M-Audio announced the availability of the new ProFire Lightbridge FireWire to Lightpipe audio interface. The device interfaces up to four Lightpipe devices with a PC or Mac via FireWire perfect for integrating digital mixers and/or ADATs with most popular DAW software. And M-Audio releases a new 4 x 4 USB audio interface built specifically for DJs and the included Torq DJ software, called Conective.
The ProFire Lightbridge interface is capable of 32 channels of Lightpipe I/O, S/PDIF I/O and two-channel analog output for a total of 34 x 36 concurrent channels at 44.1 or 48kHz sample rates. With Lightpipe running 16 channels in SMUX for 88.2 or 96kHz operation, the ProFire Lightbridge offers a total of 18 x 20 concurrent channels. Independent volume controls are provided for the ¼” balanced outputs and front panel ¼” headphone jack.
The ProFire Lightbridge can output word clock as a master, or slave to external sync on any input; MIDI I/O also accommodates MIDI Time Code and MIDI Machine Control.
The following are several common scenarios in which the ProFire Lightbridge excels:
1.The ProFire Lightbridge is designed with today’s digital mixers and workflow in mind. Users can record up to 34 tracks to computer-based DAWs simultaneously from a digital mixer. By moving the mixing and automation to an external device, the computer can focus on other CPU-intensive tasks, such as plug-ins.
For studios with separate computers for DAW and soft synths or sample players, the ProFire Lightbridge offers an affordable interface with many channels for interconnection. The ProFire Lightbridge interface’s support for different audio formats ensures maximum performance.
2.Users can easily transfer tracks between an ADAT system and a computer. The ProFire Lightbridge transfers up to 32 simultaneous channels of Lightpipe at 44.1 or 48kHz. Alternately, users can transfer up to 16 channels at 88.2 or 96kHz with a SMUX-compatible device.
3.The combination of a ProFire Lightbridge with up to four award-winning M-Audio Octane 8-channel preamps results in a compact system for recording up to 32 channels of input for live shows.
Built from the ground up with DJs in mind, the Conectiv 16-bit/48kHz audio interface offers easy USB connectivity that transforms PCs and Macs into complete DJ production and performance solutions. The two large mix knobs allow users to mix the incoming audio from a turntable or CD player with the output of a connected computer. Conectiv also includes standard DJ cueing capabilities, enabling users to listen to a track in the headphones before sending it out to the house system.
Conectiv features two pairs of switchable line/phono RCA inputs for direct connection of turntables or CD players, two pairs of RCA line-level outputs, a ¼” mic input and a headphone output with cue capabilities. Conectiv offers a maximum output level of +2dBV—the same output level as other professional DJ products like CD players—representing the loudest output of any bus-powered audio interface.
Conectiv also ships with Torq, the new DJ software that is the cornerstone of the entire SynchroScience product line. This dual-platform DJ application allows users to mix, beat-match and cue a variety of digital audio file formats, including MP3, AIFF, WAV, WMA and AAC. The software automatically configures itself to work with Conectiv, making set-up extremely easy. Furthermore, Torq can be controlled via mouse, keyboard, MIDI controller or control vinyl/CDs. The program also organizes a user’s digital files into a quickly searchable database. And for additional sound shaping and performance options, Torq supports third-party VST effect plug-ins and includes both a dedicated sampler and performance recorder.
