Automation Control Unit (Acu) - Studer D950 Operating Instructions Manual

2.5.8

Automation Control Unit (ACU)

SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
AUTO
GLIDE
TAKE UNDO
REC/PB CONTROL
ISO
REC
SWITCHES &
S/E
ENCODERS
MUTE
MUTES
FDR
FADERS
GLOBAL CONTROL
READ ISO WRITE
RECORDING
KEEP
READY
MIX OPEN
AUTOMATION CONTROL UNIT
Date printed: 03.09.03
The Automation Control Unit (ACU) controls the basic functions
related to the D950's Auto Touch Dynamic Automation system, and is
used to quickly access and activate the most frequently used statuses
and modes. More automation features are available on the Graphic
Controller (GC) or on the Channel strip itself. The ACU is a panel unit
REDO
measuring 80 × 190 mm (2U) size, usually mounted in the fader level
of the desk, to the right of the Bank Select Unit.
The ACU provides central control of:
• Mix on/off and save functions
• Global Automation Modes
REC
(READ, ISOLATE, WRITE, WRITE ABSOLUTE, and WRITE
RELATIVE),
• Automation Statuses (PLAYBACK, RECORD), as well as special
PB
modes (AUTO TAKEOVER and GLIDE), down to the level of a
strip section. UNDO and REDO functions are also available.
• Global selection of which channel functions (switches/encoders,
mutes, faders) will be automated.
The ACU displays also status information for the Dynamic
Automation system.
WRITE
Channel strips are equipped with LEDs for indicating the current
ABS
mode/status of each control. These indicators are active during
automation and provide channel by channel feedback of the operator's
WRITE
REL
actions. As a result, the ACU does not have to offer comprehensive
mode/status indications.
The ACU is de-activated if the optional Dynamic Automation system
MIX
is not installed. It is also switched off while the Dynamic Automation
CHG ON
system is not active.
The ACU is divided into four operational areas:
• SPECIAL FUNCTIONS control area
• RECORD/PLAYBACK control area
• GLOBAL control area
• DISPLAY/MIX control area.
For most of the time, the Dynamic Automation's basic operating modes
are set automatically by the system. If the entire console is to be used in
one of the three WRITE modes, no more keystrokes on the ACU are re-
quired. For READ mode, the READ key has to be pressed. If only some or
several channels strip sections are to be modified, the ACU can be used to
select these.
Should a detailed automation setup be required, the flow of keystrokes
during operation begins at the bottom of the ACU (with the MIX ON) and
continues upward to the global modes. After one of the global modes has
been selected (if not already set up), sections of one or several channel
strips can be placed individually into RECORD mode using the ACU's
REC/PB CONTROL area. Finally, the uppermost part of the ACU can be
used to select special modes that are then valid for the whole console.
SW V3.3
D950 Digital Mixing System
Getting started 2-33