Grace Design m701 8x8 Dante AD/DA Modular Audio Interface

The Grace Design m701 is a modular, high-channel count audio interface designed for all types of recording facilities. As our first foray into a complete interface design, the goal was to provide our very highest quality AD/DA conversion integrated into a powerful, configurable platform. The m701’s modular design allows a wide array of configurations based on your needs. From simple in the box systems to large hybrid studios, the m701 is ready.

Modern Conversion
We have been building AD/DA conversion into our mic preamp and monitoring products since the early 2000’s. During this time, digital audio converter chips have achieved a very mature state. Today it is hard to find a bad converter chip. But building a complete audio product around any converter still requires careful and expert audio design skills, which we have been honing for decades. Analog input and output circuitry, power supply, and clock design matter more than ever, and are what differentiates a great sounding I/O device from the rest. The m701 furthers our legacy of open and musical sounding audio hardware with a remarkably powerful studio I/O tool.

Massive I/O Capability
Individual 8 channel ADC and DAC modules can be installed in any combination into the 8 available card slots, allowing for a wide array of I/O combinations based on the customer’s need. Digital I/O options include: two 32 channel module slots for Digilink, Dante, USB2 (upcoming), Ravenna/ AES67/ ST2110 and other future formats. A third option module slot is provided for expanding m701 digital I/O capabilities, such as an additional 24 channel AES3 I/O module, Word Clock distribution module, or future studio monitoring functionality. Included baseboard digital I/O connections are 8ch AES, 8ch ADAT and 2ch S/PDIF. Also, optional Grace Design high-quality 4ch microphone preamplifier modules can mounted in any of the 8 card slots.

GraceNet
Configuring and operating the m701 is done at either the front panel or via our GraceNet web-based control software. GraceNet is built-in and automatically works with any browser – there is no software to install or update. The home screens for both the front panel hardware and GraceNet display comprehensive metering views for all inputs and outputs, as well as give access to all configuration and setup functions. GraceNet even includes an integrated control interface for Grace Design m108 microphone preamplifiers.

Cue Mixer
A built-in 32×8 mixer allows for multiple low latency cue mixes in a tracking environment, with individual mixers made available to the artist via GraceNet and a personal device (phone or tablet).

• 64 channels analog I/O
• 340 channels digital I/O
• Reference quality 8ch AD/DA modules
• Eight 8ch AD/DA option slots
• 32 x 32ch Digilink option module
• 64 x 64ch Dante option module
• 64 x 64ch Ravenna /AES67/ ST2110 option module
• 32×32 USB2 option module
• 24ch AES3 I/O option module
• Included I/O: 8ch ADAT, 8ch AES3, 2ch S/PDIF
• High performance 4ch microphone preamp option module
• Integrated control for Grace Design m108 mic preamplifiers
• GraceNet built-in Ethernet / web browser control
• Built-in 32×8 low latency cue mixer
• System workflow load, edit, save, and recall
• 5 year transferrable warranty

Grace Design Reliability
The m701 main unit is a single 2U chassis engineered with a high-quality dual redundant power supply and ultra quiet fan to maximize reliability for hardworking recording facilities. The m701 is backed by a 5 year transferrable warranty on all parts and labor.

LATENCY
ADC to Digital Output
• 0.5ms (48kHz)
• 0.25ms (96kHz)
• 0.12ms (192kHz)

Digital Input to DAC
• 0.8ms (48kHz)
• 0.4ms (96kHz)
• 0.2ms (192kHz)

WITH MINIMUM PHASE FILTER
ADC to Digital Output
• 0.2ms (48kHz)
• 0.1ms (96kHz)
• 0.05ms (192kHz)

Digital Input to DAC
• 0.2ms (48kHz)
• 0.1ms (96kHz)
• 0.05ms (192kHz)

CUE MIXER LATENCY
• 0.02ms (48kHz)
• 0.01ms (96kHz)
• 0.005ms (192kHz)