The Atlas interface is a USB soundcard, which sits above the Titan unit released by Prism Sound in 2013, and the half-rack sized Lyra. The Atlas gives studios or sound producers the option to specify a range of interfaces, via a multi-channel digital I/O slot system, which supports interfaces such as FireWire, AES/EBU and S/PDIF, and modules specifically geared towards Avid’s Pro Tools software.
As standard, the Atlas comes equipped with ADAT connections, which can run alongside S/PDIF, as well as eight XLR-based mic channels with mic pres, eight analogue outputs, and dual headphone sockets.
The Atlas interface can sample audio at up to 192kHz over USB, and the Atlas is a UAC2, or USB Audio Class 2, device. This means it will work natively with Macintosh and Linux computers, as well as iOS (iPad) and Android devices. Prism Sound supplies a driver for Windows systems.
Prism Sound says that the Atlas has been designed from the ground up to provide the best audio quality via a USB interface, but also via its analogue circuits. The interface provides low-latency foldback over its analogue connections, for monitoring by studio guests or performers.
The unit also includes a range of audio monitoring options, from stereo to 7.1 surround sound. The “worst case” delay for a signal passing from an analogue input, through the unit, and back out to analogue is 0.5ms, Prism says.
The Atlas will work directly with “native” audio workstation software, including SADiE but also Pro Tools. Users of Pro Tools HDX systems are also supported via the MDIO port, allowing direct connection of the Atlas to high-end Pro Tools rigs.
The exact pricing of the Atlas depends on the configuration of option cards, but a standard unit without MDIO modules retails for £3995, ex VAT, in the UK. The simpler Lyra interface starts at £1349.
