The Akai Professional DPS24 MKII Digital Personal Studio combines a 24-track 24bit hard disk recorder/editor, a 46-channel automated digital mixer with a complete studio monitoring section, 4 stereo effects processors with FX library, a programmable patch-bay and a mastering suite with built-in CD-RW drive, in one extremely powerful desktop unit. New to the DPS24MKII is 5.1 surround mixing.

Extended information

With its generous complement of dedicated keys, rotary encoders, and motorized faders, the DPS24 MKII's tactile user interface provides direct access to all commonly used functions, without requiring that you cursor your way through endless menus and peer at countless LCD pages just to make some small but significant adjustment.

The DPS24 MKII offers extensive and expandable connectivity: numerous analog I/Os using high-quality AD/DA converters, multiple digital I/Os, Wordclock, MIDI, USB, and even SCSI and SMPTE options.

Its custom real-time multi-tasking Operating System and dedicated hardware saves you from the headaches of computer-based configurations, conflicts and crashes. Ease-of-use and reliability are the keys of the DPS24 MKII.

However, the DPS24 MKII also communicates very well with computer systems: complete audio import/export features are included, using standard Data CD and Hard disk formats, and the free akSys TrackView software allows you, with a simple USB connection to your PC, to view your projects on a large monitor, see waveforms scrolling across the screen and see detailed metering. The display also shows timecode, edit points and locate markers, track names/status and more. The free akSysServer utility can also be used to transfer files to/from your DPS24 MKII and PC via USB.

Unlike most all-in-one studios, the DPS24 MKII does not suffer from the compromises of such systems. It is comparable to a component system, but in a box.For instance, the recorder/editor offers as many track keys as physical tracks (i.e. 24) and you can seamlessly punch-in/out individual tracks on-the-fly. It features sample accurate editing with sample accurate waveform display and analog-like multi-track audio scrubbing thanks to its dedicated jog/shuttle wheel, including varispeed and reverse playback. Both non-destructive copy/paste editing and off-line DSP functions such as timestretch and pitchshift are provided.

As another example, the digital mixer uses professional 100mm touch-sensitive motorized faders for easy and accurate control of the dynamic automation, which supports overwrite, auto-drop, return and trim modes.

Apart from the obvious requirements you would expect from a digital studio (but so rarely get!), it's the small details that also make the DPS24 MKII unique in its field. Things like MAIN/NEARFIELD and MONO monitoring switchable from the front panel for 'reference checking' a mix, STUDIO outputs with built-in talkback for talent "cue mix", direct ADC inputs to connect outboard preamps bypassing the internal input stage, etc.

The only true 24-track 24bit linear professional hardware workstation on the market. The most open system for expansion and communication with other systems. The best sounding integrated system in this price range, with 24bit/96kHz support.

Applications:
# Serious Home Studio / Private Commercial Studio, aspiring Audio Engineer, Semi-pro / Pro Musician
# Live recording, small venue live sound, Radio/Jingle Production, Houses of Worship

Technical specifications

1) True 24-Track Hard disk Recorder:
* 24 mono tracks, 24bit uncompressed, 256 virtual tracks per Project
* 24 Track select keys, with Track Punch on-the-fly
* Up to 24 tracks simultaneous recording, for live recording or digital transfers
* Up to 24 channels of ADAT Digital Inputs/Outputs, with sample accurate ADAT Sync

2) Full-featured onboard Editing:
* Sample accurate editing, with sample accurate scrolling Waveform display and tape-like audio scrubbing
* Non-destructive editing: Copy, Cut, Erase, Insert, Paste, Repeat, Move
* Off-line DSP features: TimeStretch, PitchShift, BPM Match, Varispeed, Reverse, Normalize, Resample
* Multi-level Undo/Red

3) Digital Mixer:
* 46 channels (12 mono inputs, 1 stereo Aux input, 24 mono track returns, 4 stereo FX returns)
* Digital EQ and Dynamics processors on every mono channel (inputs and tracks), with onboard libraries
* Surround Mixing (5.1, LCRS and Quad) ready
* Onboard dynamic and snapshot automation
* 13 professional 100mm long-throw, touch-sensitive motorized faders
* 18 encoders for real-time control of parameters
* Monitor section with Main/Nearfield outputs, stereo studio cue output with built-in talkback microphone

4) Effects processing:
* 4 simultaneous 56bit stereo FX: Reverb, Chorus, Flanger, Delay, Phaser, Wah, Pitch Shift/Correction...
* FX Library with Snapshot automation
* Flexible routing allows real-time processing through outboard equipment, including digital plug-ins hosts

5) Onboard Mastering:
* 46 Channels > 2 to internal Mixdown recorder (46 > 6 in 5.1 Surround mode)
* Multi-band Compressor/Expander for stereo Mastering
* Sample Rate conversion and Bit Depth dithering
* Track-at-Once and Disk-at-Once CD burning

6) Most open system:
* Standard FAT32 disk format, Broadcast WAV audio files
* Extensive multi-track audio Import/Export and data backup features via IDE, SCSI and USB
* ADAT lightpipe I/Os, ADAT Sync out and ADAT LRC remote support
* Standard 5 1/4" IDE bay for CD-RW or removable hard drive
* Four ADC Ins "bypass" inputs for outboard preamps
* Free ak.Sys TrackView software provides SVGA metering and 24-track scrolling waveform display, plus mouse/keyboard based editing
* Expansion slots design for future upgrades

Specifications:
Sampling Rate 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz
Quantization Bit 24 bit/16 bit, uncompressed
Number of Playback Tracks 24 mono Tracks up to 48kHz / 12 Tracks at 88.2kHz and 96kHz
Number of Record Tracks 24 mono Tracks up to 48kHz
12 Tracks at 88.2kHz and 96kHz
Number of Virtual Tracks 256 Virtual Tracks per Project
Recording Media Internal IDE Hard disk or external Wide-SCSI Hard disk
File Format / Audio format Single partition FAT32 / Broadcast WAV (linear)
Recording Time per 10 GB @ 24bit/44.1kHz Approx. 21 hrs. 35 min. (24 tracks x 54 min. 10 sec.)
Recording Time per 10 GB @ 24bit/96kHz Approx. 9 hrs. 55 min. (12 tracks x 49 min. 45 sec.)
Mixer Channels 46 (12 mono inputs, 1 stereo input, 24 track returns, 4 stereo FX returns) @ 48kHz
24 (6 mono inputs, 1 stereo inputs, 12 track returns, 2 stereo FX returns) @ 96kHz
Mixer Busses 20 (8 groups, 4 FX sends, 4 Aux sends, stereo master and solo) @ 48kHz
16 (8 groups, 2 FX sends, 2 Aux sends, stereo master and solo) 96kHz
Channel EQ 3-band semi-parametric (20 Hz -20kHz, +/- 24dB) on every mono channel
Channel Dynamics Compressor/Expander and Noise Gate on every mono channel
Internal FX 4 simultaneous processors at 48kHz / 2 at 96kHz
Onboard preamps 12 x Mic/Line switchable preamps with gain trim and tri-color signal LED
ADC 24bit/96k 128-times oversampling, enhanced dual bit delta/sigma modulation
DAC 24bit/96k 8-times oversampling, advanced segment delta/sigma modulation
Dynamic Rang 104dB or more (30kHz LPF, FS=44.1kHz)
Distortion Ratio 0.003% or less (1kHz, 44.1kHz)
Channel Crosstalk 80dB or less (10kHz referenced, 100 ohms terminated)
Analog Audio Inputs Inputs A (1-12):
12 x 1/4" TRS Phone/XLR Combo Jack - balanced [Phantom Power provided for XLR connection in banks of 4]
Inputs B (1-12):
12 x 1/4" TRS Phone Jack - balanced
Hi-Z (DI):
1 x 1/4" Phone Jack - unbalanced
ADC In 1-4:
4 x 1/4" TRS Phone Jack - balanced
Stereo AUX In:
2 x 1/4" TRS Phone Jack - balanced
2-Track In:
2 x RCA - unbalanced
Analog Audio Outputs Stereo Out:
2 x 1/4" TRS Phone Jack - balanced
Main (Monitor):
2 x 1/4" TRS Phone Jack - balanced
Nearfield (Monitor):
2 x 1/4" TRS Phone Jack - balanced
Direct Out (1-4):
4 x 1/4" TRS Phone Jack - balanced
AUX Sends (1-4):
4 x 1/4" TRS Phone Jack - balanced
Stereo Headphone Outputs:
2 x Stereo Phone Jack - adjustable
Digital Audio Input 1 x RCA (SPDIF) 2-channels assignable
1 x Toslink Optical (stereo SPDIF / 8-channel ADAT, switchable)
Digital Audio Output 1 x RCA (SPDIF) Master Output
1 x Toslink Optical (stereo SPDIF / 8-channel ADAT, switchable)
Wordclock 1 x BNC - In/Out switchable
Footswitch 1 x 1/4 Phone Jack - also accepts ADAT LRC remote
MIDI 3 x 5pin DIN - IN, OUT, THRU
ASCII Keyboard 1 x 6pin Mini-DIN, PS2
USB 1 x Slave v1.1, for connection to computer
Internal IDE Drives 1 x 80GB Hard disk and 1 x CD-RW drive
Display 320 x 240 dots grey-scale graphic LCD with back light, with adjustable angle
Time Display 8 x 7-segment LED display, Time Code or Bar/Beat/Clock display
Power AC 120V 60Hz (US, Canada), 110W
Dimensions
(W x H x D) 28.6" x 7.5" x 22.8"
(726mm x 190mm x 579mm)
Weight 40lbs (18kg)
Options IB-24LTC - SMPTE/EBU LTC Reader/Generator Interface Board
IB-24ADT - 16in/16out ADAT Interface Board w/ADAT Sync
IB-24SCSI - 68pin Wide SCSI Interface Board