Arkona Amplifies BLADE//runner’s Audio Capabilities

arkona technologies
(Image credit: arkona technologies)

FRANKFURT, Germany—At the 2024 NAB Show, arkona technologies GmbH has announced plans to expand its BLADE//runner platform with new audio capabilities. 

The provider of IP core infrastructure solutions for tier-1 broadcasters said that the expansion is aimed at audio workflows, specifically mixing and signal processing. At NAB in booth SU 6037, arkona will be demonstrating both an audio mixer available as an option, and a dedicated audio mixer and DSP instance powered by the company’s AT300 FPGA Programmable Acceleration Care (PAC). 

Designed around a highly flexible and modular software framework, BLADE//runner comprises a suite of live broadcast production software and hardware tools for professional productions including audio/video routing, compression and processing. The platform, designed for the modern broadcast facility, where flexibility and scalability are essential, operates on arkona’s AT300 FPGA PAC. It allows for the creation, control and deletion of all processing functions on the fly through the Company’s web-based UI, open APIs, as well as through NMOS IS-04/-05. 

At NAB 2024, arkona is introducing AMIX, an audio mixer available as an option on the Company’s IP Gateway and Router (IPGR) software application. AMIX provides up to 64 mono and 64 stereo mix instances as well as the ability to easily create mix minus (N-1) feeds. AMIX can easily replace sub-mixers for any size production while simultaneously performing IP and SDI video processing such as routing, color correction, HDR-SDR color-space conversion and more. 

In addition, arkona is cranking up BLADE//runner’s audio capabilities to an even higher level by making a new IP Audio Engine (IPA) application comprised of a dedicated audio mixer and DSP available on the AT300 PAC. With a total capacity of up to 16,384 mono audio inputs and 12,288 outputs the IPA offers compression and multi-band equalizers with true peak monitoring and loudness metering in addition to mono, stereo and multi-channel mixes. Capable of handling up to 8192 faders it is powerful enough to support mixing for the most demanding live broadcast events.

“With the introduction of AMIX and IPA we are turning up the volume to 11 on the audio functionality of the BLADE//runner ecosystem. With easily assignable mixing and DSP instances, BLADE//runner now provides a fully integrated audio and video infrastructure for the most demanding live productions.”

For additional information visit arkonatech.com

George Winslow

George Winslow is the senior content producer for TV Tech. He has written about the television, media and technology industries for nearly 30 years for such publications as Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News and TV Tech. Over the years, he has edited a number of magazines, including Multichannel News International and World Screen, and moderated panels at such major industry events as NAB and MIP TV. He has published two books and dozens of encyclopedia articles on such subjects as the media, New York City history and economics.