The Auricon 4.4 from Sonifex is a PCIe (Express) card that provides 4 independent transformer-coupled stereo channels of analog audio input or output via a 44-pin D-connector to a Windows platform. Especially useful for audio workstations, automation systems, audio logging, and multichannel playout, the card is fully compatible with the Wave, DirectSound, DirectShow, MCI, and Core Audio APIs. Multiple cards may be installed in a single PC.
Sigma-Delta Converters
The card uses 24-bit / 192 kHz sigma-delta converters, which pass data to and from the PC via a single-lane PCI Express interface. An onboard FPGA provides audio buffering, level adjustment, and mixing functions. Hardware sampling rates of 48, 96, and 192 kHz are available, with the Windows sampling rate converter transparently providing support for other rates. The card supports extended bit depths to 32-bit, and the software sampling rate and bit depth (32-, 24-, 16- or 8-bit PCM) can be set independently for each input and output channel.
Flexible Configuration Settings
There are four configuration settings for the Auricon 4.4, these being Mode (stereo/mono), H/W Sampling Rate, Input Coupling, and Maximum Line Level. The mode may be configured as either stereo or mono. In mono mode, the number of input and output channels that Windows sees is doubled. The maximum line level can be set to +15, +16, +18, +20, +22, or +24 dBu.The playback topology consists of a master output level, mute control and peak meter, and input monitor level and mute controls for each of the line inputs. The record topology consists of a master input level, mute control and peak meter, and level controls and mutes for the physical input and digital loopback. The digital loopback allows the output of the card to be digitally mixed back into the input. The range on the input and output master controls and individual line controls is -96 to 0 dB.
Breakout Cable Options
Three different 44-pin high-density D-type connectors to XLRs breakout leads are offered as separately available options. Choose between 4 inputs and 1 output, 4 outputs and 1 input, or 4 inputs and 4 outputs.





