The CS 5 BU Conference System Base Unit from AKG is a digital conference system controller that synchronizes all CS 5 conference system components. It is required for any CS 5 system configuration.
The CS 5 BU may be used to connect up to 5,000 AKG delegate, interpreter and chairperson/voting microphone stations. It controls up to 64 audio channels that can be individually programmed and assigned to simultaneously active microphones. These channels are used to carry the main floor audio channel as well any interpretation channels being broadcast. Conference delegates may contribute to the discussion by speaking into their station microphone, and may also choose whether to monitor the main floor mix or a particular interpretation channel from their station controls.
The method in which the CS 5 system components interface has been engineered for reliability. All microphone stations are daisy chained together and connected back to the CS 5 BU, forming a closed circuit digital audio bus. Thus, the entire system is designed to continue operating with no interruption, even if one of the bus cables breaks.
The CS 5 BU can also be used to drive the AKG infrared radiators that are used transmit audio to the AKG CS 5 IRR7 infrared headphone receivers. These receivers are also daisy chainable.