Unika NBB-0202 User Manual

UNiKA Electronic Co., Ltd.

www.unikapro.com

6F, No.168, XinHu 2nd Road,
NeiHu Dist., Taipei 11494,
Taiwan (R.O.C.)

☏ [phone]
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NBB-0202 Networked Audio Transceiver

Overview:

The NBB-0202 bidirectionally transmits 2x2 audio to and from Dante audio network. It
accepts wide range of signal from MIC to LINE level while its output capability meets the
industrial standard up to 24dBu.

The NBB-0202 is equipped with two RJ-45 Ethernet ports so that several NBB-0202 can be
cascaded, i.e. in daisy-chaining, in the same network link. Also, it can be powered by either
PoE from Ethernet switch or 48V from external power adapter.

Features:

Dante-enabled networked Audio Receiver and Transmitter
Streaming audio in robust standard Ethernet cable (a.k.a., Digital Snake)
Easily organize and expand network topology with Ethernet switches
Uncompressed 24-bit PCM coding with sample rate up to 96KHz
Two RJ-45 ports make Daisy-chain cascading feasible
Powered by either PoE or 48V adapter
Gain or Attenuate control for each channel
Phantom power engagement control per input channel
Signal clip indicators for both inputs
XLR Combo sockets for both XLR and TRS phone plugging
Routing and other configuration are set with Dante Controller software
Rackmount kit included

Description:

The NBB-0202 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-the­shelf Ethernet switches or to immediately transport streaming audio by taking advantage of
your existing installed network facility with no hassle. Even better, every NBB-0202 comes
with two Ethernet ports which allow you to physically cascade several NBB-0202s in the same
network link. Accompanying with Ethernet switches, this capability helps NBB-0202 gaining
flexibility and expanding territory in device deployment in audio networking.

Audio routing among each NBB-0202 and all the other Dante-enabled devices is 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 stereo streaming audio from/to NBB-0202.

The audio input/output interfaces of NBB-0202 are fully met the requirement of professional
audio industrial. Audio is encoded/decoded with the latest and uncompressed 24-bit PCM
encoder/decoder with sample rate in 44.1KHz, 48KHz, or 96KHz. The NBB-0202 outputs are
peculiarly buffered with amplifiers of high-rail-voltage which can drive the lines up to 24dBu.
Besides the high-level of drive capability, the output of NBB-0202 can also be attenuated to
meet the narrower reception range of inputs of some semi-professional devices. Both inputs of
NBB-0202 accept signal of level from mic to line with individual gain and phantom power
control. The NBB-0202 is also equipped with a pair of clip indicators for both the inputs to
warn audio technician any signal overload on inputs.

The NBB-0202 is assembled in a sturdy metal chassis with elegant style of front panel. A set
of rackmount kit is included in the package so that you can mount the NBB-0202 in standard
19" rack.

Getting Started Guide:

Powering

The NBB-0202 can be powered by either,

PoE from Ethernet switch with PoE PSE capability, or
48V power adapter which should be included in your device package.

It is O.K. for you to power your NBB-0202 with both PoE and 48V adapter simultaneously.
However, since the operating voltage of PoE is usually higher than 48V, very likely your NBB­0202 will sink power only from PoE if you do so.

Setting

Once your NBB-0202 is powered, you can configure your NBB-0202 by direct connecting it
to your computer or via the Ethernet switch. That is to say that the NBB-0202 can direct talk to
your computer or via switch. See picture below for an illustration.

All the routing assignment and device configuration are set via Dante Controller software
which is available free from the following Audinate webpage,

www.audinate.com/products/software/dante-controller

User's guide of Dante Controller can be found on the following webpage,

www.audinate.com/resources/technical-documentation

Besides the routing assignment, mostly, you should set the operating sample rate of your
NBB-0202 to meet the sample rate of your whole Dante network. Basically, all the devices
in the same Dante network should be synced to the same sample rate. You do not need to
worry about the bit-depth of coding of your audio stream in network. Although the NBB-0202
encodes/decodes audio in 24-bit PCM stream, it automatically does bit-depth converting when
it streams audio to/from other Dante-enabled devices manipulating audio data in different bit­depth.

By default, the NBB-0202 device transmits one or a couple of channels of audio in flow to
each remote device respectively. The NBB-0202 supports merely 2 audio flows
simultaneously. When you need the audio from NBB-0202 to be transmitted to more than 2
devices, you can assign the channels needed to be transmitted to more than 2 remote devices in
a multicast flow by clicking the multicast button in the device view window in Dante
Controller. A multicast flow is virtually distributed as broadcasting in Dante Audio Network so
that more than 2 devices can recept the audio flow.

Usually, UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) Cat.5e cable should be good
enough for all the network installation. However, STP (Shielded
Twisted Pair) Cat.5e cable is strongly recommended if you plan to
route the cable through noisy environment. The foil or braided
screens in STP cable can provide great noise immunity from
electromagnetic interference around. Also, make sure the EIA/TIA-568B standard is fully
followed for the RJ-45 plug wiring.