New desktop stations make producers’ tasks less of a production
10 March 2011, Cleveland, OH USA
Axia Audio's IP Intercom system is expanding with the addition of two new freestanding intercom stations designed to make life easier for broadcast producers, directors and screeners.
The new IC.20D and IC.1D Desktop intercom stations are studio accessories that can be placed on any flat surface. They each allow instant, hands-free communication with intercom locations throughout your plant, with fast access to up to 20 of your talent’s most frequently-called stations.
The IP Intercom system is a full family of broadcast intercom gear that includes a variety of rackmount stations in different sizes and price ranges. IP Intercom drop-in modules for Axia Element 2.0 mixing consoles provide a unique interconnection between intercom and console that allows any the audio from any station in the broadcast plant to be immediately brought to air.
Axia’s new Desktop intercom stations are designed for user in Producer’s or screeners’ positions, and are full of the features power-users demand:
- The IC.20D desktop station has 20 station presets with high-visibility 10-character OLED (organic LED) displays for quick contact with frequently-called stations. Like its rackmount cousin, it includes a keypad and display screen to provide fast access to any station system-wide, plus group talk, mic and speaker mute, and auto-answer functions. IC.20D also has a built-in speaker, front-panel mic connection and a 4-pin locking headset jack. Presets can be assigned on the fly, or programmed with the built-in Web interface.
- The IC.1D desktop station is a cost-effective way to add intercom capabilities to any desktop. There are 20 LED-backlit film-cap buttons that can easily be labeled with station names, and an OLED callback window that assists the operator in identifying and answering calls from intercom stations not programmed onto a speed key. IC.1D also has a built-in speaker and front-panel 4-pin locking headset jack and front-panel mic input. Presets are easily programmed via built-in Web interface.
The entire IP Intercom family includes Advanced Echo Cancellation (AEC) technology licensed from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute, the inventors of MP3. AEC is a revolutionary echo-cancellation technology that effectively suppresses acoustic feedback generated between open mics and speakers, producing audio that’s completely feedback-free.
Like all Axia components, the new IP Intercom desktop stations connect to the studio network with a single CAT-5 cable. Thanks to its Ethernet backbone, IP Intercom saves significant amounts of money, time and materials when compared with traditional, hardwired intercom systems. And broadcasters who already have Axia Livewire networks can simply plug IP Intercom equipment into their existing network. It’s easy to build an IP Intercom system: just place stations in studio turrets, TOC racks, or on the desktop – wherever communications are needed – and connect them to your network’s nearest core or edge switch. After some fast setup via Web browser, you’re ready to let the conversation flow.
In addition to the new desktop units, IP Intercom equipment includes a range of rack-mount and drop-in modules that work with Axia Element radio consoles:
- The IC.20, IC.10 and IC.1 rack stations can be placed in any studio turret or TOC rack cabinet. They all feature a built-in speaker, front-panel 4-pin locking headset jack, front- and rear-panel mic inputs, analog I/O with XLR and RJ-45 connectors, and a GPIO port. The 20-preset IC.20 can be expanded to 30 preset stations with the addition of an IC.10X Extender unit.
- A 20-Station intercom module with OLED displays is available for Element consoles, as are a 10-station OLED module and a 10-station Filmcap module. By integrating directly into the on-air console, these popular modules put intercom functions at the board-op’s fingertips. Operators can use their console mic and Preview speaker for seamless communication between board ops, hosts, studio guests — even phone and codec callers. And since IP Intercom’s voice channels are broadcast-quality, intercom audio can be instantly taken to air in full fidelity.
Axia allows broadcasters to quickly and easily build audio networks using 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 channels (plus machine logic and PAD) over a single CAT-6 cable, eliminating much of the cost normally associated with wiring labor and infrastructure. Axia Element 2.0 radio consoles are a hit, with installations in over 2,000 studios worldwide.
Radio pros can see the new IP Intercom Desktop stations, along with the rest of the Axia line, in Las Vegas at NAB 2011 in the Telos/Omnia/Axia display. Find us in the Central Hall, Booth #C3113.
---
Axia, a Telos company, builds Ethernet-based professional IP-Audio products for broadcast, sound-reinforcement and commercial audio applications. Along with the popular Element 2.0 modular console for on-air, commercial production, audio workstations and personal studios, Axia products include the PowerStation integrated console engine, intercom systems, digital audio routers, DSP mixers and processors, and software for configuring, managing and interfacing networked audio systems.