The DAD 8-Channel Pristine AD Line Card (CARD-L8) provides eight channels of reference-grade analogue line input for the DAD Thunder|Core platform, delivering exceptionally transparent analogue-to-digital conversion for broadcast, live production, post-production and professional recording facilities. Designed around DAD’s proprietary FPGA conversion architecture, the CARD-L8 combines ultra-low distortion, relay-controlled gain staging and outstanding dynamic range to ensure every analogue source is captured with absolute accuracy and without unwanted colouration.
$2,910.00
The DAD 8-Channel Pristine AD Line Card (CARD-L8) has been engineered for professional broadcast, live production, post-production and recording environments where analogue sources must be converted into the digital domain with uncompromising accuracy. As the entry point into the DAD Thunder|Core ecosystem, the CARD-L8 combines reference-grade analogue circuitry, ultra-low distortion, exceptional dynamic range and relay-controlled calibration to ensure every analogue signal is captured with absolute transparency. Whether receiving programme feeds, analogue outboard equipment, production consoles or mastering sources, the CARD-L8 preserves the integrity of the original signal before it enters the digital production workflow.
The quality of every digital production is determined at the point where analogue becomes digital. Once information is lost during conversion, it cannot be recreated later in the production chain. The DAD CARD-L8 has therefore been designed to capture analogue audio with exceptional precision, providing the low noise floor, outstanding linearity and wide dynamic range demanded by modern broadcast facilities and high-end recording studios.
Supporting PCM sample rates from 44.1 kHz through 384 kHz, together with DSD64 and DSD128, the CARD-L8 allows engineers to capture everything from speech and dialogue through to full orchestral recordings while maintaining remarkable clarity and transient accuracy. Every channel is processed using DAD’s proprietary FPGA-based conversion architecture, ensuring consistent performance across all eight analogue inputs.
Broadcast engineers require absolute confidence that every programme source entering the facility accurately represents the original analogue signal. The CARD-L8 has been designed specifically for these environments, providing balanced analogue line inputs capable of interfacing with broadcast consoles, analogue programme feeds, routing systems, external processors and legacy infrastructure without compromising audio quality.
Relay-controlled analogue gain calibration allows each input channel to be accurately aligned to the operating level of the connected equipment while maintaining exceptional channel matching. The maximum analogue input level is selectable from +9 dBu to +30 dBu, allowing the interface to integrate seamlessly into a wide variety of professional broadcast and recording systems.
Whether deployed in a live production control room, theatre, outside broadcast vehicle or professional recording studio, the CARD-L8 provides a transparent bridge between analogue equipment and modern digital workflows. Its balanced analogue inputs are presented on a professional DB25 connector using the industry-standard Tascam pinout, simplifying installation and integration into existing broadcast and studio infrastructures.
The combination of extremely low distortion, high dynamic range and deterministic FPGA processing ensures that every microphone preamplifier, analogue processor, mixing console or playback device connected to the CARD-L8 retains its original sonic character. Engineers are free to make critical production decisions knowing the conversion process itself remains effectively invisible.
The CARD-L8 integrates seamlessly into the DAD AX Center, AX32, AX64, Penta 720 and Penta 721s, allowing systems to be expanded with eight additional analogue inputs whenever required. For facilities requiring microphone connectivity in the future, the hardware can also be upgraded to the DAD CARD-M8 Mic/Line Input Card via software licensing without replacing the physical card, protecting long-term investment while providing exceptional operational flexibility.
