ADC16 Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BENCHMARK INTRODUCES ADC16, A NEW 16-CHANNEL A/D CONVERTER w/ PC-INTERFACE

SYRACUSE, New York, November 29, 2010 - Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.

The ADC16 is Benchmark’s new 16-channel A/D converter for recording studios. The ADC16 features an optional card-slot for a computer interface, making it directly compatible with Pro Tools 9 and other native DAWs.  The ADC16 also features Benchmark’s latest clock technology, UltraLockDDS™, as well as 9-segment dual-range metering with peak-hold.

The ADC16 utilizes the same analog and digital topology found in Benchmark’s award-winning ADC1 - a 2-channel A/D used by Lurssen Mastering and many other well-known mastering studios throughout the world.

"I wanted this multi-channel converter to maintain the high standards that the audio community has come to expect from Benchmark’s 2-channel converters," said John Siau, Benchmark’s VP and designer of the ADC16. "Not only were we able to maintain that level of performance, but we were also able to reduce the latency by creating a new clocking system that doesn’t require asynchronous sample-rate conversion."

The ADC16 is the first Benchmark product to utilize their latest clocking technology, UltraLockDDS™.  This clock-sync topology is the successor to their popular clock system, UltraLock™.  The newer technology utilizes ‘direct digital synthesis’ technology, which is used in low-jitter, high-frequency RF data communication.

The introduction of the ADC16 coincides with Avid’s announcement that their latest Pro Tools software can work with third-party hardware.  Since the ADC16 can be equipped with a computer interface (firewire, USB, etc), a Pro Tools user won’t need any additional hardware to record into Pro Tools.  The ADC16 can also interface directly with all other native DAWs as well (such as Logic, Nuendo, Cubase, etc.) 

As an additional feature, the ADC16 can operate as a bi-directional computer interface when used with the optional card.  This means that the user can assign tracks within the DAW to be sent to the digital outputs on the ADC16 (which include 8 balanced AES, 8 coaxial, and 8 optical).  So, for example, eight independent stereo headphone mixes can be made in the DAW and sent from the ADC16’s digital outputs to eight DAC1’s for independent headphone monitoring. 

“Our customers have been pleading for a multi-channel Benchmark converter for years.  Now those passionate producers and engineers are finally getting their wish,” remarks Elias Gwinn, applications engineer at Benchmark. “Benchmark’s legacy as a leader in digital audio conversion has been solidified with our DAC1 and ADC1 2-channel converters.  Now studios can equip the entire front-end of their setup with Benchmark-quality conversion.”

Benchmark will ship the first units in January, 2011, for $3995.00 USD.  The optional computer interface card will be $500.  Benchmark’s 5-year warranty will apply to all U.S.-based ADC16 customers (2-year warranty for all others).

More information about the ADC16 is available at:

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/ADC16

High resolution photos of the ADC1 are available at:

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/adc/ADC16/photos

Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. is a privately-held manufacturer of precision audio electronics for professional and audiophile applications since 1983.  All Benchmark products are manufactured in the U.S.A.

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For more information, call Rory Rall at 1-800-262-4675 or email:

sales@benchmarkmedia.com