MUTEC Introduces MC1.2+ Bi-directional Digital to Digital Converter with USB Interface

MUTEC GmbH, the Berlin-based manufacturer of professional audio technology for studio and high-end applications, announced the launch of the MC1.2+ bi-directional real‑time converter and signal transfer between computers and/or digital audio hardware. The MC1.2+ improves the sound quality performance via USB and features multiple interface ports including AES/EBU and S/P‑DIF. It supports USB‑power allowing mobile operation, mains voltage (internal), and DC via external PSU.

After a major fire destroyed the Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) semiconductor factory in Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, the company still has to provide a report on the disruption that this major disaster will cause to its business, particularly affecting the supply of critical DAC and ADC chips that are used by many high-end audio and studio equipment manufacturers. Non-confirmed reports state the company is already preparing to outsource production of the analog/digital LSI circuits exclusively produced at this facility.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) made two new product announcements focusing on 4-channel applications. The AK5704EN 4-channel 32-bit A/D audio converter was developed for high-quality low-power multi-microphone recording applications. Its built-in microphone amplifier and power supply make it an ideal solution for conference systems, microphone array systems or smart speakers. The also new AK7739VQ/AK7737VQ audio and voice processors are multicore units, designed for car audio, car navigation systems, and wireless speakers applications.