September, 2013

Quote of Note

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because the people who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind"

 

- Theodore Geisel, a.k.a "Dr. Seuss"

Three New Reasons to See Us at IBC
3 new tools from Omnia? When do these guys sleep?
 Frankly, we don't know, But we do know that Team Omnia's sleep deprivation has resulted in some pretty awesome sound-shaping goodies. Here's a quick overview of what we'll be bringing to IBC with us.
Omnia Mic Processor
#1: Meet the Omnia Mic Processor. You've been wondering why your station's music and recorded content sound so big, but your talent sounded so small in comparison? The Omnia Mic Processor will take care of that for you. With 3-band EQ, symmetry correction for that nice "full" sound, de-essing, and famously smooth Omnia compression/limiting/expansion for not one, but two microphones, the Omnia Mic Compressor will have your jocks' voices filling up the room in no time flat.
Omnia MPX Tool
#2: Omnia MPX Tool/Modulation Analyzer. You're an audio geek? Us, too. That's why our new MPX Tool/Modulation Analyzer is the next essential piece of gear for your test rack. Not only can you analyze and manage your own modulation and transmission characteristics, you can figure out what your competition is doing, too. (Sneaky, huh?) Check out all the info tools we crammed into this 2RU masterpiece:
  • FFT, Oscilloscope, & RTA modulation analysis tools 
  • Reference quality stereo decoding
  • Remote control with streaming audio for your PC
  • HTTP server for control and logging
  • ITU-R BS.1770-3 Loudness Metering
  • Omnia.Direct™ Digital Composite (AES)
    Stereo baseband Analog Inputs and Outputs
  • Dual analog MPX (composite) inputs

There's even an FM tuner option to support FM/HD Radio/DAB/DAB+ . (Yes, we did think of everything -- thanks for asking!)

Omnia 9XE-3
#3: Omnia.9/XE Streaming Audio Management. Just when you think you've seen it all, BAM! We hit you with something you never saw coming. New Omnia.9X/E is purpose-built for serious Web stream audio processing. No PC cards needed - 9/XE runs on your Windows PC as a background service, quietly working to optimize the sound quality of low bit rate audio by literally removing distortion components, so they don't waste bits during encoding. Sound shaping tools include 6-band parametric EQ, 3-stage AGC, up to 7 bands of multi-band processing, and a 2-band look-ahead final limiter - plus our famous Undo technology that erases the over-compression and clipping of today's popular music. And get this - up to 8 instances will run on a single PC. That's what we call bang for the buck!

Find out more at www.OmniaAudio.com, or come see these cool tools in the Telos Alliance display at  IBC, Hall Number 8, Stand Number 8.D30. 
Free Telos Hx6 Webinar on September 26th
"Stimulating Talk with Multiple Callers:
How to Quickly Configure a Telos Hx6 Talkshow System"
Talk programs are the most engaging shows on Radio and the Internet. Experienced broadcasters know the value of bringing callers into talk programs. Whether polite conversation or heated debate, callers add value for both the show host and listeners.

Common barriers to hosting phone callers are the cost of phone lines, expensive multiline phone systems, and complex operation. Getting good call quality can also be a problem, especially when technical lash-ups are used to connect phone lines to audio gear.
Hx6 and VSet6

The Telos Hx6 is a 6-line phone system designed for Radio, TV and Internet talk show production. In this webinar, conducted by our own Kirk Harnack, you'll see how to connect phone lines to the Telos Hx6, configure it for your operation, and put one, two, or more callers on-air. We'll also show you how to get multiple phone lines for a fraction of what your local phone company charges.

Whether you're upgrading an older phone system, planning to expand to more callers, or just getting into talk program production, this 30-minute webinar will be helpful to you.

As always, space is limited.. Be sure to click the link of your choice below to reserve a spot:
  1. Thursday September 26th, 9:00 AM EDT (13:00 UTC)
  2. Thursday September 26th, 5:00 PM EDT (21:00 UTC)
In This Issue
3 New Goodies from Omnia
Free Telos Hx6 Webinar
News from the Field
Radio Video: High Iron on the Sears Tower
Linear Acoustic Introduces AERO.lite SDI
Engineering...Simplified!
Tech Updates
Tech Tip: Selecting PC NICs for Axia systems
Discrepancy Sheet
See You In Amsterdam!
We'll be looking for you at the RAI Center 
IBC - AmsterdamThis year's IBC is going on right now - 12 - 17 September.
Don't forget to mark The Telos Alliance on your "must see" agenda! From phone systems to TV and Radio audio processors, AoIP mixing consoles and time-management systems, we've got it all. Come see us in Hall Number 8, Stand Number 8.D30.
News From the Field
Who's getting new gear?

Axia xSwitch AoIP Ethernet Switches are connecting studios at:
  • CBS Radio's WHFS,
    Washington, D.C.
  • Southern Cross Austereo,
    NSW, Australia
  • Lincoln Financial Media's
    WLYF-FM, Miami, Florida
Telos Hx1 & Hx2 Digital Hybrids are helping phones sound fantastic at::
  • ABC News Radio Networks,
    Washington, D.C.
  • Steckline Communications'
    KGYN-AM, Guymon, Oklahoma
  • Sirius Satellite Radio,
    New York City, New York
Omnia ONE sounds loud and clear at:
  • CBS Radio's KYKY-FM,
    St. Louis, Missouri
  • Multicultural Radio's KWRU-AM,
    Fresno, California 
  • CBS Radio's WPGC-FM,
    Washington, D.C.
     
Get the NOW! catalog

 


100 pages of broadcast-y goodness.
Click here to get a copy mailed to you!
Radio Video
Classic Radio on the Net
Ironworkers installing antenna on Chicago Willis (Sears) Tower
Ironworkers installing antenna on Chicago Willis (Sears) Tower

 

Most of us work on RF from the relative security of the transmitter building, and seldom get a close up view of the business end of high power transmitting antennas. Here's some breathtaking footage taken in 2012 showing the installation of the new ABC-7 TV antenna atop the Sears Tower in Chicago. Whew - we're getting dizzy just thinking about it.

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Sometimes, Less Really Is More.
Linear Acoustic introduces new AERO.lite SDI audio processor

These days, there are lots of products on the market that are seriously feature-rich. Take the smartphone, for example. While having photo apps, video apps, social media apps (and of course Candy Crush) may be the way the mainstream rolls, there are just as many folks who would be content with something that... well, that just makes phone calls.

 

As with people, Television stations are unique. Some require fewer bells and whistles than others. Enter the new AERO.lite SDI from Linear Acoustic. While it's a little more complex than a cell phone, the AERO.lite SDI is a high-precision two-channel (stereo) audio processor for stations that don't need 5.1 processing, or a full complement of AES and analog I/O.

 

Just like the original AERO.lite, this SDI-only version employs proven AEROMAX� multistage adaptive wideband and multiband dynamic range control to deliver standards-compliant audio at a budget-compliant price. But if you want to trick it out, a redundant external power supply, SNMP monitoring, and ITU-R BS.1770 loudness metering are all optionally available.

New Linear Acoustic AERO.lite SDI. No frills, all thrills.

And because AERO.lite SDI is so simple to set up and use, you'll have plenty of time left over to make some Mega Candy. Or figure out just exactly how to make a call on your smartphone -- if you're into that sort of thing. See it at IBC in the Telos Alliance display, Hall 8, Stand 8.D30, or check out LinearAcoustic.com.

John Bisset's "Engineering: Simplified"
A new monthly column to help make life simpler

Welcome to a new feature - tips to simplify your life in the world of the Telos Alliance. As engineers exchange the world of single- and two-pair shielded cable for CAT5/6, finding a simpler way to interconnect non-networked gear becomes more important. Of course, you can buy adaptor cables pre-made, but what do you do with the excess cable? 

 

You can also buy a roll of the Ethernet cable, and attach connectors to both ends, but a lot of our customers are buying fixed length pre-made Ethernet cables with an RJ45 connector on each end. When an adaptor cable is needed, this pre-made cable is cut in two - or cut to length - and the appropriate XLR, TRS or other connector is added to the cut end.

 

It makes for a custom length cable, AND you don't have to fool around with the attachment of the RJ45 connector. By the way, this idea works with ANY networked console - just remember you learned about it from the Telos Alliance!   

Got an idea that made life simpler? Email it to me at [email protected].   

Tech Updates
Latest Downloads for your Telos Alliance gear
Tech Tip of the Month
What's the best PC Ethernet card for use in Axia networks?

Intel NIC card Andrew Brookes of Axia Partner Empirical Presentations in South Africa asks:

 

"We have a client who wants to use Dell 2U PCs with his Axia network, and we are having an issue sourcing half-height, PCI-E NICs. Do you know of a brand or model we can look into sourcing down here?"

 

Matt Rockwell of Axia tech support answers:

 

"There tend to be no issues any longer with contemporary 'net cards. You should be good with whatever you get, as long as you are using manufacturer drivers instead of Microsoft stock drivers.

 

 

"My personal preferred net cards are the server line from Intel. Here is the link:

intel.com/content/www/us/en/network-adapters/gigabit-network-adapters/ethernet-server-adapters.html


Got a tech tip to share or a question you'd like answered? Email us - if we use it in eNews, we'll send you a free copy of Omnia A/XE desktop audio processing software for Windows. Don't forget to include a mailing address when you write.
Discrepancy Sheet

Found in the Attic: Realistic 12-1875A 8-track to stereo cassette adapter

(In this occasional series, our resident technical archaeologist, Tom Vernon, explores some of the vintage gear found in the recesses of his storage space - Ed.)

When Bill Lear introduced the 8-track cartridge player to the automotive market in 1964, it ushered in the era of personal music. No longer were motorists confined to listening to what was being played on the radio. Soon afterwards, Radio Shack introduced 8-track recorders and blank tapes, which took the revolution to the next level. The popularity of 8-tracks soared.

 

But 8-track was arguably the worst format ever to come down the pike. Tapes invariably jammed once they were dropped. Crosstalk between adjacent tracks was often audible, and the audio fidelity rivaled that of AM radio. It wasn't long before the shift was underway from 8-track to cassettes, a format that held on for over a decade.

Click on images for larger views

 

The problem for audiophiles was what to do with their investment in 8-track players and hardware as they were transitioning their music library over to cassettes. No worries. Just hop into your '71 Trans Am and head over to Radio Shack. Purchase a Realistic 12-1875A stereo cassette adaptor and you can easily alternate between your favorite 8-track tapes and those newfangled cassettes.

 

Inside, the 12-1875 was simplicity itself. The unit got its power from the 8-track player to run a simple cassette transport and one-IC tape preamp. The output of the preamp was connected to a flux loop, which is how the cassette sound was connected to an 8-track. So there you have it. All that's left is to insert your Eagles Greatest Hits cassette into the 12-1875, crank up the volume, and let the 70s rock on.

 

Clark Novak, Tom Vernon, Denny Sanders, Angi Roberson, Spencer Rutt & Wendy Tang 

for Telos, Omnia, 25-Seven, Axia, and Linear Acoustic

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