D&R Electronica have been designing and manufacturing broadcast mixing consoles since 1972. The consoles are designed for radio and television broadcast environments but are also at home in audio post-production studios.
The Airlite is a broadcast on-air and production mixer aimed at environments such as community radio stations, internet radio, RSLs or commercial radio where simplifying the interfacing of USB to automation systems is important. There are eight 100mm ALPS faders, four of which have USB inputs and outputs, a 16-button assignable button bank for automation control, and a separate software application for metering and a master clock.
There first three channels have selectable microphone/line inputs with the balanced microphone input via a female XLR connector, (2000 ohms) and the stereo line input via two unbalanced RCA (phono) sockets, (10000 ohms), on the rear. There is an insert point for a microphone processor via an unbalanced 6.35mm jack socket and a 6.35mm jack socket for a remote 'cough' mute connection. Phantom power (48V) is selectable on the microphone inputs. On the upper panel, rotary controls adjust input gain and the three-band equaliser with +/- 12dB range. There is a separate control to send the input to the Auxiliary mix. Each channel can be separately selected to the CUE mix for pre-fade monitoring and has an 'ON' button for selection to the programme mix. The channels also include fader-start functionality.
Channels 4-7 have selectable line/USB inputs, with the stereo line input via unbalanced phono sockets, and a single type B USB connection for all four of the USB channels, all connectors on the rear. Each USB channel is USB 2.0 compliant and can accept a stereo input from a play out system. On the upper panel, rotary controls adjust input gain and a separate control sends the input to the Auxiliary mix. Each channel can be separately selected to the CUE mix for pre-fade monitoring, and has an 'ON' button for selection to the programme mix. The channels also include fader start functionality.
Channel 8 is for VoIP and a single B-type USB connection on the rear to receive its audio from a PC caller using an application such as Skype. On the upper panel, rotary controls adjust input gain, the level sent to the Auxiliary mix and the level sent back to the caller. There is a button to switch the channel to the CUE mix for pre-fade monitoring, and an 'ON' button for selection to the programme mix.
To the right of the input channels, a two-channel, 16 LED, output meter allows the user to monitor output levels; a separate master Aux send control (which can be switched to the CUE bus) is adjacent to the respective Aux return control. Sixteen assignable push buttons can used to interface with compatible automation systems, allowing such functions as start/stop, 'next' in automation, or for playing jingles. The definitions of each button can be defined in the control software. There are pre-formatted definitions for popular automation systems such as Aircast, Aeron Studio, SPL, ENCO, Mairlist, ProppFrexx, Omniplay and Power Studio.
A microphone set into the control surface is used for talkback, with direct talkback switches to the VoIP channel, the announcer, or the Auxiliary mix. There are two adjustable level controls for headphones, one for the announcer and one for the operator, with a separate control for the control room monitors.
Compatible with Aircast 6-STD - a single user radio automation system for Windows based PC computers that is designed to suit smaller radio stations especially those in community radio, internet radio, hospital radio and schools - offering various remote control functions for controlling fader start, 'next', and other remote requirements. See D&R SOFTWARE - Aircast for more detail.
Included accessories: Configuration software, meter application (meters and clock), external 12V DC power supply, 90-230V AC.
Optional accessories: Airlite AES/EBU (adds Digital AES/EBU main stereo outputs), Studio remote, Aircast and On Air Light
Frequency response: 10Hz - 60kHz. Distortion: Less than 0.01% maximum at 1 kHz. Main outputs: +6dBu balanced XLR, -10dBV RCA(phono), Left/Right. Other outputs: +6dBu unbalanced RCA phono, Control room monitor, Auxiliary send, Cue. Headphone outputs: 32-400 ohms, 6.3mm jack. GPO and microphone on connections: Optical relay, (24volt, 50mA maximum). Dimensions (WxHxD): 482 x 355 x 103mm. Weight: 10kg.
Studio Remote
Studio Remote is designed to the remote interface for communications between the announcer or guest and the mixing console. A built-in headphone amplifier with stereo 6.35mm jack socket and rotary level control allow monitoring. Two red/green illuminated 'cough' and 'com' buttons allow the user to mute the microphone or make the communication channel live.
Dimensions: 80x110x50mm (wxhxd) mm.
On Air Light is a self-contained, on-air signalling light for use in broadcast environments. When activated it shows a bright 'On Air' sign in red, backlit by LEDs. Power is provided by the included 12V DC, 1A external power supply. Note: the included PSU is EU version.
Control is via a twin wire cable coming from the microphone switching output (1 x 6.35mm stereo jack socket) on the back of the Airmate-USB, Airence-USB or Airlab DT console, or from any console that offers microphone control switching. Control is achieved by connecting the two wires in the cable. Both the power and control must be directly hardwired to a barrier strip on the On Air light.
Other warning light options include 'Phone' and 'Recording'. See D&R WARNING LIGHTS for more detail.
Dimensions (WxHxD): 260 x 125 x 65mm. Cable entry holes and key slot holes are provided on the back.