ECHO Audiofire 12

ECHO Audiofire 12 Description

AudioFire12 offers the same high quality hardware and software as the new AudioFire8, but with 12 balanced analog inputs and outputs for 24 bit 192kHz recording and playback. If you already have a mixer and tons of microphone / instrument preamps, but you need to get all that audio into your computer then the AudioFire12 is just for you.

The AudioFire12 has 12 balanced analog inputs and outputs (TRS), 2 FireWire ports, MIDI I/O, word clock synchronization, and 12 channels of full duplex 24 bit 192kHz recording and playback.

ECHO Audiofire 12 Hardware Features

• FireWire (IEEE 1394a) interface with 15' cable
• 12 balanced ¼" analog inputs:113dB (A-weighted) dynamic range
• 12 balanced ¼" analog outputs:114dB (A-weighted) dynamic range
• +4dBu / -10dBV nominal levels
• MIDI I/O
• Sync via word clock
• Supports full duplex 12 channel in, 12 channel out operation at 24 bit, 192kHz sample rate
• Rack mountable single space breakout box
• Heavy-duty aluminum case
• 32-bit / 1.6 gigaflop DSP for digital mixing
• Near zero latency hardware monitoring

ECHO Audiofire 12 Software Features

• Software console for monitoring, metering, and setting levels
• Low-latency drivers support all major pro audio software:
• Low Latency ASIO 2.0
• WDM kernel streaming mode
• GSIF 2.0 (Gigastudio 3 w/ low latency MIDI) (32-bit Windows XP and Vista only)
• CoreAudio & CoreMIDI

ECHO Audiofire 12 System Requirements

• PC System requirements:
  Windows XP or Vista
  256 MB RAM (512 MB recommended)
  400 Mbps FireWire port
• Mac System Requirements
  Mac OS X (10.3.9 or later)
  G4 or better processor
  400 Mbps FireWire port
  

Free Audio Software Included

Tracktion is a revolutionary, easy-to-use music production application that contains everything most people will ever need to professionally record and mix music on a Mac or PC - without all the hassles and limitations of other audio software. The AudioFire 12 comes with a download link for Tracktion version 2.2.

ECHO Audio Audiofire12 Review / See All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page I have had the pleasure of gigging out with the Audiofire series converters several times, ranging from live jazz recordings to theatrical performances. I’ve also used the Audiofire in my studio at times and been able to compare it to comparably price converters and can tell you that ECHO has a real winner on their hands when it comes to clean, unhyped conversion with nice detail and depth. They have long been known to deliver a quality product at a low price, but for firewire recording I feel a real barrier has been broken here in the “this only costs what?” range.   The full metering in and out (it’s a limited LED meter but very helpful) is very much welcomed by me (Audiofire12). Most units do not give you any confirmation of levels whatsoever, even much more expensive ones. The all TRS balanced connections allow a lot of ins and outs and still keep the unit in a single rack space. The fact that it will do 192kHz 24 bit is very nice, no real limitations here. I was able to easily use the Audiofire12 with an inexpensive laptop at higher sample rates with no pops or glitches, and very low latency. The internal software mixer is so simple it’s ridiculous, very easy to dial in headphone mixes etc with virtually no latency (I mean really no noticeable latency!). Takes just a few seconds to wrap your head around it, and it all just makes sense.   Conclusion: The sound of these converters is top notch, and I’ve heard nothing else in this price range that touches it. You will find very few firewire DAW interfaces on this website for sale, the ECHO Audiofire is a stand out in sound, function and stability. Highly recommended (or you could spend your whole life searching the web for everybody’s opinion on a million things!).