Dangerous Music Convert AD+: innovation in mastering and recording

In today's article we will explore all the features of the AD+ Converter from Dangerous Music.

The AD+ is a very transparent Analog-to-Digital converter that is widely used in mastering, although some use it in recording due to the transformer saturation feature that we will discuss in a moment.

Optimal Design and Placement

The Dangerous Music AD+ looks very sleek in its characteristic Dangerous-style design: a very heavy rack unit that heats up quite a bit, which is normal for a converter.

So be careful how you go about placing it in your rack: always maintain a space both above and below, or at least slightly away from the racks above and below to allow for proper natural ventilation.

Technical specifications of the Dangerous Music Convert AD+

Sample Rate Selection and Customization

In the first section on the left we find the sample rate selection, where you can choose the sample rate manually depending on the project we are going to make.

However, very interesting and definitely useful is the automatic sample rate (by default it comes out with this setting), which follows the sample rate of your main sound card or at least your DAW setting. This is possible thanks to the USB connection on the back of the unit.

Calibration and Mastering Level Management

Next to the sample rate section we find the calibration section and we can choose -14, -16 or -18dB.

This is the most important section when mastering because it allows us to increase the input gain of the converters by going precisely to very close to 0db with the digital meters. So as to create the characteristic clipping of the Dangerous Music converter.

Then, depending on the final volume of the mastering chain, we can manage this parameter to bring us as close as possible to the converters' clip.

Advanced features and use of the X-Former

On the Dangerous Music AD+ we find the ability to select two analog sources with an XLR connection, also useful for making on-the-fly comparisons or setting one source for tracking and the other for mastering, for example.

It also features a clip guard button and offers a choice of peak meter and reset modes. We then find the scaling meter, so you can view the meter with standard or zoomed scale, which is useful for keeping an eye on the clipping level.

Of course, we have the world clock selection depending on how you want to use the machine. Finally, there is thetransformer saturation insertion sectioncalled the X-Former with its dedicated emphasis potentiometer.

Conclusion and Final Recommendations

When listening, the Dangerous Music AD+ allows you to appreciate the very nice smoothness that the X-former gives on the low frequencies; it is as if the final mix comes to life, but be careful, of course, not to overdo it and to use it only when strictly necessary.

Summing up, it is definitely a machine made to be pushed, with meters near 0db, but obviously without clipping is where it gives its best!

I know that many people also use it in tracking, one of the biggies being Fab Dupont, and thanks precisely to the saturation of the metered transformer it is possible to give character to your recordings.

As always, I invite you to watch our YouTube video to learn more about the product and listen to samples. While, for accurate and detailed listening, I invite you to physically visit the Milk Audio Store and showroom.