Description
5.1 Surround and Stereo Balanced Digital Audio Inputs; 5.1 Surround and Stereo Analog Outputs
Introduction
As creating and distributing multi-channel surround (5.1) and stereo audio material has become a day-to-day reality, the ability to simply and effectively monitor these sources is imperative for recording, post-production, and broadcast facilities. And with audio-with-picture applications becoming so prevalent, additional monitoring challenges have arisen. Studio Technologies has addressed these needs with the StudioComm for Surround Model 760-02 Central Controller and the Model 77 and Model 71 Control Consoles. With digital audio inputs, analog monitor outputs, support for multiple user control surfaces, and an extensive set of operating resources it's a simple task to integrate a monitoring system into virtually any facility. The carefully selected group of features, which includes surround and stereo inputs and output, configurable input-signal time delay, configurable downmix and mute/solo functions, and bass management, along with a multi-format sync input, make the system powerful yet simple to operate. And by using the best of contemporary technology, as well as following rigorous design practices, the system's audio quality is excellent.
Overview
A StudioComm for Surround system starts with the Model 77 Control Console. It's the system's "command center" and is designed to reside at a user's location, allowing fingertip selection of all monitoring functions. Numerous LED indicators provide complete status information. A 4-digit numeric display indicates the monitor output level in real time. A major strength of the Model 77 is its ability to configure, under software control, many important operating parameters. Intended for secondary monitoring locations, the Model 71 Control Console is a compact user control surface. It provides three of the most basic functions: a rotary level control, dim on/off button, and reference level on/off button.
Most installations will use only one Model 77 Control Console. However, up to three additional Model 77 or Model 71 Control Consoles can also be connected. This provides multiple users with full control over a facility's monitor system. And to make installation simple, the Model 760-02 provides power for all connected Model 77 or Model 71 units.
The core of this StudioComm for Surround system is the Model 760-02 Central Controller. The one-rack-space unit contains circuitry that supports balanced digital audio inputs, balanced analog monitor outputs, digital processing of audio and control signals, and interfacing for the user control surface(s). The Model 760-02 provides two surround (5.1) and three stereo digital audio inputs. These balanced digital inputs are AES3-compliant; sources of this type are ubiquitous in many post-production and audio facility environments. The inputs allow a sample rate of up to 192 kHz and a bit depth of up to 24 to be directly supported. Circuitry associated with one of the stereo inputs provides sample rate conversion (SRC) capability, allowing a wide range of digital audio sources to be monitored. Up to 340 milliseconds of input delay can be selected to compensate for processing delays in an associated video path. For flexibility, two delay values can be configured, allowing real-time selection as desired. A number of different signals can serve as the Model 760-02's digital audio timing reference. For synchronization with a master timing reference a dedicated source of word clock, DARS (AES11), bi-level video, or tri-level video can be connected. Alternately, the L/R connection of the actively selected surround or stereo input source can serve as the timing reference.
A surround (5.1) and a stereo analog monitor output are provided. They are intended for connection to monitor loudspeaker systems. Electrically balanced, the monitor output signals provide low-noise, low-distortion, and high-headroom performance.
A sophisticated bass management function is integral to the Model 760-02's design and can be enabled if desired. Note however that the bass management function is only supported at sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz. The overall goal of bass management is very simple: ensure that the entire audio bandwidth of all channels can be accurately monitored. Many loudspeaker systems have inherent low-frequency limitations, preventing a true picture of the source material from being presented. To overcome this, the low-frequency energy from the five channels associated with the surround inputs and the two channels associated with the stereo inputs can be separated and routed to the subwoofer (SUB) channel of the monitor output. Several of the bass management functions can be configured to match the requirements of specific installations.
Great care was taken in designing the system's architecture, ensuring that the character of the audio input signals is preserved. All audio processing, including bass management, is performed in 32-bit logic using a high-speed field-programmable gate array (FPGA) integrated circuit.
The Model 760-02 occupies one space (1U) in a standard 19-inch rack. Digital audio sources are interfaced with the Model 760-02 using one 25-pin female D-subminiature connector and one 3-pin female XLR connector. A BNC connector is used to interface with an external sync source. Analog monitor output signal connections are made using a 25-pin female D-subminiature connector. One 9-pin female D-subminiature connector is used to connect the Model 760-02 with a maximum of four Model 77 or Model 71 Control Consoles. A second 9-pin "D-sub" connector is used to interface with remote control signals. AC mains power is connected directly to the Model 760-02, with an acceptable range of 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz.
Features:
- 5.1 surround and stereo balanced digital audio inputs
- 5.1 surround and stereo balanced digital outputs
- Balanced digital audio capability
- Allows use of multiple control consoles
- Superior audio quality