Europe - Neutrik has extended its range of ‘gig-ready’ robust stage boxes with the addition of the NA-4I4O-AES72 four-channel, AES72-4E model; complementing the new NA2 I-O DLINE range devices, with which it shares the signature ruggedised, miniature form factor.
AES72-4E defines a standard and wiring scheme for the assigning and transmitting of four channels of analogue or AES3 digital audio signals, DMX control signals, or various other COMS signals, via a single RJ45 connected quad twisted pair Cat cable, providing for lower-complexity connectivity networks with greatly reduced cable, connector, installation and termination costs and requirements. It’s a solution that substitutes the need for much more costly and high-maintenance multicore cabling in many types of applications.
The Neutrik NA-4I4O-AES72 exploits this capability within a rubber encased four-channel design, specifically for use on stage and in the field in challenging production environments, live events, touring and fixed and location media production applications.
With four self-locking balanced combo XLR / jack inputs and four balanced male XLR outputs, a single NA-4I4O-AES72 can assign and transmit balanced mic or line level analogue or AES3 digital-pair audio signals, DMX lighting control data, or various other COMMS signals via a CAT5 / 6 STP type cable.
Input configurations can comprise a full complement of, or any combination of, microphone input channels, line level instrument and audio output channels, or up to eight channels of digital audio (with each AES3 input being a digital channel pair); as well as DMX lighting control or other COMMS signals.
Each input features ground lift and polarity inversion switches – preventing ground loops and correcting possible polarity flips within the signal path; and the NA-4I4O-AES72 will pass phantom power when used with shielded (STP) type Cat cables.
In common with the DLINE range devices, for fixed installation applications the protective casing is removable with optional mounting brackets, enabling 19U rack mounting, fixing to the underside of tables and consoles or within floor boxes, or truss mounting.
Low visibility, due to the diminutive form factor and dark colour scheme, extends to non-reflective black coating of the XLR and etherCON input latches, making its use unobtrusive ‘on-set’ in visual production environments.
With a robust design, high I/O specification and the versatility (analogue and digital) of AES72 signal transmission, together with the low cost and complexity of AES72 infrastructure, potential applications for the NA-4I4O-AES72 range from small venue microphone and instrument I/O snakes, to DJ setups, on-stage FOH and monitor mix signal connectivity within larger scale live stage audio networks, studio ‘live room’ patch and mixer / recording media connectivity, as well as DMX lighting control and mobile event and fixed installation COMMS application.
