Fort Wayne, IN-based Attero Tech has introduced its Outside-the-Box Series, four distinct products that make installing sophisticated CobraNet digital audio networks easy, accessible, and affordable.
The InBox, OutBox, MatchBox and VoiceBox give audio-system designers a simple way to place the mainstay components of most sound-system installations, and eliminate the logistical issues and time-consuming work of running analog-audio cables throughout an application.
Each Box is a fully-capable, true-CobraNet component: just one CAT5 Ethernet cable connects to every speaker, mixing console, audio processor, and other digitally networked products in the larger system.
“Designing and building complex sound systems has never been so easy or cost effective as it is with our new Outside-the-Box product line,” said Mike Sims, Director of Marketing & Sales for Attero Tech. “Now systems integrators can connect full-featured microphone and line-in pre-amps, wall-mounted input and output connectors, computer audio integration, and support for balanced, unbalanced, and phantom-powered devices, using minimal cable drops, and still offer uncompromising audio quality in a full-featured system that is easy to use.”
With Outside-the-Box products, there’s no more need for an analog system’s crosspoint switches and matrix mixers to connect multiple sources to differing destinations. In a CobraNet system, all signal routing is done automatically over the network, which is intelligently controlled by the equipment software.
“Every systems integrator who has worked on an undocumented or mislabeled sound system understands the time-consuming nightmare of trying to straighten out and reconfigure what cable goes where,” said Sims. “In contrast, CobraNet lets you reroute components without ever touching a single cable. Simply connect to the network with a computer, adjust device settings, and you’re done.”
InBox and OutBox also eliminate electrical wiring by taking advantage of Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology. With PoE technology, the same cable that sends and receives data signals also provides electricity to the Box. The entire installation requires just the Box, mounting options, one CAT5 Ethernet cable, and a standards compliant PoE networking switch.
Attero Tech’s Outside-the-Box series includes four products that combine to connect the most common components of a typical sound system into a CobraNet digital audio network:
InBox X2 & R8: in-wall audio inputs that easily connect to almost any consumer device, microphone, musical instrument, amplifier, processor, mixing board, speaker, or other professional-grade equipment. Two balanced XLR/TRS combo plugs (X2) or eight unbalanced RCA jacks (R8). X2 inputs also feature +12V phantom power and +0dB line/+30dB mic gains, switchable for each plug.
OutBox X2 & R8: in-wall audio outputs for two balanced XLR plugs (X2) or eight unbalanced RCA jacks (R8). Boxes mount in a standard dual-gang junction box for quick, clean, and low-overhead installations.
MatchBox USB: a one-box solution for easily integrating computer audio into a CobraNet sound system. Up to eight channels can be sent to or received from any part of the audio network. Since the box appears to PCs, Macs, and Linux as an external sound card, users can simply receive or play audio from regular programs such as iTunes, Windows Media, Audacity, or Digital Performer.
VoiceBox 4 I/O: full-featured, four-in, four-out mic/line preamp. All connections run through a DSP audio processor, which can be modified for manufacturer applications to use custom signal processing. Every input is equipped for +12V phantom power and gain (+0dB for line, +30dB for electret mics, or +50dB for dynamic mics), with each option selectable on a per-input basis. An RS-232 input enables data transmission from the box to any other CobraNet device that supports a serial bridge connection.
Every Outside-the-Box product is independently CobraNet-ready, without the assistance of secondary devices of any kind.
“CobraNet audio systems offer easy installation, reduced wiring complexity, expandability, and flexibility that is unbeatable for meeting the challenges of designing sound systems in conference rooms, meeting centers, hotel ballrooms, sports facilities, convention centers, health clubs, restaurants, bars, churches and more,” said Sims. “With InBox, OutBox, MatchBox and VoiceBox, systems integrators get access to the power of networked audio – thinking Outside-the-Box to make competitive bids for complex sound systems.”
For more information:
Attero Tech Website
