Blackmagic Design Audio Monitor 12G G3

Blackmagic Design Audio Monitor 12G G3

The Blackmagic Design Audio Monitor 12G G3 is a professional, 1RU rack-mount audio monitoring solution. The G3 revision introduces native SMPTE ST 2110 IP connectivity, allowing it to monitor audio from modern IP-based broadcast networks without needing external de-encapsulators, while retaining full support for 12G-SDI and analog sources.

Core Functionality

• Triple-Threat Monitoring: Capable of monitoring audio from three distinct signal paths: 12G-SDI, SMPTE 2110 IP (via 10G Ethernet), and traditional Analog/Digital (XLR/RCA) inputs.

• Acoustic Performance: Despite its 1RU size, it features a dual-subwoofer design paired with wide-range speakers and Class-D amplifiers. The digital processor manages frequency crossover to ensure deep bass and clear high-frequency response, even in noisy control rooms.

• Visual Confidence: Includes a built-in 2.2-inch color LCD that displays the video feed from the SDI or IP source, along with the video format, frame rate, and the specific audio pair currently being monitored.

Technical Features

• 10G IP Connectivity: The 10G RJ45 Ethernet port supports SMPTE 2110-20/30/40 standards. It utilizes the Blackmagic IP10 codec for low-latency video monitoring and is NMOS IS-04/05 compliant for easy discovery and routing on a network.

• Precision Metering: Features dual 27-segment RGB LED meters. These meters use analog-style ballistics and can be toggled between VU, PPM (EBU or BBC), and Loudness (EBU or K-weighted). Replaceable paper scales are included for different regional standards.

• Extensive I/O: Beyond the network and SDI ports, it includes balanced analog XLR inputs, balanced AES/EBU digital inputs, and unbalanced RCA "HiFi" inputs for consumer devices.

• HDMI 2.0 Output: Allows you to loop the selected video source (either from the SDI or IP input) to a large-screen TV or monitor, effectively acting as an IP-to-HDMI converter with integrated audio monitoring.

Technical Specifications

Operational Insight

The G3 is the ideal solution for facilities transitioning from SDI to IP. Because it features a dedicated volume knob and solo buttons (Left/Right), it allows engineers to quickly audit specific channels within a 16-channel SDI or IP stream. The inclusion of the HDMI output is a significant "bonus" feature; in a 2110 IP environment, the Audio Monitor G3 can serve as both your speaker system and your gateway to a large confidence monitor, saving both rack space and budget.