Dear Eventide Team and Community,
As a professional user of the H9000, I believe it is time to discuss the future of our hardware’s connectivity. While the current expansion cards are solid, the industry is rapidly moving towards 32-bit float workflows (as seen with newer SSL and mastering-grade interfaces).
I would like to suggest the development of a new Thunderbolt 5 Expansion Card featuring:
1. Mastering-Grade Stereo 32-bit ADC/DAC: The inclusion of 32-bit converters is essential to bridge the gap between the analog world and the DAW. It would enable true 32-bit float recording, providing a safety net against clipping and preserving the absolute transparency required for high-end mastering. This ensures that the conversion stage is no longer the “weak link” in the signal chain, offering a dynamic range that matches the resolution of modern professional productions.
2. Native 32-bit Float Bus Support: A transparent digital path to support mixing and mastering workflows. This is crucial when using the H9000 as a hardware insert: a 32-bit float bus would prevent any bit-depth truncation or unnecessary dithering when the signal round-trips between the DAW and the hardware. This preserves the micro-details, complex harmonic structures, and long reverb tails generated by the algorithms, maintaining full signal integrity throughout the entire insert chain.
• 3. Future-Proofing for M5/M6 Systems: Leveraging the native Thunderbolt 5 controllers in the latest Apple Silicon chips for ultra-low latency and maximum stability.