Datasheet

Studio Technologies, Inc. Model 5422A Dante Intercom Audio Engine, Issue 1, Page 2
Pro Audio Quality and Auto Mix
The Model 5422A supports 24-bit, 48 kHz sampling rate digi-
tal audio signals that interface using Dante. The unit’s audio
circuitry was designed to meet the demands of professional
audio applications, far exceeding the sonic quality of “typical”
intercom products. All audio processing is performed using
high-speed 32-bit programmable logic. This ensures that the
audio performance is excellent, providing the expected benefits
of minimal distortion, low noise, high headroom, flat frequency
response, and extremely low latency.
The Model 5422A’s Auto Mix function utilizes a sophisticated
FPGA-based algorithm to provide enhanced audio intelligibility.
This feature is unique to party-line (PL) intercom applications
and offers user’s the opportunity to obtain the absolutely fin
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est audio performance. Studio Technologies’ is confident that
the Model 5422A’s Auto Mix capability will meet or exceed the
automatic mixer performance of virtually all other hardware- or
software-based devices.
Two Versions
Two versions of the Model 5422A are available. The Model
5422A-01 provides one 32-channel audio engine. The Model
5422A-02 provides two 32-channel audio engines for a total of
64 input and output channels. The size and scope of a specific
application will dictate which Model 5422A version is appli
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cable. The term “audio engine” was selected to describe a set
of audio input, processing, routing, and output resources that
can be configured to support specific intercom, talent-cueing,
and audio routing and control functions. Unlike general-pur
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pose digital matrix devices, the Model 5422A is optimized to
allow direct support for these special broadcast and general
intercom applications.
Group Configuration
Configuration choices select how each 32-channel audio engine
is segmented, named, and optimized for how the associated
audio signals are processed.
Group Size
The ability to segment a 32-channel audio engine into multiple
groups allows efficient use of the Model 5422A’s Dante chan
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nels. As all Dante intercom beltpacks are essentially 4-wire
devices (having independent receiver (input) and transmitter
(output) channels) “virtual” (simulated) party-line functionality
must be created within the Model 5422A’s audio engines. This
requires that the maximum number of participants (users) on
any one “party-line” be defined.
The 32 channels offered by an audio engine can be configured
into what are called groups. Simple configuration choices in
the Model 5422A’s menu pages allow the number of groups
and their sizes to be selected. Groups can range in size from
32 channels (a complete audio engine being used for a single
group) to having just four channels. The size of a group will
dictate how many devices and associated users can be part of
any one party-line or how many channels will be impacted by
a processing setting for a specific group. Ten choices allow a
wide range of group configurations to be selected. The default
setting for each audio engine is to have four 8-channel groups.
This leads to the Model 5422A-01 having four 8-channel groups
and the Model 5422A-02 having eight 8-channel groups. Refer
to the Specifications section for a detailed list of the group
sizes that are available.
Group Names
Each group can be assigned a unique name. These names would
typically reflect how the specific groups are going to be utilized.
Names such as Camera PL, Lighting, Pyro, or Engineering
would be typically used in broadcast-or live-event-oriented
intercom applications. The configured names are automati
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cally used by the Model 5422A’s Dante Interface, providing
clarity when routing Dante channels using applications such
as Dante Controller. Each group name can be a combination
of up to 13 alpha or numeric characters. Channel numbers
are automatically appended to the entered names to provide
identification of the specific channels within the Dante envi
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ronment. A name of up to 13 additional characters can also
be added to each specific channel, providing further details
about an application.
Group Operating Modes
While the primary application for the Model 5422A is to
create party-line (PL) intercom circuits, each group can be
independently configured from among seven operating modes:
Party-Line w/Auto Mix, Party-Line, Summing Bus w/Auto Mix,
Summing Bus, IFB, Audio Switching, and Pass-Thru.
Party-Line
When a group is set for party-line operation the Model 5422A’s
audio processing circuitry creates a series of independent
“mix-minus” outputs, one for each channel in the group. These
specialized outputs allow each intercom user assigned to that
specific group (a “party-line”) to hear all members of that
group except for themselves. (This is the origin of the term
mix-minus and indicates a mix of all sources but themselves.)