Lynx Aurora(n) Loopback

What is the Lynx Aurora(n) Loopback and what does it do?

The Lynx Aurora(n) Loopback is a stereo utility device that streams your audio out to a real Lynx Aurora(n) converter and loops it straight back through physical cables. Your signal passes through genuine D/A and then A/D conversion on mastering-grade Lynx hardware before returning to your DAW. Engineers use it to test their audio stream, hear exactly what the conversion stage sounds like, or capture subtle converter character. It is one of the converters at the heart of the Access Analog rack, exposed as its own device.

What would I use the Lynx Aurora(n) Loopback for?

Use it to test your audio streaming, analyze how the conversion sounds, or add subtle harmonics by driving the A/D converter slightly hot. It runs your DAW signal through a full D/A–A/D round trip on real Lynx hardware, so it is also a clean way to audition the Access Analog conversion path on its own. It is a utility device, not a processor – there are no EQ or compression controls. If you just want pristine, transparent conversion with nothing added, that is exactly what it delivers.

Is the Lynx Aurora(n) Loopback analog or digital?

It is built around a digital converter. The Lynx Aurora(n) is an A/D and D/A converter, but you are using the actual hardware unit, not a software recreation of it. Your audio physically leaves the converter as analog, travels through real loopback cables, and is re-converted, exactly as it would in a hardware studio. The Aurora(n) is known for clean, transparent, mastering-grade conversion that stays out of the way of your sound.

Is this the real hardware, or an emulation?

It is the actual Lynx Aurora(n) converter, wired with real loopback cables. Real Gear. No Emulations. Access Analog robotically connects your DAW to physical hardware through the Analog Matrix; nothing here is modeled or simulated. The conversion you hear is the genuine Lynx signal path, the same converters used throughout the Access Analog rack.

How is this different from the loopback feature on my audio interface?

This is a physical hardware loopback, not the virtual loopback used for streaming or podcasting. Instead of routing computer audio between apps, it sends your DAW signal through real D/A and A/D conversion on a Lynx Aurora(n) and returns it. The point is to hear and capture the actual converter stage, not to record system audio. If you have looked into loopback for capturing a video call or game audio, this is a different tool entirely.

Can I use it to add color by driving the converter hot?

Yes. Pushing the A/D converter slightly hot can introduce gentle conversion harmonics and artifacts, a subtle form of analog character. The Lynx Aurora(n) is a transparent, high-fidelity converter, so expect understated coloration rather than heavy saturation. Start conservative and trust your ears, since the effect is subtle by design.

Do I need the Loopback device to use other Access Analog gear?

No. The Loopback device is not required to use any other equipment at Access Analog. Every piece of gear already includes its own dedicated A/D conversion and ports by default. The Loopback exists only for testing your stream, analyzing conversion, or adding subtle converter character on its own. Reach for it when the conversion path itself is what you want to work with.

How much does it cost to use the Lynx Aurora(n) Loopback at Access Analog?

The Lynx Aurora(n) Loopback is free at Access Analog. Its reserve-from price is $0.00, and it is free to use on demand as well. You can book it on the calendar or pull it up in the Analog Matrix plugin at no charge. New accounts also receive a free hour to explore the platform, so trying the conversion path costs you nothing. When you are ready for the full rack, subscriptions start at $9.98/month.