The SOUND4 IMPACT - PCIe Card has no competition among the FM/HD processing PCIe-card-based tools not only in the SOUND4 product range, but also on the market all over the world.
 
An innovative solution based on the latest technological developments, the SOUND4 IMPACT is a multi-functional product of advanced capabilities. Besides being a cutting-edge FM processing tool, it also provides a number of options whose price would constitute a 30-50% price increase if offered by a separate product, such as Basic and Full RDS, WebRadio Streaming, SOUND4 IP Connect (IP codec), local audio backup. The SOUND4 IMPACT effectively combines performance with cost-effectiveness to make it the smartest choice on the market.
 
The SOUND4 IMPACT is also the first product in the range having unique features that significantly improve FM reception in degraded environments. When developing the product, all of the users who participated in the tests in critical environments found a significant improvement in terms of reception, which guarantees a larger audience in places where frequencies are disturbed.
 
A Unique Processing Chain
The SOUND4 IMPACT incorporates a unique processing chain with an innovative approach which is even described as revolutionary by its first users.
A common problem users report is related to loudness variation between old and new titles. In some cases, the auditor may even decide to switch the radio station during sequences of old and recent titles. This is a concern for many program managers because a changing sound leads to loss of identity, and the auditor does not recognize their radio.
With SOUND4 IMPACT, all these inconveniences are a thing of the past. The 2-band AGC is based on the signal strength and no longer on the electrical average values. It automatically detects differences in loudness to smooth out variations in sound perception. Its structure ensures perfect stability and enhanced vocals combined with a good bass presence.
Another problem frequently observed in FM comes from variations in reception levels when the moving receiver switches from stereo to mono and vice versa. These changes affect the tone (loss of treble) but also the overall level of sound perception, so the sound "goes up and down" in addition to a “changing sound”.
The SOUND4 IMPACT introduces an innovative process - mono and stereo parts of the signal are processed separately to obtain perfect homogeneity in terms of both sound and level. Therefore, in moving reception, when the FM receiver switches from stereo to mono and back to stereo, the sound variations and changes in level are reduced by over 90%. In the SOUND4 IMPACT processing chain, the stereo expander can then be used substantially without any limitations.
But there is even more to the SOUND4 IMPACT, which sets it apart from any other product available on the market -a 3-band limitation section after the 6-band processing of dynamics. There is an easy answer as to why only 3 bands are used. This is due to the fact that the outputs of the limiter are added and they then feed the final limiter. The sum of the signals on three bands induces less variation in levels than in the case of 6 bands. The final limiter job is then more stable and therefore less subject to distortion when the processor is used for an important parameter such as loudness.
Moreover, when it comes to loudness, the IMPACT is at the same level as the best, most popular and well-established products on the market. The structure of the final limiter consists of 3 limiters - one for basses, one for FM and one for the MPX. This is guaranteed to meet the expectations of the most demanding programs managers.
 
Optional IP Audio Codec Solution
The SOUND4 IMPACT has an empowered IP audio transport built-in option which allows for audio signals to be carried into IP from the studios to multiple transmitters. This option is called SOUND4 IP Connect, and can transmit a signal to up to 32 destinations.
It is possible to re-broadcast a link to other locations without decoding and re-encoding. Security is at the heart of SOUND4 IP Connect, which offers backup links with automatic switching, a multi-gateway to use several modes of transport on the same card, alarm management with SNMP and an Alarm Stacker.
 
Basic or Full RDS Encoder
The SOUND4 IMPACT includes a basic or a full RDS encoder option, the latter being UECP-compatible.
 
Six Streaming Encoders
The SOUND4 IMPACT can perform Internet radio broadcasting for all types of media. It has six fully configurable encoders supporting MP3, AAC andHE-AAC v1 and v2. This option is compatible with the most popular servers (Icecast, Shoutcast, Flash, Wowza).
Better yet, this option has the Adaptive Process for very low bitrates (i.e. HE-ACC 24kbps). In this case, a compensation algorithm corrects the codec in real time in order to make sure that quality loss is minimal.
 
Integrated Audio Backup Solution
Much more than a mere processor, the SOUND4 IMPACT has Audio Backup functionalities. Due to the capacity of its hard disk to store audio files, it is the first processor that guarantees continuity of the on-air program, solving the problem of radio silence.
 
Link & Share
Like all PCIe card products, the SOUND4 IMPACT is compatible with Link & Share. This is a Telnet-like protocol that makes integration easier. All parameters are externally accessible and it is even possible to create scripts that will be sent by the broadcast automaton to change a PS, an input in mix mode, an IP route or an audio Preset. The SOUND4 IMPACT offers a large number of possibilities for the top performance that customers need.
 
Software Options Available *
Basic RDS Encoder
Full RDS Encoder
PCI Audio Driver In
PCI Audio Driver Out
Streaming Extension
IP Tx
IP Tx2
IP Rx
IP Rx2
IP RX + Tx
Dual IP Tx + RX
IP Pass Through
Breakout cable for FM/HD processors and IP CONNECT (PCIe In-Card)
 
 
* All Software Options are subject to an additional payment.