Axel Technology - Oxygen 2000

A radio programme involves more than just turning faders up or down. Between the presenters’ voices, studio guests, jingles, music, phone calls, external contributions and various audio destinations, the mixing desk must be capable of handling a workflow that can sometimes be very demanding without complicating the technician’s tasks. It is with this in mind that Axel Technology’s Oxygen 2000 combines a compact control surface with fully digital audio processing and a particularly comprehensive routing architecture.

Its 12 faders allow the main sources in a radio control room to be organised whilst maintaining direct access to essential controls. Each channel strip features quick A/B source selection, whilst the PGM, SUB, AUX 1, AUX 2 and PFL buses allow the various production and monitoring paths to be separated. The advertised latency of less than 0.7 ms between input and output helps to maintain a sense of immediate responsiveness, particularly during live broadcasts.

One of the Oxygen 2000’s key strengths lies in its dedicated microphone functions. The five microphone inputs feature dynamic processing comprising a parametric equaliser, compressor and expander, with 48 V phantom power. The Automix function goes a step further by automatically grouping active microphones into a dedicated source. When a programme features several speakers, the system can automatically mute unused microphones, adjust levels and apply final compression to achieve a more consistent overall sound. The presenter can therefore focus on the programme without having to constantly monitor each channel.

The console also incorporates a telephone hybrid and several Telco options. An analogue telephone line can be connected directly to the console, whilst an N-1 connection allows an external hybrid to be integrated. Bluetooth offers another particularly useful feature for modern broadcasts: calls from a smartphone or wireless transmission of a stereo audio stream. In call mode, the PFL allows for a private conversation before bringing the caller on air.

For music playback and production, the Oxygen 2000 features three analogue stereo inputs, balanced analogue outputs, an AES/EBU output and two USB audio interfaces. These allow a computer to be connected directly to the console, enabling simultaneous playback and recording without the need for an external sound card. A Dante-equipped version can also significantly expand the possibilities for networked audio transmission, with 8 additional stereo inputs and 8 additional stereo outputs.

Operation is not limited to the physical console. The Oxygen Remote software replicates the console’s main functions on a computer and, in particular, allows multiple consoles to be controlled from a single environment. The HDMI output, meanwhile, can feed an external screen displaying levels, buses, A/B sources, On Air information, timers and the clock. It can also be used as a configuration interface.