Otari Debuts Echelon Series of Networkable Digital Audio Products

The Echelon Series FS-96 Format and Sample-Rate Converter (Click for a close-up)

Otari Corporation has chosen the AES Show in Los Angeles to introduce the Echelon Series of digital audio products. Based on their extensive experience and R & D in digital audio, the new Echelon Series was designed to provide a group of digital audio products that furnish seamless connectivity and advanced networking capability in the modern recording environment.

The ND-20 - The Heart of the Echelon Series With Total Translation Capability. The first in the new series is the ND-20, which is the core of the Echelon Series Digital Audio Products. The ND-20 offers high-quality A/D and D/A conversion, as a stand-alone device, or combines with multiple ND-20's to a 96kHz digital audio network. Superior analog electronics, built-in sample-rate conversion, and the ability to use multiple sample rates make the ND-20 a complete solution for connecting and networking digital and analog audio. Each ND-20 has up to 32-channel capacity (16- channel with 96kHz sample-rate) for analog or digital inputs or outputs. The ND-20 has four slots for I/0 cards. Options include MIC Inputs (remotely controlled), Line Inputs, Line Outputs, and AES Input/Output. All I/O are capable of 96kHz, 48kHz, 44.1kHz sample-rates, plus pull-up/pull-down rates. MADI, TDIF I/O as well as mLAN (using IEEE1394 high-speed serial bus) formats are available. Sample-rate conversion is built into all AES input channels with individual control on each channel. In addition, the Echelon ND-20 can be used for A/D or D/A conversion (96kHz) or for D/D sample-rate conversion. Up to 16 ND-20's can be connected via cable or fiber optics to provide an audio network capable of 128-channels (48kHz, 44.1kHz), 64-channels (96kHz).

The Echelon Series FS-96 Format and Sample-Rate Converter

The new Echelon Series FS-96 format and sample rate converter is Otari's solution to the challenges of multi-track digital audio interfacing. The FS-96 makes multi-track transfers between different digital audio platforms fast and simple. It supports all of the common formats, including AES3 (AES/EBU), TDIF-1, ADAT (optical) and SDIF-2, with optional MADI and IEEE1394 for future networking capability. The FS-96 converts up to 24 channels of 24-bit audio at sample rates up to 24-bit/96kHz. A built-in digital router makes track assignment easy, and offers 10 pre-set routing maps. Simple arrow keys provide easy access to all functions. Multiple units can be linked with sample accurate synchronization for transfers requiring more than 24 channels. In addition, the FS-96 also converts sample rates from 32kHz to 96kHz and bit rates from 16-bit to 24-bit and vice versa. The FS-96 automatically detects the incoming format and sample rate, while making the output signal available to all supported formats.

Commenting on the launch of the new Echelon Series, Otari Vice President Tim Schaeffer stated, "Over the years, Otari has been asked by its customers to develop an all-encompassing, open architecture system to interconnect their studio equipment. We feel the Echelon Series offers a practical, affordable solution providing the highest level of interconnectivity and sonic standards both now and in the future."