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If Radio paints pictures in sound, time is Radio’s canvas. Audio Time Manager (ATM) gives stations an unprecedented new level of control over time, allowing stations as never before to bend a medium we never thought was flexible.
ATM lets you delay the start of an incoming feed or recorded program but still have it end on time. It lets you “punch” breaks into a live event at the touch of a button, and catch up to real time seamlessly. It can eliminate the need to back-time intros to network joins, so you can ad-lib and still join smoothly... even for events with random starts like news conferences. It can be automated, easily customized, and playback rates can be trimmed if conditions change while it’s in operation. Best of all, if you can push 2 buttons, you can operate it!
Think of Audio Time Manager as a high-quality, rugged digital stereo recorder... with two important differences: it can record part of a show while playing back another part, and playback speed can be as much as 20% faster than the original program. In effect, this can create up to 12 minutes of “new” time per hour. It does this without pitch change, artifacts, or glitches, thanks to our proprietary processing algorithms; with most broadcast material, a 10% speed change—6 new minutes per hour—is virtually undetectable by most listeners.
Audio Time Manager may be just the tool you’ve been looking for to manage unexpected events in your broadcast day, avoid collisions with network feeds, and create availabilities where none exist. Take control over time, with Audio Time Manager.
Audio Time Manager Features and Benefits
- Virtually imperceptible time compression
At 10% faster—an additional 6 minutes per hour—most listeners won’t even be aware ATM is in use. New technology makes it possible to do this with no choppiness, no stutters, no fuzziness, and absolutely no change in pitch or timbre. Even a 20% speed-up is glitch- and artifact- free... though at 20% with most sources, listeners will notice things being much faster than normal. Obviously, sources that speak slowly or music with a relaxed tempo can be sped up more than those already at breakneck speed.
- No complicated programming needed
Simple two-button operation means you can react on-the-fly to unplanned events like weather alerts, late-starting press conferences, or holds in a concert or sporting event. Our Time/Rate Management Calculator™ (TRMC) adjusts to what you want to do.
- Total flexibility with compression ratios
Change the upcoming playback ratio during record. Change it while playing. Or during playback, tell ATM when it should smoothly join real-time and the proper ratio is applied automatically. Change these ratios again and again, as many times as you want.
- Even advanced operations are simple
Most settings need just a few key presses. Softkeys mean that users don’t have to memorize menu structures.
- Keeps programs sounding natural
Some technologies can drastically cut into pauses, destroying a personality’s delivery. 25-Sevens proprietary algorithms intelligently compress tiny sections of soundwaves: pauses stay in proportion; pacing and inflection are maintained.
- Automatic ramp-down at end of compressed playback
No abrupt shifts: transitions back to real-time are undetectable.
- You’re in complete control, all the time
Change vital parameters, even during compressed playback. Adjustments are smooth and glitch-free.
- Flexible remoting
Run ATM from its front panel. Wire pushbuttons and LEDs to the built-in 8x8 GPI/O. Connect using serial RS-232. Securely control ATM from a browser over your network!
- Works with your satellite and automation system
Advanced GPI/O features let ATM lock incoming contact closures to incoming audio, and then fire outgoing closures when that specific audio plays out. Local liners, ID’s and spots happen at the right point in the network program, whether you’re using time compression or not.
- Automatic creation of extra availabilities during network breaks
Special commands let your traffic department put more spots in a break than would normally fit. ATM works with your satellite or network cue receiver and automation system to automatically fit those spots in, without an operator, and without losing any network content.
- Time-Aware
ATM synchronizes itself to network clocks. Hook ATM up to any local data network that has Internet access, give it the address of a Network Time Server, and it’ll always know the exact time. Or if your station has its own time server, lock ATM to it.
- Clear, concise display
The large, backlit LCD display is simple to understand and easy to read, even from across the control room.
- Quiet operation
The only moving part is an ultra-quiet low-speed fan. Run ATM next to a live mic!
- “Future-proof” audio quality
Excellent sound quality, both balanced analog and AES digital stereo i/o mean you can use ATM now and keep using it tomorrow. No data reduction to mess up your sound. Time-compression algorithms are good enough to use on critical music programs.
Audio Time Manager Applications
Overview
Audio Time Manager lets you create “extra” time in your program day. Take as much as six minutes per hour, on average program material, without any obvious change to the material. Rates of up to twelve minutes per hour are possible in extreme cases—it’ll sound very fast, but there won’t be any distortion, artifacts or glitches! ATM’s algorithms are so transparent that most listeners won’t even know you are manipulating the timing. ATM’s simple interface lets you dynamically adjust the rate of time compression on the fly, giving you unprecedented control over time. Here are a few applications:
Create time at the beginning or middle of a network feed
When the network program starts or returns from a break, press RECORD on ATM. Run your local material—a weather forecast, breaking news, or additional spots. When everything’s done, press PLAY on Audio Time Manager. That’s it. The network program will start playing at a faster speed but with no pitch change or distortion, and then catch up with itself. Our unique Time/Rate Management Calculator™ (TRMC) figures out exactly how much speed change is needed—you don’t have to do any math. It even tells you how long until the network is playing in real-time again.
Eliminate back-timing hassles
You’ve got 5 seconds before the network news comes down, but you’ve got 15 seconds of important copy left to read. You just need a little more time. Have ATM record the news at the top, finish your copy, then just press PLAY. The newscast will still end on time, and your audience will hear all the content.
Smoothly introduce random-starting events like news conferences without wasting time on awkward talk-ups
Ad-lib the introduction to say, the Governor’s live speech. Don’t be afraid to finish a sentence or go to a promo or spot. When the “Gov” actually starts, press RECORD. Complete your delivery, taking as long as you need. Introduce the event, then press PLAY. The feed will start from its beginning, slightly faster than normal, and then catch up with itself in real-time. It’s as if they were waiting for your cue! You’ll still be carrying the event “live”, but you won’t have wasted time before it started, awkwardly talking up to the speaker’s first words.
Create a custom break in the middle of a continuous program
Major breaking news has occurred and you’re in the middle of a network show. Listen for a place to break in: the end of a sentence; a pause for a breath; the end of a song. Press RECORD, insert your news break, then press PLAY. Your listeners will hear the break and the show in its entirety. No content loss returning to a show “already in progress”.
Drop in ID’s without stepping on the action
Easily drop in an ID or announce a sponsor in a live remote or ball game. Listen for a place to create a break: press RECORD, insert your ID. When you’re finished, press PLAY. The ongoing program will pick up from exactly where you inserted the break, with nothing missing. It’ll play slightly faster, then gradually slow down to real-time and join the ongoing feed smoothly. Our high-quality stereo signal path and proprietary algorithms mean that even music programs can be interrupted this way.
Add commentary in a hearing without disrupting it
You’re carrying a live Congressional hearing with multiple speakers. Instead of interrupting and talking over testimony to identify who is talking, use ATM to pause the live feed, announce the speaker, and resume. You’ll catch back up to real time in no time, and your audience will hear your introductions, and all the testimony.
Control ATM with your automation system
ATM can work with your automation system and satellite receiver to automatically expand local breaks. Turn a 2 minute local availability into a 3 minute avail as easily as entering an extra spot in your log. ID’s and liners stay in sync against the audio even during compression or delay, thanks to 25-Sevens advanced GPIO features.
Technical Specifications:
Power Input
ATM comes with an external AC to DC power supply module. In an emergency, you can replace the power supply with a 12V DC source of at least 2.2 amps, center positive; the negative (sleeve) is tied internally to ATM's ground. ATM is built for continuous operation, and there is no power switch.
Network
ATM connects to a standard 10/100Base-T network connection. This port is used for software updates, synchronization to a network time server, and secure remote control via a web browser. If connected to the Internet, it should be behind a hardware firewall.
RS-232
This DB9 jack is used for serial remote control, and configured as a computer DTE port similar to the Comm 1 jack on most PCs. ATM communicates at 9600 baud, no parity, 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no flow control (usually referred to as "9600N81"). If you want to control it from a computer or dumb terminal, you'll need a null modem or a cable that reverses pins 2 and 3, pins 4 and 6, and pins 7 and 8. A simple command language is documented in the ATM manual.
Analog Inputs and Outputs
Stereo inputs are electronically balanced XLR females, pin 2 hot, with a load of 20kΩ: this makes it compatible with all modern electronically-balanced outputs. If fed from a transformer-balanced output, we recommend bridging a 680Ω resistor between pins 2 and 3 recommended. Outputs are electronically balanced XLR males, pin 2 hot, designed to feed a load of 600Ω or greater. Input and output sensitivity default levels can be set from the front panel, and can range between +20dBu and -10dBu.
Digital Inputs and Outputs
When set to AES/EBU via the configuration menu, this input conforms to IEC 958 Professional (5v p-p, 110Ω balanced) on XLR connectors. When set to s/pdif, the voltage and impedance switches to IEC 958 Consumer (.5v p-p, 75Ω unbalanced): connect signal to pin 2 and shield to pins 1 and 3. Digital output (selectable AES or s/pdif) is always active, regardless of whether you are using analog or digital inputs. ATM will lock to any valid 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, or 48 kHz signal at the digital input connector, even if you have selected analog for the input. In that case, the digital input controls ATM's internal sample rate. If ATM is not connected to a digital input, it uses its own high-reliability 44.1 kHz sample clock
GPIO
Eight parallel control inputs and eight parallel control outputs appear on a DB-25 connector. Input and output functions are assigned through a configuration menu on the front panel. Inputs and outputs are opto-isolated for easy interface to other equipment. A +5v supply and ground are also brought out to the DB-25 for simple remote controls using pushbuttons and LED status readouts. The +5v supply can carry 200 mA, more than adequate for 8 LEDs and 8 logic inputs. It is protected by an internal, self-resetting thermal circuit breaker.
Studio installation
ATM can be inserted anywhere in an analog or digital signal path where you want to control program timing and duration. But for maximum flexibility and efficiency, we recommend using a routing switcher (in many cases, this router already exists in your facility). Have every source you'd want to time-control (such as remotes and network feeds) connected to an input, and at least one output for ATM and one for monitoring. Connect ATM's output directly to a console input channel, or back through another router input.
Detailed Specifications
Audio:
S/N ≥ 84 dBA with 10 dB headroom (≥94 dB dynamic range); THD @1 kHz < .01%; IMD (IHF) < .01%; Frequency response ± 0.5 dB, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, measured analog input to analog output.
Dimensions:
Chassis: 19" x 12.5" x 3.5" (480 x 320 x 85mm). Power supply module: 5" x 2.5" x 1.5" (118 x 60 x 33mm)
Weight:
Chassis: 7.5 lbs (3.5kg), Power supply module: 0.75 lb (0.35kg).
Power:
12 VDC @1.8A typical. 2.2A capacity recommended. Supplied with 100-240 VAC high-efficiency, self adjusting regulated supply, typical consumption 32 VA. The supply is UL approved and CE marked.
Copyright © 2005 25-Seven Systems, Inc.
Note: Specifications are subject to change without notice
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