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May 2012

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Audio Review: Ashly ne8800 Network Enabled DSP Processor

Matrix mixer/processors like this help churches direct signals to places like green rooms and cry rooms.

by John F. McJunkin

Ashly Audio has provided the world with numerous signal processors since 1974, and in the modern era, the company's offerings have become increasingly sophisticated. The NE Series of processors is comprised of devices that are essentially matrix mixers with digital signal processing available. There are three models available-the ne4400, with four inputs and four outputs, the ne4800, with four inputs and eight outputs, and the ne8800, with eight inputs and eight outputs.

Matrix mixer/processors like this are eminently useful to churches that need to direct a group of signals to an array of destinations-typically to feed the outputs of the main sanctuary mixer to in-ceiling speakers around the facility, for instance in green rooms or cry rooms. Microphone inputs also facilitate public address and paging, in addition to the system's signal routing and processing function. While the systems can be controlled by a computer via Ethernet, Ashly makes in-wall remote controls available that grant control of the system to untrained end-users as well. I evaluated an ne8800, and discovered it to be a powerful and useful system.

What You See, What You Get

The front panel of the ne8800 features an LED to indicate power, and an LED display to indicate whether the system is clocked internally, by word clock, AES/EBU, or by the network. LEDs also indicate whether the system is operating at a 48 kHz or 96 kHz, and indicate if data is being sent or received via Ethernet by the unit.

Multiple input options exist, and LEDs on the front panel indicate which type of input is engaged. Five-segment LED meters show levels for each input channel, and similarly, there are five-segment LED meters to indicate the levels of each output channel. Each input and output channel also has a push-button mute switch, which glows green when the channel is active, red when the channel is muted, and orange when the push-to-talk button on that channel's mic is pressed to mute the mic. I'm really impressed with these from an aesthetic perspective-they look very sharp.

The top half of the ne8800's rear panel is comprised of knock-out panels that can be replaced with optional inputs and outputs. High-quality mic preamplifiers are available for inputs five through eight, and mics with push-to-talk functionality can be configured to mute and unmute, and also to engage duckers that are side-chained from the microphones.

Eight AES/EBU inputs and outputs are available as an option, and a slot is available to accommodate a CobraNet or EtherSound network audio card. The lower half of the rear panel is comprised of the system's standard input and output connections, which are all of the Euroblock variety. From left to right, there are four line-level inputs, eight line-level outputs, eight channels of 5V digital logic I/O and eight channels of 5V remote control I/O.

Above the logic and remote connections are an RS-232 port, a remote data port, and word clock input and output BNC connectors. This is the first time I've ever seen word clock available in this type of processor/mixer, and it's a very welcome inclusion. A push-button determines loop or termination operation of word clock. On the far right side of the rear panel are an RJ-45 Ethernet port, an IEC power inlet, and the system's power switch.

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John McJunkin is the CEO of Avalon Podcasting in Chandler, Arizona, which offers high quality podcast production and consultation services to a broad range of clients. He’s also the host of the Podcast Pro Tech & Tips Podcast at www.avalonpodcasting.com.