Mackie HDR24/96 Upgrades Provide Serial*9 Support and 24-Channels Digital I/O
August 22, 2002
Mackie Designs announced two new add-on cards designed to increase both versatility and compatibility of the Mackie HDR24/96 digital recorder. The Serial*9 card (MSRP $299) allows the HDR24/96 to be controlled by various transport and time code controllers via the Sony 9-Pin device protocol. The new OPT*24 digital I/O card (MSRP $349) provides 24-channels of digital I/O that allows users to interface optical and analog/AES formatted signal in tandem with other I/O cards. Mackie has also released the version 1.3 upgrade of its hard disk recorder software to allow for compatibility with these new cards.
"We have been listening to our customers and paying very close attention to how the HDR is used in real-world applications," stated Keith Olsen, Corporate Director, Global Recording Market and Product Development at Mackie Designs Inc. "The new Serial*9 pin interface really rounds out the synchronization feature set of the HDR24/96, while the OPT*24 card significantly increases configurability options-especially for those that are recording live and then mixing digitally. The OPT*24 fits into a vacant PCI slot on the back of the HDR rather than the standard I/O card cage. This allows users to install other I/O cards, analog or digital, while always having a digital I/O option on board."
About the Serial*9
The Serial*9 is a dual communications PCI card that installs into the Mackie HDR24/96 adding RS422 (Sony 9-Pin device protocol) capabilities to the product's feature set. The Serial*9 replaces the existing MIDI card shipped with the HDR24/96 and offers both MIDI (MTC & MMC) and Sony 9-pin communication to and from external devices like remote controllers and digital audio workstations. The Serial*9 card ships with all needed software as well as a straightforward, one-page instruction sheet.
About the OPT*24
The OPT*24 card is the perfect solution for users that require multiple I/O formats. Because the OPT*24 installs into one of the vacant PCI slots rather than the Tape I/O card cage, it can be used in tandem with whatever other I/O cards the customer requires-thereby reducing the need to swap cards and reconfigure the HDR from application to application.
The Serial*9 and OPT*24 cards are currently shipping and available through Mackie dealers. For more information, visit their web site at www.mackie.com. | 
