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Summary of Contents for XTA apa-4e8
- Page 2 Page 2 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 3 CONTENTS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS ..................................................................................................7 7 7 7 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION ............................................7 7 7 7 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION ........ - Page 4 Page 4 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual OPERATING YOUR APA: OPERATING YOUR APA: OPERATING YOUR APA: OPERATING YOUR APA: ............................................................................27 27 27 27 Powering Up Powering Down and Returning Home Home Screen Layout The “Monochrome Concept”...
- Page 5 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 5 REMOTE CONNECTION TO REMOTE CONNECTION TO YOUR APA YOUR APA .............................. 54 54 54 54 REMOTE CONNECTION TO REMOTE CONNECTION TO YOUR APA YOUR APA .............................. Overview...
- Page 6 Page 6 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual ADDITIONAL INFORMATI ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR APA: ON ABOUT YOUR APA: ......................63 63 63 63 ADDITIONAL INFORMATI ADDITIONAL INFORMATI ON ABOUT YOUR APA: ON ABOUT YOUR APA: ......................Appendix I: Dynamic EQ Mode I: “Cut Above”...
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Page 7: Thanks
All XTA products are carefully designed and engineered for cutting-edge performance and world-class reliability. If you would like further information about this or any other XTA product, please contact us. - Page 8 Page 8 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Import Import Import Important Safety Instructions ant Safety Instructions ant Safety Instructions ant Safety Instructions CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN The lightning flash with arrowhead The exclamation mark within an symbol within an equilateral triangle is...
- Page 9 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 9 Instructions De Securite Importantes Instructions De Securite Importantes Instructions De Securite Importantes Instructions De Securite Importantes ATTENTION: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR Le symbole représentant un éclair fléché Le point d’exclamation dans un triangle dans un triangle équilatéral a pour but...
- Page 10 Page 10 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Declaration Of Conformity Declaration Of Conformity Declaration Of Conformity Declaration Of Conformity We, the manufacturer: XTA Electronics Limited, The Design House Vale Business Park Worcester Road Stourport on Severn Worcestershire England DY13 9BZ acknowledge our responsibility that the following products:...
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Page 11: Installing Your Apa Installing Your Apa
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 11 Installing your Installing your Installing your Installing your APA APA: : : : Unpacking After unpacking the unit, please check it carefully for any damage. If any is found, immediately notify the carrier concerned - you, the consignee, must instigate any claim. -
Page 12: Electrical Considerations
Page 12 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Installing Your APA: Installing Your APA: Installing Your APA: Installing Your APA: Electrical Considerations The amplifier is fitted with a universal power supply which will operate world-wide — no user setting is required. Make sure power outlets conform to the power requirements listed on the back of the unit. -
Page 13: Mechanical Considerations
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 13 Installing Your APA: Installing Your APA: Installing Your APA: Installing Your APA: Mechanical Considerations To ensure that your APA performs to specification, it should be mounted in a suitable rack or enclosure as described below. Like all high power amplifiers, it should be kept away from other equipment which is sensitive to magnetic fields. -
Page 14: Connecting To Your Aconnecting To Your Apa
DO NOT TAMPER WITH OR ALTER ANY GROUND (EARTH) CONNECTIONS INSIDE THE AMPLIFIER. RS485 Output Wiring The RS485 output is a data port for connection to other XTA equipment only. It is currently not supported, however for reference, the following wiring should be used: PIN1: Screen (see NOTE) -
Page 15: Speaker Outputs Wiring
In the same way, channel 3’s Speakon carries channel D on 2+ and 2-. There must be no shared connections between channels. The minimum load per single channel is 2 ohms. XTA recommend running channels with a minimum 2.7 ohm load for maximum efficiency and long term power delivery (3 x 8 Ohm loads in parallel). -
Page 16: Front Panel Layout And Controls
Page 16 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Getting To Getting To Know Your Getting To Getting To Know Your Know Your APA Know Your APA: : : : Front Panel Layout and Controls 1: USB ‘OTG’ Socket: APA works in Host mode, so USB memory sticks can be plugged in here to update firmware, download presets, save log files, and upload EVAC playout messages. - Page 17 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 17 Front Panel Layout and Controls cntd… 11: Status and Warning Indicators: Permanent indication of the following: ALARM: Illuminates to show any condition APA needs to warn you about — the list of possible warnings is covered on page 52.
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Page 18: Rear Panel Controls And Sockets
Please see page 19 for more information on the current capabilities. 3: RS485 Output Socket: This socket is intended for connection to other XTA processors for control data bridging from the Ethernet control port. It is not intended to be used as a method of primary remote control of this amplifier. -
Page 19: Rear Panel Status Led Groups
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 19 Rear Panel Status LED Groups There are two sets of status LEDs on the rear panel — one set beside the input XLR sockets and one set beside the network sockets. Both sets are tri-colour LEDS and so can show a variety of information using colour and steady/flashing indication as explained below. -
Page 20: Signal Paths And Block Diagram
Page 20 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Signal Paths and Block Diagram... -
Page 21: Input Sources
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 21 Input Sources APA is exceptionally flexible as regards input routing and mixing, and can receive audio from a variety of sources: analogue audio, stereo AES audio, multichannel networked audio, along with internal noise and sine wave generators and audio file playback from the internal SD card (for emergency evacuation messages only). -
Page 22: Pre-Matrix Processing
Page 22 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Pre-Matrix Processing APA’s processing is conveniently split between input signal conditioning before it reaches the full mix matrix, and output/loudspeaker specific processing dedicated to each of the four power amplifier channels. With this in mind, the pre-matrix processing has been designed to offer as much flexibility as possible, as it may be used for network audio processing that does not involve the local power amplifier at all. -
Page 23: Processed Input Channel Blocks
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 23 Processed Input Channel Blocks Each processed input channel contains the following blocks: Delay: over 1000mS available on each input channel in 0.01mS steps. Remember that this delay will affect all outputs that it feeds — those might be local power amplifier channels and/or network outputs. -
Page 24: Mix Matrix To Power Amp Processing Channels / Network Outputs
Page 24 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Mix Matrix to Power Amp Processing Channels / Network Outputs Following the input switching and before the power amplifier processing and network outputs, the mix matrix allows full mixing of up to 16 sources to each of the 8 outputs. -
Page 25: Power Amp Channels Processing Blocks
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 25 Power Amp Channels Processing Blocks Each power amplifier channel contains the following blocks: Delay: over 1000mS available on each input channel in finer sub-sample 300nS steps. This delay normally is used for driver time alignment and so works at very high resolution: a 300nS step size equates to a distance adjustment of 0.1mm. - Page 26 Page 26 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Gain: Placement of the gain control in the signal path is important as it functions not only as a make-up gain for the compressor if required, but also as a channel gain trim. The front panel gain trim also works at this point (but is separate from this).
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Page 27: Operating Your Apa: Operating Your Apa
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 27 Operating Your APA Operating Your APA Operating Your APA Operating Your APA: : : : Powering Up Your APA will power up in standby the first time it is connected to the mains supply. The Power/Home button will be illuminated red. -
Page 28: Powering Down And Returning Home
Page 28 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Hint: During start-up, the mute button LEDs will flash if they are going to unmute automatically at the end of the sequence. They are active during the entire start-up sequence and can be muted/unmuted at any time if not set as required. -
Page 29: Home Screen Layout
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 29 Home Screen Layout The home screen shows you important useful information about your APA. The name of your APA as it appears on the network control software is shown first. If you’ve not chosen a name APA will give it a random one so it can be easily identified if you have multiple amplifiers on the network. -
Page 30: User Metrics
Page 30 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual User Metrics Incoming Mains Monitor Your APA uses high resolution converters to measure the incoming mains voltage and instantaneous current draw so that it can adjust output power levels if you have set a current limit, and also to ensure that the mains voltage remains within the safe operating range of the unit. -
Page 31: Amplifier Temperatures
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 31 Amplifier Temperatures Your APA has over 20 temperature sensors, monitoring several points on each individual channel’s circuitry, as well as various points within the power supply, and the output filters. This data is all used to ensure that the amplifier can adapt its behaviour to stay operational and keep playing as long as possible. -
Page 32: Quick Inputs Monitor
Page 32 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Quick Inputs Monitor The LED meters on your amplifier always show levels relating to the power amplifier outputs, be this absolute output level, level relative to the limiter, or compressor gain reduction However, you can also check the incoming levels using this metric display. -
Page 33: Amp Channel Loads
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 33 Amp Channel Loads In addition to the more obvious 24 bit 96k analogue to digital converters (ADCs) fitted to the inputs of your amplifier for analogue signal conversion, your APA has has eight additional ADCs of the same quality fitted directly at the output terminals. These are used to monitor the speaker output voltages and currents in real time and are fed directly back into the DSP, so near-instantaneous monitoring of power and distortion can be realised. -
Page 34: Auto Scrolling Of User Metrics
Page 34 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Auto Scrolling of User Metrics As explained on each user metrics screen, holding either the BACK or NEXT key for 2 seconds will toggle between auto mode and manual mode. Auto scrolling mode will switch to the next metrics screen every 5 seconds, and will include the home screen in this loop. -
Page 35: Tri Colour Panel Metering
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 35 Tri Colour Panel Metering The LED metering on the front panel of your APA is made up of tri colour LED elements, capable of displaying red green or yellow. This allows the meters to dynamically alter their colour and offer much better visual feedback. -
Page 36: Output Channel Menu
Page 36 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Output Channel Menu Overview Pressing one of the output edit buttons allows adjustment and viewing of parameters associated with the power amplifier output channels, including quick gain trim, checking of the limiter threshold and adjustment of the output polarity. The list of output menu options deliberately starts with the quick gain trim, so that it’s easy to adjust this with just a single... -
Page 37: Output Preset
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 37 Output Preset If the selected channel is running a specific preset, its name will be displayed here. Output preset will show the name of the output settings that have been selected either as part of a system preset recall via the amplifier’s front panel, or the individual output settings selected... -
Page 38: System Menu
Page 38 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual System Menu Overview As the majority of APA’s audio features are designed to be set up and adjusted only by remote control, this makes the navigation of the amplifier’s front panel interface much simpler. The main menu (that is, not an output channel menu or user metric display) consists of “unit-... -
Page 39: Memories, Presets And File Structures
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 39 Understanding Your APA Understanding Your APA Understanding Your APA Understanding Your APA Memories, Presets and File Structures Internal SD Card Each APA is fitted with an internal 4GB microSD card. This card is NOT user swappable or accessible. - Page 40 Page 40 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual If you have a NTFS formatted drive instead and need to reformat it for FAT32, remember that you will lose all data stored on the drive. Right click on it in your file manager and choose “format”...
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Page 41: The Concept Of File Syncing
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 41 This drive is now suitable for copying and syncing firmware, presets and evacuation messages. The Concept of File Syncing Many users will already be familiar with the concept of file syncing, having used external hard drives for backing up important data on computers. -
Page 42: Recalling Unit Memories
Page 42 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Recalling Unit Memories The memory structure in your APA is very flexible and allows different parts of the amplifier to be independently controlled via memory recalls without affecting other sections. For example, it is possible to recall settings that just swap the inputs from analogue to AES, or one that just adjusts the input processing. - Page 43 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 43 To recall a unit memory, press MENU and then ENTER to jump to the RECALL SUB MENU: Use BACK and NEXT to scroll through the available unit memories. The name of the memory is shown on the top line of each entry; with the second line summarizing what parts of the unit will be affected by a recall.
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Page 44: Upgrading Firmware Via Usb
Page 44 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Upgrading Firmware via USB Upgrading firmware is a two stage process. The firmware file is first copied onto the /firmware folder on the micro SD card. The required version is then chosen via the front panel interface, and the upgrade initiated. - Page 45 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 45 Assuming the amplifier is in standby, it will now enable the USB port and try to detect any connected flash drive. This may take a few seconds so please be patient! Once detected, some details of the drive will be displayed and the options available will be shown: To copy the firmware from the USB stick onto the amplifier’s SD card, use the encoder to...
- Page 46 Page 46 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Now that the firmware has been copied to your APA’s SD card, it can be used to finish upgrading the amplifier. Press MENU to drop back to the UPDATES SUB MENU and navigate …and press ENTER. You will now see a list of all the firmware versions stored in the /firmware folder on the amplifier’s SD card.
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Page 47: Mains Rms Current Limiter
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 47 Mains RMS Current Limiter As your APA is capable of drawing huge amounts of current from the mains supply (in excess of the 32A long-term specified for the “PowerCon” mains connector), it has a programmable... -
Page 48: Identify Unit
When next powered up the defaults will have been loaded. Note that this does NOT delete any user memories from the SD card or erase any settings. For details of how to perform a full factory reset, please contact XTA. -
Page 49: Default User Settings
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 49 Default User Settings Your APA’s non-audio related settings can also be defaulted independently. These include the mains current, the IP address configuration, and anything else that can be adjusted in the UNIT SUB MENU (excluding the Identify function which can be cancelled by toggling it in the... -
Page 50: Emergency Voice Evacuation Playback
Page 50 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Emergency Voice Evacuation Playback If a suitable file exists in the amplifier’s /wav folder on the SD card, it will be played back on all outputs that have the route from AES C&D enabled. This input is interrupted by the evac playback message when GPI 1 is enabled. -
Page 51: System Security
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 51 System Security Overview and Locking Procedure Your APA has a sophisticated security system that consists of three hierarchical levels, which can be populated with any combination of controls to limit access to various parts of the system, both locally and remotely. -
Page 52: System Warnings
Page 52 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual System Warnings System Warnings System Warnings System Warnings Your APA has a multitude of temperature sensors (over 20!) as well as real time high resolution voltage and current measurement converters (24 bit, 96k) to feed back information to the DSP in real time so the amplifier adapts its operation over time to stay playing as long as possible during any performance. - Page 53 PSU Temperature High restart automatically when cooled. Internal system warning — reset by Status: Yes, all outputs a power cycle and contact XTA if Mod Rail Safed continues to appear. Internal system warning — reset by Status: Yes, all outputs...
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Page 54: Your Apa
Page 54 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Remote Connection to your APA Remote Connection to your APA Remote Connection to your APA Remote Connection to your APA Overview Full remote control of all your APA’s DSP functionality and monitoring of all aspects of its performance is achieved by connecting it to a standard Ethernet network. -
Page 55: Adhoc Connections (No Dhcp Server)
It is possible to manually set the IP address used by the unit. Please note that the default setting is for IP addresses to be set automatically, and XTA recommend that this setting is used unless there is a valid reason not to! To set the IP address manually, press MENU and navigate to the IP Address Set-up option in the UNIT SUB MENU and press ENTER. - Page 56 Page 56 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual The default selection is for automatic IP address selection. To change this to manual, press NEXT to display all the manual set-up parameters. Changes are saved automatically — exit by either pressing MENU to drop back through the levels or power/home to get back to the home screen.
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Page 57: Maintenance
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 57 Looking After your APA: Looking After your APA: Looking After your APA: Looking After your APA: Maintenance These maintenance instructions are for use by qualified personnel only. Before any routine maintenance, please ensure that your amplifier is disconnected from the mains supply! The filter behind the air intake apertures on the front of your amplifier should be cleaned or replaced periodically, e.g. -
Page 58: Technical Specifications
Page 58 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Performance of y Performance of y Performance of y Performance of your our APA APA: : : : Technical Specifications A note about how we measure performance. Amplifier power ratings differ from manufacturer to manufacturer making it very difficult to compare models directly from spec sheets. -
Page 59: Digital Audio
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 59 Digital Audio Parameter Value ADC and DAC Sample Rate 96kHz (oversampling type) ADC and DAC Resolution 24bit Accepted AES3 Sample Rates 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz, 192kHz AES3 Resolution 16 to 24bit DSP Sample Rate 96kHz DSP Resolution... -
Page 60: Input Power
Page 60 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Input Power Parameter Value Operating voltage range 90V — 240V 230V AC MAX long term current (1 hour) 16.5ARMS MAX long term power (1 hour) 3800W RMS MAX short term current (2 sec) 24.3A RMS... -
Page 61: Output Power: Continuous Performance
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 61 Output Power: Continuous Performance Parameter Value All channels driven (230V) RMS sine wave long term continuous power with all channels run simultaneously (over an hour assuming 20 degree ambient) (Test type 1) 8 Ohms 3000W (4 X 750W) -
Page 62: Power Measurement Test Types
Page 62 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Power Measurement Test Types Test type 1: Continuous RMS Sine Wave Electronic engineers usually find it easy to measure with constant sine wave tones, so we provide power figures in a continuous RMS sine wave format so that measurements can be made and understood in that context. -
Page 63: Appendix I: Dynamic Eq
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 63 Additional Additional Additional Additional Information About Your Information About Your Information About Your APA: Information About Your APA: APA: APA: Appendix I: Dynamic EQ Dynamic EQ is essentially a compressor or expander that can be set to respond and act upon only a certain range of frequencies. -
Page 64: Mode Ii: "Cut Below
Page 64 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Mode II: “Cut Below” Having selected the frequency band to work with, the dynamic eq will listen to this band and act upon it by cutting any frequencies present in it that drop below the predetermined threshold. -
Page 65: Mode Iii: "Boost Above
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 65 Mode III: “Boost Above” This is the other less than traditional mode of operation, offering upward expansion, where the signal is boosted once it reaches the threshold. The example below shows that 1kHz filter again, this time with the threshold at -20dB. As can be seen, as the signal rises above the threshold it is progressively boosted around the 1kHz region. -
Page 66: Mode Iv: "Boost Below
Page 66 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Mode IV: “Boost Below” This mode operates in a slightly unconventional manner insofar as behaving as an ‘upwards expander’, as opposed to the more traditional ‘downwards expander’. What this means is that as the signal drops below the threshold, the selected band of frequencies will be progressively boosted in relation to the rest of the spectrum, offering a perceived ‘lift’... -
Page 67: Appendix Ii: Program Limiter And Peak Limiter
There is provision, within the remote software application, to set automatic limiter time constants. Use this option if you are unsure how to set the time constants manually. XTA recommend the use of the automatic setting. -
Page 68: Peak Limiter
Page 68 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Peak Limiter The main limitation with traditional dynamics control is the inability of the processing to react truly instantaneously to the signal. One of the most significant advantages of digital signal processing over analogue is the ability to delay the audio signal precisely and without extensive complex hardware. - Page 69 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 69 The blue waveform shows the output of the dynamics module. The circled peak demonstrates that the processor has missed the first peak above the threshold (as it is very fast and short), but has ‘caught up’ shortly afterwards, keeping all other peaks under control.
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Page 70: Setting Accurate Limiter Thresholds - Program Limiter
Page 70 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Setting Accurate Limiter Thresholds — Program Limiter The limiters built into your amplifier are intended to be used for loudspeaker driver protection, as opposed to amplifier protection. The amplifier has additional limiters which can adapt automatically to both temperature and incoming mains conditions to stay operational and playing music for as long as possible. -
Page 71: Setting Accurate Limiter Thresholds - Peak Limiter
Use this option if you are unsure how to set the time constants manually. XTA recommend the use of the automatic setting. In this mode the time constants will be automatically set from the high pass crossover filter... -
Page 72: Appendix Iii: Parametric Filter Types And Uses
Page 72 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Appendix III: Parametric Filter Types and Uses A wide selection of filter types has been made available under the PEQ section when editing input or output filters. Each filter type will be explained in turn in the following section. -
Page 73: High/Low Shelving Eq
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 73 High/Low Shelving EQ (High Shelf shown) The shelving EQ has adjustable frequency, ‘Q’ (or Bandwidth) and Gain controls. These affect a range of frequencies from the turnover freqency as shown in the graph. For a high shelf, frequencies above the turnover frequency will be affected. -
Page 74: Bandpass Filter
Page 74 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Bandpass Filter The bandpass filter has adjustable frequency and‘Q’ (or Bandwidth) controls. These affect a range of frequencies symmetrically about the centre freqency as shown in the graph, gradually cutting the level, but providing no gain. -
Page 75: All Pass Filter
APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Page 75 All Pass Filter The allpass filter has adjustable frequency and ‘Q’ (or Bandwidth) controls. These affect the frequency at which the phase effectively flips 180°, and the ‘speed’ at which this transition occurs. The graph shows an allpass filter centred at 1kHz, with various ‘Q’... -
Page 76: Low/High Pass Variable 'Q' Filter
Page 76 APA-4E8 Operator’s Manual Low/High Pass Variable ‘Q’ Filter (Low Pass shown) The low and high pass variable ‘Q’ filters have adjustable frequency and ‘Q’ (or Bandwidth) controls. The ‘Q’ control adjust the damping of the filter, so that low ‘Q’ settings show less overshoot at the turnover frequency, but also slower roll-off.
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