Overview
ATC Labs Perceptual Soundmax Q24-4888, 8 Channel Processor-Encoder, AES & Analog 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 Q24-4888 is a multifunctionality audio processing equipment for 1-to-8 independent stereo channel processing and includes ASI I/O for MPEG2 Transport Stream. 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.
Features
- High-quality Streaming: Process up to eight feeds and stream them as multi-rate HLS or plain AAC and MP3 — from the unit’s own server, pushed to your CDN, or sent to an Icecast server.
- MPEG-TS: multiplexer and demultiplexer, over IP and ASI
- 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
Specifications / Documents
- MPEG transport stream
- Multiplexer: Combines the selected channels into one MPEG-TS; each channel a program with its own PID, service ID, service name and provider
- Audio in the Multiplex: 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 or AUDIO port; ASI; or both at once
- Demultiplexer Input: An MPEG-TS from the IP network (unicast or multicast) or the ASI input; 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
- ASI: Input and output on 75 Ω BNC
- Channels
- Channels: 8 independent stereo channels — each with its own input, processing profile, encoder and outputs; a channel can also carry mono
- Rear panel: Configuration 1: 8 AES/EBU outputs on XLR and 8 combo inputs (AES/EBU on XLR, unbalanced stereo analog on TRS). Configuration 2: inputs only — balanced analog on XLR and AES/EBU on TRS, no audio outputs
- Input of a Channel: AES/EBU, analog, network stream, AES67, or an audio stream assigned by the Demultiplexer
- Analog Fallback: A channel on its AES/EBU input can fall back to its analog input automatically when the digital input is lost
- De-emphasisL Off, 50 µs, 75 µs or J.17, on the AES/EBU and analog 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 (combo connector; on TRS in Configuration 2), 110 Ω, 32, 44.1 or 48 kHz auto-sense, 16 or 24 bit, reference level −25 to 0 dBFS
- Analog Inputs: 8 × stereo — unbalanced on TRS (Configuration 1) or balanced on XLR (Configuration 2); up to +24 dBu, impedance above 10 kΩ, 24-bit conversion — reference level −10 to +12 dBu, peak level 0 to +12 dBu, prescale −10 to +20 dB
- 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 AUDIO 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
