As creating and distributing multi-channel surround (5.1) and stereo audio material has become a day-to-day reality, the ability to simply and effectively monitor these sources is imperative for recording, post-production, and broadcast facilities. And with audio-with-picture applications becoming so prevalent, additional monitoring challenges have arisen.

Studio Technologies has addressed these needs with the StudioComm for Surround Model 76DA Central Controller and the Model 77 and Model 71 Control Consoles. With digital audio inputs, digital and analog monitor outputs, support for multiple user control surfaces, and an extensive set of operating resources it's a simple task to integrate a monitoring system into virtually any facility.

The carefully selected group of features, including surround and stereo inputs, configurable input-signal time delay, multiple pre- and post-fader outputs, configurable downmix and mute/solo functions, and bass management, along with a multi-format sync input, make the system powerful yet simple to operate. And by using the best of contemporary technology, as well as following rigorous design practices, the system's audio quality is excellent.

Features

• AES3 unbalanced digital audio inputs
• AES3 unbalanced digital and balanced analog audio outputs
• Bass management capability
• Configurable downmix
• Channel mute/solo
• Level adjustment, reference level, and dim

Specifications

• General Audio:
• Supported Sample Rates: 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz
• Word Length: 24 bits maximum
• Internal Processing: 32 bits
• Input-to-Output Latency: two samples (e.g., 0.042 milliseconds @ 48 kHz sample rate)
  
  Digital Audio Inputs: 5 (18 audio channels)
• Configuration: two surround (5.1) and three stereo
• Type: AES3 unbalanced (75 ohms/1 Vpp)
• Connectors: BNC (per IEC 60169-8 Amendment 2)
  
  Sample Rate Conversion (SRC):
• Application: available on Stereo Input C
• Input Sample Rate Range: 8 to 216 kHz, limited to 1/6 to 6 times the output sample rate
• Latency: 1 millisecond, nominal
  
  
• Sync Source: configured to follow L/R of currently selected input or signal connected
  to sync input
  
  Sync Input:
• Compatible Sources: word clock, DARS (AES11), bi-level video, tri-level video
• Jitter: 4 ns pp maximum
• Connector: BNC (per IEC 60169-8 Amendment 2)
• Termination: 75 ohms, selectable on/off
  
  Digital Monitor Outputs: 16 (eight pairs)
• Configuration: organized as two surround (5.1) and two stereo
• Dynamic Range: >135 dB
• Type: AES3 balanced (110 ohms/5 Vpp) or unbalanced (75 ohms/1 Vpp), selectable
• Connector: 25-pin female D-subminiature (DB-25F)
  
  Analog Monitor Outputs: 8
• Configuration: organized as one surround (5.1) and one stereo (2-channel)
• Type: electronically balanced, source impedance 200 ohms
• Nominal Level: +4.0 dBu @ -20 dBFS input source and level control at maximum setting
• Maximum Level: +24 dBu into 2000 (2 k) ohms or greater
• Frequency Response, Digital Inputs to Analog Monitor Outputs: 10 Hz-20 kHz +0.0/-0.3 dB @ 48 kHz
  sample rate; -3 dB @ 64 kHz
• Distortion (THD+N): <0.002%, -1 dBFS, 20-22 kHz, 22 kHz bandwidth
• S/N Ratio: 89 dB, ref +4 dBu output
• Dynamic Range: >109 dB
• Crosstalk: -98 dB at 1 kHz; -97 dB at 16 kHz, ref -1 dBFS input
• Connector: 25-pin female D-subminiature (DB-25F)
  
  
• Configurable Input Delay: 0 to 340 milliseconds @ 48 kHz sample rate (scales up or
  down depending on actual sample rate)
• Post-Fader Monitor Output Level Offsets: each surround and stereo channel independently adjustable in
  0.5-dB steps over a ±12-dB range. (Digital and analog outputs associated with a specific
  channel share the same setting.)
  
  Bass Management:
• Supported Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz only
• Crossover Frequency and Type: -6 dB @ 40, 50, 60, or 80 Hz, symmetrical for low-pass and high-pass
  filters, maximally flat
• Filter Slope: 12 or 24 dB/octave
• Overall Operation: independent on/off selectable for surround and stereo post-fader monitor outputs
  
  Downmix:
• Functions: surround to stereo, stereo to mono
• Surround to Stereo
  L @ 0 or -3 dB;
  R @ 0 or -3 dB;
  C @ -3 or -6 dB summed with L and R;
  LFE @ full attenuation or -6 dB summed with L and R;
  LS @ -3 or -6 dB summed with L;
  RS @ -3 or -6 dB summed with R;
  C, SUB, LS, and RS monitor outputs mute
• Stereo to Mono
  L @ -3 dB summed with R @ -3 dB to C;
  L, R, LS, RS, and SUB monitor outputs mute
• For a surround input this results in the C output being the sum of L @ -3 or -6 dB, R @ -3 or -6 dB; C
  @ -3 or -6 dB, LFE @ full attenuation or -6 dB; LS @ -6 or -9 dB, and RS @ -6 or -9 dB.
  
  Control Console Interface:
• Type: RS-485, 115.2 kbit/s, 8-1-N
• Polling Interval: 50 milliseconds
• Power: 12 Vdc, 500 mA maximum
• Connector: 9-pin female D-subminiature (DE-9F)
  
  Remote Control Inputs: 2
• Functions: remote mute all, remote dim
• Type: 5 Vdc logic, activates on closure to system common
• Connector: 9-pin female D-subminiature (DE-9F)
  
  AC Mains:
• Requirement: 100 to 230 V, +10/-15%, 50/60 Hz, 15 W maximum
• Connector: 3-blade, IEC 320 C14-compatible (mates with IEC 320 C13)