Description
Wheatstone BLADE-3s have a lot in common with the set of IP Audio products that form the basic I/O building blocks of an AoIP network. But theres a whole lot more going on inside a BLADE-3 than mere I/O. Theres a powerful CPU complete with operating system to provide the routing, logic, and audio power to practically create a self-contained production studio.
When they are networked, their power is virtually unlimited.
We have BLADEs for just about every purpose, all of which can be networked together with our control surfaces and accessories to make one smart WheatNet-IP audio network.
I/O BLADE-3s
I/O BLADEs are far more than mere access units connecting studios, elements and Wheatstone control surfaces in the WheatNet-IP Intelligent Network. Yes, I/O BLADEs convert audio and logic inputs to data streams on the network and convert outgoing data streams to hardware outputs. But these 1RU I/O units which come in analog, digital and analog/digital versions also have intelligence inside. Each I/O BLADE comes with a CPU and operating system so you can do amazing things with your audio network, from routable mixing and logic-follow-audio to a whole lot more.
Console Audio BLADE-3s
Console Audio BLADE-3s provide audio I/O and DSP mix engine functions for WheatNet-IP radio control surfaces (see Gibraltar Mix Engine for TV Consoles) through the network switch.
Unique to Wheatstones console engine approach is its true IP connectivity. The control surface connects directly into the network switch itself, giving it access to mix engine functions as well as direct access to automation systems, network applications and other control surfaces that make true system interoperability possible.
The IP88CB Console Audio BLADE-3 comes standard with L-8, L-12, E-1, IP-12 and IP-16 control surfaces. A single Console Audio BLADE-3 is all that is needed for some studio operations, but busy studios often require an additional I/O BLADE-3 or Wheatstones CB32 model which doubles the amount of I/O in 2RU.
All Console Audio BLADEs are AES67 compatible to bring audio from other AES67-compatible devices and signals into and out of the WheatNet-IP Intelligent Network.
Mix Engine BLADE-3s
A Mix Engine BLADE-3 houses all the DSP processing power for an individual radio control surface (see Gibraltar Mix Engine for TV Consoles) and distributes the four stereo PGM buses, four stereo AUX sends, per-channel mix-minus feeds, monitor outputs, and other bus signals to the network. Once on the network, bus signals are available as sources and destinations anywhere. This creates an extremely flexible system in which program outputs from one surface can be sources on any other surface; for example, a news mixers program bus can be brought up as a source on the air studio surface. While the IP88E doesnt house audio I/O, it does include 12 universal logic (GPIO) ports for interfacing various external switches, indicators and devices for control purposes.
They are AES67 compatible for use with other AES67-compatible devices and signals in the WheatNet-IP Intelligent Network.
Special Use BLADE-3s
Different workflows require different tools. Our specialty BLADE-3s are built to handle specific functions.
MADI BLADE-3 can manage 64 channels of MADI I/O data.
LOGIC BLADE-3 has 48 universal logic ports, each individually programmable.
HD-SDI BLADE-3 de-embeds audio from four HD-SDI streams or 8 AES/EBU pairs (16 audio channels) per stream.
EDGE BLADE-3 is for managing data to and from IP STL wireless radios for creating STL systems within the WheatNet-IP Network.
