Opal
An IP audio gateway for easy guest interviews
Product Overview
Guest interviews don’t have to be complicated.
Expert guests (like entertainers, political pundits, athletes, and others) don’t always have access to engineers. They need something as simple to use and familiar as a phone call. But that doesn’t mean a radio program should settle for phone quality audio.
Opal is an IP audio gateway that enables guests to connect to the studio by simply clicking a link. It provides HD quality audio from consumer-grade equipment, like a cellphone or a computer with a microphone. It’s easy enough to use without a technical background, and most importantly, it sounds great.
Features
- Interoperable with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera
- Compatible with PCs, Android and macOS/iOS devices
- Supports two discrete connections at once
- Small form factor – occupies ½U rackspace
- Opus encoder
- Free firmware updates
- Top-notch technical support (English & Spanish)
- 100% designed & built in the USA at our facility in Devens, Mass.
- One year manufacturer’s warranty
Simplicity
Opal enables guests to connect to the studio by simply clicking a link. Unlike Skype and other apps, the remote guest doesn’t install a thing – they just click a button, and go live. This simplicity means that guests with no technical background can connect and transmit HD audio.
Compatibility
Opal works by activating the Opus encoder built into commonly used browsers, including Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox, and Opera. As a result, Opal can connect to any computer, Android, or iOS device with one of those browsers installed. All a remote guest needs to transmit audio is a browser and a microphone.
Opus Encoder
Opus is a ubiquitous encoder that is built into commonly used browsers, including Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox, and Opera. Opus transmits high-fidelity, low delay audio in both directions. It uses very little network bandwidth, so it’s highly reliable.
Accessories
Opal Rack Kit
Mount a single or two side-by-side Opals in your 19″ rack.
*Kit includes: Rack shelf, customized front panel and mounting screws.
Contact a Comrex audio dealer to purchase.
Specifications
Audio Connections
- Balanced Ch 1/2 XLR line-level audio input (0dBu)
- Balanced Ch 1/2 XLR line-level audio output (0dBu)
- AES3 XLR Digital audio input (through Ch 1 XLR input when switched)
- AES3 XLR Digital audio output (through Ch 1 XLR output when switched)
Other Connections
- Ethernet port (1000Base-T)
- Contact closures (9-pin mini DIN)
- Serial port (8-pin mini DIN) (for future use)
- Power (4 pin connector for external 24VDC supply)
Audio Levels
- Balanced audio input level: 0 dBu
- Balanced audio output level: 0 dBu
- Full scale is 20 dB above nominal
Power and Physical
- External supply (24VDC 20 Watts)
- Size (8.5” W x 6.25” D x 1.75” H; 21.59 cm W x 15.88 cm D x 4.45 cm H)
- Weight (2.16 lbs; 0.98 kg)
Monitoring
- L & R tri color LEDs display channel status/audio level
Testimonials
Messina Connects Hosts of All Experience Levels
“I was skeptical of Opal at first; it sounded too good to be true, like a bubble gum ad. But once I got it set up and working, it’s been flawless.”
Opal Makes Full-Duplex Audio Magic
“In a medium that is all about where a conversation goes, whether it’s comedy or a panel discussion, high-quality and low-delay audio is irreplaceable. Opal is the solution that every podcaster doesn’t realize they need.”
Earforce Keeps Interviews Rolling With Opal
“Good audio is so important — if you hear something in high quality, even if you don’t know anything about audio, it just feels better to listen to. Especially these days with everything going remotely, the Opal definitely comes in handy.”
Comrex Opal Polishes Podcast Interviews
“When we think about doing an interview, whether with a governor or with talent or maybe even a sports icon, there is nothing better than using Opal to obtain a rich, full fidelity-high-quality audio feed.”
More Info
Brochures/Manuals
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