Output Tab; Connecting To An Amplifier - Extron electronics MediaPort 200 User Manual

Output tab

On the Output tab, levels are set relative to the destination device. In most cases, the
default setting of 0 dB is proper (no adjustment), which is why the Output tab is the last
audio control tab in the Audio Config section.
Adjusting the Output Levels
Since the USB output and the line output contains mixes of different audio signals, it is
important here to test the system and monitor these outputs to ensure that the signal
level approaches 0 dBFS, yet with enough headroom to avoid clipping. If the meters show
clipping, the fader control on the output can be lowered to bring the signal down below
0 dBFS. If the clipping is occurring at the input, however, lowering the output fader control
will not eliminate the clipping. The input gain control must be lowered in this case.
If the output meter shows clipping and there is no clipping occurring at the input, then
lowering the output fader control will eliminate the clipping in most cases. Within the
MediaPort digital signal path, there is a certain amount of headroom, such that a signal or
mix of signals that is too hot at the output can be lowered at the output fader control to
eliminate clipping.
If lowering the output fader control prevents clipping at the output meter, but clipping
is still audible (and there is no clipping present at the input meters), then levels must be
lowered in the Mix tab to eliminate clipping. The Room Volume in the Near End section
(and the Mic and Program controls in the Mix to Far End section) are all master
controls that include soft limit controls. Setting the soft limit so that the fader cannot go
above a level that causes clipping is a method of controlling clipping from the Mix tab.
Otherwise, it will be necessary to lower faders in the Program Mix section and/or the USB
Communications fader. Check the output meter often to verify that clipping does not
appear on the meter.
Connecting to a DSP Processor
The USB Out is a digital level sent to the computer, so if your signal is optimal at this output,
no attenuation should be needed. The AEC REF and Aux outs are intended to be sent to
an external DSP processor. The MediaPort line level out is connected to the DSP processor
line level in, and as long as the MediaPort max output level is the same or very similar to
the DSP processor mix input level, little or no adjust to the MediaPort output level may be
needed. This is also true of the MediaPort line output if connected to a DSP processor.

Connecting to an Amplifier

When the line output is connected to a sound reinforcement system, the amplifier of the
sound system must be set to accommodate the output level of the MediaPort. If adjusting
the amplifier input sensitivity instead of the MediaPort line output level, the Line Out
attenuation control set to 0 dB will give the best signal to noise results. See section, Sound
Reinforcement System
on page 34 for more information.
MediaPort 200 Audio Application Tutorial • Gain Structure 33