RADIAL BROADCAST SPLITTERS

A range of useful stage and studio signal processing tools from Radial Engineering.

EXO-POD

Radial Engineering Exo-Pod is a passive broadcast splitter than can take a balanced line output from a mixing console and distribute the signal to up to fourteen recording devices to avoid the need for a stack of microphones at the audio source.

Exo-Pod take a line-level 3-pin XLR input and splits it out to ten 3-pin XLR outputs and four 3.5mm TRS jack connections for linking to video cameras, hand-held recorders, tablets or other media systems. A variable input trim allows the broadcast technician to reduce the global output level locally for convenience, and all of the outputs are transformer isolated to eliminate hum and buzz that is often encountered due to ground loops. The 3-pin XLR outputs are supplemented with individual ground lift switches to further abate noise, and an XLR thru connector allows multiple Exo-Pods to be linked together.

Depending on what type of source is being employed to drive the Exo-Pod, the user can daisy-chain two or more together to expand the outputs from fourteen to twenty-eight or more using the LOOP THRU connection. For example, a source at +4dBu will drive two Exo-Pods in series, whereas a source at +24dBu will drive up to four Exo-Pods in series. Note that as the number of outputs is increased, so are the demands on the source. This means compensation by way of increasing the output from the mixer and increase the sensitivity (input levels) on the recorders in the press gallery.

Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz. Total harmonic distortion: 0.001%. Dynamic range: 136dB, balanced; 100dB, unbalanced. Input impedance: 350 ohms. Output impedance: 1000 ohms, balanced; 4600 ohms, unbalanced. Equivalent noise levels: -108dBu, balanced; -84dBu, unbalanced.