an audio interface with more analogue inputs and outputs. You may want to record with analogue mixing consoles, or send audio out to other studio equipment such as hardware effects (compressors, EQs and Reverbs). Or you may just want to record a bunch of instruments like synthesisers. See our article here for more info; www.synthax.co.uk/latest/2020/07/31/more-inputs-outputs-audio-interface-rme-ferrofish/ For live audio, larger productions will usually run a high number of channels, often as part of the playback rig. So the Ferrofish can be useful in live music for sending large number of channels to the monitoring engineer or FOH engineer. In Broadcast, engineers also often work with high channel counts - for example in live sport coverage, where you have a bunch of different audio feeds going off in different directions. Or for when an engineer needs a smaller location rig - see our article with Rob Ashard here; www.synthax.co.uk/latest/2021/02/04/rob-ashard-ferrofish-a32-dante-bbc-itv-graham-norton/
Hi and yes, we've actually had a few customers recently purchasing Ferrofish converters for this exact reason (working with Dolby Atmos). Note that the Ferrofish is a standalone AD/DA converter however, so you still need a traditional interface or soundcard to connect it with a Mac or PC (such as those from RME, which gives you things like proper level and routing control). If you only require 12 outputs (as in a 7.4.1 system), Ferrofish also have 16-channel versions called the Ferrofish Pulse 16 Series. They're less expensive than the A32pros and may be all you need. Available in three versions; Ferrofish Pulse 16 (ADAT only) Ferrofish Pulse 16 MX (ADAT & MADI) Ferrofish Pulse 16 DX (ADAT, MADI & Dante) See the full range on our website here; www.synthax.co.uk/ferrofish/ferrofish-ad-da-converters/
@@SynthaxAudioUK I contacted Ferrofish over a week ago using their official contact me facility. Unfortunately, they haven’t responded. It’s strange that this information is not published anywhere!
Ah okay, I do know they're currently extremely busy preparing for the NAMM Show 2022 (and then Infocomm straight after that). They're a small team but I'm sure they'll get back to you once they're finished with all the trade show madness! Equally if that information becomes available anytime soon we'll post it here for you.
