New Aardvark Driver 5.14 now available

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Aardvark

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Hello,

I just wanted to let everyone know that we have just released a new driver, v.5.14 for our computer audio interfaces (Direct Pro 2496, LX6, Aark 24 and the soon to be released Q10). The new driver will also work for the discontinued Aark 20/20, 20/20+ and Aark TDIF.

Driver version 5.14 is based on a new, super-efficient ASIO architecture and offers some unique features to provide extremely low latency performance with any ASIO application.

Aardvark’s existing Cubase VST and Logic Audio users will notice a significant reduction in the latency when recording live and monitoring multi-track sessions. Native Instruments and other software synth & sampler users will notice a dramatic latency reduction and real-time feel when using it with any of the Aardvark interfaces.

One of the new features in v 5.14 is the clever ASIO Buffer Size Adjustment slider which is accessed from the control panel’s Advanced button. This allows the user to dial up to 31 different ASIO buffer sizes in 64 sample increments to get exactly the setting on the computer that achieves the lowest latency possible with their applications.

V. 5.14 can be downloaded at:
http://www.aardvark-pro.com/514_download.html

Please follow the instructions for installation of the new driver, which are listed there.

This driver is a major upgrade and addresses the following areas of improvement:

1. Faster, more efficient ASIO II driver with significantly lower latency
2. Improved ASIO compatibility & performance with software synths & samplers
3. ASIO Buffer Slider for optimal computer latency settings
4. Turbo Mode for enhanced performance in some ASIO applications
5. Better Emagic stability & latency performance
6. Special Emagic ASIO compatibility mode
7. Multiple card support for Nemesys Gigasampler
8. 32-Bit graphics support for International Windows versions

If you have any questions on the new driver, please email tech@aardvark-pro.com.

If you have any other questions on Aardvark products or need additional information, please email info@aardvark-pro.com.

Thanks, I wish you all many hours of great playing and recording!

Thomas Adler
Aardvark
 
Good news for Cubase users...

But since you took the ooportunity to let everyone know about the driver update, maybe you could fill us SONAR users on the timeline for WDM Drivers. I'm not sure how it breaks down by product, but I am sure that Cakewalk users make up a significant portion of your user base.

At this point I'm not sure if I should get a Delta card to use SONAR with low latency, or Cubase to use the Aark with low latency.
 
Hello Schwa,

Thanks for posting that question, it is a good one.

Our developers are working on the WDM drivers, it is a priority issue. Because of the complexity of driver devlopment, testing, debugging etc...it is impossible for us to put an accurate release date on them at this time. But, there is progress being made and it will get done.

Regarding Sonar, you can still run Sonar and our interfaces under Win 98 or ME with excellent results. Myself and one of our sales people here use that setup in our home studios with great results and very little noticeable latency.

You may want to check out my post at www.audioforums.com under the soundcard section. One user replied yesterday that he is achieving "single-digit latency with Sonar".

Thomas
 
Thanks for the reply...

It is good to know that WDM Drivers are a priority, users of SONAR and other manufacturer's card are making me jealous of their performance.

Regarding the post in Audio Forums, I saw it, many of us freqent several of the boards, but I have a hard time swallowing the single digit latency claim. Not everyone who posts to these boards knows what they're doing.

My reading of the 5.14 update notes indicate that this is updates ASIO and the control panel, though I did see a small change in the DirectShow functionality. I did not see anything in your post or the readme that would indicate the a single digit latency (or even sub 30 msec) latency should now be possible for non-ASIO users.

What does that DirectSound slider do in the new driver anyway?

That all said, my Direct Pro 24/96 sounds great (though the compressor should have a makeup gain), and is one of the less troublesome components in my DAW (which is saying something).
 
Thanks for bringing this up; I've been wondering about the WDM implementation as well. It's why I didn't buy a SeaSound.

Despite my reluctance to buy recording equipment named after funny animals or someone's girlfriends, I have been considering this piece myself and hope to see where this discussion leads. I, too, am skeptical of spectacular unsubstantiated user claims in Internet forums.
 
123

I didn't think anyone would actually post here...
I can achieve somewhere around 15 ms latency with a cheap crap soundcard without WDM if I'm NOT using plugins. I can believe the claim of single digit, but its gonna be high singles, 8 and 9...
Also Aardvark, since you're gonna hang out here... does this driver have any improvement whatsoever for non-asio applications, like Sonar and Cakewalk?
Also, the orginal release ideas for the WDM drivers was early spring, so I'm slapping your hand! ;)
And lastly, when I checked your site awhile back, there was no specs for the Q10. Can we get em posted? :)
Oh geez, I'm full of em now that you're here... heres another... theres often talk of the preamp quality in the 2496, some say they sound real good, others say they can't possibly be decent preamps. Give us some info on these preamps and thier design, etc... I have 2 of em, I like em...
Thanks,
Paul
 
hey tubedude, aardvark has had Q10's specs up for a few months now, but its in a product literature PDF

http://www.aardvark-pro.com/direct_pro/Aardvark_lit_sheet.pdf

this is where i first found out the Q10 doesn't go up to 96 kHz.:(

hey thomas, can you release any info on the Q32 you had listed on your site before you took the page down. i read on some FAQ on your site that it might be released later this year with some updated features. is it still going to be 24 bit 96 kHz and have 8 mic/line combo jacks on the front and 8 line in, 4 inserts, and 10 outs on the back?
 
qwerty

If I could ask for anything from a soundcard manufacturer, it would be absolutely top quality converters and a pristine audio path. There are few cards out right now with converters that top the Lucid in sound quality. Actually, I can't really think of any that do. I think they should all have designated BNC clock inputs and 2spdif ins instead of one in only. If you could get that Lucid quality in an 8 in 8 out box for a reasonable price, you will totally overwhelm the competition. It would be pretty nice to be able to tweak gain levels and have meters on the breakout box, but thats not whats really neccesary, would just be nice. That should be the goal for this Q32 deal I hear of.... nicest sounding converters ever and either really really good class A preamps, or the OPTION to have it with standard 1/4 inch jacks instead. Dont get me wrong, I like my 2496 alot, and I recommend it alot, but its getting real close to time for me to step up to the next level. I believe in Aardvark quality, and I'd sure like that "next level" to be an Aardvark... but time is getting shorter, I've been looking, but theres not a lot of apparent cost conscience solutions for the "next step up". Someone needs to come out with "only card you will ever need" and live up to that statement. Attachments for Adat lightpipe and all that other stuff in optional attachable units, and able to link em together for up to 32 inputs.
Anyone with me on this one? :) Any other useable suggestions?
Damn, I feel better now... ;)
Paul
 
a "bit" off track

Hey while we're discussing the aardvark direct pro - - -question:



To record at 24 bit using Sonar, do i just set Sonar to 24-bit?

- there is no option to switch the direct pro to 24 except in the ASIO settings. and.. if i am right, does that mean that the direct pro is always recording at 24-bit and if cakewlak is set to 16-bit then cakewalk is trunciating it?

And -- If the compressor on it is based on a DSP chip then how does it affect the signal before it gets digital?

lD
 
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