Wheatstone Strata 32 User Manual
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Wheatstone Strata 32 User Manual

Networked aoip television broadcast console
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Networked AoIP Television Broadcast Console
For WheatNet-IP Systems (AES67- & ST 2110-30-compatible)
Designed and built in the U.S.A.
by Wheatstone Corporation
Wheatstone p/n 083272
1

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Summary of Contents for Wheatstone Strata 32

  • Page 1 Networked AoIP Television Broadcast Console For WheatNet-IP Systems (AES67- & ST 2110-30-compatible) Designed and built in the U.S.A. by Wheatstone Corporation Wheatstone p/n 083272...

  • Page 2: Publication Information

    ©2019 Wheatstone Corporation Wheatstone considers this document and its contents to be proprietary and confidential. Except for making a reasonable number of copies for your own internal use, you may not reproduce this publication, or any part thereof, in any form, by any method, for any purpose, or in any language other than English without the written consent of Wheatstone Corporation.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Gibraltar IP Mix Engine ............12 Stagebox ................13 Final Surface Connections ............13 Energizing the Strata 32 ............14 3 – Strata 32 Apps and Console Configuration ........15  Navigator ................16 Strata 32 Surface Setup ............31 4 – Strata 32 Board Operations .............46 ...

  • Page 5: Introducing The Strata 32 Console

    Each Strata 32 console has these main components: of the current source Strata 32 Surface – Commonly referred to as the “console,” it has all of Master Panel – Divided into eight columns of controls, the left-most ●...
  • Page 6 Mix DSP Cards—Two Mix cards are used for all of the various the OLED display on multiple fader channels. mixing that occurs within the Strata 32. These cards have no rear When a channel Select button is lit, pressing Spill sends the selected panel connections.

  • Page 7: Strata 32 Overview

    Strata 32. itself since there are none! The Strata 32 has access to any source on the network, and any channel can connect to any audio source or destination, STRATA 32 OVERVIEW using any preferred audio format, at any time—regardless of whether it’s...
  • Page 8 WNIP Network networked with one or more Wheatstone Blades, or the Stagebox I/O Interface, to supply audio I/O for the console. The Strata 32 can then be Strata 32 consoles use the WheatNet Audio-over-Internet Protocol configured for use in a newsroom, production suite, remote van, sports (AoIP) commonly shortened to WNIP network.

  • Page 9: Specifications

    Gibraltar Supply: Slide-in, field replaceable Power Requirements Gibraltar IP Mix Engine: <90 watts at 120 VAC / 60 Hz Strata 32 Surface & Supply: <80 watts at 120 VAC / 60 Hz Stagebox: <60 watts at 120 VAC / 60 Hz Environment Ambient Operating Temperature: >...

  • Page 10: Warranty Statement

    2. This Warranty is subject to the following restrictions and conditions: a) The owner must have filled out the enclosed Warranty Card and returned it to Wheatstone Corporation; or, at the time of servicing, the owner must provide proof of purchase from an authorized Wheatstone Corporation dis- tributor or dealer.

  • Page 11: Strata 32 Hardware Installation

    1RU for a blank or vented panel above the and the other for three CAT5 cables (one Ethernet & two Link cables). Mix Engine. It connects to the Strata 32 Surface using two crossover CAT5 cables allowing the Mix Engine to be rack-mounted up to 300’ (100 m) from the Surface.

  • Page 12: Gibraltar Ip Mix Engine

    The Strata 32 Surface is powered by a separate 2RU (3.5”) rack-mount simultaneously to both units. Use of a UPS is always recommended. 32 VDC supply. The SPS-180R is the standard supply for the Strata 32. Mount the supply in a 19” equipment rack located near the Surface. A 16-foot (4.88 m) DC cable is supplied to connect the supply to the...

  • Page 13: Stagebox

    The Mix Engine also connects to a WheatNet IP network Gigabit Ethernet as a complete audio I/O interface for the Strata 32 when used in a stand- switch using straight-thru CAT6 cables. The GBR port carries the streaming alone application like in a remote truck or at a venue. When this is done a audio to/from the Strata 32 to other WNIP devices on the network.

  • Page 14: Energizing The Strata 32

    ENERGIZING THE STRATA 32 Note: To de-energize the Strata 32 Surface, unplug the power Assuming the Strata 32 Surface is set into position, its power supply is supply’s AC cord (or cords) from the supply or from the AC mains.

  • Page 15: Strata 32 Apps And Console Configuration

    Wheatstone file download site. Email Wheatstone Tech Wheatstone app shortcuts are found within a Wheatstone folder. On Win7 PCs, Navigator is in a WheatNet IP folder and the Strata 32 Surface Setup Support for the download links (techsupport@wheatstone.com).

  • Page 16: Navigator

    To start Navigator double-click its desktop icon or, from the • Connect system signals using an X-Y Crosspoint Grid. Save the Start Menu, select All Programs > Wheatstone > WheatNet IP crosspoints to files for later recall. Navigator on Win 10 PCs. On a Win 7 PC, select All Programs >...
  • Page 17 Lock Destination When like an unpopulated Crosspoint grid. The difference is that this grid is not On is checked in the Strata 32 Surface Setup app (Surface Options > “live.” In the Salvo grid (Figure 3-3 on the next page) you’re connecting General page tab).
  • Page 18 Salvo Edit Screen in read-only mode. The AES67 devices will be networked with the Strata 32. This tab is where the Details Dock also lists that Salvo’s connections using their destination AES67 master clock source is set and whether the AES67 sources and/or and source names.
  • Page 19 This is shown in Figure 3-5. and have AES67-compatible devices connected to your WNIP network. Signals are selected like in the Visibilities tab in the Strata 32 Surface setup app (page 43 has signal selection details).
  • Page 20 The Configuration Folder: section sets the folder path for saving information for all of the other Blades to allow the system to recover the configuration files. The default is: Documents > Wheatstone > Navigator > configuration automatically when a Blade is replaced, but having an off-...
  • Page 21 Preferences Tab be changed. Clicking the Default button restores the save to folder to use the default path. This tab (Figure 3-10) affects Navigator’s functionality and appearance. The General section sets whether the default Crosspoint view or a custom The Backup System Configuration: section allows all system settings view is shown when Navigator opens (the Default View).
  • Page 22 WNIP system. If no devices appear in the System Dock, make sure it To email log files to Wheatstone tech support, click the Zip… button to shows the correct IP address. If not, click Set… to open a dialog box which open a Zip Log Files window.
  • Page 23 Blade Tabs emailed to tech support. The archive folder is saved in the Program Data > Wheatstone > E2Logs folder with a .tar.gz suffix. When any Blade—which includes the IP Mix Engine, the Stagebox, and PCs running the WNIP audio driver, is selected in the System Dock, the...
  • Page 24 Edit Signal window (shown in Figure 3-14 on the next page) so you can The logic resources are similarly updated when an audio signal with logic add a new signal. The other three buttons require one to first select a or a logic-only resource is deleted: the Blade LIOs or Software LIOs signal and then click Edit…...
  • Page 25 “source” to the Source Signals list. Once you add Alias names and complete editing the source and destination names use the Strata 32 Surface Setup app to run a new System Scan (see pages 31 & 32). This action updates the Surface Setup app with the changes you’ve made in Navigator, updating the signal...
  • Page 26 The level controls on most Blades allow each signal level to be adjusted be the same as on consumer unbalanced “RCA” jacks: 300 mV rather than by up to +/-18 dB from nominal, but the Stagebox analog inputs, which the 1.2 V nominal levels found on balanced output devices. can be used with mic level or line level signals, have an adjustment range An unbalanced device’s hot signal is connected to the + input and, on a of -18 dB up to +78 dB.
  • Page 27 Switch to the Crosspoint grid (System > Crosspoint tab) and locate the logic source: Tally. That signal carries all the internal logic commands from the Strata 32 so it must connect to the new HOT STU or STU WARN destination you created by clicking (or CTRL+click) on its crosspoint. A green square indicates it’s a logic-only connection.
  • Page 28 SLIOs; Functional LIOs for Blade status; and Surface 1 Spares when that Blade hosts a Surface. On a Strata 32 this tab will mainly be used to assign Spare buttons to fire a Salvo, make a momentary connection, and/or Take a Blade Figure 3-19 LIO Dialog Boxes Processor Preset, as shown in Figure 3-18.
  • Page 29 Visibilities Tab Figure 3-22 shows the Visibilities tab. Neither the IP Mix Engine nor Stagebox have this tab since it’s used on regular Blades to set the source selection for local Blade destinations like the front-panel headphone jack and for local control over the rear panel Blade outputs. Figure 3-20 Blade Info Tab Config Manager Tab Figure 3-21 shows the Config Manager tab where the selected Blade’s...
  • Page 30 OLED displays on the front) each have two Utility mixers (Mixer 1 and Player built into the Strata 32 Surface. It can be used to play test signals Mixer 2). When the Strata 32 system is used with AES67 devices, at least or other audio to test routing and as a confidence feed source.

  • Page 31: Strata 32 Surface Setup

    When the scan completes, the Cancel control turns into a Finish control. Click Finish. “save system info?” dialog pops up. Click Figure 3-26 Strata 32 Surface Setup app, initial view Yes to save the system info, then...
  • Page 32 Stylize—normally checked, for a modern 3D look. Uncheck this option  Edited names are automatically updated on the Strata 32 displays if you like your apps to have a flat 2D Windows 95 appearance. but you’ll need to run a new System Scan to update the names which appear in the Strata 32 Surface Setup app.
  • Page 33 Help About…—opens a window which lists the version number of the  Strata 32 Surface Setup Tool along with where the various files used by the app are saved. Getting Started Tab This tab has two page tabs: Connect Surface and System Admin. The Figure 3-28 Getting Started tab –...
  • Page 34 Setup app and then applied to the Surface. But, operators can use the different class-C subnet is used or when multiple Strata 32 consoles will be Input View touchscreen controls to change the function assigned to a networked together. Changing the default settings will allow a future Mix channel Wild button.
  • Page 35 Blade ID and IP address to the Mix Engine Blade Info entry boxes. This called for if there was some type of failure with the Main CPU. action sets that Mix Engine as the host device for the Strata 32 that the app is currently connected to.
  • Page 36 This tab (Figure 3-31) is view-only. It shows how the internal sixteen of these Wild buttons can be assigned to function as Spare connections for the Strata 32 Mix Engine were configured at the factory. In buttons. The sixteen Spare buttons have different capabilities from the the standard console the last four faders are set as Surround faders with functions available to be assigned to “regular”...
  • Page 37 Figure 3-32 shows buttons being removed the Wild Buttons tab from the Input Fader with overlays of the two Wild Buttons list. Since drop down lists used to this also removes any select the Wild button previous Wild button functions for the fader settings, there’s channels and the colors...
  • Page 38 since you can assign one or both fader channel Wild buttons to function as a “Hot Source Selector.” When both buttons are set as Source Selectors, Wild 1 must be set to Index 1 and Wild 2 must be set to Index 2. To assign the “Hot Source”...
  • Page 39 Figure 3-34 Programmable Buttons Page Tab – Spare Buttons A Spare button can also be set to control hardware logic outputs (LIO) or software outputs (SLIO). The LED can be set to respond to input logic from either LIO or SLIO as well. Select the Blade or Stagebox with the LIO or Figure 3-35 Surface Options –...
  • Page 40 option does not affect the actual channel levels when switching Layers Mute/Tally Trigger but the fader positions no longer show the actual fader levels when These two radio buttons set how the eight tallies and the three room switching between Layers so console operation will be very confusing. mutes are triggered.
  • Page 41 Figure 3-37 shows that four signals (Mic 1, Mic 2, Mic 3, and Tones) have already been added to the list. Clicking the Add… button opens the Add Signal pop-up selector. Use standard Windows selection techniques to select one or more signals from the list to add to the Signals list. Clicking OK both adds the sources to the Signals list and closes the Add Signal dialog box.
  • Page 42 Remote Ready—this feature has no application on the Strata 32 since the control hot mic tallies at facility locations like announce booths, channels don’t have a separate Off button and LED.
  • Page 43 (the default setting for a new Strata 32 console). Click on a right-facing arrow to expand that device tree (the arrow then points down). Sub-categories Figure 3-38 Visibilities Page Tab Settings (Blade, User, Alias, Surface, etc.) are expanded in like manner until you...
  • Page 44 categories and device tree can be selectively collapsed by clicking the When Allow New Events is checked anyone can save a new event. When down-facing arrows, which then point right again. The current view for unchecked, a new event cannot be saved. This selection is typically each selector is maintained while using the Surface Setup app.
  • Page 45 Master Faders Page Tab Miscellaneous When the SEL button is pressed on an input fader the Input View is This tab allows the names shown in the Master 1 and Master 2 OLED opened. Each fader channel includes access to a number of advanced displays to be edited.

  • Page 46: Strata 32 Board Operations

    STRATA 32 CONSOLE OPERATION While Layer 1 is active, the The Strata 32 may look intimidating at first glance but four of its six channel strips control audio control panels are identical so there are only three types of control panels channels 1 to 32.
  • Page 47 Channel Info Display Channel Buttons The Channel Info display is split, by a horizontal blue line, into two Six of the eight buttons on each channel strip sections (Figure 4-4). Below the line, the current source’s signal format have dedicated functions which are etched onto (stereo or surround) is shown at the left and that fader’s channel number the panel and/or into the button cap (Figure 4-5).
  • Page 48 To use this function, the engineering staff Surface, and you switch Layers, the now-hidden channels remain must connect a talkback mic for the Strata 32 board operator which is set in that mode. An AFL/PFL button on the Master Panel’s CR then cross-connected to the console’s Talkback destination.

  • Page 49: Master Panel

    OLED displays which are split to show the CR, Studio 1, and The Strata 32 uses motorized 100 mm faders so that Studio 2 monitor levels and the Wild Meter source. The Wild meter is to the input channels faders are accurately positioned when the left side of the Master 2 meter on the touchscreen.
  • Page 50 NEWS event with the “open” music track already loaded and ready to play. The Select/SEL button is used to show channel-specific settings for the The Clip Player can also be controlled over the network using Wheatstone’s active group channel. When lit, it causes the EQ, DYN, and 5.1 PAN views ACI (Automation Control Interface).
  • Page 51 Monitoring Controls encoder shows the list of sources available, in red, in the upper half of the METER/CR OLED display. Once you find the desired source click the Adjust The right-most two columns of controls on encoder to select that source. Its name turns white in the OLED and the Master Panel affect the control room appears above the Wild meter.

  • Page 52: Touchscreen Panel

    Strata 32 Surface setup app. This adjusting settings using on-screen faders and rotary controls. would prevent the CR, Studio 1, and/or Studio 2 encoder from Next to these hardware on-screen controls are the two Layers buttons controlling the output level of that monitor.
  • Page 53 Touchscreen Monitor Views The three lower buttons’ functions all affect multiple fader channels. This is what each of these buttons does when active: There are fifteen touchscreen Views plus multiple pop-up windows which may be displayed on the monitor. To select a View tap an active Spill —...
  • Page 54 Figure 4-9 Touchscreen Sections 5. Aux Masters Meters — the sixteen stereo Auxiliary Send bus plus a table showing which Aux Sends are assigned for whatever meters show the bus output levels in the Home View only. They signal or bus is selected using the Select View or using the control are covered up in every other View.
  • Page 55 Events list. drive. Use a Windows PC to create an Events folder then plug the USB flash drive into the Strata 32. The USB button becomes active Events can also be locked out from being changed by tapping its name...
  • Page 56 A lock symbol appears after the name. Board operators cannot unlock an Event unless they have access to the Strata 32 Surface Setup GUI. The Events tab must be used to select a locked Event and unlock it.
  • Page 57 bus is then shown along with the colored numbers allowing those buttons X/Y Router View to be set using the “hardware controls.” The left-most hardware encoder This View allows any source to be connected any destination. And that (green button cap) can be used to adjust the bus fader level (which also Destination can then be locked, as required.
  • Page 58 The colored numbers next to the ON, PRE FDR, and PRE ON buttons indicate those buttons can be set using the three “hardware buttons.” The left-most “hardware encoder” (green button cap) can be used to control the fader level (which also adjusts the rotary control) in .2 dB steps for each “click”...
  • Page 59 green “bulge” icon represents the level of the LFE (Low Frequency Effects) Gate Functions signal. The five Gate controls set how an automatic attenuator, controlled by the DEPTH setting either ducks or gates the audio signal once its level The audio signal can be balanced using several methods: drag the falls below a threshold point, set by the THRESH setting.
  • Page 60 HI EQ settings are in magenta. and off. The Strata 32 EQ consists of a four-band parametric equalizer with adjustable high and low pass filters. Two of the parametric EQs can also be When the three EQ in/out buttons are: EQ OUT, HPF OUT, and LPF set as LO SHELF and HI SHELF equalizers.
  • Page 61 channel’s frequency response. Tapping HPF OUT or LPF OUT (they then so it appears in the audio graphic you can make further adjustments using show HPF IN and/or LPF IN) adds the high pass and/or low pass filters to the touchscreen. Use two fingers on the audio graphic to adjust the BW the audio graphic, which are also shown opaque to show their effect on the wider or narrower.
  • Page 62 channel display and the PPwr option for that input would be checked in those two buttons (tap them to turn that feature on or off). The signal can Navigator. also be monitored after fader control by tapping the AFL button. The board operator can talk to that bus minus output by tapping TALKBACK, which is The signal Mode is set by tapping one of the five buttons on a stereo a latching function which turns off the base mix and switches in talkback...
  • Page 63 Clip Player View This View brings up the controls for the Strata 32 audio clip player, used to play back audio tracks on a USB flash drive plugged into either USB port at the top of the Monitor Panel. The audio files must be 48 kHz .WAV files.
  • Page 64 “open” music track is already loaded.) The Clip Player may also be measurement and is a focus of continuing work. A final gating stage controlled over an Ethernet network via Wheatstone’s ACI (Automation prevents silence and momentary low levels from adversely affecting the Control Interface).
  • Page 65 The audio source feeding the Loudness Monitor is user selectable. You may route any mono, stereo, or 5.1 surround source available to the Loudness Range Reference Level: Strata 32 Destination Loudness. This flexibility allows for monitoring of any AT/85 mode: -24 LKFS = 0 LU ...
  • Page 66 Operation Operators must understand that the large digit value is integrated over time and does not instantaneously react to fader moves. Operators should use the M (Momentary) bar graph meter for in-hand level adjustments as riding fader levels from the Integrated digits will result in over or under compensation in output level as they “chase”...

  • Page 67: Strata 32 Service Information

    Table 5-1. The control panel assemblies 011730 Host controller card and other circuit boards used on the Strata 32 Surface and IP Mix Engine are not field-serviceable due to their extensive use of surface-mount 520125 Rotary Encoder Knob, Black components.
  • Page 68 LED indicates the connected device keyed ribbon cables and one CAT5 cable. is operating at 100 MB speed. The Strata 32 Host card and the Mix Engine CPU both use 100 MB NICs since they do not carry streaming audio.

  • Page 69: Software Updates

    Surface is actively being used since the code is only loaded into the Surface’s memory. A popup message advises that the Surface must be rebooted to use the new code. The Strata 32 continues to pass audio as the Surface is rebooted but, of course, no Surface controls will be available during the two-three minutes it takes the Surface to complete rebooting and once again be ready for use.

  • Page 70: Appendix A - Creating A Wheatnet-Ip Network

    WNIP most facilities a larger gigabit switch will be required. The two most system: the Strata 32 Surface host PCs; the IP Mix Engine’s CPU and GBT common switch sizes are 24-port and 48-port, although many facilities like cards;...
  • Page 71 WNIP network. Orange Blade-to-AoIP switch port cables For a remote truck or a venue with one Strata 32 console along with a Green PC & Media servers-to-AoIP switch port cables Stagebox for I/O, one eight or ten-port switch is sufficient. The in-room...
  • Page 72 Screenbuilder (a Wheatstone app which is configured using a GUI interface), which allows users to switch codec routing without the need to use Wheatstone Navigator’s Crosspoint grid, or use a system salvo, to switch the return connections to the codecs.

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