With the increasing prevalence of NLE edit systems, there has been little focus and almost no development of an audio mixer able to handle the new requirements of the linear edit suite for HD. Some existing solutions are still available, but their price, maturity level and physical size get in the way of practicality. To answer this problem, Renegade Labs presents the Gray|328 Digital Audio Mixer.

Edit Audio Like Video

The Gray|328 includes a true Program/Preset bus architecture, with 'On Air' audio selected on the program (From) bus and 'Standby' audio selected on the preset (To) bus. CUT and TRANS buttons allow audio to be cut or transitioned between the two buses in the same way a video switcher transitions between its video sources. The monitor bus on the Gray|328 can monitor either the program outputs, the record returns from the record machine, or one or more input channels using the SOLO bus as a preview switcher. And to handle HD and multi-lingual workloads, all of these buses are fully 8-channel capable.

In addition, the Gray|328 is able to communicate with linear editing systems using the RS-422 ESAM II protocol, making it a truly integrated solution for the linear edit suite. Source selection, preview, and transitions are all driven directly from the EDL allowing for completely hands-off audio mixing. Up to 200 registers storing comprehensive audio mixer states are also accessible via the ESAM II protocol. The addition of Auto-To / Auto-From functionality allows the edit system to access any of the 32 possible inputs, or Tone, without the need to assign inputs to faders in advance.

Both AES and SD/HD Video sync inputs assure that the Gray|328 audio is synchronous with the rest of the facility, and that edits occur at the time specified by the linear edit controller.

The Gray|328 comes standard with 8 channels each of AES and analog outputs, and accepts the entire family of 328 Input and Output module solutions, including SD/HD SDI. Four input module slots—each with a capacity of up to eight audio channels—allow the mixer to be tailored for any combination of analog, AES digital or SDI embedded audio sources. An optional output module slot accepting either an analog, AES digital or SDI embedded audio module is also available for driving meters, a second record deck, or other applications.

Comprehensive Audio Feature Set

The Gray|328 shares the same rich set of audio processing features found in the Blue|328 mixer:

* Each input channel may be equalized and processed individually using the built-in 3-band parametric equalizer and dynamics processor.

* Up to 16 video frames (max at 48kHz) of audio delay is available on each audio input, useful for compensating for the frame buffers often found in modern digital video gear.

* Record returns return a unity gain feed from a record deck to the mixer for quality assurance monitoring without using fader channels.

* Unity indicators by each fader confirm exact unity level settings on audio channels; a Clean Feed mode which bypasses front panel level and effects settings is also provided for Telecine dubbing applications.

* The operating level of the mixer is easily changed to match broadcast or facility specifications.

* Gain trims and phase reversal on each input correct audio level and phase coherence problems on source material.

And, of course, all these features are accompanied by some of the best audio specs in the industry. Download the Gray|328 brochure to view the specifications for yourself, or contact your closest Renegade Labs distribution partner to request a demo of this powerful little mixer.

Features At A Glance

Detailed electrical and mechanical specifications are available in the Gray|328 Product Brochure.
(Specifications subject to change without notice.)