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Virtual Audio Device

Virtual Audio Device

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OVERVIEW

Virtual Audio Device driver
Apple's Audio Drivers (Core Audio) is a standardized audio driver system for all Macintosh computers running on Mac OS X allowing access to Core Audio compatible audio interfaces.
The Merging Virtual Audio Device is intended for owners of a Network Interface hardware RAVENNA or AES67 compatible who wish to work under Mac OS.
Note: as of VAD 3.2 only one VAD installer flavor is available (it combines Standard and Premium)


The Virtual Audio Device will run in Premium mode automatically for owners of at least Merging Horus, Hapi’s, Anubis or Neumann MT 48 who wish to work under Mac OS.
It requires at least one Merging device to be detected over the network
The Non-Merging Devices RAVENNA or AES67 owners will need to purchase either a VAD standard or Premium key to operate.
Once the key has been purchased it must be entered in the Merging License Manager as per the procedure described on this page.

Users can use UNITE or ANEMAN installed along with their RAVENNA/AES67 Interface & Driver to perform their IO connections.
Refer to the Unite or RAV/AES67 pages for details.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Certified MAC Operating Systems (OS) The Core Audio driver and VAD are qualified under macOS

  • Tahoe (Mac Intel, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5): 26.3 (and above) supported, VAD v3.6.0/v4.0 and higher recommended

  • Sequoia (Mac Intel, M1, M2, M3 & M4): 15.1.x up to 15.5 supported, VAD v3.5.1 and higher recommended

  • Sonoma (Mac Intel, M1, M2 & M3): 14.7.X supported, VAD v3.3.0 and higher recommended

  • Ventura (Mac Intel, M1, M2 & M3)13.x: RAVENNA -VAD (Core Audio) v3.2.5.55784 dmg to 3.6.0

Legacy macOS no longer officially supported by Apple nor Merging. Works as is.

Merging MacOS Configuration Guides

 

SPECIFICATIONS

VAD Standard operations

  • Runs with Non-Merging interfaces RAVENNA or AES67 compatible, requires a Key as of v3.2.
    As of the VAD v3.2 a key is required for standard operations The VAD can also be running in Premium mode, with a VAD Premium key purchase.

  • The latency can be set to 1ms (48-AES67), 4ms (192), 6ms (288), 10ms (480)
    Note: effective latency depends on Application buffer size

  • The driver can be used as default device and System (alert) device.

  • Mac Parental Controls and Security Firewall should be switched OFF

  • Numbers of inputs and outputs available @1fs (44.1kHz / 48kHz) = 64 I/O
    Note: The number of I/Os could be less if the application does not support these numbers


VAD Premium operations

  • Requires at least one Merging Network Interface (Horus, Hapi or Anubis) on your network

  • Operates with Non-Merging interfaces. Requires a VAD Premium key to unlock premium mode.

  • The latency can be set to 16, 32, 48 (AES 67), 64, 128, 192, 288 and 480 samples

  • The driver can be used as default device and System (alert) device.

  • Mac Parental Controls and Security Firewall should be switched OFF

  • Numbers of inputs and outputs available 136 I/O at all sampling rates (since v4.0)
    Note: The number of I/Os could be less if the application does not support these numbers
    Warning: If you encounter issues such as glitches, reduce the IO count, since Performance is dependent on system Performance & Configuration

 

RAVENNA / AES67 Virtual Audio Device V3.5 and above

RAVENNA / AES67 Virtual Audio Device V3.5 and above

 

Standard Mode

Premium Mode

Requirements

AES67 compatible device with VAD Standard key

At least one Merging Network Interface connected over the network (e.g. Horus, Hapi, Anubis,…)
OR
AES67 compatible device with VAD Premium key

Mac Operating System

Ventura 13.X (1) - Sonoma 14.X (2) - Sequoia 15.X (3) - Tahoe 26.X (4)

Latency

1ms (48-AES67), 4ms (192), 6ms (288), 10ms (480)

16, 32, 48 (AES 67), 64, 128, 192, 288 and 480 samples

Sample Rate supported

44.1-48 kHz

44.1-48-88.2-96-176.4-192-352.8(DXD)-384 kHz
DSD64 - DSD128 - DSD256

I/O @44.1/48 kHz

64 Inputs and Outputs *

136 Inputs and Outputs *

I/O @88.2/96 kHz

Not available

136 Inputs and Outputs *

I/O @176.4/192 kHz

Not available

136 Inputs and Outputs *

I/O @352.8/384/DSD kHz

Not available

136 Inputs and Outputs *

MIDI Pre Amps

MIDI Pre Amps & Din support

MIDI Pre Amps & Din support

Bundled Applications

MT Discovery - ANEMAN - Merging License Manager

MT Discovery - ANEMAN - Merging License Manager

* The I/O performance will vary with the system configuration.
For enhanced performances, please follow the Merging https://merging.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQDEbw
or Mac Configuration Guide - VAD 3.0 (and below)

(1) Ventura 13.4 (and above) is supported with VAD 3.2.5 to 3.6. on Intel and M1/M2 (ARM/Silicon Mac)
(2) Sonoma 14.4 (and above) is supported with VAD 3.3.0 and higher on Intel and M1/M2/M3 (ARM/Silicon Mac)
(3) Sequoia 15.1 (and above) is supported with VAD 3.4.0 and higher on Intel and M1/M2/M3/M4 (ARM/Silicon Mac)
Sequoia 15.4 (and above) is supported with VAD 3.5.1 and higher on Intel and M1/M2/M3/M4 (ARM/Silicon Mac)
(4) Tahoe 26.5 (and above) is supported with VAD 4.0 and higher on Intel and M1/M2/M3/M4 (ARM/Silicon Mac)

Notes:

  • As of VAD 3.2, only one VAD installer flavor is available, and users with none-Merging interfaces will require a VAD Standard key to operate, and can upgrade to a VAD Premium key on our online shop.

  • Merging Anubis is supported since VAD 2.0.37039

  • SAP Implemented in the devices, so no need for a RAVENNA-2-SAP (SIP not supported)

  • Warning: Macs with a 10Gb ethernet interface are not supported by RAVENNA today. We recommend using an external adapter Thunderbolt to Ethernet (Sonnet AVB recommended)

  • Warning: VAD is not supported for any DANTE operation.

  • Yosemite, ElCapitan, Sierra/HighSierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur and Monterey are legacy, not supported anymore by Apple nor Merging. Work as is. Merging Anubis not supported.

  • High Sierra and Mojave are supported with VAD 2.1.45186

  • BigSur and Monterey are supported with VAD 3.2.0 on Intel and M1 (ARM/Silicon Mac)

 

VAD Operation example

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