Comrex ACCESS MultiRack a rackmount IP audio multi-codec

Description
Warranty Information

Overview

For users who need to run multiple IP codecs at once, Comrex has created ACCESS MultiRack. ACCESS MultiRack is equivalent to five codecs, contained within a sleek 1RU chassis.

ACCESS MultiRack is compatible with the entire family of Comrex IP audio codecs as well as the Comrex FieldTap smartphone app. ACCESS MultiRack features AES67-compatible I/O on all five codecs, along with AES3 and analog I/O on the first codec.

Features

Codec #1 has AES67, AES3 and Analog audio I/O
Codecs #2-5 have AES67 I/O only
Allows for multiple full-duplex connections to ACCESS, BRIC-Link or FieldTap remote units
HTML5-based user interface
Contact closure cable sold separately
CrossLock for secure and stable broadcasting
Switchboard for easier connectivity

ACCESS MultiRack works with:

ACCESS NX Portable
ACCESS Portable Classic
ACCESS Portable 2USB
BRIC-Link
BRIC-Link II
ACCESS Rackmount
FieldTap (app)
ACCESS NX Rack
ACCESS MultiRack

CrossLock

Quite simply the most advanced network management tool on the market today, CrossLock gives users the ability to manage and bond multiple data connections together simultaneously. When a new network is introduced, CrossLock will immediately evaluate how much bandwidth is available, while factoring in latency and jitter information, and combine the two connections to take advantage of all available bandwidth. More than just combining networks, CrossLock can also monitor each data connection individually and, when necessary, apply appropriate error correction, recovery, or concealment techniques. CrossLock can also work in redundancy mode in where it sends two identical streams over each network.

User Interface

ACCESS MultiRack is controlled with an easy-to-use browser based interface. Using any HTML5-enabled browser, you can log-in from anywhere to manage settings, adjust controls, and monitor connections. The page displays connection status, extensive network diagnostics, and audio level meters for remote monitoring. From any location, users are able to configure profiles for various connections with point-and-click connection commands.

Codec Commander

Codec Commander is a Microsoft Windows™ application you can use to control your audio codec. You can manage your connections, check statistics, view audio metering, adjust audio profiles or change system settings.

For controlling multiple Comrex IP audio codecs at once, check out Fleet Commander.

App Compatibility

ACCESS is compatible with smartphone applications, including Linphone and Luci Live. Connect to ACCESS from your smartphone quickly and easily for easy drop-ins and spontaneous remotes.

ACCESS is also compatible with FieldTap. A free application for iOS and Android, FieldTap makes it simple to connect with the touch of a button. Plus, FieldTap is compatible with all other Comrex IP audio codecs.

Switchboard TS

Comrex Switchboard is a feature that allows users to bypass common IP networking snags (like private LANs and firewalls) by routing data through a private server maintained by Comrex.

Switchboard within the hardware codec enables the following functions:

Comrex codecs can sync with a cloud based server and deliver status information
Comrex codecs can determine their public IP address and the type of any NAT-style router ahead of the codec, and display that information to the user
Comrex codecs can display presence, status, NAT info and IP addresses of other codecs within the same fleet
Comrex codecs can share this information with codecs outside the fleet (Shares)
Comrex codecs can take instruction from the server on how best to traverse NATs when placing a call between two codecs

Switchboard TS is included in the purchase of any ACCESS codec.

HotSwap

HotSwap allows users to back up studio-to-transmitter links (STL) or other dedicated links with a wireless modem.

HotSwap lets users select a network that will only be engaged if the primary network fails. The system will warn of this status with a contact closure, and automatically fallback to the primary once it’s restored. Fall-over to backup happens in a matter of seconds, and fallback is seamless.

For ACCESS codecs, any supported modem can be used as a back-up.

HotSwap is included in firmware version 4.3, which is available now.

Accessories

A note about contact closures

ACCESS MultiRack includes connectors on the back to supply contact closure to the first codec instance only.

In order to deliver contact closures for codec instances 2-5, an accessory is required. You can find it here.

A note about serial data

ACCESS MultiRack includes connectors on the back to supply serial data to the first codec instance only.

In order to deliver serial data connections to codec instances 2-5, you’ll need a different accessory. Find it here.

We do not sell this accessory directly. You can purchase it from retailers like Digikey, Newegg, Amazon, Mouser, and others.

Fleet Commander (Sold Separately)

Fleet Commander is a software application for controlling multiple Comrex IP audio codecs simultaneously. Rather than logging into each codec individually and juggling a desktop full of tabs, Fleet Commander puts you in control of your codec fleet through one unified interface. With the ability to manage all codecs from one simple window, this easy-to-use tool can save time and increase productivity for busy engineers.

Fleet Commander contains all of the functionality of the Web-based Interface, but also comes with a few more features like active metering and the ability to copy peers and profiles between codecs. A Windows application, Fleet Commander can be used to manage every Comrex IP Audio codec in your fleet (depending on CPU and network limitations).

Features:

Simple to use
Unified interface for multiple codec management
Compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10

Fleet Commander is available as a one-time purchase of a license key per computer.

Comrex Connect Modems (Sold Separately)

The Comrex Connect Modem is designed to support the unique needs of remote broadcasters. A high-powered, industrial strength 4G/LTE modem outfitted with a high-gain antenna, the Connect Modem is more powerful than most USB data modems available on the market, to handle the heavy data load of a broadcast

Specifications

Audio Connections:

Balanced XLR line-level audio inputs – 0dBu nominal, +20dBu peak
Balanced XLR line-level audio outputs – 0dBu nominal, +20dBu peak
AES3 XLR Digital audio input
AES3 XLR Digital audio output
Analog/AES3 switch only on input

Audio Levels

Audio input level: 0 dBu nominal, +20dBu peak
Audio output level: 0 dBu nominal, +20dBu peak

Other Connections

2x Ethernet Ports: 1000 baseT
Contact Closures: DB-9 male (contact closure cable sold separately)
Serial Port: DB-9 female
Power: 3 conductor IEC
2x USB
HDMI
DisplayPort

Power and Physical

Internal Supply: 120/240 VAC 60/50 Hz 50 Watts
Size: 1U Rack – 19″ W x 9″ D x 1.75″ H (48.25 cm x 22.86 cm x 4.5 cm)
Weight: 9 lbs (4 kg)

All equipment manufactured by Comrex Corporation is warranted by Comrex against defects in material and workmanship for one year from the date of original purchase, as verified by the return of the Warranty Registration information, either electronically or via mail. During the warranty period, we will repair or, at our option, replace at no charge a product that proves to be defective, provided you obtain return authorization from Comrex and return the product, shipping prepaid, to Comrex Corporation. The warranty does not cover batteries or crystals and does not apply if the product has been damaged by accident or misuse or as the result of service or modification performed by anyone other than Comrex Corporation.