Overview
SOUND4 PULSE Eco is sound processing technology at its best. No small detail is overlooked in this product which delivers innovation, multifunctionality and dependability in equal measure to produce the consistently loud and clear sound you need. It has a powerful processing chain which includes 2-band input Automatic Gain Control, based on signal strength and no longer on electrical average values. It automatically detects differences in levels to smooth out variations in sound perception. Its structure ensures perfect stability and enhanced vocals combined with a good bass presence.
The SOUND4 PULSE Eco introduces an innovative process - mono and stereo parts of the signal are processed separately to obtain perfect consistency in terms of both sound and level. Therefore, in moving reception, when the FM receiver switches from stereo to mono and back to stereo, the sound variations and changes in level are reduced by over 90%. In the SOUND4 PULSE Eco processing chain, the stereo expander can be used substantially without any limitations.
With the 3-band processor, a single algorithm guarantees the gain in each of the bands in order to complete sound stability. “Coloring” is controlled by the Fidelity parameter, which means that it is possible to have a “purist” and a “colored” sound texture. The 3-band limiter prepares the work of the final limiter and is provided with a very powerful algorithm, simplified to the maximum, so that it is not encumbered with useless parameters.
One of the most significant features of the SOUND4 PULSE Eco is the 4-band parametric equalizer, which is not there to “build a sound” but rather allows some final little touch-up that may be required before the final limiting section.
What is more, this tool has reliable backup capabilities and a number of options. These include Basic and Full RDS, Streaming Extension, IP TX + RX and Dual IP TX + RX to name but a few. It can also perform Internet radio streaming and has six fully configurable encoders supporting MP3, AAC and HE-AAC v1 and v2.
SOUND4 PULSE Eco comes in a convenient, compact 1U case at affordable price and the easy-to-use remote control interface, this is the ultimate sound processing tool.
The SOUND4 PULSE Eco
- 4 inputs - AES from 32 to 192 kHz, analog, IP (Livewire or SOUND4 IP CONNECT)
- Mixing of inputs and automatic safety function.
- 5 simultaneous and independent outputs - TX1, TX2, AES, Analog IP (Livewire or SOUND4 IP CONNECT).
- Routing of signals for outputs.
- Relay switch for automatic by-pass.
- Digital AES/EBU synchronization input.
- DSP computing power - 4 Giga Flops (Sharc 40 bits with floating point).
- GUI and driver compatible 32 & 64 bits - Windows 7, Windows 8 & 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11, 2008 R2, 2012 and Linux (Debian)
User-Friendly Control Interface
- Sound setting from one single screen - you no longer need to open and close windows to go from one function to another.
- Two modes - Easy and Full. Easy - provides simplicity and rapidity; Full - allows you to explore all of the processor functionalities. There are also ultra-rapid VU meters for true control over modulation.
- Unlimited “Undo/Redo” versioning function for presets with possibility of recall.
- Innovative “compare” function with reference notion.
- Log function for presets.
- A readable and interactive diagram.
- A remote connection manager to control several processors.
- Works with the following operating systems - WXP SP3, W7 32& 64 bits, W8 32 & 64 bits, WS 2008 R2, WS 2012, Linux (Debian).
Processing
HQ Sound, main sampling process frequency of 192 kHz.
- 2-band AGC.
- 4-band EQ + Tone FX and Stereo FX.
- Stereo enhancer.
- 3-band process with Fidelity and Sound Impact System (S.I.S.).
- 3-band limiter.
- 4-band EQ.
- Final limiters
- FM path - Bass Clipper + FM Limiter + MPX Limiter
- HD path - Look Ahead limiter for the HD outlet.
- BS412 compliant MPX power controller.
- Ultra low delay - 30 milliseconds.
Others key points:
- Stereo Matrixing for better stability in loudness and sound tone when the receiver switches from mono/stereo/mono.
- 19 kHz embedded pilot to gain close to 1 dB in loudness.
Extra
- Basic RDS encoder (with scrolling PS)
- Full RDS (UECP-compatible)
- IP Codec - SOUND4 IP Connect
- Audio Backup - thanks to the audio driver
- Audio streaming - 6 encoders (MP3, AAC, HE-AAC v1 & v2), compatible with all delivery servers (Icecast, Shoutcast v1 & V2, Flash, Wowza)
- Replication of inputs
- Link & Share - 100% of all parameters are accessible via the telnet protocol
- Panels - the device allows you to create your own panels with unlimited functionality
- Preset Sharing - the ultimate solution to managing an unlimited number of processors. All of them are automatically updated if a one of them is modified
Input State
The SOUND4 PULSE Eco has four inputs - Digital, Analog, IP (Livewire or SOUND4 IP Connect) and PCI.
On the software interface, the input currently in use is indicated by a triangle on the left side of its name.
2-Band AGC
With the SOUND4 PULSE Eco, the first processing function is the 2-Band AGC - automatic gain control whose main purpose is to stabilize the loudness level applied to the input of the processor and prevent noticeable level differences between recent and old titles.
Tone FX
The Tone FX makes coloring of sound before dynamic processing possible. To do so, it groups together two types of processing functions:
- A 4-band parametric equalizer;
- An effect system making it possible to strengthen low frequencies and high frequencies.
The two functions offer results that are entirely different, which is why they are gathered on one single screen.
In Basic mode, use of the four parametric equalizers is simplified to the maximum. Only the gain for each correction is accessible. For FX Bass and FX Treble, dosage of the effect is also made accessible.
In Advanced mode, users have access to all equalizer parameters (gain, frequency and Q factor).
Stereo FX
SOUND4 PULSE Eco has a true stereo enlarger, 100% mono-compatible. Its role is to sublimate the existing stereo image. It will thus never create stereo in mono sources.
In addition to embellishing the stereo image, it also has a 3-band stereo image limiter acting on the control of the energy transmitted by the stereo sub-porter at 38 kHz. This unique functionality limits issues currently caused by the traditional enlargement processes. The stability of reception in areas disturbed by multiple routes is thus greatly optimized.
The 3-Band Process
The 3-band Process is the heart of dynamic processing. With SOUND4 PULSE Eco, a single algorithm guarantees the gain in each of the bands in order to complete sound stabilization. “Coloring” is controlled by the Fidelity parameter. Thus, it is possible to have a purist and a colored sound texture.
The 3-band Process is achieved through the revolutionary algorithm S.I.S. (Sound Impact System), which makes it possible to maintain the authenticity of the original sound attacks.
The 3-Band Limiter
The main purpose of the 3-band Limiter is to prepare the work of the final limiter. It is also provided with a very powerful predictive algorithm, which has been simplified to the maximum, so that it is not encumbered with useless parameters.
The 4-Band Parametric EQ
The parametric 4-band equalizer is by far the most impressive feature of the SOUND4 PULSE Eco. It is not there to "build a sound"; it allows some last little touchup if necessary before the final limiting section.
In Basic mode, use of the four parametric equalizers is simplified to the maximum. Only the gain for each correction is accessible. For FX Bass and FX Treble, dosage of the effect is also made accessible.
In Advanced mode, users have access to all equalizer parameters (gain, frequency and Q factor).
The Final Limiter
The Final Limiter comprises two sections - one for FM applications and one for HD applications.
The FM Section consists of a Bass Clipper, guaranteeing powerful bass without distortion, an FM limiter and an MPX limiter.
The HD Section is specifically designed for high quality digital applications (HD/DAB/DRM). This is a look-ahead type of limiter and in this mode the outputs are not limited to 15 kHz.
Assignment of Outlets
The outlets of SOUND4 PULSE Eco are fully assignable. For example, the analog outlet may replicate the signal which is applied to the analog input, the digital outlet delivers an HD signal, the TX1 outlet delivers the MPX signal and the TX2 outlet drives the 19-kHz pilot signal.
ANALOG INPUT Quantity 1 stereo Level 2 ranges (+12 or +24 dBu - software selectable) Impedance 10 kΩ Connectors 1 pair on a DB62 I/O connector balanced, EMI suppressed DIGITAL INPUT Quantity 1 stereo Standard AES3 Sampling Rate 32 to 192kHz, 24 bits Connectors 1 on a DB62 I/O connector balanced, EMI suppressed AES/EBU INPUT SYNC Quantity/Connector 1 on a DB62 I/O connector, EMI suppressed Sync Type Word Clock - 32 to 192 kHz Video PAL or NTSC Level 1 to 6 Volts Impedance 75 Ω SCA/RDS INPUT Quantity/Connector 1x BNC, EMI suppressed Type Adder Level Same as MPX output (adder) Impedance 75 Ω or 10 kΩ, jumper selectable ANALOG OUTPUT Quantity 1 stereo balanced (with automatic unbalancing) Level 2 ranges (+12 or + 24 dBu - software selectable) Load Impedance 10 kΩ typ. (> 300 Ω) Connectors 1 pair of XLR male balanced, EMI suppressed; 1 pair on a DB62 I/O connector balanced, EMI suppressed DIGITAL OUTPUT Quantity 1 stereo Standard AES3 Sampling Rate 32 to 192kHz, 24 bits Connectors 1x XLR male balanced, EMI suppressed; 1 on a DB62 I/O connector balanced, EMI suppressed STEREO GENERATOR MPX OUTPUT Quantity/Connector 2x independent BNC, EMI suppressed on a DB62 I/O connector Signal MPX or 19kHz pilot Level 2 ranges (+6 or +18dBu - software selectable) Load Impedance 75 Ω typ. (> 35 Ω) AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS Processing Delay MPX 30ms Processing Delay Analog Out (HD) 11ms Frequency Response MPX 30Hz - 15 kHz +/-0.2dB (de-emphasized) Frequency Response Analog Out (HD) 30Hz - 20 kHz +/-0.2dB Signal to Noise >90 dB Distortion MPX <0.018% THD Distortion Analog <0.006% THD Separation >70 dB AUDIO OVER IP I/O AoIP/AES67 Ethernet 100Mbps; 2 channels; Compatible AES67, Ravenna, Livewire, Dante AES67; 48kHz, 24 bits, stereo, >= 12 samples/packet (250μs), delay 1ms IP Codec (optional) Ethernet 100Mbps; High quality stereo codec (32 to 200kbps) or linear; 2.5s compensation buffer POWER SUPPLY Type Single EMI suppressed Voltage 100 – 260 Volt AC, < 40W OPERATING CONDITIONS Operational between 0 – 50°C SIZE AND WEIGHT Dimensions (WxHxD) 485 x 44 x 260mm Shipping Weight 550 x 120 x 580 / 3.500kg HS Code 8517620000 POWER UP BOOT Boot time 3s Analog/AES3 I/O, 8s AES67/Livewire BYPASS RELAY AES AES in => AES out Analog Analog in => Analog out OPTIONAL INTERFACES USB 2.0, for upgrades micro SD card for music files SOUND4 REMOTE CONTROL SOFTWARE OPERATING SYSTEMS Linux Debian 32 & 64 bits Microsoft Windows 32 & 64 bits: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 PC TO CLIENT COMMUNICATION INTERFACE TCP/IP Client (Remote) / Server (Pulse) architecture via Ethernet 1000Mbps Link & Share All parameters are accessible via simple Telnet protocol SNMP Supervision with Trap Feature
SOUND4 PULSE Eco is offering as an option the Kantar Media Audio Watermarking Technology for audience rating. Today and depending on the countries, radio stations can be listened to on FM, DAB, Streaming, polling companies need to know the audience results for each of the media.
The SOUND4 PULSE Eco is the most advanced watermarking processor, it can tag up to 2 different feeds:
- 1 for the HD/FM output
- 1 for the streaming encoder
In the SOUND4 PULSE Eco Line, watermarking is always carried out at the end of the processing chain to guarantee maximum watermarking quality.
About Kantar Media watermarking technology
SNAP audio watermarking technology by Kantar has been designed for TV and Radio audience measurement. In addition, it can also be used for the synchronization of second screen application. SNAP watermarking carries 2 types of information, a channel identifier and a timestamp for linear content and a timecode for non-linear content.
Audio watermarking technology can be described by 3 main properties which are the inaudibility of the watermarking, the amount of data carried by the watermarking and the robustness of the watermarking.
The SNAP technology remains inaudible thanks to a very complex acoustic model and preserves the quality of the sound. This is a crucial property for TV channels and Radio stations that spend time and money to get the best quality for their sound. Regarding the amount of data, the SNAP technology proposes a single payload for Channel and Content identification. Robustness of SNAP watermarking to broadcast chain is also a key element. SNAP is robust to low encoding bitrates, and to adaptive bitrates. Don’t hesitate to contact Kantar support to get bitrate recommendations depending on the audio codec.