The Nixer RL64 provides monitoring and level metering of 64 audio channels within a Dante™ or Ravenna AoIP network. It is intended to be used as a confidence monitor in broadcast applications; needing only 1U of rack height, it is ideal for installation in OB vehicles as well as fixed control rooms. The choice of Dante™ or Ravenna compatibility is made at time of order.
Two rear panel gigabit Ethernet ports allow connection to redundant (primary/secondary) AoIP networks; audio sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz are supported. The primary port is PoE-enabled (Power over Ethernet) to allow the unit to be powered from a suitable network switch. Dual DC inputs are also provided on 2.5 mm sockets for connection to external 24 V DC PSUs for fail-safe operation.
The RL64 is very simple to configure and operate, all unit settings are made via the high-definition 6.6” colour touchscreen display (1440 x 240 pixels). The screen’s default page displays signal level bargraph meters for 16 consecutively-numbered channels; swiping left or right permits rapid access to all 64 channels, though the swipe function may be “locked” to the currently selected 16-channel set. SMPTE or EBU meter scaling may be selected on the System page; on Dante™ versions, each bargraph “block” also displays the first eight characters of the name assigned to the channel by the network administration system.
Channels may be defined as L/R stereo pairs for monitoring purposes. Two monitor modes are available: Listen mode and Mix mode. Listen mode is a PFL-type function: any single channel (or channel pair that has been defined as stereo) may be auditioned; selecting another channel automatically cancels the first. Mix mode lets you create a stereo mix comprising any number and combination of channels.
The stereo monitor mix levels are displayed on a larger pair of bargraph meters (with Peak Hold), and the mix can be auditioned either via the built-in 90 mm x 40 mm speakers, or headphones connected at the front panel socket. The mix is also available at the rear panel as balanced analogue line outputs (+21 dBu = 0 dBFS) and an AES3 digital output, permitting connection to an external monitoring system. The AES3 output’s sample rate may be set to 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96 kHz. The source of both the analogue and AES3 outputs is selectable pre or post the speaker/headphone volume control and mute.
A further Mix mode refinement is that each channel forming the mix may be adjusted for both level and pan, allowing the creation of a custom mix that is independent of signal levels within the network itself, so forming a 64/2 mixer. The monitor level and pan position for each channel are also displayed in its bargraph block, along with mono/stereo channel status. Limiting and 3-band swept EQ (with frequency response display) is provided for the monitor mix; this is a useful feature that allows sonic optimisation for small or compact monitors. Speaker/headphone volume control is available on the Master Output page.
Additional unit features include an AES3 input, and a microphone input (with trim control) accessed via the headphone socket. Both inputs are added to the monitor mix, increasing the mixer channel count to 67. All touchscreen pages display the current sample rate, data activity at each network port and PSU operation.
