Features
- Overview
- Hybrid FireWire/USB2
- Mic/guitar inputs
- Comprehensive I/O
- Mixing and effects
- CueMix FX software
- Classic reverb
- Modeled analog EQ
- Vintage compression
- Tuner & analysis tools
- Clock and sync
- MIDI
- Expansion & drivers
- Feature summary
Most Badass Interface
"In the audio interface wars, the 828mk3 brings on the heavy artillery...this is the interface you bring out when the children have left the room."
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Comprehensive I/O
The 828mk3 allows you to connect a wide variety of studio gear, including microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines, effects processors and more.
Front panel I/O
In addition to the two mic/guitar preamp inputs on the front panel, the 828mk3 provides two independent headphone jacks with independent volume knobs, one of which also controls the XLR main outs on the rear panel. Alternatively, this "Master Vol" knob can be programmed to control any combination of outputs (analog and/or digital). For example, it can control monitor output for an entire 5.1 or 7.1 surround mix.
Discrete inputs and outputs
The phone jack below the MASTER VOL knob labeled "(MAIN)" is hard-wired to (mirrors) the XLR main outs. In all other cases, inputs and outputs are discrete. For example, using a mic input does not "steal" an input from the TRS analog I/O bank. Even the second headphone jack operates as an independent output with its own volume control, although you can program it to mirror any other output pair (such as the XLR main outs).
Digitally controlled analog input trim
All of the 828mk3's analog inputs are equipped with digitally controlled analog trim controls that allow adjustments in precise 1 dB increments. The mic/guitar input trims can be adjusted using front-panel digital rotary encoders that provide feedback in the front panel LCD. All analog inputs, including eight TRS analog inputs, can be trimmed using the CueMix FX control software for Mac and Windows.
This allows you to fine-tune your trim settings for synths, effects modules and a wide variety of analog inputs for optimum levels. Different trim configurations can then be saved as files on disk for instant recall.
Rear panel I/O
Eight balanced (TRS) 24-bit analog inputs and outputs, as well as two XLR main outs and the two preamp inputs, can operate at sample rates up to 192 kHz (a total of ten analog inputs and outputs). Two optical banks provide 16 channels of ADAT optical at 48 kHz, 8 channels of S/MUX optical I/O at 96 kHz or two banks of stereo TOSLink at rates up to 96 kHz. The banks operate independently, allowing you to mix and match any optical formats. RCA S/PDIF connectors also supply independent stereo digital I/O.
Each mic input has a corresponding rear panel send that allows you to insert outboard gear before the signal goes digital. Any input can be used as a return. (These two dedicated sends are not counted as outputs in the table below.)
| Input | Output | |
|---|---|---|
| Analog 24-bit 192-kHz on +4/-10 bal/unbal TRS | 8 | 8 |
| Mic preamps 24-bit 192-kHz on XLR/TRS combo | 2 | - |
| Main outputs 24-bit 192kHz on bal XLR | - | stereo |
| Headphone output* | - | stereo |
| ADAT optical (digital)† | 16 | 16 |
| S/PDIF 24-bit 96-kHz (digital) | stereo | stereo |
| Total | 28 | 30 |
* The phone jack below the MASTER VOL knob is hard-wired to (mirrors) the XLR main outs. The other phone jack operates as an independent stereo pair.
† The two optical banks provide 16 channels of ADAT optical at 48 kHz, 8 channels of S/MUX optical I/O at 96 kHz or two banks of stereo TOSLink at rates up to 96 kHz. The banks operate independently, allowing you to mix and match any optical formats.
Control room monitoring
Powered monitors can be plugged directly into the outputs of the 828mk3 and you can attenuate the output from the software or the front-panel MASTER VOL control. Main out volume is not limited to stereo operation: quad, 5.1, 7.1 and even user-defined configurations are available. You can even program the 828mk3 to control all 30 outputs with the MASTER VOL knob.
