Audinate’s Dante™ AoIP protocol has proved an increasingly popular audio format for live sound and recording in both fixed installations and large-scale touring shows; it is also used extensively in broadcast infrastructure, in both studios and OB vehicles.
EXBOX.MD may be used with globcon software, a powerful application which can control any combination of DirectOut products through a simple, standardised GUI. globcon is available in Mac and Windows versions and is downloadable free of charge from www.globcon.pro.
EXBOX.MD can convert up to 64 audio channels (in up to 32 streams/Flows) between Dante and MADI formats, in both directions simultaneously. An internal 256 x 256 routing matrix allows totally flexible audio channel routing between all inputs and outputs, while the software’s “Port View” permits an entire Dante or MADI stream to be patched from one port to another. A built-in web server permits the matrix to be easily accessed via a browser. Additionally, globcon allows snapshots of frequently used routing configurations to be saved for subsequent recall, minimising setup time.
No setup is required other than selection of the appropriate clock source using standard Dante Controller software, the internal web browser or globcon. EXBOX.MD incorporates DirectOut’s FastSRC™ on the Dante inputs. FastSRC has been developed to minimise rigging time: it allows multiple multichannel audio devices to be interconnected without any immediate concern regarding synchronisation. Once the system is up and running and a sync source defined, FastSRC may be disabled, resulting in a fully transparent audio path.
Front panel LEDs indicate which input streams are active and locked, and also which is acting as the current clock master. All standard sample rates are supported from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz, +/-12.5 kHz; further LEDs confirm the rate in use. All common MADI formats are also supported: 48k (1FS) and 96k (2FS) Frame, 56/57/64 channels, plus S/MUX.
Three types of MADI port are fitted: i) optical – a dual SC socket for connection of multi-mode fibre-optic cable (single-mode operation is available as an option); ii) coaxial – two BNC sockets, input and output; iii) an empty SFP cage for the user’s own choice of cartridge, which may be either optical or coaxial. Port selection is defined as part of the internal matrix configuration.
Network connection is via four RJ45 sockets – two primary and two secondary. An internal network switch permits additional network devices – such as other Dante devices or a controlling computer – to be connected directly, removing the need for an external switch. Two computers running primary/backup multitrack playback may be connected directly to EXBOX.MD to provide a redundant operation with outputs available in MADI or Dante formats. Additional EXBOX.MD units may be paralleled to provide higher channel counts.
EXBOX.MD features DirectOut’s EARS (Enhanced Automatic Redundancy Switching) system, which gives the user the highest possible level of playback or connection resilience. EARS uses DirectOut’s proprietary BLDS trace tone, inserted synchronously onto Channel 32 of a pair of multitrack recorders. In the event of failure of the primary signal, EARS automatically switches between Channels 1-32 and 33-64 in an inter-sample gap, resulting in a completely seamless output. If more than 32 channels of Dante are in use as a single stream, EXBOX.MD will switch between Dante and MADI sources. Where multiple 64-channel streams are in use – as with redundant operation – a second EXBOX.MD may be employed to convert the secondary Dante stream to MADI, allowing EARS changeover of up to 64 channels in the event of primary stream failure. EARS is configured through a simple web page, where the engineer has full control over how the redundancy switching function should operate. If a BLDS tone is unavailable, EXBOX.MD will perform the same redundancy switch function using any audio tone >-40 dBFS as a pilot-tone; in this case, switching is achieved within 10 – 15 ms.
Two locking Hirose connectors allow connection of one or two external DC PSUs (one supplied as standard). Alternatively, if preferred, the unit may be powered via PoE (Power-over-Ethernet). As with other units in the DirectOut EXBOX series, the unit is 1U high and one-third standard rackwidth. An optional mounting kit is available enabling EXBOX.MD to be mounted in a 19” rack, either alone or with one or two other EXBOX or MA2CHBOX.XL units.
