AXP 50 C AT Retired

Five Input Audio Expansion Processor with AEC and Dante
Key Features
  • Five mic/line level inputs for transmitting audio to a Dante network
  • Independent AEC - acoustic echo cancellation on each channel
  • FlexInput capability on each input to select between analog or Dante inputs
  • Dante audio networking provides a wide range of expansion capabilities
  • Built-in four-port Gigabit switch
  • One digital input and dual digital outputs at each mic/line input for control
The Extron AXP 50 C AT
Model Version Description Part #
 AXP 50 C AT 5 Input Expansion Processor 60-1325-01 Retired

This product has been retired.
Suggested Replacement
DMP 64 Plus

The Extron AXP 50 C AT is a five input audio expansion processor with Extron ProDSP™ for integrating remote microphones and other sources onto a Dante®-enabled audio system. A single Ethernet cable from one AXP 50 C AT, or several linked units, to a central equipment rack significantly reduces the effort and expense of pulling one cable for each mic. The AXP 50 C AT provides 48 volt phantom power and a digital control port for all mic/line inputs. Dedicated signal processing is available for each input, including gain, filtering, dynamics, and AEC. FlexInputs offer the additional capability to process a Dante channel in place of a local analog input. The intuitive DSP Configurator™ Software makes it quick and easy to set up DSP parameters and AEC on the AXP 50 C AT.

Remote Input Expansion with Processing

The AXP 50 C AT accepts five channels of analog balanced or unbalanced audio, and digitizes them at 24‑bit/48 kHz for output via Dante. When compared to a conventional input expander or break-in box, the AXP 50 C AT is truly unique in that it incorporates DSP and AEC for each input channel. This makes it much simpler and less expensive to expand input channel capacity by avoiding the need to install a remote break-in box plus additional DSP hardware at the central rack, which may otherwise be underutilized.

Each input is routed directly to the Dante network for routing to any Dante-enabled device such as the DMP 128 Plus AT or DMP 128 C P AT. For conferencing applications where a pre-processing feed is required, inputs 1 - 4 also offer a post-filter/pre-AEC output to the Dante network.

A sound system designer can incorporate several AXP 50 C AT or AXP 64 C AT audio expansion processors to create a large mixing matrix with up to 48 remote inputs per DMP 128 Plus AT. Each AXP product is connected over Ethernet using standard IP networking protocols. This greatly simplifies scalability and the audio cabling infrastructure. Utilizing the Dante network also avoids a long analog mic cable run for each mic channel and the possibility of introducing noise into the system. For further convenience, multiple AXP Series and DMP 128 Plus AT units can be networked over their integrated four-port Gigabit switches.

FlexInput Channels

Each input on the AXP 50 C AT offers FlexInput capability to route a Dante channel in place of a local mic/line input. The flexible input selection enables the AXP 50 C AT to process audio from remote wireless microphones, wallplates, and other sources from anywhere on the Dante network.

Convenient Under-Table and Surface Mounting

The AXP 50 C AT is housed in a compact 1U, half rack width enclosure that can be installed underneath a conference table, inside a credenza, or anywhere microphones or other sources may be situated. Extron UTS Series or MBU 123 mounting hardware are available separately to facilitate under-table and surface mounting.

Acoustic Echo Cancellation at the Source

The AXP 50 C AT includes five independent channels of Extron AEC for conferencing applications. An AEC reference signal is provided over the Dante network by a DMP 128 Plus C AT. AEC is essential for effective room-to-room conversations, ensuring clear, natural communication for all participants. Each AEC processor in the AXP 50 C AT includes selectable noise cancellation. The AXP 50 C AT provides up to 20 dB of noise cancellation without noticeable artifacts, for unparalleled performance and increased intelligibility to the far end. AEC processing can be challenged by conditions such as double-talk, when talkers from both ends are speaking simultaneously, and when near end talkers use wireless microphones. Extron AEC features advanced algorithms that deliver fast echo canceler convergence for optimal intelligibility, even in challenging conditions.

The DSP Configurator Software simplifies AEC and noise cancellation setup with a user-friendly interface that provides real-time metering for ERL - echo return loss, ERLE - echo return loss enhancement, and TER - total echo reduction levels. Guided alerts appear whenever ERL is outside of the optimal range for echo cancellation. Optional settings include fine adjustments for NLP - non-linear processing to maximize AEC performance in acoustic environments with significant sonic reflections or reverberation.

Flexible Input Signal Routing

The internal DSP architecture of the AXP 50 C AT sends both pre- and post-processing input feeds onto the Dante network. This provides the flexibility to limit the signal processing on mic input signals for recording, assistive listening, or voice reinforcement feeds, while applying full processing and AEC to a conferencing application. Filter blocks are situated prior to the pre-processing outputs, applying low frequency roll-off to attenuate breath and wind noise and other EQ settings, while bypassing the AEC. For conferencing applications, AEC processing, together with dynamics and EQ, is an absolute necessity to ensure optimal audio quality to the far end.

ProDSP

Extron's exclusive ProDSP is engineered from the ground up using a powerful 64-bit floating point DSP engine to provide very wide dynamic range and reduce the potential for clipping. ProDSP also utilizes studio grade 24-bit audio converters with 48 kHz sampling to maintain audio signal transparency. ProDSP is loaded with powerful, easy-to-configure tools to control level, AEC, dynamics, and filters.

Easy-to-Use DSP Configurator Software

The power of ProDSP is easily harnessed with the DSP Configurator Software. The flexible on-screen layout offers fast access to all of the digital audio signal processing tools for the AXP 50 C AT, including gain, filters, dynamics, and AEC for each input. Designers can quickly get a snapshot of the entire audio system, including processing blocks and signal paths, all at once.

Dante Audio Networking

Dante enables audio system scalability over a local area network using standard Internet protocols. A built-in four-port Gigabit switch provides direct interconnection of multiple AXP Series and DMP 128 Plus AT units to create larger, cost-effective audio matrixes. Additionally, the AXP 50 C AT can be configured to support primary and redundant Dante audio networks.

Setting up a network of Extron Dante-enabled products, including the AXP 50 C AT, requires Dante Controller software, as well as the DSP Configurator Software. Dante Controller is used to easily assign an output from the AXP 50 C AT to inputs on DMP 128 Plus AT units or third-party devices. Dante Controller is also used to assign Dante channels from the network to the five digital FlexInputs of the AXP 50 C AT, and to assign the five AEC reference inputs for the processor.

Control

Control and configuration are conveniently available via the built-in four-port Gigabit switch. Any port can be designated for control only. The AXP 50 C AT includes digital I/O ports for each input, which allow for external triggering such as mic activation and muting, and illuminating status LEDs.