BSS BLU-50 – 4x4 Half-Rack Signal Processor with BLU link

Product Overview

The BSS BLU-50 is a half-rack width Soundweb London signal processor with a fixed configuration of four analog inputs and four analog outputs, configurable DSP, logic processing, and a 48-channel BLU link digital audio bus. It is designed for commercial AV installations that require compact, network-connected signal processing at distributed points—such as individual conference rooms, huddle rooms, or satellite zones within a larger Soundweb London system. The BLU-50 can be powered by PoE+ via its single Ethernet port, allowing a single Cat 5e cable to deliver power, configuration, control, and monitoring. It integrates directly with other Soundweb London devices on a shared BLU link bus and is configured in HiQnet Audio Architect.

Product Description

The BSS BLU-50 provides four analog inputs and four analog outputs with on-board DSP in a half-rack, single-space-height chassis. The four analog inputs provide software-configurable gain in 6 dB steps up to +48 dB per channel with software-selectable 48V phantom power per channel, enabling condenser microphone connections in rooms without an external mic preamp. Front panel LEDs indicate Phantom Power, Signal Present, and Clip status per channel for at-a-glance verification without a laptop.

The BLU-50 features a 48-channel BLU link bus representing channels 1–48 of the broader 256-channel Soundweb London BLU link bus, making it fully compatible with BLU-800, BLU-320, BLU-160, BLU-120, BLU-BIB, and BLU-BOB devices on the same network. Up to 60 BLU link-compatible devices can share channels on a single bus. BLU link operates over standard Cat 5e cable at up to 100 m per segment; single-mode fiber media converters extend runs to over 10 km, giving the BLU-50 deployment flexibility in distributed system architectures.

Power options include the included 12VDC power supply, a 12–48VDC terminal block input, or PoE+ via the Ethernet port—the last option enabling a single cable to handle power, network, configuration, and control simultaneously. The 400 MHz DSP engine runs the Soundweb London processing object library for mixing, EQ, dynamics, delay, and routing. Twelve control inputs, six logic outputs, and an RS-232 port allow the BLU-50 to be integrated with room control systems and third-party processors. The Soundweb London Interface Kit, included with HiQnet Audio Architect, documents AMX, Crestron, and serial integration protocols. The BLU-50 is available from Creation Networks at https://creationnetworks.net.

Key Features

• Fixed 4 Analog Inputs / 4 Analog Outputs — Compact 4x4 channel count suited to individual conference rooms, huddle rooms, and distributed satellite zones.
• Half-Rack, Single-Space Chassis — Half-width form factor saves rack space in installations with multiple per-room processors; rack ears included for standard 19" mounting.
• PoE+ Power Option — Accepts IEEE 802.3at PoE+ via the Ethernet port, allowing a single Cat 5e cable to deliver power, network connectivity, configuration, control, and monitoring.
• Flexible Power Inputs — Accepts 12–48VDC via terminal block or the included 12VDC external power supply in addition to PoE+.
• 400 MHz DSP Engine — On-board signal processing for mixing, EQ, dynamics, delay, feedback suppression, and routing within the device.
• 48V Phantom Power per Channel — Software-selectable per-channel phantom power on all four inputs for condenser microphone and active DI connections.
• Software-Configurable Input Gain — Adjustable in 6 dB steps up to +48 dB per channel from HiQnet Audio Architect.
• 48-Channel BLU link Bus — Occupies channels 1–48 of the Soundweb London 256-channel BLU link bus; interoperates with BLU-800, BLU-320, BLU-160, BLU-120, BLU-BIB, and BLU-BOB devices.
• Front Panel LED Indication — Per-channel Phantom Power, Signal Present, and Clip LEDs for field verification without a connected laptop.
• 12 Control Inputs / 6 Logic Outputs — GPIO terminals for room control integration, wall panel connectivity, and external switching.
• RS-232 Serial Port — Enables direct serial control from room control processors, AMX, Crestron, and other serial-native platforms.
• HiQnet Audio Architect Configuration — Full Soundweb London DSP design environment with processing and logic objects; bi-directional locate for commissioning.

Typical Applications

• Conference room signal processing with PoE-powered single-cable installation
• Huddle room audio systems requiring compact DSP with microphone preamp and BLU link connectivity
• Distributed satellite zone processors in multi-room Soundweb London installations
• Boardroom AV with room control GPIO and RS-232 integration
• Training room audio processing at individual presentation positions
• Commercial meeting space deployments where rack space is limited
• All-hands room sub-zone processing feeding back to a central BLU link system

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the BLU-50 be powered entirely from PoE without a separate power supply?

A: Yes. The BLU-50 accepts IEEE 802.3at PoE+ power through its Ethernet port. A single Cat 5e cable from a PoE+ switch or injector delivers power, network connectivity, HiQnet configuration, and control simultaneously. The included 12VDC power supply and a 12–48VDC terminal block input are available as alternative power sources.

Q: How does the BLU-50’s BLU link bus interact with larger Soundweb London devices?

A: The BLU-50’s 48-channel BLU link bus represents channels 1–48 of the Soundweb London 256-channel bus. When connected to BLU-800, BLU-320, BLU-160, BLU-120, BLU-BIB, or BLU-BOB devices, all devices share the full 256-channel transport layer. Up to 60 BLU link-compatible devices can participate on a single bus.

Q: What signal processing is available in the BLU-50?

A: The 400 MHz DSP engine in the BLU-50 runs the Soundweb London processing object library configured in HiQnet Audio Architect. Available processing objects include mixers, parametric and graphic equalizers, compressors, gates, limiters, delays, feedback suppressors, and signal routing matrices, placed in the design canvas via drag-and-drop.

Q: Is the BLU-50 compatible with AMX and Crestron room control systems?

A: Yes. The Soundweb London Interface Kit, installed with HiQnet Audio Architect, provides protocol documentation and integration modules for AMX, Crestron, and other third-party control platforms. The BLU-50’s RS-232 port supports direct serial control for platforms that communicate via serial protocol.

Q: What is the maximum BLU link cable run from a BLU-50?

A: BLU link over Cat 5e supports up to 100 m per segment. Using single-mode fiber media converters, individual segments extend to over 10 km. The BLU-50 supports the same BLU link physical infrastructure as other Soundweb London devices.

Q: Does the BLU-50 have a front panel display?

A: The BLU-50 does not include an LCD display. It provides per-channel front panel LEDs for Phantom Power, Signal Present, and Clip status, giving basic operational feedback without a connected laptop. Full configuration and monitoring require HiQnet Audio Architect.

Q: Where can I order the BSS BLU-50 and get system design support?

A: The BSS BLU-50 (SKU: BSSBLU50-M) is available from Creation Networks at https://creationnetworks.net. The team provides system design assistance, Soundweb London compatibility guidance, and integration support for commercial AV installations.