EAW DX1208 Help File
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. EAW Manuals
  4. Computer Hardware
  5. DX1208
  6. Help file
EAW DX1208 Help File

EAW DX1208 Help File

12x8 digital mixer and signal processor
Hide thumbs Also See for DX1208:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual See also: Instruction Manual

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Related Manuals for EAW DX1208

Summary of Contents for EAW DX1208

  • Page 2 This helpfile also assumes that the reader has already read the DX1208 Instruction Manual. The manual provides an overview of both the hardware and software necessary to make full use of this helpfile.
  • Page 3 10/100 Base-T Ethernet, RS-232, and USB 1.0/2.0. All DX series hardware devices can communicate simultaneously over all supported communications interfaces. For example, a DX1208 can simultaneously communicate with one local instance of DX Navigator via USB, and multiple remote instances via Ethernet. Additionally, multiple external devices, such as AMD/Crestron controllers or EAWC UR-1/UR-2 Remote Controls, can be used to control and monitor system status using the RS-232, RS-485, and/or Logic I/O ports.

  • Page 4: Main Window

    Sets up DX Navigator for either RS-232 or USB communications. The Com Port drop-down list displays the port numbers of all COM ports available on your computer. For both RS-232 and USB communications, select from the list the port number to which the DX1208 is connected.
  • Page 5 USB port on your computer before opening DX Navigator, or else its USB com port number will not appear in the COM Port list. If you are not sure which COM port the DX1208 is connected to, open the Windows Device Manager, and locate ‘Ports (COM &...
  • Page 6 set for dynamic or static IP operation (see the section of this helpfile for information about configuring hardware IP settings). When a unit receives the UDP broadcast message it responds back with its IP Address and Device Name, and DX Navigator adds it to the Found Devices list in the Main Window.

  • Page 7: Going Online

    broadcasting, thus allowing DX Navigator to find DX devices within secured networks. In most networks Specify Target IP Addresses should be used whenever the computer and DX device(s) are connected to different subnets. • When Target IP Addresses Specify Target IP Addresses is selected, DX Navigator polls only those units whose IP addresses are listed in the Target IP Addresses list.
  • Page 8 Parameters • Go Online When Go Online is pressed, DX Navigator sends out a message using the selected communications protocol requesting that all DX devices receiving the message identify themselves to DX Navigator. Devices respond by sending back their Device Name, IP Address (if Ethernet communications is selected), and device type.
  • Page 9 Status Indicators When DX Navigator isonline, one of three symbols will appear in front of each Device Icon in the Found Devices list to indicate the current status of the device: • The cycling arrows indicate that DX Navigator is establishing or refreshing a communications connection with the device.

  • Page 10: Naming Devices

    Bar of Design Windows. Dragging a Device Icon from the Device Library into the Design tab creates a design named “Untitled DX1208”; dragging a device from the Found Devices to the Design tab creates a design named “Copy of [Device Name]”. To preserve the identity of...

  • Page 11: Device Designs

    1. Go online with DX Navigator. 2. In the Found Devices tab, select the device you wish to rename. The device must be online (green check mark appears in front of Device Icon). 3. Either <R+CLICK> on the Device Icon, or select Rename from the Edit or R-click popup menu.
  • Page 12 Device Library tab to bring it to the front. <CLICK+DRAG> the DX1208 Device Icon from the Device Library tab to the Design tab. 3. A new DX1208 design appears in the Design tab. The default Device Name for new design is “Unnamed [device type].”...

  • Page 13: Edit Operations

    You can also create copies of hardware devices by dragging Device Icons from the Found Devices tab into the Design tab. This operation is covered in more detail under Edit Operations. To rename the design: 1. In the Design tab, <CLICK>...
  • Page 14 from the Edit and R-click pop-up menus, or dragging/dropping with the mouse. The behavior of each edit operation differs slightly depending on the source and destination tabs. For conciseness, the examples given below describe edit operations using only Edit menu commands and drag/drop operations.
  • Page 15 7. A dialog appears asking you to confirm the operation. <CLICK> the Copy Device to Device button. 8. All of the current source device settings are written to the destination device EXCEPT for the Device Name and all Settings tab parameters (Presets, Permissions, IP settings, Event Log data, and Master/Slave).
  • Page 16 5. A new design named “Copy of [Design Name]” appears at the bottom of the list. All of the current source design settings are written to new design EXCEPT for Permissions, Event Log data, and Presets (see Note); the IP and Master/Slave settings are, however, copied to the new device.
  • Page 17 3. In the Found Devices tab, <CLICK> on the first device that you wish to archive to select 4. Select Copy from the Edit menu. <CLICK> in an empty area of the Design tab, and select Paste from the Edit menu. <CLICK+DRAG>...
  • Page 18 2. From the Open dialog, navigate to and select the Site File you wish to open and <CLICK> the Open button. The Design tab is cleared replaced with the designs stored in the Site File. The Title Bar of the Main Window changes to reflect the name of the open Site File.
  • Page 19 10. All of the current design settings are written to the destination device EXCEPT for the Device Name and all Settings tab parameters (Presets, Permissions, IP settings, Event Log data, and Master/Slave). Note that IP settings are stored in the Site File for reference only.

  • Page 20: Menu Items

    Device Window - Overview Overview DX1208 parameters and controls are accessed through a DX1208 Device Window. The Device Window groups related parameters and controls together and displays them on different tabs which appear (roughly) in the order of signal flow through the unit. From left to right the tabs are: Input, Priorities, Automix, Output, DX Link, Logic IO, Remotes, and Settings.

  • Page 21: Common Controls

    Common Controls A number of parameters and controls are common to all Device Window tabs. Parameters • Mute All Mutes all Input, Output, DX Link Input, and DX Link Output Channels. • Unmute All Unmutes all Input, Output, DX Link Input, and DX Link Output Channels.

  • Page 22: Input Section

    Input Section Description The DX1208 has eight analog and four S/PDIF digital input channels. Inputs 1-8 are balanced mic/line level inputs with a max peak input level of +24 dBu, each having switchable phantom power and adjustable preamplifier gain. A second set of stereo unbalanced inputs parallels Inputs 5-8.
  • Page 23 Input Channels routed to the soloed Outputs are also soloed, or they will not be heard. Gate Description Each of the twelve DX1208 Input Channels is equipped with a Gate that occurs between the input Fader and the Compressor in the DX1208 signal chain. Gates are designed to reduce or eliminate unwanted background noise from an input (typically a microphone input) when the source is not on-mic.
  • Page 24 Bypass Gate Bypasses the Gate without changing the Gate’s settings. Compressor Description Each of the twelve DX1208 Input Channels is equipped with a Compressor that occurs between the Gate and the 6-band EQ in the DX1208 signal chain. Compressors are designed...
  • Page 25 (i.e. compressed) by an amount determined by the Ratio. When the signal is below Threshold the gain is returned to unity (i.e. no gain reduction is applied). The DX1208 Input Compressor uses a soft- knee transfer curve to reduce the ‘pumping’ sound often heard with hard-knee compression.
  • Page 26 Compressor’s settings. Description The DX1208 Compressors can alternately function as an Automatic Gain Control (AGC). AGCs are designed to dynamically normalize the volume of an audio signal to a defined output level, regardless of the input signal level. AGCs are used to ‘level’ out multiple program sources to roughly equalize their relative volumes or set their volumes in a predefined relationship.
  • Page 27 Target level, the gain is reduced; when it falls below the Target level it is increased, so that the output volume is always being driven towards the Target. • Threshold When the input volume exceeds the Threshold, the AGC is activated and makes dynamic volume adjustments that drive the output volume level towards the Target level.
  • Page 28 Each of the twelve DX1208 Input Channels is equipped with a fully-configurable six-band EQ, which occurs in between the Compressor and the Ducker in the DX1208 signal chain. Each EQ band can configured as a parametric, high/low pass, or shelving filter, and can be individually enabled or disabled.
  • Page 29 • Gain Sets the gain boost/cut of the Selected Parametric or Shelving Filter. Gain values range from [+15 dB] to [-15 dB]. • Bandwidth / Q Sets the Bandwidth of the Selected Parametric Filter. Setting the PEQ Format to [Q] in the Main DX Navigator > Tools menu lets you enter filter width as a ‘quality factor’...
  • Page 30 Ducker Description Each of the twelve DX1208 Inputs and 16 DX Link Inputs is equipped with a Ducker. On the eight Input Channels the Ducker occurs in between the six-band EQ and the Matrix Mixer. On the DX Link Inputs the Ducker occurs immediately after the DX Link Mute and Fader. The Input tab contains only a subset of the Input Channel’s Ducker controls;...
  • Page 31 Ducker Description Each of the twelve DX1208 Inputs and 16 DX Link Inputs is equipped with a Ducker. On the twelve Input Channels the Ducker occurs in between the six-band EQ and the Matrix Mixer. On the DX Link Inputs the Ducker occurs immediately after the DX Link Mute and Gain. The Ducker is the only DSP process that is employed on the DX Link Input Channels.
  • Page 32 Parameters • Priority The DX1208 has five Priority levels, numbered [1] through [5]. Channels with a higher Priority take precedence over channels of a lower Priority. When a Priority level is triggered, the gain of lower- Priority channels is reduced (ducked), while the gain of channels with the same or higher Priority remains unchanged.

  • Page 33: Matrix Mixer

    Matrix Mixer Description The DX1208 contains a 28x24 Matrix Mixer that allows any of the unit’s 12 Analog/Digital and 16 DX Link Inputs to be independently assigned and mixed to any of its 8 Analog and 16 DX Link Outputs. Additionally, the Matrix Mixers have independently functioning Automixers each of the 8 Analog outputs;...
  • Page 34 Meters before being routed through the Enable switch and the Fader (see the signal flow diagram in the DX1208 Instruction Manual). The Input Channnel Fader controls the input’s gain to both the Matrix Master Output, and the Automixer input (if Automix is [On]). All [Enabled] input channels are then summed before being routed to the Master Output Enable switch and Fader.
  • Page 35 NOM. The DX1208 employs a gain sharing automixer, which works on the basis of expanders, rather than gates. Instead of each microphone being turned on or off, all microphones are on all the time, and the overall system gain is distributed amongst them.
  • Page 36 Both automixer types are superior to human operators in their ability to react quickly to input level changes. The DX1208 Automixer also measures signal correlation across all assigned inputs. Therefore when signal cancellation occurs between one or more inputs, the cancellation is factored into the gain-sharing calculations so that the gain reduction is appropriately weighted towards the input(s) that are contributing to the energy of the Automixer output signal.

  • Page 37: Output Section

    Output Section Description The DX1208 has eight balanced, line-level Analog Output Channels having a max peak output level of +24 dBu. All Output Channels have digital Gain, Meter, Solo, and Mute controls which appear in the Channel Strip at the bottom of all Device Window tabs except the Automix tab.
  • Page 38 Crossovers Description Each of the eight DX1208 Output Channels is additionally equipped with a pair of Low- and High-Pass Crossover Filters that occur between the Output Filters and the Limiter in the DX1208 signal chain. Each Crossover Filter can be set to any of three standard crossover filter types –...
  • Page 39 Each of the eight DX1208 Output Channels is equipped with a Limiter that occurs between the Output Fader and the Delay in the DX1208 signal chain. The Output Channel Limiter is in all respects identical to the Input Channel Compressor (see the Input Channel Compressor section of this helpfile), with two small differences.
  • Page 40 AGC. Because the Limiter occurs AFTER the Output Fader, the DX1208 Limiter prevents amplifier overload caused by any other gain stage in the DX1208 Output. How you decide to use the Output Limiter is completely dependent on your application.
  • Page 41 Settings tab for information on configuring the software to work with DX Link. NOTE: DX Link is a proprietary EAW digital audio format that carries only digital audio and clocking data. Though DX Link uses or network cable with RJ-45...

  • Page 42: Logic Inputs

    Logic Inputs Principle of Operation The DX1208 has six Logic Inputs that can each be assigned to control or trigger different functions within the unit, such as recalling Presets or muting channels. The Logic Inputs are internally pulled high to +3.3V through a 10 kohm resistor, and can be activated directly by switch or relay closure, or driven by a TTL/CMOS open-collector Logic Output capable of sinking at least 0.35 mA of current.
  • Page 43 [High] The Function is triggered when the Logic Input sees a low-to-high transition. • Function Defines which DX1208 parameter(s) the Logic Input controls. [None] Disables the Logic Input. Does the same thing as unchecking the Enable setting.

  • Page 44: Logic Outputs

    Logic Outputs Principle of Operation The DX1208 has three Logic Outputs which indicate various hardware conditions. The Logic Outputs are open-collector outputs that are pulled high internally to +5V through a 340 ohm resistor. They can sink up to 12 mA of current and drive an LED directly.
  • Page 45 [High] When [High], the Logic Output level is +4.8V (unloaded). • Function Function defines which DX1208 parameter(s) the Logic Output controls. [None] Disables the logic output. Does the same thing as unchecking the Enable setting. [System Normal] Indicates that the unit is operating normally.
  • Page 46 Remote Control - Quick Start Guide for more information). Every Remote connected to a DX1208 must be set to a unique bus address (up to 128 addresses are possible). It is not necessary to maintain unique addresses across multiple DX1208 units in a system, since each DX1208 is aware only of the Remotes connected to its own Remote Bus.
  • Page 47 Remote is automatically added to the Remotes list, along with its Type and ID. The Remote Controls themselves do not store any configuration information. If a Remote Control is moved to a different DX1208 it must be reconfigured from the Remotes tab of the new DX1208. Remotes Parameters •...
  • Page 48 DX1208 for more than 10s are indicated by a [0]. Remotes must be connected to the DX1208 prior to power-up to be detected; if they are connected afterwards the DX1208 will not recognize them.
  • Page 49 UR-1 Parameters • Encoder Function Defines which DX1208 parameter(s) the Remote controls [None] Disables the encoder knob. [I/O Gain] Allows gain adjustment of any of the 12 Input or 8 Output Channels. • Encoder Select Assigns a specific Input or Output Channel to the [I/O Gain] Encoder Function.
  • Page 50 Presets Description The DX1208 allocates 24 namable Preset memories for storing and loading DX1208 parameter settings. Presets are stored in non-volatile memory, and so are retained when the unit is powered off. When the unit is powered on again, the designated Power-on Default Preset is loaded.
  • Page 51 Permissions Description The DX1208 can be secured against unauthorized use by requiring users to log into the hardware to gain access to Device Windows. The DX1208 supports two user access levels, called Permissions: Administrative and User. Administrative Permission grants the user full...
  • Page 52 To login, select a Permission Level and enter the appropriate password for that Level. As shipped from the factory, the DX1208 Admin and User Passwords are both blank. If the Password for either Permission Level is blank, then simply clicking the Login button gives the user de facto permission for the selected Permission Level.
  • Page 53 • Set Password Sends the (User or Admin) Password to the DX1208 hardware. Once set, all subsequent logins will require you to enter the Password to gain (User or Admin) access to the Device window.
  • Page 54 All DX series hardware devices come factory configured for dynamic IP operation. Since most corporate networks employ DHCP servers, a general rule you will not need to change a DX device’s IP settings before placing it onto a corporate network. However, if you are not sure if there is a DHCP server on the network, ask your network administrator.
  • Page 55 [Dynamic] When unchecked, the unit is set for dynamic (automatic) IP configuration by a DHCP server. A DHCP server must be present on the network to use this setting. [Static] When checked, the unit is set for static IP operation using the Static IP, Subnet, and Gateway settings.
  • Page 56 Gateway setting is not used and can be left set to [0.0.0.0]. 4. Close the Device Window and go offline with DX Navigator. 5. Power cycle the DX1208 for the IP setting to take effect. 6. Connect the DX device to a hub or switch using a standard Ethernet cable;...
  • Page 57 7. Repeat steps one through six for each DX device you are connecting to the network. Set the Static IP of the second device to [169.254.0.2], the third to [169.254.0.3], and so forth. 8. Now connect each of the computers you will be using to the network. Each computer will automatically configure its IP address using zeroconf addressing negotiation.
  • Page 58 4. To verify the current network IP settings of the computer you are using, type ‘ ipconfig /all ’ at the prompt. The computer returns both the IP settings of the device as well as other useful information, such as the card’s address, and the DHCP enable status.

  • Page 59: Event Log

    Event Log Description The Event Log records details of all significant events that occur within the DX1208 hardware. The Event Log can store up to 2048 events, which are written to non-volatile memory and retained indefinitely after the power is turned off. When the Event Log becomes full, the oldest 1024 events are deleted and replaced by new events until the Event Log fills up again.
  • Page 60 Commands • Refresh Refresh sends a request to the hardware to return the current contents of the Event Log. The log is not updated in real-time; a Refresh command must be sent to view any events that have posted to the log since the last Refresh command. •...
  • Page 61 Synchronizing Current Time to an Internet Time Server 1. Open the Windows Date and Time Properties window: Select Start on the Windows Taskbar and then choose Control Panel > Date & Time <DOUBLE-CLICK> on the Time Display in the lower-right corner of your computer’s screen.
  • Page 62 3. Select the Internet Time tab and choose one of the time servers listed in the Server drop- down menu. <CLICK> the ‘Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server’ checkbox, and press the Update Now button. <CLICK> OK when done.

  • Page 63: Firmware Version

    DX1208 device. For Design Windows these fields are blank. Consult the release notes for the version of DX Navigator you are running to verify whether the DX1208 devices in your system are running compatible firmware. It is particularly important in larger systems with...
  • Page 64 Device Window - User Tab When an individual logs into the DX1208 as a User, an abridged version of the Settings tab appears. All other tabs are hidden. From this window users may load Presets, refresh and save the Event Log, and view the DX Link Status. They can also view the Input/Output Channel Strip controls (Meters, Gains, and Solo and Mute status), but cannot change any of their settings.

Table of Contents