ATC Labs is expanding its SoundMax lineup with hardware and software options designed to combine broadcast audio processing and streaming functions.
The Q24-6888HD hardware processor supports analog broadcasting, HD Radio services HD1 through HD5 and multiple streaming outputs. The manufacturer describes independent processing profiles for digital services and a separate processing path for the main streaming output.
Q24SOFT brings processing, streaming, broadcast-signal generation and Nielsen audience-measurement watermarking into software. ATC Labs advertises up to 64 independent stereo processing instances on a suitably specified server, with capacity dependent on the processor and license.
What engineers should evaluate
Combining functions may simplify equipment management, but stations still need a plan for failure, updates and service recovery. A consolidated installation should be evaluated alongside its backup arrangements, not just its channel count.
The published software requirements list Windows 10 or 11. Broadcasters considering the product should verify complete pricing, supported configurations, latency and recovery behavior for their intended deployment.
These capabilities are manufacturer specifications. Radio News Now has not independently tested the products.
Sources: ATC Labs’ Q24-6888HD specifications and Q24SOFT specifications.