Audessence ProCoder 2 Digital broadcast Audio Processor ,Stereo Encoder

Audessence introduces ProCoder-2, a fully-featured final FM processor / stereo encoder combination. Older FM sites can have their sound upgraded easily and at modest cost. Many transmitters and audio links suffer from overshoots that make it impossible to optimise loudness and audio quality! This product includes low frequency compensator and advanced HF overshoot inhibiting algorithms for getting the best modulation yield (and therefore coverage) out of all FM transmission sites.

ProCoder-2 also solves the perennial problem of where to locate FM audio processing by taking care of all the audio processing and peak control tasks required at FM transmission sites, bringing modern DSP technology to solve problems that equivalent analogue products typically do not even address. Preferred multiband processors can be located at the studio for convenience, and ProCoders deployed at the FM site or sites set to sonically transparent mode.

Perfect peak control is assured by overshoot-compensated 16kHz Lowpass filters, antialiasing main clippers and even a digital composite clipper (running at over 1.5MHz) if required. Post-clip filtering options allow experts to optimise sound quality and loudness trade-offs.

Composite connections include 19kHz sync output and RDS/RBDS /SCA input. Inputs include digital (AES-3) and balanced analogue, and these can fall back to secondary input if primary audio fails. Control is via USB (front panel) and RS2-232 (rear panel) with TCP/IP option available. A total of 9 presets are held in ProCoder’s non-volatile memory. DSP software is upgradeable via the GUI (Windows software included, with free upgrades). Future enhancements planned include a stereo enhancer and RDS / RBDS encoding options.

Processing blocks:

High-Pass: 3dB frequencies 3Hz [DC block], 25Hz, 45Hz, 70Hz, 110Hz, 12dB/octave.
Gated AGC: Capture range 40dB ( /-20dB)maximum positive gain can be set.
Advanced AGC enables faster, programme-dependent operation.
Compressor: Nominal 2:1 slope.
Presence Enhancer: Boosts selected frequencies for presence and / or brightness.
Limiters: look-ahead dual time-constant peak limiters plus NCDCS fully anti-aliased main clippers.
Low-Pass Filter: Cut-off frequency 15.5kHz, overshoot compensated, stop-band better than -75dB.
HF Limiter: 50us or 75us emphasis curve.
Stereo Encoder: Zenith / GE Pilot tone system.
Composite Clipper: -0.5 to 2dB, Anti-aliasing, filters protect 19kHz /- 200Hz and above 55kHz

BENEFITS:

No compromise on loudness or audio quality.
Transparent mode enables main (multiband) audio processor location at the studio.
Saves substantial sums with multiple transmission sites!.
Very effective in stand-alone mode also: AGC, compression,brightness enhancer.
Improve reliability and save money with automatic audio fail detect and switching.
Stereo enhancer option to follow as no-cost software update.
Reliable, maintenance free – low heat dissipation – NO FAN NEEDED OR USED!
Further product with integrated RDS Coder-to follow soon.

APPLICATIONS:

FM networks use at transmission site, locate preferred multiband processor at studio.
Satellite &, telco-fed FM sites (analogue or digital) and RBFM repeaters.
Stand-Alone FM processing
All commercial & community radio
RSLs (temporary broadcasting)

FEATURES:

• Transparent modeoffers brick-wall peak limiting without disturbing sonic signature
• Automatic silence detect and fall-back to secondary audio source (defeatable)
• Composite clipper for last ounce loudness with perfect pilot and subcarrier protection
• Overshoot-compensated 15.5kHz low-pass filters
• GPI tallies for: PSU OK, DSP watchdog, primary audio fail
• Advanced AGC as used in our ALPS levellers offers unsurpassed, rapid control of levels
• Presence enhancer to brighten programme if used without multiband pre-processing
• No-tamper front panel (set-up by PC only: GUI software, USB and RS-232 ports provided)
• Bright, always-visible LED bargraphs for instant confidence checks
• Very low audio latency (5 milliseconds), very fast boot-up (<1 second)
• TCP-IP connectivity option
• Factory presets deliver exactly the results you need for any application …fast

SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Response:
ANALOGUE-ANALOGUE (L=R input, output de-emphasised): 20Hz-15kHz /-0.2dB

Noise:
ANALOGUE-ANALOGUE: (rms 20Hz-20kHz, output d/e): <-75dB ref: 100% modulation (d/e on)

Distortion:
At 6dB limiting: <-70dB / 0.03% THD
Stereo Separation: Better than 60dB at 1kHz

Inputs:
ANALOGUE: Active balanced, 10k (bridging), standard operating level -6dBu to 14dBu (clip 22dBu)
DIGITAL: AES-3 (XLR); 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz sample rate. 16, 20, or 24 bits.

Output:
MPX (Analogue): Unbalanced (on BNC), standard operating level -6dBu to 18dBu

Processing blocks:
High-Pass: 3dB frequencies 3Hz [DC block], 25Hz, 45Hz, 70Hz, 110Hz, 12dB/octave
Gated AGC: Capture range 40dB ( /-20dB); maximum positive gain can be set
Advanced AGC enables faster, programme-dependent operation
Compressor: Nominal 2:1 slope
Presence Enhancer: Boosts selected frequencies for presence and / or brightness
Limiters: look-ahead dual time-constant peak limiters plus NCDCS fully anti-aliased main clippers
Low-Pass Filter: Cut-off frequency 15.5kHz, overshoot compensated, stop-band better than -70dB
HF Limiter: 50us or 75us emphasis curve
Stereo Encoder: Zenith / GE Pilot tone system
Composite Clipper: -1.0 to 2dB, Anti-aliasing, filters protect 19kHz /- 200Hz and above 54kHz
Tilt Corrector: Corrects low frequency overshoots in transmitters / exciters. Fully adjustable.

Control:
Setup is via PC GUI only. Select a factory preset, modify it, set levels etc, save to flash memory.
USB on front panel, plus RS-232 on rear panel. 10/100 LAN port is optional. All-text command format.
AC power input:
100 – 240V AC Nominal (acceptable range 88V to 264V AC) / 12.5 Watts / 17VA typical.

Dimensions & weight:
1-RU: 44 x 482 x 290mm deep / 1.75” x 19” x 11.25” deep. Weight: 1.8kg / 4lbs
Computer Control:
Every processing parameter, including all thresholds and time constants, can be accessed and modified
under PC control (GUI software included, updates are free of charge).

Options:
10/100MHz Ethernet TCP/IP port available at time of ordering only, additional cost applies
Left and Right analogue processor outputs, available at time of ordering only, additional cost applies
Warranty:
3 year return-to-base warranty

Approvals:
CE (EMC & LVD), RoHS
N.B: A similar product with the addition of integral RDS encoder is also available (‘ProCoder-3’)