BSS Audio has launched its new programmable DSP/matrix system, the Soundweb London range for the systems contracting and consulting industry. The new family builds on the original Soundweb system that has been installed in countless venues worldwide with over a million network nodes in place. As with Soundweb, the four key objectives are met: easy to install, easy to design, easy to control, and easy to integrate.
London provides more flexible and enhanced I/O configurations, dual-redundant CobraNet™ audio networking with greater network capacity and matrix sizes, more efficient DSP using Analog Devices SHARC® processors that provide double the DSP of the Soundweb 9088ii processor, and a new core system design package written completely from the ground up, plus integration of control, monitoring and error reporting of Crown Audio’s CTs Series of amplifiers using TCP/IQ PIP cards.
Control of the system is via an Ethernet topology, which can be integrated across an existing LAN (system design dependent). Ethernet integration has been made very simple to use, and Soundweb London includes such features as auto IP addressing, where IP addresses are automatically assigned by the system regardless of other hardware devices already installed. A logical extension to this is that every hardware device incorporates a web server so that browser-based diagnostics are possible, including manual override of IP addressing if required without the need for dedicated control software.
Soundweb London adopts the now industry-standard CobraNet audio networking platform, using off-the-shelf Ethernet components to build much larger systems capable of transferring 64 channels (32 in/32 out per device) across a single Cat 5 cable. Soundweb London has also been designed to take full advantage of CobraNet’s latest features, including low latency and 96kHz operation.
The real power of the Soundweb London system comes from the completely new design software, London Architect. The software uses the familiar design interface that Soundweb users will know well, but enhances it to provide a more flexible and user-oriented interface. Features of the software include dockable tool menus and zone windowing, while innovative processing objects, such as expanding mixers, make design and object selection easier than before. "Zones" can be created to allow the design of complex systems to be broken up into more manageable areas, such as rack rooms or entire room designs. Another new feature is intelligent signal naming, which automatically tracks and labels signal paths across the entire design.
London Architect allows simultaneous and integrated control of Crown Audio’s PIP-Lite, USP3, and USP3-CN PIP cards used in the CTs Series of amps, providing powerful CobraNet-based integrated processing, amplification, and monitoring system available, including error reporting, load monitoring and event logging.
The open architecture of the system means that it may be possible in the future to include other products from Harman Pro companies, along with extensions to the Soundweb London hardware.
Additional details on the Soundweb London system may be found online at www.soundweb-london.com , while further information on Crown products can be found at www.crownaudio.com.