Inherent in the traditional recording, track laying and mixing process is the need to (as Diana Ross put it) reach out and touch. Reach out and select a track for recording, reach out and grab an EQ knob for adjustment, reach out and tweak an effect setting, reach out and add more of that effect and all whilst your track is playing so you can truly interact with your music as it is happening. Unfortunately, compact 'digital studios' have forgotten this basic concept requiring instead that first you stop playback before you can do anything and then that you cursor your way through endless menus and peer at countless LCD pages just to make some small but significant adjustment.

Extended information

The DPS24 changes all this. With its generous complement of dedicated keys and rotary encoders, changes are only an arm's length away.

Hit the Q-STRIP keys and use the 12 rotary encoders above the faders to adjust pan or effects sends, hit the Q-CHANNEL key and use the 12 encoders to adjust a channel's entire parameter set, hit the FX key and use the six Q-LINK encoders to adjust effects settings.

And all of this is achieved in a truly multi-tasking, real-time Operating System that doesn't require you to stop playback in order to carry out the simplest of tasks. Simply go with the flow of your music and work intuitively and instinctively.

Add to this a chunky set of transport keys, a dedicated jog wheel for true multi-track 'reel-rocking' and you begin to get the feeling that it's you that's in charge, not the machine's arcane operating system.

Of course, none of this would be of any use if the technical performance and specifications were lacking. No such fear on the DPS24!

24-tracks of uncompressed 16/24-bit recording at 44.1 / 48 / 96kHz (*) for absolute audio quality and a 46-channel automated digital mixer with professional, long throw (100mm), touch sensitive motorised faders.

The rotary encoders have a collar of LEDs around them so that you can see at a glance what their values are whilst the large LCD gives precise feedback about how your track is shaping up with a graphic representation of audio cues on a scrolling track sheet.

Detailed, sample accurate audio editing with waveform display offers copy, cut, paste, insert, move, etc., with 20 levels of undo/redo to perfect your recordings whilst the DSP functions comprise stereo timestretch, pitch shift, BPM match and others.

Move around your masterpiece with ease using the DPS24's advanced autolocator that provides up to 100 nameable locate positions per project or simply fast forward/rewind with 'tape chatter' for a familiar tape-like response.


But 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 unique in its field......


Things like MAIN/NEARFIELD and MONO monitoring switchable from the front panel for 'reference checking' a mix; things like a 2-track master monitor switch that allows you not only to listen back to a mix from your preferred mastering device at any time but also during mixdown for 'confidence monitoring'.

And things like a two-channel talkback system with a built-in console mic with level control and a dedicated switch that allows you to set up a studio foldback mix on the control room's monitoring. There are also four configurable mono or stereo effects/aux sends that can either feed the internal 4-channel effects processor or external outboard effects (or, indeed, any combination)

Balanced XLRs and balanced TRS jacks on all inputs allow 24 sound sources to remain connected to the DPS24 without re-patching and the balanced insert points on Inputs 1-4 also double as direct ADC inputs for use with seriously professional external pre-amps of your preference.

There's also a stereo aux input for bringing in sub-mixers.



DPS24 AK.SYS TRACKVIEW

ak.Sys 'Trackview' for the DPS24 allows you, with a simple USB connection to your Windows PC, to view your projects on a large monitor.

See cues scrolling across the screen and see detailed metering.

The display also shows timecode, edit points and locate markers, track status and more.

DPS24 ak.Sys can also be used to transfer files to/from your DPS24 and PC.


.WAV IMPORT

The DPS24 allows you to import .wav files (mono, stereo or multi-track) from other systems. Just pop in a CD (or hook up a drive to the optional SCSI connector) and then import them directly into your project. The .WAV IMPORT function allows you to import anything from a mono sound effect or stereo drumloop to a multi-track project created on another manufacturer's system. This makes the DPS24 one of the most compatible hardware disk recorders in the market today.

EXTERNAL DRIVE SUPPORT

Worried that noise from the DPS24 is going to affect your acoustic recording or mixing sessions? Don't! For a start, the DPS24 runs cool and doesn't have a fan but, yes, it's true, the internal disk can make noises which, however minimal, may concern you.

Don't worry - it is possible to connect external drives to the DPS24 via the (optional) SCSI board and record to and playback from them allowing you to mount your 'project drive' away from the recording / mixing / monitoring area for silent operation.


REAR PANEL

The rear panel is where the DPS24 interfaces with the rest of your studio. Across the top are the 24 balanced analogue inputs, below those are the balanced insert points for connection to professional outboard equipment such as compressors, gates, etc. The balanced insert returns can be used to connect professional external pre-amps or channel strips.


The rear panel also sports a wide range of other connectors such as the various outputs, digital I/O, wordclock, MIDI IN/OUT/THRU, USB (for use with DPS24 ak.Sys 'Trackview') and a programmable footswitch Three option slots are provided for future expansion.



DPS24 KEY FEATURES

24-tracks of uncompressed audio recording/playback
24-bit/96kHz operation (*)
46-channel digital automated mixer with 100mm long throw, touch sensitive motorised faders
Each channel comprises level, pan, 3-band semi-parametric EQ, dynamics and 4 x sends.
24 analogue inputs (12 x 2 switchable A/B)
Multi-Purpose Light Pipe (MPLP) digital I/O (can be stereo spdif or 8 channel ADAT™)
Stereo digital I/O (spdif or AES/EBU)
AUX INPUT for connecting submixers
Balanced connections on all analogue input
Balanced connections on all analogue outputs
Inputs 1-4 feature balanced analogue insert points
Inputs 1-4's insert returns can double as direct ADC inputs allowing the use of external pre-amps
4-channel FX processor each offering over 50 effects including a real time vocal pitch corrector
Two channel Talkback system (2 x mono talkback channels or 1 x stereo talkback)
Internal Talkback mic to dedicated 'Studio' monitor outputs
Q-STRIP allows control of pan and aux sends from the 12 rotary channel encoders.
Q-CHANNEL puts all the controls for an entire mixer channel on the 12 rotary encoders
Q-LINK makes editing on-screen parameters quick and easy
The large, chunky transport controls also include special 'edit play' keys for quick auditioning
Autolocator stores/recalls up to 100 locate points per project on dedicated keys
Dedicated jog wheel for multi-track jogging
Multi-track audio editing functions offering copy, cut erase, paste, insert, move, etc.
DSP functions include stereo timestretch, pitch shift, BPM match, normalise, reverse, etc..
Real-time varispeed
20 levels of UNDO/REDO
256 'virtual' tracks
MAIN and NEARFIELD monitor outputs (switchable)
MONO monitoring
External timecode sync (MTC or optional SMPTE/EBU).
Hi-Z input for DI of guitar and bass guitar - just plug in and play!

Technical specifications

Operating Temperature 10degrees- 35degrees celsius
Operating Humidity 10% - 60% (without condensation)
Dimensions (mm) 726 (W) x 190 (H) x 579 (D) max. (with LCD tilted down)
Weight 17.8kg (without drive)
Display 320 x 240 dots STN graphic LCD with back light
Sampling Rate 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz (*)
Quantization Bit 24 bit/16 bit Linear
Recording Media Internal IDE Hard disk
Recording Time With 10Gbyte Hard disk drive (24bit)
FS=96kH Approx. 9 hrs. 55 min. (12 tracks x 49 min. 45 sec.)
FS=48kH Approx. 19 hrs. 50 min. (24 tracks x 49 min. 45 sec.)
FS=44.1kH Approx. 21 hrs. 35 min. (24 tracks x 54 min. 10 sec.)
FS=32kHz Approx. 29 hrs. 50 min. (24 tracks x 1 hour 14 min.)
Frequency Response
FS=96kHz 10Hz - 44kHz +0/-2dB
FS=48kHz 10Hz - 22kHz +0/-2dB
FS=44.1kHz 10Hz - 20kHz +0/-2dB
FS=32kHz 10Hz - 15kHz +0/-2dB
ADC 24bit 128-times oversampling, enhanced dual bit delta/sigma modulation
DAC 24bit 8-times oversampling, advanced segment delta/sigma modulation
Dynamic Range 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)
Wow & Flutter Below measurable level
Analog Audio Input Inputs A
1 - 4ch 1/4" Stereo Phone/XLR Combo Jack - balanced
Phantom Power provided (switchable) for XLR connection
5 - 12ch 1/4" Stereo Phone/XLR Combo Jack - balanced
Inputs B
1 - 12ch 1/4" Stereo Phone Jack - balanced
Hi-Z (12ch) 1/4" Phone Jack - unbalanced
ADC In 1/4" Stereo Phone Jack - balanced
AUX In 1/4" Stereo Phone Jack - balanced
2-Track In RCA - unbalanced
Input Level Mic mode -62 - -2dBu (+16dBu max. balanced, 1kHz)
Line mode -47 - +13dBu (+31dBu max. balanced, 1kHz)
Hi-Z -68 - -8dBu (+10dBu max. unbalanced, 1kHz)
ADC In +4dBu (+22dBu max. balanced, 1kHz)
AUX In +4dBu (+22dBu max. balanced, 1kHz)
2-Track In -14dBu (+4dBu max. unbalanced, 1kHz)
Impedance Mic mode 3k ohms (1 - 12ch)
Line mode 12k ohms (1 - 12ch)
Hi-Z 1M ohms
ADC In 10k ohms
AUX In 10k ohms
2-Track In 15k ohms
Analog Audio Output Stereo Out 1/4" Stereo Phone - balanced
Main (monitor) 1/4" Stereo Phone - balanced
Nearfield (monitor) 1/4" Stereo Phone - balanced
Studio Out 1/4" Stereo Phone - balanced
Direct Out 1/4" Stereo Phone - balanced
AUX Sends 1/4" Stereo Phone - balanced
Output Level Stereo Out +4dBu (+22dBu balanced max., 20k ohms load)
Main (monitor) +4dBu (+22dBu balanced max., 20k ohms load)
Nearfield (monitor) +4dBu (+22dBu balanced max., 20k ohms load)
Studio Out +4dBu (+22dBu balanced max., 20k ohms load)
Direct Out +4dBu (+22dBu balanced max., 20k ohms load)
AUX Sends +4dBu (+22dBu balanced max., 20k ohms load)
Impedance Stereo Out 1k ohms - balanced
Main (monitor) 1k ohms - balanced
Nearfield (monitor) 1k ohms - balanced
Studio Out 1k ohms - balanced
Direct Out 1k ohms - balanced
AUX Sends 1k ohms - balanced
Stereo Phones Output Stereo Phone Jack - adjustable
Max. Output 155mW/32 ohms
Digital Audio Input RCA (SPDIF) 2-channels assignable
Optical (adat/SPDIF) 8-channels switchable
Digital Audio Output RCA (SPDIF) Master Output
Optical (adat/SPDIF) 8-channels switchable
Wordclock BNC - In/Out
Foot switch 1/4" Phone Jack
MIDI 5 pin DIN - IN, OUT, THRU
ASCII Keyboard 6 pin Mini-DIN
USB Slave
Accessories AC Cable
Internal Disk Mounting Kit
Operator's Manual
Options IB-24LTC - SMPTE/EBU LTC Interface Board
IB-24ADT - 16in/16out adat Interface Board w/adat Sync
IB-24SCSI - SCSI Interface Board
0dBu = 0.775Vrms
(*) The number of available input channels and record/playback tracks is halved at 96kHz