A__stage and A__line

WAN-Capable Audio-over-IP Nodes

Access - Audio - Anywhere

​Whether in a studio next door, in a machine room rack on the other side of the campus or in a sports arena thousands of miles away — direct, flexible access to audio signals is indispensable for today’s broadcast productions.​

With Lawo’s A__line nodes and their pristine sound, their fully standardized ST2110 audio streaming capabilities and ST2022-7 class C streaming resilience, you are set for any production, from local to global scale.

Built for Broadcast.

section-light-grey
section-blue

Overview

Many Ports. More Options.

Networked, pristine sounding and resilient. A__line nodes are designed to serve as IP audio stageboxes for mc² consoles, audio extensions for the V__matrix ecosystem, or as stand-alone IP audio gateways. A__line features a compelling mix of audio interfacing options.

The discrete, Class-A microphone preamplifier design delivers a superb dynamic range of 119dB(A), ultra low noise at all gain levels and a perfectly flat frequency response. Versatile analog I/O can accommodate levels as high as +24dBu before clipping.

In an IP world, flexible AES3 audio interfacing is paramount. A__line delivers insertable, precise sample rate conversion for each AES3 input—a real life saver when clock domains need to be bridged.

And for multichannel baseband interfacing, A__line features bi- directional MADI access via SFP.

A__line nodes are built for mission-critical IP audio conversion. They use the SMPTE ST2110-30/31 and AES67 standards
to transport uncompressed audio in real-time on Layer-3 IP networks. SMPTE ST2022-7 Seamless Protection Switching guarantees AoIP streaming using dual-redundant network interfaces to provide two discrete paths from device to network core. With ample receive buffer capacity to meet ST2022-7 class C, LAN and WAN network paths can be connected.

A__line provides true flexibility through a non-blocking routing matrix that allows any input to be routed to any output. Furthermore, the nodes simplify level control in a networked infrastructure by offering ppm metering for all Analog and AES3 interfaces.

Additionally, all A__line nodes feature on-board GPI/O (except A__madi 6) as well as PTP/Wordclock sync and conversion. And, of course, they come in a compact and sturdy housing with two redundant power inlets.

Flexible with Ease.

A__line provides audio connectivity in distributed locations. It allows to easily adapt to changing I/O requirements and to scale audio I/O capacity in a networked system — temporarily or permanently.

Based on an SMPTE ST2110-compliant IP audio backbone, A__line offers a granular audio format selection similar to the flexibility found in baseband modular I/O systems. The same backbone technology furthermore eliminates typical system design limitations like maximum channel count per frame, fixed channel capacity per device interconnect, or fixed overall system size.

Audio endpoints connected to A__line nodes can be seamlessly shared on the local or wide-area network. Thanks to the open, fully standardized streaming technology, interconnectivity to a wide variety of IP-enabled broadcast devices is possible. And it is, of course, brand-agnostic.

In combination with Lawo’s VSM broadcast controller, A__line stageboxes provide an advanced set of networking options. VSM indeed manages A__line’s audio-over-IP connections, I/O settings, internal routing matrix and GPIO for smooth integration into an overarching operational workflow.

section-light-grey

Access Audio anywhere

Rough environmental conditions, frequent setup changes and quick turn-around times are typical for mobile productions. With rock-solid IP networking integration, A__line units are the right choice for outside broadcast, event and remote production scenarios.

Superb sound and flexible stagebox sharing are especially important in broadcast studio deployments. With Lawo’s renowned, pristine sound quality and seamless integration into the mc2 console ecosystem, A__line is a smart choice for any studio environment.

24/7/365 operation, direct connectivity to the video infrastructure, and interaction with automation… this is the typical job description for gear that runs the show in a system core. A__line’s resilience and its open, standards-based IP streaming and control interfacing make it a safe fit for the core of any broadcast operation.

Seamless Broadcast Production

Lawo’s A__line has been designed to be installed wherever an audio signal needs to be ingested or output. With a built-in 160ms RX buffer per audio channel and ST2022-7 class C redundancy protection, a WAN gateway is natively built into each A__line unit. This ensures seamless access to the audio streams — whether next door or from another continent.

Specifications

GENERAL – A__stage64 | A__stage48 | A__stage80

IP Streaming
Supported protocols: SMTPE ST2110-30/31, AES67, RAVENNA
Stream Redundancy SMPTE ST2022-7 class C (copes with up 150ms redundant path differential)
128 audio RX channels with 128 RX stream receivers. Each RX audio channel features up to 160 ms of jitter buffer
128 audio TX channels in up to 128 TX streams. Stream formats from 1 to 64 channels supported
Sync
Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz
IEEE1588 PTPv2 master or slave operation
Wordclock master or slave operation
PTP <-> Wordclock conversion
Signal Processing
Switchable Low-Cut Filter for 40/80Hz
PPM metering for all analog and AES3 inputs and outputs
256/256 channel routing matrix
Control & Management
HTTP configuration web UI
Ember+ control IP interface
Integrated with mc2
Integrated with VSM

A__stage 64

Interfaces
32x switchable MIC/LINE inputs on XLR. Support for balanced and unbalanced sources through floating analog stage design and +48V phantom power. Dynamic range of 119dB(A) with maximum input level of +24 dBu
16x Line outputs on XLR. Floating balanced design supports balanced and unbalanced destinations. Max. output level +24dBu
8x AES3 inputs (stereo) on XLR with SRC (input sample rates: 28.4~100kHz)
8x AES3 outputs (stereo) on XLR
2x MADI ports (redundant pair) on SFP
2x Dual Media streaming & control ports (SFP/RJ45 100/1000Base-T Ethernet)
1x Management & control port (RJ45 100/1000 Base-T Ethernet)
1x Wordclock IN on BNC (75Ω)
1x Wordclock Out on BNC (75Ω)
8/8 GPIO opto/CMOS on SUB-D37
&bsp;

Power
2x internal PSU (100~240 Volts)
AC Input: (100~240 Volts/2.0~0.8 A)
Power Consumption: 125 VA
ENVIRONMENTAL
OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 0°C~+40°C (+32°F~+104°F)
VENTILATION: Cooling by temperature-controlled, low-noise fan. Forced airflow sideways
&bsp;

Mechanics
DIMENSIONS (H x W x D):177 mm (4 RU) x 481mm (19”) x 230mm (9.05”)
WEIGHT: 5.9kg (13 lbs)

A__stage 48

Interfaces
16x switchable MIC/LINE inputs on SUB-D37 Support for balanced and unbalanced sources through floating analog stage design and +48V phantom power. Dynamic range of 119dB(A) with maximum input level of +24 dBu
16x Line outputs on SUB-D37. Floating balanced design supports balanced and unbalanced destinations. Maximum output level +24 dBu
8x AES3 inputs (stereo) on SUB-D25 with SRC (input sample rates: 28.4~100kHz)
8x AES3 outputs (stereo) on SUB-D25
2x MADI ports (redundant pair) on SFP
2x Dual Media streaming & control ports (SFP/RJ45 100/1000Base-T Ethernet)
1x Management & control port (RJ45 100/1000 Base-T Ethernet)
1x Wordclock IN on BNC (75Ω)
1x Wordclock Out on BNC (75Ω)
8/8 GPIO opto/CMOS on SUB-D37
&bsp;

Power
2x internal PSU (100~240 Volts)
AC Input: (100~240 Volts/2.0~0.8 A)
Power Consumption: 100 VA
&bsp;

Environmental
OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 0°C~+40°C (+32°F~+104°F)
VENTILATION: Cooling by temperature-controlled, low-noise fan. Forced airflow sideways
&bsp;

Mechanics
DIMENSIONS (H x W x D):132.5mm (3 RU) x 481mm (19”) x 230mm (9.05”)
WEIGHT: 5.2kg (11.5lbs)

A__Stage80

Interfaces
32x switchable MIC/LINE inputs on SUB-D37. Support for balanced and unbalanced sources through floating analog stage design and +48V phantom power. Dynamic range of 119dB(A) with maximum input level of +24 dBu
32x Line outputs on SUB-D37. Floating balanced design supports balanced and unbalanced destinations. Maximum output level +24 dBu
8x AES3 inputs (stereo) on SUB-D25 with SRC (input sample rates: 28.4~100kHz))
8x AES3 outputs (stereo) on SUB-D25
2x MADI ports (redundant pair) on SFP
2x Dual Media streaming & control ports (SFP/RJ45 100/1000Base-T Ethernet)
1x Management & control port (RJ45 100/1000 Base-T Ethernet)
1x Wordclock IN on BNC (75Ω)
1x Wordclock Out on BNC (75Ω)
8/8 GPIO opto/CMOS on SUB-D37
&bsp;

Power
2x Inbuilt PSU (100~240 Volts)
AC Input: (100~240 Volts/2.0~0.8 A)
Power Consumption: 160 VA
&bsp;

Environmental
OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 0°C~+40°C (+32°F~+104°F)
VENTILATION: Cooling by temperature-controlled, low-noise fan. Forced airflow sideways
&bsp;

Mechanics
DIMENSIONS (H x W x D):132.5mm (3 RU) x 481mm (19”) x 230mm (9.05”)
WEIGHT: 6 kg (13.2 lbs)

GENERAL – A__mic8 | A__digital64 | A__madi6

IP Streaming (A__madi 6: per bridge)
Supported protocols: SMTPE ST2110-30/31, AES67, RAVENNA
Stream Redundancy: SMPTE ST2022-7 class C (copes with up 150ms redundant path differential)
64 RX audio channels with 64 RX stream receivers. Each RX audio channel supports up to 160ms of jitter buffer
64 TX audio channels in up to 64 TX streams. Streaming formats from 1 through 64 channels supported
Sync
Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz
IEEE1588 PTPv2 master or slave operation
Wordclock master or slave operation
PTP <-> Wordclock conversion
Control & Management
HTTP configuration web UI
Ember+ control IP interface
Integrated with mc2 (A__mic 8)
Integrated with VSM

A__mic8

Interfaces
8x switchable MIC/LINE inputs on XLR featuring remotely controlled 79dB gain range, 20dB PAD and +48V phantom power. Support for balanced and unbalanced sources through floating analog stage design. Dynamic Range of 119dB(A) with maximum input level of +24dBu
4x Line outputs on XLR. Floating balanced design supports balanced and unbalanced destinations. Maximum output level: +24dBu
2x RJ45 100/1000Base-T Ethernet ports for streaming and control
1x Wordclock IN on BNC (75Ω)
1x Wordclock OUT on BNC (75Ω)
8/8 GPIO opto/CMOS on DB-37
Signal Processing
Switchable Low-Cut Filter for 40/80Hz
PPM metering for all analog inputs and outputs
64/64 channel routing matrix
Power
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) Class 3: 36~57V
DC Input: 10~14V/1.0A (optional local PSU redundancy)
Power Consumption 15W
Environmental
OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 0°C~+40°C (+32°F~+104°F)
VENTILATION: Fanless passive cooling direction sideways
Mechanics
DIMENSIONS (H x W x D): 44mm (1 RU) x 481mm (19”) x 210mm (8.27”)
WEIGHT: 2.1kg (4.6lbs)

A__digital64

Interfaces
32x AES3 inputs (stereo) on SUB-D25 with SRC (input sample rates: 28.4~100kHz)
32x AES3 outputs (stereo) on SUB-D25.
2x MADI ports (redundant pair) on SFP
2x Dual Media streaming & control ports (SFP/RJ45 100/1000Base-T Ethernet)
1x Management & control port (RJ45 100/1000 Base-T Ethernet)
1x Wordclock IN on BNC (75Ω)
1x Wordclock Out on BNC (75Ω)
8/8 GPIO opto/CMOS on SUB-D37
Signal Processing
Switchable Low-Cut Filter for 40/80Hz
PPM metering for all inputs and outputs
256/256 channel routing matrix
Power
2x internal PSU (100~240 Volts)
AC Input: (100~240 Volts/2.0~0.8 A)
Power Consumption: 100 VA
Environmental
OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 0°C~+40°C (+32°F~+104°F)
VENTILATION: Cooling by temperature-controlled, low-noise fan. Forced airflow sideways
Mechanics
DIMENSIONS (H x W x D):132.5mm (3 RU) x 481mm (19”) x 230mm (9.05”)
WEIGHT: 5.2kg (11.5lbs)

A__madi6

Interfaces
Three independent MADI bridges, each featuring:
2x MADI ports on SFP
2x Dual Media RJ45/SFP 100/1000Base-T Ethernet ports for streaming and control
1x Wordclock IN on BNC (75Ω; bridge 1 only)
1x Wordclock OUT on BNC (75Ω; bridge 1 only)
Signal Processing
Per bridge: 256/256 channel routing matrix
Power
2x internal PSU (100~240 Volts)
AC Input: (100~240 Volts/1.2~0.6 A)
Power Consumption: 30 VA
Environmental
OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 0°C~+40°C (+32°F~+104°F)
VENTILATION: Cooling by temperature-controlled fan. Forced airflow sideways
Mechanics
DIMENSIONS (H x W x D): 44 mm (1 RU) x 448 mm (19”) x 266mm (10.4”)
WEIGHT: 3.1kg (6.83lbs)