Wireless over-the-air content delivery solutions for radio and TV broadcast specialist GatesAir is extending the networking capabilities of its VistaMax portfolio with VMXpress IP, an AES67-compliant audio and logic device that establishes a standards based Audio-over-IP gateway for radio studios.

Leveraging non-proprietary ALC NetworX Ravenna networking, VMXpress IP improves interoperability across a studio and its signal transport architecture. It integrates with existing and emerging AES67-compliant devices to help broadcasters build the optimal connected studio. Using the flexibility of open-standards IP networking, VMXpress IP simplifies connectivity with audio processors, satellite receivers, phone systems and studio support equipment, including programme delays, among other key systems.

With GatesAir’s existing network-based, minimally-wired studio networking architecture at the core, Ravenna networking builds the overall infrastructure through low-latency distribution and full signal transparency. Beyond the studio, VMXpress IP extends networking to leading IP transport solutions, including GatesAir Intraplex IP Link codecs, for low-latency audio contribution and distribution. This expands connectivity to transmitter facilities (STL), live remote broadcast sites, and the internet for streaming content to other studios and the web. Therefore, the limitations of AES and analog connectivity are eliminated, instead leveraging intelligent networking with IP transport systems by using AES67 over the local Ethernet.

‘With thousands of stations relying on GatesAir’s robust studio networking solutions, including seven of the Top 10 billing stations in the US, adopting a standards-based approach to the rapidly evolving transition to IP is critical,’ says Chief Product Officer, Rich Redmond. ‘VMXpress IP represents our extension of GatesAir’s robust studio networking into this greater, highly flexible and interoperable Audio over IP environment, simplifying how our customers create, operate, scale and drive revenue within digital studio facilities.’

VMXpress IP continues GatesAir’s market leading strategy of using single network-based connections (Cat5/6) to move hundreds of audio and data signals across a multipoint network, ensuring a clean studio design that is easy to deploy, operate and scale.