Contents Introduction .............................. 4 iTouch/iPod/iPhone setup .......................... 5 iTouch/iPod/iPhone applet ........................ 6 Ad‐Hoc/Point to point Network Setup ...................... 7 Quick Start for ad‐hoc/point to point networks .................. 8 Making changes permanent ........................ 10 iTouch Wifi Point to point/Ad‐ Hoc ‐ Factory default settings .............. 11 Crescendo on a home Wi‐Fi network ...................... 13 Setup of an iTouch/iPod/iPhone on a home network ................ 14 Setup of a Crescendo on a Home Network ..................... 15 Crescendo Wifi Setup for home network ................... 16 Crescendo Network Setup for home network .................. 17 Finalizing the Wi‐Fi / Network settings on the Crescendo .............. 18 Network Exclusivity ............................. 19 Establishing a partnership between a iTouch and Crescendo .............. 20 Shutting Down the iTouch applet ....................... 21 Use of the Crescendo Remote Control applet. ................... 22 Applet – Inputs tab.......................... 23 Inputs Tab – input sub‐tab. ......................... 24 Inputs Tab – setup sub‐tab ......................... 25 Inputs Tab –Gain setting sub‐tab ...................... 26 Inputs Tab –SSP sub‐tab ........................ 27 ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 4 of 42 Introduction The Crescendo pre‐amplifier as system consists of separate interconnected parts: Crescendo pre‐amplifier firmware, craftware iTouch remote control applet software Viola DAC firmware, driver and craftware. Crescendo receives its commands from the iTouch remote control applet through a decicated Tcp/IP port in a Wi‐Fi network. When these commands are meant for the Viola DAC, it passes them along an internal local bus. Status and telemetry data is polled from the Crescendo’s subsystem and pushed onto the iTouch. Crescendo craftware is used to set the system up (network/wifi settings) or set up features you would not want to give the remote control applet access to (like for instance SSP settings). DAC craftware is used to update the firmware to the DAC when necessary. It is included with future firmware releases. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 5 of 42 iTouch/iPod/iPhone setup The Crescendo can communicate on most Wi‐Fi networks. The factory default setting communicates on a so called “ad‐hoc” or “point to point” network, where there is no router or switch between the Crescendo and iTouch. Most home networks consist of a wireless/wired router that several PCs hook into. Typically, a network like that has internet access. While the Crescendo does not need to have access to the internet, most users find it convenient to give the iTouch used for Crescendo’s remote control also access to the internet. To do this, the Crescendo needs to have access to your home network. The following discussion will guide you through the setup of either network. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 6 of 42 iTouch/iPod/iPhone applet Install the free Viola Remote control applet from the apple store. (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/viola‐remote/id563608611?ls=1&mt=8) For the sake of the following discussion, when the word ‘iTouch’ is mentioned, it is interchangeable with ‘iPod’ or ‘iPhone’. The Crescendo preamplifier ships from the factory with an iTouch but you may very well decide to control the system by means of your personal iPhone, for instance. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 7 of 42 AdHoc/Point to point Network Setup From the factory, the crescendo preamplifier has been set up to communicate over a simple unencrypted point to point connection. The following describes how one may be able to reset a system back to that mode, should one need to do that. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 8 of 42 Quick Start for adhoc/point to point networks Prior to crescendo version 1.0.1.11, any crescendo leaves the Viola facilities with the default factory setup to create its own network named ‘crescendo’ and assumes a network IP of 192.168.1.2 with an IP mask of 255.255.255.0. On a point to point network on versions prior to 1.0.1.11, all IP addresses on the network are to be static. After version 1.0.1.11 and up, any crescendo leaves the Viola facilities with the default factory setup to create its own network named ‘crescendo’ and assumes a network IP of 10.0.0.1 with an IP mask of 255.255.255.0. On a point to point network on versions prior to 1.0.1.11, all IP addresses on the network are to be dynamic (DHCP). A crescendo running version 1.0.1.11 and up has the ability to run its own DHCP server on point to point network. Should the crescendo ever need to be reset to its factory network settings, find the CresConf.exe utility, included on the utility USB key. CresConf is an application meant to be run from a PC. Be sure to run the CresConf from the USB key – not from a copied version of it from the PC’s hard drive CresConf has a ‘WiFi Setup’ tab and a ‘Network Setup’ tab: For a simple Ad‐Hoc WiFi/static IP connection, you can just leave these settings alone. The WiFi’s SSID will be set to Crescendo and the crescendo’s device ID on the network will be set to CRESCENDO01 with a static IP of 192.168.1.2. The iTouch can be set to any other IP in that range (192.168.1.X) but that’s discussed elsewhere in this manual. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Page 9
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 9 of 42 For a simple static IP network, leave all settings alone. Since you are the only one on the network, the SSID of “crescendo” and the device name of “CRESCENDO01” will do just fine Select the “Update” checkboxes for “WiFi” and “Network”. Do not check the SSP checkbox. Press Done. To make these changes permanent, perform the actions indicated by the subheading “making changes permanent”. The crescendo is able to provide an IP address to a connected iTouch in a simple point to point network only. To do this, change the setting in the network tab to DHCP like so: It is assumed that the Wi‐Fi’s SSID has been set to “Crescendo”, as was done above. When selecting DHCP, the blurb next to the radio box changes to “DHCP Server”, indicating that the Crescendo will be running a DHCP server. ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 10 of 42 Making changes permanent To convey any changes to the Crescendo Pre‐ Amplifier, be sure that the appropriate checkboxes (Wifi, Network or SSP) has been checked prior to pressing the “Done” button. For example: If your crescendo has been set up for your wifi network’s SSID but all you want to check is its network’s setup, it would be appropriate to only check ‘network’ without checking the ‘wifi’ checkbox. On the other hand, If this is the first time you’ve set up a unit, it would be appropriate to select both ‘network’ and ‘wifi”. Power the unit down. power up back up Insert the USB key in the port located in the back of the unit. Note that the pre‐amplifier automatically reboots after the key is inserted. This is normal behavior. After the Crescendo from panel stops flashing, remove the utility USB key from the USB key. Your crescendo is now set up. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 11 of 42 iTouch Wifi Point to point/Ad Hoc Factory default settings Before proceeding, make sure the Crescendo has been set up for an ad‐hoc/point to point network, discussed above. The Crescendo creating the new network, it has to be on for the following to operate correctly. On your iPod, launch the ‘settings’ (screen 1, below) applet and select its ‘Wi‐Fi” (screen 2) settings. Screen 1 Screen 2 Click through the ‘Wi‐Fi’ setting (screen 2, above) to get to the ‘Wi‐Fi networks’ screen. Notice that a new network named “Crescendo” now exists (screen 1, below). This is the point to point network ID being broadcast by the Crescendo pre‐amplifier. To connect to it, choose it and click the blue “>” button on the same line. Notice a configuration screen (2) will show up. Depending on your selection made (static or DHCP server, see “Quick Start for ad‐hoc/point to point networks”), you may need to chance the setting. If you’ve selected “DHCP server” in your Crescendo’s point to point setting, just leave the setting for the iTouch at DHCP, which is its default. If you’ve selected “Static” in your Crescendo’s point to point setting, you will need to select “Static” here as well (screen 3). Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Page 12
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 12 of 42 Screen 1 Screen 2 Screen 3 Tap on the ‘IP Address’ line and enter “192.168.1.1” Tap on the “Subnet Mask” line and enter “255.255.255.0” Ignore the router and DNS settings. You will not need them on an ad‐hoc network. Tap on the “Wi‐Fi Networks” button on the top of the screen to get back to the previous screen (screen 1, above). Go back to the iTouch desktop screen. Launch the Crescendo remote applet on the iTouch and proceed to the heading “Establishing a partnership between a iTouch and Crescendo” Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 13 of 42 Crescendo on a home WiFi network Most users will want to set their Crescendo up on their regular home network. The following procedure demonstrates what is required. Two settings need to change: one on the iTouch and the other on the Crescendo. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 14 of 42 Setup of an iTouch/iPod/iPhone on a home network Should you need to change networks with your Viola Remote control applet running, please note that the applet will need to be shut down until the network has been set up. For that procedure, see elsewhere in this manual. On your iPod, from the desk top, launch the ‘settings’ (screen 1, below) applet and select its ‘Wi‐fi” (screen 2) settings. Screen 1 Screen 2 Screen 3 Screen 4 Click through the ‘Wi‐Fi’ setting (screen 2, above) to get to the ‘Wi‐Fi networks’ screen (screen 3). Within the Viola facilities, we have a Wi‐Fi network dedicated to the testing of Crescendo pre‐amplifiers. This network’s Wi‐Fi SSID is named “Crescendo@viola” – please note that it isn’t the “crescendo” network, it being an ad‐hoc/point to point network between iTouch and Crescendo. “Crescendo@viola” is a true infrastructure network. Your home network will have a similar Wi‐Fi SSID. As such, our “Crescendo@viola” network is set up for DHCP, which means it distributes Tcp/IP addresses to those allowed on it (Screen 4). Our network also features network security. Your home network may be set up differently: your network may very well be set up for static IP and no security. Not being familiar with your Wi‐Fi settings, it is beyond the scope of this document to go through every single possible setting. It is assumed the user has a certain level of network knowledge to be able to set a iTouch up for DHCP or Static IP, security, etc. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 15 of 42 Setup of a Crescendo on a Home Network Should the crescendo need to be setup to communicate over a home network, a PC utility is included on the included utility USB key named CresConf.exe. Be sure to run the CresConf from the USB key. The CresConf utility creates a batch‐style command file that is consumed by the Crescendo when it is inserted. The procedure of actually storing the changed settings is discussed elsewhere in this document. CresConf has a ‘WiFi Setup’ tab and a ‘Network Setup’ tab. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 16 of 42 Crescendo Wifi Setup for home network Press the first tab of the CresConf PC applet, if you are not there already. The SSID is the name of your home network. In the example for setting up the iTouch, our network SSID is Crescendo@viola. Your network will obviously have a different name – enter that name in the SSID field. Note that the Wi‐Fi setup has two pull down boxes: one for topology and one for security. For home networks, the Crescendo becomes part of the home network. To do this, press the pull down box for “topology” (red arrow, screen 1 above) and set the topology to “infrastructure”. Selecting this option will indicate that the unit will attach to a network with several devices on it, as is likely the case in your home set up. Press the pull down for “security” and select the appropriate security setting for your network. All networks being different, this applet allows for the following selections: Open WEP 40 WEP 104 WPA with key WPA with passphrase WPA2 with key ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 17 of 42 Crescendo Network Setup for home network Click the second tab on the CresConf PC applet labled “Network Setup” if you are not there already. The NETBIOS name refers to the network name of any device on the network. Our program defaults to “CRESCENDO01” but you can change it to anything you prefer. Pick a name that makes sense to you. All devices on a network should have a unique network name. This name should be a convenient name but should not exceed 15 characters and is limited to upper or lower case A‐Z and numbers 0‐ 9. Select your network setting regarding DHCP or Static IP. Most home networks are DHCP but there may be exceptions. Note that when “Static IP” is selected, note that the other fields become editable. Enter the appropriate settings for IP address, network mask, etc. The Crescendo does not need to have access to the internet, so does not need DSN server acces. As such, it does not care about primary and secondary DNS. If you don’t know what your network’s DNS settings are, just enter the same IP address as the Gateway. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 18 of 42 Finalizing the WiFi / Network settings on the Crescendo Once you’ve performed the previously discussed settings, setting up the Wifi and Network, using the CresConf applet, be sure to check the “Wifi” and “Network” checkboxes and press ‘done” Take the USB key out of the computer. Power down your crescendo and wait a two seconds. Plug the power plug into your Crescendo and wait for it to completely boot up. An indication of full bootup is that the flashing of the front panel stops. Insert the utility USB key into the back of the Crescendo. Note that the pre‐amplifier automatically reboots. After the rebooting has completed, remove the utility USB key from the USB slot on the back of the Crescendo. The Crescendo’s front panel will flash, indicating it is partnering with your network. Note that this may take up to 30 seconds, depending on the encryption chosen. Please note that the iTouch remote control applet does not communicate with the network until the front panel on the Crescendo stops flashing. Since this is a new connection, your Crescendo may need to be partnered up with your iTouch. For this procedure see the heading “Establishing a partnership between a iTouch and Crescendo”, elsewhere in this document. After a partnership has been established, your crescendo is now set up to communicate to your iTouch across your Wi‐Fi network. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 19 of 42 Network Exclusivity If you have set up other connections to networks that are actually in range, it is often best to not use them while you are using your crescendo. The reason for this is that the nature of the Apple device is such that it wants to always be connected to the internet and wants to search for a good connection to it all the time. This behavior interferes with the normal operation of a point to point crescendo connection – this means we have to make the iPod not connect to these other networks. The only way to do that is to ‘forget’ the other networks: Click on the network within range that you can connect to (screen 1, below). Click the ‘>’ button on the right. Screen 1 Screen 2 Screen 3 Click “forget this network” (screen 2, above). A dialog box will pop up, making sure you want to indeed forget this network. Acknowledge by hitting ‘forget’ and perform this action for all networks in range of your crescendo that you may have been connected to. When all done, reconnect to your crescendo network (screen 3, above) Close the iPod’s network setup applet. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 20 of 42 Establishing a partnership between a iTouch and Crescendo The very first time a Crescendo Preamplifier or an iTouch is used, it needs to be matched up or ‘partnered’ , regardless of whether an ad‐hoc or infrastructure network is used. The following procedure applies to both network types. This is done from a tab on the Viola Remote applet on the iTouch. When the applet is launched the first screen loaded is the ‘status’ (screen 1, below) tab. Note that it isn’t connected to your crescendo because a partnership has not been established yet. Screen 1 Screen 2 Screen 3 Screen 4 To partner your iPod to your Crescendo, click on the ‘system’s ‘’setup’ button. Note a Color setup screen (2) shows up. Click “Network Setup”. An ‘on Wi‐Fi” screen (3) will appear. After a second or two, your crescendo preamplifier will report back with its name (‘crescendo01’, in our above example). Tap on the name of the Crescendo you would like to remote control. Notice a dialog box (4) shows up, indicating a partnership has been established by reporting the crescendo01’s IP address. Click OK. Your crescendo is now paired to your ipod and is ready for use. These settings will be remembered even during power down. Should the iPod or Crescendo ever change WiFi networks, this procedure will need to be performed . Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 21 of 42 Shutting Down the iTouch applet Under some circumstances, it may be necessary to shut the iTouch applet down. For instance, if you have installed the applet on two apple devices, only one can control the Crescendo pre‐amplifier and this means that the one not controlling has to be shut down so it does not interfere with the remote control function. The following describes that procedure: Screen 1 Screen 2 Screen 3 Screen 4 Press the action button (round button under the screen) to get to the desk top (screen 1, above). Your screen may look different, depending on the page you are on and what applets you have installed. Press the action key twice but in rapid succession. A band similar as shown on screen 2, above, will appear. Tap and hold on the “Viola Remote” icon on that band. After a second, you’ll note that the band’s icons will appear to wiggle and a minus sign will appear on the left top of each icon. Tap on the “Viola Remote” icon’s left minus sign and notice that the icon will disappear. This means that the applet has shut down. Tap anywhere on the screen to get back to the desktop. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 22 of 42 Use of the Crescendo Remote Control applet. At the time of this writing, the iTouch remote control applet has three main tabs along the bottom of the screen. Each controls separate functions: Inputs Volume System Since the screen is small and in an effort to control similar functions on the same page, each main tab has been divided up in having sub‐tabs on the top of the screen. The following pages discuss each tab and sub‐tabs in detail. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 23 of 42 Applet – Inputs tab This main tab controls all functions related to the inputs. Note that input 7 and input 8 are hard wired to the built in functionality provided by the Viola Digital DAC board. Inputs 7 and 8 are dedicated to the USB DAC and SPDif, respectively. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 24 of 42 Inputs Tab – input subtab. The input sub tab controls which input is currently in use. The current input is indicated by the lettering of the input being colored red. The inputs not in use are colored white. Note that switching input causes the volume level to switch to ‐60 dB. This is done with the safety of the system and user in mind. The second input from the bottom, labeled USB DAC, is hard wired to the USB DAC. The input on the bottom, labeled SPDIF, is hard wired to the SPDIF input. Please note that at the time of this writing, the SPDIF input is disabled as it is a future feature, to be installed with a firmware upgrade. Clicking the SPDIF input button is ignored at this time. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 25 of 42 Inputs Tab – setup subtab When one invokes the ‘setup’ button on the inputs sub‐tab, screen 1 is shown. This screen allows a user to change the input names. For instance, you may not have a tape player hooked into input 2 so this screen lets you customize any input’s name to something that reflects your system. In the following example, we’re changing the input name of TAPE2 to SATRADIO. Tap on the label next to the number of the input you would like to change. Note a keyboard (2) will pop up. Enter the new name and press “Save” (screen 3). Should you need to cancel the operation, press “Cancel”. The name edited now appears in the ‘input’ screen (4) Note that the names are limited to uppercase names and the names cannot contain spaces. Screen 1 Screen 2 Screen 3 Screen 4 Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 26 of 42 Inputs Tab –Gain setting subtab Pressing the “gain” button on the “Name setup” tab brings up the “gain setting” screen. This screen lets you add an extra 10 dB of gain to any input. Whether the extra gain is switched in is indicated by the switch being ‘on’ or ‘off’, even after you leave the screen and come back to it later. The settings are ‘sticky’, even during power down. Pressing a switch will toggle the gain and you’ll note that you can hear the difference in gain as you press the switch. The extra gain will not be reflected in the volume readout, though. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 27 of 42 Inputs Tab –SSP subtab The following is preliminary: Pressing the SSP setup tab brings up the SSP screen. On the iTouch, changes to this setting is not allowed and it is only a status indicator whether the feature is turned on or off. SSP is a mode bypassing the volume control of the Crescendo, switching the input directly to the output at unity gain – obviously a mode that can do serious damage if not fully understood or switched by accident. Any Crescendo firmware version less than version 1.0.0.9 does allow the SSP value to be set. The iTouch applet current at the time of this writing, version 1.2, shows all inputs to be ‘off’ even if they are on. Firmware versions greater than 1.0.0.9 do allow SSP to be turned on but note that the iTouch screens may not reflect it. Until a firmware version greater than 1.0.0.9 is downloaded and a new iTouch applet is available and installed, please consider the SSP feature preliminary. To make sure the SSP mode isn’t switched by accident, it is set up by CresConf, the PC Setup utility. Fixed levels are set up, depending on the input and output selected: Inputs 1‐3 are balanced inputs. Either the balanced and single ended outputs can be used, causing the gain to be locked at ‐16dB and ‐10dB, respectively. Inputs 1‐3 are single ended inputs. Either the balanced and single ended outputs can be used, causing the gain to be locked at ‐22dB and ‐16dB, respectively. To set this up, launch the CresConf utility and go to the tab labeled “SSP Setup” (screen 1, below): Note that inputs 1‐6 have options to have them be set to ‘regular gain control”, “unity gain, single ended out” and “unity gain, balanced out. The default option selected is “regular gain control”. If you choose to not perform any set up within this screen, the Crescendo will give you control of the volume for all inputs. ...
Page 28
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 28 of 42 To finalize your settings, select the “Update” checkboxes: if you have made changes to the WiFi and Network settings, along with the SSP settings, please select all three. However, most users will likely first bring the network and wifi part of the system up before deciding to change the SSP settings so most users will likely only want to change the SSP checkbox. Press Done. iTouch applet versions greater than version 1.3 will correctly show the SSP state for each input: “Off” means that the input’s volume can be controlled and “On” means it has been preset to the proper levels, depending on what output you have selected (see discussion above). The indication “On” is red to warn the user of the potential damage that can be done if one uses this input without tempering the input level first. Screen 1 Screen 2 Screen 2 The actual preset volume level will be indicated in the read out and a blurb stating “SSP – Volume locked” will appear to indicate to you that this channel is indeed in SSP mode. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Page 29
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 29 of 42 SSP or Fixed Level inputs can be muted and will perform the familiar ‘ramp down’ and ‘ramp up’. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 30 of 42 Applet – Volume tab At the time of this writing, the volume tab has only one sub‐tab, indicating volume, mute state and the number and name of the input in use. Screen 1 Screen 2 This screen (screen 1, left) allows you to control the volume either pressing the large up / down arrows or sliding the slider bar. The volume will report the output level of the Crescendo as it performs the actual volume adjustment. The red mute button indicates whether the system is muted or not. An X next to the speaker’s icon indicates that the system is currently muted. While it is muting/unmuting, you may note that the volume ramps down/up and the words “muting..”/”unmuting” are indicated to the right of the mute button. When communications is lost, a round button with red arrows will appear (screen 2, right) Pressing it will bring up a dialog box with the possible problem and will give you the option of reconnecting. ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 31 of 42 Applet System tab The system tab allows changes to be made to the Crescendo and allows for certain monitoring to be performed. At the time of this writing, the system tab has five sub‐tabs that control several parts of the sytem: Status tab Color Setup tab On Wi‐Fi tab On CAN bus tab DAC info tab Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 32 of 42 System Tab – Status Tab The first time the applet is started from the desktop, it will bring up the “status” screen. The status screen does what the name implies: it shows the Crescendo’s status. Firmware version is the current firmware version running on the Crescendo. This may change when a firmware update is performed. The boot version is the current boot version of the bootloader present in the Crescendo. This will not ever change. The round button indicates the current network state. Green arrows indicate a connection is present while red reflect a non‐connected condition. Pressing the button when red will let you reconnect to a crescendo, should that be possible. The MAC address refers to a unique number assigned to each network device. It doesn’t change, except when the Wi‐Fi module inside the crescendo is replaced. Wi‐Fi SSID is the current network ID this particular crescendo is meant to connect to. Crescendo IP is its current IP address. iPod IP is the IP of the iTouch/iPod/iPhone paired to this particular Crescendo. Line voltage refers the current reading of the line voltage in AC Volts. It updates at a rate of once every two seconds, if it changes. 12 V is on/off is the current state of the remote output used to control external devices, such as amplifiers. ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 33 of 42 System Tab Color Setup Tab Pressing the ‘status’ screen’s “setup” button brings you to the “color setup” screen. This screen lets you control the Crescendo’s front panel’s color and whether its display is dimmed or not. System Tab – Network Setup Tab Pressing the color setup’s button labeled “network setup” brings up a screen with all Viola devices on the network. Note It takes about a second to populate and does not automatically refresh. Should a new device report itself on the network, you can only see it by leaving this screen and going back into it. Selecting a particular device name causes the iTouch to become partnered with that device. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 34 of 42 System Setup – On CAN Tab While you may not have an immediate use for the following preliminary information, it is included to explain what the ‘On CAN’ means: Pressing the “On CAN” button on the “On Wi‐Fi” screen will bring up a screen that shows the status of the CAN bus. CAN is a high reliability local communications bus, used by the Crescendo to communicate with other Viola devices of the same family. While the connector is physically the same as an Ethernet connection, it is not compatible with the Ethernet levels and protocol. Please be sure to never plug an Ethernet connection to the CAN port as it may do damage to your wired home network and the Crescendo! In the screen on the right, a device is connected to the CAN bus named “Concerto”. This refers to a future amplifier in the same family of components as the Crescendo. If you had five compatible devices attached to the CAN bus, these five devices would report themselves on this screen. Clicking on the “Concerto” text brings up the screen on the right. The screen shows the status of the Concerto amplifier, such as the serial number, its measured line voltage, firmware version, error status by means of LED icons and temperature. The power button controls the power on/off function to the Concerto amplifier. As the concerto is still in development at the time of this writing, this screen may change or be enhanced. ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 35 of 42 System Screen – DAC info The following preliminary information is included to explain what “DAC info” means. Its actual functionality has been disabled at the time of this writing. The “DAC Info” screen is shown by pressing the “DAC Info” button on the “On CAN Bus” tab (see “System Setup – On CAN ”) The Viola Audio DAC is a device built into the Crescendo, providing a 192 Khz, 32 bit digital audio stream to input 7 for USB and 8 for SPDif. The Audio DAC has several processes running, along with a very precise, extremely low jitter clock. It communicates its status to and accepts commands from the Crescendo’s processor by a local bus. In turn, the Crescendo has the ability to communicate telemetry up to the iTouch and send commands down to the DAC board, through the Crescendo’s processor. The DAC info screen shows part of this telemetry. At the time of this writing, the iTouch applet did not have the ability to convey the data so the fields are not filled in. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 36 of 42 Firmware Download The Crescendo pre‐amplifier is a system and consists of three parts: iTouch applet Crescendo Firmware Viola DAC firmware All three parts are independently downloaded by different mechanisms. As downloads become available, the instructions included will offer specifics on the actual procedure involved. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 37 of 42 Viola DAC Viola DAC Driver installation Since any driver installation modifies the registry, it is highly advisable that your PC is backed up before proceeding. From the included USB key, open the setup directory \DAC_DRV and run Setup.exe The following screen will appear: Click “next”. If the hardware is not plugged in and powered up, the following dialog box will appear. Plug in your Crescendo, let it power up and click “next”. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Page 38
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 38 of 42 Windows may stubbornly tell you it wants to install a new driver. Just press ‘cancel’, every time it pops up. Do not hit ‘next’ as that will interfere with the Viola DAC driver installation. After some moments, the following dialog box will appear: Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Page 39
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 39 of 42 Click “finish”. This utility will subsequently copy some files to your PC and modify your registry. When it closes, your Viola DAC driver is ready for use. Notice that the driver will unload and reload every time the Crescendo is powered down or the USB cable between the PC and Crescendo is unplugged. Depending on the PC’s service pack and its setup, you may see the “found new hardware wizard” pop up. If so, just click next to satisfy the windows requirement. Some audio music programs lose track of the audio driver when power is lost. In other words, powering down the crescendo causes the program to ‘forget’ how it is supposed to play music. In that case, shut down the music program and re‐launch it. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 40 of 42 Viola DAC – Control Panel After installation, you’ll notice that a new program will have been installed in your program folder named “Viola USB Audio Class Control Panel”. It will run continuously as a tray icon, next to your clock. The application’s icon will show itself as a capital letter V. Clicking on the “V” will bring up an application. It has been set up for optimum performance so does not need to have any parameters changed. It is also beyond the scope of this document to discuss each setting, as they are very particular to our DAC. We’ve included the utility, should troubleshooting ever be necessary. The following are its screens: Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Page 41
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 41 of 42 You can close the application by hitting the conventional X on the dialog box’ top right corner. To shut the applet down, select “file” “exit”. This will shut the entire applet down, including its tray icon. Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...
Crescendo Pre‐amplifier Remote Control Users Manual Page 42 of 42 Troubleshooting Question: I can’t seem to communicate at all. Answer: be sure the crescendo and iTouch are on the same network. See “Crescendo on a home Wi‐Fi network” Question: My crescendo’s front panel does not stop flashing. Answer: relaunch your PC utility and make sure your network’s setup is correct for your crescendo. See “Setup of a Crescendo on a Home Network” Question: My iTouch loses the connection to my Crescendo when it goes into power saving mode. Answer: make sure the iTouch is only allowed to connect to the same network as your Crescendo. See “Network Exclusivity” Question: I seem to be communicating but I can’t control the volume or input settings. Answer: The crescendo is in power down mode. Go to the system – status tab and see if the power is off. See “System Tab – Status Tab” Question: I’ve tried everything and can’t communicate. Answer: try shutting the Crescendo remote applet down and bringing it back up. See “Shutting Down the iTouch applet” Rev 1.2 3/5/2013 Viola Audio Laboratories ...