2020 mk III - Vastly Superior "Broadcast" Processor

 

 
The Vastly Superior Processor for FM, TV, Cable, Satellite,
Webcasting, Post Production, CD Mastering

Vastly Superior Processing

Since 1975 APHEX Systems has designed and manufactured innovative signal processing equipment for professional applications. Many of our processors have become the de facto standard of the industry in their particular categories: Dominator¢ç, Compellor¢ç, Aural Exciter¢ç, Big Bottom¢ç, etc. It is with this heritage that we undertook the development of the original 2020. After five years in development and 15 new proprietary techniques, we created the finest sounding FM processor available. Two years later and with three new proprietary techniques the MkII was born and now we proudly introduce the 2020 MkIII. Aphex research ensures that each and every link in the 2020MkIII processing chain outperforms any comparable link in any competitive product. When the links are combined the MkIII is vastly superior.

Additional Features
Password Security System Programmable and automatable for day-parting
Remotely and Locally controllable RDS input / output and dual composite outputs
Headphone Input / Output monitor
Can also operate in a dual mono configuration - a cost and space-effective idea for single channel broadcasters
Insert loop for adding additional processing such as the Aphex Aural Exciter and Big Bottom
Digital I/O option includes our patented Drift Stabilized A to D Converters
Ultra precision oven controlled crystal oscillator option ( Denotes Aphex Proprietary Circuitry )

Our Press

The Model 2020 was hailed worldwide as the FM processor of choice for stations where sound quality and loudness are equally important. Review after review talked about "clarity", "naturalness", "loudness", "lack of annoying artifacts", "great value", "deep, rich bottom end", "clear, unclouded midrange and highs" ? the list of accolades went on and on. Now with new circuit designs, improved processing algorithms and new features the reviewers will have to find new superlatives for the 2020MkIII.
The Model 2020MkIII Processing Chain
LEVELING MULTIBAND COMPRESSION
 
Frequency Discriminate Leveler
Dynamic Verification Gate
Sticky Leveler
Jump Ahead
Adjustable Rate
Adjustable Gain Correction
Works like the perfect board operator smoothly riding gain without any processing artifacts (pumping, breathing, ducking, hole punching).
 
Wave Dependent Compressor
Post Crossover Multiband Technique
4 Adjustable Crossover Bands
Adjustable Drive
Band by Band Release Times
Adjustable Band by Band Summation Mix
Selectable L / R Linking (None, Elastic, Hard)
Selectable Band to Band Elastic Linking
 
Other processors sound dissected or synthetic by enhancing artifacts and squashing out natural details. The Mklll Multiband remains cohesive and natural even with the heaviest processing. Its flexibility offers a full palette of sonic textures.
LIMITER PRE-EMPHASIS LIMITER
AND LOW-PASS FILTER 		PPDM
Stereo Generator
 
Split Band Clipper
Automatic Limit Threshold
Phase Coherent Crossover
Adjustable Density
Adjustable Bass Processing
 
Split band Limiter
Distributed Pre-Emphasis
Filter
Adjustable Brightness
Overshoot Compensated
Low Distortion Low Pass Filter
 
Parallel Path Digital
Modulation
Selectable Mode
Adjustable Pilot Level
RDS Direct Interface
Interacts intelligently with Multiband, to easily achieve desired loudness. Tight, punchy, abundant bass is unmatched. 2020Mklll is the only processor that holds voice equal in loudness to music program.
Perfect pilot protection with no spurious output. Extended high frequencies & transients for a natural, open sound without harshness or edginess. Better sound and better coverage.
Perfect Modulation - no need for composite clipping. Accurate, wide, stable stereo image. Proven Extended coverage.
Loudness vs Cleanliness
Competition for loudness impacts audio quality. The 2020MkIII rewrites that formula through the utilization of 18 exclusive techniques (patented and patent pending) which increase density beyond any other processor while retaining naturalness and musicality.
Increased Coverage
Another advantage of the 2020MkIII is the stability and purity of the signal, resulting in extended coverage in shadow areas.
Customize Your Own Sound
The 2020MkIII comes with 8 sample presets that many will find perfect for their station's sound. Others will find these suitable as the starting point to completely customize a sonic signature from the vast palette of control over processing parameters.
Remote Control
The Model 2020MkIII is totally controllable locally via the front panel controls or remotely via RS232 and modem. The newly improved Remote Software is Wintows¢â 98/2000 compatible.
Presets, Day and Day of Week Parting
The 2020MkIII has eight factory presets and 16 user definable presets. All operating parameters can be modified and saved in a user preset. Day parting can be programmed for up to 4 changes of presets per day. In addition, each day of the week can be programmed to have its own day parting schedule of presets.
Options - Buy only what you need!
The basic unit has flat (no pre-emphasis) processing with analog I/O. Option 1 adds AES/EBU digital I/O. Option 2 adds a pre-emphasis limiter and low pass filter. Option 3 adds the pre-emphasis limiter, low pass filter and PPDM stereo generator. Option 4 adds an Ultra-precision oven-controlled crystal oscillator to option 3.
Other Applications
POST PRODUCTION - Perfect packaging of your audio so the consumer hears the quality you put into your production.
MASTERING - Get the hottest possible CD by utilizing your highest resolution without distortion. Won't wash out the punch and leading edge dynamics.
SPECIFICATIONS - Aphex 2020MkIII Audio Processor SPEC SHEET AVAILABLE AS PDF 267K
AUDIO
Internal Frequency Response ¡¾ 0.1 dB 1 Hz to 70 kHz
Basic Pre-emphasis Accuracy ¡¾ 0.1 dB 20Hz to 15KHz disregarding any audio processing alterations
THD (for all signals below clip threshold) Demodulated MPX output, 0dB 1KHz tone input, THD <0.05%
Active Process Distortion
(typical worst case) 		Demodulated MPX output, 0dB 1KHz tone input, CHR factory preset, THD <0.5%
Note: This typifies peaks only, and not signals below clip threshold.
Stereo Output Noise
(left or right channel) 		CHR Factory preset, 20Hz-20KHz measurement bandwidth
ref 100% modulation = -70dB
Mono Output Noise

CHR Factory preset, 20Hz-20KHz measurement bandwidth
ref 100% modulation = -71dB

Processing Peak Overshoot Less than 1.5% above 100% modulation
System Stereo Separation Greater than 65dB 20Hz to 15KHz
ANALOG AUDIO INPUT
Configuration Left and Right
Impedance 10K Ohms
CMRR >70dB 50Hz - 20KHz
Sensitivity -24dBu to +10dBu for nominal input level
Maximum Input Level +27dBu
Connector XLR 3-Pin Female EMI Suppressed. Pin 1 chassis ground, Pins 2 & 3 electronically balanced, floating and symmetrical. Pin 2 in in phase with multiplex and digital output
Type Transformerless, differential servo balanced with 4th order RF filter
ANALOG AUDIO OUTPUT
Configuration Left and right. Flat or pre-emphasized
Source Impedance 62 Ohms electronically servo balanced
Load Impedance 600 Ohms or greater balanced or unbalanced. Termination not required.
Maximum Output Level +24dBu onto 600 ohms balanced
Connector XLR 3-Pin male, EMI Suppressed. Pin 1 chassis ground, Pins 2 & 3 electronically balanced, floating and symmetrical. Pin 2 in in phase with multiplex and digital output.
DIGITAL INPUT
Configuration Two-channel AES/EBU standard. Pre-emphasized or non pre-emphasized.
Sampling Rate 32, 44.1, and 48KHz auto detect and lock
Connector XLR 3-Pin male EMI Suppressed.
Pin 1 chassis ground, Pins 2 & 3 transformer balanced and floating
Input Data Size 20-bits
Input Frequency Response 1 to 20KHz +/- 0.1dB
DIGITAL OUTPUT
Configuration Two-channel AES/EBU standard
Sampling Rate Input clock-slaved or independently selected at 32, 44.1, or 48KHz.
Connector XLR 3-Pin Female EMI Suppressed. Pin 1 chassis ground, Pins 2 & 3 transformer balanced and floating
Output Data Size 20-bits
Output Frequency Response 1Hz to 20KHz +/- 0.1dB
COMPOSITE BASEBAND OUTPUT
Configuration Single output with output level control
Source Impedance 10 ohms suitable to drive long or short coaxial cable
Load Impedance 50 ohms or greater
Output Level Adjustable from 0 to 13V peak-to-peak with multiturn output control
Connector BNC, EMI Suppressed. Floating over chassis ground at RF frequencies.
Max. recommended cable length 100ft RG58A/U or equivalent.
Pilot Level Adjustable 7% to 11% mix
Frequency Stability Pilot and subcarrier +/- 10ppm -50 to +80 deg C ambient
Stereo Generator Technology Aphex patented Parallel Path Digital Modulation (PPDM)
Pilot Phase Error 0 degrees guaranteed indefinitely by PPDM design
Spurious Output better than -72dB above 55KHz, typical <-85dB
Subcarrier Rejection better than -60dB
Harmonic Distortion Better than 0.003% within stereo generator
Intermodulation Distortion Better than 0.003% within stereo generator
Frequency Response 1Hz to 15KHz +/1 0.1dB, -3dB at 0.159Hz and 15.5KHz
REMOTE CONTROL INTERFACE
Configuration RS232 standard serial port
Connector DB-9 male
Control capability All FM Pro functions and parameters
Connectability Null modem cable to P.C. or modem cable to modem
Modem Compatibility U.S. Robotics Sportster. For others check with factory.
POWER
Line Voltage Input 77 to 266VAC 50-1000Hz automatic (no selection required)
Power Requirements 50 Watts
Safety Standards CE, UL, CSA, VDE
PHYSICAL
Front Panel Size Standard 2-RACK UNIT (3.5" vertical) 19-inch panel
Dimensions 19"W x 3.5"H x 13.125" overall Depth (482.6mm x 88.9mm x 334mm)
allow for connectors and wire dress
ENVIRONMENTAL
Operating Temperature Range 32-122 deg. F (0-50 deg C)
Humidity 0 to 95% RH, non-condensing
 
DOWNLOADS
* Brochure (PDF)