Technologies
MARIAN sound systems offer more than just professional digital and analog audio connections. Complex signal routing, mixing function and cascadability are just as much a part of it as are specialized multi-client driver software and diverse synchronization options.
The Future in Networking
With real-time transmission of up to 1,024 uncompressed audio channels over standard Ethernet networks, Dante is one of the most versatile audio distribution technologies available.
The Clara Emin, Clara E and Clara E/D PCIe audio systems are built on Dante technology developed by Audinate. Its dual independent network ports provide true hardware redundancy: if one Ethernet connection fails, operation continues seamlessly over the second link without interruption or manual switching.
Beyond Dante connectivity, the Clara E systems also delivers exceptional flexibility. Both Ethernet ports are fully AES67-compatible, enabling interoperability with Ravenna and other Audio-over-IP standards.
Modular and Sustainable
The TDM SyncBus interconnects up to eight audio systems within a single computer, enabling the exchange of up to 32 audio channels between connected devices.
In addition, the TDM SyncBus ensures sample-accurate clock, start, and stop synchronization across all connected audio interfaces. Through the ASIO driver, the entire setup is presented as one fully integrated, perfectly synchronized audio system.
Heavenly Sound, Beastly Power
The BEAST is a latency-free DSP mixer, providing up to 64 channels with 32-bit internal resolution. Each channel features 4 fully parametric EQ bands modeled on the characteristic sound of classic analog mixing consoles.
Channels can be mixed to up to eight buses, each processed with 52-bit dynamics and offering up to 24 dB of headroom for maximum audio quality and precision.
Every channel and mix bus can be freely routed to any output or looped back into a DAW, while signal duplication enables the BEAST Routing system to function as a fully programmable digital patchbay.
In addition, the EQ section of each channel can be enabled independently for every mix bus. This makes it possible, for example, to apply EQ processing to the main mix while leaving pre-/post-switchable aux sends unaffected.
Analog Workflow
ASIO Direct Monitoring (ADM) brings the workflow of classic analog inline consoles to sound systems equipped with the BEAST Mixer. Each channel can carry both the live input signal and the playback signal from the recording application — much like the channel structure of traditional studio consoles and tape machines.
When used with ADM-compatible recording software, the BEAST Mixer automatically switches between these two signal paths. During recording, the performer hears the live input signal with zero-latency monitoring. During playback, the same channel seamlessly reproduces the recorded track from the DAW.
Extension and Double Benefit
The MWX expansion allows the sound system to operate independently of both its internal clock and the clock sources of connected digital interfaces. Available for every MARIAN sound system, the optional module provides seamless integration into modern digital studio environments via dedicated Word Clock and Super Clock inputs and outputs.
In addition, two MIDI inputs and outputs enable direct integration of external MIDI devices into the DAW workflow.
Precise and Flexible
Thanks to ultra-precise clocking with jitter values below 1 ns, a CLARA sound card can rival or even surpass some dedicated clock generators. Even when operating in external synchronization mode, an advanced PLL circuit continuously re-locks and refines the incoming clock signal, ensuring maximum stability and precision in audio processing across the system.
Audioquality without Compromise
The sound quality of the analog connections in SERAPH and CLARA sound systems convinces musicians, producers, and mastering engineers alike. At the same time, the industry values the fully balanced signal paths, supporting sample rates of up to 384 kHz at 32-bit resolution and +24 dBu headroom.
Depending on the system configuration, users can also choose between XLR or TRS connections, ensuring flexible integration into a wide range of studio and production environments.
Lossless audio quality
MARIAN sound systems with digital interfaces such as AES/EBU are equipped with high-quality sample rate converters at the inputs, enabling flexible clock management while maintaining consistently high dynamic range.
The galvanically isolated connections exhibit extremely low jitter values (below 1 ns in the CLARA Series), ensure full bit transparency, and meet the highest quality standards required by mastering studios worldwide.
Pro Format
The SERAPH M2 series features MADI connectivity supporting both 56- and 64-channel modes. Depending on the connected device, the appropriate mode and sample rate are automatically detected—even at sample rates above 48 kHz.
To ensure compatibility with the latest professional audio equipment, MARIAN MADI interfaces support sample rates of up to 384 kHz.
High Performance Software
All MARIAN sound systems benefit from a decade-long optimization process that began with Windows 3.1 and continues to this day.
The sophisticated driver provides support for a wide range of audio interfaces, including ASIO, MME, and multichannel WDM Audio / WASAPI, and is optimized for maximum stability and ultra-low latency performance. Its versatile user interface enables straightforward access, intuitive configuration, and precise optimization of all system parameters.
In addition, the driver manager offers comprehensive control over the integrated mixing, routing, and audio processing functions of the BEAST system.