UNiKA NBB-1616 Cascadable 16x16 Bi-Directional Dante Audio Interface

The UNiKA NBB-1616 breakbox adopts Audinate Dante networking technology for audio transceiving, and is very network friendly with unlimited flexibility in topology of deployment. It supports up to Layer 3 of IEEE 802.3 network standard, enabling you to organize your audio network with the on-the-shelf Ethernet switches or to immediately transport streaming audio by taking advantage of your existing installated network facility with no hassle. Even better, every NBB-1616 breakbox comes out with two Ethernet ports which allow you to physically cascade several NBB-1616s in the same network link. You can also configure the two Ethernet ports to work independently but parallelly, which means you can redundantly route two links for seamlessly network backing up of each other. This extremely gains flexibility or reliability in device deployment for audio networking.

Audio routing among NBB-1616s and all the Dante-enabled consoles or workstations can be configured via computer with dedicated Dante Controller software which is available free from Audinate website. With Dante Virtual Soundcard software, you are even able to have your DAW software direct record/play multitrack streaming audio from/to NBB-1616 breakbox.

The audio input and output interfaces of NBB-1616 breakbox are fully met the requirement of professional audio industrial. Audio is encoded with the latest and uncompressed 24-bit PCM encoder with sample rate in 48KHz, 96KHz, or even up to 192KHz for extremely exquisite applications. The outputs are peculiarly buffered with amplifiers of high-rail-voltage which can drive the lines up to 24dBu. In addition to the high-level of drive capability on outputs, all inputs of NBB-1616 breakbox accept signal level from mic to line with individual input gain and phantom power control. The NBB-1616 also equipped with 16 PPM meters with clip hold functionality for all the input or output channels. This feature we think it is very important for the audio technicians to simultaneously monitor all the input levels from clipping.

The NBB-1616 breakbox is regularly shipped with channel capacity of 16 analog inputs and 16 analog outputs (i.e., 16 x 16 I/O). However, it is not restricted itself here and you have the option to double the channel capacity for additional 16 x 16 I/O with an expansion box. With the box, you therefore can consolidate totally 32 x 32 audio into the same Ethernet cable.
Furthermore, the NBB-1616 breakbox is firmware upgradeable to support AES67 audio transport in near future.

Key Features

• 16 x 16 fully digitized Break-in/Break-out box
• Dante-enabled networked breakbox or stagebox
• Streaming audio in robust standard Ethernet cable (a.k.a., Digital Snake)
• Support Layer 3 of IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard, which means
• Streaming through Layer-3 Ethernet switch is feasible
• Easily organize network topology with regular Ethernet switch
• Redundant networking mode for fault tolerant audio distribution, or
• Daisy-chain networking mode for easy coverage extending
• Audio routing can be set by Dante-enabled audio console, or
• Dedicated Dante Controller software for Windows and Mac OS
• 24-bit PCM coding with sample rate up to 192KHz
• PPM meter with clip hold for input/output level monitoring
• Option to double channel capacity with a expansion box
• AES3 Digital I/O expansion box available on request

Technical Specifications

Channel Capacity
16 x 16 Inputs and Outputs
Level Meter
PPM Meter with Clip Hold
Meter Scaling
0dBFS @24dBu
Output
24dBu max., Balanced XLR
Input
42dBu max., Balanced XLR
Input Phase Control
180 Inverting Control
Input Gain Control
60dB Rotary and -18dB Pad Control
+48V Phantom Power
ON/OFF Control per Input
Encoding
Uncompressed 24-bit PCM
Sample Rate
44.1KHz / 48KHz / 96KHz / 192KHz
Ethernet
x2 Gigabit RJ45 Ports
Networking Mode
Redundant or Daisy-chain
Transmission Distance
> 100m with CAT.5e Cable
Audio Flows
x32 (unicast + multicast)
Audio Latency
< 2ms typical
Frequency Response
20Hz ~ 20KHz +/-0.5dB
S/N Ratio (Input)
> 110dB @0dBFFS
S/N Ratio (Output)
> 110dB @0dBFS
THD + Noise (Input)
< 0.002% @-10dBFS
THD + Noise (Output)
< 0.001% @-10dBFS
Crosstalk (Input)
< -95dB @1KHz
Crosstalk (Output)
< -120dB @1KHz
Operating Voltage
100 ~ 240VAC, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption
< 50Watts
Operation Temperature
32 to 113F (0deg; to 45C)
Operation Relative Humidity
0 to 90%
Construction
3U Rack-Mount Chassis
Dimensions (HxWxD)
5.24 x 18.90 x 9.84" (133 x 480 x 250mm)
Weight
15.43Lbs (7kg)