KONSOLETA AXIA DESQ, AXIA RAQ

Overview

Not every studio requires a full-size mixing console. Not every studio is full-size, itself! But you still want the advantages of IP-Audio networking: the ability to send program audio to other studios, the ability to consume audio from satellite downlinks, remote codecs and phone hybrids, or to trigger routing scene changes from a user-mapped control panel. And you don’t want a toylike plastic pro-audio mixer — you want a real broadcast console that fits into a rack or turret, or on a small desktop space. A console with a small footprint, but big capabilities.

Six-fader, two-bus Axia DESQ and RAQ consoles are a cost-effective, small-footprint console option perfect for small production studios, remote vehicles, content ingest stations, etc. DESQ has two stereo mixing buses and a Preview (cue) bus, six high-quality 100mm conductive-plastic faders for silky-smooth operation and long life, razor-sharp OLED channel options displays, an OLED meter display with switchable VU / PPM ballistics, and monitor / headphone controls for auditioning of Program buses or two assignable External monitor source selections.

There’s also an OLED time-of-day clock + timer display, with auto / manual reset option. As with all Axia consoles, aircraft-quality switches feature all-LED lighting; the anodized work surface has rub- proof etched markings that can’t rub off. Additional features include automatic mix-minus for phone callers and codec sources, EQ for voice sources, and Show Profile instant recall of up to four pre-defined console “snapshots”.

DESQ requires no countertop cutout and takes only 16” square of desk space; it connects to the QOR.16 integrated console engine with a single power/control cable. DESQ is ideal for standalone installation, but works with larger Axia networks too. A DESQ control surface and a QOR.16 integrated console engine constitute a complete RAQ system, but two DESQ consoles, or one RAQ and one DESQ console, may be paired with a single QOR.16 for cost-effective multi-console deployment.

DESQ

A big console for small spaces.

DESQ is a compact, special-purpose IP console from Axia. It may be compact in stature, but it’s big on features and performance. DESQ has “big board” capabilities you won’t find in other consoles of this size — automatic per-fader mix-minus, built-in EQ for voice and codec sources, and the ability to instantly load new local or networked sources to any fader with just the turn of a knob. Which means DESQ easily out-classes mixers with similar form factors — and even ones that take up much more room.

DESQ is a six-fader console in a form-factor that lets it fit just about anywhere there’s a few inches of spare space: DESQ is only 16 inches (39.9 cm) square. It’s built Axia-tough, with a machined-aluminum work surface that takes the rough stuff jocks can dish out. Our familiar 100 mm. conductive-plastic faders feel like silk under the fingertips, and you’ll also find the avionics-grade switches with LED lighting that have become an Axia hallmark.

Other features include OLED channel and meter displays, four-source monitor section with two external locations that can be reassigned “on the fly”, and an OLED time-of-day clock and event timer. Like its rackmount cousin, RAQ, DESQ also has four Show Profile console snapshot locations, and push-and- turn Options knobs at the top of each fader that give instant access to fader source assignments, pan/ balance, and input gain trim.

Despite all these features, DESQ is so cost-effective, broadcasters are coming up with creative, new uses for them. Its big features and small footprint make DESQ the perfect console for interview studios, live performance spaces for on-air broadcast, news and feature production — whatever. Take it on road trip remotes, or to sporting events where multiple mics are required. Or put it in mobile units or ENG kits. Perfect for personal production studios, too.

RAQ

A big console for small spaces.

RAQ is a compact, special-purpose IP console from Axia. It may be compact in stature, but it’s big on features and performance. RAQ has “big board” capabilities you won’t find in other consoles of this size — automatic per-fader mix-minus, built-in EQ for voice and codec sources, and the ability to instantly load new local or networked sources to any fader with just the turn of a knob. Which means RAQ easily out-classes mixers with similar form factors — and even ones that take up much more room.

RAQ is a six-channel mixer over-engineered the Axia way, with super-duty rotary faders, aluminum front-panel, high-resolution OLED displays for channel assignment and metering, heavy-duty switches with LED lighting, and four Show Profile snapshot locations you can use to store and instantly recall favorite console configurations. One touch, and presto! Talent’s favorite sources are loaded, monitor source configured, and bus assignments made.

RAQ has two stereo mixing buses, plus a Preview (cue) bus, which makes it the perfect rack-mount utility mixer, whether in the studio, in an OB van, or in a road case. It fits in just 4 RU of space, so you can place it anywhere you need a full-featured, rack-mounted mixer: News booths, editors’ workstations, voice-over booths, dubbing stations, even small remote studios or club installations.

RAQ also features something else you won’t find on other compact consoles: a full-featured Monitor section. Along with headphone and Preview volume controls, you’ll also find a selector that lets you hear either Program 1, Program 2, or one of two External sources —helpful for monitoring off-air feeds, a processed headphone chain, or another studio. And you can finally say goodbye to Dymo labels and masking tape: each channel has an OLED display to show exactly what source is loaded.

Console Engine

QOR.16 is an Axia integrated console engine for Radius, DESQ and RAQ mixing consoles. QOR.16 combines audio I/O, a console power supply, mixing engine and built-for-broadcast network switch into one easy-to-deploy package. Each QOR.16 provides 8 Analog inputs and 4 Analog outputs, 1 AES/EBU input and 1 AES/EBU output, 2 Microphone inputs with selectable Phantom power, 4 GPIO machine-control logic ports, each with 5 inputs and 5 outputs, an integrated network switch with 6 Livewire® 100BASE-T Ethernet ports and 2 1000BASE-T (Gigabit) ports with SFP, a heavy-duty Telecom-grade power supply with fanless convection cooling, and an industrial-grade CPU designed for harsh- environment reliability.

And here’s the kicker: one QOR.16 can power two RAQ mixers — or a RAQ and a DESQ (RAQ’s six-fader, desktop-mount cousin)! Despite all these features, RAQ is so cost-effective, broadcasters are coming up with creative, new uses for them. We figured folks would use them for news booths, dubbing stations and guest performance mixers, but audio pros are also telling us they’d be ideal for broadcast remote kits, mobile trucks, for shipboard broadcasting, or as personal mixers. What else could you use them for? The possibilities are endless...