Recording - June 2017 - 48

Merging Technologies Hapi

Easy networking plus world-class conversion equals one incredible interface
REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR.

erging Technologies is a Swiss company that has
been creating high-end tools for the audio/video
industry for over 25 years. Used by top mastering
houses, studios, video production companies,
and more, products like the Pyramix DAW can be described as
"beyond boutique level" in many ways.
On review here is the Hapi. In simple terms it's a multichannel
digital interface, but it's one that is configurable and expandable,
uses audio networking as its chosen digital interface protocol (vs.
the usual suspects of USB and Thunderbolt), is handbuilt with
hand-selected and soldered analog components. That's something
we usually hear about high-end microphones, not an audio
interface, but it speaks to what Merging is trying to deliver.

Come on, let's all get Hapi

This unit is named for the Egyptian deity Hapi, who in ancient lore
is one of the sons of Horus. That makes sense here, since Horus is
Merging's flagship interface unit. While smaller in stature, Hapi contains most of Horus' functionality, only slimmed down. Since they use
the same A/D and D/A conversion cards, sonically they are identical. Another area to note is that thanks to Merging's use of networked
audio, multiple Hapi and Horus units play splendidly together.
Hapi is housed in a 1U 19" rack box dressed in a brushed
silver-ivory color scheme with a thick metal faceplate that is
sleek and minimal. On this panel are etched carvings of an
Egyptian Hapi hieroglyph and the Merging pyramid logo. This
logo lights white during powerup and blue when the unit is on
and ready. It also happens to be the unit's power switch, a fact
I was unaware of... and yes, dear readers, it took me a few
minutes to figure out how to turn the unit on. Luckily I felt better once our Merging representative at distributor Independent
Audio, Dennis, let me know it's a question he answers regularly.
Next is a small square OLED screen flanked by a single large
silver push and turn data wheel. Menu selections and parameter
settings are done via a series of dial turns and presses that take a bit
to get used to, but are very intuitive and second nature after minimal
practice. The big trick is: quick single presses equal forward menu
selection and enter, while pushing and holding the dial steps back
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RECORDING June 2017

through the pages. The control handles everything from routing and
clocking, to system settings, but defaults back to output and/or headphone volume when allowed to idle. To its right are a pair of headphone jacks, one 1/4" and one minijack (they carry the same signal).
Around the back, Hapi comes stock with Toslink in and out
for S/PDIF or ADAT, 8 channels of AES on a DB-25 port, as
well as a mini HD15 port that connects to an included breakout
cable with sync options for MIDI, LTC (SMPTE), and Video. Last
are a pair of BNC ins and outs for word clock, and Primary and
Secondary Network jacks. These RJ45 (Ethernet) jacks support
networking over CAT5e/CAT6 cables using the RAVENNA protocol, which includes the AES67 digital audio standard.

Getting carded

Beyond this, Hapi is a modular device; further connections
are handled by a choice of I/O cards that fit into one of Hapi's
two expansion slots. (Note that Horus has 6 such slots plus an
additional MADI slot). There are two options available for each
analog conversion card: standard (up to 192 kHz) or Premium
(capable of DXD/DSD256). The card choices are:
~ 8 Channel A/D Mic/Line Input with all-analog line-level
post-preamp direct outs for DI-free recording at the console
(AKD8D/DP)
~ 8 Channel D/A Line Output Cards (DA8/P)
~ 8 Channel Mic/Line Input plus 8 Channel Line Out Card
(ADA8)
~ 64 I/O MADI coaxial/optical (MADM/MADS, left slot only)
~ 64 channel Pro Tools HD connectivity (PT64)
All of the A/D cards are DB-25 cards equipped with Swissmade, fast and clean microphone preamps on each input channel.
These preamps are switchable to Line and Hi-Z In and offer 120
dB of dynamic range. Full tech specs are available at the Merging
website, but conversion in Hapi is built upon an AKM AK5578
chip, with an individually calibrated quartz clocking mechanism
and a completely-balanced signal path direct to the A/D converter.

Software and networking

On the software side, Hapi uses Merging's RAVENNA protocol
for both Mac and Windows and connects to your system via RJ45

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - June 2017