Something for your DESQ: A new AoIP console from Axia

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Something for your DESQ: A new AoIP console from Axia

Brings audio networking to production, news, and podcasting applications

5 April 2012, Cleveland Ohio, USA

In response to broadcasters, podcasters and engineers everywhere who have asked "Isn‘t there a small AoIP mixer, somewhere?" Axia has engineered exactly that: DESQ, a neat, compact mixer that occupies only 18 square inches of desktop real estate. "Radio professionals have repeatedly told us that they wished Axia made a smaller IP console suitable for podcast production, dubbing stations, live performance spaces or interview studios, so they wouldn‘t have to settle for non-networked mixers in those applications," says Michael "Catfish" Dosch, President of Axia Audio. "DESQ answers that wish neatly. It takes up very little room, but still gives talent access to all of the audio sources available on their Axia network. Some clients have told us they‘d even put one on the PD‘s desk! " DESQ, like its rack-mountable cousin RAQ, is powered by the fanless Axia QOR.16 integrated console engine, which provides analog, AES/EBU and Livewire I/O, along with GPIO ports, console power supply and CPU, and an exclusive zero-configuration network switch with Gigabit. Setup is easy: DESQ connects to the QOR.16 with a single cable. As a standalone console, DESQ is great for personal studios, but can be quickly connected to an Axia LivewireTM network. Additionally, a single QOR.16 engine can be used with two DESQ consoles (or with the new RAQ rackmount mixer), making a highly cost-effective solution for multi-console installations. A DESQ with QOR.16 carries a suggested list price of just $4,990 USD; adding a second DESQ costs only $1,995 more.

DESQ packs a lot of big-console features into its small frame:

  • 2 stereo Program buses, plus Preview (cue) bus
  • Six silky-smooth 100 mm. dirt-resistant, side-loading faders
  • Automatic mix-minus for every fader
  • Rugged machined-aluminum work surface and EM-tight chassis
  • Sharp, high-resolution OLED audio meter can be switched between VU and PPM ballistics
  • OLED Channel Information display for every fader
  • Options knob and Channel Information display for quick selection of sources, pan/balance adjustment, EQ adjustment, gain trim and other options
  • Event timer with choice of manual or automatic restart
  • Onboard NTP-capable time-of-day clock
  • Avionics-quality switches with LED lighting
  • 4 Show Profile snapshot locations for recall of frequently-used configurations
  • 4-position Monitor selector with two External selections, assignable on-the-fly
  • Desktop-mounted – no countertop cutout needed
  • Single-cable connection to QOR.16 console engine

Each Axia QOR.16 integrated console engine (which can support two RAQ or DESQ mixers) is self- contained, with a zero-configuration Ethernet switch — an Axia exclusive. The QOR.16 has six Livewire 100Base-T ports with PoE, along with two Gigabit ports for studio interconnection, 4 GPIO logic ports, two microphone inputs with switchable Phantom power, 8 analog inputs and 4 analog outputs, 1 AES/EBU input and 1 AES/EBU output. It‘s perfect for deploying consoles in standalone studios, but easily networks with other studios via copper or optical Gigabit connections.

Axia radio consoles are a hit, with installations in over 2,500 studios worldwide. Models include Element 2.0 consoles available in sizes up to 40 faders, the iQ console that‘s expandable up to 24 faders, and the 8-fader Radius.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. Over 30 partner companies now make broadcast equipment that connects using the Livewire standard.

Axia DESQ consoles will be available during Q2, 2012. Visitors to NAB 2012 in Las Vegas can see new DESQ and RAQ mixers along with the entire family of Axia IP-Audio consoles at the Axia Audio/Telos Alliance exhibit, Booth C3113 in the Central Hall. For more information about Axia, visitwww.AxiaAudio.com, and for media information, contact Clark Novak at cnovak@AxiaAudio.com, or call +1 216-241-7225.

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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.