Aphex Systems 2020 MK III

Aphex Systems 2020 MK III

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®, Compellor®, Aural Exciter®, Big Bottom®, 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 

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    

• Frequency Discriminate Leveler
• Dynamic Verification Gate
• Sticky Leveler
• Jump Ahead
• Adjustable Rate
• Adjustable Gain Correction 

MULTIBAND COMPRESSION

• 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

LIMITER

• Split Band Clipper
• Automatic Limit Threshold
• Phase Coherent Crossover
• Adjustable Density
• Adjustable Bass Processing

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™ 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.

AUDIO  

• Internal Frequency Response ± 0.1 dB 1 Hz to 70 kHz
• Basic Pre-emphasis Accuracy ± 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  Demodulated MPX output, 0dB 1KHz tone input, CHR factory preset, THD <0.5%

     (typical worst case)      Note: This typifies peaks only, and not signals below             clip threshold.

• Stereo Output Noise CHR Factory preset, 20Hz-20KHz measurement bandwidth (left or right channel) 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