Depending on your AERO model, one or more AEROMAX (AMX) engines provide audio processing and loudness control. There are 3 different configurations of AEROMAX engines and some AERO processors can use multiple AEROMAX engines. In the rest of this manual AEROMAX will be written as AERO and an AERO engine in a processor will be referred to as an instance.
There are three different AERO instance types. Each is available to be licensed in any AERO processor.
AMX 5.1
AMX 2.0
AMX 5x2
AERO.10 and AERO.20 (which can run one AMX instance) ship with license keys for all three AMX instances. The user can select which instance to use by installing its license key. The user should save all three license keys as any one of the 3 AMX types can be used for the life of the unit.
For AERO.enterprise and all other AERO units, each AMX instance is purchased separately.
Depending on how many instances your AERO processor supports, you can load one or more instances. Aero.1000 and AERO.8000 support up to eight instances. AERO.100, AERO.200, AERO.2000, and AERO.2400 can run one or two AMX instances simultaneously. AERO.enterprise supports a maximum of eight AMX instances running on the same Windows server.
AMX Instances
An AMX instance refers to a virtual block of audio processing capability.
An AMX5.1 (5.1+2+2 and also called 5.1+2+Local) instance can process a surround program and two stereo programs. It also includes the ability to upmix a stereo input signals to 5.1 surround for the main and local program outputs.
Here is a use case: An AMX Local program channel is one that can be used to replace the normal program input. This an AMX instance’s input 9/10. For example: A network source is available 24/7/365. This main program source is always provides a main program (stereo or 5.1) source and the SAP source. The TV station’s local news studio is connected to the AMX Local program channel, 9/10. The local news now has its own processing settings including upmix, if desired. The local news and commercials replace the main network and SAP outputs as needed.In all 3 AMX instance types the Local channel is instance input 9/10.
An AMX2.0 (2+2+2, sometimes called 2+2+Local) instance can process three stereo programs. The main source can be 5.1, stereo or a mix of 5.1 and stereo. The 5.1 source is automatically downmixed to stereo. The stereo source is passed through. The instance has 3 x stereo outputs. 1/2, 7/8 and 9/10
An AMX5x2 (2+2+2+2+2 or 2+2+2+2+Local) instance can process five stereo programs. All input sources and outputs are stereo. The 5 x program outputs are 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10.
AMX Audio Processing
Each AMX instance type includes a range of features:
AMX5.1 has two UPMAX II upmixers. One for main program source and one for a Local source.
AUTOMAX automatic and seamless switching between 5.1 surround sources and upmixed stereo sources on the main program and DRC3/Local inputs.
Multiple independent DRCs. (Dynamic Range Control).
These are named DRC 1, DRC 2, and DRC3 or DRC Local.
Each DRC has comprehensive audio processing for loudness control
Each DRC has audio processing that can also improve audio consistency and quality, if the user desires.
LKFS or LUFS metering and TruePeak indication
AMX2.0 has Automax downmixing of a main orogran 5.1 source to stereo
AMX5.1 has post processing downmix of its 5.1 output to use for SAP autoreplacement, SD embedding and distribution in the facility as needed..
Inputs 7/8 and 9/10 can create dual channel mono from one channel of an input pair (for SAP, AD/DVS and local emergency audio applications.
Automatic replacement of SAP, or any stereo/mono source applied to inputs 7/8 or 9/10, with a downmix of the processed main channel output
SDI source pair shuffling and embedding of AES digital audio inputs into the SDI outputs without processing.
Local program insertion using GPI or Vox or ASCII commands sent to the IP control port.
EAS and local emergency audio insertion via GPI or Vox or ASCII commands sent to the IP control port.
Remote control of all parameters found in the NfRemote GUI via ASCII commands sent to the unit’s control port.
AERO DRC Audio Components
Each DRC in an AMX instance provides multiple audio processing components.
Multiband Downward Expander
Input AGC
3 x single band compressors
6 band parameteric EQ
Multiband compressor
Multiband limiter
Independent bass limiter
Final output level control
Time integrated loudness limiter
Selection of LKFS or LUFS metering each with TruePeak detection.
Using these audio processing components, all of the TV loudness regulations found across the globe can be met. An AERO DRC can be configured to provide loudness control without modifying the timbre of the source material. Or, it can help to achieve consistency between a wide range of different audio sources. Noise in sources can be reduced and frequency response can be adjusted as required. Rather than a single set and forget loudness setting, each DRC can be configured for the desired average loudness and dynamic range. In all cases the final output level is set to the desired LKFS (LUFS) output level and the configuration of the processing sets the LKFS (LUFS) output level range. Proven factory loudness control presets are provided and the user can create and name an unlimited number of their own presets. Loudness control presets can be exported and shared between any AERO processors.
AERO processors have been in use, across the globe, since their introduction in 2002. AERO processors are used by TV stations and TV networks with content ranging from news to live sports, and game shows to movies. AERO is used by TV networks specializing in news, sports, old films and TV programs, new movies, and music video channels. AERO processing is also used by film makers, distributors and TV studios to conform audio to different loudness standards and practices.
AMX5.1 Block Diagram
Figure 17: AMX5.1 block diagram
AMX2.0 Block Diagram
The AMX2.0 engine is similar to the AMX5.1 engine, except that the primary program output is stereo instead of 5.1. The primary program input can receive a 5.1 channel input and downmix it to stereo before processing it. The same input switching and support for local, alternate program, and AD that is available with the AMX5.1 engine is included in the AMX2.0.
Figure 18: AMX2.0 block diagram
AMX5x2 Block Diagram
The AMX5x2 is similar to an AMX2.0, except that it supports two additional stereo programs for processing. The first three inputs/programs are the same as the AMX2.0. The additional stereo programs are independent stereo programs.
Figure 19: AMX5x2 block diagram
Digital Audio Reference Signal (DARS)
This is an AES-3 digital audio signal and can be silent or contain audio. A timing reference is derived from the AES signal’s timing. This is not Word Clock.
Note: Some early AERO units (such as AERO.10, AERO.100, AERO.1000, and AERO 2000) used AES as an abbreviation for AES-3.