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10 April 2009, Cleveland Ohio, USA
Axia Audio brings its latest console advancement to NAB 2009:
PowerStation, an advanced “integrated console engine” that makes it
easier than ever to build networked studios.
There are two products in the PowerStation family. PowerStation Main
combines audio I/O, console CPU, logic GPIO, mixing engine and Ethernet
switch into a single 4RU chassis; PowerStation Aux doubles the Main’s
audio I/O and GPIO capacity, while adding a redundant power supply with
automatic switchover, all via a simple two-cable connection.
PowerStation works with Axia Element mixing consoles and supports
console sizes of up to 40 faders.
PowerStation is shipping now. Cumulus Broadcasting is the first Axia
client to purchase PowerStation, several of which are already ordered
for their Cincinnati station cluster. “Last year, Cumulus chose to
standardize on the Axia system using their multi-channel IP-Audio driver
so that we could output audio directly from our new OpX automation
platform, to which 145 of our stations have upgraded,” says Gary Kline,
Vice President of Engineering and IT for Cumulus. “Axia helps us create
a very efficient and budget-minded audio and metadata infrastructure.
This is how we see the future of studio design at Cumulus.”
“PowerStation combines several separate functions into one complete
box with a very small form factor,” Kline continues. “In just 4RU we get
a console engine, router, network switch, and dynamics processing.
Everything you need besides a console surface and automation system is
in that box. Given that the OpX automation system can send its audio
directly to the Axia network using Ethernet, our studio installs are
literally plug-n-play. The decision to purchase Axia's next generation
of IP-Audio equipment was a no-brainer.”
“Our clients have always raved about how much time and money their
Axia networks save them,” comments Axia president Michael “Catfish”
Dosch. “PowerStation will help them save even more by dramatically
streamlining studio installations. I/O, mix engine, backup power, even
the network switch — everything you need is in there. Building a
networked studio has never been so easy.”
Although PowerStation can be easily networked – up to 4 can be
daisy-chained without the need for an external core switch – careful
thought was given to standalone use. “We designed PowerStation to be the
world’s first networked broadcast console that doesn’t need a network,”
says Axia VP Marty Sacks. “It’s completely self-contained, so you can
use it in a standalone studio if you wish. And although it works
flawlessly as part of a large network, if you unplug its network cable,
it’s completely unaffected.”
PowerStation Main connects to Element consoles using a single cable.
Features include:
- Support for console sizes of up to 40 faders in single- or
split-frame configurations.
- Silent, fanless operation. • Hardened ultra-duty power supply.
Connect PowerStation Aux to add automatic redundant power that
protects not only the console, but mix engine, I/O and network
switch.
- Ultra-reliable embedded console CPU and DSP mixing engine.
- Two Mic inputs with selectable Phantom power and
studio-performance preamps.
- Four analog inputs and six outputs with 24-bit, 256x
oversampling A/D converters for connection of CD players, recording
devices, headphones and monitors, et cetera.
- Two AES/EBU inputs and outputs for DATs, satellite feeds and
other digital audio devices.
- Four GPIO ports, each containing 5 inputs and 5 outputs, for
start/stop control of audio sources, on-air lamps and other studio
accessories.
- 14 Ethernet ports for single-cable Livewire™ connections to
Telos phone systems, Omnia audio processors and other Axia gear, as
well as broadcast equipment from partners like ENCO Systems, BSI,
25-Seven, AudioScience and more — see
AxiaAudio.com/partners/ for full list.
- 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports with SFP for copper or fiber network
connections.
- Connect PowerStation Aux or plug in Axia Audio Nodes for instant
I/O expansion.
Axia Element broadcast consoles have become the fastest-growing brand
of consoles in the industry, with over 1,000 studios online worldwide.
Element users have a large number of studio accessories to choose from,
including a family of rack-mount Routing Control Panels with OLED
displays, film-legendable button controllers, programmable SmartSwitch
studio accessory panels with backlit LCD displays, GPIO switch panels,
desktop and rack-mount clock/timer accessories and a variety of
headphone selector and mic control panels for talent and producers.
The Axia IP-Audio system allows broadcasters to build audio networks
of any size using standard switched Ethernet to connect a few rooms, or
an entire facility. Axia networks have a total system capacity of more
than 10,000 audio streams, and can carry hundreds of digital stereo (or
nearly a hundred surround) channels over a single CAT-6 cable,
eliminating much of the cost normally associated with wiring labor and
infrastructure. Axia products include the popular Element modular
broadcast console, a family of “audio nodes” that allow easy mixing and
matching of digital, analog and microphone audio, and a comprehensive
suite of network administration and routing control software.
PowerStation details can be found on the Web at
www.AxiaAudio.com/powerstation/. Visitors to NAB2009 can see
PowerStation, along with the complete line of Axia products, in the
Radio Hall at the Telos / Omnia / Axia display in Booth #N7620. For more
information, contact Clark Novak at Axia Audio, via email at
cnovak@AxiaAudio.com
or by phone at +1-216-241-7225.
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Press-ready photos of PowerStation and Element can be downloaded from www.AxiaAudio.com/pix/.
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