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Here’s the Final Salute to Our Summer of Products

Get’em while they’re still hot

NAUTEL GV30 INCREASES DIGITAL POWER

There’s a new member of the Nautel GV family of digital FM transmitters.

The GV30 provides up to 33 kW of analog power, or 27 kW of analog power in –14 dB hybrid mode. It is 20 percent smaller and is more efficient than its predecessor.

The company says this model offers advancements in transmission and audio management and processing tools unavailable in other high-power transmitters. Features such as MER instrumentation, HD PowerBoost, SNMP support, Shoutcast and Icecast streaming input, PushRadio with scheduler and play lists, Axia Livewire IP audio support, MPX over AES functionality, and optional Orban Inside onboard audio processing are available.

The GV30 has automatic audio loss switchover, allowing automatic return to the desired audio source once it recovers. Nautel highlights robust cabinet and module design, easy installation, hot-swappable power modules, extensive redundancy and field-repairable amplifier pallets. The 90–265 V power supplies help keep transmitters on the air even in brown-out conditions

The transmitter can be operated locally or remotely via IP network through Nautel’s
Advanced User Interface. Site control functions have been added for monitoring and
control of items external to the transmitter, such as doors or generators.

Info: www.nautel.com

NEW HEADPHONES FROM AUDIO-TECHNICA

A year ago Audio-Technica released the ATH-M50x headphones. The next member of the M Series family is available, ATH-M70x.

The 70Mx is similar in design to the ATH-M50x, using 45 mm drivers with copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils with neodymium magnets but it has higher performance specs of 5 Hz–40 kHz and an increase in input power.

The earcups swivel, allowing for single-ear use. They are of a collapsible, closed-back circumaural design.

Three detachable cables are provided: 1.2-meter straight, 3-meter straight and 1.2–3-meter coiled. The ATH-M70x ships with a carrying case.

Price: $419.

Info: www.audio-technica.com

IZT EXPANDS DIGITAL RADIO SUPPORT

Germany-based IZT has expanded its support of digital radio, adding new DAB features to its S1000 signal generator family. IZT’s DAB ContentServer Embedded Edition (shown) integrates DAB, DAB+ and DMB multiplexing and makes the functionality of the DAB ContentServer directly available on the S1000.

The new software option encodes and multiplexes audio and data services and features a Web interface that provides access to needed parameters, the firm said.

The Embedded Edition of the DAB ContentServer includes basic functionality, while an upgrade to the full DAB ContentServer Developer Edition is available.

In addition, the S1000 can now also come with a real-time DAB/DAB+/DMB modulator. According to IZT, the modulator supports simultaneous streaming of multiple ensembles, creating a direct link between the DAB ContentServer and S1000 with EDI protocol.

DAB ETI files can be used as an input source without conversion; the real-time DAB modulator is capable of dynamic reconfigurations; and S1000 impairment features can be applied to the DAB modulator, said the company.

Info: www.izt-labs.de

IK MULTIMEDIA SHIPS IRIG MIC STUDIO

There’s no shortage of microphones aimed at the digital project studio market. One item that could be of interest to radio broadcasters is IK Multimedia’s iRig Mic Studio.

The iRig Mic Studio is a petite microphone that looks bigger than it really is. It is designed for PC and mobile device use so it comes with a number of cables featuring micro-USB on one end and the connector to accommodate a tablet, smartphone or PC.

Inside there is a 1-inch diaphragm condenser capsule. It offers gain and headphone volume controls along with a 44.1/48 kHz A/D converter. It also ships with a variety of recording and processing software for the various platforms. The iRig Mic Studio is compatible with most DAWs.

Info: www.ikmultimedia.com

DAYSEQUERRA RELEASES SECOND GEN OF MAM

DaySequerra says that its second-generation Market-Area Monitor, MAM2, is designed to capture, log and report the entire HD Radio data payload for the main and all multicast programs including PAD, SIS, RBDS and any weather and traffic data, and make accurate measurements of various HD Radio parameters such as time/level alignment, power levels and signal quality.

The company said that MAM2 essentially is a sophisticated software-defined HD Radio receiver built on a customized Linux kernel. It is powered by a dual ARM Cortex CPU while data is processed by two separate floating point DSPs each running at 300 MHz.

This MAM2 data collection system offers HD Radio broadcasters a set of resources for local, regional and national quality assurance and confidence monitoring as well as market competitive analysis. The MAM2 system provides complete diagnostic measurements for any HD Radio AM/FM station, whether an independent operation or part of a national multi-station group.

Info: www.daysequerra.com

WHEATSTONE UNVEILS PROCESSORS

Wheatstone has the AM and FM bands covered with the recent delivery of two new processors, the AM-55 (shown) and FM-25.

 A multiband audio processor for AM broadcast, the AM-55 is based on Wheatstone’s iAGC technology. The design provides automatic, real-time program density control for a consistent, spectrally-balance sound regardless of density variations from incoming source material, the company says. It has a bass management system optimized for AM signal usage along with four-band parametric equalizer, variable high-pass filter and voice phase rotator.

It includes an interface to the Wheatstone WheatNet-IP network, a front-panel OLED display and Guru GUI navigation. Factory format-specific processing presets are included.

The FM-25 is a multiband audio processor for FM stations requiring basic spectral audio shaping and peak limiting control and LPFM. It includes two-band iAGC technology coupled to a multiband limiter and stereo generator. Other features include four-band parametric EQ, stereo enhancement, program adaptive L–R control, variable high-pass filter, voice phase rotator and MPX generator; it fully supports the WheatNet-IP Intelligent Network. It has Wheatstone’s baseband192 composite digital link. The FM-25 interfaces with the Wheatstone WheatNet-IP network and offers a front-panel OLED display and Guru GUI navigation. Factory format-specific processing presets are included.

Info: www.wheatstone.com

INOVONICS PRESENTS HD RADIO FIX

HD Radio receivers are hybrid-mode radios. They grab and play the analog channel, then cross-fade to digital reception once that signal has been locked in. HD Radio encoding and decoding takes about 8 seconds. This means that the analog channel must be delayed by a corresponding time interval to be in sync with the digital program signal at the receiver output.

Inovonics says that from the inception of HD Radio, keeping the analog and digital programs synchronized has been a major problem. Responsibility for correcting timing errors falls on the broadcaster.

The Justin 808 from Inovonics serves this need; it picks up the FM hybrid broadcast off air, as it’s received by listeners. A correlation algorithm constantly checks for timing differences between the analog and digital program channels, and an additional program buffer adds to or subtracts from the primary diversity delay timing to maintain sync within one 44.1 kHz sampling period, or 22.6 microseconds.

The Justin 808 normally is placed directly ahead of the HD exciter, following audio processing for the HD channel. But it could be placed in the AES digital audio path to the FM stereo generator/exciter if a particular installation dictates. Since time can’t be made to run backward, the fixed primary diversity delay is offset by a small amount so that its audio buffer can make up any difference, plus or minus.

The box also monitors the phase and the level of the audio programs. It can reverse an out-of-phase condition and match RMS. loudness. Its Web interface has SMTP support and enables remote control with level metering. Alarms for carrier and audio loss are dispatched by SMS text or email messaging, and the unit offers time-correction logging presented by graphic display.

Info: www.inovonicsbroadcast.com

BW’S TR300 V2 IS A MULTI-FEATURED TRANSLATOR

BW Broadcast says that its TR300 V2 is the only single-box FM translator.

The TR300 V2 is a versatile box since it can be used as a standalone transmitter complete with analog, digital and MPX inputs. Its built-in four-band DSP audio processor and stereo generator will ensure a competitive signal.

Using a built-in BW Broadcast receiver the TR300 V2 can pull in weak signals. Combined with a low-distortion modulator, difficult translator sites should broadcast a clear signal.

Intelligent email alarms, SNMP, Telnet, UDP and local SD card logging keep users updated with how the translator is doing and will let them know if it needs attention. A front-panel LED screen provides local control while a remote control app allows users access and control from wherever there they are, even if using a smartphone.

Tool-free dual slide-in hot-swappable power supplies will keep the TR300 V2 on air if one of the power supplies falls foul of a lightning strike or power supply failure.

Info: www.bwbroadcast.com

AXIA FUSES CONSOLE EXPERIENCE

Axia highlights the Fusion AoIP console. It features anodized extruded aluminum construction and frame sizes from 8 to 40 channels.

Laser-etched panel markings are used on modules; Axia says they won’t rub, chip or fade. Side-loading faders protect against internal grime buildup, and avionics-grade LED backlit switches rated to 5 million operations are used.

Each fader features an OLED display at the top of the console to provide source, confidence metering and other critical information. Rotary encoders below each display allow rapid source selection and parameter adjustment, including internal Omnia microphone processing with compression, de-essing, expansion, EQ and other functions.

Optional call handling modules and an integrated dialing keypad put control of codecs and phone lines at the user’s fingertips. Controls for external profanity delays (such as the 25-Seven Program Delay Manager) are standard.

Fusion automatically configures mix-minus on the fly, with dedicated talkback buttons on each fader for sources like codecs and telephone hybrids. Integrated IFB capabilities allow users to talk down phone or codec lines, to host and guest headphone feeds or add intercom panels to form a facility-wide intercom system.

In addition to the phone bus, Fusion provides added mixing capacity with four main stereo program outputs, plus four stereo aux sends, two aux returns and a dedicated Record bus for off-air recording. Fusion supports mixing in 5.1 Surround, with synchronized stereo upmix/downmix capabilities.

There’s a dedicated “record mode” key that assigns mics, phones, or any other sources to a utility bus and can start the recording device automatically.

A Web interface allows remote configuration, management and diagnostics. The console can also be controlled using Axia SoftSurface for Windows.

Info: www.telosalliance.com

GATESAIR ENHANCES VISTAMAX IP NETWORK

GatesAir has extended networking capabilities of its VistaMax portfolio with VMXpress IP, an AES67-compliant audio and logic device that establishes an audio over IP gateway for radio studios.

VMXpress IP provides interoperability across the studio and signal transport architecture through an open, standards-based foundation, GatesAir says, taking advantage of the non-proprietary nature of ALC NetworX’s Ravenna networking. It simplifies connectivity with audio processors, satellite receivers, phone systems and studio support equipment including program delays. With GatesAir’s network-based studio networking architecture at the core, it says, Ravenna’s networking provides low-latency distribution and signal transparency.

Beyond the studio, VMXpress IP extends networking to other IP transport equipment, including GatesAir Intraplex IP Link codecs, for low-latency audio contribution and distribution. This expands connectivity to transmitter facilities (STL), live remote broadcast sites and the Internet for streaming content to other studios and the Web. The company says limitations of AES and analog connectivity are eliminated, leveraging intelligent networking with IP transport systems by using AES67 over the local Ethernet.

GatesAir says this offering continues its strategy of using single network-based connections (Cat-5/6) to move hundreds of audio and data signals across a multipoint network, ensuring a clean studio design that is easy to deploy, operate and scale as requirements evolve.

Info: www.gatesair.com

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