Description
Aqua Broadcast Aqua Tool Broadcast Audio Processor
Powered by Stereotool
The Aqua Tool from Aqua Broadcast combines world-class hardware with the industry-leading Stereo Tool software by Thimeo Audio Technology. The result is audio processing that is bold, clean, punchy, and dynamic—delivering top-tier performance without the premium price tag. Built on a rock-solid platform with precision DSP hardware and a customized Linux operating system, the Aqua Tool delivers outstanding audio quality, reliable connectivity, and intuitive control.
At its core is a powerful 6-band audio processing engine, giving broadcasters the flexibility to shape their sound exactly as they want it—whether smooth and natural or bold and aggressive. With crystal-clear, impactful audio, the Aqua Tool defines your station’s sonic identity and ensures you stand out on the dial.
UNRIVALLED CONNECTIVITY
The Aqua Tool has been engineered with versatility in mind, offering a full suite of inputs and outputs to integrate seamlessly with any broadcast chain. Standard connections include:
• Analog inputs and outputs for compatibility with traditional studio gear
• AES/EBU digital audio for precision transmission and reception
• Digital MPX over AES192, ensuring direct-to-transmitter connectivity without compromise
• Ethernet and USB for networking, streaming, and management tasks
• Advanced GPIO for external device triggering and automation
ADVANCED PROCESSING FEATURES
The Aqua Tool’s processing toolkit includes everything required for professional, consistent, and powerful FM audio:
• Bass Enhancement for deep, powerful low-end that remains clean and controlled
• Pilot Protection to safeguard stereo pilot integrity
• Wide AGC for seamless loudness management across diverse content sources
• Preset Library packed with expertly designed, modern sound profiles that get you on-air instantly
And because every station is different, all presets can be customized and fine-tuned, allowing you to create the exactsound signature that reflects your station’s brand. A hardware power-off bypass is built in for operational security,ensuring your signal keeps flowing in the event of an outage. Dual LAN ports provide redundant connectivity, keeping your station online at all times.
MODERN DESIGN, INTUITIVE OPERATION
The Aqua Tool is designed to be as impressive in operation as it is in performance. It features a widescreen ultraclear RGB main display, a secondary RGB status screen, and intuitive joystick controls with haptic feedback for precision adjustments. Durable silicon buttons ensure long-term reliability and quick access to key functions. This thoughtful design makes configuration and daily operation simple, fast, and accurate—whether you’re a seasoned engineer or a first-time user. The modern interface not only looks great in your rack but also reduces setup time dramatically.
STREAMING FLEXIBILITY
As standard, the Aqua Tool supports Shoutcast and Icecast stream inputs, configurable as primary or backup sources. This ensures uninterrupted service, even if your studio or STL link goes down—keeping your station onair no matter what
MICROMPX ON-BOARD
With integrated MicroMPX technology from Thimeo Audio Technology, the Aqua Tool can deliver a full FM signal,including RDS data, at bitrates as low as 320 kbps. MicroMPX supports multiple transmitter feeds and off-site monitoring. Direct connection to Cobalt Fully Featured FM Transmitters is supported (MicroMPX Decoder license required).
THE COMPLETE PROCESSING SOLUTION
The Aqua Tool is more than just an audio processor—it’s a fully integrated broadcast solution for today’s radio. With its combination of advanced DSP, intuitive design, global connectivity, and flexible automation, it gives broadcasters consistent, professional-quality sound and complete peace of mind. Whether you’re running a small community station or managing a nationwide network, the Aqua Tool adapts to your needs—delivering the tools, reliability, and performance modern broadcasters demand. And with regular software updates included, your station will always stay ahead
REMOTE CONTROL & GLOBAL MANAGEMENT
Stay in control wherever you are. The Aqua Tool includes:
• Secure web-based interface accessible from any browser
• Full remote control via HTTPS/Ethernet
• SNMP v1, v2c, and v3 for professional integration
• Email alerts and notifications
• Live audio monitoring streams for both processed and source audio
Whether you’re in the studio, at the transmitter, or halfway across the world, your station remains firmly under your control.
BUILT-IN AUTOMATION
The Aqua Tool adapts automatically to your programming needs with built-in scheduling and automation features.
Presets can switch based on:
• Time schedules (e.g., daypart programming)
• External triggers via GPI or SNMP
• Environmental conditions or system inputs
This ensures consistent, tailored audio without constant manual adjustments—freeing your time to focus on
content.
CONFIDENCE AUDIO MONITORING
Stream audio directly from the processor to any web-enabled device. Listen to:
• Processed audio before it goes to air
• Source feeds (Analog, Digital, or STL)
• Test tones for quick troubleshooting
This feature gives engineers real-time confidence in audio quality and source integrity, wherever they are.
STANDARD FEATURES
- Linux OS
- Dual RGB Screens
- 6 Band Audio Processor
- MicroMPX
- Audio confidence monitoring by web browser
- Dynamic, UECP Compliant RDS Encoder
- ITU-R BS412.9 Limiter
- Digital MPX (AES192)
- Dual LAN
- Ethernet Control with HTTPS
- SNMP v1, v2c, v3
- Advanced Automations and configurations
- Scheduler
- Audio Failover and Silence Detection
- Backup Audio player via USB
- Shoutcast / Icecast Stream input
- HDMI
PROCESSING STANDARD FEATURES
Perfect Declipper
Delossifi er
Intelligent Composite Clipper
Dehummer
Streaming
Noise Gate
Phase repair
Speech detection
Natural Dynamics
True Bass
Bass Exciter
Adaptive Compressor
BS412 limiter
MicroMPX encoder
AM Brilliance
HTML 5 web interface, JSON remote control
interface
OPTIONS
- 48V DC Power input
- Optional 2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac wireless
- Optional Bluetooth 5.0, BLE
GENERAL
| Input ACV @ 50/60Hz | 100-240VAC, 50/60HZ |
| Power Connector | IEC13 3A filtered |
| Optional DC power input | 48V |
| Dimensions WxDxH (inch) | 19×10.5 x 1RU (1.75”) |
| Dimensions WxDxH (cm) | 48.3 x 27 x 44 |
| Weight | 2.5kg / 5.51lb |
ENVIRONMENTAL
| Maximum operating Altitude | 15,000 ft / 4,420m AMSL |
| Temperature range | Direct-to-channel (DDS) |
| Humidity | VHF Band II, 87-108MHz |
STEREO ENCODER
| Test Conditions | 400Hz/1kHz test tones at modulation level ≤75kHz |
| Modes | Stereo, Mono L+R, Mono L, Mono R |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-15kHz ±0.02dB |
| Pre-emphasis | 0, 50 or 75µs |
| Pilot tone | 19kHz, adjustable level 0-12% |
| Subcarriers suppression | ≤ -70dB |
| Stereo Suppression | ≥75dB AES/EBU input |
| Stereo SNR | ≥70dB Analogue input |
| ≥80dB with 75us de-emphasis | |
| ≥75dB without de-emphasis on both inputs <0.03% | |
| Crosstalk | ≥70dB, between L+R and L-R due to channel matching, both inputs |
MONO OPERATION
| Frequency response | 20Hz – 15kHz ±0.02dB |
| Pre-emphasis | 0, 50 or 75 µs |
| Mono SNR | ≥75dB AES/EBU input, ≥70dB Analogue input |
| Mono THD+N | ≤0.002% analogue input, ≤0.001% AES input, with 75us de-emphasis |
CONNECTIVITY
| 2x 1Gbit Ethernet (1 per CM5) | |
| 2x 100Mbit Ethernet with POE+ (1 per CM5, 1 shared with AES67 module) | |
| 4x USB 3.0 (2 per CM5) | |
| 1x USB 2.0 on the front panel | |
| 1x USB UART for primary CM5 | |
| 2x HDMI 2.0 (1 per CM5) | |
| Optional 2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac wireless on CM5 | |
| Optional Bluetooth 5.0, BLE on CM5 |
USER INTERFACE
| Primary display | -90kHz ±0.005dB |
| Secondary display | ≥100dB, with 75us de-emphasis |
| THD+N | Analogue joystick with 3 x silicone backlit buttons |
ANALOG AUDIO INPUT
| Stereo analogue audio input | 2 x XLR female, 10kΩ impedance level adjustable 0-24dBu |
ANALOG AUDIO OUTPUT
| Headphones Out | 2 x XLR female, 10kΩ impedance level adjustable 0-24dBu |
| Optional bypass relay module for power-off signal pass through |
DIGITAL AUDIO INPUTS
| 1 x AES/EBU Audio, RJ45 StudioHUB+, 48kHz, 24bits, 110Ω output impedance | |
| 1 x AES/EBU MPX, RJ45 StudioHUB+, 192kHz, 24bits, 110Ω output impedance |
DIGITAL AUDIO OUTPUTS
| 1 x AES/EBU Audio, RJ45 StudioHUB+, 48kHz, 24bits, 110Ω output impedance | |
| 1 x AES/EBU MPX, RJ45 StudioHUB+, 192kHz, 24bits, 110Ω output impedance |
ANALOG MPX OUTPUT
| Type | 2 x BNC female, 10Ω output impedance, level adjustable 0-12dBu |
ANALOG MPX INPUT
| 2 x BNC female, 10Ω output impedance, level adjustable 0-12dBu | |
| Optional bypass relay module for power-off signal pass through |
HEADPHONE OUTPUT
| 1/4” (6.3mm) female stereo socket | |
| Software adjustable volume | |
| Minimum load impedance 16Ω |
- Description
-
Aqua Broadcast Aqua Tool Broadcast Audio Processor
Powered by Stereotool
The Aqua Tool from Aqua Broadcast combines world-class hardware with the industry-leading Stereo Tool software by Thimeo Audio Technology. The result is audio processing that is bold, clean, punchy, and dynamic—delivering top-tier performance without the premium price tag. Built on a rock-solid platform with precision DSP hardware and a customized Linux operating system, the Aqua Tool delivers outstanding audio quality, reliable connectivity, and intuitive control.
At its core is a powerful 6-band audio processing engine, giving broadcasters the flexibility to shape their sound exactly as they want it—whether smooth and natural or bold and aggressive. With crystal-clear, impactful audio, the Aqua Tool defines your station’s sonic identity and ensures you stand out on the dial.
UNRIVALLED CONNECTIVITY
The Aqua Tool has been engineered with versatility in mind, offering a full suite of inputs and outputs to integrate seamlessly with any broadcast chain. Standard connections include:
• Analog inputs and outputs for compatibility with traditional studio gear
• AES/EBU digital audio for precision transmission and reception
• Digital MPX over AES192, ensuring direct-to-transmitter connectivity without compromise
• Ethernet and USB for networking, streaming, and management tasks
• Advanced GPIO for external device triggering and automationADVANCED PROCESSING FEATURES
The Aqua Tool’s processing toolkit includes everything required for professional, consistent, and powerful FM audio:
• Bass Enhancement for deep, powerful low-end that remains clean and controlled
• Pilot Protection to safeguard stereo pilot integrity
• Wide AGC for seamless loudness management across diverse content sources
• Preset Library packed with expertly designed, modern sound profiles that get you on-air instantlyAnd because every station is different, all presets can be customized and fine-tuned, allowing you to create the exactsound signature that reflects your station’s brand. A hardware power-off bypass is built in for operational security,ensuring your signal keeps flowing in the event of an outage. Dual LAN ports provide redundant connectivity, keeping your station online at all times.
MODERN DESIGN, INTUITIVE OPERATION
The Aqua Tool is designed to be as impressive in operation as it is in performance. It features a widescreen ultraclear RGB main display, a secondary RGB status screen, and intuitive joystick controls with haptic feedback for precision adjustments. Durable silicon buttons ensure long-term reliability and quick access to key functions. This thoughtful design makes configuration and daily operation simple, fast, and accurate—whether you’re a seasoned engineer or a first-time user. The modern interface not only looks great in your rack but also reduces setup time dramatically.STREAMING FLEXIBILITY
As standard, the Aqua Tool supports Shoutcast and Icecast stream inputs, configurable as primary or backup sources. This ensures uninterrupted service, even if your studio or STL link goes down—keeping your station onair no matter whatMICROMPX ON-BOARD
With integrated MicroMPX technology from Thimeo Audio Technology, the Aqua Tool can deliver a full FM signal,including RDS data, at bitrates as low as 320 kbps. MicroMPX supports multiple transmitter feeds and off-site monitoring. Direct connection to Cobalt Fully Featured FM Transmitters is supported (MicroMPX Decoder license required).THE COMPLETE PROCESSING SOLUTION
The Aqua Tool is more than just an audio processor—it’s a fully integrated broadcast solution for today’s radio. With its combination of advanced DSP, intuitive design, global connectivity, and flexible automation, it gives broadcasters consistent, professional-quality sound and complete peace of mind. Whether you’re running a small community station or managing a nationwide network, the Aqua Tool adapts to your needs—delivering the tools, reliability, and performance modern broadcasters demand. And with regular software updates included, your station will always stay aheadREMOTE CONTROL & GLOBAL MANAGEMENT
Stay in control wherever you are. The Aqua Tool includes:
• Secure web-based interface accessible from any browser
• Full remote control via HTTPS/Ethernet
• SNMP v1, v2c, and v3 for professional integration
• Email alerts and notifications
• Live audio monitoring streams for both processed and source audio
Whether you’re in the studio, at the transmitter, or halfway across the world, your station remains firmly under your control.BUILT-IN AUTOMATION
The Aqua Tool adapts automatically to your programming needs with built-in scheduling and automation features.
Presets can switch based on:
• Time schedules (e.g., daypart programming)
• External triggers via GPI or SNMP
• Environmental conditions or system inputs
This ensures consistent, tailored audio without constant manual adjustments—freeing your time to focus on
content.CONFIDENCE AUDIO MONITORING
Stream audio directly from the processor to any web-enabled device. Listen to:
• Processed audio before it goes to air
• Source feeds (Analog, Digital, or STL)
• Test tones for quick troubleshooting
This feature gives engineers real-time confidence in audio quality and source integrity, wherever they are.STANDARD FEATURES
- Linux OS
- Dual RGB Screens
- 6 Band Audio Processor
- MicroMPX
- Audio confidence monitoring by web browser
- Dynamic, UECP Compliant RDS Encoder
- ITU-R BS412.9 Limiter
- Digital MPX (AES192)
- Dual LAN
- Ethernet Control with HTTPS
- SNMP v1, v2c, v3
- Advanced Automations and configurations
- Scheduler
- Audio Failover and Silence Detection
- Backup Audio player via USB
- Shoutcast / Icecast Stream input
- HDMI
PROCESSING STANDARD FEATURES
Perfect Declipper
Delossifi er
Intelligent Composite Clipper
Dehummer
Streaming
Noise Gate
Phase repair
Speech detection
Natural Dynamics
True Bass
Bass Exciter
Adaptive Compressor
BS412 limiter
MicroMPX encoder
AM Brilliance
HTML 5 web interface, JSON remote control
interfaceOPTIONS
- 48V DC Power input
- Optional 2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac wireless
- Optional Bluetooth 5.0, BLE
- Specifications
-
GENERAL
Input ACV @ 50/60Hz 100-240VAC, 50/60HZ Power Connector IEC13 3A filtered Optional DC power input 48V Dimensions WxDxH (inch) 19×10.5 x 1RU (1.75”) Dimensions WxDxH (cm) 48.3 x 27 x 44 Weight 2.5kg / 5.51lb ENVIRONMENTAL
Maximum operating Altitude 15,000 ft / 4,420m AMSL Temperature range Direct-to-channel (DDS) Humidity VHF Band II, 87-108MHz STEREO ENCODER
Test Conditions 400Hz/1kHz test tones at modulation level ≤75kHz Modes Stereo, Mono L+R, Mono L, Mono R Frequency response 20Hz-15kHz ±0.02dB Pre-emphasis 0, 50 or 75µs Pilot tone 19kHz, adjustable level 0-12% Subcarriers suppression ≤ -70dB Stereo Suppression ≥75dB AES/EBU input Stereo SNR ≥70dB Analogue input ≥80dB with 75us de-emphasis ≥75dB without de-emphasis on both inputs <0.03% Crosstalk ≥70dB, between L+R and L-R due to channel matching, both inputs MONO OPERATION
Frequency response 20Hz – 15kHz ±0.02dB Pre-emphasis 0, 50 or 75 µs Mono SNR ≥75dB AES/EBU input, ≥70dB Analogue input Mono THD+N ≤0.002% analogue input, ≤0.001% AES input, with 75us de-emphasis CONNECTIVITY
2x 1Gbit Ethernet (1 per CM5) 2x 100Mbit Ethernet with POE+ (1 per CM5, 1 shared with AES67 module) 4x USB 3.0 (2 per CM5) 1x USB 2.0 on the front panel 1x USB UART for primary CM5 2x HDMI 2.0 (1 per CM5) Optional 2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac wireless on CM5 Optional Bluetooth 5.0, BLE on CM5 USER INTERFACE
Primary display -90kHz ±0.005dB Secondary display ≥100dB, with 75us de-emphasis THD+N Analogue joystick with 3 x silicone backlit buttons ANALOG AUDIO INPUT
Stereo analogue audio input 2 x XLR female, 10kΩ impedance level adjustable 0-24dBu ANALOG AUDIO OUTPUT
Headphones Out 2 x XLR female, 10kΩ impedance level adjustable 0-24dBu Optional bypass relay module for power-off signal pass through DIGITAL AUDIO INPUTS
1 x AES/EBU Audio, RJ45 StudioHUB+, 48kHz, 24bits, 110Ω output impedance 1 x AES/EBU MPX, RJ45 StudioHUB+, 192kHz, 24bits, 110Ω output impedance DIGITAL AUDIO OUTPUTS
1 x AES/EBU Audio, RJ45 StudioHUB+, 48kHz, 24bits, 110Ω output impedance 1 x AES/EBU MPX, RJ45 StudioHUB+, 192kHz, 24bits, 110Ω output impedance ANALOG MPX OUTPUT
Type 2 x BNC female, 10Ω output impedance, level adjustable 0-12dBu ANALOG MPX INPUT
2 x BNC female, 10Ω output impedance, level adjustable 0-12dBu Optional bypass relay module for power-off signal pass through HEADPHONE OUTPUT
1/4” (6.3mm) female stereo socket Software adjustable volume Minimum load impedance 16Ω - Video
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