NativeTools Hardware/Software Recording Bundles

AD-16 (Click for a close-up)

DA-16 (Click for a close-up)

Manufacturer of digital audio conversion equipment Apogee Electronics Corporation has announced the launch of NativeTools, a unique series of hardware/software bundles pairing Apogee high-quality converters with leading audio recording and editing software to create a complete system.

The first NativeTools bundle, NativeTools "Studio Edition", combines Apogee's versatile, high quality, high sample-rate AD-16 and DA-16 converters with Steinberg's powerful digital audio workstation software, Nuendo. The package also includes the Nuendo 96/52 PCI card and appropriate cables: a complete system in a single box (computer and some interconnects not included). NativeTools Studio Edition is available for Macintosh or Windows computers, and the special price of the bundle is little more than the cost of the two converters on their own.

Apogee's AD-16 analog to digital converter, and the companion DA-16 D/A converter offer 16 channels of 24-bit conversion at sample rates up to 96 kHz, with ADAT light-pipe (with S/MUX) interfacing built-in. The DA-16 also includes AES and TDIF inputs, which are optional on the AD-16.

The AD-16 and DA-16 interface directly to the 96/52 card via ADAT light-pipe. The S/MUX protocol enables the interfaces to carry signals at sample rates up to 96 kHz. The card also offers S/PDIF I/O.

"This is the first time we have offered a complete system, bundling our conversion products with leading DAW software," said Apogee's CEO and co-founder, Betty Bennett. "Nuendo is recognized as a powerful contender in the high-density hard-disk workstation field, with an increasing number of leading engineers and producers relying on it. Combining Nuendo's power and flexibility with the audio quality and versatility of Apogee converters is an ideal high-resolution combination," she said.

NativeTools Studio Edition is now shipping. The US list price is $7,995.

Apogee has created a special web site for NativeTools, located at www.nativetools.com