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Related Manuals for Active Audio StepArray Series
Summary of Contents for Active Audio StepArray Series
- Page 1 StepArray manual L ' a c o u s t i q u e a c t i v e...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
CONTENTS Contents Contents I StepArray: tutorial for recommandation 1 Sound reinforcement in large spaces 2 Overview of the StepArray system 3 Choosing the right installation set-up 4 Column positionning rules 5 Options 6 SAdrive software 7 CAD modeling References II StepArray technical reference 8 Installation of the columns 9 Wiring 10 Test before powering up... -
Page 3: Last Update: December 23, 2010
CONTENTS Foreword StepArray is a versatile line-array system designed for speech reinforcement in large spaces. It offers excellent sound intelligibility, slim design, external electronics, security systems compatibility and more. This reference manual is intended to be a user manual for StepArray based systems, as well as a complete reference with all the technical specifications and details about the StepArray system. -
Page 4: Choosing The Right Installation Set-Up
Part I StepArray: tutorial for recommandation Table of Contents Sound reinforcement in large spaces General issues with public address in large spaces ..... Loudspeaker arrays . -
Page 5: Sound Reinforcement In Large Spaces
Introduction This is a tutorial for StepArray recommandation. Section presents general issues about public address in large spaces (1.1) and explains how loudspeaker arrays can be a good solution to these issues (1.2). StepArray is introduced as the last point of this section (1.3). The following parts are a step by step introduction to the StepArray system: •... - Page 6 1.1 General issues with public address in large spaces Ambient noise Ambiant noise reduces intelligibility. For example, the loud noise produced by trains in railway stations could prevent the listener from understanding a message properly. Also, the noise level can change drastically over time: in this case, the public address system must adjust its diffusion level according to the noise level.
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Page 7: Loudspeaker Arrays
1.2 Loudspeaker arrays Using many non-directional loudspeakers often leads to poor intelligibility: all loudspeakers contribute to the reverberation, while only a few contribute to direct sound. Using highly directionnal loudspeakers is an easier solution in large spaces because only few diffusers are needed. In addition to improved acoustic performance and reduced cost, it minimizes the aesthetical impact of the public address system. -
Page 8: Dgrc: The Steparray System
1.3 DGRC: The StepArray system The StepArray columns implement the DGRC line-array principle (Digital and Geometric Radiation Control) which is a synthesis of geometric and electronic arrays patented by Active Audio. The principle is illustrated in figure 4 on the facing page. -
Page 9: Overview Of The Steparray System
Wave front Input signal Figure 4: The DGRC principle used by StepArray columns. The wave front is controlled both by the positioning and orientation of the loudspeakers, and by filters , delays , and gain of each channel. The main advantages brought by the DGRC principle used in StepArray columns are: •... -
Page 10: Steparray System Example
2.1 StepArray system example StepArray columns use external electronics. They are controlled by the UT26 digital signal processor (DSP) and powered by the MPA6150 6-channel amplifier. Having external electronics has the following advantages: • Possibility to use a single UT26 processor controling several columns, yielding a large cost reduction (see section 2.3 on the next page). -
Page 11: Steparray Column Models
2.2 StepArray column models 2.2 StepArray column models Table 1 on the next page and table 2 on page 13 give an overview of the StepArray models characteristics. A complete description of the technical characteristics can be found in sections and 15. -
Page 12: Choosing The Right Installation Set-Up
In the example installation figure 8, three independant rooms are equipped with StepArray columns. Each room receives its own signal and can have independant parameters. For a total of 6 columns, only 2 processors and 3 amplifiers are needed! Lounge: 2 x SA100P Conference room: 2 x SA180S Hall: 2 x SA250P + SUB 3x MPA6150... -
Page 13: Processors
3.2 Processors The StepArray range provides a full set of listening ranges and audience tilting angles to suit any public address situation. The listening areas, as described on figure 9, are listed on table 2. The nominal situation corresponds to the conditions for which the column has been designed. By specifying the effective positioning of the column and the shape of the listening area in the Directivity bloc of SAdrive, the filtering parameters are automatically adjusted to the situation. -
Page 14: Cables
2.5mm Table 3: Wiring recommendations for StepArray columns. For very long distances exceeding the maximum cable length mentioned in table 3, please contact Active Audio. 3 channel columns need a 4 wire cable. 6 channel columns need a 7 wire cable. -
Page 15: Interferences Between Columns
• Place the columns as close as possible to the nominal altitude (see table 2 on page 13). When placing columns at non nominal altitude, use SAdrive software to check that column emission will be acceptable. When dealing with several columns, the differences of propagation distances for columns covering the same listening area should be less than 20m. -
Page 16: Options
The SSS option is a great way to ease maintenance of an installation by keeping you informed of proper fonctionning. 6 SAdrive software The SAdrive software is primarly used to tune the operating parameters of StepArray columns, but it is also a great simulation tool. The software can be downloaded for free on Active Audio’s website: http://www.activeaudio.fr/en/gamme-steparray/sadrive... -
Page 17: Synoptic Frame
SAdrive provides access to a full range of operations including, for each column: • input selection with adujstable noise gate, • equalization: 6 fully parametric biquadratic filtering elements, • sub-bass output management, • delay, • directivity control, • automatic gain control management, These operations are directly accessible through the SAdrive Synoptic frame as shown on figure 12. -
Page 18: References
REFERENCES Figure shows examples of a modeling results for CATT-Acoustic and EASE. With the StepArray DLLs, the directivity parameters can be adjusted as can be done in real situation with the SAdrive software. (a) Example of RASTI modeling using software CATT-Acoustic®. (b) Balloon plot of SPL radiated in octave 1 kHz by column SA250S. - Page 19 StepArray Technical manual L ' a c o u s t i q u e a c t i v e...
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Page 20: Sa100P Acoustical Data
Part II StepArray technical reference Table of Contents Installation of the columns Wiring UT26 processor to amplifier ....... . . Amplifier setup . -
Page 21: Column Mounting On A Wall
8 Installation of the columns StepArray columns are mounted verticaly, usually on a wall, using the supplied brackets. Figure illustrates the steps to follow for column mounting. See also figure 25 on page 36 for technical drawings of the brackets. Place the 2 brackets Column height... -
Page 22: Wiring
9 Wiring 9.1 UT26 processor to amplifier A UT26 processor can be connected to one or several StepArray columns via amplifiers (see figure 16). When a UT26 is used with several amplifiers (to feed several columns with the same signal), the inputs are simply daisy chained (see figure 16b). -
Page 23: Wiring Amplifiers To Columns
9.3 Wiring amplifiers to columns 9.3 Wiring amplifiers to columns Wiring amplifiers to columns is straightforward: simply connect each channel of the MPA6150 amplifier to the corresponding channel of the column and provide a common ground, as illustrated by figure 18. Used Used 6 channel column cabling... -
Page 24: Rs232 Wiring
9.5 RS232 wiring 9.5 RS232 wiring Only one processor should be connected with RS232 to the computer. If there are several UT26 processors, then communication with all processors is possible when the BAN connectors are connected in daisy chain. This is illustrated in figure 19. -
Page 25: Sub Wiring
9.6 SUB wiring 9.6 SUB wiring When the UT26 processor is equipped with the SUB option (section 5.2), a sub-bass output is delivered on the BCL port of the UT26 processor. Table describes the wiring used. pin 5 pin 6 pin 14 Ground Table 6: SUB wiring on BCL port. -
Page 26: Sadrive Software
11 SAdrive software The SAdrive software is used to tune all the filtering parameters of StepArray columns, it is available as free down- load here: http://www.activeaudio.fr/en/gamme-steparray/sadrive 11.1 Init new processors When a new processor (factory settings) is first connected to SAdrive, it needs to be initiated. The initalization steps are described below. -
Page 27: Check Connected Processors
11.2 Check connected processors 11.2 Check connected processors Already inited processors don’t show up automatically in SAdrive. To discover those processors, follow the steps below: Discover from harware setup. Connect to COM port. 12 Advanced functions 12.1 Automatic gain control: AGC Automatic Gain Control is available if the UT26 processor is equipped with the MIC option (section 5.1). -
Page 28: Security Sound System: Sss
12.2 Security Sound System: SSS When the AGC function is used, the Input selection of the Input block is forced to Input 1 type analog. The ambiant noise value is displayed (by steps of ) in the Status frame of SAdrive. 12.2 Security Sound System: SSS Security Sound System conformance is available when the UT26 processor is equipped with the SSS option. -
Page 29: Feedback Killer
12.3 Feedback killer Any malfunction detected by the processor will have the following effects: • red LED is turned ON on UT26 front panel, • processor beeps • SSS contact between pins 1 and 9 is open on the BCL port of the UT26 processor is open. If the UT26 processor fails, the beep and LED signals won’t work, but the SSS contact will still be opened, so that the failure is reported to the central monitoring system of the installation. -
Page 30: Remote Control
12.4 Remote control 12.4 Remote control It is possible to control UT26 processors using a remote controller. The only requirement is being able to send hexadecimal code on RS232 connection. For example, remote controller model Extron MLC-104 can be configured to control UT26 processors. - Page 31 Symptom Possible cause Solution Input signal level is too high Reduce input signal level (Max signal 3.25V input is as described in 14.1 on the next page). Filtering parameters are wrong Reduce the gain (Mixer Block). Correct the equalization. The column is a pre-2010 column Check the tick-box using the menu: Active Setup Manage processors.
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Page 32: Hardware Specifications
14 Hardware specifications 14.1 UT26 processor characteristics Audio data Analog inputs 2 symmetrical inputs, connectors XLR-F 3.25V Max input voltage: (+9.5dBU) 1st order high pass cutoff at 6Hz. Crosstalk : < -90dB. kΩ Input impedance : 15 with option MIC, input 2 delivers a 14V phantom power supply. Digital input AES/EBU, 48kHz Analog outputs... -
Page 33: Mpa6150 Amplifier Characteristics
14.2 MPA6150 amplifier characteristics 14.2 MPA6150 amplifier characteristics Audio data Operating modes 6 independent channels 3 independent channels (bridged) 2 x 3 channels (in1 out 1,2,3 ; in2 out 4,5,6) Ω Ω Power 6 x 100 W under 8 , 6 x 150W under 4 Ω... -
Page 34: Subwoofers Characteristics
14.3 Subwoofers characteristics 14.3 Subwoofers characteristics Acoustical data Frequency bandwidth 40-500Hz Type Bass-Reflex Max SPL at 1m 130dB (Peak) Sensitivity 97dB / 1W / 1m Directivity Omnidirectionnal Loudspeaker 12", neodymium Electrical data Power handling 450W AES Inputs SA12 SW: Dual Speakon SA12 SWA: 2x XLR sym. -
Page 35: Columns Characteristics
14.4 Columns characteristics 14.4 Columns characteristics 14.4.1 Electrical characteristics of StepArray columns Channel 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω SA100P 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω SA180P 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 4.4Ω 4.4Ω 4.4Ω SA250P 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω SA400P 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω SA180S 3.3Ω 6.6Ω... -
Page 36: Mechanical And Electrical Characteristics Of Steparray Columns
2505 SA250S 24kg / 29kg 4096 SA400P 39kg / 46kg Table 10: Mechanical and electrical characteristics of StepArray columns More precise schematics are available on Active Audio’s website in several formats: http://www.activeaudio.fr/en/gamme-steparray/catalogue-et-telechargements 14.4.3 Fixing brackets ϕ11 35.65 96.51 82.89 ϕ8.5 Red is bottom bracket only Figure 25: Fixing brackets for wall mounting of StepArray columns. -
Page 37: Acoustical Data
15 Acoustical data All data presented below is obtained with columns in their nominal position and using nominal DSP filtering param- eters (flat EQ, etc). 15.1 Common data −5 −10 −15 −20 −25 −30 frequency (Hz) Figure 26: Frequency response (column SA250P). Average of the mesurements at 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30m. In red: with bass high-pass on position «100Hz», in blue: with bass high-pass on position «200Hz». -
Page 38: Sa100P Acoustical Data
15.2 SA100P acoustical data 15.2 SA100P acoustical data 10dB -5dB h=2,55m -10dB -15dB -20dB (a) SA100P vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane. 10dB -5dB -10dB -15dB -20dB (b) SA100P horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the listening plane. SPL(dist) SA100P 250Hz 500Hz... -
Page 39: Sa180P Acoustical Data
15.3 SA180P acoustical data 15.3 SA180P acoustical data 10dB -5dB h=2,55m -10dB -15dB -20dB (a) SA180P vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane. 10dB -5dB -10dB -15dB -20dB (b) SA180P horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the listening plane. SPL(dist) SA180P 250Hz 500Hz... -
Page 40: Sa250P Acoustical Data
15.4 SA250P acoustical data 15.4 SA250P acoustical data 10dB -5dB h=2,55m -10dB -15dB -20dB (a) SA250P vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane. 10dB -5dB -10dB -15dB -20dB (b) SA250P horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the listening plane. SPL(dist) SA250P 250Hz 500Hz... -
Page 41: Sa400P Acoustical Data
15.5 SA400P acoustical data 15.5 SA400P acoustical data 10dB -5dB h=3,05m -10dB -15dB -20dB (a) SA400P vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane. 10dB -5dB -10dB -15dB -20dB (b) SA400P horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the listening plane. SPL(dist) SA400P 250Hz 500Hz... -
Page 42: Sa180S Acoustical Data
15.6 SA180S acoustical data 15.6 SA180S acoustical data 10dB -5dB SA180S h=2,65m -10dB -15dB -20dB (a) SA180S vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane. 10dB -5dB -10dB -15dB -20dB (b) SA180S horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the listening plane. SPL(dist) SA180S 250Hz 500Hz... -
Page 43: Sa250S Acoustical Data
15.7 SA250S acoustical data 15.7 SA250S acoustical data 10dB SA250S -5dB h=3,85m -10dB -15dB -20dB (a) SA250S vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane. 10dB -5dB -10dB -15dB -20dB (b) SA250S horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the listening plane. SPL(dist) SA250S 250Hz 500Hz... -
Page 44: List Of Tables
LIST OF TABLES List of Tables General characteristics of StepArray columns......Specific characteristics of StepArray column models. - Page 45 LIST OF FIGURES Automatic gain control functional graph ....... . SSS cabling diagram .
- Page 46 www.activeaudio.fr 332 Bd Marcel Paul, CP602 - 44806 Saint-Herblain Cedex - France Tel: +33 (0)2 40 92 39 90 - Fax: +33 (0)2 40 92 39 91 Contact...
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