New Axia iQ console makes AoIP more affordable than ever

Networked, expandable broadcast mixer starts at just $7,990

21 March, 2011, Cleveland Ohio USA

Axia Audio will show its new iQ radio consoles (AxiaAudio.com/iq/) at the 2011 NAB Convention in Las Vegas. Engineered as “the standalone console that networks,” iQ is a full-featured IP console with manufacturer’s suggested retail price of under $10,000 USD: a 16-fader iQ carries a list price of just $9,985, while an 8-fader iQ lists for only $7,990.

iQ consoles can be ordered in sizes from 8 to 24 faders. Users start with the 8-fader iQ Main Frame, adding frames with more faders, phone controls, and programmable user keys to create a console tailored to their needs. Frames plug into the iQ Core, a fanless, convection-cooled console engine with audio I/O, console CPU, logic, mix engine, power supply and Ethernet switch. Backup power with auto-switching is also available.

Thanks to its “everything’s-included” nature, iQ is ideal for standalone studios, but its built-in Ethernet switch with Gigabit ports allows networked operation too. Up to 4 iQ consoles may be daisy-chained without the need for an external Ethernet switch.

“Some companies seem to think that ‘affordable’ means ‘featureless.’ They build ‘budget’ consoles by removing features until they hit a price point. We have a different philosophy,” says Axia marketing manager Clark Novak. “We don’t think that you should have settle for something stripped-down just because you have a modest budget! We designed iQ by packing in as many features and capabilities as possible. It’s very affordable and very feature-packed.”

Those features include 3 dedicated stereo Program buses plus a stereo Utility bus that can be used for phone calls, off-air recording, or as a fourth Program bus, automatic mix-minus on every fader, Show Profiles that instantly recall talent’s favorite settings, Record Mode one-touch recording, and talkback functions for off-air communication with phone callers, remote hosts or studio guests. iQ features premium components such as ultra-smooth conductive plastic faders, aircraft-quality switches with LED lighting, and high-resolution OLED displays for metering and other information. Anodized, machined-aluminum surfaces have laser-etched markings that can’t ever fade or rub off, and iQ frames are built of beefy extruded aluminum components for RF immunity.

iQ was designed for easy no-cutout desktop mounting, but iQ Main can also be rack-mounted, as well as joined to expansion console frames, using included mounting hardware.

Here’s a full list of iQ features:

• Three stereo Program buses and a dedicated Utility bus to use for phones, off-air recording, or as a fourth Program bus.
• Record Mode one-touch off-air recording.
• Automatic per-fader mix-minus.
• Event Timer with auto-start/auto-reset functions.
• Studio and Control Room monitor controls.
• 4 Show Profile “snapshots” to save and recall commonly-used configurations.
• Easy talkback system.
• Switchable VU/PPM program meters.
• High-resolution OLED information displays.
• Premium-quality 100mm. conductive-plastic faders.
• Long-life rotary controls and aircraft-quality switches with LED lighting.
• Expandable via three iQ expansion frames:
  --Telco expansion – 6 faders plus 6-line Call Controller with Status Symbols™ and DTMF keypad for direct control of the latest Telos broadcast phone systems
  --User Key expansion – 6 faders plus 10 programmable User keys to control external devices, trigger routing salvos, and send contact closures via GPIO
  --8-Fader expansion – eight additional faders and ancillary controls
• Hardened, fanless power supply.
• Ultra-reliable embedded console CPU and DSP mixing engine includes:
  --4 Mic inputs with selectable Phantom power
  --16 Analog ins and 8 Analog outs with 24-bit, 256x oversampling A/D converters
  --2 AES/EBU ins and outs
  --8 GPIO logic ports, each containing 5 inputs and 5 outputs o 6 100Base-T Livewire ports for single-cable connections to Telos phone systems, Omnia audio processors and other Axia gear, as well as broadcast equipment from partners like Nautel, ENCO Systems, BSI, 25-Seven, AudioScience and more — see AxiaAudio.com/partners/ for full list.
  --2 Gigabit Ethernet ports with SFP for copper or fiber network connections.
  --I/O is expandable using Axia audio nodes
• Optional iQ Backup Power Supply provides failsafe secondary power with automatic switching.
• Optional Telos iQ6 phone system connects 6 POTS or ISDN BRI phone lines via single CAT-5 cable.

Axia radio consoles are a hit, with installations in over 2,000 studios worldwide. 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.

Radio pros can see iQ, 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. For more information, contact Clark Novak at Axia Audio, via email at cnovak@AxiaAudio.com or by phone at +1-216-241-7225.

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Download a print-quality version of this photo from the Axia photo gallery atwww.AxiaAudio.com/pix.

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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.