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The RB-PD2 is a stereo audio profanity delay used for live broadcast programs to prevent unwanted or obscene material from being transmitted. It features an automatic audio stretch algorithm that allows between 2 and 55 (*) seconds of delay to be built up live whilst “on air”, whilst maintaining the correct pitch. The delay can also be acquired whilst playing a pre-selected audio file on a CompactFlash™ memory card. When the program is complete, the audio stretch algorithm seamlessly reduces the delay to zero.
The RB-PD2 has both balanced analogue and AES/EBU digital audio inputs and outputs on 3 pin XLR connectors and provides sample rates up to 48kHz at 24 bit. It can act as acombined A/D and D/A unit meaning that analogue inputs can be output as AES/EBU or vice-versa.
The delay can be initiated by pressing the BUILD DELAY button on the front panel. A front panel display shows the amount of delay being built-up, up to the amount initially selected.
There are several ways to make sure that any unwanted material is removed from the audio at the outputs. A COUGH function, activated from a dedicated front panel button, allows locally generated sounds being presented at the inputs, such as the presenter coughing or equipment switching noises, to be discarded.
The DUMP function, which is also activated from a front panel button, has 2 different modes. The first DUMP mode removes a section of audio that has already been buffered, by a pre-selected amount. The second DUMP mode plays a pre-selected audio file on the Compact Flash™ memory card. When the file has finished playing, the delay is then equal to the duration of the file. The DUMP button can be used multiple times to use up the built-up delay and once used, the unit automatically starts to rebuildthe original delay time.
As a last resort, all the buffered audio can be discarded by pressing and holding the DUMP button which activates the DROP function.
At the end of a radio show when you want to broadcast live, the delay can be ramped down by pressing the front panel EXIT DELAY button.
A dedicated record mode allows audio presented at either the analogue or digital inputs to be recorded to a linear WAV file on a Compact Flash™ memory card. Additionally, the card format used is PC readable, allowing pre-recorded linear WAV files to be transferred easily from a PC or other such device.
A front panel blue vacuum fluorescent
display with rotary controller is used for
selecting the various settings of the profanity
delay, which include the start delay and
dump modes, safe period, source (analogue
or digital), sample rate and sample bit
width as well as the required delay time.
The current delay value, in seconds, is
permanently displayed as is the current
status of the unit. Additionally, input peak
digits can be selected from +12dBu, +18dBu
and +24dBu for FSD and two left and right
pre-set potentiometers on the rear panel
allow the input gain range to be altered
by ±3dB around the selected peak digits.
The analogue output gain range can be
altered in software from -6dBu to +24dBu
output level, ref FSD. Both analogue
and digital outputs can be separately
muted and a front panel Bypass button
disengages electro-mechanical relays to
divert both analogue and digital inputs
to their outputs. This is also disengaged
automatically when a power-fail occurs.
The RB-PD2 features a remote port
supplying 8 inputs and 6 outputs, all of
which are freely assignable. The inputs
can be used to trigger any of the unit’s
functions such as build delay, activate
cough or enter record mode and start a
new recording. The outputs can provide
external signalling to indicate when certain
events have occurred such as the delay
reaching the required value or the outputs
being muted. Because playback from a
Compact Flash™ card can be triggered
remotely, the RB-PD2 can also be used at
transmitter sites to play an emergency
audio file via GPI in the event of silence
detection.
The front panel controls can be lockedout
for situations where remote control
is being used to run the unit, or where
physical security is required.
A red LED indicates when power to the
RB-PD2 is on.
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