Unika NBB-04T User manual
NBB-04R Networked Audio Receiver
NBB-04T Networked Audio Transmitter
Overview:
The NBB-04R receives 4 channels of analog audio and converts them into Dante networked audio
stream which in turn can be received by other Dante-enabled devices such as digital audio console
or DAW; While the NBB-04T, in contrast, transmits 4 channels of analog audio converted from
Dante networked audio stream which is distributed from other Dante-enabled devices.
Both NBB-04R and NBB-04T are equipped with two RJ-45 Ethernet ports so that several NBB-
04R/NBB-04T can be cascaded, i.e. in daisy-chaining, in the same network link. Also both NBB-
04R and NBB-04T can be powered by either PoE from Ethernet switch or 48V from external power
adapter.
Features:
Dante-enabled networked Audio Receiver (NBB-04T) and Transmitter (NBB-04T)
Streaming audio in robust standard Ethernet cable (a.k.a., Digital Snake)
Easily organize and expand network topology with Ethernet switches
Uncompressed 24-bit PCM coding with sample rate up to 96KHz
Two RJ-45 ports make Daisy-chain cascading feasible
Powered by either PoE or 48V adapter
Gain or Attenuate control for each channel
Phantom power engagement control per channel (NBB-04R)
A signal clip indicator for all inputs (NBB-04R)
XLR Combo sockets for both XLR and TRS phone plugging (NBB-04R)
Routing and other configuration are set with Dante Controller software
Description:
The NBB-04R and NBB-04T adopt Audinate Dante networking
technology for audio transceiving, and are very network friendly with
unlimited flexibility in topology of deployment. They support up to
Layer 3 of IEEE 802.3 network standard, enabling you to organize your audio network with the on-
the-shelf Ethernet switches or to immediately transport streaming audio by taking advantage of
your existing installed network facility with no hassle. Even better, every NBB-04R/NBB-04T
comes with two Ethernet ports which allow you to physically cascade several NBB-04Rs/NBB-
04Ts in the same network link. Accompanying with Ethernet switches, this capability helps NBB-
04R/NBB-04T gaining flexibility and expanding territory in device deployment in audio
networking.
Audio routing among NBB-04Rs/NBB-04Ts and all the other Dante-enabled devices is configured
via computer with dedicated Dante Controller software which is available free from Audinate
website. With Dante Virtual Soundcard software, you are even able to have your DAW software
direct record/play multitrack streaming audio from/to NBB-04R/NBB-04T.
The audio input/output interfaces of NBB-04R/NBB-04T are fully met the requirement of
professional audio industrial. Audio is encoded/decoded with the latest and uncompressed 24-bit
PCM encoder/decoder with sample rate in 44.1KHz, 48KHz, or 96KHz. The NBB-04T outputs are
peculiarly buffered with amplifiers of high-rail-voltage which can drive the lines up to 24dBu.
Besides the high-level of drive capability, the output of NBB-04T can also be attenuated to meet
the narrower reception range of inputs of some semi-professional devices. All inputs of NBB-04R
accept signal of level from mic to line with individual gain and phantom power control. The NBB-
04R is also equipped with a clip indicator for all the inputs to warn audio technician any signal
overload on inputs.
The NBB-04R/NBB-04T is assembled in a sturdy metal chassis with four bumpers on the edges.
This we think is very important for you to damp the NBB-04R/NBB-04T from accidental smash
during field installation.
Getting Started Guide:
Powering
The NBB-04R and NBB-04T can be powered by either,
PoE from Ethernet switch with PoE PSE capability, or
48V power adapter which should be included in your device package.
It is O.K. for you to power your NBB-04R/NBB-04T with both PoE and 48V adapter
simultaneously. However, since the operating voltage of PoE is usually higher than 48V, very likely
your NBB-04R/NBB-04T will sink power only from PoE if you do so.
Setting
Once your NBB-04R/NBB-04T is powered, you can configure your NBB-04R/NBB-04T by direct
connecting it to your computer or via the Ethernet switch. That is to say that the NBB-04R/NBB-
04T can direct talk to your computer or via switch. See picture below for an illustration.
All the routing assignment and device configuration are set via Dante Controller software which is
available free from the following Audinate webpage,
www.audinate.com/products/software/dante-controller
User's guide of Dante Controller can be found on the following webpage,
www.audinate.com/resources/technical-documentation
Besides the routing assignment, mostly, you should set the operating sample rate of your NBB-
04R/NBB-04T to meet the sample rate of your whole Dante network. Basically, all the devices
in the same Dante network should be synced to the same sample rate. You do not need to worry
about the bit-depth of coding of your audio stream in network. Although the NBB-04R/NBB-04T
encodes/decodes audio in 24-bit PCM stream, it automatically does bit-depth converting when it
streams audio to/from other Dante-enabled devices manipulating audio data in different bit-depth.
By default, the NBB-04R device transmits one or a couple of channels of audio in flow to a single
particular device in remote. The NBB-04R supports merely 2 audio flows simultaneously. When
you need the audio received from NBB-04R to be transmitted to more than 2 devices, you can
assign the channels needed to be transmitted to more than 2 remote devices in a multicast flow by
clicking the multicast button in the device view window in Dante Controller.
Usually, UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) Cat.5e cable should be good
enough for all the network installation. However, STP (Shielded Twisted
Pair) Cat.5e cable is strongly recommended if you plan to route the cable
through noisy environment. The foil or braided screens in STP cable can
provide great noise immunity from electromagnetic interference around.
Also, make sure the EIA/TIA-568B standard is fully followed for the RJ-45 plug wiring.
Front Panel
To accommodate all the variety of field installation, the front panels of NBB-04R and NBB-04T are
equipped with rich control facilities as follows,
1. The Gain control knobs of NBB-04R can accommodate itself to accept all kind of sources
with level from mic to line.
2. The +48V button to control whether to deliver phantom power to power source device or not.
3. The clip indicator flashes to warns audio technicians if any of inputs is overloaded.
4. The SYS LED indicates system activity,
Red: system booting
Green: system ready
5. The SYNC LED indicates the PTP clocking status,
Green: PTP is synced
Amber: PTP is syncing
Red: PTP error
Green & flashing: the device is elevated to PTP clock master.
6. The Att control knobs of NBB-04T can be used to attenuate output down to -20dB from
nominal maximum.
Side Panels
The two Ethernet ports actually belongs to the two physical ports
in the internal mini switch in NBB-04R/NBB-04T. This network
switch capability allows several NBB-04Rs/NBB-04Ts to be
cascaded in the same Ethernet link for network expanding. The
NBB-04R/NBB-04T can be powered by either of these two ports,
provided the the Ethernet cable on it is from a Ethernet switch with
PoE PSE capability. Please be informed that NBB-04R/NBB-04T
does not have the PoE PSE capability to power the next cascaded
PoE PD device, although itself can be powered by PoE.
Besides powered by the Ethernet switch with PoE PSE capability,
the NBB-04R/NBB-04T can also be powered by a 48V power
adapter. We ship NBB-04R/NBB-04T with a 48V adapter in the package in case you don't have
Ethernet switch with PoE PSE capability.
A default button on one of the side panels is used to restore the settings of NBB-04R/NBB-04T to
factory default. Press and hold the switch when you powering up the device will restore the device
to default state. Once you see both SYS and SYNC LEDs red, you can then re-power the device for
the default settings to take effect. The cap of the default button is sunk to panel to avoid your
accidentally triggering the action of default restoring.
Top Panel
The 0dB level is nominal to 24dBu in both input and output. That means the NBB-04R can accept
input level up to 24dBu from the balanced XLR or TRS phone plug; while the NBB-04T can drive
the output up to 24dBu via the balanced XLR. To get flat frequency response, please be informed
that the balanced XLR outputs are all direct and transformerless coupling. Please do not short
either pin 2 or pin 3 of any output XLR to pin 1 of itself if the output is destinated at unbalanced
input. You can, however, simply float pin 3 and drive the unbalanced input with pin 2 and pin 1
merely.
Bottom Panel
This is where you can find the serial number and the factory assigned Dante default name of your
NBB-04R/NBB-04T. The Dante name of your device can be changed to whatever you like by using
Dante Controller software.
Applications:
Direct Connecting to Notebook or Console
One of the beauty of Dante is that you do not need a DHCP server or router in between to establish
all kind of communication among different Dante-enabled devices. You can even connect your
UNiKA Dante-enabled devices to your computer or digital console without an Ethernet switch in
between. Since all UNiKA Dante-enabled devices actually have a mini switch built-in, you are also
able to cascade several of your devices in the same link by taking advantage of the two RJ-45 ports
on your UNiKA Dante-enabled devices.
Connecting via Ethernet Switch
Once your audio network grows up to turn complex, you may want to add Ethernet switches in
your audio network so that you can better manage the cabling among all your Dante-enabled
devices. For a large-scale system, you may even have several Ethernet switches in your audio
network. The switches, including the mini switch in UNiKA Dante-enabled devices, do cause
propagation delay but fortunately every one of them only contribute delay in several tens of
microseconds.
Connecting via Switch with PoE PSE Capability
Both NBB-04R and NBB-04T support to be powered by Ethernet PoE, so that you don't need a
48V wall adapter if your NBB-04R/NBB-04T direct connects to an Ethernet switch with PoE PSE
capability.
Also, you are allowed have have more than one console in your audio network, but keep in mind
that only one of them can be set to be a clock master for the whole network. The clock master
provides word clock for audio framing synchronization. All the other Dante-enabled devices in the
same network should be synced to the same master clock.
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