For any audio professional that is not familiar with QSC and is just starting to deal with audio networking, understanding "Q-SYS" lingo might be a formidable challenge. The previously-extremely-user-friendly amplifier and active speaker company expanded dramatically over the past five years, and is now one of the leading names in audio networking solutions for corporate and commercial spaces. The only problem is that, in the process, it just becomes hard to understand what they are talking about when describing their own products - very "IT" like.
It helps to understand that Q-SYS is fundamentally the software that glues together its Q-LAN proprietary networking protocol, that fortunately now supports also AES67, and is therefore able to be integrated with Dante - and it will need to be, considering how Dante is dominating the fixed installation industry. In simple terms, Q-SYS is the software system that performs complex routing, processing and management of audio in a network, and Q-SYS Q-LAN is the network protocol that runs over standard Ethernet and IP standards.
Virtually all the products that QSC launches for Q-SYS integration are devices that can be connected directly to the network and can be completely managed and controlled by Q-SYS software, which is continuously expanding. Instead of dedicated amplifiers, digital signal processors and routers, QSC now sells "Core" hardware boxes that combine all those functions. They are ugly - not nearly as sexy as a real QSC amplifier used to be - but they do the same job. Like all PCs, they can be updated and swapped when the installation requires more power. QSC also offers all types of remote controllers for different installation needs, some being a simple touchscreen, others dedicated panels with buttons and switches (remember Extron, Crestron and AMX controllers? Precisely.).
QSC already offered loudspeakers and those processing units that connect to the network, and gradually started to offer a world of other devices, converters, and peripherals, particularly since they acquired the bright-minds of Attero Tech, in 2019 - the first company to understand the need to connect Bluetooth devices with these things that run behind the walls.
When QSC needs to specify a complete solution, traditionally they partner with other manufacturers, particularly Shure for microphones. The problem is, like all the others, Shure is now expanding into software and network systems, and competing directly with QSC in many projects. Other players such as Biamp, have been expanding aggressively into all product categories - including speakers and amplifiers - through acquisitions. And then there's Harman, and Bose, Yamaha, and all the others.
So, QSC now announced the NM Series tabletop network microphone and the NL Series network loudspeakers for the Q-SYS audio, video and control platform - which is now cloud-manageable. Powered by the Q-SYS OS, these new products join the recently introduced Q-SYS NC Series conference cameras (yes, video cameras - why? Don't ask) and Q-SYS TSC Series Gen 3 network touch screen controllers to provide a complete suite of native IP-based Q-SYS collaboration products for designers, consultants, integrators and IT end users.
The new Q-SYS NM Series NM-T1 is QSC's first ever microphone, and is a tabletop PoE network design that features advanced beamforming technology with four software-configurable zones and up to 360° coverage. This allows system designers to minimize noise and refine intelligibility for optimal collaboration experiences. The NM-T1 also enables users to easily manage meetings with a fully programmable RGB LED light ring for visual indication of microphone mute state. For touchless operation, it includes an integrated proximity sensor that is activated with a simple hand wave over the microphone. Ah, and it looks like the tabletop networked microphones from Yamaha, because that is what happens when adding color RGB LED lights to spherical microphones.
Unlike other solutions of this type which are evolving to on-device and edge-distributed processing, on the NM-T1 all processing is centralized on the Q-SYS Core processor - because that is how QSC was designed leveraging the benefits of a traditional IT architecture. According to the company, this provides processing flexibility and headroom for additional field-deployable microphone enhancements via software now and into the future (meaning cloud). For example, in this event, QSC announced new Q-SYS Collaboration Bundle scaling licenses for the Q-SYS Core Nano or Core 8 Flex processors that enables users to scale up and scale out their Q-SYS installation. Translating, it means users can pay more to unlock processing resources to allow for additional NM-T1 microphones and/or other software-based features, at any moment.
Q-SYS NL Series Network Loudspeakers
The new NL Series loudspeakers for Q-SYS offer three enclosure types, all delivering optimal speech and music reproduction to any modern collaboration space. As the first QSC soundbar, the Q-SYS NL-SB42 is a 4-inch, two-way network PoE soundbar optimized for front-of-room audio in either horizontal or vertical orientations. The Q-SYS NL-P4 is a 4-inch full-range pendant-mount PoE network loudspeaker to accommodate open-ceiling installations, and the Q-SYS NL-C4 is a 4-inch ceiling-mount PoE network loudspeaker for blind-mount finished ceiling applications.
The NL Series models feature simple, elegant designs with complimentary sonic characteristics making it possible for users to mix-and-match form factors to fit the unique needs of any space. In addition, integrators can utilize QSC’s Intrinsic Correction features to simplify the tuning process using built-in custom QSC loudspeaker voicings delivered by Q-SYS. All NL Series models are PoE and PoE+ capable, delivering audio data, power and control over a single network connection, greatly reducing traditional cabling infrastructure costs and complexity while expediting deployment.
Q-SYS Call Sync
As native Q-SYS Products designed to work seamlessly together, the NM Series microphone, NL Series soundbar and TSC Series Gen 3 touch screen controllers benefit from the new Q-SYS Call Sync technology. This automatically syncs mute state, call controls and LED status indicators across compatible Q-SYS Products, major UC platforms and calling systems (VoIP/POTS) enabling a simplified collaboration experience without the need for complicated programming. Q-SYS Call Sync will be available in the upcoming Q-SYS Designer Software v9.5.
“These introductions continue the expansion of the Q-SYS portfolio towards more IT-friendly solutions that deliver a true end-to-end IP based Q-SYS system for virtually any dynamic collaboration space,” says Josh Arnold, Senior Product Manager, QSC. “The idea was to deliver flexibility and simplicity for integrators and end users alike, while leveraging the unique software-based power of the Q-SYS OS to drive a truly unique approach to the collaboration space and allow system flexibility as room needs change and evolve.”
New Premium Outdoor Landscape Loudspeakers
QSC also introduced the AcousticDesign Series Direct Weather Landscape (AD-DWL) loudspeakers featuring a sleek, elevated bollard enclosure design that allows sound to travel above obstructions while providing a rugged, impact-resistant solution for customized outdoor installations, all without comprising sound quality.
The new Direct Weather Landscape Series includes the AD-DWL.180 loudspeaker (180° directional coverage) and the AD-DWL.360 loudspeaker (360° directional coverage), enabling designers to address individual space requirements by directing sound where it’s needed most, while the companion AD-DWL.SUB subwoofer enriches and extends the low-frequency sound profile. All models feature tamper-resistant base support and a subtle green enclosure to match most landscaping aesthetic, which is also paintable to allow for further customization.
For ease of installation, all loudspeakers in the AD-DWL Series share the same footprint for easy adjustments and provide a direct-to-concrete or in-earth base support for a secure permanent installation. In addition, the loudspeakers are built to endure the harshest outdoor environments with a durable polypropylene/fiberglass construction and stainless-steel hardware featuring an IP-55 (Ingress Protection) rating.
The AcousticDesign Series Direct Weather Series offers the same premium sonic characteristics as the rest of the AcousticDesign Series, making it possible for users to mix-and-match between form factors to fit the unique needs of almost any application. And integrators can also take advantage of QSC Intrinsic Correction with custom QSC loudspeaker voicings via the Q-SYS cloud-manageable audio, video, and control Platform or CXD Series amplifier platforms.
Finally, QSC also announced new QIO Series network I/O expanders for simple and scalable I/O customization, allowing users who need to easily add non-networked audio and control connectivity to a Q-SYS system without complicated programming. The QIO Series includes three Audio I/O models and three Control I/O models, each supporting a specific connectivity type. The Audio I/O models feature professional mic/line level inputs with +48 VDC phantom power and/or line outputs to ensure high performance and compatibility, along with microphone detection on inputs to enable monitoring, usage statistics and failure notifications. Details are now online.
www.qsc.com
