ESI Takes Digital Audio to the Max with MAXIO XD
October 10, 2002
At this year's AES convention in Los Angeles, ESI announced the MAXIO XD, a 24-bit/192kHz recording system designed to handle 32 simultaneous channels of analog inputs and outputs. The basic system consists of the EX-8000, a 2-rack space unit with 8-in/8-out balanced XLR connectors and a choice of a PCI interface for desktop systems, or a cardbus interface for laptop recording. Each interface is equipped with four firewire-like EDI (EgoSys Digital Interface) connections, each capable of individually supporting one EX-8000, giving the system 32 channel capability on one card. The PCI version of the MAXIO XD system will support up to 4 cards on the same computer making a total of 128 channels of recording possible.
The front panel of the EX-8000 features 8 balanced mic preamps. Combo connectors offer the choice of using XLR or TRS inputs. Also immediately noticeable are 10 step LED peak metering lights for each channel. Other important features of the EX-8000 include +48V DC phantom power on each channel, AES/EBU and S/PDIF digital I/O, and a headphone monitor.
Features of the MAXIO PCI card and the MAXIO Cardbus interface include the four EDI protocol ports and a buslink breakout that hosts a S/PDIF coaxial I/O, Word Clock I/O BNC connector, and a 1-in/1-out MIDI interface. Also included in the software for the card is a built in 64 channel mixer.
"The MAXIO XD system offers the ultimate, flexible solution for high quality audio production in either a desktop or a laptop production environment, yet without the lofty price tag of competing systems," notes ESI VP JJ Jenkins."
The MAXIO XD system fully supports Windows XP and Mac OS X operating systems. It also comes standard with DirectWire, ESI's powerful and unique virtual patchbay for digitally connecting between popular audio software programs.
The basic system, including 1 EX-8000 and 1 PCI or Cardbus interface will list for $1,699.00. Additional EX-8000 expansion units are priced at $1,199.00 each. The MAXIO XD System will start delivering in January of 2003.
For more information, visit their web site at www.esi-pro.com. | 
