Sonifex Show The New CM-CU1 Commentator Unit

It provides a fully featured commentator position with a line-level input and has an individual commentator output, with an additional output providing a mix of commentator and line input audio.

The line input can be configured to remain present at the mix output even if the commentator is off air, making it useful for routing crowd effects or pre-recorded material to the programme feed. Its presence in the commentator’s headphones is also configurable to suit the application.

Four talkback output channels, with a built in limiter, are available to the commentator and they can be linked to provide simultaneous operation. Activation of one or more talkback channels removes the commentator audio from the main output until all talkback channels are deactivated.

A wide input gain range and switchable phantom power allows support of a variety of microphone types including low output ribbon mics, headsets and high output phantom powered microphones. There are 5 transformer balanced return audio inputs which, along with the commentator input, are routed to the headphone monitor controls. With these headphone controls, any monitor input can be adjusted and sent to either the left, right or both ears.

A GPIO port gives an open-collector driven output indication of any active On-Air or talkback channel and four remote inputs provide an external call/alert to each of the talkback controls.

The unit has a built in line-up tone generator for easy channel identification and cabling checks. When enabled the test-tone is routed to the required output simply by pressing the corresponding on air or talkback button. An automatic tone mode repeatedly sends different quantities of tone bursts to each output to make it effortless for a single technician to set up.

The CM-CU1 can be powered from a universal mains input between 85-264V AC at 47-63Hz, or from a 12-24V DC input.