Axel Falcon X5 - The sound of the future

FM/DAB+/HDRadio/WEB/DRM Digital Audio Processor 5 bands. 1RU. Analog, digital AES.
2x MPX out. SD slot to store files for audio backup. LCD display
 

New generation of AxelTech Audio Processors

The new generation of AxelTech audio processors continues in the tradition of quality, reliability and cost effectiveness, maintaining the name Falcon: renowned and valued in the broadcasting environment all around the world.The new Falcon platform marks a clear break with the previous generation and offers cutting-edge technology that feats the ease of use, exceptional performances and unparalleled sound quality, allowing to generate a modern sound of the highest quality.

Product Overview

AXEL FALCON features full connectivity with analog and digital audio I/O (over XLR connectors), 2 independent MPX outputs, USB, GPI and serial ports. The hardware bypass circuit is included in order to guarantee audio presence and programs continuity. 

FALCON series has built-in some extra special-features.The LAN port and the built-in Web Server allow to control the processor and tune audio from anywhere. The built-in digital Stereo Generator ensures an extremely precise MPX Signal. Composite Clipper, part of the Stereo Generator circuit, grant the maximum modulation level, according with the technical rules around the world. This allows each radio station to build their unique sound shape. 

The optional embedded RDS Encoder performs a full digital processing, in compliance with RDS 2.0 (UECP SPB490), and provides 2 Data Sets with a wide range of static services, including Radio Text. The logging of output signal is a native feature and give many information about signals parameters. Stored information and time span can be customized and depend on the archiving size of the SD-Card or the USB flash drive. 

Audio processing functions are all fully customizable: 5 bands compression control, adjustable drive and threshold, dual bands AGC, 3 bands equalization (Low, Mid and High frequency) and brightness control. The mono sounds phase control allows to give to the human voice a more natural and pleasant sound shape. The final limiter enhances the sound presence.40 memories allow to recall factory pre-sets or save new one to be restored according to customer needs. 

The FALCON processors are equipped with a universal 90-260 V AC power supply, working at 50 or 60 Hz, ready to be used in every country around the world. Due to the low power consumption (max 15 W) FALCON can be considered a “green” equipment.

The FALCON robust design finds substance from the extensive use of steel. FALCON appliances are immune to strong electro-magnetic fields and are suitable to be installed in extreme environments. A dedicated digital test signal generator can send to all the physical outputs (analogue, digital and MPX) signal sample with variable frequency and amplitude, that helps to calibrate the whole audio system.

The Falcon X Series

Different users have different needs. This is the reason why AxelTech feature a whole processors family with various models suitable for specific workflows. FALCON X7 is the full option version while FALCON X6 is the same model but without the controls on the front panel, suitable to be remotely installed anytime we need to manage remotely the appliance via WEB interface.FALCON X5, that includes the controls on the front panel, is the cost/effective version of the family.

Highlights

The new FALCON audio processors integrate, as usual for AxelTech, many accessory features mandatory in the radio workflow - such as the RDS coding (optional) and Stereo Generation - but also looking at the innovative technologies - such as DAB.FALCON series equipment ensures top quality performances and exclusive audio. It features powerful DPSs, 5-bands architecture, dual bands AGCs, 3-bands equalizer, stereo enhancer, speech detector and 5 limiters. The comprehensive and accurate control of each audio parameter allows to shape perfectly the audio to broadcast unique and exceptional branded sound.

COMPLETE SET OF INPUTS 1xAnalog, 2xAES/EBU, 2xMPX, 1xDante 

COMPLETE SET OF OUTPUTS 1xAnalog, 2xAES/EBU, 2xMPX, 1xDante

ADVANCED SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)

Allows data interchange and simplified configuration of third-party appliancesconnected in the same LAN using shared datasets MIB.

ADVANCED RDS Optional Dynamic RDS fully supported, UECP Input implemented, 8 Datasets available.Suitable for network infrastructures. 

UPGRADEABLE AND RELIABLEInternal SD card whit OS for Disaster Recovery.Easily Upgradable via WEB or Windows application. 

SAMPLING RATE FROM 32 kHz TO 192 kHz 

WEB BASED CONTROL PANELThe whole system can be managed through a WEB page generated by the internal web Server.The main functions can be managed through the physical panel.

Advanced features

PROCESSING DELAY

A configurable delay (from 0 to 10”) can be applied to the FM process in order to synch with thosedistribution channels having a significant latency like the DAB. 

DUAL PROCESSING

15 KHz processing allows to use it as FM Audio Processor.20 KHz processing for digital broadcasting, allows to use it as DAB Audio Processor, HD Radio Audio Processor, Sirius XM Audio Processor, Web Radio Audio Processor. 

LOUDNESS PROCESSING

EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4 Loudness Recommendations available for digital and analog radio processing chains compliant with every country loudness rules. 

MPX LOUDNESS PROCESSING

ITU BS.412 MPX Power Loudness Recommendations available for MPX processing chains compliant with every country loudness rules. 

DANTE AUDIO-OVER-IP CONNECTIVITY (Optional)

DanteTM option (compliant with AES67) provides an Ethernet connection for 1 Stereo Input and 1 Stereo Output, with independent and dedicated Level Control and Sample Rate Conversion.

RDS/RBDS ENCODER (Optional)The RDS encoder is compliant with the major international standards:UECP EBU SPB490 v7.05 and Cenelec in Europe and NRSC in the United States.The new "dynamic" features allow to manage many kinds of services:PS, RT, RT+, PTY, PTYN. Connecting the Falcon with the radio automation software it can manage manyadditional information such as song title, song artist, on-air program, speaker's name, etc. The nativeinterface with RSS feed format allows receiving directly news feeds and it is RDS 2.0 ready.

REAL TIME AUDIO MONITOR 

Processing delay is quite non audible and depends on the processing complexity.

Audio Processing

Clarity of sound

FALCON processors high-quality hardware design and software algorithms produce a detailed, crystal clear sound on any speaker system, always preserving original audio signature.

Voice processor

A dedicated processing section boosts presence of voice delivering a soft, silky sounding effect. Vocals are always on top of the mix making lyrics comfortably audible. Each instrument and vocalist gains dominium of its own space.

Extreme density

FALCON processors deliver full impact sound at the highest volume density preserving original audio detail, identity and mood. The dedicated ‘Bass Enhancer’ stage delivers a strong and effective ‘drum punch’ for a deep musical emotion.

Here are the (processing) tools to make it sound as you likeAutomatic Gain Control - AGC

• • Drive
  • Attack
  • Release
  • Gate Threshold
  • Idle Compression
  • Work Zone Release
  • Idle SpeedWork Zone Thresholdù
  • L/R Linkae
  • Band Copling
  • Phase Rotator
  • HP Filter

 EnhancerStereo Enhancer

• • Mode, Band, Effect Limiter, Effect Drive, Effect Depth

Pre-Process Equalizer

• • Low Band, Mid Band, High Band

Speech Detector

• • Mode
  • Action

 Compressors Controls

• • Threshold (for each of 5 bands)
  • Drive (for each of 5 bands)
  • Multiband Proc. Type
  • Multiband Coupling

 Limiters

• • Final Limiter Bass Drive
  • Final Limiter Main Drive
  • Main/Bass Mix Balance
  • Limiters Look Ahead Detail
  • Super Bass
  • Expander
  • Process Brilliance
  • Overdrive
  • Wide Process Brilliance Attenuation

Audio Processing PresetsThe right sound for your radio in a few clicks, with our factory presetsFalcon processors are factory populated with 60 presets belonging to 10 families, allowing sound engineer to rapidly find the desired sound. Each preset family has 6 different flavors:

• • Standard
  • EFX - Effect Extension
  • Compressed
  • Compressed EFX - Effect Extension
  • Highly Compressed
  • Highly Compressed EFX - Effect Extension

 Presets families: 

General PurposeThis is a preset able to offer the maximum to a radio with a schedule made of music, news and talk.Moderate AGC response, Mid/High density and compression. 

AmbientThe best preset for Ambient, Lounge, Chillout and Fusion music.Very slow AGC, warm & detailed sound and a low compression. 

RockBase preset for Rock and Classic Rock music. Mid compression and fast AGC. 

Hard RockBase preset for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music. Low compression and fast AGC. 

CountryBase preset for Country and Folk music. Low compression and fast AGC. 

DiscoLet’s dance, with this preset for Disco music. Low compression and fast AGC. 

OldiesBase preset for Oldies music, with Low compression and fast AGC. 

TalkTypical preset for Talk radio and Talk programs, with low compression and fast AGC. 

ClassicA very gentle preset suitable for Classical music and Opera, with low compression and fast AGC. 

70s-80sDesigned for thematic radios focused on 70s-80s Pop music with, low compression and fast AGC And then you can extend these presets by adding new families and variants

Signal Routing and Changeover

The new Axel FALCON processor is able to switch between any available source: Analog, Digital, MPX, AoIP…It's possible to add up to 10 seconds delay to MPX output to synchronize DAB signal (connected to analogue or digital output) to FM signal connected to MPX output. An embedded Test Signals Generator allows to output an audio signal suitable for testing the equipment or the whole audio system.

I/O Connections

FALCON Audio Processor new series features a complete set of input and outputs connections. Analog and AES/EBU digital audio connections are standard aside of two buffered and independent multiplexed output (MPX+RDS) whit hardware bypass.Analog Input > Analog Output | Digital1 Input > Digital1 Output | MPX1 Input > MPX1 Output | MPX2 Input > MPX2 OutputThree USB ports (one on the front, one on the rear panel and one installed on the internal circuit board), are available.microSD allows to clone the whole setup from one Falcon to another one.Two AUX inputs (SCA) allows to connect an external RDS encoder. Another AUX input can receive the audio from another MPX processor and switch with the internal generated MPX, allowing to build a small network managed from radio automation system. Connection setup includes a Dante license that allows to manage AoIP Dante or AE67 signals: 4 inputs and 4 outputs.

Front Panel

AXEL FALCON X5 features a wide LCD monitor, TFT Technology (480x128) that shows the input and output processing, including the corrections for each band featured from the compressor, the limiters and the multiband AGC.Obviously it shows also the input and output of all signal levels.Moreover trough the display it’s possible to check the system status: operating parameters, GPI/O port status and RDS parameters, including the station's ID.A TRS (stereo Jack 6,3 mm) connector allows monitoring both original and processed signal, checking in the faster way the differences between the available pre-sets.

Communications & Alarms

FALCON audio processors can exchange information with other equipment through some communication ports:One LAN/WAN port, two RS-232 serial ports, two USB ports, one GPIO port with optical coupler and relays.Information will be sent (status, alarms) or received (commands).A panel with 40 LEDs (the LCD panel in the bigger model) shows status information.Alarm messages can be sent via GPO, SNMP (Trap), http and email.

Web Server

Users can manage FALCON equipment via LAN, no need to install any client software.The internal Web Server can be managed with any browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Opera…). The GUI on the web page is clear, easy to use and responsive, suitable to be managed from any device: Personal Computers, tablets, smartphones.SNMP (v 2.0) programming protocol allows to manage the whole command set. FALCON firmware implements also HTTP, FTP, SNMP, SMTP, UDP, TCP and is PV4 – IPV6 addressing compliant. RDS services need a precise synchronization: the system tries to connect to a primary NTP, backup NTP and to an external GPS receiver (not supplied).Moreover connecting an external GPS allows to geo-localize the FALCON. The WEB server supplies a page with a map that shows the appliance position. Standard Ethernet interface can manage up to 4 independent TCP ports, up to 4 separate UDP ports and 1 SNMP port. Obviously, it shows also the input and output of all signal levels.

MPX Stereo Generator

The stereo generator integrated in the DSP structure, provides an almost ideal MPX signal, optimizing the performances of the equipment to the maximum.All of the parameters for pilot level, phase and levels are adjustable via the web page.Stereo Generator circuit can switch the source between the internal MPX and an external signal. Switch can be managed locally or with a command sent by an external radio automation software via Ethernet or GPI.

RDS RadioData System Encoder (Optional)

FALCON RDS embedded circuit is compliant with the latest standards:UECP EBU SPB490 v7.05, Cenelec (Europe) and NRSC (USA).The new "dynamic" feature allows to manage many kinds of services:PS, RT, RT+, PTY, PTYN.Connecting the RDS with the radio automation software it can show many kinds of information: song title, song artist, on-air program, speaker's name, etc.The native interface with RSS feed format (RSS 2.0) allows receiving directly news feed The internal RDS embedding give more advantages:> Allows to remove a separate appliance from the transmission chain> Concentrate the control of all the broadcasting parameters just in one equipment> Raise the output signal signal/noise ratio and stability> Remove all the locking problems between the pilot phase and the RDS carrier phase

Technical Specifications AXEL FALCOn X5