D&R Airence-USB Extension Unit

AIRENCE-USB EXTENSION UNIT 6 channel triple input radio On-Air / Production console

*Please note, this is the extension only! (can only be used with the Airence main control surface)

The D&R AIRENCE is a reliable modern digitally controlled analogue On-Air console that could satisfy any serious Radio Studio that does not have the budget to go high end digital all the way. This console can do nearly anything you want in a nice compact and good looking package, which can easily be upgraded with this extension.

Extension unit

• Width: 302mm, Front Panel Thickness: 2mm
• Corner Radius: 20 mm
• Height: 355mm
• Depth: 101.50mm.
• Weight: 7kg.
• Drop through hole: 270mm x 344mm
• Furniture top panel thickness maximum: 22mm

Introduction

With the AIRENCE-USB ON-AIR mixer you can own a modern, split version type of radio production mixer. A smart mixer with an integrated USB based control section. Built with well proven low noise circuitry, this console is the reliable workhorse for the self-op production D.J. Built in Telephone Hybrids (2x), 4 channels USB and 4 Mic inputs. Ideal for streaming to the web and sending and accepting 4 stereo channels from your Play-out software.

A heavy duty (19" rack) RF shielded chassis, that can be used as a drop through in your furniture, houses all the vertically mounted input modules. Extension units with six triple input channels with high end quality Mic inputs on XLR and two stereo line level inputs on Cinch (RCA) connectors can be connected to the main unit. The result is a modern split drop through 12 (or 18/24) fader radio console.

Mic, line, USB, VoIP and telephone in-outputs
This brand new AIRENCE-USB model has 4 balanced mic inputs (+48 phantom is standard) with inserts for signal processors, 6 stereo line inputs, 4x USB channels and 2x Telephone Hybrids (or VoIP channels). If you would like to call with VOIP with the TELCO modules we would advice to use the CISCO SPA112 as an interface between our 2 Telephone modules and the Internet. And in case you have an ISDN connection in your situation, we advice to use the Fritz Box type 7390 to convert the ISDN into an analog line that can be connected directly to the Telco modules of the Airence mixer.
 
VoIP
But... you can also order the AIRENCE-USB main unit with built in VoIP channels om position 5 and/or 6 or even a combination of 1x Telco and 1x VoIP.

TELCO/VoIP Channel 5 and 6 have, apart from the stereo line input, also RJ-11 connectors to interface with an analogue telephone line and a common dial unit.
And in case a VoIP module is installed one of the RJ-11 is replaced by 1x USB connector, the other RJ-11 has a clean-feed signal on pin 1 and 4.

Both analogue high quality built in Hybrids with R and C balance have direct Talk back to the Hybrid channels to make conversation with callers very easy.  This is also possible when VoIP modules are built in.
Also by simply pushing the Cue button, conversation between DJ and caller outside the broadcast is of course possible.
 
One physical USB connection interfaces 4 stereo audio channels from and to your PC plus all (programmable) remote controls on the right hand section of the mixer.

The illuminated front panel ON switch is electronically attached to the built in mechanical fader start enabling selection of a play-out start either by fader or via the ON switch. 

Fader start generates in the Mic mode a Mic-on signaling to switch ON-Air lights. There is a 3 band Equalizer on channel 1-4 and on all 6 Triple input channels of the Extender Unit.

The stereo Aux send can be set pre or post fader. All high quality low noise mic inputs have low cut jumpers.

Extensive Master section
The AIRENCE-USB has all the master controls such as 100 mm stereo master faders, stereo Aux send. On the left you see a review of the AIRENCE mixer together with our Aircast music play-out system that can be controlled with the AIRENCE control section, the channel ON switches and the faderstarts.and return, monitor master with "follow phones" and a phones output with a split listen function.

There is a balance control to continuously adjust the volume between main output and stereo Cue signal. In addition, there is a special Radio On-air/production section featuring; Self-op switching (Mute Active) to automatically cut control room level when the D.J. mic is active.

A special Studio output that normally follows main output but can be switched so that the main output, or any cue signal that is selected, can be heard when in the "follow phones" mode. Also here is a Speaker Mute-Activation possible when presenters use loudspeakers in the studio room. You might have noticed that the channels have Sub and Program routing. It means that production (voice tracking) can be done on the sub output while ON-AIR.

System description

Overall
The AIRENCE-USB is designed to be the focal point for local radio production work in the studio or... at home. It’s understandable features makes it the ideal companion for rapid on-the-spot radio programs. The AIRENCE is compact, reliable and 19" rack mounting ideal for production rooms. It can also double as an On-Air mixer or implemented as your own Internet Radio station. If your budget is tight start with the 6 channel version which is a complete system to begin with.

And it never becomes obsolete as it can be used as pre-production mixer, if, at a later date, you fit in a larger On-Air mixer. And.. if more inputs are needed hook up the AIRENCE-EXT and instantly you have 6 more triple inputs with each giving you a low noise Mic and 2x stereo line inputs under control. The Line input B can accept our RIAA pre-amp. The Cue buss is of course linked and can be used as communication buss.

Not enough? Buy another 6 channel unit to expand to 18 or even more input channels. Every unit is individually powered by a modern digitally switched power supply to create high efficiency in power consumption. Also power supply redundancy is an option because the power supply unit is external.

Control section
On the right side of the mixer you see 24 illuminated (green/red or yellow) switches These switches can be used to control functions in your Radio Automation such as starting jingle machines and switching between live and NON stop. Recording a voice track while ON-AIR is one of the possibilities.
A built in USB controller, specially tailored by D&R and programmable by yourself, to make radio even more exciting.
 
Software
The AIRENCE sends out control signals over USB based on the HID protocol. This means that the main output signals can be displayed on a TFT screen in a beautiful meter application. Both Program and Sub stereo signals are shown on a high resolution PPM. A smaller separate stereo meter shows all signals heard through the CRM speakers. At the same time this software application shows you a professional looking Radio clock that is synchronized by the nearest NTP server over he Internet.

Meter application
This included software program runs together with the 4 stereo audio signals over the same USB connection that connects the console with the Play-out PC. A second screen maybe connected to get a similar look as seen on the top of this page.
 
Summary
The AIRENCE is a reliable modern digitally controlled analogue On-Air console that could satisfy any serious Radio Studio that does not have the budget to go high end digital all the way. This console can do nearly anything you want in a nice compact and good looking package.

Control section

The AIRENCE sends out control signals over USB based on the HID protocol. It means that Radio Play-out systems like freeware ZARA and also AIRCAST can be controlled by the AIRENCE Control section. We are pleased to announce that mAirlist and ZARA has already built in an interface to integrate with the AIRENCE.
We have written a Template (free of charge) or you can call it a plug-in, so you immediately can start working with the control section of the AIRENCE.
We also have a plug in manual to help you write your own plug ins.
And if you're a familiar with plug ins, just have look at this Link to see how it is done.