DAD Core 256 Base Unit

Dante Thunderbolt Router Interface - MADI - ADAT for Dolby Atmos

• Compact yet powerful: up to 848 I/O channels
• Supports Dante, MADI, ADAT and Thunderbolt 3
• Perfect for Dolby Atmos®, live sound and post production
• PRO | MON monitor control and SPQ processing included
• Advanced management via DADman software

DAD Core 256: the compact solution for multichannel audio

DAD Core 256 is the ideal audio interface for live applications, immersive studios and post-production. With a compact half-rack unit format, it offers up to 848 channels between inputs and outputs, integrating Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, Dante, MADI, ADAT and a powerful internal routing engine.

The perfect choice for Dolby Atmos®.

Designed for immersive audio, Core 256 can be paired with a Mac Mini with Dolby Atmos® Renderer or Production Suite, creating a compact, high-performance 1U system. The optional bracket allows installation in shared racks with computers for advanced productions in small spaces.

Ultra-low latency Thunder | Core performance

Using Thunder | Core technology, Core 256 provides latency as low as 9 internal samples, with round-trips as low as 670 μs at 96kHz. The internal, FPGA-based routing engine offers up to 4096x4096 cross-points with fixed latency of 5 samples per audio path.

Professional routing, conversion and control

Core 256 is also perfect as a high-performance D/D converter. With DADman software, you can configure custom routes between Dante, MADI, ADAT and Thunderbolt ports. Support for Eucon control and integration with MOM and Avid surfaces make it extremely versatile.

Advanced monitor control with PRO | MON

Management of up to 512 inputs on 64 output buses, EQ with 1024 filters on 64 channels, level controls, signal summing and speaker management with delay for each channel. All manageable via Ethernet or Thunderbolt via DADman.

Live, studio, immersive: one interface for everything

DAD Core 256 is perfectly suited to multiple contexts: live sound, house of worship, immersive audio, post and film. With the ultimate in quality and flexibility in a compact, rugged format.

Technical Specifications.

• 848 total I/O channels
• Thunderbolt 3: 256 ch. bidirectional
• Dante: up to 256 ch. @48kHz, 128 ch. @96kHz
• MADI: 64 ch. BNC + 128 ch. via SFP module
• ADAT dual TosLink: 16 ch.
• SPQ: 64 ch. with 16 filters each
• PRO | MON: 512x64 channels, sum and speaker EQ
• 1500x1500 internal router with 28 bit floating point
• MacOS (Intel/Silicon) and Windows 10+ compatibility
• Control via Ethernet or Thunderbolt
• Format: 1/2 rack unit, 12V DC external