The Sonifex AVN-CU4-RAV is a configurable portable commentator unit using Ravenna/AES67 AoIP. It is a dual version of the AVN-CU2-RAV providing four mic/line inputs with a wide, adjustable gain range and four stereo headphone outputs with lockable jack sockets, suitable for operation by three or four commentators.
Fully featured, this unit will accommodate virtually any commentary situation with both AoIP and 4-wire connections, dual redundant networking and multiple AC/DC/PoE power options. Up to 48 rotary encoders can be used on inputs, outputs or cross-points, allowing talkback feeds, commentary and audio mixing to be handled in one unit.
It has been designed from the ground up to be configurable for different situations with config files that can be saved and recalled for quick set up. Additionally, buttons and rotary encoders can be locked out from use, if the unit is being operated by less-technical commentators.
It has an abundance of 4-wire connections on the rear panel: four analogue line inputs on XLR sockets with latching locks, six analogue line outputs on XLR plugs and an RJ45 AES3 stereo input and output. These connections can act as a simultaneous analogue backup to the AoIP connections.
The unit supports up to 16 input and output AoIP channels and up to 16 simultaneous input and output AoIP streams. Stream setup to and from the unit is initially via ANEMAN, (Audio NEtwork MANager), with more detailed configuration performed using the built-in web GUI. The power of this unit lies in the impressive mix engine which overlays the usual Ravenna/AES67 configuration and routing settings. Once flows have been made, inputs and outputs can be mixed freely to AoIP or physical inputs and outputs, controlled using the programmable buttons and rotary encoders, which control the gain and pan of inputs, outputs or cross-points, allowing total flexibility for different situations.
The front panel houses four locking mic/line inputs with +48V phantom power indication and four headphone outputs on locking 6.35mm jack sockets.
The unit has dual redundant network ports on both RJ45 (PoE+ using two Neutrik EtherCON connectors) and SFP cages.
To power the unit, as well as the dual PoE+ ports and 12V 4-pin XLR DC input, there is an AC mains input on an IEC inlet, with a universal supply.
The feature set of the AVN-CU4-RAV is as per the AVN-CU2-RAV, with the differences that there are two displays with a doubling of operational controls; four On-Air buttons; four Page buttons (two for each half of the display0; four Cough buttons; eight Talkback buttons (up to four for each user); three User buttons; 12 rotary encoders; and eight pages of six rotary encoder positions (48 in total).
Similar to the AVN-CU2-RAV, the illuminated Sonifex logo acts as a power indication and illuminated LEDs indicate network clock status, AoIP Primary and AoIP Secondary link status, PoE Primary, PoE Secondary and AC power active.