1 Does MARS support real-time VST/AU plugins during recording or playback?
No. MARS does not support real-time VST, AU, or any other plugin formats. MARS is not a DAW and is not intended as a DAW replacement. MARS is a dedicated recorder focused on high-quality, multi-track audio recording playback and archiving. For plugin processing, you can export your tracks to your preferred DAW.
2 What latency can I expect when recording with the MARS System?
Latency depends on the hardware and the connection protocol used. On a mid-range desktop, equipped with a professional ASIO interface, quality routing software, and an XLR microphone, latency can be reduced to around 4 milliseconds. With a USB microphone connected directly to the computer, even lower latency can be achieved through proper configuration.
3 What sound card drivers are supported by MARS?
MARS supports audio interfaces using standard OS drivers: WASAPI or WDM on Windows, Core Audio on macOS, and ALSA or PipeWire-compatible drivers on Linux. Additionally, audio from external, non-OS-native devices can be routed to MARS using software routers such as ASIO Link Pro, JACK Audio, Loopback, or Voicemeeter. This ensures broad compatibility across most devices, including ASIO, Dante, and AVB/TSN Audio Interfaces.
4 Does MARS support ASIO drivers or ASIO-based sound cards?
MARS supports ASIO audio interfaces through the use of software routers such as ASIO Link Pro, JACK Audio, Loopback, and Voicemeeter. Software routers provide flexible and customizable control over audio flow, enabling direct integration of ASIO interfaces with MARS.
5 Does MARS support Dante networks or Dante-enabled hardware?
Yes, MARS can be integrated into a Dante network. Dante Via, allows routing of individual inputs and outputs from Dante-enabled audio interfaces to software devices recognized by the MARS recorder.
6 Does MARS support AVB/TSN networks or AVB/TSN-enabled hardware?
Yes, MARS supports integration with AVB/TSN networks. Software routers such as ASIO Link Pro, JACK Audio, Loopback, or Voicemeeter can be used to route individual channels from AVB/TSN-enabled audio interfaces to virtual devices compatible with the MARS recorder.
7 What measures are in place to prevent audio dropouts or glitches during long recording sessions?
During playback, recorded tracks are loaded into memory for smooth performance. While recording, audio streams from your sound card are buffered and saved incrementally to disk. This process protects your data integrity even under extreme conditions like sudden power loss, minimizing the risk of losing audio.
8 Are there any limitations when using MARS on low-powered devices or mobile browsers?
MARS imposes no built-in limitations, but performance depends on your device. Large projects will require more RAM and CPU. For smooth recording and playback, a capable desktop or laptop is recommended. Smaller projects can run well even on smartphones or tablets.
9 How can MARS guarantee that a project will still play in the distant future?
MARS uses open standards and backward-compatible technologies to store all data and audio files. There are no proprietary formats, special encodings or any other lock-ins involved. With a modern browser, you will be able to access, play and export your sessions and files exactly the same way - even decades from now.
10 Does MARS provide destructive or non-destructive audio editing capabilities?
Yes. MARS offers both advanced destructive and non-destructive editing features with unlimited history, while keeping your original files untouched. Edits are saved as instructions within the project file, and you can bounce edited clips to new audio files for simplified playback or export at any time.
11 Can I change MARS functionality or design by changing its source code?
Yes. MARS is fully open source and self-hostable. You can run your copy of MARS locally, modify the code, or host it on a private server and access it over the internet. (Redistribution is not permitted)