Comrex ACCESS NX Rack

A rackmount IP audio codec featuring AES67 for the modern studio

Since it was released in 2005, the Comrex ACCESS Rackmount has become an industry standard. Now, it’s been updated to incorporate the latest technological advances.

ACCESS NX Rack features completely redesigned hardware, allowing for AES67, AES3 or analog audio I/O. NX Rack can connect to Wi-Fi and 4G modems, and supports a wide range of connection protocols and audio encoders. It’s driven via a new HTML5-based web user interface. ACCESS NX Rack is backward-compatible with all Comrex IP audio codecs and the Comrex FieldTap smartphone app.

• AES67, AES3 and analog audio I/O
• HTML5-based user interface
• EBU 3326/SIP mode for compatibility
• CrossLock for secure and stable broadcasting
• Switchboard for easier connectivity

CrossLock

CrossLock is quite simply the most advanced network management tool on the market today. When used in “bonding” mode, CrossLock gives users the ability to manage and bond multiple data connections together simultaneously. When a new network is introduced, CrossLock will immediately evaluate how much bandwidth is available, while factoring in latency and jitter information, and combine the two connections to take advantage of all available bandwidth. In Redundant mode, all data will be sent over all networks. CrossLock can also monitor each data connection individually and, when necessary, apply appropriate error correction, recovery, or concealment techniques.

HotSwap

HotSwap allows users to back up studio-to-transmitter links (STL) or other dedicated links with a wireless modem.

HotSwap lets users select a network that will only be engaged if the primary network fails. The system will warn of this status with a contact closure, and automatically fallback to the primary once it’s restored. Fall-over to backup happens in a matter of seconds, and fallback is seamless.

For ACCESS codecs, any supported modem can be used as a back-up.

HotSwap is included in firmware version 4.3, which is available now.

User Interface

ACCESS NX Rack is controlled with an easy-to-use browser based interface. Using any HTML5-enabled browser, you can log-in from anywhere to manage settings, adjust controls, and monitor connections. The page displays connection status, extensive network diagnostics, and audio level meters for remote monitoring. From any location, users are able to configure profiles for various connections with point-and-click connection commands.

Codec Commander

Codec Commander is a Microsoft Windows™ application you can use to control your audio codec. You can manage your connections, check statistics, view audio metering, adjust audio profiles or change system settings.

For controlling multiple Comrex IP audio codecs at once, check out Fleet Commander.

Learn the differences between Codec Commander and Fleet Commander by watching our video.

App Compatibility

ACCESS is compatible with smartphone applications, including Linphone and Luci Live. Connect to ACCESS from your smartphone quickly and easily for easy drop-ins and spontaneous remotes.

ACCESS is also compatible with FieldTap. A free application for iOS and Android, FieldTap makes it simple to connect with the touch of a button. Plus, FieldTap is compatible with all other Comrex IP audio codecs.

Switchboard

Comrex Switchboard was created to make it easy to make connections between Comrex IP codecs. This is especially important when broadcasting over networks that have firewalls and routers and other IT snags. Switchboard allows your codec to sync with a cloud-based server, making it possible to connect without having to know the IP addresses on either end of the link.     

Switchboard saves all the details of the codecs subscribed to the server. This means that when it’s time to connect, you don’t have to enter any information – you can simply choose the codec you want to connect to from a menu, and hit a button.

Fleet Commander

Fleet Commander is a software application for controlling multiple Comrex IP audio codecs simultaneously. Rather than logging into each codec individually and juggling a desktop full of tabs, Fleet Commander puts you in control of your codec fleet through one unified interface. With the ability to manage all codecs from one simple window, this easy-to-use tool can save time and increase productivity for busy engineers.

Fleet Commander contains all of the functionality of the Web-based Interface, but also comes with a few more features like active metering and the ability to copy peers and profiles between codecs. A Windows application, Fleet Commander can be used to manage every Comrex IP Audio codec in your fleet (depending on CPU and network limitations).

Features:

• Simple to use
• Unified interface for multiple codec management
• Compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10

Fleet Commander is available as a one-time purchase of a license key per computer.

Comrex Connect Modems

The Comrex Connect Modem is designed to support the unique needs of remote broadcasters. A high-powered, industrial strength 4G/LTE modem outfitted with a high-gain antenna, the Connect Modem is more powerful than most USB data modems available on the market, to handle the heavy data load of a broadcast over IP.

Audio Connections:

• Balanced XLR line-level audio inputs – 0dBu nominal, +20dBu peak

• Balanced XLR line-level audio outputs – 0dBu nominal, +20dBu peak

• AES3 XLR Digital audio input

• AES3 XLR Digital audio output

• Analog/AES3 switch only on input

Audio Levels

• Audio input level: 0 dBu nominal, +20dBu peak

• Audio output level: 0 dBu nominal, +20dBu peak

Other Connections

• 2x Ethernet Ports: 1000 baseT

• Contact Closures: DB-9 male (contact closure cable sold separately)

• Serial Port: DB-9 female (serial cable sold separately)

• Power: 3 conductor IEC

• 2x USB

• HDMI

• DisplayPort

Power and Physical

• Internal Supply: 120/240 VAC 60/50 Hz 50 Watts
• Size: 1U Rack – 19″ W x 9″ D x 1.75″ H (48.25 cm x 22.86 cm x 4.5 cm)
• Weight: 9 lbs (4 kg)

Comrex ACCESS NX Rack works with:

ACCESS NX Portable
ACCESS Portable Classic
ACCESS Portable 2USB
BRIC-Link
BRIC-Link II
ACCESS Rackmount
FieldTap (app)
ACCESS NX Rack
ACCESS MultiRack