Sound4 Impact Eco - 6-band Processor

SOUND4 IMPACT Eco is sound processing technology at its best. No small detail is overlooked in this product which delivers innovation, multifunctionality and dependability in equal measure to produce the consistently loud and clear sound you need. It has a powerful processing chain which includes 2-band input Automatic Gain Control, based on signal strength and no longer on electrical average values. It automatically detects differences in levels to smooth out variations in sound perception. Its structure ensures perfect stability and enhanced vocals combined with a good bass presence.

The SOUND4 IMPACT Eco introduces an innovative process - mono and stereo parts of the signal are processed separately to obtain perfect consistency in terms of both sound and level. Therefore, in moving reception, when the FM receiver switches from stereo to mono and back to stereo, the sound variations and changes in level are reduced by over 90%. In the SOUND4 IMPACT Eco processing chain, the stereo expander can be used substantially without any limitations.

With the 6-band processor, a single algorithm guarantees the gain in each of the bands in order to complete sound stability. “Coloring” is controlled by the Fidelity parameter, which means that it is possible to have a “purist” and a “colored” sound texture. The 3-band limiter prepares the work of the final limiter and is provided with a very powerful algorithm, simplified to the maximum, so that it is not encumbered with useless parameters.

One of the most significant features of the SOUND4 IMPACT Eco is the 4-band parametric equalizer, which is not there to “build a sound” but rather allows some final little touch-up that may be required before the final limiting section.

What is more, this tool has reliable backup capabilities and a number of options. These include Basic and Full RDS, Streaming Extension, IP TX + RX and Dual IP TX + RX to name but a few. It can also perform Internet radio streaming and has six fully configurable encoders supporting MP3, AAC and HE-AAC v1 and v2.

SOUND4 IMPACT Eco comes in a convenient, compact 1U case at affordable price and the easy-to-use remote control interface, this is the ultimate sound processing tool.

Features -The SOUND4 IMPACT Eco

• 4 inputs - AES from 32 to 192 kHz, analog, IP (Livewire or SOUND4 IP CONNECT)
• Mixing of inputs and automatic safety function.
• 5 simultaneous and independent outputs - TX1, TX2, AES, Analog IP (Livewire or SOUND4 IP CONNECT).
• Routing of signals for outputs.
• Relay switch for automatic by-pass.
• Digital AES/EBU synchronization input.
• DSP computing power - 4 Giga Flops (Sharc 40 bits with floating point).
• GUI and driver compatible 32 & 64 bits - Windows 7, Windows 8 & 8.1, Windows 10, 2008 R2, 2012 and Linux (Debian)

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 - Easy and Full. Easy - provides simplicity and rapidity; Full - allows you to explore all of the processor functionalities. There are also ultra-rapid VU meters for true control over modulation.
• Unlimited “Undo/Redo” versioning function for presets with possibility of recall.
• Innovative “compare” function with reference notion.
• Log function for presets.
• A readable and interactive 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.
• 4-band EQ + Tone FX and Stereo FX.
• Stereo enhancer.
• 6-band process with Fidelity and Sound Impact System (S.I.S.).
• 3-band limiter.
• 4-band EQ.
• Final limiters
  • FM path - Bass Clipper + FM Limiter + MPX Limiter
  • HD path - Look Ahead limiter for the HD outlet.
• BS412 compliant MPX power controller.
• Ultra low delay - 30 milliseconds.

Others key points:

• Stereo Matrixing for better stability in loudness and sound tone when the receiver switches from mono/stereo/mono.
• 19 kHz embedded pilot to gain close to 1 dB in loudness.

Extra

• Basic RDS encoder (with scrolling PS)
• Full RDS (UECP-compatible)
• IP Codec - SOUND4 IP Connect
• Audio Backup - thanks to the audio driver
• Audio streaming - 6 encoders (MP3, AAC, HE-AAC v1 & v2), compatible with all delivery servers (Icecast, Shoutcast v1 & V2, Flash, Wowza)
• Replication of inputs
• Link & Share - 100% of all parameters are accessible via the telnet protocol
• Panels - the device allows you to create your own panels with unlimited functionality
• Preset Sharing - the ultimate solution to managing an unlimited number of processors. All of them are automatically updated if a one of them is modified

Input State

The SOUND4 IMPACT Eco has four inputs - Digital, Analog, IP (Livewire or SOUND4 IP Connect) and PCI.

On the software interface, the input currently in use is indicated by a triangle on the left side of its name.

2-Band AGC

With the SOUND4 IMPACT Eco, the first processing function is the 2-Band AGC - automatic gain control whose main purpose is to stabilize the loudness level applied to the input of the processor and prevent noticeable level differences between recent and old titles.

Tone FX

The Tone FX makes coloring of sound before dynamic processing possible. To do so, it groups together two types of processing functions:

• A 4-band parametric equalizer;
• An effect system making it possible to strengthen low frequencies and high frequencies.

The two functions offer results that are entirely different, which is why they are gathered on one single screen.

In Basic mode, use of the four parametric equalizers is simplified to the maximum. Only the gain for each correction is accessible. For FX Bass and FX Treble, dosage of the effect is also made accessible.

In Advanced mode, users have access to all equalizer parameters (gain, frequency and Q factor).

Stereo FX

SOUND4 IMPACT Eco has a true stereo enlarger, 100% mono-compatible. Its role is to sublimate the existing stereo image. It will thus never create stereo in mono sources.

In addition to embellishing the stereo image, it also has a 3-band stereo image limiter acting on the control of the energy transmitted by the stereo sub-porter at 38 kHz. This unique functionality limits issues currently caused by the traditional enlargement processes. The stability of reception in areas disturbed by multiple routes is thus greatly optimized.

The 6-Band Process

The 6-band Process is the heart of dynamic processing. With SOUND4 IMPACT Eco, a single algorithm guarantees the gain in each of the bands in order to complete sound stabilization. “Coloring” is controlled by the Fidelity parameter. Thus, it is possible to have a purist and a colored sound texture.

The 3-band Process is achieved through the revolutionary algorithm S.I.S. (Sound Impact System), which makes it possible to maintain the authenticity of the original sound attacks.

The 3-Band Limiter

The main purpose of the 3-band Limiter is to prepare the work of the final limiter. It is also provided with a very powerful predictive algorithm, which has been simplified to the maximum, so that it is not encumbered with useless parameters.

The 4-Band Parametric EQ

The parametric 4-band equalizer is by far the most impressive feature of the SOUND4 IMPACT Eco. It is not there to "build a sound"; it allows some last little touchup if necessary before the final limiting section.

In Basic mode, use of the four parametric equalizers is simplified to the maximum. Only the gain for each correction is accessible. For FX Bass and FX Treble, dosage of the effect is also made accessible.

In Advanced mode, users have access to all equalizer parameters (gain, frequency and Q factor).

The Final Limiter

The Final Limiter comprises two sections - one for FM applications and one for HD applications.

The FM Section consists of a Bass Clipper, guaranteeing powerful bass without distortion, an FM limiter and an MPX limiter.

The HD Section is specifically designed for high quality digital applications (HD/DAB/DRM). This is a look-ahead type of limiter and in this mode the outputs are not limited to 15 kHz.

Assignment of Outlets

The outlets of SOUND4 IMPACT Eco are fully assignable. For example, the analog outlet may replicate the signal which is applied to the analog input, the digital outlet delivers an HD signal, the TX1 outlet delivers the MPX signal and the TX2 outlet drives the 19-kHz pilot signal.

Specifications

• ANALOG INPUT
  Quantity	1 stereo
  Level	2 ranges (+12 or +24 dBu - software selectable)
  Impedance	10 kΩ
  Connectors	1 pair on a DB62 I/O connector balanced, EMI suppressed

• DIGITAL INPUT
  Quantity	1 stereo
  Standard	AES3
  Sampling Rate	32 to 192kHz, 24 bits
  Connectors	1 on a DB62 I/O connector balanced, EMI suppressed

• AES/EBU INPUT SYNC
  Quantity/Connector	1 on a DB62 I/O connector, 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	1x BNC, EMI suppressed
  Type	Adder
  Level	Same as MPX output (adder)
  Impedance	75 Ω or 10 kΩ, jumper selectable

• ANALOG OUTPUT
  Quantity	1 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 balanced, EMI suppressed; 1 pair on a DB62 I/O connector balanced, EMI suppressed

• DIGITAL OUTPUT
  Quantity	1 stereo
  Standard	AES3
  Sampling Rate	32 to 192kHz, 24 bits
  Connectors	1x XLR male balanced, EMI suppressed; 1 on a DB62 I/O connector balanced, EMI suppressed

• STEREO GENERATOR MPX OUTPUT
  Quantity/Connector	2x independent BNC, EMI suppressed on a DB62 I/O connector
  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	30Hz - 15 kHz +/-0.2dB (de-emphasized)
  Frequency Response Analog Out (HD)	30Hz - 20 kHz +/-0.2dB
  Signal to Noise	>90 dB
  Distortion MPX	<0.018% THD
  Distortion Analog	<0.006% THD
  Separation	>70 dB

• AUDIO OVER IP I/O
  AoIP/AES67	Ethernet 100Mbps; 2 channels; Compatible AES67, Ravenna, Livewire, Dante AES67; 48kHz, 24 bits, stereo, >= 12 samples/packet (250μs), delay 1ms
  IP Codec	Ethernet 100Mbps; High quality stereo codec (32 to 200kbps) or linear; 2.5s compensation buffer

• POWER SUPPLY
  Type	Single EMI suppressed
  Voltage	100 – 260 Volt AC, < 40W

• OPERATING CONDITIONS
  Operational between	0 – 50°C

• SIZE AND WEIGHT
  Dimensions (WxHxD)	485 x 44 x 260mm
  Shipping Weight	580 x 120 x 550mm / 3.500kg

• POWER UP BOOT
  Boot time	3s Analog/AES3 I/O, 8s AES67/Livewire

• BYPASS RELAY
  AES	AES in => AES out
  Analog	Analog in => Analog out

• OPTIONAL INTERFACES
  USB	2.0, for upgrades
  micro SD card	for music files

• 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, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019

• 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