Axia Quasar Engine RPS

Axia Quasar Engine RPS Overview

Based on our proven Quasar Engine platform, Quasar Engine RPS brings many of the features and functions normally managed by the Master Module found in every Quasar control surface to the engine itself. This makes it possible to create a standalone mixer without the need for an actual XR or SR surface, instead using the browser-based Quasar Soft user interface. 

It is ideal for situations where a physical console is either unnecessary or impractical, such as small studios or backup facilities. It also provides a lower-cost backup to a main hardware console. Each Quasar Engine RPS includes Quasar Soft (for mixing), Quasar Cast (for low-latency monitoring), and like the standard Quasar Engine, 16 mixer channels. Additional channel expansion licenses are optionally available.

Quasar Engine RPS can also be used in situations where a physical XR or SR console is already installed. In this case, the user can choose whether to control the Engine mixing functions from the hardware console, from the Quasar Soft surface provided by the console, or from the Quasar Soft surface provided by Quasar Engine RPS.

In addition to being available as a unique, ready-to-use product, existing Quasar Engines can be field-upgraded by way of the RPS Upgrade Kit, which contains the RPS card and all associated mounting hardware. While Quasar Engine RPS includes a Quasar Soft and Quasar Cast license, RPS Upgrade Kits do not, and licenses must be purchased separately.   

Axia Quasar Engine RPS In-Depth

Quasar Engine RPS is ideal for situations where a physical console is either unnecessary or impractical, such as small studios or backup facilities. Each Quasar Engine RPS includes Quasar Soft (for mixing) and Quasar Cast (for low-latency monitoring). Like the standard Quasar Engine, it starts with 16 input channels. Additional channel expansion licenses are optionally available.

Engine RPS can also be used in situations where a physical Quasar XR or SR console is already installed, providing a convenient backup solution to a main hardware console, or acting as a “proxy console” for Remote Production workflows. In this case, the user can choose whether to control the Engine mixing functions from the hardware Control Surface, from the Quasar Soft built into that surface, or from the Quasar Soft built into Quasar Engine RPS.

Using Engine RPS as a Full Soft Console

When a full-blown hardware control surface is not required, or when a touchscreen-based surface is preferred, Quasar Engine RPS is the ideal solution. The built-in Quasar Web UI with Quasar Soft can be used to exploit the full power of the Quasar Mixing Engine. 

In such cases, Quasar Engine RPS becomes an all-in-one solution for “glass mixing” production. Just add a PC with a web browser and one or multiple touchscreen monitors.

Using Engine RPS as a Hybrid Console

The RPS board in Quasar Engine RPS can be externally connected to Quasar XR-4FAD fader modules via Ethernet, or to Quasar SR-4FAD fader modules via USB, allowing the creation of a hybrid control surface based on a soft Master module and additional tactile faders.

Using Engine RPS as a Remote Production System

The RPS board in Quasar Engine RPS can be used as a “proxy console,” providing a remote production solution in cases where the main hardware control surface is located far from the engine and its I/Os and is connected on a different network, so it cannot connect directly to the engine.

In this case, the Engine RPS WAN interface will allow connection to the router and will pass network traffic internally, controlling the Engine on the local LAN.

The Dual Operator Mode can be used to address this particular use case and make the physical (main) console control the soft (remote proxy) control surface, allowing for remote production over WANs. 

Using Engine RPS as an “Air Chain Processor” 

Some large installations require centralized content manipulation (like audio insertion, processing, routing,and/or mixing) to be added to the studio Program feeds ahead of the on-air processor. This is often the case in broadcast syndications where licensed content is inserted into the local programs, and audio feeds may require dedicated processing and time-based routing.

RPS Engine can be installed in the Technical Operation Center and its input channels (up to 64) could take Program feeds from all rooms and, thanks to its onboard channel DSP processing, VMIXes and VMODEs, these feeds can be manipulated and routed via Axia Pathfinder with custom logic flows and controlled from a custom dashboard.

Using Engine RPS as a Soft Backup Console

Quasar Engine RPS can be used as a mixing engine for a hardware Quasar surface. The RPS board included with it can be used as a “soft surface”, providing a backup solution for those cases where the main hardware control surface needs to be turned off for programmed maintenance or other reasons, while control of the mixing engine needs to be maintained.

In this case, both the Quasar surface and Engine RPS can all be part of the same network. The Alternative Console Operation Mode was specifically designed to address this particular use case, and makes the changeover between the physical (main) and soft (backup) control surfaces automatic. 

Using Engine RPS as a 64-Channel Microphone Processor

Quasar Engine RPS can be used as a centralized microphone processor in large installations where not every studio is equipped with a Quasar console, yet high-quality microphone processing is required for feeding newsrooms, edit rooms, and production areas. 

Quasar Engine RPS can provide the renowned Quasar processing to up to 64 microphone sources simply by feeding each of the available channel inputs with a microphone and using the corresponding Channel Direct Out to feed the desired studio. The Direct Out will have to be set to the Post-Fader position in order to apply full channel processing, including Filters, Dynamics, EQ, De-Esser, and Limiter. 

RPS Engine’s Program and Aux Busses could be used to create mic groups, while its Monitoring section could be used to listen off-air to each microphone feed.

Adding Axia Pathfinder Pro control turns Engine RPS into a highly customizable and automated solution for centralized microphone processing.