ATC Labs Perceptual Soundmax Q24-4880, 8 Channel Processor-Encoder, AES I/O

ATC Labs Perceptual Soundmax Q24-4880, 8 Channel Processor-Encoder, AES I/O

8 stereo channels: Six jobs in one 2U box — over IP. A 2U multi-channel digital audio processor for eight independent stereo channels, each with its own 24-band Aideal Audio™ processing. The same box encodes, decodes, streams, multiplexes and demultiplexes — over IP.

The Perceptual SoundMax™ Model Q24-4880 is a multifunctionality audio processing equipment for 1-to-8 independent stereo channel processing. Along with audio processing these integrate highest grade stream de-multiplexing, decoding, encoding, streaming and multiplexing capabilities. It is designed for professional broadcasters, studios, and large-scale streamers who require reliable multi-channel hardware for their audio contribution, distribution, or streaming application. Designed for continuous 24×7 operation in demanding broadcast environments.

• High-quality Streaming: Process up to eight feeds and stream them asmulti-rate HLS or plain AAC and MP3 — from the unit’s own server, pushed to your CDN, or sent to an Icecast server.
• Stream Decoding: Decode up to eight independent internet streams — or audio taken from a transport stream — with standard-compliant decoders, each played out on its own AES output.
• Multiplexing: Process and encode up to eight feeds, and combine them into one transport stream for the network.
• Multiplexing with pass-through: Build that same transport stream, and carry selected channels (PES) from an incoming transport stream straight into it.
• Audio processing for Video: Take the audio out of a video transport stream, process up to eight tracks for level and quality, re-encode them and put them back.
• General-purpose Processor: Simply an eight-channel broadcast processor — eight independent stereo channels, each with its own processing.
• The 24-band high-resolution core Linear-phase processing in 24 psychoacoustically tailored bands; compression, limiting, expansion and gating in a single stage.
• Dynamic Listening Fatigue Reduction: Unique to SoundMax, conditions the audio envelope in six bands to minimize listener fatigue.
• The Aideal+™ genie Recommends the best-matching profile, or keeps tuning toward your target.

In Depth

• MPEG transport stream
  • Multiplexer: Combines the selected channels into one MPEG-TS; each channel a programme with its own PID, service ID, service name and provider
  • Audio in the Multiplexl AAC (LC, HE-v1 or HE-v2; stereo or dual-mono) or MP3, 32 to 320 kbps, for each channel
  • Multiplexer Output: UDP unicast or multicast, on the CONTROL/STREAM or TS/AOIP port
  • Demultiplexer Input: An MPEG-TS from the IP network, unicast or multicast; its video, audio and data streams are listed, up to 32
  • Demultiplexer Modes: Passthrough of video, audio and data streams into the multiplexer output, unchanged; or an audio stream assigned to a channel as its input — processed, encoded and multiplexed again
• Channels
  • Channels: 8 independent stereo channels — each with its own input, processing profile, encoder and outputs; a channel can also carry mono
  • Input of a Channel: AES/EBU, network stream, AES67, or an audio stream assigned by the Demultiplexer
  • De-emphasis: Off, 50 µs, 75 µs or J.17, on the AES/EBU inputs
  • Nielsen™ Watermarking: In the box — CBET encoding with the station SID and check digits, time-code insertion, radio mode, prior-watermark overwrite and EAS handling
• Audio inputs and Outputs
  • AES/EBU Inputs: 8 × XLR female, 110 Ω, 32, 44.1 or 48 kHz auto-sense, 16 or 24 bit, reference level −25 to 0 dBFS
  • AES/EBU Outputs: 8 × XLR male, 44.1 or 48 kHz, −20 to 0 dBFS, flat or with 50 µs or 75 µs pre-emphasis, ±0.3 dB 5 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Audio over IP: AES67 in and out on the TS/AOIP port — L16 or L24, 44.1 or 48 kHz, stereo or mono, output packet time 0.125, 0.333, 1 or 4 ms, PTPv2
  • Network Stream Input HTTP or UDP — AAC-ADTS/TS, MP3-TS or HLS — set in SoundMaxManager™
• Streaming
  • Streams: A StreamMax™ stream for each of the eight stereo channels, each encoded independently; AAC, MP3 and Icecast or UDP outputs of a channel can run at the same time
  • 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™: From any networked PC, which finds every processor automatically; SNMP compliant
  • Front Panel: Color touchscreen and rotary knob, a selection screen for the eight paths, headphone jack with level control; built-in test tones, sweeps and pink noise, and diagnostics
  • GPIO (optional): 8 inputs and 2 outputs, opto-isolated and floating, on DB-25 — user-programmable for factory preset, user preset, bypass, test tone, input and stereo or mono
• 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: 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, IEC detachable earthed 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