Merging Technologies IOC-HORUS Converter
What is Merging Technologies IOC-HORUS Converter ? Horus might be one of the worlds most sonically transparent mic pres. Horus might also be one of the most phenomenal AD/DA boxes on the market. Horus could very well be the ultimate answer to anyone wanting analog/AES/MADI interconnectivity in the room they work in. Merging Technologies IOC-HORUS Converter is a revolution in bang-for-buck technology and is set to become the de-facto audio I/O device for the media industries.
But, in reality the Merging Technologies IOC-HORUS Converter is much, much more. Using Ravenna technology, Horus brings to the table the possibility to interconnect your entire facility using nothing more than a standard RJ45 connector. Once in Ravenna mode, the Horus box simply becomes a node on a network, one that can be instantly called to be an input, an output, or a combination of both.
Using standard network connections, switches and connectors, Horus and other Ravenna-enabled devices can be placed on a network and interconnected in any way you can imagine.
Standard Connections:
- 64 MADI I/O (Optical or Coaxial)
- 24 AES/EBU I/O (on DSub 25)
- RAVENNA I/O (on RJ45)
- SYNC – LTC/MTC/VideoRef/Wck (requires CON-D15-VTC cable)
- 6 option slots for AD8D/AD8DP and DA8/DA8P cards
- 1 option slot for MADI expansion option
Optional Additions:
- AD8D and AD8DP standard and premium Mic/Line Input cards
- DA8 and DA8P standard and premium Line Output cards
- MADI expansion card delivering 64 additional MADI channels
- Redundant power supply option
- RS-422 and GPIO option card (In Development)
The ability to choose the amount of I/O that each Merging Technologies IOC-HORUS Converter unit is capable of saves money without diminishing the level of quality. Choose to add any of the option modules to your Horus and create the ultimate audio interface for your studio, whatever the size. Once the Horus is fully loaded with option cards, it is capable of achieving an astonishing, simultaneous 176 inputs and 178 outputs @1FS.
Features:
- Up to 24 world-class mic preamps in a 2u chassis
- Remote-controllable gain over Ethernet
- Integrated control and routing with the Pyramix Mixer interface
- 24 AD/DA converters capable of sample-rates from 44.1 to 384kHz to DXD/DSD
- Low-power build perfect for power conscious installations
- Auto-mute circuitry for power cycling click prevention
- Comes standard with 1xMADI, 24xAES and Ravenna I/O
- Sync (LTC/MIDI/RS422) over Ethernet
- Lock to an ultra-low jitter, individually calibrated internal sync clock OR
- Use an external Wordclock or Video Reference (SD/HD) source OR
- Lock to a PTP master on a RAVENNA network.
- Front panel touch-screen interface for local control over routing/gains/sync
Merging Technologies IOC-HORUS Converter Base Unit
HORUS Specifications |
|
Case Material | Powder Coated Steel |
Front Panel Material | Brushed Aluminum |
Weight (excluding redundant PS) | 6.5 kg/ 14.4 lbs |
Dimensions (2U rack mounting) | 483 x 320 x 89 mm |
Voltage (AC) | 90V–260V, 47–63 Hz |
Power Consumption (Max) | < 60 Watts |
Front Panel TFT size/resolution | 4.3” / 480 x 272 pixels |

Headphone Monitor Jacks |
|
Max output Level (Unbalanced) Load = 300 Ohms | +15 dBu |
Output Impedance | 75 Ω |
Dynamic Range (A-weighted, typ) | 109 dB |
THD+N (1 kHz) @ -2 dBFS | < -100 dB (0.001 %) |
Gain Range (software controlled) | -60 dB to +12 dB |
Gain Step/Precision | 1dB / ±0.05 dB |
Connectors |
|
“Sync” Cable (LTC/Video Ref) | D-Sub 15Pin |
LTC In & Out (via “Sync” Cable) | Balanced XLR |
Video Reference In (via “Sync” Cable) | BNC |
Word Clock Input (Switchable 75 Ω Termination) | BNC, 0.5Vp-p min |
Word Clock Output (Zout = 35 Ω) | BNC, 5Vp-p |
AES Connector pinout (DB-25 female) | AES59/Tascam Digital |
MADI types (Coaxial / Optical) | BNC / SC |
Heaphone Jack 1&2 | 6.3 mm(1/4”)/3.5mm |
RAVENNA Primary / Secondary (GbE) | RJ45 |

Check out the System Solution Pages for ideas on how our networked converters can be used with our software.
Or see our Networked Audio Range for ANY Workstation page for usage in 3rd parties DAWs
AKD8D / AKD8DP

Mic Pre-Amp + ADC |
|
Mic Pre Max Input (Pad On / Pad Off) | +24 dBu / +13 dBu |
Input Impedance (Differential, Software Switchable Per Channel) | 1.9 kΩ / 10 kΩ |
Input Impedance with +48V ON (Diff., Soft. Switchable Per Channel) | 1.9 kΩ / 10 kΩ |
Dynamic Range (A-weighted, typ.) , ref +10 dBu | 123.5 dB |
Gain Range (software controlled) | 0 dB to +66 dB |
Gain Step/Precision | 0.5 dB / ±0.2 dB |
THD+N Pre + A/D (20 Hz-20 kHz) @ -2 dBFS (Standard/Premium) | < -110dB (0.00031%)/-111dB (0.00028%) |
Interchannel Crosstalk @ 1kHz, typ. | < -125 dB |
EIN @ >40 dB Gain (150Ω Source Impedance, A-weighted, typ.) | < -128 dBu |
Common Mode Rejection Rate (20 Hz – 20 kHz) | > 60 dB (up to 0 dBFS) |
Phantom Power (Software Switchable Per Channel) | +48V |
Phase Reverse (Software Switchable Per Channel) | YES |
Low Cut filter (Software Switchable Per Channel) | -12 dB/octave, 80 Hz |
Line Input |
|
Max Line Input for 0 dBFS | +24 dBu |
Input Impedance (Differential) | 10 kΩ |
Dynamic Range (A-weighted, typ), ref +24 dBu | 124 dB |
THD+N Line+A/D (20 Hz – 20 kHz) @ -10 dBFS | < -110dB (0.00031%)/-111dB (0.00028%) |
Interchannel Crosstalk @ 1kHz @ fullscale | < -130 dB |
Sensitivity Range for 0 dBFS (software controlled) | -42 dBu to +24 dBu |
Gain Step/Precision | 0.5 dB / ±0.2 dB |
Common Mode Rejection Rate (20 Hz – 20 kHz) | > 60 dB / > 65dB (both up to 0 dBFS) |
Connector Pinout | DB-25 / AES59 (Tascam Ana.) |

AKD8D/AKD8DP Mic-Pre Analog Section |
|
Frequency response +0/-0.5 dB, Line | 2 Hz – > 200 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-2.0 dB, Line | 1 Hz – > 200 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-0.5 dB, Mic, at G=40dB | 2 Hz – 65 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-2.0 dB, Mic, at G=40dB | 1 Hz – 160 kHz |
THD+N (1 kHz), Line/Mic at G=0dB | < -115 dB (0.00018 %) |
THD+N (20 Hz-20 kHz) , Line/Mic at G=0dB | < -112 dB (0.00025 %) |
Interchannel Crosstalk @ 1kHz, typ. | -140dB |
5° low-end in-channel Ø deviation pt: Line | 9 Hz |
5° low-end in-channel Ø deviation pt: Mic | 9 Hz |
Interchannel phase 10 Hz – 100 kHz | < ±0.1° |

AKD8D/AKD8DP Analogue Direct Output Section |
|
Frequency response +0/-0.5dB @ Gain 40 dB | 2 Hz – 65kHz |
Max Direct Output Level, typ | +24 dBu / +13 dBu |
Direct Output Impedance (Differential) | > 100 Ω |
Dynamic Range (flat 20 Hz-20 kHz, typ.) | 140 dB |
THD+N (1 kHz) @ +10dBu | < -120dB (0.0001 %) |
Direct Output Connector Pinout | DB-25 / AES59 (Tascam Ana.) |
AD8D / AD8DP

Mic Pre-Amp + ADC |
|
Mic Pre Max Input (Pad On / Pad Off) | +24 dBu / +13 dBu |
Input Impedance (Differential, Software Switchable Per Channel) | 2 kΩ / 13.6 kΩ |
Input Impedance with +48V ON (Diff., Soft. Switchable Per Channel) | 1.7 kΩ / 6.8 kΩ |
Dynamic Range (A-weighted, typ.) , ref +13 dBu | 120.5 dB |
Gain Range (software controlled) | 0 dB to +66 dB |
Gain Step/Precision | 0.5 dB / ±0.2 dB |
THD+N Pre + A/D (20 Hz-20 kHz) @ -2 dBFS (Standard/Premium) | < -96dB (0.0016 %) / -100 dB (0.001 %) |
Interchannel Crosstalk @ 1kHz, typ. | <-125 dB |
EIN @ >40 dB Gain (150Ω Source Impedance, A-weighted, typ) | < -128 dBu |
Common Mode Rejection Rate @ 1kHz, typ. | > 60 dB (up to 0 dBFS) |
Phantom Power (Software Switchable Per Channel) | +48V |
Phase Reverse (Software Switchable Per Channel) | YES |
Low Cut filter (Software Switchable Per Channel) | -12 dB/octave, 80 Hz |
Line Input |
|
Max Line Input for 0 dBFS | +24 dBu |
Input Impedance (Differential) | 13.6 kΩ |
Dynamic Range (A-weighted, typ), ref +24 dBu | 121 dB |
THD+N Line+A/D (20 Hz-20 kHz) @ -12 dBFS, typ. | < -100 dB (0.001%) |
Interchannel Crosstalk @ 1kHz, typ. | < -120 dB |
Sensitivity Range for 0 dBFS (software controlled) | -42 dBu to +24 dBu |
Gain Step/Precision | 0.5 dB / ±0.2 dB |
Common Mode Rejection Rate (20 Hz – 20 kHz) | > 60 dB (up to 0 dBFS) |
Input Connector Pinout (DB-25 female) | DB-25 / AES59 (Tascam Ana.) |

AD8D/AD8DP Mic-Pre Analog Section |
|
Frequency response +0/-0.5 dB, Line | 5 Hz – 75 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-2.0 dB, Line | 2.5 Hz – 150 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-0.5 dB, Mic | 10 Hz – 100 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-2.0 dB, Mic | 5 Hz – 200 kHz |
THD+N (1 kHz), Line/Mic at G=0dB | <-115 dB (0.00018 %) |
THD+N (20 Hz-20 kHz) , Line/Mic at G=0dB | <-112 dB (0.00025 %) |
Interchannel Crosstalk @ 1kHz, typ. | -135dB |
5° low-end in-channel Ø deviation pt: Line | 13 Hz |
5° low-end in-channel Ø deviation pt: Mic | 35 Hz |
Interchannel phase 10 Hz – 100 kHz | < ±0.1° |

AD8D/AD8DP Analogue Direct Output Section |
|
Frequency response +0/-0.3dB @ Gain 40 dB | 10 Hz – 50 kHz |
Max Direct Output Level, typ | +24 dBu / +13 dBu |
Direct Output Impedance (Differential) | < 100 Ω |
Dynamic Range (A-weighted, typ) | 133 dB |
THD+N (1 kHz) @ +10dBu | < -120dB (0.0001 %) |
Direct Output Connector Pinout | DB-25 / AES59 (Tascam Ana.) |
ADA8

Mic-Pre + ADC Section |
|
Mic Pre Max Input (Pad On / Pad Off) | +24 dBu / +13 dBu |
Input Impedance (Differential, Software Switchable Per Channel) | 2 kΩ / 6.8 kΩ |
Frequency response +0/-0.3dB @ fs = 48 kHz | 10 Hz – 22 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-0.3dB @ fs = 96 kHz | 10 Hz – 44 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-0.3dB @ fs = 192 kHz | 10 Hz – 85 kHz |
Dynamic Range (A-weighted, typ.), ref +13 dBu | 119.5 dB |
Gain Range (software controlled) | 0 dB to +66 dB |
Gain Step/Precision | 0.5 dB / ±0.2 dB |
THD+N Pre + A/D (20 Hz – 20 kHz) @ -2 dBFS | < -102 dB (0.0008 %) |
Interchannel Crosstalk @ 1kHz | < -125 dB |
EIN @ >40 dB Gain (150Ω Source Impedance, A-weighted) | < -128 dBu |
Common Mode Rejection Rate (20 Hz – 20 kHz) | > 60 dB (up to 0 dBFS) |
Phantom Power (Software Switchable Per Channel) | +48V |
Phase Reverse (Software Switchable Per Channel) | YES |
Low Cut filter (Software Switchable Per Channel) | -12 dB/octave, 80 Hz |
Line Input Section |
|
Max Line Input for 0 dBFS | +24 dBu |
Input Impedance (Differential) | 13.6 kΩ |
Dynamic Range (A-weighted, typ), ref +24 dBu | 120 dB |
THD+N Line+A/D (20 Hz – 20 kHz) @ -2 dBFS | < -102 dB (0.0008%) |
Interchannel Crosstalk @ 1kHz, typ. | -125 dB |
Sensitivity Range for 0 dBFS (software controlled) | -42 dBu to +24 dBu |
Gain Step/Precision | 0.5 dB / ±0.2 dB |
Common Mode Rejection Rate (20 Hz – 20 kHz) | > 60 dB (up to 0 dBFS) |
Connector Pinout (DB-25 female) | DB-25 / AES59 (Tascam Ana.) |
Line Output Section |
|
Max Output level software switchable for 0 dBFS | +24 dBu / +18 dBu +0/-0.5 dB |
Frequency response +0/-0.3dB @ fs = 48 kHz | 6 Hz – 22 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-3dB @ fs = 96 kHz | 6 Hz – 44 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-3dB @ fs = 192 kHz | 6 Hz – 88 kHz |
Output Impedance (Differential) | < 100 Ω |
Dynamic Range (A-weighted, typ.) | 123 dB |
THD+N (1 kHz) @ 0dBFS | < -108 dB (0.0004 %) |
Interchannel Crosstalk @ 1kHz | < -135 dB |
Connector Pinout | DB-25 / AES59 (Tascam Ana.) |
Latencies |
|
Input latency at 44.1/48kHz | 16 samples |
Input latency at 88.2/96kHz | 16 samples |
Input latency at 176.4/192kHz | 13 samples |
Output latency at 44.1/48kHz | 9* samples |
Output latency at 88.2/96kHz | 9* samples |
Output latency at 176.4/192kHz | 9* samples |
* Filter setting – Slow Roll Off Filter option = 9 Samples – Sharp Roll Off Filter option = 38 Samples |
DA8/DA8P

DA8/DA8P Specifications |
|
Max Line Output @ 0 dBFS (jumpers on +24 dBu) | +24 dBu +0/-0.5 dB |
Frequency response +0/-0.3dB @ fs = 48000 Hz | 6 Hz – 20 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-0.3dB @ fs = 2.8224 MHz (DSD) | NA / 6 Hz – 20 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-3.0dB @ fs = 2.8224 MHz (DSD) | NA / 2 Hz – 50 kHz |
Line Output Impedance (Differential) | 100 Ω |
Dynamic Range (A-weighted, typ) | 126 dB |
THD+N D/A (1 kHz) @ 0 dBFS (IOM-HORUS-DA8) | < -113dB (0.00022 %) |
THD+N D/A (1 kHz) @ 0 dBFS (IOM-HORUS-DA8P) | < -115dB (0.00018 %) |
Interchannel Crosstalk @ 1kHz, typ. | -135 dB |
Connector Pinout (DB-25 female) | AES59/Tascam Analog |
Line Output Section |
|
Max Output level software switchable for 0 dBFS | +24 dBu / +18 dBu +0/-0.5 dB |
Frequency response +0/-0.3dB @ fs = 48 kHz | 6 Hz – 22 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-3dB @ fs = 96 kHz | 6 Hz – 44 kHz |
Frequency response +0/-3dB @ fs = 192 kHz | 6 Hz – 88 kHz |
Output Impedance (Differential) | < 100 Ω |
Dynamic Range (A-weighted, typ.) | 123 dB |
THD+N (1 kHz) @ 0dBFS | < -108 dB (0.0004 %) |
Interchannel Crosstalk @ 1kHz | < -135 dB |
Connector Pinout | DB-25 / AES59 (Tascam Ana.) |
Latencies |
|
Input latency at 44.1/48kHz | 16 samples |
Input latency at 88.2/96kHz | 16 samples |
Input latency at 176.4/192kHz | 13 samples |
Output latency at 44.1/48kHz | 9* samples |
Output latency at 88.2/96kHz | 9* samples |
Output latency at 176.4/192kHz | 9* samples |
* Filter setting – Slow Roll Off Filter option = 9 Samples – Sharp Roll Off Filter option = 38 Samples |
For more info about Merging Technologies, visit: http://www.merging.com