Lynx Studio Mesa Converter and Thunderbolt Interface

Mesa. The only desktop interface with legendary Lynx quality.

Key features

Four low-noise microphone/line/Hi-Z switchable inputs.

14 total inputs and outputs with 2 loopback channels.

Dual headphone outputs with dedicated D/A and independent level controls.

Compact and portable for studio and live recording.

Aurora(n) audio quality and transparency.

Thunderbolt 3 interface for connection to Mac and Windows computers.

High-contrast capacitive touchscreen interface.

Flexible routing and monitor control.

Optical I/O for S/PDIF or ADAT.

Coax S/PDIF I/O.

Word Clock in and out.

SynchroLock 2™ low-jitter sample clock.

MicroSD card slot for recording and playback.

Who it's for

Mesa is a desktop-based Thunderbolt 3 audio interface and professional-quality standalone analog/digital/analog converter. Its desktop form factor makes it ideal for everyone from home/project recording setups to production rooms in commercial recording facilities. Compact and easily portable, Mesa offers four analog inputs and two outputs for monitoring, along with dual headphone outputs with independent level controls.

The Lynx Mesa offers a hi-contrast capacitive touchscreen interface — the same as in the company’s renowned Hilo 2 — making perfect for standalone use. Mesa owners will also be able to access its functions via the included Mesa Control software. A built-in MicroSD card slot allows Mesa to be used as a primary or backup recording device, making it useful for live/remote recording needs.

Designed for musicians, recording engineers, live sound engineers, and others who require the very best in pristine, detailed audio, Mesa offers the same level of audio quality and transparency as the company’s acclaimed Aurora(n) interface/converter. Other Mesa users include those involved in location recording — live performances, house of worship services and more — as well as for purposes including playback that can be done either via the onboard MicroSD card or its Thunderbolt 3 connection.

Mesa’s combo input connectors accept Mic, Line and D.I. signals, so users can plug in directly with instruments like electric guitars, bass, and keyboards, as well as microphones, and are selectable on a per-channel basis. Its monitor outputs are on ¼” balanced TRS connectors. Designed for professional applications, Mesa also features S/PDIF coaxial I/O, with its optical port supporting both S/PDIF (2 channel) and ADAT (8 channel) formats, and also includes Word Clock in and out.

The Lynx Mesa is compatible with all Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) platforms on both Mac and Windows, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, GarageBand, and more. This universal compatibility makes it ideal for music and audio creators who require flexibility in working seamlessly with multiple DAW systems.

Unlike some other interface/converter tools, Mesa is designed to provide the highest possible audio quality while offering a very friendly user interface and operating system. Right out of the box, Mesa is ready with preset audio routing setups so that users can plug in and start recording immediately. In addition to its outstanding touchscreen interface, Mesa features a dedicated hardware button to jump to the frequently-accessed Menu/Meters display, as well as a dedicated All Mute button.

Technical specification

• Analog Performance
•  
• Digital I/O

Line in

• THD+N: ‐113dB @1kHz, ‐1dBFS, 20kHz filter
• Full scale input level: +20dBu
• Dynamic range: 119dB, A‐weighted, ‐60dBFS signal method
• Frequency response: ±0.010dB, 20–20kHz
• Crosstalk: ‐130dB maximum @ 1kHz, ‐1dBFS signal
• Common mode rejection: greater than 80dB
• Input Impedance: 200kΩ balanced, 100kΩ unbalanced
• All line input measurements made with 40 ohm source applied to input
• Gain settings: Fixed
• Connector: Female XLR on combo jack

Mic In

• Features Per Channel: 48V Phantom Power Pad Hi-Pass Filter Polarity Reversal 48V Lockout Channel Pairing for Stereo Inputs
• THD+N: -111dB (0.00028%) @1kHz, ‐1dBFS, 20kHz filter @ 21.6dB gain
• EIN: -129dBu A-weighted, -60dBFS method
• Dynamic Range: 116dB A‐weighted, ‐60dBFS signal method @ 21.68dB gain
• Frequency Response: +0.01 / -0.08dB max. Deviation over 20-20kHz band, -1dBFS @ all gain settings
• Crosstalk: -127dB max. Adjacent channel, -1dBFS, 1kHz @ 21.6dB gain
• Common Mode Rejection: 75dB min. -1dBFS, 60Hz and 1kHz @61.6dB gain
• Full-scale Input Level for A/D: 28.7dBu
• Input impedance: 2.1kΩ
• Gain Settings: 5.6dB or 13.6dB to 68.6dB in 1dB steps, pad disabled -8dB or 0dB to 55dB in 1dB steps, pad enabled
• Pad Attenuation: 13.6dB
• High-Pass Filter: 80Hz, 12 dB / octave
• Connector: Female XLR on combo jack

Hi-Z In

• THD+N: -109dB (0.00035%) 1kHz, -1dBFS, 20kHz filter
• EIN: -115dBu A-weighted, -60dBFS method
• Dynamic Range: 114dB A-weighted, -60dBFS method @ 21.6dB gain
• Frequency Response: +0.01 / -0.05dB max. Deviation over 20-20kHz band, -1dBFS
• Crosstalk: -132dB max. Adjacent channel, -1dBFS, 1kHz
• Full-scale Input Level for A/D: 14.9dBu @5.6dB gain
• Input impedance: 1MΩ unbal. (TS), 2MΩ bal. (TRS)
• Gain Settings: 5.6dB/13.6dB to 68.6dB in 1dB steps
• Connector: 1/4" TRS on combo jack

Monitor Out

• THD+N: -107dB @1kHz, -1dBFS, 20kHz filter
• Dynamic range: 121dB, A-weighted, -60dBFS signal method
• Frequency response: ±0.02dB, 20-20kHz
• Crosstalk: -130dB maximum @ 1kHz, -1dBFS signal
• Output level at max: +19dBu
• Output Impedance: 0.6 ohms
• Connector: Two 1/4” TRS jacks