The AxelTech Audio Processors for TV (TV only version!)

The new Falcon is an all-in-one equipment (Audio Processor, Loudness Control, Change Over) for TV  thanks to the 20 KHz Processing architecture.Falcon is an Audio Processor at the top of its category thanks to many features and functions often not available on much higher priced devices.Last but not least, Falcon sounds great, allowing you to give personality to your station by choosing, from the many presets, the one that best suits the style of your radio.

Product Overview

The TV 5 Bands Audio Processor with Loudness Control and Change Over/Silence Detector.20 KHz processing allows FALCON to feed TV Fully customizable top class Audio processing tools with 5 bands compression control, adjustable Drive and Threshold, Dual AGC, 3 Bands Bqualization (Low, Mid and High frequency), Stereo Enhancer, Voice Detector and Brightness Control.The mono sounds phase control allows to give to the human voice a more natural and pleasant sound shape. The final limiter enhances the sound presence.40 memories allow to recall factory pre-sets or save new one to be restored according to customer needs.Loudness control: EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4 Recommendations for digital and analog audio outputs.Fully configurable Audio Changeover/Silence Detector able to switch over four out of the Analog, Digital, IP, AoIP, Dante and Build In Player inputs.Full range of inputs thanks to analog and digital audio (over XLR connectors), two IP streams and Optional Dante. The hardware bypass circuit is included in order to guarantee audio presence and programs continuity.Full range of outputs thanks to analog and digital audio (over XLR connectors), Optional Dante, one IP stream and USB,Integration with the existing infrastructure via Ethernet port, two RS-232 serial ports, two USB ports and six GPIO ports with optical coupler and relays.The LAN port and the built-in Web Server allow to control & configure the processor from any device and tune audio from anywhere also using the IP streams I/O.A dedicated digital test signal generator can send to all the physical outputs (analogue & digital) signal sample with variable frequency and amplitude, that helps to calibrate the whole audio system.The FALCON processors logs all of the relevant data, making them available via Web and stored on the microSD card.microSD card can be used to backup and restore the processor settings.The FALCON processors are equipped with a universal 90-260 V AC power supply, working at 50 or 60 Hz, ready to be used in every country around the world. Due to the low power consumption (max 15 W) FALCON can be considered a “green” equipment.The FALCON robust 1 Rack Unit design finds substance from the extensive use of steel and aluminium. FALCON appliances are immune to strong electro-magnetic fields and are suitable to be installed in extreme environments.

Features

The new FALCON audio processors integrate, as usual for AxelTech, many accessory features mandatory in the TV and digital radio workflows.FALCON series equipment ensures top quality performances and exclusive audio. It features powerful DPSs, 5-bands architecture, dual bands AGCs, 3-bands equalizer, stereo enhancer, speech detector and 5 limiters. The comprehensive and accurate control of each audio parameter allows to shape perfectly the audio to broadcast unique and exceptional branded sound.

COMPLETE SET OF INPUTS

Extended Changeover/Silence Detector with configurable source priorities out of 11 sources:1xAnalog, 2xAES/EBU, 2xIP, 1xAES192, 1xDante (Optional), 1xInternal Player COMPLETE SET OF OUTPUTS1xAnalog, 2xAES/EBU, 2xIP, 1xAES192, 1xDante (Optional) BUILT-IN AUDIO PLAYERSuitable like a backup source or for test purpose.A Test Signal Generator is also available. ADVANCED SNMP(Simple Network Management Protocol)Allows data interchange and simplified configuration of third-party appliancesconnected in the same LAN using shared datasets MIB.

SAMPLING RATE FROM 32 kHz TO 192 kHz WEB BASED CONTROL PANELThe whole system can be managed through a WEB page generated by the internal web Server.The main functions can be managed through the physical panel.

Advanced features

20 KHz PROCESSING20 KHz processing allows to use it as processor for TV and digital audio broadcasting. LOUDNESS PROCESSING EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4 Loudness Recommendations available for digital and analog radio processing chains compliant with every country loudness rules. DANTE AUDIO-OVER-IP CONNECTIVITY (Optional)Dante option (also supporting AES67 and SMPTE ST 2110-30 transport protocols) provides an Ethernet connection for 1 Stereo Input and 1 Stereo Output, with independent and dedicated Level Control and Sample Rate Conversion.

ADVANCED CHANGEOVERThe Advanced Audio Changeover/Silence Detector is able to switch between any available input source:Analog, Digital, IP, DanteTM, Internal Audio Player. REAL TIME AUDIO MONITORProcessing delay is quite non audible and depends on the processing complexity.

Audio Processing

Clarity of sound

FALCON processors high-quality hardware design and software algorithms produce a detailed, crystal clear sound on any speaker system, always preserving original audio signature.

Voice processor

A dedicated processing section boosts presence of voice delivering a soft, silky sounding effect. Vocals are always on top of the mix making lyrics comfortably audible. Each instrument and vocalist gains dominium of its own space.

Extreme density

FALCON processors deliver full impact sound at the highest volume density preserving original audio detail, identity and mood. The dedicated ‘Bass Enhancer’ stage delivers a strong and effective ‘drum punch’ for a deep musical emotion.

Here are the (processing) tools to make it sound as you likeAutomatic Gain Control - AGC

• • Drive
  • Attack
  • Release
  • Gate Threshold
  • Idle Compression
  • Work Zone Release
  • Idle SpeedWork Zone Thresholdù
  • L/R Linkae
  • Band Copling
  • Phase Rotator
  • HP Filter

 EnhancerStereo Enhancer

• • Mode, Band, Effect Limiter, Effect Drive, Effect Depth

Pre-Process Equalizer

• • Low Band, Mid Band, High Band

Speech Detector

• • Mode
  • Action

 Compressors Controls

• • Threshold (for each of 5 bands)
  • Drive (for each of 5 bands)
  • Multiband Proc. Type
  • Multiband Coupling

 Limiters

• • Final Limiter Bass Drive
  • Final Limiter Main Drive
  • Main/Bass Mix Balance
  • Limiters Look Ahead Detail
  • Super Bass
  • Expander
  • Process Brilliance
  • Overdrive
  • Wide Process Brilliance Attenuation

Audio Processing PresetsThe right sound for your radio in a few clicks, with our factory presetsFalcon processors are factory populated with 60 presets belonging to 10 families, allowing sound engineer to rapidly find the desired sound. Each preset family has 6 different flavors:

• • Standard
  • EFX - Effect Extension
  • Compressed
  • Compressed EFX - Effect Extension
  • Highly Compressed
  • Highly Compressed EFX - Effect Extension

 Presets families: General PurposeThis is a preset able to offer the maximum to a radio with a schedule made of music, news and talk.Moderate AGC response, Mid/High density and compression. AmbientThe best preset for Ambient, Lounge, Chillout and Fusion music.Very slow AGC, warm & detailed sound and a low compression. RockBase preset for Rock and Classic Rock music. Mid compression and fast AGC. Hard RockBase preset for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music. Low compression and fast AGC. CountryBase preset for Country and Folk music. Low compression and fast AGC. DiscoLet’s dance, with this preset for Disco music. Low compression and fast AGC. OldiesBase preset for Oldies music, with Low compression and fast AGC. TalkTypical preset for Talk radio and Talk programs, with low compression and fast AGC. ClassicA very gentle preset suitable for Classical music and Opera, with low compression and fast AGC. 70s-80sDesigned for thematic radios focused on 70s-80s Pop music with, low compression and fast AGC And then you can extend these presets by adding new families and variants

Signal Routing and Changeover

The new FALCON processor includes a technologically advanced Audio Changeover/Silence Detector able to switch between any available source: Analog, Digital, IP, AoIP…In case of missing audio from any external sources, the processor can play the playlist stored in the microSD.An embedded Test Signals Generator allows to output an audio signal suitable for testing the equipment or the whole audio system.

I/O Connections

FALCON Audio Processor new series features a complete set of input and outputs connections. Analog and AES/EBU digital audio connections are standard with hardware bypass:Analog Input > Analog Output | Digital1 Input > Digital1 OutputThree USB ports (one on the front, one on the rear panel and one installed on the internal circuit board), allow to update the firmware, record system logs and play audio tracks. microSD allows to clone the whole setup from one Falcon to another one.

Front Panel

FALCON D7 features a wide LCD monitor, TFT Technology (480x128) that shows the input and output processing, including the corrections for each band featured from the compressor, the limiters and the multiband AGC.Obviously it shows also the input and output of all signal levels.Moreover trough the display it’s possible to check the system status: operating parameters, GPI/O port status, etc..A TRS (stereo Jack 6,3 mm) connector allows monitoring both original and processed signal, checking in the faster way the differences between the available pre-sets.

Communications & Alarms

FALCON audio processors can exchange information with other equipment through some communication ports:One LAN/WAN port, two RS-232 serial ports, two USB ports, one GPIO port with optical coupler and relays.Information will be sent (status, alarms) or received (commands).A panel with 40 LEDs (the LCD panel in the bigger model) shows status information.Alarm messages can be sent via GPO, SNMP (Trap), http and email.

Web Server

Users can manage FALCON equipment via LAN, no need to install any client software.The internal Web Server can be managed with any browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Opera…). The GUI on the web page is clear, easy to use and responsive, suitable to be managed from any device: Personal Computers, tablets, smartphones.SNMP (v 2.0) programming protocol allows to manage the whole command set. FALCON firmware implements also HTTP, FTP, SNMP, SMTP, UDP, TCP and is PV4 – IPV6 addressing compliant. RDS services need a precise synchronization: the system tries to connect to a primary NTP, backup NTP and to an external GPS receiver (not supplied).Moreover connecting an external GPS allows to geo-localize the FALCON. The WEB server supplies a page with a map that shows the appliance position. Standard Ethernet interface can manage up to 4 independent TCP ports, up to 4 separate UDP ports and 1 SNMP port. Obviously, it shows also the input and output of all signal levels.

Signal Routing GUI

Audio Output

Monitor Out

Technical Specifications