ACE is DirectOut's compact and portable audio processing and routing platform, designed to bring professional-grade signal management to a broader audience. Built on the same powerful FPGA engine that drives the acclaimed PRODIGY series and MAVEN.A, ACE delivers studio-quality audio processing, conversion, and routing — with an easy and simplified user experience.

Discover more on ace.directout.eu.

Powerful, Yet Intuitive
ACE introduces application-specific modes — such as Playback and PA Tuning — each guided by setup wizards that get you up and running in just a few steps. For fully custom signal flow and processing chain, PRODIGY Mode unlocks the full depth of DirectOut's processing architecture via globcon, including 64 Flex Channels, a 64×64 matrix mixer, FIR and IIR filtering, dynamics, delays, and automixing.

Comprehensive Connectivity
ACE handles analog, digital (AES3, MADI), and network audio (Dante, AVB / MILAN). With SFP-based MADI ports, ACE is also compatible with DirectOut's USB.MADI transceiver, turning any MADI slot into a high-performance computer audio interface.

Grow at Your Own Pace
Start with the mode that fits your workflow, then expand ACE's capabilities over time through software licenses — from extended DSP packs and sample rate conversion to EARS redundancy switching. ACE scales from a straightforward playback rig or drive rack to a fully featured multifunction processor without ever changing hardware.

Control is key
Globcon control manages all DirectOut devices via network - either on Mac or PC.
Local display and operation on a touch display facilitates the overview and grants basic control.

 

Interfaces
MADI ports (I/O): 4 x SFP (empty cage without transceiver)*
Network: 2 x RJ45 (1 Gbit/s), audio network
1 x RJ45 (1 Gbit/s), management
Analog (I/O): 4 x MIC/LINE input via DSUB-25
4 x LINE output via DSUB-25
AES3 (I/O): 4 x AES3 stereo ports, 8 ch in / 8 ch out via DSUB-25, with dedicated SRC
Headphones Outputs: 4 x 6.3 mm TRS jack, mono / stereo
1 x 3.5 mm TRS jack, mono/stereo
Output level: max. +18 dBu
SNR: -118 dB RMS (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
THD+N @ 0 dBFS: -109 dB @ 600 Ω
Word Clock (I/O): 2 x coaxial BNC (75 Ω termination switchable)
GPIO: GPI 2 x Voltage Input via DSUB-9
GPO 2 x MOSFET switch via DSUB-9
USB: 1 x USB 2.0 (A) for control
1 x USB 3.1 (C, lockable) for control

 

Digital
Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz (+/- 12,5%)
MADI formats: 48k / 96k Frame, 56 / 57 / 64 channel, S/MUX or Native, High Speed or Legacy
Audio Network Options Dante I/O channels: 64 @ 1 FS, 32 @ 2 FS, 16 @ 4 FS
AVB / MILAN I/O channels: 64 @ 1 FS, 32 @ 2 FS, 16 @ 4 FS

 

Analog
Input Sensitivity: -55 dBu to +24 dBu
PAD: 9 dB PAD (switchable)
Phantom Power: +48 V phantom power (switchable)

 

A/D
THD @ -1 dBFS: -113 dB
SNR @ 0 dB Gain: -118 dBFS RMS (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
EIN @ 60 dB Gain: -118 dBu (20Hz Hz - 20 kHz)
Frequency response: -0.5 dB (10 Hz to FS/2)

 

D/A
SNR: -113 dB
THD+N @ -0 dBFS: -109 dB (@ 24 dBu)

 

Global
Power Supply: External (60 W, grounded)
2 x USB-C lockable
Power Consumption max. 60 W
Display: 3.5” Backlight LED LCD, IPS Transmissive
Resolution: 340 x 800 px
Touch display
Buttons: 1 x Encoder knob with push functionality
2 x Push-Buttons
Dimensions: Width 310 mm
Height 1 RU (44 mm)
Depth 210 mm
Weight: about 2.5 kg

 

* SFP transceiver MADI, compatible and available from DirectOut

No liability for misprints and technical changes assumed.

DOCUMENTS

 

SOFTWARE