Hydra2 does not compromise audio quality, performs with negligible latency and is founded on comprehensive, built-in fault detection and redundancy. Many of the world’s most successful broadcasters rely on Hydra2 infrastructure for live on-air application in both fixed and mobile installations every day.

Calrec’s networking protocols provide seamless, scalable audio networking infrastructures which allow for large numbers of inputs and outputs to be shared and controlled regardless of location. Whether on Hydra2 or over IP, Calrec makes connecting and managing resources very straightforward.

Calrec’s dedication to the AIMS roadmap ensures transport protocols such as AES67, Dante and Ravenna continue to evolve and in doing so gives greater interoperability choices to its customers.

Fixed and Modular IO

Calrec provide a range of fixed format IO boxes to provide the quantity and type of signal format required where it is needed. Each type of fixed format IO box contains a set number of inputs and outputs, all of the same type/signal format.

ModularIO BOXES are 3U rackmount enclosures with 20 x IO card slots that can be populated with a mixed range of IO cards, allowing for a custom selection of IO quantities and formats. Modular IO boxes connect to a Hydra2 network in the same way as Fixed Format IO.

Multiple IO boxes can coexist on a Hydra2 network alongside fixed format IO, if required, in order to make up the quantity of IO in the format and location needed.

Fieldbox

The Fieldbox is a portable IO box which provides 8 x balanced analogue mic/line level inputs, and 8 x balanced analogue line level outputs, in a compact, cost-effective package. The Fieldbox functions just like any other Hydra2 IO box, providing remote control over input settings that utilise Hydra2’s sharing, protection and access management system, along with active status monitoring and a backup Hydra2 network connection.

H2Hub

The H2Hub provides a network distribution node that can be used to connect from a router up to 4 x external connections which may be IO boxes or other Hubs to form a local array of IO connectivity. A single connection from any router can be switched via the H2Hub to multiple IO units, and even another H2Hub if further IO distribution is required – in fact 3 x H2Hubs can be daisy-chained together.

Br.IO

Br.IO is a 4U Hydra2 based external IO Rack allowing for cost effective expansion of IO for use with Brio and Summa consoles. This rack has the same complement of analogue and digital IO that can be found in a Brio 36 system.

For a complete overview of our range of Hydra2 equipment, visit our Resources page to download our Product Brochure, or for more detailed information login to download our Hydra2 Installation Guide.