Axia Talks IP Intercom at IBC 2013

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Axia Talks IP Intercom at IBC 2013

Shows exclusive line of broadcast intercoms for IP-Audio networks

29 August 2013 Cleveland Ohio, USA

Axia Audio, the originators of IP-Audio networking for broadcast, are showing their exclusive line of broadcast intercom systems at IBC 2013 in Amsterdam.

Axia’s IP Intercom is the world’s only professional intercom system that works directly with IP-Audio networks. Like all Axia broadcast equipment, IP Intercom connects directly to Livewire™ studio networks via CAT-5: a single cable carries multiple channels of full-bandwidth audio and logic; no need for separate contact closures or control cabling.

The IP Intercom system includes a variety of rackmount and desktop stations, drop-in modules for Axia Element mixing consoles that 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, and a unique SoftCom PC application that can turn any connected PC with a headset into an IP Intercom station.

Axia Vice-President Marty Sacks says that intercoms are a natural part of today’s fast-paced broadcast environment. “Morning shows, phone-based call-in shows, interview programs, all-news stations — all of these move at the speed of light. Talent and producers need a fast, intuitive way to communicate with each other; IP Intercom gives them the most intuitive intercom tools ever. Push a button on the console and you’re talking to your producer using your board mic and cue channel. What could be easier?”

IP Intercom solves another age-old broadcast problem according to Sacks. “Sometimes news breaks and you’ve got to put a reporter on the air ‘right now’. In the old days, intercom audio fidelity was horrible. But IP Intercom audio is full-bandwidth 20 kHz audio, so you can take it to air without degrading your program quality. If you can hear it, you can record it, edit it, or put it on the air.”

The IP Intercom system features auto-answer and hands-free operation, bright, sharp OLED displays for maximum visibility, built-in speakers and front-and-rear-panel mic connections, and drop-in modules that integrate right into Axia consoles, to name a few.

New Features.

Axia developers have added new IP Intercom features to just-released v1.3 software, giving users even more power and flexibility.

“This is a major update,” says Axia software engineer Maciej Slapka. “We’ve listened carefully to our clients and incorporated the best of their ideas into IP Intercom. Features such as the ability to use IP Intercom as an IFB source to talk back to remote codecs or phone callers, and direct routing of IP Intercom audio to a Livewire-network audio channel, have clients talking about just how essential IP Intercom is to their operations.”

These new features include:

  • IFB capability. IP Intercom can now be configured to interrupt any Livewire feed and talk to it, providing unlimited IFB capability without additional infrastructure or expense.
  • Talk to Element talkback feed. IP Intercom can interrupt any mix-minus created by an Axia Element console, making it easy to talk to any Codec or Phone source receiving the console mix-minus.
  • On-air sensing. IP Intercom monitors live Mic channels and mutes the Intercom speaker — no physical wiring required. A new BUSY indication tells other users that the station they’re calling is on-air.
  • Alternate listening channels. Rackmount stations can send audio that would normally be heard on their built-in speakers to headphones or the studio’s Preview (cue) speaker.
  • New “Listen-On” feature. This advanced option makes the selected external source listen channel active automatically, a very useful feature for Program Monitor configuration, or for use with a two-way radio that lacks a GPIO “Talk” signal.

It’s easy to build an intercom system with IP-Intercom. Just place Axia intercom stations in studio turrets, TOC racks — wherever communications are needed. Connect them to your Axia network’s nearest core or edge switch, and after some fast setup using your Web browser, you’re ready to let the conversation flow.

Components.

The IP Intercom system can be used as a standalone system connected to an approved network switch, or in conjunction with new or existing Axia networks. The full complement of components includes:

  • The IC.20 rack station, for use in Master Control or TOC facilities, has 20 station presets with high-visibility 10-character OLED (organic LED) displays for quick contact with frequently-called stations. A keypad and display give fast access to stations system-wide. Group talk and auto-answer functions are included. A built-in speaker, front- and rear-panel mic connections, 4-pin locking headset jack, analog I/O with XLR and StudioHub™-compatible RJ-45 connectors and a GPIO connection. Presets are programmed using a built-in Web interface.
  • The ICX.10 Intercom Expander pairs with the IC.20 intercom panel, adding 10 station presets with OLED displays for a total of 30 station presets.
  • The IC.10 rack station is perfect for use in news bullpens or at producers’ stations. It has 10 station presets, and like the IC.20 it features sharp OLED displays, group talk and auto-answer, built-in speaker, front- and rear-panel mic connections, 4-pin locking headset jack, analog I/O with XLR and StudioHub-compatible RJ-45 connectors and a GPIO connection.
  • The IC.1rack station ten-station Intercom panel is a cost-effective way to add intercom capabilities anywhere. 10 LED-backlit film-cap buttons for easy labeling, 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 GPIO port.
  • The IC.20D desktop station is a standalone Intercom station that’s perfect for producers, screeners, etc.  It can be conveniently placed on any desktop, and provides the same features and capabilities as the IC.20 rack station.
  • The IC.1D desktop station is a cost-effective desktop alternative with 20 LED-backlit film-cap buttons that can be mapped to 20 intercom stations, plus all of the features of the IC.1 rack station.
  • Axia SoftCom for Windows® turns any PC with a headset and a network connection into an IP Intercom station. Connect the PC to your Livewire network, start SoftCom, and your call screener, production assistant, promotions manager or anyone else can instantly communicate with IP Intercom hardware stations. Like hardware stations, SoftCom audio is full-bandwidth and can be taken to air with no loss of audio quality.

Drop-in modules for Axia’s popular Element mixing consoles 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 and studio guests.

  • The 20-Station OLED Intercom module occupies two console positions and provides instant access to 20 frequently-used intercom stations via sharp OLED displays, each with individual talk and listen buttons. Access any station systemwide via the keypad on Element’s Monitor Module; auto-answer, dedicated listen volume control, individual mic and speaker mute keys and group talk functions are also included. Station presets and GPIO functions are programmed using any standard Web browser.
  • The 10-Station OLED Intercom module uses one console position and provides access to 10 preset locations with 10-character OLED displays. Auto-answer functions, a dedicated listen volume control, and mute keys for speaker and mic are also provided.
  • The 10-Station Film-Cap Intercom module features 10 LED-backlit film-cap buttons which can be labeled with station names. This module occupies one console position and includes a dedicated listen volume control, speaker and mic mute buttons and single-button calling of up to 10 preset stations.

Axia Audio is the world’s most popular IP-Audio networking system for broadcast. Over 4,500 studios are on-air using Axia Livewire technology; more than 50,000 connected devices, such as codecs, audio processors, phone systems, and digital delivery systems, are in the field. 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.

Over 40 Axia partners, including companies such as Nautel, AudioScience, International Datacasting, 25-Seven Systems, and Studer, now make broadcast equipment that connects using Livewire. 

Axia also supports the high-performance RAVENNA IP-Audio standard, which is backed by companies like Genelec, Neumann, Sonifex, Merging Technologies and Lawo. For further information please visit ravenna.alcnetworx.com .

Visitors to IBC can see the Axia IP Intercom system, and the entire family of Axia IP-Audio networking equipment, at the Telos Alliance display in Hall 8, Stand 8.D30, in the RAI Center. For more in-depth information about Axia products, visit AxiaAudio.com, and for media information, contact Clark Novak at Axia via email at cnovak@AxiaAudio.com, or call +1 216-241-7225.

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Axia Audio, a Telos Alliance company, builds Ethernet-based professional IP-Audio products for broadcast, sound-reinforcement and commercial audio applications. Along with the Element 2.0, iQ, Radius, DESQ and RAQ AoIP consoles for on-air, commercial production, audio workstations and personal studios, Axia products include intercom systems, digital audio routers, DSP mixers and processors, and software for configuring, managing and interfacing networked audio systems.