Euphonix Announces Digidesign Pro Tools I/O

Multi-Channel Converters from Euphonix (Click for a close-up)

During the 109th Audio Engineering Society Convention, Euphonix unveiled the new FC727 Format Converter, another important solution to help streamline the audio-production process. The FC727 enables a variety of digital I/O formats, including Digidesign Pro Tools, to directly interface with System 5 High-Performance Digital Production Consoles and R-1 Multitrack Digital Recorders using MADI connections.

In addition to bi-directional conversion between TDIF, AES/EBU, SDIF-2, ADAT, ProDigi and MADI formats, the FC727 also links directly to Digidesign Pro Tools, including automatic upsampling from 24-bit/48 kHz tracks to 24-bit/96 kHz tracks. A total of 56 Pro Tools channels can be carried via a single FC727 connection.

"The new FC727 will simplify the integration of Pro Tools in a multitrack mixing environment," stresses Euphonix president Piers Plaskitt, "and allow popular Pro Tools Plug-Ins and editing features to be used with System 5-based sessions. We hope to continue the mutual development process between our companies to ensure that customers keep working with the highest possible audio quality."

"We are glad to have collaborated with Euphonix to license the Pro Tools I/O capabilities for the FC727," says Ed Gray, Digidesign's Director of Partnering Programs, "to ensure that it integrates seamlessly with our Pro Tools systems." Using the Euphonix FC727 with a Pro Tools workstation is a simple matter. Users attach Euphonix-supplied Pro Tools cables to connectors on the 727s rear panel to access the required channels. Pro Tools then connects to the System 5 like the Digidesign 888|24 or any compatible Digidesign I/O peripheral.

FC727 Format Converter Overview:

The FC727 is a multiple-format-to-MADI and MADI-to-multiple-format converter; two units connected back-to-back provide conversion between many industry-standard digital formats, including MADI, AES/EBU, SDIF-2, Digidesign Pro Tools, TDIF, ADAT and ProDigi. (MADI also supports double-sample MADI connections for use with older products.) Each bank of eight channels can be converting simultaneously to a different format; with one bank handling MADI conversion to SDIF-2, for example, another to MADI to AES, and another MADI to TDIF, etc.

The unit will also provides premium-quality sample-rate conversion and bit-depth reduction on the fly in both directions, from 44.1, 48 and 96 kHz sampling rate at 16-, 20- or 24-bit depths, with system settings only affecting the signal in banks of eight channels. Standard output connection and adapters are available to meet the needs of the required format desired. AES-format I/Os are available in XLR 110-ohm and BNC 75-ohm formats. Reference clock I/O includes Word Clock (BNC) and AES In (XLR).