Dan Dugan Sound Design E-2 User Manual

Automatic mixing controller

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Dan Dugan Sound Design
Model E-2 Automatic Mixing Controller
User Guide
Release Date: August 2013
Version: 1.0
Author: Rob Wenig

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Summary of Contents for Dan Dugan Sound Design E-2

  • Page 1 Dan Dugan Sound Design Model E-2 Automatic Mixing Controller User Guide Release Date: August 2013 Version: 1.0 Author: Rob Wenig...
  • Page 2 Important Safety Instructions and Warnings The Model E-2’s circuitry is made in the USA and meets applicable national safety standards. Standards Compliance The third-party power supply provided with this product has been certified to comply with UL. Safety Instructions 1. Read these instructions.
  • Page 3 12 months from the date of invoice. During the warranty period, Dan Dugan Sound Design will cover the cost of all parts and labor to remedy the defect, or replace products which prove to be defective. Dan Dugan Sound Design is...
  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Analog ....................20 Digital ....................21 Music System Threshold Inputs ............21 Linking ......................22 Patching the Model E-2 as an Insert to your Console ....22 Unprocessed Outputs ................22 Mix Matrix Outputs .................. 23 Connecting the Model CP-2 Control Panel ........
  • Page 6 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Chapter 4: Stand-alone Operation ..............31 Settings ......................31 If You Must Use a Pre-fader Insert ........... 33 Muting Channels.................. 33 Pre-listening to Muted Channels ............34 Chapter 5: Dugan Control Panel Software ..........35 The Top Pane .....................
  • Page 7 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Dugan Music System and Gain Limiting ......... 51 Dugan Music System ................51 Gain Limiting ..................54 Chapter 6: Updates ..................... 57 Appendix A: Power-up Commands ..............59 System Reset .................... 59 Network Reset ................... 59 DHCP On ......................
  • Page 8 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide...
  • Page 9: Chapter 1: Introduction

    The Model E-2 tracks unscripted dialogue, eliminating cueing mistakes and late fade- ups, while avoiding the choppy and distracting effects common to noise gates.
  • Page 10: Dugan Speech System Theory

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Dugan Speech System Theory The Dugan Model E-2 Automatic Mixing Controller uses the Dugan Speech Sys- tem™, a patented and trademarked automatic mixing function. The Dugan Speech System distributes the gain of one open microphone over the entire system, maintain- ing a natural one-mic ambience.
  • Page 11: Dugan Music System And Gain Limiting Theory

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Introduction Dugan Music System and Gain Limiting Theory These functions require the physical Model CP-2 or Dugan Control Panels for Java or iPad. See Dugan Music System and Gain Limiting on page 51 for more information on setting up the Music System.
  • Page 12 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Gain Limiting Gain Limiting reduces master gain as new mics enter the system, thus avoiding feed- back and noise. This is commonly called NOM (Number of Open Mics) gain adjust- ment. Unlike NOM functions on other systems, Dugan Gain Limiting doesn’t just count how many mics are on.
  • Page 13: Model E-2 Modes

    Introduction Model E-2 Modes The Model E-2 is an eight-channel audio processor offering three Dugan algorithms. However, it can operate in twelve- or sixteen-channel modes with reduced features. See Chapter 3: Installation and Configuration to learn how to choose a mode with the button during installation.
  • Page 14 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide...
  • Page 15: Chapter 2: Quickstart

    3. Set the NORM-SLAVE switch on the rear panel to NORM (up) for unlinked operation. The Model E-2 can be interfaced using balanced analog or digital optical connec- tors: 4. Analog: Move the ANA-DIGI switch on the rear panel to the ANA (up) position.
  • Page 16 Figure 2-2 Setting console preamp gain 6. With the room quiet, raise your console preamp gains until the Model E-2’s green level LEDs stay illuminated. The level LED illuminates green when the input level is within the acceptable range for automatic mixing and flashes red to indicate clipping.
  • Page 17: Chapter 3: Installation And Configuration

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Installation and Configuration Chapter 3: Installation and Configuration We recommend placing the Model E-2 in a convenient place in the engineer’s line of sight. Figure 3-1 Model E-2 placed conveniently Rack Mounting All E-Series Dugan controllers are a half-rack wide, so one or two can be mounted in a single rack space.
  • Page 18: Power Supply

    Power Supply Units shipped to the USA include a 12 V, 1.5 A, 120 VAC power supply. Contact the factory if you require a different power supply. In an emergency, the Model E-2 can accept power supplies within the following ranges: •...
  • Page 19: Rear Panel I/O Connections

    Each DB25 connector carries four input and four output analog channels. All an- alog audio connections are balanced. To connect with XLR connectors, use readily available adapter squids. Although the Model E-2 uses these connectors for analog I/O, they are wired according to the TASCAM digital standard. • AUD IN, AUD OUT These ADAT connectors carry eight audio I/O channels.
  • Page 20: Analog

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Analog Move the switch to (up position). ANA-DIGI If you do not need the Dugan Music System, twelve channels of automixing are avail- able using all three DB25 connectors. The content of the DB25 connector depends on the state of the AUDIO I/O 9–12...
  • Page 21: Digital

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Installation and Configuration Digital Move the switch to the (down) position. This switches the I/O to the ANA-DIGI DIGI ADAT connectors. The state of the switch determines the I/O count and linking capability. This can be set in the Dugan Control Panel (see Chapter 4: Dugan Control Panel) or with a pow- er-up command (see Appendix A: Power-up Commands).
  • Page 22: Linking

    3. Use ADAT (Toslink) cables to link units in a ring network (see above). Note that all LINK IN and OUT connectors are used to create the ring. Figure 3-3 Linking Dugan units Patching the Model E-2 as an Insert to your Console The best place to insert the •...
  • Page 23: Mix Matrix Outputs

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Installation and Configuration Mix Matrix Outputs In eight-channel mode, an internal mix matrix can route processed or unprocessed inputs to four mix bus outputs on the connector. AUDIO I/O 9–12 For more information on using mix buses, see Mix Bus Matrix on page 49.
  • Page 24: Connecting To A Computer

    It is also used to update the firmware (see Chapter 6: Updates). • The Dugan Control Panel offers expanded operational capabilities. Insert the USB thumb drive (or CD) supplied with the Model E-2, or download the latest version from: http://www.dandugan.com/downloads - OR - http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/duganusers/files/...
  • Page 25 If you have additional Dugan units to connect, select the next unit in the list and repeat this step. If you are finished with installation, proceed to Chapter 4: Dugan Control Panel. If Unit Reachable is NO, proceed to the next step. 4. Power down the Model E-2.
  • Page 26 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide 5. Hold down the channel 1 mute button during the entire power up sequence. This resets all network parameters to their factory default values. Power up is finished when all LEDs stop flashing. 6. Click Refresh List.
  • Page 27 If the Dugan unit does not appear in the Dugan Utility list pane, you can manually add the unit: 1. Power down the Model E-2. 2. Hold down Channel 1’s mute button and power up the unit. This performs a network reset.
  • Page 28 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Software Configuration for a Specific IP Address This section explains to users with IT expertise how to set a specific IP address for any Dugan unit on the network. 1. Launch Dugan-Utility-vxx.jar. Figure 3-6 Dugan Utility 2.
  • Page 29 If you must leave the Windows Firewall on, you can operate the Dugan Control Panel in a browser window. Enter the Model E-2’s IP address directly in the browser’s address field. The browser uses the Dugan Control Panel that is stored in the Model...
  • Page 30 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide...
  • Page 31: Chapter 4: Stand-Alone Operation

    3. Using a normal speaking voice, adjust the console input trim controls to the highest possible gain without clipping. The input gain to the Model E-2 should be high enough keep the level LED lit green during silences. If the input trim controls do not provide enough level, set the +4/-10 switch to the -10 position.
  • Page 32 4. Set the console faders to your normal operating positions. 5. Balance the preamp gain controls so the fluctuating ambient noise registers equal- ly on the Model E-2’s meters. Note that raising the preamp gain of one channel causes its gain to rise and the others to fall;...
  • Page 33: If You Must Use A Pre-Fader Insert

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Stand-alone Operation If You Must Use a Pre-fader Insert The Dugan Speech System is more convenient to operate if patched post- rather than pre-fader. If your console allows this, skip this section. If you use a pre-fader insert, this section describes how to properly mute and pre-listen to muted channels.
  • Page 34: Pre-Listening To Muted Channels

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Pre-listening to Muted Channels If your console allows listening to a mic before the insert point, you can mute on the Dugan. If signal through the Dugan is required to pre-listen to a mic, pull the fader down and put the channel in mode.
  • Page 35: Chapter 5: Dugan Control Panel Software

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Chapter 5: Dugan Control Panel Software The Dugan Control Panel software has both Java and iPad versions. This chapter discusses the Java version and notes the iPad app’s few differences. NOTE: After configuring settings with the Dugan Control Panel, it can be disconnected. All set- tings are retained and the unit continues to function on its own.
  • Page 36 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Figure 5-1 Dugan Control Panel Launch the Dugan-Control-Panel-vxxx.jar. If this file is not available and you have an Internet connection, you can obtain the latest version from: http://www.dandugan.com/downloads - OR - http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/duganusers/files/ If you do not have an Internet connection, you can use the version of the Dugan Control Panel stored inside the unit’s firmware.
  • Page 37: The Top Pane

    Top Pane and enter the IP address in the dialog that appears. To add a unit manually without a known IP address: 1. Power down the Model E-2. 2. Hold down Channel 1’s mute button and power up the unit.
  • Page 38: Selecting Units To Display

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Selecting Units to Display The Dugan Control Panel finds all available units connected to the network automat- ically. Some facilities have multiple studios on the same network that operate inde- pendently. In that case, you may want to restrict the units shown in the Top Pane to those in your studio.
  • Page 39: Naming Units And Channels

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Dugan Control Panel Software Naming Units and Channels Connected units are displayed in the top pane in alphabetical order. Use names with number prefixes if you wish to display them in your own order. To name a unit and its channels: 1.
  • Page 40: Level Indicator

    It has the same signal latency as auto mode. Since analog channels 1–12 are bypassed when the power is off, it is not necessary to unpatch the Model E-2 if not in use. To deactivate , you can: bypass •...
  • Page 41: Channel Modes

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Dugan Control Panel Software Channel Modes There are three channel modes: , and . Changing modes initiates a half-sec- auto mute ond fade to the new mode. Like radio buttons, you can only choose one mode at a time.
  • Page 42: Preset

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Preset Use the Preset function to store your favorite channel mode settings, which may be restored by pressing the Master button. When the unit powers up, the chan- PRESET nels default to their preset modes.
  • Page 43: Override

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Dugan Control Panel Software Figure 5-7 Channels in three groups Override Override can be used to instantly mute all mics except one (the host or chairperson). However, any number of mics can be included in the override group. It can thus be used to make a dramatic A/B comparison between automatic and conventional mixing.
  • Page 44: Weight Controls

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Weight Controls controls set the side-chain levels for each channel into the control sys- weight tem. This establishes the relative sensitivity of the automatic mix for the channels in use. They do not change the mix levels. When the...
  • Page 45 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Dugan Control Panel Software Raising the control for one channel: weight • increases that channel’s auto mix gain display during ambience and decreases it slightly for the others; • makes it more difficult for others to speak when someone speaks into the channel with the higher weight setting.
  • Page 46: Master Pane

    -9 dB for eight mics, -6 dB for four mics Master Pane The content of the Master Pane changes to reflect the Dugan device selected. In the figure below, the selected device is a Model E-2. The following version numbers are displayed below the Dugan logo. •...
  • Page 47: Selecting The Number Of Channels

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Dugan Control Panel Software Figure 5-11 Master Pane: Analog settings (left), Digital settings (center), Music System controls (right) The Master indicators are: • online: lights when the unit is connected to the Dugan Control Panel.
  • Page 48: Reset

    It is possible to have multiple systems of linked units on your network (i.e., separate studios on the same network). These units will all appear in the top pane. The Model E-2 allows up to 16 separate systems on a network. To separate multiple systems: 1.
  • Page 49: Mix Bus Matrix

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Dugan Control Panel Software Mix Bus Matrix Click the button to open the mix bus matrix screen (see Figure 5-12). In eight- mix bus channel mode, an internal mix matrix can route processed or unprocessed inputs to...
  • Page 50: Group Master Controls

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Group Master Controls The Master Pane displays a set of group master control buttons for each group in use. Override Activating the Master button has the following effect on individual channels: OVERRIDE • Channel override button active: puts the channel in man mode with full gain (no automixing);...
  • Page 51: Dugan Music System And Gain Limiting

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Dugan Control Panel Software Dugan Music System and Gain Limiting These functions require the physical Model CP-2 or Dugan Control Panels for Java or iPad. Dugan Music System The Dugan Music System is a soft-gating or ducking system with its threshold set by an audio side-chain, typically from a mic measuring the ambient sound level.
  • Page 52 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide To set up the Music System: 1. Patch up to three reference mic signals (one for each group) for the Music System threshold inputs as described on page 21. 2. Click the arrow on the right edge of the Master Pane to open the Music System panel.
  • Page 53 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Dugan Control Panel Software 9. Use the Master music system threshold settings to fine tune the master threshold for each group. There are several ways to enter values (see page 38). If all the channel auto mix gain displays stay at full gain, the threshold signal is missing or too low.
  • Page 54: Gain Limiting

    (see Figure 5-13). NOM gain limit NOTE: Since the Model E-2 has no master audio channel, Gain Limiting reduces the gain on all input channels for which NOM is active. Unlike typical NOM functions on other systems, Dugan Gain Limiting doesn’t just count how many mics are on.
  • Page 55 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Dugan Control Panel Software The Dugan’s unique implementation allows you to set the number of mics at full gain before gain limiting occurs. Set the field in the range 1–10 (see NOM gain limit page 38 to learn how to set controls).
  • Page 56 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Gain Limiting and the Speech System The Speech System always maintains NOM = 1, which prevents Gain Limiting from sensing excess gain. Typically, the controls have no effect when using the Speech System. However, the function can help avoid feedback when •...
  • Page 57: Chapter 6: Updates

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Chapter 6: Updates Updates for the Model E-2 can be downloaded. To update the firmware in your Dugan unit, iPad users must connect the Dugan to a computer iPad and run the Dugan Utility. To update the Dugan Control Panel for iPad, connect to the Apple App Store.
  • Page 58 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Figure 6-1 Dugan Utility If you do not see the Dugan unit(s) on your network in the list, see Establishing Network Connections on page 25 5. Select the unit to update from the list. 6. Make sure Use DHCP is NOT selected for that unit.
  • Page 59: Appendix A: Power-Up Commands

    *xx = last two digits of serial number, unless 00, then use 100 DHCP On Turning DHCP on requests that the network assign an IP number to the Model E-2, if the network has that capability. To turn DHCP on, hold the channel 2...
  • Page 60: Number Of Channels Mode

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Number of Channels Mode Hold down the channel 4 button to select 12 (analog) or 16 (ADAT) channel bypass mode. Hold down the channel 4 button to select 8-channel mode. mute...
  • Page 61: Appendix B: Connector Pinouts

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Appendix B: Connector Pinouts These DB25 connectors are wired with the TASCAM digital standard but are used for analog signals. AUDIO I/O 1-4 Analog In Analog Out XLR Squid Labels G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H...
  • Page 62 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Table B-1 AUDIO I/O 1–4 Connector Pinout Signal Ch 4 Out Hi Ch 4 Out Gnd Ch 3 Out Lo Ch 2 Out Hi Ch 2 Out Gnd Ch 1 Out Lo Ch 4 In Hi...
  • Page 63 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Table B-2 AUDIO I/O 5–9 Connector Pinout Signal Ch 8 Out Hi Ch 8 Out Gnd Ch 7 Out Lo Ch 6 Out Hi Ch 6 Out Gnd Ch 4 Out Lo Ch 8 In Hi...
  • Page 64 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Table B-3 AUDIO I/O 9–12 connector pinout 8-Channel 12-Channel Signal Signal Aux 4 Out Hi Ch 12 Out Hi Aux 4 Out Gnd Ch 12 Out Gnd Aux 3 Out Lo Ch 11 Out Lo...
  • Page 65 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Table B-4 10/100 BASE T (Ethernet, TCP/IP) Signal Table B-5 CP-2 Control Panel Signal Table B-6 CP-2 Cable Wiring E-2 end CP-2 end TA4M pins A5F pins 1 + 5...
  • Page 66 Dugan Model E-2 User Guide...
  • Page 67: Appendix C: Specifications

    Dugan Model E-2 User Guide Appendix C: Specifications Audio Analog 12 inputs, 12 outputs 8 inputs, 8 outputs Digital Optical ADAT 16-Channel mode: 8 additional I/O channels using LINK connectors Gain Unity Analog: 48 kHz Sample Rate Digital: 48 or 44.1 kHz (synchronizes to input)

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