The next gen monitors provide system integrators and end users with enhanced workflow and fully featured processing.

One such product segment which has recently undergone a total vertical transformation is audio monitors. Audio monitors are relatively simple yet reliable products used at the end of the chain solely for monitoring one type of audio format at one time. Since the inception of rack mount audio monitors in approximately 1987, little has changed in regards to functionality other than keeping up with the advent of new audio formats such as AES, SDI embedded and Dolby.

Enter the next generation audio monitors which incorporate a host of advanced integrated features and functions including a video monitor, and numerous system centric features.

Next generation audio monitors are totally new ground up designs which borrow almost nothing from their predecessors except a rack mount chassis and front panel mounted speakers. The next generation audio monitoring products play to the strengths of system integrators and end users knowledge and ability to utilize an off-the- shelf product that can be quickly customized from both a hardware and a user interface standpoint to exactly meet the needs of each individual environment.

For starters the units employ a common high speed bus motherboard which incorporates a number of slots for audio and video cards on which all audio signals will be present in the digital domain. Modularity allows customers to purchase mix & match option cards when they need them. Being modular has an advantage over older fixed style hardware as it can be upgraded at any time. Modularity also ensures the units will not become obsolete as new audio formats are developed so will new cards. Mixing and matching of cards is also possible to get the exact desired configuration, in contrast to buying one or more fixed hardware products that have too little or too much functionality and become obsolete upon acceptance of new signal formats.

All-in-one units allow for simultaneous audio/video confidence monitoring with upto 16 channels of simultaneous multi-format audio level metering as well as flexible loudness indication.

Some of the major functionality incorporated into the next generation audio monitors include video monitor, audio mixer, audio router, audio swapper/level adjustment, programmable fixed/variable line outputs and loudness measurement/control.

The integrated audio mixer is perfectly suited for a general purpose mixer that can in many instances replace a traditional audio mixer. The added advantages are the rack mount compact nature of the integrated solution that does not require an external control panel and speakers. The units can also monitor outputs which allows the operator to continuously monitor inputs and outputs simultaneously. Common uses are for VOs and mixing of background tracks in compact space constrained environments.

The incorporated audio routing functionality coupled with the mix and match format cards provide for an extremely powerful combination allowing users to format convert virtually any audio format to any other. This eliminates the need for external conversion equipment such as A-Ds, D-As, Mux and DeMux which can outweigh the cost of the actual audio monitor not to mention the system design, cabling installation, weight, power, spares and service issues from the increased product usage.

The built in router also permits routing of any input or output to the front panel meters or physical outputs. This allows the user to monitor and or mix any format in any order. Combined with the mixer function usage master gain outputs can be directly monitored and controlled from the front panel.

A practical extension of the audio mixing and routing is the built-in audio swapping and level adjustments. Swappers are commonly used in transmission, pass through, incoming lines and contribution record areas.

The ability for programmable fixed or variable line outputs provide for master gain control and or direct speaker matrix control from the front panel. Outputs can be programmed to mirror the front panel meter channels which make monitoring with external speakers seamless.

With loudness quickly becoming an issue in many of the markets around the world next generation audio monitors have made the leap to incorporate loudness processing directly inside the modular unit. This once again greatly increases the benefits and value to the customer by eliminating all the external associated equipment. Typical uses are pass through channels, incoming contribution record, satellite channels and transmission areas.

The extremely flexible and compact nature of the next generation makes them highly adept in all environments allowing users to essentially cater the product to their exact monitoring/mixing requirements on the fly. Frequent deployment includes OBs, portable, studio, MCR, CAR, head ends, cable stations, satellite stations and production facilities. Other uses include live-on-air turnaround channel video/audio monitoring with audio processing, on-air loudness processing, control room speaker matrix control, lines recording video/audio monitoring with audio processing, satellite link video/audio monitoring with audio processing, backup master control video/audio monitoring with audio processing and on-air audio swapper/mixer.

The future will also provide for additional audio and video functionality to be incorporated into these highly adept and versatile audio monitors.