BSS Audio®, a Harman International Company (NYSE-HAR), today added a cost-effective break-in box to its acclaimed Soundweb™ London family of digital signal processors. The new BLU-BIB input expander compliments the eight other members of the Soundweb London™ family and represents an inexpensive solution to increasing the number of inputs in a Harman HiQnet™ networked system.

The BLU-BIB features eight analog audio inputs on standard terminal block connectors and the 256-channel, low latency, fault tolerant digital audio bus, also found on the BLU-800, BLU-320, BLU-160, BLU-120, BLU-100 and BLU-BOB devices. In addition to providing a backbone for the transportation of multiple channels, this bus also facilitates the creation of large, fault-tolerant, centralized matrices containing multiple devices. The digital audio bus uses standard, inexpensive Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable, which enables a distance of 100 meters between devices. The BSS Audio MC-1 fiber optic media converter can be used to increase the distance between devices to over 10km (6.2 miles) using single mode fiber.

Simple front panel controls are provided on the BLU-BIB to configure Phantom Power per channel and input gain per channel. Signal present, clip, Phantom Power, applied input gain and power status are clearly displayed by front panel LED indicators for use with configuration, monitoring and troubleshooting.

The BLU-BIB features a front panel lockout mode for tamper-free operation and a ‘stealth’ mode for inconspicuous operation in dimly lit environments, where flickering LEDs would be distracting.

A series of DIP switches on the rear of the BLU-BIB device allow the eight input channels to be placed onto eight consecutive channels of the digital audio bus. The BLU-BIB devices are powered by an external 12VDC power supply which is included with the device.

Rob Urry, president of Harman Music Group stated, “Following the introduction of the hugely popular BLU-BOB output expander, the BLU-BIB is a natural addition to the Soundweb London family. Whether a system designer is looking to deploy microphone preamplifiers without fans, create digital snakes, augment the BLU-100 or cost-reduce larger systems, the BLU-BIB represents an important addition to the already highly-scalable Soundweb London family.�

A BSS Audio 1U Rack Mount Kit is available to accommodate up to two BLU-BIB or BLU-BOB1 devices.

Harman HiQnetâ„¢ is the world’s first connectivity and control protocol that integrates all product categories in the signal chain for professional audio systems of all types, size, and applications. Harman HiQnet no longer requires the user to manage multiple disparate operating systems or be responsible for programming individual signal processors, speaker controllers, wireless microphone systems, and mixing consoles. HiQnet was developed by engineers from across Harman’s Professional Division and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.