Otaris Shows ND-20B with mLAN Control Software at AES
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ND-20B with Remote Control
(Click for a close-up) |
November 1, 2004
Otari, a partner in the mLAN alliance, announced that its
IEEE 1394 network audio transmission at the AES Convention in San Francisco.
The new ND-20B provides low latency and higher bandwidth for increased channel capability (over 120 channels 48 kHz/24-bit). Built-in sample rate conversion and the ability to use multiple sample rates make the ND-20B a complete solution for connecting and networking digital and analog audio.
The ND-20B offers high quality A/D and D/A conversion and AES3 I/O as a stand-alone device, or for combinations with multiple ND-20B's connected via IEEE 1394 cable or fiber optic cable (single or multimode). The ND-20B system can be controlled via hardware routing locally or by using computer software (mLAN control software) for system-wide configuration and routing.
Each ND-20B has up to 32-channel capacity for analog or digital inputs or outputs. The
ND-20B has four slots for I/O cards. Options include MIC inputs (remotely-controlled), line inputs, line outputs, and AES3 input/output. All I/O are capable of handling 96, 48, 44.1, and 32 kHz sample rates.
The control software, which runs in Windows XP, is for monitor and control of mLAN apparatus. This software can set up audio signal routing, a clock master and gain of an ND-20 MIC module. The software also displays the physical connection of the mLAN apparatus (network topology). The graphical user interface makes the setup and system monitor display effortless.
The mLAN network audio technology represents a significant step forward in the advancement of fiber optic-based long-haul audio transmission systems. In terms of routing and networking digital audio, the technology is still relatively new, but the fact remains that running high bandwidth, with high channel counts reliably over glass fiber is quite practical now. There is no appreciable latency in the system (2 ms), which includes the AD/DA conversion stages. High channel bandwidth and remote Mic Preamp control from anywhere on the network are some of the most valuable and significant features to current users of the ND-20 system; both are critical for live performance applications. The fact that audio can be split to redundant locations for FOH mix and remote recording applications with no loading, no buffering, or other losses is also significant.
With the optional fiber transceivers over duplex multimode fiber, the ND-20B system will operate reliably across more than 1,500 feet making it highly useful for critical live performance, recording, and studio applications. The ND-20B also supports IEEE bus bridge for longer distance transmissions and larger networks. Otari has offered the related Lightwinder LW series for eight years.
For more information, visit their web site at www.otari.com. | 
