I have a Pulse 16 (regular version). I just bought an Orion 32 Plus Gen 3 and now need to convert my Pulse 16 to the "mx" version by purchasing the multimode SFP module (Antelope uses multimode with the SC connectors).

On the back of my unit, it has a Lock/Unlock Code already, is this all I need along with the SFP module? I see that a few online sellers have the module for $175 but don't say anything about the unlock code, which I thought was a separate purchase....?

I'm a bit confused on how I get both the SFP module and the proper unlock code here in the USA and how much it is going to cost me, thanks.

https://ferrofish-usa.com/sfp-madi-optical-module/

Which will cost you $175 + tax if relevant for the module. You’ll have to ask Synthax USA who are the distributor and who operate ferrofish-usa.com for the cost of the unlock code.

You won’t find a cheaper way of doing this than upgrading your Pulse 16.

The unlock code is not ‘goofy’ it enables the vendor to ship one piece of hardware at varying costs depending on the user’s needs. In exactly the same way that, for example, all BMWs have the hardware for heated seats but if they are enabled is down to how much you paid for the vehicle.

Thank you for the link and reply. I've sent an email requesting my code. I do have a Lock/Unlock code stamped largely already on the back of my unit, not sure what this is for?

I don't mind the $175 for the module, and understand the reason for a code. I'm just hoping it doesn't go over about $250 total for the upgrade, otherwise I should have just bought the mx version. By goofy I'm referring more to the hassle this process has been trying to figure out all the steps...finding this code and how much it costs should be made much easier and sold as an all in one package here in the USA.

Your wish is their command:

https://www.ferrofish.com/portfolio/...-da-converter/

OMG it's so cute! Would've bought this over the Behringer ADA in a heartbeat if it had existed 10 years ago haha.

Man I really wish that USB-C was on the Pulse 16s. I love the Remote for adjusting levels on the fly when I need to (keeps me from crawling on the floor to adjust them in the rack), but my two Pulse's take up two precious sets of ports on my AMT8 MIDI interface to do it!

Currently using Output 1 and 2 on the Pulse 16 for my main outs, interface is RME Digiface.

I’m thinking of adding an RME ADI 2 FS R to my setup and have this for Main Outs.

https://rme-audio.de/adi-2-pro-fs-be.html

Thoughts on this?

Will I hear a decent improvement?

I just set the Digiface's headphone outs for my 'Main Out'.
The cable coming off the front tends to catch the cats attention, but all my Pulse I/O is feeding a 24 channel console + 8 groups (and also going back into the console since its inline as well) I didn't have any to spare heh.

I have 32 outs with 2 Pulse 16s so I send my audio outs from there and just map them as main and headphone outputs in TotalMix.

Not sure if you can spare the I/o or how you prefer to monitor but I got a JDS Labs Atom headphone preamp and typically use that along with Slate VSX. My JBL monitors are not bad, but the VSX setup gets me much more accurate mixes I find. So I use the monitors mainly for composing.

Anyway I mention this in case you have the outputs available and want to save a grand and just use a really good headphone amp instead.

I tried the headphone out and it was too noisy.

It was more abiut the conversion.

My Mastering engineer has one of these on his second machine and swears by it.

I'd love to hear the difference over the Pulse or my UFX III AO


M

I guess the difference will also depend on settings, as the ADI 2 lets you pick filtering options, which will make different sounds.

Makes sense, yeah. Some of those RME convertors come with MIDI, MADI and ADAT, which would be pretty great if you had a 500 series box that supported ADAT output.

MADI for i/o and ADAT for 500 processing plus high quality conversion all in one box seems like a pretty great combo.