Overview
ATC Labs Perceptual Soundmax Model Q24-6111HD, FM/HD1, HD2, HD3 Processor
One box for Three services — MAIN/HD1, HD2 and HD3 — each with its own 24-band profile, each on air and streamed, plus diversity delay, three StreamMax™ simulcast streams, composite MPX with RDS, certified Nielsen™ watermarking and AES67.
Perceptual SoundMax™ Q24-6111HD series is a flagship AI-driven audio processor designed for FM, AM, as well as streaming simulcasts. Built on a sophisticated high-resolution 24-band dynamics processing engine, it leverages advanced psychoacoustic modelling, multiple deep-network ML algorithms, and accurate harmonic analysis to deliver a signature sound that is loud, punchy, and consistently balanced—all while minimizing listener fatigue.
Model Q24-6111 includes all high-end features for FM broadcast audio processing including digital and balanced analog audio I/O, Composite and MPX FM signal generation, digital MPX output, in-box RDS encoder, Audio-Over-IP (AOIP), streaming simulcast and much more.
Features
- Enhanced consistent loudness: 24-band processing packs far more audio density than 5- or 6-band processors — higher average modulation and wider coverage.
- Crisp & clear sound: Free of phase distortion and never over-processed: clarity, loudness and presence together.
- Embedded deep audio AI: Patent-pending real-time multi-class classification — noise, speech, music, genre — adapts the processing.
- Dynamic Listening Fatigue: Reduction Unique to SoundMax, conditions the audio envelope in six bands to minimize listener fatigue.
- Intelligent Loudness Control: Steady, filling and consistent loudness, held at your target on every program.
In Depth
SoundMaxManager™: One PC controls every SoundMax on the network and the front panel does the same on the unit itself.
- Finds SoundMax units on the network automatically; SNMP compliant
- Profiles, Basic and Advanced tuning — export and import between units
- Streaming set-up, stream input and AES67 in and out
- RDS encoder: the full RDS data set and the automation feed
- Monitoring, with firmware updates and configuration backup over the network
Inputs/ Outputs
Specifications / Documents
- Program paths
- Paths: 4 — MAIN/HD1, HD2, HD3, StreamMax™ streaming simulcast, each with its own profile
- Diversity Delay: Up to 12 s on MAIN with respect to HD1, accurate to ±2 samples, software configurable
- HD1 Output: AES/EBU, XLR male, −20 to 0 dBFS, sample rate follows the main digital output
- HD2 / HD3 Inputs: AES/EBU, XLR female, 110 Ω, 44.1 or 48 kHz auto-sense, 16 or 24 bit
- HD2 / HD3 Outputs: AES/EBU, XLR male, −20 to 0 dBFS, sample rate follows the matching input
- Analog Audio
- Input: +24 dBu max, >10 kΩ, 24-bit A/D, nominal −10 to +13 dBu
- Output: −6 to +24 dBu, 24-bit D/A, flat or pre-emphasised
- Frequency Response: ±0.3 dB, 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Signal to Noise: ≥ 90 dB, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, unweighted
- Distortion: THD+N ≤ 0.01 %, 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Crosstalk: ≤ −90 dB, 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Digital Audio - Main
- AES/EBU Input: 32 – 192 kHz auto-sense with SRC, 16 or 24 bit, −25 to 0 dBFS
- AES/EBU Output: 32 / 44.1 / 48 kHz, −20 to 0 dBFS, ±0.3 dB 5 Hz – 20 kHz
- Digital Composite: 192 kHz, multiplexed with the main digital output
- Audio over IP: AES67 in and out on Ethernet-1 — L16 or L24, 44.1 or 48 kHz, stereo or mono, output packet time 0.125 to 4 ms, PTPv2
- FM Composite
- Outputs: 2 × BNC, ITU-R BS 412 compliant — OUT1 composite, MPX or pilot; OUT2 composite or MPX. Individual level, −12 to +12 dBu (+12 dBu max); 0 or 75 Ω source, up to 8 V p-p into 75 Ω
- Inputs: 2 × BNC — SCA or an external 19 kHz pilot on IN1; an external RDS/RBDS encoder on IN2
- RDS Encoder: Built in, full function — PI, PS, PTY, PTYN, dynamic PS, RadioText, RadioText Plus (RT+), TP/TA, CT, AF and MS. "Now playing" from automation in XML or UECP (EN 62106), over TCP or UDP, as client or server. Or an external RDS/RBDS encoder on IN2
- Nielsen™ Watermarking: Fully certified, in the box — CBET encoding, with the station SID and check digits, time-code insertion, radio mode, prior-watermark overwrite and EAS handling
- Signal to Noise: ≥ 90 dB, 20 Hz – 15 kHz
- Distortion: THD ≤ 0.02 %, 20 Hz – 15 kHz
- Stereo Separation: ≥ 60 dB, 20 Hz – 15 kHz
- 38 kHz Suppression: ≥ 90 dB
- Pilot: 19 kHz ±1 Hz, level adjustable 6 – 12 %, protection 65 dB relative to 9 % injection, ±500 Hz
- RDS Protection: > 60 dB relative to 4 % injection, ±2 kHz
- Pre-emphasis: 50 µs or 75 µs, software selectable
- Streaming
- Encoders: AAC-LC, HE-AAC v1, HE-AAC v2, MP3
- Bitrates: 24–384 kbps AAC, 32–320 kbps MP3
- Encapsulation: ADTS or MPEG-2 TS for AAC; MP3 or MPEG-2 TS for MP3
- HLS: Up to 2 bitrates for adaptive HLS, chunks 3–10 s
- Delivery: CDN primary/secondary push over HTTP or HTTPS, including Amazon S3 and S3-compatible storage (AWS SigV4); Icecast — your own server or ATC Labs' servers in Asia and North America; built-in HTTP server; UDP unicast/multicast
- Players: Android and iOS native players, VLC, and every browser with HLS, AAC or MP3 support — Edge, Chrome, Safari, Firefox
- Control
- SoundMaxManager™: Over Ethernet-2 from any networked PC; SNMP compliant
- GPIO (optional): 8 inputs and 2 outputs, opto-isolated and floating, on DB-25 — user-programmable for factory preset, user preset, bypass, test tone, analog input, digital input, and stereo or mono
- USB: USB 2.0 — firmware upgrades, configuration backup and restore, diagnostic logs
- Serial: RS-232, optional
- Physical
- Chassis: 2U, 19-inch rack, 483 × 88 × 430 mm
- Installation: Allow 1U of free space above and below, and 10 cm of clearance at the rear, for airflow
- Weight: 5.5 kg
- Power: 105–260 V AC, 45–60 Hz, IEC detachable cord
- Environment: 0 – 50 °C, up to 95 % non-condensing, 3000 m ASL
- Compliance: ETL listed to UL standards, CE marked
- In the box: The processor, power cord, rack-mounting kit, Ethernet cable, SoundMaxManager™ software, operation manual, warranty certificate and a test report
