Wheatstone M4-IP-USB Voice Processor

 

Overview:

The M4IP-USB is a four-channel DSP-based BLADE-3 voice processor with four completely independent channels of high-quality, low-noise, high-dynamic range and accurate transient response voice processing in an IP networked rack unit. 

The M4IP-USB combines four high-quality microphone preamps, four channels of Vorsis embedded microphone processing, and a WheatNet-IP BLADE interface, allowing you to place four microphone inputs anywhere in your WheatNet-IP Intelligent Network (although it also works just fine as a standalone processor). The preamps and processors are accessed and controlled from any point on the network via its Windows-based GUI.

Four independent USB ports are built in to facilitate the individual use of each processor output by separate computers.

The M4IP-USB is a great way to maximize your investment in on-air talent by combining four mic processors into a single rack space, accessible from anywhere.

The M4IP-USB microphone processor is equipped with four matched Super-Quiet (SQ) microphone preamplifiers featuring extremely low noise floor, very wide dynamic range, faithfully accurate transient response, and ruler flat frequency response. Operating in harmony with high quality 24-bit A/D converters and a 96kHz base sample rate, the M4IP-USB adds absolutely no undesired coloration to the signal and faithfully preserves the sound of any microphone and talent combination. It also features a four-section equalizer with high and low shelving EQ and two bands of fully parametric EQ, high and low pass filters, and de-esser and expander functions.

The M4IP-USB also features four analog stereo line-level outputs, ideal for feeding headphone amplifiers associated with talent or studio monitoring systems, and four stereo AES digital outputs.

The signal path of the M4IP-USB includes four completely independent channels of Wheatstone’s smooth-sounding Vorsis dynamics processing. Adjustable from anywhere on your network the M4-IP offers the security of password protected TCP/IP-based remote control and no front panel controls.

Like all WheatNet-IP BLADE-3s, the M4IP-USB is AES67 compatible. 

 

WHEATSTONE-DESIGNED EQUALIZATION

Based on great-sounding designs built for Wheatstone’s high performance professional audio applications, the M4IP-USB’s equalization section operates predictably and adds no noise, ringing, phasiness or other undesirable coloration to the sound.

 

WHEATSTONE-DESIGNED DYNAMICS PROCESSING TOOLS

A high performance and fully adjustable downward expander, de-esser, and smooth sounding broadband compressor and selectable low distortion final Lookahead limiter round out the M4IP-USB to create powerful and authoritative presence to production or on-air microphones.

 

PROCESSING PRESETS

A variety of ready-to-use factory processing presets are provided, carefully tailored for different processing goals and formats. You can select a factory preset, confident that it will sound great just as it is. Or use a factory preset as a starting point and create a custom sound for each announcer, then save the new settings as a personalized user preset. In a facility with multiple microphone processors, presets saved in one unit can be easily copied to the others.

 

WHEATSTONE TALENT CONTROL INTERFACE

The Wheatstone Talent Control Interface software can reside on an air studio/control room PC and gives talent the ability to recall presets from any Vorsis microphone processor without allowing processing adjustments.

All parameters of the M4IP-USB are controlled using the included Windows-based GUI. Voice talent can activate his or her own personal sound at the press of a button using the Talent Control Interface, a special GUI designed for preset recall only.


Features: 

• Extremely high performance microphone preamplifiers with 48V phantom power
• Four completely independent processing channels
• Four stereo analog line level outputs
• Four independent USB ports
• Four stereo AES outputs.
• AES67 compatible
• All digital, field proven Wheatstone-designed advanced processing algorithm
• Phase Scrambler to correct asymmetrical voice waveforms
• High- and low-pass filters
• Fully adjustable downward expander
• Precision de-esser sibilance controller
• Four-bands of EQ: low-frequency shelving, two-band parametric, high-frequency shelving
• Broadband compressor
• Final precision peak limiter – can be defeated if desired for lower latency
• TCP/IP-based remote control from anywhere via M4-IP Remote Control Software
• Talent Control Interface software for preset recall without processor control
• Password controlled access and control-less front panel for keeping settings secure
• Front panel metering of input and output levels
• Colorful OLED display
• Requires only one rack space

 

RECOMMENDED APPLICATIONS: 

• AM Analog
• FM Analog
• FM HD
• AM HD
• Television
• Webcasting
• Podcasting
• Mastering & Production
• Live Sound

Specifications for all voice processors (for easy comparison):

 

FACTORY PRESETS 

Factory presets are pre-installed and write protected. New factory presets can be down­loaded from the Wheatstone-Processing.com web site and installed via the Windows-based GUI software.

 

USER PRESETS

M-1: unlimited preset storage on the host PC 

M-2: storage for 80 presets in on-board non-volatile memory, unlimited storage on host PC.

M-4: storage for 80 presets in on-board non-volatile memory, unlimited storage on host PC.

 

AUDIO INPUTS

Microphone XLR-F connector (one on M-1, two on M-2, four on M-4) 

Electronic differential:  >2KΩ (bridg­ing) 

Optimum source impedance:   200Ω

Phantom Power:  48VDC, switchable on/off

Gain:   -10dB to +70dB in 1dB steps

Frequency response:   ±0.2dB 20Hz-20KHz

Equivalent input noise (EIN):   -128dBu

THD+N:   <0.03%, 20Hz-20kHz, -50dBu input

SMPTE DIM:   0.00007%

 

AUDIO OUTPUTS

Mic or line level output selectable (M-1 only)

Line-level output (M-2 and M-4 only)

Digital XLR-M connector (one on M-1, two on M-2) 

Two RJ45 to StudioHub standard (M-2 and M-4 only) 

Reference Level::   0VU=-20dBFS 

Output Sample Rates: 

    M-1: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz and 96 kHz 

    M-2: 48 kHz fixed

    M-4: 44.1kHz or 48kHz

Balanced:   110Ω AES-3 0VU=-20dBfs

Analog XLR-M connector:  (one on M-1, two on M-2) 

Electronically balanced:   <10Ω source impedance 

Optimum load impedance:   >600Ω 

Maximum output level:   +24dBu

 

FILTERS

Asymmetry filter Phase rotator, 4th order allpass, switchable in/out

High-pass:   24dB/octave Butterworth 

Adjustable:   20Hz-1kHz

Low-pass:   24dB/octave Butterworth 

Adjustable:  1-20kHz

Notch (M-2 only):   Fixed bandwidth 

Adjustable:   20Hz-20kHz

 

DOWNWARD EXPANDER

Threshold Adjustable:   -60dBFS to 0dBFS

Depth Adjustable:   0-40dB

Close Adjustable:   50ms-3s

 

DE-ESSER

Control:   Recursive-style

Threshold Adjustable:   -10dBFS to -60dBFS 

Attack time (M-2 only):   Adjustable 0.1ms-100ms

Release time Adjustable:   50ms-500ms

De-ess frequency Adjustable:   20Hz-20kHz

Bandwidth (M-2 only):   Adjustable 0.15-4 octave

 

PARAMETRIC EQUALIZER

Routable:   Pre or post compressor

 

Band 1:   Shelving 

Adjustable:  20-200Hz 

Boost/cut:   ±14dB

 

Bands 2 and 3:   Parametric 

Adjustable:   20Hz-20kHz 

Boost/cut:   ±14dB 

Bandwidth:   0.2-3.0 octave

 

Band 4:   Shelving 

Adjustable:   2kH-20kHz 

Boost/cut:   ±14dB

 

COMPRESSOR – M-1 and M-4

Control:   Broadband

Threshold:   -10dBFS to -50dBFS

Attack time:   0.2ms-1s

Release time:   33ms-1s

Ratio:   1:1-20:1

 

COMPRESSORS – M-2

One, two, or three processing bands

Crossover frequencies: 

     Band 1-2 adjustable 20Hz-1kHz 

     Band 2-3 adjustable 1kHz-20kHz

Threshold:   10 to -50dBFS

Attack time:   0.2ms-1s

Release time:   33ms-1s

Ratio:   1:1-20:1

 

FINAL LIMITER (M-2 and M-4 only)

Control:   Zero-overshoot look-ahead limiter

Threshold:   -50 to -10dBFS (fixed at -6dBFS in M-4)

Attack:   0-100ms (automatic in M-4)

Release:   10ms-330ms (automatic in M-4)

 

LOGIC I/O, M-1 and M-2

Remote control:   RJ45 connector (two on M-2) 

For M-1 and M-2:   Optional Wheatstone Announcer Panel or custom interface

Connections:   ON, OFF, Cough, ON tally, OFF tally, power and ground

GPI input (M-2 only):   DB9 connector 

Eight opto-isolated ports for external switching of presets (M-2 only)

 

LOGIC I/O, M-4 

12 opto-isolated and fully configurable GPIO logic ports

 

CONTROL

M-1 and M-2: Ethernet 10-100BASE-T, RJ45 connector 

M-4:   1000BaseT Gigabit Ethernet 

 

PHYSICAL - M-1

Dimensions:   

19”/48.3cm wide 

1.75”/4.5cm high 

10”/25.4cm deep 

(allow 3.25”/8.25cm for rear connectors)

Weight:   8.1lbs/3.68kg

Shipping weight:   13lbs/5.9kg

Power Requirements:   90-260VAC, 50-60Hz, 24VA

 

PHYSICAL - M-2

Dimensions:  

19”/48.3cm wide 

1.75”/4.5cm high 

16”/40.6cm deep 

(allow 3.25”/8.25cm for rear connectors)

Weight:   11.35lbs/5.16kg

Shipping weight:   15lbs/6.8kg

Power:   90-260VAC, 50-60Hz, 19VA

 

PHYSICAL - M-4

Dimensions:   19”/48.3cm wide 

1.75”/4.5cm high 

13.25”/33.7cm deep 

(15.25”/38.7cm deep w/rear connectors)

Weight:   10.35lbs/4.69kg

Shipping weight:   14lbs/6.4kg

Power:   90-260, 50-60Hz, 22VA

 

---------------

 

Specifications for all BLADEs...

 

ANALOG BLADE I/O

Inputs             Electronic differential, >10KΩ (bridging) Optimum source impedance <1KΩ

Outputs          <10Ω, 20Hz-20kHz Optimum load impedance >600Ω

Connectors         

DB25 Female, requires DB25 Male cable end connectors

RJ45, requires straight-wired RJ45 plugs

Frequency response   ±0.25dB, 20Hz-20kHz, ref +4dBu

THD+n                      0.04%, 20Hz-20kHz, ref +4dBu

Noise                       -85dBu; -109dBr ref max level out

Gain range               ±18db, inputs and outputs

Maximum input         +24dBu

Maximum output       +24dBu

A>D converter          ADC enhanced dual bit, 24 bit resolution

D>A converter          DAC 24bit advanced ∑∆

 

DIGITAL BLADE I/O

Inputs            Balanced 110Ω AES-3, S/PDIF compatible

Outputs          Balanced 110Ω AES-3 only

Connectors         

DB25 Female, requires DB25 Male cable end connectors

RJ45, requires straight-wired RJ45 plugs

Frequency response         Flat, 20Hz-20kHz, ref -20dBFS, +4dBu

THD+n                           0.0009%, 20Hz-20kHz, ref -20dBFS, +4dBu

Noise                            -141dBFS, ref max level out

Gain range                    ±18db, inputs and outputs

Maximum input              0dBFS

Maximum output            0dBFS

Sample rate converters   32-96kHz, 16-24bit, on all inputs

AES channel status         Standard implementation

 

MIC BLADE I/O

Inputs         

Electronic differential, >2KΩ (bridging)

Optimum source impedance <200Ω

Outputs           <10Ω, 20Hz-20kHz  Optimum load impedance >600Ω

Connectors          

XLR-F, requires XLR-M cable connector (microphone inputs)

DB25 female, requires DB25 Male cable end connectors (analog outputs)

RJ45, requires straight-wired RJ45 plugs (analog outputs, logic ports, & gigabit Ethernet

Frequency response     ±0.5dB, 20Hz-20kHz, ref +4dBu

THD+n          0.02%, 20Hz-20kHz, ref +4dBu

Noise          -85dBu; -109dBr ref max level out

Reference level           -50dBu

Gain range                  +20 to +80dB, inputs; ±18db, outputs

Maximum input           -10dBu

Maximum output          +24dBu

A>D converter            ADC enhanced dual bit, 24 bit resolution

D>A converter            DAC 24bit Advanced ∑∆

 

IP88CB CONSOLE AUDIO BLADE

Inputs

2 analog mic, patchable, with variable gain and +48V phantom

XLR mic in, RJ45 mic out

4 AES digital with SRC, RJ45

4 stereo analog, RJ45

Outputs

4 stereo analog, PGM A-B-C-D, RJ45

1 stereo analog, control room, XLR

1 stereo analog, studio, XLR

1 stereo analog, headphone, phone jack and RJ45

1 stereo analog, cue, phone jack and RJ45

4 AES digital, PGM A-B-C-D, RJ45

Mix Engine                Internal mix engine for E-1 control surface

A>D converter          ADC enhanced dual bit, 24 bit resolution

D>A converter          DAC 24bit advanced ∑∆

Sample Rate Convertors          32-96KHz, 16-24 bit on all digital inputs

 

AURA8-IP PROCESSING BLADE

Inputs         8 AES Digital inputs on “D” connectors and RJ-45.

Outputs        8 AES Digital outputs on both “D” connectors and RJ-45.

Logic          12 Universal Logic ports

Processing: 8 Vorsis Embedded stereo 3-band processing chains, each with 4-band parametric equalizer, 3-way crossover, 3 compressors, three limiters, broadband lookahead limiter

 

COMMON SPECS:

 

LOGIC I/O

Connector       RJ45 (2), 12 channels

Voltage          +5VDC to GND,  +5VDC and GND provided

Current          100mA max source/sink

 

ETHERNET

Connectors   RJ45

Cable          CAT5E or CAT6

Audio transport          Gigabit Ethernet   1000BASE-T, used for all BLADE-to-BLADE audio traffic

Utility interface          100BASE-TX for future use

 

SYSTEM

Sample rate          44.1 or 48kHz, user selectable in software

Sync                    Internal or external, External sync input on any I/O digital BLADE

Reference level     0dBFS=+4dBu (+4dBu=1.23VRMS)

Latency                0.5mS, BLADE to switch to BLADE

 

PHYSICAL 

Dimensions         

19"/48.3cm wide, 1-3/4"/4.5cm high 

13-1/4"/33.7cm deep 

15-1/4"/38.7cm deep with connectors

Shipping weight          14lbs/6.4kg

 

POWER REQUIREMENTS:

90-260VAC, 50-60Hz

ip88a: 49VA, 30W 

ip88d: 23VA, 12W 

ip88ad: 35VA, 19W

ip88m: 35VA, 19W 

ip88cb: 35VA, 19W

ip88e: 18VA, 10W

- See more at: http://wheatstone.com/radio-products1/blades-wheatnet-ip-audio-networking/processing/m4-ip-usb-voice-processing-blade-3#sthash.JCsdHY8f.dpuf