In terms of studio hardware, the new Universal Audio 4-710D might just be there most forward-thinking designs in years. Sure, UA has a firm hold on the digital market with their UAD hardware-accelerated platform, but their line traditional recording hardware is pretty traditional, comprised of hand-built, fully analog and specialized units. The 4-710D is bit of a break from that tradition in that it melds several UA designs and functions into a single box that's specifically tailored for the digital recording studio.

The 4-710D is primarily a mic pre, and features four channels of UA's most recent preamp design, the 710 "Twin-Finity." This design sports both tube and transistor signal paths, and a control that allows the blending of both using a single knob. Each channel of preamplification also provides 48v phantom power, phase invert, low-cut, balanced mic or line input and a Hi-Z input for direct injection of bass or guitar. The "D" in the model designation stands for "dynamics," and each channel also sports a simplified, 1176-style compression stage.

In addition to this wealth of analog signal processing, the Universal Audio 4-710D incorporates an eight-channel A/D converter capable of resolutions up to 24-bit, 192kHz. The first four of the eight converter channels are fed by th 710 pre's, while 5-8 are fed by dedicated balanced line-ins. The digital output includes both ADAT out and AES/EBU outs. There are also BNC Word Clock in and out ports for professional studio integration.

Pricing is still TBA on the 4-710D but Universal Audio expects to be shipping them by fall of this year.