Five Input Audio Expansion Processor with AEC and Dante

OVERVIEW

Key Features
* Five mic/line level inputs for transmitting audio to a Dante network
* Independent AEC - acoustic echo cancellation on each channel
* FlexInput capability on each input to select between analog or Dante inputs
* Dante audio networking provides a wide range of expansion capabilities
* Built-in four-port Gigabit switch
* One digital input and dual digital outputs at each mic/line input for control

DESCRIPTION

The Extron AXP 50 C AT is a five input audio expansion processor with Extron ProDSP™ for integrating remote microphones and other sources onto a Dante™-enabled audio system. A single Ethernet cable from one AXP 50 C AT, or several linked units, to a central equipment rack significantly reduces the effort and expense of pulling one cable for each mic. The AXP 50 C AT provides 48 volt phantom power and a digital control port for all mic/line inputs. Dedicated signal processing is available for each input, including gain, filtering, dynamics, and AEC. FlexInputs offer the additional capability to process a Dante channel in place of a local analog input. The intuitive DSP Configurator™ Software makes it quick and easy to set up DSP parameters and AEC on the AXP 50 C AT.Remote Input Expansion with Processing
The AXP 50 C AT accepts five channels of analog balanced or unbalanced audio, and digitizes them at 24‑bit/48 kHz for output via Dante. When compared to a conventional input expander or break-in box, the AXP 50 C AT is truly unique in that it incorporates DSP and AEC for each input channel. This makes it much simpler and less expensive to expand input channel capacity by avoiding the need to install a remote break-in box plus additional DSP hardware at the central rack, which may otherwise be underutilized.
A sound system designer can incorporate several AXP 50 C AT or AXP 64 C AT audio expansion processors to create a large mixing matrix with up to 56 remote inputs per DMP 128 AT. Each AXP product is connected over Ethernet using standard IP networking protocols. This greatly simplifies scalability and the audio cabling infrastructure. Utilizing the Dante network also avoids a long analog mic cable run for each mic channel and the possibility of introducing noise into the system. For further convenience, multiple AXP Series and DMP 128 AT units can be networked over their integrated four-port Gigabit switches.
FlexInput Channels
Each input on the AXP 50 C AT offers FlexInput capability to route a Dante channel in place of a local mic/line input. The flexible input selection enables the AXP 50 C AT to process audio from remote wireless microphones, wallplates, and other sources from anywhere on the Dante network.
Convenient Under-Table and Surface Mounting
The AXP 50 C AT is housed in a compact 1U, half rack width enclosure that can be installed underneath a conference table, inside a credenza, or anywhere microphones or other sources may be situated. Extron UTS Series or MBU 123 mounting hardware are available separately to facilitate under-table and surface mounting.
Acoustic Echo Cancellation at the Source
The AXP 50 C AT includes five independent channels of Extron AEC for conferencing applications. An AEC reference signal is provided over the Dante network by a DMP 128 C AT. AEC is essential for effective room-to-room conversations, ensuring clear, natural communication for all participants. Each AEC processor in the AXP 50 C AT includes selectable noise cancellation. The AXP 50 C AT provides up to 20 dB of noise cancellation without noticeable artifacts, for unparalleled performance and increased intelligibility to the far end. AEC processing can be challenged by conditions such as double-talk, when talkers from both ends are speaking simultaneously, and when near end talkers use wireless microphones. Extron AEC features advanced algorithms that deliver fast echo canceler convergence for optimal intelligibility, even in challenging conditions.
The DSP Configurator Software simplifies AEC and noise cancellation setup with a user-friendly interface that provides real-time metering for ERL - echo return loss, ERLE - echo return loss enhancement, and TER - total echo reduction levels. Guided alerts appear whenever ERL is outside of the optimal range for echo cancellation. Optional settings include fine adjustments for NLP - non-linear processing to maximize AEC performance in acoustic environments with significant sonic reflections or reverberation.
Flexible Input Signal Routing
The internal DSP architecture of the AXP 50 C AT sends both pre- and post-processing input feeds onto the Dante network. This provides the flexibility to limit the signal processing on mic input signals for recording, assistive listening, or voice reinforcement feeds, while applying full processing and AEC to a conferencing application. Filter blocks are situated prior to the pre-processing outputs, applying low frequency roll-off to attenuate breath and wind noise and other EQ settings, while bypassing the AEC. For conferencing applications, AEC processing, together with dynamics and EQ, is an absolute necessity to ensure optimal audio quality to the far end.
ProDSP
Extron's exclusive ProDSP is engineered from the ground up using a powerful 64-bit floating point DSP engine to provide very wide dynamic range and reduce the potential for clipping. ProDSP also utilizes studio grade 24-bit audio converters with 48 kHz sampling to maintain audio signal transparency. ProDSP is loaded with powerful, easy-to-configure tools to control level, AEC, dynamics, and filters.
Easy-to-Use DSP Configurator Software
The power of ProDSP is easily harnessed with the DSP Configurator Software. The flexible on-screen layout offers fast access to all of the digital audio signal processing tools for the AXP 50 C AT, including gain, filters, dynamics, and AEC for each input. Designers can quickly get a snapshot of the entire audio system, including processing blocks and signal paths, all at once.
Dante Audio Networking
Dante enables audio system scalability over a local area network using standard Internet protocols. A built-in four-port Gigabit switch provides direct interconnection of multiple AXP Series and DMP 128 AT units to create larger, cost-effective audio matrixes. Additionally, the AXP 50 C AT can be configured to support primary and redundant Dante audio networks.
Setting up a network of Extron Dante-enabled products, including the AXP 50 C AT, requires Dante Controller software, as well as the DSP Configurator Software. Dante Controller is used to easily assign an output from the AXP 50 C AT to inputs on DMP 128 AT units or third-party devices. Dante Controller is also used to assign Dante channels from the network to the five digital FlexInputs of the AXP 50 C AT, and to assign the five AEC reference inputs for the processor.
Control
Control and configuration are conveniently available via the built-in four-port Gigabit switch. Any port can be designated for control only. The AXP 50 C AT includes digital I/O ports for each input, which allow for external triggering such as mic activation and muting, and illuminating status LEDs.
Features
* Inputs: five balanced or unbalanced mic/line level on 3.5 mm, 3-pole captive screw connectors
* 10 DSP expansion outputs, placed directly onto a Dante™ audio network
* Five mic/line level inputs for transmitting audio to a Dante network — The AXP 50 C AT adds five additional processed inputs with AEC to Dante-Enabled DMP 128 C AT processors for easy system expansion. This avoids the need for a break-in box plus additional DSP hardware at the central rack, which may otherwise by underutilized.
* 48 volt phantom power — The AXP 50 CAT is equipped with selectable 48 volt phantom power for each input, allowing the use of condenser microphones.
* Independent AEC - acoustic echo cancellation on each channel — The AXP 50 C AT includes five independent channels of high performance AEC, as well as selectable noise cancellation with unparalleled performance. Extron AEC features advanced algorithms that deliver fast echo canceler convergence for optimal intelligibility in situations that challenge AEC performance, including double-talk, and the use of wireless microphones at the near end.
* FlexInput capability on each input to select between analog or Dante inputs — Offers the option to route either a local mic/line input or a Dante input through the processor on each channel to allow remote wireless mics, wallplates, and sources from anywhere on the Dante network to be brought into the AXP 50 C AT.
* Dante audio networking provides a wide range of expansion capabilities — The Dante equipped AXP 50 C AT, in conjunction with a DMP 128 AT, provides scalability for creating larger audio matrixes over a local area network using standard Internet protocols. Dante technology distributes up to 512x512 audio channels at 24‑bit/48 kHz over a single Gigabit Ethernet link. A built-in four-port Gigabit switch also provides direct interconnection of multiple AXP Series and DMP 128 AT units to create larger, cost-effective audio matrixes.
* Built-in four-port Gigabit switch — Provides network pass-through to additional AXP Series units and direct interconnection to DMP 128 AT units.
* One digital input and dual digital outputs at each mic/line input for control — The AXP 50 C AT provides input, ground, and dual outputs at each mic/line input, which allow for external triggering such as mic activation and muting, and illuminating status LEDs.
* Compact 1U, half rack width metal enclosure — The half rack width, 9.5" (24.1 cm) deep enclosure is designed for inconspicuous under-table placement near table microphones and line level sources using the UTS Series Under Table Shelf System or MBU 123 Low-Profile Mount Kit, available separately.
* ProDSP™ 32/64-bit floating point signal processing — The AXP 50 C AT features 32/64-bit floating point audio DSP processing, which maintains very wide dynamic range and audio signal transparency, to simplify management of gain staging while reducing the possibility of DSP signal clipping.
* Studio grade 24-bit/48 kHz analog-to-digital converters — Professional converters fully preserve the integrity of the original audio signal.
* Low latency DSP processing — The AXP 50 C AT features very low, deterministic latency from input to output, regardless of the number of active channels or processes. While latency increases in channels with AEC enabled, overall latency remains low. This keeps audio in sync with video, and prevents distractions to presenters or performers resulting from delayed live audio.
* DSP Configurator™ Software — A powerful yet user-friendly PC-based software tool for managing all audio operations of the AXP 50 C AT. It enables complete setup and configuration of digital audio processing tools on the ProDSP platform.
* Intuitive Graphical User Environment — The DSP Configurator Software features a Graphical User Environment that offers a clear view of all inputs, outputs, and audio processing blocks in a single window. This allows a designer or installer to quickly view an audio configuration without having to access multiple windows or menus.
* Flexible pre- and post-processing input signal routing — The internal DSP architecture of the AXP 50 C AT sends both pre- and post-processing input feeds from each input onto the Dante network. This provides the flexibility to provision signals for specific applications using unprocessed signals for recording or assistive listening, and using processed signals for voice reinforcement and conferencing applications.
* Device Manager enables configuration of multiple Extron DSP products — Device Manager in the DSP Configurator Software enables easy configuration of multiple Extron DSP products, including networked AXP 50 C AT or DMP 128 processors, by toggling between Graphical User Environments for each unit. Processors can be grouped into folders for organizing as separate rooms or buildings. Settings for multiple Extron DSP products in Device Manager can be saved to a single file.
* Flexible control options — The AXP 50 C AT can be controlled using the DSP Configurator Software and a PC connection to the Ethernet port. The AXP 50 C AT can also be controlled through a control system with Extron SIS™ - Simple Instruction Set commands.
* Copy and paste for processing blocks — To help speed audio system design and setup, parameter settings can be quickly copied between individual processing blocks or identical groups of blocks within the Graphical User Environment, using conventional cut-and-paste commands.
* Building Blocks processor settings — A collection of pre-designed processor settings optimized for a specific type of input device, such as microphones, with preset levels, filters, dynamics, and more. Flexible Building Blocks are available on each input strip and allow system designers to fully customize and save their own Building Blocks, further streamlining audio system design and integration.
* Live and Emulate operation modes with configuration file saving — Live mode allows integrators to connect to the AXP 50 C AT and make live parameter adjustments while hearing or metering them in real-time. This avoids the need to compile and upload a configuration file to the DSP. Emulate mode allows settings to be configured offline, then uploaded to the AXP 50 C AT. Additionally, current settings on an AXP 50 C AT can be backed up to a configuration file for archiving.
* SpeedNav™ keyboard navigation — SpeedNav enables user-friendly, keyboard-based navigation of the DSP Configurator Software without the need for a mouse or touchpad. Using keyboard navigation keys and shortcuts, the user can access any input and all audio DSP tools. Using only the keyboard for software access can help expedite audio system setup and optimization while on-site using laptop PCs.
* Front panel input signal presence and clipping LEDs — The AXP 50 C AT provides LEDs on the front panel for each input, for real-time monitoring of signal presence. A separate LED illuminates as a warning whenever analog signal clipping is detected.
* Ethernet monitoring and control — Engineered to meet the needs of professional AV environments, Ethernet control enables the AXP 50 C AT to be proactively monitored and managed over a LAN, WAN, or the Internet, using standard TCP/IP protocols.
* Highly reliable, energy-efficient external universal power supply included, replacement part #70-775-01 — Provides worldwide power compatibility, with high demonstrated reliability and low power consumption for reduced operating costs.
Note: Dante™ is a trademark of Audinate® Pty Ltd.

SPECIFICATIONS