The DAD AES3 Digital Audio Interface Card (CARD-AES8) provides eight channels of professional AES3 digital audio input and output, enabling seamless integration between the DAD Thunder|Core platform and broadcast, live production, post-production and professional recording infrastructures. Supporting professional balanced AES3 connectivity with independent sample rate conversion on every input and output, the CARD-AES8 simplifies the integration of asynchronous digital audio equipment while maintaining deterministic routing, ultra-low latency and uncompromising audio quality throughout the signal chain.
$1,708.00
The DAD AES3 Digital Audio Interface Card (CARD-AES8) has been engineered for professional broadcast, live production, post-production and recording facilities that continue to rely on the performance, reliability and interoperability of the AES3 (AES/EBU) digital audio standard. Designed for the DAD Thunder|Core platform, the CARD-AES8 provides eight channels of bidirectional AES3 digital audio connectivity, allowing legacy and modern professional digital audio equipment to integrate seamlessly into today’s high-performance routing environments.
Whether connecting broadcast consoles, digital routers, audio processors, synchronisers, replay systems, programme distribution equipment or recording workstations, the CARD-AES8 provides deterministic digital audio transport with exceptional flexibility. Independent Sample Rate Conversion (SRC) on every AES input and output allows asynchronous digital systems operating on different clock domains to communicate transparently without requiring external sample rate converters, significantly simplifying complex broadcast installations.
Although Audio over IP technologies continue to expand throughout the broadcast industry, AES3 remains one of the most widely deployed professional digital audio standards. Television studios, radio stations, master control rooms, outside broadcast vehicles and production facilities continue to depend upon AES3 connectivity for programme distribution, monitoring, synchronisation and equipment interoperability.
The CARD-AES8 allows these established infrastructures to integrate seamlessly with the DAD Thunder|Core routing architecture. Audio arriving via AES3 immediately becomes available throughout the internal routing matrix where it can be distributed to Dante®, MADI, analogue outputs, monitoring systems, recording workstations or additional AES3 outputs without compromising latency or audio quality.
One of the most valuable features of the CARD-AES8 is the inclusion of independent Sample Rate Conversion (SRC) on every AES input and output. Broadcast systems frequently combine equipment operating at different sample rates or independent clock domains. The integrated SRC allows these systems to coexist without requiring external conversion hardware, reducing system complexity while maintaining stable, deterministic operation.
Each AES3 connection can therefore operate independently, allowing engineers to integrate legacy broadcast equipment, external processors, replay systems, digital consoles and recording devices regardless of their operating clock, while preserving the integrity of the original programme material.
The CARD-AES8 benefits from the deterministic routing architecture of the DAD Thunder|Core FPGA platform. Every AES3 input can be routed to any destination within the DAD ecosystem, while any internal signal can be transmitted via the AES outputs. This provides exceptional flexibility for programme routing, confidence monitoring, production feeds, international sound, recording and distribution without introducing unnecessary latency or additional signal processing.
Because routing occurs entirely within the Thunder|Core architecture, engineers gain access to one of the most flexible professional digital audio infrastructures available, allowing complex broadcast workflows to be managed from a single integrated platform.
The CARD-AES8 integrates directly into the DAD AX Center, AX32, AX64, Penta 720 and Penta 721s, providing eight channels of professional AES3 digital audio input and output while preserving the operational reliability expected from mission-critical broadcast systems. Fully configurable through DADman, engineers can rapidly configure routing, sample rate conversion, monitoring and distribution without interrupting programme operation.
Whether deployed in television production, radio broadcasting, outside broadcast vehicles, theatre, live production or professional recording studios, the CARD-AES8 provides a dependable bridge between traditional AES3 infrastructures and modern Thunder|Core-based digital audio environments.
