Symetrix Jupiter 8 Review
Sep 13, 2010 12:00 PM, By John McJunkin
Simple app-style control from an intelligent processor.
I easily connected the Jupiter 8 hardware unit to my computer via Cat-5 Ethernet cable, and used a connection wizard within the computer software to establish a network connection between computer and hardware unit. Once the connection was established, I was able to choose an app to determine the way the hardware is used. Among the broad categories of apps mentioned prior, there are gain-sharing automixers, gating automixers, line and mic processors, numerous sound-reinforcement configurations, a stereo mixer, and a transit SPL app, which is intended for use in public transportation hubs for public address and background music.
As an example, the first of the Jupiter 8 system's gain-sharing automixers offers eight inputs and eight outputs. (The model number of each system indicates the number of available inputs; the Jupiter 4 and Jupiter 12 each have four outputs, while the Jupiter 8 has eight.) The automixer app presents four stages of signal processing in sequence on the input channels: British EQ, an expander, a dynamics section, and a feedback fighter (a sophisticated 16 filter scheme). Each input also provides controls for phantom power, polarity inversion, and a noise and tone generator. The gain-sharing automixer component comes next in the signal flow, followed by an 8x8 matrix mixer. Each output channel features a 15-band graphic EQ, a speaker manager module (with eight bands of parametric EQ, HPF, LPF, and a delay), a compressor, and a limiter. This processing sounds excellent and offers a huge amount of control over signal flow and behavior.
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Another example of a typical app is Sound Reinforcement #6, which offers an HPF, an LPF, a 15-band graphic EQ, a two-band compressor, and a feedback fighter on each of the eight input channels. The input signals are mixed in an 8x8 matrix mixer, then passed along to the eight outputs, which each have a speaker manager module, gain stage, and limiter. Other signal processing is available as well, including three- and eight-band parametric EQ; an AGC; a two-stage series dynamics processor; a FIR filter; two-, three-, and four-way crossovers; a stereo distributor; ducking priority mixers; and an SPL computer (which incorporates ambient sensing microphones to determine levels). There is a huge amount of available DSP here, and as more apps are developed, more of it will be leveraged in creative and powerful ways.
Bottom line here, the Symetrix Jupiter series processors cleverly use the app convention, borrowed from smartphone technology, to facilitate quick and easy configuration of the hardware processor to accomplish a broad range of tasks. It's quite easy to use as a result, and the processing sounds great—no surprise coming from Symetrix. This marks a new way of thinking, and I predict that numerous manufacturers will adopt this model. Frankly, it's very smart on the part of Symetrix, because it makes the Jupiter system incredibly versatile and useful in a lot of distinct applications. I recommend taking a look at it.
John McJunkin is the principal of Avalon Podcasting in Chandler, Ariz. He has consulted in the development of studios and installations, and he provides high-quality podcast-production services.
Product Summary
- Company: Symetrix
www.symetrixaudio.com - Product: Jupiter 8
- Pros: Powerful routing and processing capabilities.
- Cons: Software not available for Mac.
- Applications: Any application that requires signal routing and processing under remote control.
- Price: $1,239 (Jupiter 4); $1,449 (Jupiter 8); $1,649 (Jupiter 12)
Specifications
- Inputs
- Nominal input level: +4dBu line or -36dBu mic level with 20dB of headroom
- Mic preamp gain: +40dB.
- Input trim: ±24dB.
- Maximum input level: +23dBu.
- Input impedance: >18kÙ balanced, >9kÙ unbalanced, >2kÙ w/20V PP
- CMRR: >50dB @ 1kHz, unity gain
- Mic preamp EIN: >-125dBu, 22Hz -22kHz, 100Ù source impedance
- Phantom power: +20VDC, 20mA maximum per input Outputs
- Nominal output level: +4dBu line level with 20dB of headroom (unbalanced configuration yields 6dB lower output level)
- Maximum output level: +24dBu
- Output impedance: 200Ù balanced, 100Ù unbalanced System
- Sample rate: 48kHz
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz, ±0.5dB
- Dynamic range: >110dB (A-weighted), input to output
- THD+ noise: <-85dB (un-weighted), 1kHz @ +22dBu with 0dB gain
- Interchannel crosstalk: <-90dB @ 1kHz, typical
- Latency: <1.6ms, input to output with all DSP inactive
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