Sonifex RM-2S4 Reference Monitor, 2 LED Meters & 4 Stereo Channel Inputs

Description

The Sonifex RM-2S4 is a1U rack-mount unit offering quality loudspeaker monitoring and accurate, high-resolution metering of up to four stereo audio sources and more with the addition of optional expansion cards. Sources may be in any mixture of analogue and AES/EBU digital formats, with sample rates up to 192kHz accepted. Audio inputs can be analogue or digital because they are autoswitching using the left Neutrik™ XLR for AES/EBU, or both Neutrik™ XLRs for analogue inputs and they can be used in any combination.

Analogue inputs can be balanced or unbalanced in any combination. The digital inputs have switchable AES/EBU termination for (close-range) bridging operation and there is extra global input gain available for both analogue and digital low-level sources.

Sources (and additional banks of sources, if fitted) are selected via a front panel rotary encoder, with clear LED indication of the current selection.

The level of the chosen source is displayed on a pair of bright, multicoloured 53-segment bargraph meters, with a choice of seven accurately modelled scales/responses to suit different applications and local preferences. Clear scale labels are provided for you to chose the scale displayed and the meter brightness can be adjusted from the front panel. A separate phase meter indicates channel correlation or phase error conditions. On the rear panel, open-collector alarm outputs provide hardware indication of sustained underlevel, overlevel, phase errors and digital source lock.

Six illuminated pushbuttons provide access to a range of audio ‘modifiers’ – instant dimming of the volume, individual muting of each audio channel, stereo-to-mono conversion, phase inversion and Middle+Side transcoding. On the rear panel, logic-level inputs allow direct remote access to the DIM and MUTE functions.

The three-way loudspeaker system is fed via a DSP-based active crossover and a trio of highly efficient
Class-D amplifiers. Careful attention to driver selection, materials and case design, plus active DSP equalisation, has ensured a flat response and outstanding reproduction from such a shallow unit. A protective limiter prevents damage to the loudspeakers under overload conditions and the front-panel headphone socket automatically mutes the internal loudspeakers when a plug is inserted.

A Balance control allows you to alter the stereo imaging of the left and right channels.

A further five-band parametric equaliser can be accessed for room-equalisation purposes via Sonifex SCi Windows-based remote control software. Source selection, status monitoring and unit ID functions, plus firmware updates to add extra functionality, are all accessible remotely via both USB and RS232 connections in conjunction with Sonifex SCi software. The open control protocol also allows operation with terminal programs or customised applications.

Optional additions to the RM-2S4 include HD video input expansion cards, allowing multiple AES groups embedded within an HD-SDI or SD-SDI signal to be de-embedded and monitored, either with (RM-HDE1) or without (RM-HD1) Dolby® E or Dolby® Digital encoding. The RM-2S4 operate from global mains voltages (85-264V AC, 47-63Hz) without adjustment.

This product has settings that can be adjusted using the Sonifex SCi (Serial Control Interface) software.

SCi Screens

Main Screen.

User EQ Screen.

Technical Specification For RM-2S4
Inputs
Audio Inputs	4 x stereo analogue or AES/ EBU digital (autoselecting)
Max level (0dB input gain):	+18dBu (analogue)/0dBFS (digital)
CMRR:	>60dB typical
Input Impedance:	20kΩ (analogue) 110Ω (digital with termination switchable)
AES/EBU Sample Rate:	32 to 192kHz, converted internally to 48kHz
Input Gain:	0, +6, +12 or +18dB digital gain (switchable)
Selection:	Front panel rotary control with indicator LEDs
Line Level Outputs
Audio Outputs:	1 x stereo analogue or AES/EBU digital (switchable)
Gain re Selected Input:	Unity or variable, following volume control (switchable)
Maximum Output Level:	+18dBu (analogue)/0dBFS (digital)
Output Impedance:	<50Ω (analogue)/110Ω (digital)
AES/EBU Sample Rate:	48kHz
Distortion:	<0.02% (1kHz, +8dBu output)
Noise:	-84dB RMS, unity gain ref +8dBu output
Frequency Response:	20Hz-20kHz +0/-0.5dB
Crosstalk 1kHz input: 10kHz input:	Analogue I/O, ref 0dBu <-90dB <-85dB
Audio Modifiers
Modifier Selection:	Illuminated front panel pushbuttons
DIM:	Reduces speaker audio level by 10dB
CUT L & CUT R:	Mutes left/right speaker audio
MONO:	Combines left and right audio inputs
PHASE INVERT:	Inverts phase of right audio input
M+S:	Converts stereo input to Middle (sum) and Side (difference) signals
User-Variable Equalisation
Type:	Parametric
Bands:	Five
Centre Frequency:	200Hz to 18kHz
Bandwidth:	0.25 to 2 octaves
Boost/Cut:	±12dB
Programming:	Via USB/serial control port
Amplifier/Loudspeakers
Configuration:	Three-way with stereo mid/ high-frequency drivers & mono low-frequency driver
Power Output:	2 x 5W (HF) + 20W (LF) with protective limiter
Crossover:	500Hz (3rd order Butterworth)
Distortion (HF Outputs):	< 0.05% (1kHz, 3W output)
Distortion (LF Output):	< 0.05% (100Hz, 6W output)
Noise:	More than 80dB below full output
Volume:	Mute to full volume via front panel rotary control
Balance Trim:	±6dB via front panel rotary control
Peak Acoustic Level:	102dB SPL @ 2ft
Level Metering
Number:	2 x 53-segment tri-colour LED bargraphs
Characteristics:	Selectable by switch from: 1. Dual BBC PPM + standard VU 2. BBC PPM 3. EBU PPM 4. Nordic PPM 5. AES/EBU digital PPM 6. DIN PPM 7. Standard VU 8. Extended VU
Ballistics:	According to selected characteristic
Line-Up Level:	According to selected characteristic
Phase Metering
Type:	5-segment, indication at 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 degrees
Remote Control
USB:	Slave device, 19200 baud
Serial:	RS232, 19200 baud, 3-wire connection
Alarm Outputs:	1. Audio underlevel/fail (latching) 2. Audio overlevel (latching) 3. Sustained phase error (latching) 4. AES/EBU input unlock (non-latching) Open-collector outputs rated at 30V, 50mA maximum Output low/conducting in normal condition (no alarm)
Control Inputs:	1. Mute audio 2. Dim audio 3. Alarm reset Pull-to-ground to activate inputs
Status Indicators
LIMIT:	Indicates loudspeaker protection limiter is active.
CLIP:	Indicates internal digital clipping due to overlevel.
LOCK:	Indicates lock achieved on selected digital input(s).
OPT:	For future use.
Connectors
Audio Inputs:	8 x XLR 3-pin female (balanced, may be unbalanced)
Audio Outputs:	2 x XLR 3-pin male (balanced, may be unbalanced)
Headphones:	1/4” (6.35mm) A-gauge 3-pole stereo jack socket
USB:	Type B socket
Serial:	D-sub 9-pin female
Remote I/O:	D-sub 15-pin male
Mains Input:	Filtered 3-pin IEC male, continuously rated 85 – 264VAC, 47 – 63Hz, fused, 60W peak, 30W average
Fuse Rating:	Anti-surge fuse 2A 20 x 5mm
Equipment Type
RM-2S4:	Reference Monitor, 2 LED meters, 4 stereo channel inputs
Physical Specification
Dimensions (Raw):	48cm (W) x 30.5cm (D) x 4.4cm (H) (1U) 19” (W) x 12” (D) x 1.73” (H) (1U)
Dimensions (Boxed):	57cm (W) x 52cm (D) x15cm (H) 22.4” (W) x 20.5” (D) x 5.9” (H)
Weight:	Nett: 4.5kg Gross: 6kg Nett: 10lb   Gross: 13.2lb
Options
RM-HD1:	3G/HD/SD-SDI expansion card
RM-HDE1:	3G/HD/SD-SDI & Dolby® E expansion card