![]() In contrast to previous engines, the mixer now runs natively on your computer (with up to 2048 tracks with Pro Tools 2021.6) and only record-enabled tracks switch to DSP. That’s partly because of Avid’s new Hybrid Engine for the Pro Tools mixer (available for Carbon and Pro Tools HDX users). When it comes to recording, Carbon-powered Pro Tools is in a league of its own. Multichannel monitoring is currently not supported, but there is an unused ‘SUR’ (Surround) option on the front panel, suggesting that future implementation for Pro Tools Ultimate (necessary for multichannel operation) might be under development.Ĭompetition is fierce! A loudness-matched listening test across Pro Tools Carbon, Lynx Aurora 16 and Apollo x8p indicates that Carbon sounds just a touch brighter than its competitors Professional tracking with Hybrid Engine This gives it enough flexibility to be a true studio centrepiece or a semi-portable recording interface. You can manage up to three sets of stereo speakers and four sets of headphones levels directly from the front panel, including mute, dim and a built-in talkback mic. Preamps and converters sound extremely good and are on par with similar devices in the same price bracket. Overall, Carbon’s analogue and digital performance is impeccable. A bespoke Pro Tools Hardware Setup for Carbon allows you to configure stereo monitoring, headphone outputs, talkback and dim levels They are especially handy for taming harshness on DI guitar and bass or impedance-matching ribbon mics. Input impedance multi-selectors on mic inputs 5-8 as well as on both instrument inputs are handy sound colouring and filtering tools. You can feed in a full scale +24dBu sine wave without distortion. This lower sensitivity means there’s less chance of accidental clipping and no input pad is necessary. There are some notable differences: on Carbon, it is possible to push, hold and turn each knob to ‘scroll’ through options, while on Apollo, only push/toggle is allowed, making its operation a little cumbersome headphone outputs tidily share digital volume level with stereo monitoring, instead of having analogue controls.Ĭarbon’s input stage is engineered for safe level handling: A/D converters are about 12dB less sensitive than the Apollo’s, which reduces the noise floor by about 10dB (for quieter performance overall). Still, on both devices, rotary push-switch encoders and a cluster of preamp functions (+48V, phase, input toggle, stereo link) are located in near-identical positions. Perhaps Avid didn’t want to reinvent the wheel. ![]() However, PC users will be disappointed as there’s no AVB support under Windows only selected Apple hardware supports Carbon.Ĭarbon offers a Pro Tools-exclusive experience: other DAWs can access the hardware through CoreAudio and even share it while Pro Tools is running, but none of the advanced features are accessible to third-party software, making Carbon an extravagant choice for users of other DAWs.Ĭarbon’s similarity with Universal Audio Apollo x8p doesn’t go unnoticed. ![]() Mac and Pro Tools exclusiveĪudio Video Bridging (AVB) is an open-source protocol, which Avid uses on their Venue live sound products, but it is also conveniently embedded in Mac OS. Air flows through the front and out of side and rear panels. Taking the lid off Carbon reveals a large fan and heatsinks, which silently manage the heat generated by all DSP chips. Other Ethernet devices – such as the Avid S3 controller used for this review – should connect to the computer via a second network port or adapter. Avid notes that Carbon does not daisy-chain with other devices, but the presence of a second Ethernet port suggests this will probably change. There are eight onboard HDX processing chips, almost half the DSP found on a single Pro Tools HDX PCIe card. This is a rugged 8-channel interface with built-in preamps and comprehensive monitoring, designed for a flexible and contemporary mobile production environment.Ĭarbon connects to a computer via AVB over Ethernet, either by direct connection or through approved adapters. Pro Tools Carbon brings Pro Tools commercial studio technology to the sprawling market of homegrown music production. Lack of USB or Thunderbolt connections is proof of AVID’s commitment to the AVB Ethernet protocol. A slick front panel layout is matched by comprehensive analogue and digital connectivity at the rear.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |