AES 2017: Dangerous Music previews CONVERT-AD+ converter unit

Dangerous Music has premiered its new CONVERT-AD+ A to D converter on Booth #215 at the New York AES show.

The new converter, which features dual stereo analogue inputs with front panel selection, offers a number of new stereo A/D updates.

“Clip Guard” can be used to remove clipping indication at destination meters resulting in no rejections for CD masters, mastered for iTunes, and Spotify. Meter Zooming technology also lets users see the top 10dB of dynamic activity, for a fine-resolution look at the zone that matters most when mixing and mastering.

An X-Former insert button engages a pair of custom-implemented HAMMOND transformers, while Emphasis adds a custom shelving EQ/compressor circuit to induce 2nd order harmonic distortion, to blend in a bit of mid-warmth and sparkle.

Other technical specifications include:

  • 44.1 to 192K sample rate selection with Lock indicator
  • Selectable Calibration for -14, -16, and -18 dBFS
  • ADAT, SPDIF Optical, and SPDIF coax RCA outputs
  • USB connection for Mac or Windows
  • 3-Pin IEC auto-switching AC Power, 120V (US), 240V (Europe)

“It has always been our plan to create a complete round-trip system for tracking, mixing and mastering,” said Bob Muller, founder of Dangerous Music. “I also wanted to shake up the existing A/D paradigm and give AD+ a creative edge – a flexible, switchable sonic tool that sounds cool and is as relevant on a vocal track as it is on a master.”

I need to do far fewer tricks in the mix to smooth out high frequencies, and the low end is fantastic. This thing is remarkable."

– Chris Godbey, Timbaland engineer

After beta testing the new AD+, engineer Chris Godbey, Timbaland’s right-hand man since 2008 stated, “I need to do far fewer tricks in the mix to smooth out high frequencies, and the low end is fantastic. This thing is remarkable. I need to be on the list to get one of my own as soon as possible.”

Digital-to-analogue conversion has been an integral part of Dangerous Music’s offering since the Dangerous MONITOR in 2002. Since then the company’s D/As have been utilised in its products like the D-BOX, DAC-ST, SOURCE, and culminating in the CONVERT-2 and CONVERT-8 reference D to A converters.

The CONVERT-AD+ is set for a November release, with a street price of $2,599 US.

www.dangerousmusic.com

www.aes.org