Description
7.1 Surround and Stereo Balanced Digital Audio Inputs; 7.1 Surround Balanced Digital and 7.1 Surround Analog Outputs
Introduction
Creating and distributing eight channel (7.1) surround audio material has become common for entertainment, cinema, and allied applications. As such, the ability to simply and effectively monitor these sources is imperative during the recording and post-production process. Studio Technologies has addressed these needs with the StudioComm for Surround Model 780-03 Central Controller and the Model 790 and Model 71 Control Consoles. With digital audio inputs, digital and analog monitor outputs, support for multiple user control surfaces, and an extensive set of resources it's a simple task to integrate a monitoring system into virtually any facility. The carefully selected group of features, including two surround (7.1) and one stereo input, configurable input-source time delay, LFE low-pass filter, multiple pre- and post-fader surround outputs, 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 790 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 LEDs provide complete status information. A 4-digit numeric display indicates the level of the post-fader digital and analog monitor outputs. A major strength of the Model 790 is its ability to configure, under software control, many important operating parameters. Intended for secondary monitoring locations that don't require all of the Model 790's features, 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 790 Control Console. However, up to three additional Model 790 or Model 71 Control Consoles can also be connected. This provides multiple users with control over a facility's monitor system. And to make installation simple, the Model 780-03 provides power for all connected Model 790 or Model 71 units.
The core of this StudioComm for Surround system is the Model 780-03 Central Controller. The one-rack-space unit contains circuitry that supports balanced digital audio inputs, balanced digital and analog monitor outputs, digital audio and control processing, and interfacing for the user control surface(s). The Model 780-03 provides two surround (7.1) and one 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 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96 kHz and a bit depth of up to 24 to be supported. Circuitry associated with the stereo input provides sample rate conversion (SRC) capability, allowing a wide range of digital audio sources to be monitored. To compensate with processing delays (latency) associated with associated video displays up to 340 milliseconds of input delay can be selected. For flexibility, two delay values can be configured, allowing real-time selection as desired. A number of different signals can serve as the Model 780-03'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 range of digital and analog surround (7.1) monitor outputs are provided. The post-fader digital and analog monitor outputs are intended for connection to monitor loudspeaker systems. The pre-fader digital monitor output can be used with metering systems that require signals that aren't impacted by level control or other monitoring functions. The digital monitor outputs are compatible with equipment that requires balanced AES3 digital audio signals with an output impedance of 110 ohms and a signal level of 5 volts peak-to-peak (Vpp).
A sophisticated bass management function is integral to the Model 780-03's design and can be enabled if desired. It can apply to both the post-fader digital and analog monitor output channels. 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 sonic "picture" of the source material from being presented. To overcome this, the low-frequency energy from the seven channels associated with the surround inputs and the two channels associated with the stereo input can be separated and routed to the subwoofer (SUB) channel of the monitor outputs. 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 was preserved. All audio processing, including bass management, is performed in 32-bit logic using a high-speed field-programmable gate array (FPGA) integrated circuit. High-performance integrated circuits are used to perform input, output, and clocking tasks.
The Model 780-03 occupies one space (1U) in a standard 19-inch rack. Digital audio sources are interfaced with the Model 780-03 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. Digital and analog monitor output signal connections are made using two 25-pin female D-subminiature connector. One 9-pin female D-subminiature connector is used to connect the Model 780-03 with a maximum of four Model 790 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 780-03, with an acceptable range of 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz.
Features:
- Supports 7.1 surround and stereo audio signals
- Balanced digital audio inputs
- Allows use of multiple control consoles
- Superior audio quality
- Three Model 780 versions available