| What method does the ADX use for audio transmission? |
| The ADX-2400s use the industry-standard Cobranet format to transmit audio over a standard Ethernet data network. Cobranet was developed by Peak Audio, now a division of Cirrus Logic. It is a professional, highly-robust system which provides real-time, uncompressed audio transport using a dedicated layer 2 protocol. It is compatible with standard off-the-shelf ethernet networking hardware, such as switches, media converters, etc. |
| Is this transmission like 'streaming' audio over the web? |
| No, not at all. The audio is transmitted in dedicated time slots so there is low latency and assured delivery. No audio compression is used - the transmission is full-bandwidth, 48KHz sampled, 20-bit professional quality audio. The Cobranet format was designed from the start for demanding professional audio applications. |
| How many channels does the ADX-2400 provide? |
| Each ADX frame provides 24 inputs and 24 outputs, which may be operated simultaneously. Two ADX frames connected together with a single CAT5 cable allow for 48 channels of transmission; 24 in each direction. By using standard, inexpensive Ethernet switches, multiple ADX frames may be attached to a network, and much higher channel counts may be achieved. A gigabit network can handle approximately 800 channels of audio. |
| Can Analog ADXs and AES ADXs both be operated on the same network? |
| Yes. The audio placed on the network is exactly the same format, regardless of the I/O type. You can input and output audio in either format from either source. The ADX units handle all required conversion. |
| Can the ADX be used as a stand-alone delay? |
| Yes. The local inputs can be routed directly to the local outputs, and each output channel has an individually-adjustable delay. In this way a single ADX frame provides 24 channels of high-quality delay, very economically, in a 1RU package |
| How are the destinations for the audio transmission defined? |
| The Cobranet system groups audio into 8-channel 'bundles', each of which is assigned a bundle number. In the ADX there are three receivers (3 X 8 = 24 channels) and three transmitters per frame. Each receiver and each transmitter is assigned a bundle number using the front-panel menu. Audio will be transmitted through the network from transmitters to receivers with matching bundle numbers. In addition, transmitters may be set to use 'broadcast' bundles. This allows audio from these transmitters to be received in multiple receivers. This distribution via the network can replace lots of audio DAs if the audio has to be delivered to multiple destinations. |
| Is the configuration saved in case power is removed from the ADX? |
| Yes. The operating configuration is automatically saved in the default memory, which is loaded upon power-up. In addition to this memory, there are three user files which can hold three different configurations to be recalled from the front panel as required. |
| Can the ADX transmit audio over fiber? |
| Yes, absolutely. The ADX can transmit audio over anything that carries full-bandwidth Ethernet. Many Ethernet switches have built-in fiber uplink ports, and provide reliable transmission of large numbers of audio channels very inexpensively. Low-cost media converters may also be used. Because the transmission is standard Ethernet, a whole range of high-performance, low-cost IT hardware may be used. |
| Will the ADX work over a wireless network? |
| Probably not. Wireless networks normally don't have the bandwidth or full-time reliability required. We strongly recommend that wireless networks not be used. |
| Can the ADXs handle stereo? |
Yes. The channels may be used in any way you choose, including as stereo pairs, of course. The crosstalk specs, phase alignment, level match, etc. certainly meet the requirements for stereo use. In addition, the ADXs provide selectable summing between even/odd pairs, in case you need to derive mono signals from stereo pairs. This can eliminate the need for external summing amps or other hardware. |