A__line – WAN-Capable Audio-over-IP Interfaces
ACCESS AUDIO ANYWHERE
The notion of networked audio has become a given in the broadcast world. Only a networked infrastructure enables operators to cope with today’s sophisticated live productions. Building audio networking on the real-time IP media transport standard SMTPE 2110 is about to redefine the very essence of today’s and tomorrow’s networked broadcast systems.
Whether in a given studio, in a machine room rack somewhere on the campus or next to the field of play in a sports arena thousands of miles away, accessing and sharing audio are becoming seamless.
Meet Lawo’s A__line stageboxes, the audio nodes designed for a new era of broadcast audio networking.
MANY PORTS. MORE OPTIONS.
Delivering pristine high definition sound is a Lawo mission and deep in A__line’s DNA. A__line features a discrete Class-A microphone preamplifier design. Its superb dynamic range of 119dB(A), ultra low noise at all gain levels and a perfectly flat frequency response ensure that the original character and dynamic range of voices, musical instruments and atmospheric sounds are preserved even after the conversion to IP. A switchable low-cut filter per analog input provides selectable cut-off frequencies to remove unwanted lowend rumble before the signal is passed on to the IP network.
Analog line-level inputs and outputs are provided for versatility. Analog levels as high as +24dBu before clipping are accommodated. The floating design of the analog input and output stage make A__line the perfect converter for both balanced and unbalanced audio signals. Transparent AES3 audio interfacing for any digital audio signal from 44.1kHz to 96kHz is what A__line delivers to perfection. Insertable, precise sample rate conversion for each AES 3 input can be a life saver when clock domains need to be bridged.
A__line serves MADI via SFP connectors, allowing operators to use their preferred or most convenient cabling method. MADI ports in A_line are always bidirectional and can be grouped as redundant pairs with an auto-failover switching logic for maximum connection security.
BORN TO CONNECT
A__line uses the open standards SMPTE 2110-30/31 and AES67 to transport uncompressed audio in real-time on layer 3 IP networks. IP Audio streaming is managed through an Ember+ control API or via RAVENNA standards-based advertising and discovery.
The combined support of audio-over-IP streaming formats from 1 to 64 audio channels and an internal audio routing matrix provide maximum flexibility when assembling a streaming setup between different IP nodes. Being able to utilize up to 160ms of jitter buffer per received audio channel A__line units connect over LAN and WAN links to other nodes. A__line has several ways of staying in sync. The native 2110/AES67synchronization method PTPv2 allows units to be synced over the IP network. By default, each unit converts PTP sync back to Wordclock and transmits it to external gear via a dedicated output. An additional Wordclock input on each unit provides easy connectivity to an existing baseband audio reference. A__line devices synced to Wordclock generate a corresponding PTP reference to sync other IP nodes to the same reference.
24/7 UPTIME
A__line is built for mission-critical IP audio conversion. A careful selection of enhanced protection features ensures that all audio signals remain safe under tense conditions. Two redundant network interfaces secure audio-over-IP streaming via SMPTE 2022-7 seamless protection switching using two discrete network paths. With ample receive buffer capacity to meet 2022-7 class C, redundant path differentials of up to 150ms are supported. MADI comes in redundant pairs with an auto failover logic for rock-solid connectivity. In addition, A__line features a redundant power strategy. The fanless A__mic8 and A__digital8 can be powered over Ethernet (PoE) and are equipped with an additional DC inlet. The A_madi4, for its part, handles power redundancy via two AC inlets.
EAGER TO JOIN IN
VSM:
The A__line stageboxes and Lawo’s VSM are a dream team! VSM’s IP orchestration layer “vsmSOUL” interfaces with the A__line devices to manage their SMPTE 2022-7 redundancy-protected audio-over-IP connections. A__line’s I/O parameters, the internal routing matrix and GPIO interface are accessed and controlled by VSM. Plus, the VSM engine adds control dispatching and access management to the A__line environment.
To top it off, the vast control library for broadcast equipment inside VSM allows A__line devices to be seamlessly integrated into the overall workflow in a broadcast facility or OB truck.
mc²:
A__line adds a slick solution for distributed lowdensity audio I/O breakout to the mc² audio console environment. End-to-end seamless protection switching conforming to 2022-7 provides Lawo’s pro-grade resilience right through to the IP-attached A__line nodes.
The A__line AoIP streaming setup can be conveniently managed from an mc² console. The A__line I/O parameters are forwarded to the console’s channel strips and integrated into the mc²’s snapshot system. Plus, A__line devices can be dynamically shared among multiple mc² consoles. While an mc² is able to natively handle redundant WAN links conforming to SMPTE 2022-7, the A__madi4 enhances an mc² console’s capabilities for rough WAN conditions, In addition, it is able to transform Lawo’s Dallis modular I/O system into a fully-fledged IP stagebox.
SEAMLESS REMOTE PRODUCTION
Lawo’s A__line has been designed to be installed wherever an audio signal needs to be ingested or output. With a built-in 160ms RX buffer per audiochannel and 2022-7 class C redundancy protection, a WAN gateway is natively built into each A__line unit. This ensures seamless access to the audio streams — whether next door or from another continent.
Lawo A__line Specifications
A__mic8 – Analog-to-IP Interface
A__digital8 – AES3-to-IP Interface
A__madi4 – MADI-to-IP Interface
A__mic8 – Analog-to-IP Interface
Product Features
Interfaces
- 8x switchable MIC/LINE inputs on XLR featuring remotely controlled 79dB gain range, 20dB PAD and +48V phantom power. Support for balanced and unbalanced sources through floating analog stage design. Dynamic Range of 119dB(A) with maximum input level of +24dBu
- 4x Line outputs on XLR. Floating balanced design supports balanced and unbalanced destinations. Maximum output level: +24dBu
- 2x RJ45 100/1000Base-T Ethernet ports for streaming and control
- 1x Wordclock IN on BNC (75Ω)
- 1x Wordclock Out on BNC (75Ω)
- 8/8 GPIO opto/CMOS on SUB-D37
IP Streaming
- Supported protocols: SMTPE 2110-30/31, AES67, RAVENNA
- Stream Redundancy: SMPTE 2022-7 class C (copes with up 150ms redundant path differential)
- 64 audio RX channels with 64x RX stream receivers. Each RX audio channel supports up to 160ms of jitter buffer
- 64 TX audio channels in up to 64 TX streams. Streaming formats from 1 through 64 channels supported
Sync
- Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz
- IEEE1588 PTPv2 master or slave operation
- Wordclock master or slave operation
- PTP <-> Wordclock conversion
Signal Processing
- Switchable Low-Cut Filter for 40/80Hz
- PPM metering for all analog inputs and outputs
- 64/64 channel routing matrix
Control & Management
- Basic settings via device display and encoder
- HTTP configuration web UI
- Ember+ control IP interface
- Syslog Monitoring
Dual Redundant Power
- Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) Class 3: 36~57V
- DC Input: 10~14V/1.0A
- Power Consumption 15W
Environmental
- OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 0°C~+40°C (+32°F~+104°F)
- VENTILATION: Fanless passive cooling direction sideways
Mechanics
- DIMENSIONS (H x W x D): 44mm (1 RU) x 481mm (19”) x 210mm
(8.27”) - WEIGHT: 2.1kg (4.6lbs)
A__digital8 – AES3-to-IP Interface
Product Features
Interfaces
- 8x AES3 inputs (stereo) on XLR with SRC (input sample rates:28.4~100kHz)
- 4x AES3 outputs (stereo) on XLR
- 2x RJ45 100/1000Base-T Ethernet ports for streaming and control
- 1x Wordclock IN on BNC (75Ω)
- 1x Wordclock Out on BNC (75Ω)
- 8/8 GPIO opto/CMOS on SUB-D37
IP Streaming
- Supported protocols: SMTPE 2110-30/31, AES67, RAVENNA
- Stream Redundancy: SMPTE 2022-7 class C (copes with up 150ms redundant path differential)
- 64 audio RX channels with 64x RX stream receivers. Each RX audio channel supports up to 160ms of jitter buffer
- 64 TX audio channels in up to 64 TX streams. Streaming formats from 1 through 64 channels supported
Sync
- Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz
- IEEE1588 PTPv2 master or slave
- Wordclock master or slave
- PTP <-> Wordclock conversion
Signal Processing
- PPM metering for all AES3 inputs and outputs
- 64/64 channel routing matrix
Control & Management
- Basic settings via device display and encoder
- HTTP configuration web UI
- Ember+ control IP interface
- Syslog Monitoring
Dual Redundant Power
- Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) Class 3: 36~57V
- DC Input: 10~14V/1.0A
- Power Consumption 15W
Environmental
- OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 0°C~+40°C (+32°F~+104°F)
- VENTILATION: Fanless passive cooling direction sideways
Mechanics
- DIMENSIONS (H x W x D): 44mm (1 RU) x 481mm (19”) x 210mm
(8.27”) - WEIGHT: 1.9kg (4.18lbs)
A__madi4 – MADI-to-IP Interface
Product Features
Interfaces
Two independant MADI bridges, each features:
- 2x MADI ports on SFP
- 2x Dual Media RJ45/SFP 100/1000Base-T Ethernet ports for streaming and control
- 1x Wordclock IN on BNC (75Ω; bridge 1 only)
- 1x Wordclock Out on BNC (75Ω; bridge 1 only)
IP Streaming per Bridge
- Supported protocols: SMTPE 2110-30/31, AES67, RAVENNA,RAVENNA-LINK
- Stream Redundancy: SMPTE 2022-7 class C (copes with up 150ms redundant path differential)
- 64 audio RX channels with 64x RX stream receivers. Each RX audio channel supports up to 160ms of jitter buffer
- 64 TX audio channels in up to 64 TX streams. Streaming formats from 1 through 64 channels supported
Sync
- Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz
- IEEE1588 PTPv2 master or slave
- Wordclock master or slave
- PTP <-> Wordclock conversion
Signal Processing
- Per bridge: 128/128 channel routing matrix
- Automatic MADI failover
- IP conversion of MADI-embedded DALLIS control protocol
Control & Management
- HTTP configuration web UI
- Ember+ control IP interface
- Syslog Monitoring
Dual Redundant Power
- Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) Class 3: 36~57V
- DC Input: 10~14V/1.0A
- Power Consumption 30W
Environmental
- OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 0°C~+40°C (+32°F~+104°F)
- VENTILATION: Cooling by temperature-controlled fan. Forced airflow sideways
Mechanics
- DIMENSIONS (H x W x D): 44 mm (1 RU) x 448 mm (19”) x 266 mm (10.4”)
- WEIGHT: 3.1kg (6.83lbs)
Subject to change without prior notice, no responsibility is taken for the correctness of the details provided.
A__LINE IN THE FIELD
