Audient ASP800 8-Channel Mic Preamp

8 Channel Mic Pre with HMX & Iron

ASP800 is an audio powerhouse designed to transform your sessions into world class recordings, making it the perfect addition to your audio interface. ASP800 provides 8 channels of Audient’s renowned console mic preamps, class-leading Burr-Brown converter technology, two JFET D.I’s and two Retro channels with revolutionary tone control. Just plug in your mics, guitars, keyboards and drum machines and you’re ready to go, so get creative and start thinking big!

Upgrade Your SoundThe first step to audio excellence

Whether you’re recording drums or simply need more channels, ASP800 is the perfect tool for expanding your existing interface via ADAT. Its flexible and intuitive feature set will transform your current setup into the complete recording rig, perfectly at home recording both acoustic and electronic instruments.

Audient Console Mic PresThe professional sound you deserve

They are the only company that use the same Class-A mic pre design throughout their entire product range, whether you’re in the studio with an Audient ASP8024 console or on the road with ASP800, you’re always guaranteed the same world class Audient sound.

Pristine Converter TechnologyBrilliance on the inside enables brilliance on the outside

ASP800 provides you with high performance 118-dB AD converters from Burr Brown, the leaders in converter technology. Quality in the analogue stages of their design comes from years of experience as analogue console designers, and when coupled with outstanding converter technology it enables you to hear audio as it’s supposed to sound. The importance of converters should never be underestimated. Experience audio the Audient way.

Take control of your audioRetro Channels 1 & 2 feature two unique variable harmonic Colour controls per channel - HMX & Iron. Designed to emulate tones often associated with 1960’s tube designs and the coveted transformer zing of British audio in the 1970’s, HMX & Iron will add new dimension to your audio by providing warm, sparkly tones. Better still, you can combine them to get anywhere in between!

They know that plenty of engineers love the sound of tubes/valves and if you’re one of them, then you’re going to love HMX. Travel back in time with ASP800’s very own custom harmonic distortion control. Similar to vintage valve Preamplifier designs of the 1960s, HMX provides a sweet, thick tone that will sound incredible on anything from drums to electric guitars. (Tip! Try it on bass synth, or 808 too!)

Say hello to Audient’s BRAND NEW British transformer saturator - Iron. A testament to innovation, Iron uses a custom British transformer with a high voltage MOSFET drive network designed to recreate that sparkly, "sounds like a record" signature of 1970’s recording.

HMX: Harmonic SaturatorBy using discrete MOSFET technology, HMX produces asymmetrical harmonic distortion giving you the option to add richness and body to the pristine tone of the Audient mic preamp, D.I or line input. Take control of your sound and bring your audio to life, 1960’s style.

Iron: Transformer DriveWith one control that simultaneously alters drive impedance, bass response, high frequency damping, phase shift, magnetic saturation and transient shaping - Iron can instantly add sparkle, growl and so much more with one twist of a knob! It sounds killer on snare, bass, acoustic guitar and anything that needs some extra bite.

Plug And Play: Plug in and be inspiredAs well as offering you 8 channels of mic pre, ASP800 has two harmonically rich JFET D.I inputs. Designed to replicate the input stage of a classic valve amplifier, you can plug your guitar, bass, keyboard or drum machine and start recording instantly.

Built To Last: Quality deserves protectionThe result of years of experience in analogue design combined with a focus on precision and detail, ASP800 packs a powerful feature set in a ergonomic 1RU rack mount. From it’s beautifully crafted hand milled aluminium knobs to its all-metal construction, ASP800 will stand up to countless late nights in the studio and days on the road.

Features:

• 8 x Class-A Audient Console Mic Pres
• 2 x Retro Channels with Dual Stage Colour Saturation Controls - HMX & Iron
• 2 x Discrete JFET Instrument Inputs
• Pristine 118-dB Burr-Brown A-D Converters
• Balanced Analogue Line Outputs
• ADAT Output for Expandability
• Word Clock Input
• All-Metal Enclosure
• Over £500 worth of plugins and software with ARC

Specifications:

Microphone Preamplifier:

(measured to balanced DB25 analogue outputs)

• Mic Gain: 0 to 70 dB (extra gain stage for more!)
• Switchable Pad: -15 dB (all channels front panel switchable)
• Line Gain: -10 to 60 dB (-25 to 45 dB inc. Pad)
• Phantom Power: 48V ±4V @ 10mA / channel
• Mic EIN: < -127.0 dBu
• CMRR: >80 dB @ 100Hz to 2kHz
• Maximum Input Level: +20 dBu (+35 dBu with Pad)
• Input Impedance (Mic): >2k ? balanced (approx. 2.2k ?)
• Input Impedance (Line): >8k ? balanced (approx. 8.6k ?)
• Frequency Response: ±0.5 dB 10Hz to 100kHz @ min. gain
• Crosstalk: < -90 dBu 10Hz to 10kHz
• THD+N @ 0dBu (1kHz): <0.003% (-90.5 dBu) mostly 3rd harmonic
• SNR: >90 dB @ min. gain: >90 dB @ min. gain
• XLR Combi Female: Pin 2 (Hot), Pin 3 (Cold) & Pin 1 (Shield)
• 1/4" TRS Jack: Tip (Hot), Ring (Cold) & Sleeve (Shield)

Discrete JFET D.I:

(measured via Microphone Preamplifier circuitry)

• D.I Gain: 0 dB unity gain (0 to 70 dB)
• Maximum Input Level: +17 dBu
• Input Impedance (D.I): 1Meg ? unbalanced
• Frequency Response: ±0.5 dB 10Hz to 50kHz
• THD+N @ 0dBu (1kHz): <0.01% (-80 dBu) mostly 2nd & 3rd
• SNR: >85 dB @ min. gain
• 1/4" TS Jack: Tip (Hot) & Sleeve (Shield)

Balanced Analogue Line Outputs:

(ground sensing compensation scheme)

8-Channel DB25:25-Pin Tascam Format

• Maximum Output Level: +22 dBu
• Output Impedance: <200? ground sensing <100? unbalanced

A-D Converter:

(measured under AES-17 sans Microphone Preamplifiers)

• Chipset: Burr-Brown PCM4204 24-bit PCM
• Digital Reference Level:
  • Selectable via Rear Panel
  • 0 dBFS = +18 dBu (iD22 Professional)
  • 0 dBFS = +12 dBu (iD14 Prosumer)
• Frequency Response: ±0.1 dB 20Hz to Fs/2 (Nyquist)
• Crosstalk:
• THD+N @ -1 dBFS (1kHz): 0.0015% (-96.5 dB)
• THD+N @ -6 dBFS (1kHz): 0.0009% (-101 dB)
• Dynamic Range:
  • 113.5 dB un-weighted
  • 116.0 dB A-weighted
• Peak LED LineUP: -2 dBFS (moves with reference level)
• Signal LED LineUP: -38 dBFS (moves with reference level)

Digital Output:

• ADAT 8 Channel SMUX: 44.1 to 96.0 kHz
• Clock: Internal Crystal or External Source
• WorldClock Input: 75? BNC - switchable 75? termination

Power Supply:

• Low Noise Shielded LineAR PSU fanless, quiet operation: custom transformers
  35W Maximum Consumption
• Internal D.C Power Rails: ±15V, +48, +30V & +9V
• Switchable Mains Voltage: 100, 120, 220 or 230Va.c
• Fuse:
  • 200mA (UK) or 315mA (US)
  • Time Delay (T) Slow-Blow Type
• Weight: 4.5 kg
• Dimensions
  • 1RU
  • 482mm x 286.5mm x 44mm