Prism Orpheus Firewire Audio Interface (Used)

Overview

Orpheus is a FireWire multi-track audio interface for with 8 channels of analogue input and output as well as digital I/O and sync. The first two channels of analogue input can be mic, line or instrument, the next two mic or line and the last four are line inputs. Orpheus is ideal for music and sound recording, multitracking, overdubbing, stem-based mastering, analogue summing and critical listening applications.

Eight analogue input channels and up to 10 digital input channels are available as inputs for your audio workstation software through the host computer’s audio driver. Similarly, eight analogue output channels, up to 10 digital output channels and stereo headphone outputs can play 20 different channels. For low-latency foldback or monitoring to headphones or main outputs, each output pair (1-2, 3-4 etc or the headphone output) can optionally be driven from the built-in DSP mixer with an individual local mix of any selection of inputs through the controller applet. All analogue inputs are electronically balanced with automatic unbalanced operation. Analogue outputs are electronically balanced with ‘bootstrapping’, i.e. level is maintained if one leg is grounded.

No-compromise, full Prism Sound audio quality

Orpheus makes no compromises on audio quality. It is the result of years of research and development into digital audio conversion and extensive dialogue with Prism Sound’s customers.

Standards compliant FireWire interface

Orpheus is easy to connect to your computer and to your outboard gear. For Windows users ASIO and WDM drivers are provided, while for Mac OS X 10.4 or later, Orpheus interfaces directly to Core Audio. For both Mac and PC platforms, there is a controller application to configure the unit and control its built-in mixer and other functions. Aside from the monitor and headphone level controls, everything else is operated solely from the Orpheus controller application. The controller software opens on-screen as a separate panel alongside your existing editing software.

Flexible Inputs and Outputs

Orpheus provides a highly integrated solution with instrument and microphone inputs, and line outputs that could be used for stereo or multi-channel monitoring and/or foldback to performers. Orpheus offers eight analogue recording channels, eight monitoring outputs, stereo digital input and output on a phono connector plus concurrent optical digital I/O ports that can interface to S/PDIF or ADAT data formats, giving Orpheus a maximum capability of 18 concurrent input and output channels plus stereo headphones.

Digital Mixer

Orpheus has a powerful built-in digital mixer that can be configured from the host computer to provide foldback feeds to performers, each with their own stereo mix of workstation playback and any of the inputs.

Flexible Monitoring

The eight analogue outputs on Orpheus allow monitor setups from multi-stereo up to 7.1 surround. Orpheus has a real volume knob which can be assigned to any or all of the analogue or digital outputs for use as a control room monitor control. There are two headphone amps, suitable for all types of headphones, each with its own independent volume control. As well as having its own workstation feed and mixer, the headphones can also be quickly switched across the other output pairs, which is handy for setting up.

Sample Rate Conversion and Noise Shaping

The digital output is equipped with the four Prism Sound SNS noise-shaping curves and includes Prism Sound’s renowned synchronous sample-rate conversion, allowing outputs to various external devices at other sampling rates. The sample-rate converter can be used at the outputs as well as the inputs, so as well as dealing with unsynchronised or wrong-rate digital inputs, Orpheus can also generate, say, a live 44.1kHz output from a 96kHz session. Since Orpheus also includes the full suite of the famous Prism Sound ‘SNS’ noise shapers, you can also reduce to 16-bits at mastering-house quality.

Unsurpassed Jitter Rejection

In the 1990s Prism Sound pioneered testing of sampling and interface jitter and as a result our digital audio products deliver unsurpassed jitter rejection. Prism Sound digital audio products lock up fast and re-generate ultra-stable clock outputs. Another aspect of the traditional Prism Sound converter that is retained was the clocking – it’s just as important as analogue-path considerations sound-wise. So whether it’s providing a high-quality master clock for the rest of the room, or dealing with a jittery clock from outside, Orpheus is as rock-steady as its forbears.

Support

Over the years, Prism Sound’s reputation for audio quality has been matched by its reputation for after-sales support and technical advice. Orpheus has the benefit of that support and customers have access to one of the best technical teams in the business.

• 8 A/D Analogue input channels including
• 4 x Mic/Line inputs on combo connectors
• 4 x Line inputs on TRS
• 2 x Front panel instrument inputs on jack
• 8 D/A Analogue output channels
• 2 headphone outputs with independent volume control
• S/PDIF I/O on RCA or TOSLINK
• AES3 I/O via RCA to XLR adaptors (supplied)
• ADAT I/O mode including S-MUX
• Sync I/O on BNC
• ASIO and WDM drivers provided for Windows Vista and higher (32 and 64bit)
• Directly compatible with CORE AUDIO on Mac OS X 10.4+ (Intel & PPC)
• Concurrent operation of ADAT and switchable S/PDIF or AES3 ports
• MS Matrix processing on mic inputs
• RIAA Equalization on inputs 1 & 2
• Prism Sound “Overkillers” limiters on all analogue inputs
• Fully-floating (isolated) balanced architecture for optimum noise rejection
• Low-latency “console-quality” digital mixer built in
• Fader, pan, cut, solo on every mixer channel
• Outputs selectable between workstation bus or Orpheus mixer
• Front-panel master volume control, assignable to selected channels
• Configurable for stereo, 5.1 or 7.1 or surround monitoring
• Built-in sample rate conversion (SRC) on S/PDIF Inputs and Outputs
• Prism Sound 4-curve SNS noise shaping on digital outputs
• State-of-the-art clock generation with proprietary hybrid 2-stage DPLL
• MIDI in/out ports