Axia Quasar XR Broadcast Console

Overview
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In Depth
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Axia Quasar XR AoIP Mixing Console Overview

Quasar XR is our top-of-the-line mixer. As such, it features extensive metering built into the surface right where it needs to be—on every channel display and next to each fader, as well as on the monitor module. These LED meters allow users to live mix rather than merely confidence monitor, giving users active control over their environments for the best possible outcome.

Quasar XR also includes standard motorized faders - a must for addressing complex workflows requiring the use of layers, recalling entire console configurations which include pre-set fader positions, or when controlling the surface remotely. XR also features dynamic fader module assignment, allowing the user to freely assign Fader modules to a Master module, and making it possible to connect Fader modules between two consoles.

Quasar offers Quasar Soft and Quasar Cast remote control and monitoring solutions, delivers full integration with Telos Infinity® IP Intercom products, and adds support for new Quasar Accessory Modules, along with numerous other powerful features. This advanced scalability addresses new workflows, like Work from Home, and gives broadcasters more flexibility when it comes to the number of channels they need in their Quasar Engine, starting at 16 channels and scaling up in blocks of 16 channels up to 64 channels.

Mature, Reliable AoIP Technology

Tap into the power of AoIP with Axia Quasar™, our sixth-generation of AoIP consoles and the industry-standard in mixing excellence. Powered by mature and sophisticated AoIP technology from Telos Alliance—the inventor of AoIP for broadcast—Quasar is designed for steadfast reliability with no single point of failure.

Quasar is part of the vast Livewire+™ AES67 ecosystem, making communication with other devices on the network easy by allowing detection, sharing, and control of audio resources across multiple studios connected to the network. With Quasar, AoIP’s promises of built-in redundancy, cost-efficiency, ease of use and setup, and system scalability are fully realized.

The Pinnacle of Console Design

Designed based on extensive global customer feedback and ergonomic studies, Quasar consoles deliver pride of ownership with their exquisite appearance and high-quality architecture, including scratch-resistant work surfaces and components rugged enough for a lifetime of use. All parts subject to wear are industrial, automotive, or even avionics grade.

The absence of an overbridge makes for easy desk installation, and the console is fanless for quiet operation, with redundant load-sharing power supply units. High-resolution color TFT displays and RGB pushbuttons are used throughout.

Reinforcing its innovative design, Quasar received the RedTech Award for Ergonomics and the IBC Best of Show Award.

Touch Control and Touch Sensors Built-In

Quasar consoles have a sleek, easy-to-operate industrial-grade 12.1-inch touchscreen user interface that is so familiar, you’ll be acquainted with the operation of the console within minutes. Two types of UIs are available—Expert and Simplified—to cover all user workflow requirements. Quasar does not require an external display to function thanks to its touchscreen, although you can connect an external monitor via the rear HDMI port to show a duplicate of the touchscreen interface. In addition, all Quasar consoles offer Touch-sensitive Encoders, Faders, and User Buttons, offering responsive user interaction and bringing Quasar’s dynamic UI closer to your fingertips.

Customizable and Easy to Use

Expert Source Profile controls allow power users a granular definition of custom logic associated with each source. Users can program GPIO control, mix-minus routing, talkback, and other functions based upon console channel state. Flexible Record Mode gives complete control of monitors, meters, headphone feeds, program bus assignments, and more. Additionally, Show Profiles allow up to 4,000 console “snapshots” with different settings, layouts, and defaults loaded instantly, customizing the board to each show requirement or talent preference, if desired. Finally, automatic mix-minus and auto-mixing are available on all channels.

Axia Quasar XR AoIP Mixing Console Features

Super-reliable 6th-generation surface from Axia
Compact and sleek design, based on extensive ergonomic studies
Designed for any size radio studios and specialized TV installations
Built-in, modular fanless PSUs with redundant option
Reduced fader pitch for higher fader density
No overbridge for easier installation on work surfaces. No OLEDs
Single or split-frame configurations available
Table-top frames are convertible to flush-mount
Color and finishes fit with lighting used in modern TV-camera-equipped studios
Modules can be installed as standalone outside of frame for modern, nontraditional creative work spaces
Easy-to-operate touchscreen-based UI. No external display required
Intuitive Web UI with integrated HTML5 remote control
Ethernet-connected and self-contained surface modules
All channel strip pushbuttons are user-assignable
Up to 4 user-programmable Surface Layers
8 user-programmable Master buttons with capacitive touch-sense
All encoders and faders are touch-sensitive
Extensive metering built right into the surface, including fader bargraphs
Quasar Engine Scalable to 64 stereo input channels
Fully redesigned DSP processing, available on all channels
Automixer available on all channels
Additional V-Mixer with 80 stereo inputs (independent from console)
New soft Call Controller switchable from 8-lines to 12-lines
Support for backup control surfaces in Quasar Engine
Highly flexible and automated audio workflows including auto-mixing and auto mix-minus
Source and show profiles for ultimate customization without user intervention
Customizable color strip on modules for easy identification of source groups
100mm high quality spill-proof Motorized faders

Axia Quasar XR AoIP Mixing Console In Depth

Sixth-Generation AoIP Console from Axia

Quasar is a state-of-the-art broadcast mixing system. And it is built like a tank.

Beautiful and rugged, with durable and scratch-resistant work surfaces, high-resolution color TFT displays and RGB pushbuttons throughout, plus an industrial-grade 12.1-inch TFT IPS touchscreen. With its easy-to-use User Interface, advanced ergonomics, top-quality components, and massive feature set, Axia raises the bar with Quasar, once again setting new quality standards for native AoIP broadcast consoles.

Configurations

Available in sizes from 4 to 24 faders per frame, with support for up to 64 faders in multiple linked frames, the console offers a reduced footprint and directly connects to an Axia network with a single or dual redundant Ethernet cable. Frames are available in both tabletop or flush-mount versions and can be converted from one type to the other with a special kit.

Modules

Quasar XR-4Fader modules offer touch-sensitive controls and motorized faders as standard features, along with high-resolution bargraph metering for each fader, source-drive color-coding, and customizable hardware buttons on the entire surface. A variety of source profile types provide control of mic/line inputs, telephones, codecs, and other devices. Enhanced, integrated features for phones and codecs include auto-assigned mix-minus on each channel, easy talkback for remote talent cueing, one-button off-air phone record mode, and integrated, touchscreen-based Telco line switching that can interface with Telos phone hybrids and VoIP/SIP talk-show systems.

Touchscreen UI

Quasar sports a Master Touchscreen module that presents a simple and intuitive GUI (Graphical User Interface) that is so familiar, you’ll be acquainted with the operation of the console within minutes. Thanks to its touchscreen, Quasar does not require an external display to function, although an external monitor could be connected via the rear HDMI port to show a duplicate of the touchscreen interface.

Web UI

Expert Source Profile controls allow power users a granular definition of custom logic associated with each source. Users can program GPIO control, mix-minus routing, talkback, and other functions based upon console channel state. Flexible Record Mode gives complete control of monitors, meters, headphone feeds, program bus assignments and more. Show Profiles allow up to 4,000 console “snapshots” with different settings, layouts, and defaults loaded instantly, customizing the board to each show requirement or talent preference, if desired. An HTML5 remote GUI is built into the Web UI to allow remote control and operation of the console from any browser-enabled device.

Cooling & Power Supply

The Quasar control surface is completely fanless, with built-in industrial-grade Power Supply Units available in either single or redundant configuration. Up to four PSUs can be included in a single console frame, depending on frame size and configuration desired.

Build Quality

The Quasar system is designed and built to last a lifetime. All its components were carefully selected with very strict lifetime requirements. All parts subject to wear are industrial, automotive, or even avionics grade.

Leveraging the Power of Axia’s AoIP Infrastructure

The Quasar connects to Axia’s Livewire+™ AES67 AoIP network, and takes advantage of its powerful distributed I/O architecture. The Livewire+ network allows detection, sharing and control of audio resources across multiple studios connected to the network, and its technology complies with the latest AES67 standards.

Infinity IP Intercom Integration

When coupled with an Infinity IP Intercom System, Quasar users have direct access to, and control of, their intercom system’s audio. Quasar / Infinity workflows are enhanced with a number of features including direct integration of Control Room Monitor GPIO functions, interruption of console backfeeds, and the power to remotely control Infinity hardware or virtual panel’s keys via the console’s central touchscreen.

Control Surface Dimensions

Width: from 428mm / 16.85” (4 faders+Master) to 1360mm / 53.54” (28 faders+Master)

Depth: 580mm / 22.83”

Height: 110 95mm / 4.33 3.74” (table-top frame with rubber feet)

Axia Quasar XR AoIP Mixing Console Components

Axia Quasar Engine

Quasar SR is powered by the Quasar Engine, a native AoIP powerhouse with 16, expandable to 64, stereo channels, 4-band fully parametric EQ, powerful dynamics processing, automixer on every channel, four program buses, and eight auxiliary buses. Four Surface Layers and a Virtual Mixer (VMix) with 16 independent 5-channel V-Mixers extend the mixing capacity of your Quasar console far beyond physical fader count. Support for AES67 is included, as well as Talent headphone processing and many other advanced features that make operation simpler and more intuitive. Redundant power is standard with this mix-engine platform. The Quasar Engine has forced fan cooling, while the Quasar console is completely fanless.

Axia Quasar Engine RPS

Axia Quasar Soft

Unlock your XR or SR's remote capabilities with the optional Quasar Soft Software Upgrade. This customizable remote control solution lets you control your Quasar surface from a browser. You can generate up to eight HTML-5 pages and configure them to display any of the 64 input channels, plus a small monitor section, or even the entire master section of the console.

Included as part of the Quasar Soft license, Quasar Cast is a remote monitoring solution that lets you listen to any Livewire stream in the network through the same web browser. Quasar Cast generates a compressed OPUS stream from a source in the Livewire network and can serve up to eight clients (including Quasar Soft instances). With Quasar Cast, you can listen to what is happening in the studio, and on the air, while you operate the console remotely using Quasar Soft.

Axia Quasar Console and Accessory Modules

For use in studios with either Quasar XR or SR consoles, these modules include the Microphone In/Headphone Out Console Module, Microphone/Headphone Control Accessory Module, the Motorized Fader Accessory Modules.

Quasar SmartKey Module is a 2-channel wide surface module for Quasar XR and SR surfaces which adds up to four blocks of six programmable user keys. Each key can be programmed to display user-defined text using Axia Pathfinder Core PRO.

Mic/Headphone Control Accessory Module provides remote control of mic on/off functions where dedicated Mute and Talkback buttons give talent full control of their position. A Volume/Source selection knob allows users to select their headphone monitor source and the display readout confirms their choice.

Quasar's Motorized Fader Accessory Module provides all of the functionality of the Mic/Headphone Module with the addition of a high-quality motorized fader that allows control of any of the Quasar Mic channels. With the features included, this module can effectively function as an additional channel strip for your surface, mountable in a remote location.

Quasar Mic in/HP out Console Module is an optional 1ch-wide module that can be placed anywhere on the surface to add a convenient Talkback Input and Headphone Output to your Quasar. It comes with its own headphone amp board that must be plugged into the Quasar Rear I/O module, to let the console receive any line signal and turn it into a high-quality, hi-power headphone output.