RECORDING November 2024 - 40

REVIEW
only two buttons, a glowing backlit power
button and sync, which cycles through
LED-indicated Word Clock, ADAT SMUX
or ADAT clocking options.
Getting In
On the X8 IN, there is a matching power
Arturia AudioFuse
X8 IN & X8 OUT
Easily add eight ins or outs to any
ADAT-equipped setup
REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR.
I
n April 2018, we introduced readers to the Arturia AudioFuse, the first
in a still-growing lineup of audio interfaces from Arturia. This past April,
we dug into the well-connected flagship AudioFuse 16Rig. Today, for
those of us in need of even more ins and outs, we bring you the two latest
Fuse offerings, designed to add eight input or output channels to any
ADAT-equipped interface, introducing the Arturia AudioFuse X8 IN and its
sibling, the AudioFuse X8 OUT.
Simple Little Black Boxes
Housed in a 1U half-rack aluminum
matte black enclosure, the AudioFuse X8
IN and X8 OUT are nearly identical twins,
especially on the connection side where
each box is 95% similar-the difference is
the directionality of each unit's I/O.
You get eight 1
/4
TRS jacks configured
as ins on the X8 IN and outs on the X8
OUT. There is a BNC-style Word Clock
input switchable between Hi-Z and 75Ω
followed by a pair of ADAT sockets, out
on the X8 IN and in on the X8 OUT, and
a 15V barrel connector for the included
external power adapter.
Alone or Together
Each unit can be used solo on a desktop,
thanks to four orange rubber feet, or
40 RECORDING November 2024
two units can be rack mounted together
with one of the most well-designed rack
mounting systems I have seen.
In contrast to most half-rack devices,
which often require the added purchase of
mounting accessories, Arturia has come up
with a more ingenious solution. The necessary
rack ears and connecting plates are
included. You will find them attached and
recessed into the bottom of each unit. Unscrew
and detach the feet, the orange rack
ears and the connecting plate, then move
them to their new positions and reattach
them-it takes less than 5 minutes.
Getting Out
The front panel controls are where both
models differ the most. The AudioFuse X8
OUT is a thoroughly spartan affair with
button, plus two LED-indicated sync/clock
buttons with sync choices of Word Clock or
Internal clocking and Clock speed options
of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz.
Next on the X8 IN are four backlit
equipped function buttons. Two scroll between
inputs 1-8 individually or in pairs.
The third button engages a -12dB pad,
while button four links channels 1-2, 3-4,
5-6 or 7-8 for quick stereo configuration.
Lastly,
a
single
multi-function
LED
above each channel indicates signal levels
and clipping, and linked and/or padded
channels.
On the Inside
According to Arturia, each unit has
been designed from the ground up with
the latest generation 24-bit converters.
The X8 IN features a 119dB dynamic
range and -112dB of harmonic distortion,
while the X8 OUT has a 120.5dB dynamic
range, -106dB of harmonic distortion
and a 240Ω output impedance.
ADAT & SMUX
Using the standard ADAT protocol, each
unit supports eight audio channels at either
44.1 kHz or 48 kHz through a single
ADAT optical cable. Higher sample rates
(96 kHz and 192 kHz) require each unit's
dual ADAT ports running in SMUX mode
with channels 1-4 on one and 5-8 on the
other. Note that any connected devices
need to be so equipped and configured.
AudioFuse X8 IN In Use
Pairing the AudioFuse X8 IN with an
ADAT-equipped interface is effortlessly
simple and, as it says on the " tin, " lets
you add eight more channels of I/O via
ADAT. One thing to note, you must supply
your own optical cables.
At my studio, my UA Apollo x8p offers
SMUX, which is perfect for adding external
microphone preamps or interfacing
extra analog outboard gear into the mix
at my 96 kHz. I experienced zero setup,
hookup or configuration issues.
RECORDING November 2024

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