Overview

  • 848 Input and Output Channels
  • Digital Router and Monitoring Interface
  • Thunderbolt 3 I/O (256 Ch.)
  • Dante AoIP I/O (256 Ch.)
  • MADI BNC I/O (64 Ch.)
  • MADI SFP I/O Module Option Available (128 Ch. – SFP not included)
  • ADAT dual TosLink I/O (16 Ch.)
  • 512×64 ch. Pro|Mon Summing and Speaker EQ Processing
  • Sample rates supported from 44.1 to 384 kHz

Features

  • 2 Thunderbolt 3 Ports (each with 15W power)
  • 256 Bidirectional Channels at 48 & 96 kHz
  • ASIO / Core Audio Thunderbolt PCIe drivers
  • MADI/BNC + 2 x SFP/BNC or Optical MADI with MADI module (previously an option as of April 2025 included as standard – just add required format SFPs for additional MADI connectivity)
  • ADAT /Litepipe (16 Ch.)
  • DANTE: 256 Ch. at 48 kHz, 128 Ch. at 96kHz (IP Core)
  • WC I/O
  • SPQ: 64 Ch. with 16 Filters
  • Pro|Mon Support
  • Summing Processor 64 Output / 512 Input Busses
  • Internal Router: 1500 x 1500
  • 32bit Floating Point Processing
  • Avid Eucon Enabled Devices via DADman
  • APPLE Silicon M1 and Intel Compatible Software
  • Control via Ethernet or Thunderbolt Connection
  • 12V DC External Power (Max 60W)
  • ½ Rack Unit 1U Height

Thunder | Core Near-Zero Latency

The DAD Thunder|Core Technology provides a Thunderbolt 3 connection with near-zero latency. Engineers can interface between audio applications on macOS or Windows and the Thunder|Core audio hardware.

The interface provides a fast Thunderbolt 3/PCIe connection for data transfer with 2 samples of latency and a total of 9 samples of latency in the digital interface, this total also includes the EQ and summing processing within the unit for ultra fast onboard processing.

The interface can provide up to 256 audio channels at 48 and 96kHz, with a latency of 95 microseconds at 96kHz . The total round-trip latency with an audio software application will depend on the buffer size set for the application. With a buffer size of 32 samples for example, the latency is 670 microseconds or 0.67 ms at 96 kHz.

Specifications

  • 2 x Thunderbolt 3 Ports w. 15W Power Source Each
  • 256 Bidirectional Channels at 44.1/48 kHz
  • 256 Bidirectional Channels at 88.2/96 kHz
  • 128 Channels at 192 kHz
  • 64 Channels at 384 kHz

The Ultimate Digital Bridge

A tiny Dolby Atmos® hero, the Core 256 is ready to take on many of the tasks in the post-production suite, recording studio, or even in an installed audio sphere. With Dante, MADI, and ADAT ports onboard with flexible versatile DADman routing control available, the DAD Core 256 is a stellar D/D converter that can take any digital audio channel, convert the signal, and route it anywhere.

Control

The Thunder|Core Audio interface is controlled via the DADman software. DADman can connect to the Thunder|Core interface either via Ethernet or via a communication channel in the Thunderbolt connection.

More units can be daisy chained via the Thunderbolt ports, and each unit will appear in DADman control software. Using control over Ethernet the two RJ45 connectors acts as a switch for connection to more units. The Dante /AES67 audio is also passed on the two RJ45 connectors.

To discuss your projects needs, or to book a demo, don’t hesitate to contact us!

To get in touch, call us on 0118 402 5090