Redbox series audio distribution equipment of from Sonifex Company

By Alexey Chernoskulov

Review contents:

Routing and Distribution Equipment Auxiliary routing units of “Profitt” Company Multipurpose modules of Synapse system New line of distribution amplifiers from Extron Electronics Auxiliary routing and distribution equipment Kramer Electronics Leitch distribution amplifiers Devices of Marshall Electronics Company Routing and distributive equipment of Netrwork Electronics Company New HDTV Patch panels from Oxygen DCT IQ series modules from Snell & Wilcox Redbox series audio distribution equipment of from Sonifex Company Modular units from Thomson Broadcast and Multimedia Solutions The distribution equipment of Vistek Company

Several years ago English company Sonifex has put on the market the Redbox series which includes audio distributive and converting equipment. Active units of Redbox series are distinguished by raised reliability necessary in broadcasting and touring systems.

RB-ADDA

Digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converter by 1U size. It is supported the word length 16, 20 and 24 bits. Frequency of digitization — 32/44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz. The unit can operate both in the master, and in slave mode. Analog inputs and outputs RB-ADDA are symmetric and are also provided by XLR sockets. On digital inputs and outputs S/PDIF the RCA sockets, and on AES/EBU — XLR sockets are installed. Correction of input and output level is carried out by means of the DIP-switch.

RB-BL2 and RB-BL4

Block RB-BL2 has two independent stereochannels and is intended for the concordance of household and semi-professional units with professional equipment. Signals on inputs of the device move through asymmetrical sockets RCA, and are removed from symmetric sockets XLR. Accessories RB-RK1 or RB-RK2 allow to place the converter in standard rack.

Converter RB-BL4 is similar to RB-BL2, but has four independent stereochannels. It is executed in the cabinet with 1U size. With RB-BL4 it is possible RK3 option to use.

The converter of frequency of digitization RB-SC1

RB-SC1 serves for exchange of audio recordings between different digital equipment. Converter RB-SC1 will transform frequency of digitization of the stream which has received by the input in standard frequency. As standard any frequency can be chosen from of some: 32/44.1/48/64/88.2/96 kHz or frequency of the signal submitted on input of synchronization. As such input can be chosen one of the following inputs provided in the unit: AES/EBU, S/PDIF or TTL Wordclock. Both inputs, and outputs are provided with the switch for choice of format: AES/EBU or S/PDIF.

Six-channel distributor of signal of synchronization Word Clock RB-DDA6W

The unit is provided with single input and six outputs (all with BNC sockets). It serves for synchronization of units in digital systems on reference signal. Distributor RB-DDA6W is executed in the cabinet in half of the rack width. By means of options RK1 or RK2 the distributor can be mounted in rack. And, depending on an option, sockets BNC can be located as from front side, and can be hidden inside rack.

The six-channel active distributor of analog audio signal Sonifex RB-DA6

The unit is the amplifier having a stereoinput and six stereooutputs, but RB-DA6 can also operate in the mode “1 monoinput and 12 monooutputs”. All inputs and outputs are provided by symmetric sockets XLR. Inputs of the left and right channels are supplied by indicators of peak level. The unit is executed in performance for fixing into rack.

Six-channel active distributor AES/EBU RB-DDA6A

This distributor has one input and six outputs AES/EBU. It supports frequencies of digitization in the range 30…100 kHz and word length 16, 20 and 24 bits, including standard signals for compact discs (16-bit, 44.1 kHz) and for high-quality systems (24-bit, 96 kHz). For routing the sockets XLR are used.

Six-channel active distributor S/PDIF RB-DDA6S

The unit is provided with one input and six outputs S/PDIF. Supports frequencies of digitization in the range 30…100 kHz and word length 16, 20 and 24 bits, including standard signals: 16-digit 44.1 kHz and 24-digit 96 kHz. For routing the asymmetrical sockets RCA are used.

RB-SS10 and RB-DSS10

RB-SS10 is analog stereomixer/distributor, and RB-DSS10 — the digital unit provided with similar functions. RB-SS10 unit is executed in the cabinet of 1U size and makes the routing of 10 stereoinputs to one stereooutput. On the front panel there are 10 buttons with light indication which displays a current choice of the input channel. Routing of channels is also possible in remote mode through a socket on the back panel of the unit. There is an opportunity of the remoted start of external signal sources, for example, CD-player at routing of input line. For this purpose there is the socket Remote Start I/O on back panel of RB-SS10.

On the front panel of the unit the output to headphones with level regulator which does not influence to the level of basic signal on output is located.

The RB-DSS10 is the similar device, but operates with digital signal AES/EBU.

The detector of pauses RB-SD1

The detector of pauses RB-SD1 allows to backup a stereosignal automatically. The principle of operation is simple enough: if duration of pause has exceeded the time interval set by the user then RB-SD1 will switch to transmission of backup signal. Automatic start and delivery in the air of external signal source (for example CD-, a MD-player, etc.) is possible also. Pause duration can be adjusted in the range 2…30 s with step 2 s or to set the interval by length of 2 minutes 5 seconds.

The user also can set a operation threshold, that is set the level below which RB-SD1 will consider as absence of useful audio signal.

The user can set any of two symmetric stereooutputs of the detector as basic or auxiliary. The detector can simultaneously supervise working capacity of these sources. In case of signal loss the remote signal system works. Each input is provided with independent signal system.

On input and output the symmetric XLR sockets are provided. For operation with asymmetrical signal the amplification factor of auxiliary input can be increased.

The detector can operate in two modes: automatic and manual. When any mode is in active state under detection of pause the unit is automatically switched to backup source. At repeated occurrence of basic signal the detector restores basic mode automatically or on a command (according to the chosen operating mode).

By means of DIP microswitch it is possible the alarm mode to activate. The alarm will switch on in case of signal loss in one of input channels or whole stereophonic signal. Light-emitting diode indicators on front panel show a signal status in basic and auxiliary channels. The way of signal through basic input RB-SD1 is passive, therefore the signal pass to the output even under failure of power supply. Thus, failure of power supply will not lead to termination of signal transmission.

Options RB-RK1, RB-RK2, RB-RK3

All three options serve for equipment fastening in standard rack, but different options allow fixing of units by various way. Under installation of RB-RK2, RB-RK3 it is possible to exchange back and front panels of the unit. For example, the distributor of analog signal RB-DA6 can be fixed sockets XLR inside of a rack or to establish by means of RB-RK3 by sockets aside an front side of the rack. RB-RK1 allows fixing the devices with cabinet width in half of the rack by means of traditional way i.e. by sockets inside the rack.

The material is provided by “Tivionika Broadcast Systems” Company