Arturia has introduced AudioFuse 16Rig, an advanced audio & MIDI interface that they say is designed for hardware users that want to connect & synchronize their whole setup.
Features:
- Designed for connecting a studio full of synths, a complex stage rig and more.
- Keep an entire setup connected to the rear I/O, reserving the front panel for extra mics, instruments, or devices.
- 24-bit AD/DA converters
- Standalone mixer – AudioFuse 16Rig can process audio & MIDI signals even without a computer connected, thanks to dual internal MIDI-controllable mixers.
- Intricate audio routing – Configure the connections to suit any need, from multiple sends/returns to A/B speaker monitoring – the included software even features a matrix for quick ‘connect anything and everything’ configuration.
- Flexible Setup – Users can control settings via the built-in controls or the included software, configure it for desktop or rackmount operation, and even connect high-impedance headphones. Save configurations & mix settings as presets, control modular gear with DC-coupled outputs, use the Reamp feature for versatile guitar tracking, and connect extra USB devices with class-compliant connections.
Specificatios:
- 16 x TRS analog inputs
- Includes 2 x high-quality digitally-controlled preamps
- Inputs 3 & 4 also available as 3.5mm stereo input
- 12 x analog outputs
- Includes 8 x DC-coupled TRS line outputs
- Stereo monitor outputs
- 6.35mm front-panel outputs for reamping, dual-headphones
- 2 x ADAT in, 2 x ADAT out
- Up to 16 channels of I/O at 48kHz, 8 channels at 88.2/96kHz
- Wordclock in & out
- 1 x MIDI in, 2 x MIDI out/thru
- 5-pin DIN connectors
- Route MIDI standalone
- Low-latency USB-C connection
- Class-compliant MIDI
- 3 x USB hub connections
- Two internal standalone mixers
- No computer connection needed
- Cue mixer for sub-mixing and added flexibility
- Main mixer controllable by MIDI
- Color display with rotary control & menu buttons
- Desktop or 1U rackmount configuration
- Includes AudioFuse Control Center
- Includes AudioFuse Creative Suite
- Analog Lab Intro
- Comp DIODE-609* NEW
- Pre 1973
- Pre V76
- Pre TridA
- Filter MINI
- Chorus JUN-6
- Comp FET-76
- Delay TAPE-201
- Rev PLATE-140
- Phaser BI-TRON
Pricing and Availability:
The Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig is available now for $1,499 USD.
That seems very well laid out. After nodding at the specs and I/O, I thought “There’s a version that’s half or a third of that waiting to happen for smaller setups.” I know there’s an audience for it, just like the people who only need modest USB interfaces for DAWs or workstation-based rigs. With so many players using small modulars now, its a smart, inclusive move.
Just buy the Tascom.
The drivers are absolute garbage on the tascam. I switched from the tascam to the arturia minifuse and latency improved greatly. I also got the blue screen of death frequently which was traced back to the tascam.
My first observation is that this would fill a void that exists for interfaces that support 24 inputs (12 stereo). For what you get in this unit it still falls well behind the PreSonus Quantum, that can be had for $999. Additionally, the Quantum is a Thunderbolt-3 device that allows many times the actual throughput that this Arturia device does. That being said, my current DAWs are hosted on a 16-core (32-thread) AMD Threadripper computer, and there is no practical way to add a Thunderbolt interface to it. I am currently looking into building a new computer for my DAWs and I refuse to consider any of the high-end junk that Intel is currently marketing. For the past year, or so, I have been looking for options that will allow me to use an AMD computer with a Thunderbolt interlace that is supported by the Quantum. I really don’t need Thunderbolt or the Quantum, just the ability to have an interface with 12 stereo inputs. So, even this Arturia interface may be quite a bit overpriced, it does offer me an option of not having to worry about Thunderbolt and/or purchasing an Intel computer I don’t want.
I watched the Sweetwater review of this device with Mitch Gallagher right after I sent the message, above. WOW!!! I now take back what I said. The description of the functionality in the the article here doesn’t do justice to what this interface is capable of. Seriously. This interface solves my problem. With the two sets of ADAT connections it will offer expansion up to 32 mono inputs (44.1 x 24, which is my normal recording setup, or it will do 24 channels at 88 x 24 using the MUX capabilities of the ADAT interface). Another advantage of this unit over the Quantum is that the Arturia interface comes standard with 16 mono analog inputs (as opposed to 8 on the Quantum). What this means is that I can use my currently installed Focusrite OctoPre to provide the additional 8 ADAT channels I need, whereas if I went with the Quantum, I’d need to purchase an additional 8-channel ADAT device. Finally, according to Sweetwater, the price of this unit is actually $1299 (not the $1499 mentioned), which makes the overall deal much sweeter, especially now that I don’t have to consider purchasing an Intel processor. Yup. I’m going to pre-order one tonight!
Finally an audio company that gets us!
We have lots of stereo synths and gear that has TRS outputs that must always be connected in the studio. I’m still using two Echo AudioFire 12 interfaces to connect my gear. I’m looking to replace them with a modern USB-C audio interface. This is interesting because of lots of TRS inputs and USB-C.
The rack-ear on the image on this site’s post makes it look like an old-timey wind up toy.
But that is a serious feature set, especially for that price.
After begging Focusrite for 10 years but not listening, Arturia made it ! Guess Arturia will release a ADAT BOX that erases Focusrite from the middle audio interface market in the high I/O USB segment. FR will be left with high end interface and low I/O USB segments (2-4 I/O). Got a lot of Focusrite stuff but this likely signals the end of that path if FR does not release a comparable product.. The rack mounts would preferably be black though :-). Now if they would have used the control interface via MIDI instead of proprietary USB drivers, it would be perfect.
Correction. It IS controllable via MIDI. (just…. WOW !)