Ferrofish Pulse 16 AE

16-Channel AD/DA Converter
Analogue <> ADAT
- High quality 16 x 16 channel AD/DA converter
- 16 balanced TRS inputs (¼-inch / 6.3)
- 16 balanced TRS outputs (¼-inch / 6.3 mm)
- 32 x 32 ADAT channels @48kHz
- 32bit, 192kHz ESS converters
- Wordclock sync Via internal, ADAT or BNC
- Headphone output
- Single channel routing matrix
- Level meter display
- Easy User interface
- DSP-Stick port for future upgrades
- USB and MIDI ports for remote control
- MIDI CC messages to control the unit
Description


INCREASE YOUR PULSE RATE
The Ferrofish PULSE16 AE is a versatile and compact AD/DA converter designed for seamless integration into studio or live setups.
With 16 high-quality balanced analogue inputs and outputs, it ensures precise and clean signal conversion.
The PULSE16 AE offers full visual control via its vibrant front-panel displays, simplifying real-time monitoring and configuration.
Built to accommodate professional workflows, its robust clocking options and compatibility with standard studio connections make it an essential tool for engineers seeking reliable performance in a 19″ 1HU rack form factor.
Who's it for?
The Ferrofish Pulse 16 AE connects via ADAT, making it the ideal expansion for any audio interface or sound card with ADAT I/O.
Keep everything permanently connected in your studio so you’re ready to record as soon as inspiration strikes!
Connect to your audio interface and record your keyboards, synthesizers, drum machines and mixing consoles; or connect additional pairs of studio monitors, and route out (and back in) to hardware FX boxes like EQs, Reverbs and Compressors.
All captured via Ferrofish’s transparent AD and DA conversion, relied on by professional studios and live engineers the world over.

Premium Conversion Architecture
Experience pristine audio quality through carefully selected ESS converters and temperature-compensated clock design. The Pulse16 AE maintains Ferrofish’s reputation for exceptional sound quality, delivering crystal-clear conversion up to 192kHz with professional +20dBu headroom.

High-resolution Display
The high-resolution front panel display provides immediate visual feedback of all input and output signals, offering professional-grade metering and system status at a glance. Multi-colored level meters ensure precise level monitoring in any environment.

Internal Routing Matrix
The PULSE16 provides an internal matrix for routing all Ins to Outs. Routes to single channels, stereo pairs, or groups of four/eight channels. Front headphone output monitors every mono or stereo I/O.

Advanced Headphone Monitoring
The dedicated headphone output, powered by a separate ESS DAC, delivers exceptional monitoring capabilities with precise 1dB-step volume control. Four-stage amplification ensures compatibility with any headphone impedance, making it perfect for critical listening and tracking sessions.

Visual Monitoring & Metering
The display provides immediate visual feedback of all input and output signals with professional-grade metering and multi-colored level meters for precise monitoring.

Full Software Remote Control
Take command of your audio routing and settings through RemoteFish software for Mac and PC. USB-C provides instant access, and MIDI I/O integrates with larger systems and firmware updates.
Analogue I/O
The Ferrofish Pulse 16 AE offers 16 x balanced line-level inputs and 16 x balanced line-level outputs.
The analogue inputs are individually adjustable in 1 dB steps from +20dBu to -8dBu (which corresponds approximately to the level of -10dBV for use with consumer devices). Multiple input gains can be adjusted at the same time (mono, stereo, 4ch etc).
Analogue outputs are also indivudally adjustable in 1 dB steps from +20dBu to -8dBu. Note that the level metering will not change, as output levels are shown pre-attenuation.

Front Panel
Level Metering
The front panel TFT display shows the levels of all 16 analogue inputs and outputs as well as the status of the device. Pressing the MENU button takes you to the main menu from where the device can be set up.
Controls
Control of the device is offered via the front panel, which consists of a MENU button (three horizontal bars), an ESC button (X symbol), the rotary knob for headphone control and menu navigation, and the POWER button.
To prevent switching off the device accidentally, the POWER button must be pressed for approximately 3 seconds.
Headphone output
The Pulse 16 AE’s headphone output is powered by a high-quality DAC and amplifier chip, controllable via the large encoder on the front panel. Any of the devices incoming and outgoing signals can be monitored, including both mono and stereo pairs.

Rear Panel
POWER Input
Power is provided via the included ‘line-lump’ power supply. To secure the connection, be sure to lock it in place to prevent against accidentally disconnecting the device when in use.
USB-C PORT
The USB port serves as USB MIDI connection. After you connect the device to your PC/MAC, you can control it remotely using the RemoteFish software or update the firmware with the Update loo software. You can find both in the download area of the Ferrofish website. Please note that audio transmission via USB is not provided.
DSP STICK
This DSP STICK slot is intended for future updates. A protection cap is included to protect the slot when it’s not in use.

ADAT IN/OUT
The PULSE16 AE has four ADAT input and output pairs (TOSLINK optical). This allows transmission of 32+32 audio channels at up to 48kHz. At higher frequencies, the number of channels is reduced: 4+4 @ 96kHz, or 2+2 @ 192 kHz (per ADAT port).
To learn more about ADAT and how it's used in pro audio, see our guide 'What is ADAT?'.
MIDI IN/OUT (type A)
Modern and space-saving 3.5mm jacks can also be used for MIDI control, as an alternative to the MIDI-USB connection. Conventional 5 pin DIN cables can be connected via an adapter cable, which you can purchase from your favourite supplier, or also from our online shop.
WORDCLOCK IN/OUT
The Ferrofish Pulse 16 AE’s WordClock can be set to Internal, ADAT or BNC.
The Wordclock I/O is used to receive and synchronise the clock from other digital devices via BNC. Set the clock source to BNC in the CLOCK view via the menu. The current clock is output to the WORDCLOCK OUT jack.
Differences between Pulse16 (Previous) and Pulse16 AE (New)

Colour
- Previous: Silver
- New (AE): Black
Converter Technology
- Previous: Cirrus Logic AD/DA.
- New (AE): ESS ES9017 (D/A) + ESS ES9840Q (A/D) with higher dynamic range and lower THD+N
DSP Expansion
- Previous: None
- New (AE): Optional DSP stick for advanced audio processing
MADI Option
- Previous: Optional MADI upgrade via SFP module and License
- New (AE): No MADI upgrade option.*
*The Pulse 16 AE does not include a MADI upgrade option. The Pulse 16 MX (MADI) and Pulse 16 DX (Dante) remain available, both of which include MADI I/O as standard.
Routing
- Previous: 8-channel group-based.
- New (AE): Single-channel routing (send any input to any output)
Remote Control & I/O
- Previous: No USB-C remote (just MIDI DIN). No MIDI Controller Messages.
- New (AE): USB-C for RemoteFish. Understands MIDI Controller Messages.
Menu & UI
- Previous: Classic UI.
- New (AE): Modern UI aligned with A32pro/Pulse8 AE

Presets
The Ferrofish Pulse 16 AE can store up to eight presets. For saving, use the knob to navigate to SAVE PRESET. Loading a preset is done simply by selecting one of the preset numbers.
When loading a preset, you can also choose which parts of the selected preset should actually be loaded.
Navigate between the options with the rotary knob, use the MENU button to make a selection, and select Load! to execute.

Software Control - REMOTEFISH
Remote control your Ferrofish Pulse 16 AE via MIDI / USB-MIDI with the RemoteFish software, available as a free download for both Mac and PC. RemoteFish provides an extended user interface, for control over all input and output gains, channel routing, adjusting settings, and saving and loading presets.
Click here to download RemoteFish from the Ferrofish website
How to connect
Ferrofish Pulse 16 AE - Features
Feature | Details |
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Analogue I/O |
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ADAT Connectivity |
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Clocking |
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Routing |
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Signal Monitoring |
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Controls & User Interface |
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Connectivity |
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Headphone Output |
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DSP Processing |
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AD Converter |
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DA Converter |
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PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) |
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Power |
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Fuse |
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Operating Conditions |
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Form Factor |
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