MuxLab IMU-500601 - 8-Channel Dante Audio DSP
The MuxLab IMU-500601 is a high-performance digital audio signal processor (DSP) specifically designed for the transmission, routing, and advanced processing of audio signals over Dante networks. This professional-grade device offers a comprehensive and robust solution for managing high-quality audio with minimal latency, making it the core of any modern audiovisual installation. With 8 input and 8 output channels, both analog and digital via the Dante network, the IMU-500601 provides exceptional flexibility to adapt to even the most demanding environments.
This processor not only manages audio conversion and transport, but also incorporates a powerful DSP engine with industry-leading algorithms. It offers a wide range of processing tools such as graphic and parametric equalization, compressors, limiters, ducking, and advanced features like acoustic echo cancellation (AEC), automatic frequency control (AFC), and automatic noise cancellation (ANC). Furthermore, its integrated USB sound card interface facilitates direct connection to computers for recording or playback, adding an extra layer of versatility. The entire system is intuitively controlled via PC software, allowing for comprehensive and visual management of all functions. For complex integrations, it features a complete API for control via RS232, RS485, and TCP/IP.
Main features
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Integrated Dante Connectivity: Equipped with a Dante module, it allows the transmission and reception of 8 channels of high-resolution, low-latency digital audio over standard IP networks.
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Balanced Analog Inputs and Outputs: It has 8 high-quality balanced analog audio inputs and 8 outputs, guaranteeing superior signal integrity and noise rejection.
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48V Phantom Power: The analog inputs feature switchable phantom power, allowing the use of professional condenser microphones without the need for external power supplies.
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Powerful DSP Processing: Includes a complete set of DSP tools: graphic equalizer, compressor, limiter, ducker, mixer, Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC), Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) and Automatic Noise Cancellation (ANC).
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USB Sound Card: Integrates a USB audio interface with 1 input channel and 1 output channel for easy connection with recording or video conferencing software on a computer.
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Flexible Control: It can be managed through PC control software (Windows) or integrated into third-party automation systems using API commands via RS232, RS485 and TCP/IP.
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AES67 Compatibility: Supports audio transport over IP using the AES67 standard, ensuring interoperability with a wide range of equipment from other manufacturers.
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GPIO Expansion: Includes a GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) port for expanding additional control interfaces, such as wall panels or event triggering systems.
Product benefits
The MuxLab IMU-500601 is designed to simplify the complexity of professional audio systems. For system integrators, this DSP centralizes audio routing, mixing, and processing, reducing the need for multiple devices and minimizing cabling. The result is a cleaner, more reliable, and easier-to-maintain installation. For the end user, it ensures exceptional and consistent sound quality, whether in a conference room, auditorium, or hotel, improving speech intelligibility and background music quality. The ability to save and load scene presets allows for instant system reconfiguration for different uses, optimizing workflow.
Use cases
This DSP processor is the ideal solution for a wide variety of professional applications, including:
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Conference and meeting rooms: Manage multiple microphones and audio sources, applying AEC to eliminate echo in video conferences and ANC to reduce background noise, ensuring clear communication.
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Educational sector: Perfect for classrooms, assembly halls and auditoriums, allowing audio to be routed from different sources to multiple speaker zones with optimized processing.
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Hotels and convention centers: Facilitates the distribution of background music and announcements in multiple zones, with the ability to automatically adjust audio levels (ducking) when an announcement is made.
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Retail and restaurants: Provides centralized control of the audio system, allowing the creation of specific sound environments and the management of background music and commercial messages.
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Hospitals and health centers: Ideal for public address and announcement systems, ensuring that messages are clear and audible in different areas of the building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dante and why is he important?
Dante is an audio-over-IP protocol that allows the transmission of multiple channels of high-quality, uncompressed digital audio over a standard Ethernet network with very low latency. It is important because it greatly simplifies the cabling and configuration of complex audio systems, replacing expensive and cumbersome analog cables with a single network cable.
Do I need to be an audio expert to set up the IMU-500601?
The device comes with Windows control software featuring an intuitive graphical interface, making it easy to configure and monitor all functions. While basic audio knowledge is helpful, the software is designed to be accessible. Advanced integrations require knowledge of control systems.
Can I integrate this DSP with a Crestron or AMX control system?
Yes. The MuxLab IMU-500601 provides a complete API that allows control via RS232, RS485, or TCP/IP commands, facilitating its integration with third-party automation and control systems such as Crestron, AMX, Control4, and others.
Does the device support other network audio protocols besides Dante?
Yes, the IMU-500601 is also compatible with the AES67 standard, allowing it to interoperate with other audio-over-IP devices and platforms that also support this standard.
Project description
1U rackmount digital signal processor (DSP). It features 8 balanced analog audio input and output channels, with 48V phantom power on the inputs. An integrated Dante module provides 8 digital audio input and output channels over IP. A USB sound card with 1 input and 1 output is included. Audio processing is performed at 24-bit/48kHz, with a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz (±0.25dB). It offers a dynamic range of 114dB (D/A) and 120dB (A/D). The DSP engine includes equalization, compression, limiter, ducker, mixer, AEC, AFC, and ANC. Control is via PC software and APIs for RS232, RS485, and TCP/IP. It is compatible with the AES67 protocol and has GPIO ports for expansion.
