Our new BLADE-3 control surface engines/mixers take their place among the other BLADEs in the Wheatstone IP audio network as the only such units with AES67 compatibility and true IP connectivity, bringing unprecedented access and interoperability to the WheatNet-IP Intelligent Network.
Every nerve center needs a brain. For many Wheatstone control surfaces, the IP88E Mix Engine BLADE-3 is it. This is the unit that handles the audio mixing for most E-Series control surfaces and the Wheatstone Glass-E Virtual Console.
Unique to Wheatstone’s console engine approach is its true IP connectivity. The control surface networks directly into the network switch itself, giving it access to mix engine functions as well as direct access to automation systems, network applications and other control surfaces that make true system interoperability possible. Other IP audio systems tie the control surface and the console engine together using CAN bus, thereby filtering all outside communications through the console engine first and isolating the control surface from other elements and functions in the network.
The IP88E BLADE-3 houses all the DSP processing power for an individual control surface and distributes the four stereo PGM buses, four stereo AUX sends, per-channel mix-minus feeds, monitor outputs, and other bus signals to the network. Once on the network, bus signals are available as sources and destinations anywhere. This creates an extremely flexible system in which program outputs from one surface can be sources on any other surface; for example, a news mixer’s program bus can be brought up as a source on the air studio surface. While the IP88E doesn’t house audio I/O, it does include 12 universal logic (GPIO) ports for interfacing various external switches, indicators and devices for control purposes.
The IP88E is AES67 compatible for use with other AES67-compatible devices and signals in the WheatNet-IP Intelligent Network.
Main Features:
• True IP connectivity: Includes DSP processing
• 12 universal logic ports (GPIO) on 2 RJ-45 connectors
• AES67 compatible
• Front panel headphone jack
• OLED front panel display with graphical menu
• One Gigabit Ethernet port