Audioarts 08

Audioarts 08 The Audioarts 08 is the entry-level model of all the brand’s analog consoles, regardless of the series. This console should come first in the growing list of analog consoles. However, I preferred to highlight the Air 1 for its versatility, but this little one is not far behind. Let’s go straight to its features and then comment on what needs to be commented on.

• Eight channels, including two microphones and 6 line channels. All with an independent “ON” button per channel. As with the Air-1, the Audioarts 08 has the “ON” button at the bottom of the fader, which in my opinion is much more practical for the operator, making it easier to handle. – Two built-in mic preamps, both with independent gain controls ranging from -50dBu to +4dBu. – Only one PGM bus, which would limit us to not delivering mixminus to telephone hybrids, for example. However, this is solved by the SIMPLEPHONE, which will be discussed below – SIMPLEPHONE module, located on channel 7, as its name implies, has features that allow us to connect a telephone hybrid and deliver mixminus as a return via the MXM output. – TALKBACK button for Mic1 – proves to be very useful, as pressing it cuts off the PGM sending via MXM (mixminus) and opens up the possibility for the speaker/operator to talk to the telephone (hybrid) line via the microphone itself and listen to it in CUE, which is obviously a “hand in the wheel”. – Independent controls for Monitor (Control Room), Cue and Headphones. There is no “Studio” output like on the Air-1. – EXT” input, for inserting a receiver or processed sound for speaker feedback. – Built-in tally switch to control an external relay – PGM output option in XLR (balanced) and RCA (unbalanced).

Even if you, the broadcaster, choose to buy this small console, you will still have the chance to play back your PC audio in top quality! An important point to note is Audioarts’ concern to provide equipment with many great features, reliable hardware at lower prices for broadcasters with very low purchasing power. This can be seen in the unbalanced option of inputs and outputs using RCA connectors. To the untrained eye, this seems to detract from a professional console, but we need to bear in mind that many small radio broadcasters don’t have technical staff or even professional playback equipment, so this type of connection makes it easier for this target audience. On the other hand, there are the analog balanced connections, placed on RJ45 connectors, which have been a trend in the world market. RJ45 connectors are of very high quality in general, are designed to work at much higher frequencies than audio and take up much less space. By way of comparison, 1 RJ45 connector has 8 paths, which allows us to accommodate 4 balanced mono sources (discarding the ground). An XLR connector only accommodates one mono balanced source and physically takes up the space of approximately 4 RJ45 connectors, which gives us 16 mono balanced sources. Built for the demands of professional broadcasting, the Audioarts 08 has been designed for fast operation, live, streaming or for productions, providing easy access to its controls. In a compact chassis, the Audioarts 08 meets all the basic requirements: stereo mix bus, with balanced or unbalanced outputs; two microphone inputs (one for the presenter, one for the guest); USB input for playing audio from a PC; USB output for recording directly into PC software; “mix-minus” telephone output, for connecting to a telephone hybrid; monitor, headphones and cue, for monitoring the on-air signal; monitor mute, to cut the monitors when the microphone is on (eliminating possible microphonies); balanced/unbalanced inputs and outputs, for interfacing with professional or “consumer” equipment.

HIGHLIGHTS

– Chassis with 8 channels and stereo mixing bar, balanced or unbalanced – Compact, for mounting on the worktop – Long-throw faders on inputs and monitors – Two high-performance, very low-noise microphone preamps – LED lighting on all switches – Bi-directional USB port, for interfacing with computers and automation systems

SPECIFICATIONS AUDIO INPUT Microphone XLR connector, balanced, impedance >2KΩ in bridge mode, adjustable sensitivity from -64dB to -24dB; maximum input level: 0dBu Line RJ-45 connector, balanced, unbalanced RCA connector, impedance >40KΩ in bridge mode, maximum input level: +28dBu External Same values as Line AUDIO OUT Program Stereo, on XLR connector, balanced; 100Ω impedance, to connect with equipment >600Ω; 0VU = +4dBu, maximum output +28dBu Stereo Monitor, in RCA connector, unbalanced Stereo Headphones, in 1/4 (P10) TRS jack, to feed typical broadcast headphones, with impedance >200Ω Cue In RCA connector, unbalanced On-Air LOGIC In RJ-45 connector, low current relay to close external relay that feeds “On Air” signaling PERFORMANCE Microphone Response: +- 0.1dB, 20Hz-20kHz; Line: +- 0.1dB, 20Hz-20kHz THD Mic: <0.001% @1kHz/+24dBu; Line: <0.001% @1kHz/+24dBu Noise Mic: -128dB EIN; Line: -88dB reference +4dBu Dynamics 115dB dynamic range Stereo separation 66dB @1kHz PHYSICAL Dimensions L: 41, 21cm. D: 26.67cm. H: 2.54cm front; 6.02cm rear Weight 2.72kg. Transport weight in packaging: 4.08 kg Power supply 100-240VAC, 50-60Hz, 25W