WHEATSTONE
AUDIOARTS AIR-4
12 CHANNEL ANALOG RADIO MIXER

A Never Lost Audio Art – Analog Mixing

With our Audioarts AIR-4 12-channel radio console, we’ve put together exactly what needs to be in a compact radio console and made it work the way it should. The AIR-4 is based upon a simple premise: Low cost does not have to be synonymous with low quality. The AIR-4 has four microphone preamps built in. This allows the use of a host microphone and three guest microphones with the AIR-4 without the use of any external mic preamps. It gives you 12 input faders (w/A-B source select), a 13th fader for call-ins, external machine control, two program busses, built-in cue speaker and CR, headphone and studio monitoring control. Add patchable USB connectivity for PC news, production work stations or streaming audio, and the Audioarts AIR-4 is perfect for local radio stations and internet broadcasters.

The AIR-4 design utilizes top grade components and circuits for superb performance. With basic features like machine control, cue, talkback, and mix-minus included, it’s perfect for smaller stations looking to upgrade as well as for larger facilities in need of an auxiliary studio or newsroom console.

The Audioarts AIR-4 mixing console draws upon Wheatstone Corporation’s continuing investment in the latest design, tooling, and manufacturing infrastructure. Because we both design and manufacture our own audio consoles, right here in New Bern, NC, USA, we can ensure our reputation for unparalleled quality, performance, and reliability.

The AIR-4 delivers superb broadcast quality and an excellent feature set at a great value.

FEATURES

• 12 stereo input fader channels, each with A and B inputs and remote START logic
• 13th phone caller fader with talkback and auto mix-minus to caller
• Four high performance mic preamps with variable gain trims to precisely match your microphones; preamp outputs jumper to any input fader’s A or B input
• Two program busses with balanced outputs (switchable stereo or mono mode)
• External input feeds the monitor section (for live air or pre-delay air monitoring)
• CR room monitor switchable PGM 1, PGM 2 or external; can mute when CR mic is live
• Split cue — when any fader is in CUE, sends cue audio to left channel and L+R sum of selected monitor source to right channel (switchable separately for CR and headphone)On-air light — front panel LED between the meters, and a low current closure output to drive an external ON AIR light relay.
• Studio output with independent source selection and CR-to-studio talkback button
• Plug in faders and conductive plastic monitor pots for easy replacement
• USB connection that is patchable to any of your input faders and internally dipswitchable to pick up program 1 or program 2 output mixes. Lets the AIR-4 interface with your desktop computer for news, music sweetening functions or to stream audio mixes from and to the console.
• Built-in cue speaker can automatically interrupt your main stereo monitors

Input section

Source Select Selects between two analog stereo sources: A and B
Program Assign Assign the selected source signal to any combination of the console’s two stereo Program outputs
Cue Button Places the channel’s signal on the console’s cue bus.
ON Button Turns the channel on and off by means of electronic switching and can simultaneously start external source machines.
Fader Sets the channel’s level.

Caller Input section

Program Assign Output switches assign the caller to any combination of the console’s two PROGRAM outputs and permit live talk-ins.
CUE Button Allows interviewing the caller prior to airing by including the caller’s voice in the console’s cue bus, where it may be heard on the meterbridge mounted cue speaker.
TB Button When the TB switch is pressed (it is momentary action), Mic 1 will interrupt the regular caller signal, thus allowing the DJ to talk to the caller prior to airing.
ON Button Determines if the phone channel is ON or OFF.
Fader Sets the caller’s signal level.

Control Room/Monitor Section

CUE Level Control Determines the overall loudness of the cue signal as it appears in the console’s cue speaker.
EXT Switch Pressing the EXT switch allows the operator to pick up the external input (useful for such items as tape recorders or air returns) to listen.
Program Select Pressing either of the two program switches allows the operator to listen to the selected output bus.
CR (CONTROL ROOM Level Control) Determines the overall loudness of the signal being monitored as it appears in the Control Room speakers.
METERS Select Buttons Select the source for the switched meter pair.
HDPN (HEADPHONE Level Control) Determines the overall loudness of the headphone output signal.

Studio Monitor Section

TB (Talkback) Button Lets the operator’s microphone signal interrupt the normal feed to the studio speakers, allowing the operator to talk to the performers in the Studio.
EXT Switch Pressing the EXT switch allows the external balanced input (such as tape recorders or air returns) to be heard in the studio.
Program Select Pressing either of the two program switches allows the selected output bus to be heard in the studio.
Studio Level Control Determines the overall loudness of the signal being monitored as it appears in the Studio speakers.

SPECIFICATIONS

AUDIO INPUT
Mic	Direct wire plug terminals, balanced
	Electronic differential, >2KΩ bridging
	Adjustable sensitivity
	max. input -6dBu
Line (Caller, External)	RJ-45 balanced,
	>10KΩ bridging
	+4dBu = 0VU, max. input +24dBu

AUDIO OUTPUT
Program & Caller	RJ-45 connectors, balanced
	Electronic differential, 100Ω source
	Impedance to drive >600Ω 0VU = +4dBu, max. output +24dBu
MonitoCR & Studio Monitor	RJ-45 connectors, unbalanced
Headphone	Stereo 1/4” TRS connector to directly drive typical broadcast style headphones >200Ω
Cue	Cue speaker in meterbridge
	DB-25 female connector output to drive external power amp

PERFORMANCE
Frequency Response	±0.1dB 20Hz-20kHz (mic & line)
Dynamic Range	Line (unity gain) 113dB
	Mic (54dB gain) 100dB
Headroom	24dB above -4dB
Noise	Mic -128dB EIN
	Line -87dB ref 0VU
THD+N	Mic <0.02% @-50dBu in, +4dBu out
	Line <0.003% @+4dBu in, +4dBu out
Bus crosstalk	-90dB @1kHz
Stereo separation	-60DB @1kHz
Off Isolation	-115dB @1kHz

LOGIC
On-Air	DB-25 female connector
	Low current closure to drive external on-air light relay
Channel Start Out	DB-25 female connector
	Opto-isolated output closure to remote start external devices

PHYSICAL
Dimensions:	28.4” / 72.1cm wide
	15.4” / 39.1cm deep
	4.4” / 11.2cm height (rear)
	1.6” / 4.1cm height (front)
Weight:	17 lbs / 7.7kg
Shipping Weight:	25 lbs / 11.3kg
Power	100-240VAC / 50-60Hz / 50W