DISCONTINUED, REPLACED BY ALP442e

VX442e – Multichannel PCM Sound Card

Linear PCM multichannel stereo sound card for professional audio workstations. VX442e is a professional linear (PCM) multichannel sound card based on the PCI Express bus interface. It is designed for use in any professional system running under Windows or Linux. It is a reference card in radio broadcast automation for applications such as automated recording and play-out and multichannel production.

At a glance

VX442e features four input and output channels and offers balanced analog and AES/EBU connectivity, with the possibility to synchronize on an external clock (AES11, Word clock, black burst video). It can be used under Windows or Linux operating systems, with software applications based on standard driver interfaces such as WDM Kernel streaming, DirectSound, Wasapi, and ASIO for Windows, and Alsa for Linux.

Developed for the broadcast industry
Supports balanced analog and AES/EBU audio
Interoperable with most third party software applications for audio production, under Windows and Linux

Key features

Multichannel linear PCM sound card
PCI Express bus interface
Four balanced analog inputs and outputs, +24 dBu max level
Two AES/EBU inputs/outputs, with hardware sample rate converter on each AES/EBU input.
Adjustable input and output analog and digital gains
On-board 3-band parametric EQ and Maximizer effects
Support for Linux (Alsa driver) and Windows 32-bit and 64-bit (WDM kernel streaming, DirectSound, Wasapi, ASIO)
Breakout cable with XLR connectors for audio connectivity

Specifications

Configuration

Bus/Format : PCI EXPRESS™ (PCIe®) x1, (x2, x4, x8, x16, x32 compatible)
Size : 67.7 mm X 106.7 mm X 17.1 mm
Power requirements (+3.3V / +12V) : 2.5 A / 0.1 A
Operating: temp / humidity (non-condensing) : 0°C/+50°C • 5%/90%
Storage: temp / humidity (non-condensing) : -5°C/+70°C • 0%/95%

Inputs

Analog line inputs (mono) : 4 balanced
Maximum input level/ impedance : +24 dBu / >10 kOhms
Digital inputs (stereo) : 2 AES/EBU with hw Sample Rate Converters, 7.5:1 to 1:8, up to 192 kHz
Programmable input gain : analog: from –94.5dB à +15.5 dB (maximum sensitivity: 0 dBFs for –15.5 dBu input), digital:from –110 dB à +18 dB
Other inputs : AES/EBU Sync (up to 192 kHz), Word clock (up to 96 kHz), LTC, Video
AES11 synchronization

Outputs

Analog line outputs (mono) : 4 servo-balanced
Maximum output level / impedance : +24 dBu / <100 Ohms
Digital outputs (stereo) : 2 AES/EBU, up to 192 kHz
Programmable output gain :
– analog: from –86 dB to +24 dB
– digital: from –110 dB to +18 dB
Other outputs : Word clock (up to 96 kHz)

Connectors

Internal connectors : Inter-board Sync
External connector : 68-pin SCSI MDR

Audio specifications

Sampling frequencies available : Programmable from 8 to 192 kHz
A/D and D/A converter resolution : 24 bits
Supported audio formats : PCM (8, 16, 24 bits), Float IEEE754

Audio Performance measured at Fs=48 kHz

Frequency response (record + play) : 20 Hz–20 kHz: ±0.2 dB
Channel phase difference: 20/20kHz : <0.2°/2°
Dynamic range (A-weighted) :
– analog In: >104 dB
– analog Out: >104 dB
THD + noise 1 kHz at –1 dBfs :
– analog In: <–97 dB
– analog Out: <–94 dB
Crosstalk (Analog in or out) :
– 1 kHz at 24 dBu: <–100 dB
– 15 kHz at 24 dBu: <–85 dB

Development environments

Digigram management : np SDK (PCM only)
Other management : Wave, ASIO, DirectSound,WASAPI, ALSA
OS supported : Windows 32bit and 64 bit versions, Linux
Main on-board processing features (available through the Digigram np SDK) : PCM play, rec, Float IEEE754, direct monitoring, real-time mixing, level adjustment, panning, cross-fade, punch-in/punch-out, scrubbing