Merging Audio Device (MAD)

The new Merging Audio Device replaces the legacy RAVENNA/AES67 ASIO Driver and provides owners of a Merging networked interface with more flexibility in their workflows.

The first of the major enhancements is a multi-ASIO capability that allows different applications to run simultaneously sharing ASIO inputs and outputs. Additionally, internal bridging allows channels to be defined to send audio between applications concurrently using MAD. ASIO is the most popular driver option for the recording industry but there are other markets where the official Microsoft WDM (Windows Driver Model) is essential and this is now incorporated into MAD. This addition makes the MERGING+ANUBIS the definitive audio interface for gaming and Esports. The combination of ASIO and WDM gives enormous flexibility by allowing WDM channels to be sent or mixed to the same outputs as ASIO or redirected to the bridge channels. This permits these channels to be routed or recorded by the ASIO applications. The implications are huge because this enables the user to listen to his favorite DAW whilst comparing his track with playback from applications like Spotify or YouTube.

Delving a bit deeper into the capabilities of MAD, it is possible to have the ASIO and WDM applications at different sample rates as the WDM has its own Sampling Rate Converter which will automatically convert to the ASIO rate. This allows a recording to be compiled on the ASIO side with some files coming from a WDM source with a higher or lower rate.


MAD - Merging Audio Device

MAD more than a Driver

This new ASIO RAVENNA/AES67 device supports Multi ASIO Clients, integrates WDM Support and includes a device discovery view. With this new Device Driver multiple applications running ASIO can be launched in parallel on a same system, sharing the same sampling rate and at the same time multiple applications running WDM can be launched in parallel and have their own sampling rate automatically converted to the ASIO sampling rate. This allows monitoring the Windows system sound and any application (such as Spotify, YouTube, PC Sounds files,…) along with any ASIO applications, provided there is a Merging AoIP interface on the network.

Route or Bridge IO's

The new Merging Audio Device brings more flexibility to your workflows, share ASIO Inputs or ASIO Outputs (outputs of each client are mixed together on given channels) and bridge clients through the MAD bridge channels. Typically, WDM channels can either be sent and mixed to the same Outputs as ASIO, or redirected to the Bridge Channels so they can be routed (and recorded) to any ASIO applications.

Merging Audio Device Interface

The Infrastructure Pack

The addition of the low-cost Infrastructure option offers broadcasters extremely cost-effective, controllable solutions to both the start and end points of any centralised IP network. The opening to data centers and server based installations with VM support, the enhanced security provided by ST2022-7 and the additional discovery and control possibilities created by the inclusion of NMOS, reinforce Merging Technologies’ position as a key solution provider for the broadcast and installation industries.

The Infrastructure Pack (optional)

  • ST2022-7 Support
  • NMOS Support
  • Virtual Machine Support

Features Summary

MAD (free of charge to Merging customers)

  • RAVENNA/AES67 support for all Merging AoIP interfaces.
  • Multi-ASIO client support
  • WDM Support
  • Internal Bridging
  • Integrated Discovery
  • Two running modes available:
    • General: Recommended for Anubis, Horus & Hapi users
    • NADAC mode: Recommended for MERGING+NADAC users

MAD Infrastructure Pack (Paid Option)

  • ST2022-7 Support
  • NMOS IS-04 and IS-05 Support
  • Supports Virtual Machines

Important Note: MAD is supported on Windows 10 and above. User running Windows 7 must remain on the MERGING RAVENNA ASIO Driver.

Use Cases

We are gathering in our Knowledge Base various use cases and information on how to use the MAD driver.


MAD - Merging Audio Device - Diagram

Docs & Downloads

Current Installer
File Name Description Date

Merging Audio Device - MAD Driver - v2.2.8 build 6450

The Merging Audio Device replaces the current RAVENNA/AES67 ASIO Driver and provides you with more flexibility in your workflows.
Important Note: MAD is supported on Windows 10 & Windows 11 (64 bit). Users running Windows 7 must remain on the MERGING RAVENNA ASIO Driver.

24.10.2023

MT Security - Standalone Installer for MAD

MT Security Standalone Installer
Warning: For MAD Infrastructure Pack and/or LAWO home users, that do not have a Pyramix or Ovation on their system.

24.10.2023

MAD Documentation - Merging Knowledge Base

The Merging Audio Device is intended for owners of Horus, Hapi, MERGING+ANUBIS or NADAC interfaces hardware running on Windows 10, 64-bit who wish to work with ASIO or WDM.

04.07.2022