Manual

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Opal Manual
Introducon
The Comrex Opal is a Web Audio Gateway designed for studio use. The main funcon of Opal is to allow two-way delivery of audio both
to and from remote guests, much like a telephone call-in system. However, Opal doesn’t use phone lines. Opal receives web-based audio
calls from users on computers and smartphones. There are two key advantages to using Opal:
1 Opal’s web audio uses audio encoders and decoders that deliver high-delity, studio-quality audio while maintaining
the delay of a typical mobile phone
2 Opal is designed to be extremely simple for the remote guest; non-technical callers can easily use Opal
Opal has the capability of handling two web audio calls simultaneously, and provides two input and output channels on pro-level balanced
XLR or AES3. In current rmware, internal conferencing is not supported.
Opal aaches to the Internet at the studio. It has special requirements regarding networks. But these requirements all allow for the call
process to be extremely simple for the guest. All the complexies are on the studio side, and the remote guest needs no special gear or
setup.
All connecons to Opal are incoming; no funconality is provided make outgoing connecons from Opal.
Once Opal is installed and congured, connecons are made to it by sending an Invite to the remote guest, via IM, email, text, snail mail,
publishing the Invite, or any other means. The Invite consists of an Internet link, much like a web page. The only responsibility of the
guest is to have a compable web browser or app, a mic and headphones, and be able to click or copy the Invite.
Invites are generated by logging into Opal from the studio side via a web browser using a special password-protected “Invite” account.
In current rmware, Invites can be manually enabled and disabled. In future rmware, Invites can be programmed to expire aer me,
usage, or not at all. Invites automacally route the call to one of the two Opal audio channels, designated when the Invite is created.
Compability
On the remote guest end, the caller should have access to a computer with a compable web browser, and a microphone and headphone.
Web browsers currently supported are Edge, Chrome, Safari 11 for MACOS, Opera and Firefox. Opal is also compable with Chrome and
Firefox on Android devices, as well as Safari in iOS 11.
In the case where a phone’s browser is not providing good results, the Opal app is available as an alternave. It’s currently available on
the Apple App store and the Google Play store. We nd that browsers usually oer best performance.
For best audio quality, it is recommended that callers use a headset and wired microphone rather than the computer or phone’s open
speaker and built-in microphone. This is important not only with regard to noise but also with isolang the local microphone from the
“return” audio, which will make a big dierence in quality. On smartphones, wired headsets will provide the best audio quality.
How Opal Works
Opal is installed on the studio side’s Internet connecon. Opal needs a public, stac IP address with a domain name assigned to it by a
provider of domain names.
Invites are retrieved from Opal via the Invite web interface and transferred to the guest caller. The guest caller will click or copy the Invite
in a compable browser, and will see the Opal landing page with the “Connect” and “Mute” buons.