Sound4 First 

SOUND4 FIRST provides all the most important functionalities you need in an FM/HD processor and sets the bar high both in terms of performance and affordability. Designed to deliver a sound of uncompromising quality, this tool gives you 2-band processing, a digital stereo generator and an IMPACT Clipper.

One of the most important advantages of this product is the fact that audio airs just three seconds after powering on the device. This tool is fully BS-412 compliant and comes with an HD Limiter, a Low Distortion Bass Clipper and a Low Distortion FM Limiter. SOUND4 FIRST has Analog, Digital and AES-67/Livewire inputs and outputs, as well as an MPX FM output. It also solves the so-called “blending problem” resulting from the switch of receivers from stereo to mono, bringing you a constant level of clear audio.

The impressive backup functionalities ensure a reliable, uninterrupted audio feed. SOUND4 FIRST provides a streaming output fully compatible with all standard servers, including HLS.

Software Options Available

There are a number of options and additional features that make the SOUND4 FIRST even more valuable. These include Basic and Full RDS, Streaming Extension, IP TX + RX and Dual IP TX + RX to name but a few. A full list of all software options is available below:

SOUND4 FIRST has a compact 1U case and a dual power supply which is a standard feature of all SOUND4 In-box products and ensures uninterrupted operation of the unit, as well as a user-friendly remote control interface to provide clients with easy setup - a clever choice for your station.

Features:

The SOUND4 FIRST

• Dual Power supply
• 2 Processing path: FM & HD
• Inputs: 2 AES/EBU 32 to 192 kHz, 2 analog, 2 AES-67/Livewire or 2 IP Codec (SOUND4 IP CONNECT), 2 SUB (insert for RDS/RBDS...)
• Outputs: 2 AES/EBU 32 to 192 kHz, 2 analog, 2 AES-67/Livewire or 2 IP Codec (SOUND4 IP CONNECT), 2 MPX
• Digital AES/EBU and wordclock synchronization inputs.
• 3 independent Ethernet ports: Admin, AES-67, IP-CONNECT
• GPIO: 8 inputs, 8 outputs, advanced management with scripts
• GPS Sync for System time and AoIP Sync
• Micro SD: High capacity management, SDXC compatible standard (up to 2TB), for music storage and more
• Two USB ports: front and rear (for preset & upgrade loading and other functionalities)
• Headphone output on front panel with the possibility to listen each Input or Output
• Full Routing management: Patch points with Insert and Mix on all stages, routing of signals to any Inputs and Outputs
• Automatic failover input switching with crossfade
• Diversity Delay: up to 20 seconds
• Relay switch for automatic by-pass
• Fully controllable from front Panel
• GUI remote control compatible 32 & 64 bits - Windows 7, Windows 8 & 8.1, Windows 10, 2008 R2, 2012 and Linux (Debian)
• HTML5 GUI: Inputs and outputs setup, preset change, upgrades...
• Start-up time of SOUND4 FIRST: 2 seconds to be on air (Analog Input or AES/EBU input)
• Total DSPs computing power for audio Processing: 16,2 Giga Flops (Sharc 40 bits with floating point + other DSPs)
• Total ARMs computing power for product management and extra functions: 4 GMips

User-Friendly Control Interface

• Sound setting from one single screen - you no longer need to open and close windows to go from one function to another
• Two modes - Basic and Advanced. Basic mode provides simplicity and rapidity; Advanced mode allows you to explore all the processor functionalities. There are also ultra-rapid VU meters for true control over modulation
• Advanced meterings with FFT and MPX Power
• Unlimited “Undo/Redo” versioning function for presets with possibility of recall
• Innovative “compare to reference” function
• Log comment feature follow each preset
• A readable and interactive path diagram
• A remote connection manager to control several processors
• Works with the following operating systems - WXP SP3, W7 32& 64 bits, W8 32 & 64 bits, WS 2008 R2, WS 2012, Linux (Debian)

Processing

• HQ Sound, main sampling process frequency of 192 kHz.
• 2-band AGC
• 2-band limiter
• 4-band EQ
• Final limiters:
  • FM path - Bass Clipper + FM Limiter + MPX Limiter
  • HD path - Look Ahead limiter for the HD output
• Voice Smoother to avoid distortion problems on certain voices
• BS412 compliant MPX power controller
• Typical processing delay at 1 KHz:
  • HD output: 3 to 6 ms
  • FM output: 18.5 ms
  • MPX output: 25 ms

Other key points:

• 19 kHz embedded pilot to gain close to 1 dB more in loudness!
• Auto-Mono: Switch off pilot 19 KHz on mono sources for better receiving in FM
• Stereo Matrixing for better stability in loudness and sound tone when the receiver switches from mono/stereo/mono
• Adjustable Filters Frequencies in 2-band AGC and 2-Band Limiter

Extra

• Basic RDS encoder (with scrolling PS)
• Full RDS (UECP-compatible)
• IP Codec - SOUND4 IP CONNET (manage up to 32 Links!)
• Emergency Player: Audio program backup, 2 music libraries, 1 Jingle Library + rules management
• Audio streaming - 3 encoders (MP3, AAC, HE-AAC v1 & v2), compatible with all delivery servers (Icecast, Shoutcast v1 & V2, HLS, Flash, Wowza)
• Link & Share - 100% of all parameters are accessible via the telnet protocol
• Software Panels - the device allows you to create your own panels with unlimited functionality
• Preset Sharing - the ultimate solution to manage an unlimited number of processors. All of them are automatically updated if one of them is modified

Technical specifications:

• Analog Input
  • Quantity: 2 Stereo
  • Level: 2 ranges (+12 or +24 dBu - software selectable) 
  • Impedance: 10 kΩ
  • Connectors: 1 pair of XLR female balances, EMI suppressen; 1 pair on a DB25 female (TASCAM pinout) balanced, EMI suppressed
• Digital Input
  • Quantity: 2 Stereo
  • Standard: AES3
  • Sampling Rate: 32 to 192kHz, 24 bits
  • Connectors: 1 x XLR female balanced, EMI suppressed; 1 on a DB25 female (TASCAM pinout) balanced, EMI suppressed
• AES/EBU Input Sync
  • Quantity/Connector: 1 on a 25DB, EMI suppressed
  • Sync Type: Word Clock - 32 to 192 kHz
  • Video: PAL or NTSC
  • Level: 1 to 6 volts
  • Impedance: 75 Ω
• SCA/RDS Input
  • Quantity/Connector: 2x BNC, EMI suppressed
  • Type: Adder
  • Level: Same as MPX output (adder)
  • Impedance: 75 Ω or 10 kΩ, jumper selectable
• Analog Output
  • Quantity: 2 stereo balanced (with automatic unbalancing) 
  • Level: 2 ranges (+12 or +24 dBu - software selectable)
  • Load Impedance: 10 kΩ typ. (> 300 Ω)
  • Connectors: 1 pair of XLR male balancd, EMI suppressed; 1 pair on a DB25 female (TASCAM pinout) balanced, EMI suppressed
• Digital Output
  • Quantity: 2 stereo
  • Standard: AES3
  • Sampling Rate: 32 to 192 kHz, 24 bits
  • Connectors: 1 x XLR male balanced, EMI suppressed; 1 on a DB25 female (TASCAM pinout) balanced, EMI suppressed
• Stereo Generator MPX Output
  • Quantity/Connector: 2x independent BNC, EMI suppressed
  • Signal: MPX or 19kHz pilot
  • Level: 2 ranges (+6 or +18dBu - software selectable)
  • Load Impedance: 75 Ω typ. (> 35 Ω)
• Audio Specifications:
  • Processing Delay MPX: 30ms
  • Processing Delay Analog OUT (HD): 11ms
  • Frequency Response MPX: 30 Hz - 15 kHz +/-0.2dB (de-emphasized)
  • Frequency Response Analog Out (HD): 30 Hz - 20 kHz +/-0.2dB
  • Signal to noise: >90 dB
  • Distortion MPX: <0.018% THD
  • Distortion Analog: <0.006% THD
  • Seperation: >70 dB
• Audio Over IP
  • Live Protocol (AES67): Ethernet 100Mbps; Compatible AES67, Ravenna, Livewire; 48 kHz, 24 bits, stereo, >= 12 samples/packet (250µs), delay 1ms
  • Transport protocol (IP): Ethernet 100Mbps; High quality stereo codec (32 to 200 kbps) or linear; 2.5s compensation buffer
• Power Supply 
  • Type: Dual Redundant
  • Voltage: 100 - 260 Volt AC, < 40W
• Operating Conditions
  • Operational between: 0 - 50°C
• Size and Weight
  • Dimensions (WxHxD): 4854 x 44 x 260mm
  • Shipping Weight: 540 x 115 x 300 mm / 2.700 kg
• Power Up Boot
  • Boot time: 3s
• Bypass Relay
  • AES: AES in => AES out
  • Analog: Analog in => Analog out
• Optional Interfaces
  • USB: 2.0, for upgades
  • micro SD card: for music files
  • RS232: DB25 standard, for RDS (shared with GPIO)
  • GPS input: For System time and AoIP Sync. SMA connector (active antenna)
  • GPIO: 8 inputs, 8 outputs (opto-isolated) with 5V supply (DB25 male)
• Sound4 Remote Control Software operating systems
  • Linux Debian: 32 & 64 bits
  • Microsoft Windows: 32 & 64 bits: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012
• PC to Client communication interface
  • TCP/IP: Client (Remote) / Server (Impact) architecture via Ethernet 1000Mbps
  • Link & Share: All parameters are accessible via simple Telnet protocol
  • SNMP: Supervision with Trap feature