INNOVASON M.A.R.S. User Manual
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INNOVASON M.A.R.S. User Manual

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M.A.R.S.
User Guide
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Edition:
19-Jan-2010

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  • Page 1 M.A.R.S. User Guide Version: Edition: 19-Jan-2010...
  • Page 2 All entries in this document have been thoroughly checked; however no guarantee for correctness can be given. Innovason cannot be held responsible for any misleading or incorrect information provided throughout this manual.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS   M.A.R.S. (MULTITRACK AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEM)   Introduction   About this User Guide   Audio Routing   Connecting M.A.R.S.   Checking Communication   Playing Back the Demo Project   Transport Control  ...

  • Page 5: Multitrack Audio Recording System)

    M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Introduction M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Introduction M.A.R.S. is an integrated 64-track hard disk recorder which is fitted as standard to every Eclipse mixing console. A dedicated control panel under the console touch-screen provides rapid access to recording and playback functions.
  • Page 6 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) About this User Guide Overview M.A.R.S. provides 64 tracks of hard disk recording and playback onto a removable hard disk which slots into the rear panel of the Eclipse frame. The system is handled by a second computer which runs separately from Eclipse’s Nova software.

  • Page 7: Audio Routing

    M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Audio Routing Audio Routing Audio is transferred to and from M.A.R.S. via Ethersound. The diagram below shows the Ethersound connections and audio streaming for a standard Eclipse configuration: Recording M.A.R.S. always records the downstream Ethersound channels it receives (shown in blue), with Ethersound channel 1 recorded to track 1, Ethersound channel 2 to track 2 and so on.
  • Page 8 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Audio Routing Playback In normal live operation, the upstream Ethersound channels feeding the console (shown in red) are fed from the DioCore (Mic inputs 1 to 56) – i.e. the Loop Back (in black) is active. By enabling VSC mode (Virtual Sound Check), the DioCore mic inputs, are replaced by the corresponding M.A.R.S.

  • Page 9: Connecting M.a.r

    M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Connecting M.A.R.S. Connecting M.A.R.S. The M.A.R.S. computer and hard drive are fitted to the rear of the Eclipse frame: The Nova/MARS toggle switches are used to force the KVM into a specified position. The ON/OFF switches are useful is case of a re-boot is necessary on one of the computer without disturbing the passing audio and the other computer.
  • Page 10 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Connecting M.A.R.S. Ethersound interconnection of the complete system: Remove the pre-installed Ethersound cable form Eclipse (the OUT on the DioES module) to the MARS (IN). Connect the Ethersound OUT from Eclipse (the OUT on the DIOEs module) to the IN of the DioCore.

  • Page 11: Checking Communication

    M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Checking Communication Checking Communication You can check the Ethersound connection to M.A.R.S. from the Nova Main Mix display: Press NOVA on the TRANSPORT panel to switch the touch-screen to the Nova displays. Look at the colour of the MARS hardware indicator on the Main Mix display: The LED will be green if MARS is booted and connected correctly.

  • Page 12: Playing Back The Demo Project

    M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Playing Back the Demo Project Playing Back the Demo Project To get started quickly with M.A.R.S. and Eclipse, every system is shipped with demo audio. This section describes how to play back the demo. To learn more about recording your own sound check, then please skip to Page 29.
  • Page 13 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Playing Back the Demo Project This opens the Project Settings page: Select the Project Manager (Startup Page) button. The MT128 Project Manager opens. Select the project you wish to load from the Last Projects list on the left – e.g. “Walking”. Then select Load.
  • Page 14 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Playing Back the Demo Project This page provides more information about the selected project – for example, the sample rate, bit rate, file type, etc. Note that you at this stage, you have not loaded any audio! Select the Open Project button to open the project.
  • Page 15 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Playing Back the Demo Project Loading a File in Nova Press the NOVA button on the TRANSPORT panel to NOVA switch back to the Nova control computer. (TRANSPORT) Select “File -> Load” from the main menus. And load the demo file called Walking.
  • Page 16 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Playing Back the Demo Project Playing Back the Demo Test the audio playback by pressing the Play button on either the Eclipse TRANSPORT panel or M.A.R.S. touch- screen. The Play button lights, and you will see timecode running both on the Eclipse front panel display and M.A.R.S.

  • Page 17: Transport Control

    M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Transport Control Transport Control Once a project has been loaded, or a new project created, M.A.R.S. can be controlled using the transport buttons on the Eclipse TRANSPORT control panel, or the M.A.R.S. touch-screen display. The Eclipse TRANSPORT Panel The dedicated TRANSPORT buttons may be used while viewing any NOVA or M.A.R.S.
  • Page 18 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Transport Control Touch-screen Transport Control from M.A.R.S. Transport control is also available from touch-screen buttons within the M.A.R.S. displays (4): These buttons work in parallel with those on the TRANSPORT front panel. Here is an overview of their operation: For more details, please refer to the MT128 documentation at www.vb-audio.com 18 / 69...
  • Page 19 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Transport Control Cues To locate to different points within the audio project, you can either: • Create Cue points using the Nova Cue List and TRANSPORT front panel: • Or create and recall Markers from the M.A.R.S. touch- screen displays: Note that the two systems are independent;...
  • Page 20 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Transport Control The Eclipse Cue List Eclipse’s Nova software includes a Cue List which is controlled from the TRANSPORT panel: Cues are arranged in five banks (A to E) of 10 cues (1 to 10) providing a total of 50 cue memories.
  • Page 21 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Transport Control Recalling Cues Having stored a cue, it can be recalled while in Stop or in Play: Press the bank and number of the cue – e.g. A and 1. The cue point is recalled and timecode instantly moves to the stored value;...
  • Page 22 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Transport Control The Cue List Window You can view and edit all the cues stored by Eclipse from the Cue List window: Press the CUE LIST button on the TRANSPORT panel. The CUE LIST opens and shows the Cue ID, timecode value, name and any comments for each memory location: Press the A, B, C, D or E buttons on the TRANSPORT panel to switch the cue list between banks.
  • Page 23 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Transport Control Editing a Cue Point You can enter a specific timecode value for a cue memory as follows: Touch or click on the TC column entry. The timecode value is highlighted. Type in the timecode value using the console keyboard. For example, to enter a time of 1 minute, type 00:01:00:00.
  • Page 24 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Transport Control Clearing Cues With the CUE LIST window open: Touch the on-screen DEL button to clear the cue memory: Select OK to confirm. Alternatively: Press the CLR button on the TRANSPORT panel: The button LED flashes (red). Select the bank and the cue number you wish to clear –...
  • Page 25 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Transport Control Setting a Loop You can set the playback to loop, or cycle, between two cue points. Note that you must use cue memories to set the start and end timecodes for the loop, so first store the start and end timecode values into two empty memories.
  • Page 26 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Transport Control Touch-screen Marker Control from M.A.R.S. Markers can be created and recalled from the M.A.R.S. touch- screen displays (5): M.A.R.S. markers are independent from the Nova Cue List, and therefore can only be recalled from the M.A.R.S. touch-screen displays.
  • Page 27 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Transport Control VSC and Broadway Modes M.A.R.S. is designed for recording and playing back audio in preparation for a live show or production. The most common application is to record the sound check so that it can be replayed later as a “virtual sound check”.
  • Page 28 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Transport Control Broadway Mode Broadway mode is very similar to VSC mode but instead of replacing all DioCore mic feeds with tracks from M.A.R.S., you can switch each input on an individual basis using its CUE button. Press the BDWY button on the USER DEFINED panel to switch to Broadway mode.

  • Page 29: Recording

    M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Recording Recording Overview M.A.R.S. can record up to 64 tracks onto a removable hard disk which slots into the M.A.R.S. computer fitted to the rear panel of the Eclipse frame. M.A.R.S. is designed for recording continuous blocks of audio such as a live sound check.
  • Page 30 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Recording Your First Recording To record to M.A.R.S., there are 3 basic operations you need to perform: Create a new Project in M.A.R.S.. Arm the tracks you wish to record. Start recording! Note that once you have created a Project within M.A.R.S., everything you do is constantly saved by the system.
  • Page 31 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Recording Select New Project from the bottom of the display. A new Project Settings window opens: Touch or click on the empty field beside Name: to enter a name for the M.A.R.S. Project. Whenever you need to enter text within M.A.R.S., an on-screen keyboard appears: •...
  • Page 32 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Recording • Alternatively, once the on-screen keyboard is open, you can type a name using the console keyboard; press [Enter] to confirm the data. In our example, we have entered UserManual example: Note that you must enter a name before you can create a new project.
  • Page 33 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Recording Once you have entered the Project name and set the other fields as you wish, touch Create Project. The new Project is created and M.A.R.S. opens the Current Project window on the I/O -> Meters page: In the background, M.A.R.S.
  • Page 34 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Recording Track Arming The next stage is to select which tracks you wish to record onto – you could choose all 64 tracks, or a subset. Using the page select buttons at the bottom right of the display, select Arm and Matrix: The Arm ->...
  • Page 35 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Recording Recording Having prepared the Project and armed the tracks, you can now start and stop recording from either the Eclipse TRANSPORT control panel or from the M.A.R.S. touch-screen. So that you can return to the Nova displays during the sound check, use the Eclipse TRANSPORT control panel: Locate to the desired start timecode by recalling a cue.
  • Page 36 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Recording Deselect the track arm buttons. Select All off below the track buttons to quickly disable record arming for all 64 tracks. This switches each track to replay; the track buttons should be green to indicate that audio clips are present. Return to the Nova Main Mix display, and select VSC mode: Remember to confirm by pressing OK.

  • Page 37: Advanced Functions

    M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Advanced Functions Advanced Functions The previous section described how to make a simple recording for immediate replay. However, M.A.R.S. and Eclipse support a number of additional functions as follows: Patching Ethersound Channels A standard Eclipse system is shipped with one DioCore fitted with 56 microphone channels.
  • Page 38 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Advanced Functions From the PATCH OUT grid, patch the mix busses you want to record to Ethersound channels 57 to 64 (downstream). In our example, Master Left and Master Right are patched to Patch OUT channels 63 and 64: (UTILITIES) “GRID...
  • Page 39 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Advanced Functions To replay the tracks, they must be patched to input faders. From the PATCH IN grid, patch Ethersound channels 01 to 56 (upstream) to some inputs. Patch IN (UTILITIES) “GRID -> Patch Input” [F11] Make sure that you have disarmed the tracks in M.A.R.S.
  • Page 40 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Advanced Functions Transferring Labels from Eclipse to M.A.R.S. If you have labelled the DioCore mic inputs using the PATCH grids on Eclipse, then you can transfer these labels to M.A.R.S. before you record. The advantage is that each audio clip will be labelled according to its source –...
  • Page 41 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Advanced Functions Return to the Nova displays and select M.A.R.S. -> preferences from the main menus: “MARS -> preferences” The M.A.R.S. Preference window appears: Tick the top option - Tracks are automatically labelled from NOVA. When ticked, any label changes from Nova are transmitted to M.A.R.S.
  • Page 42 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Advanced Functions Other M.A.R.S. Preferences The preferences within the M.A.R.S. -> preferences window “MARS -> perform the following functions: preferences” • Tracks are automatically labelled from NOVA – see the previous page. • When VSC is activated, DioCore channels are disabled –...
  • Page 43 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Advanced Functions Emergency RECORD This function is ideal if you do not have time to create and name a project, and need to start recording immediately. You can access the function from the MT128 Project Manager window within M.A.R.S.: Press the Emergency RECORD touch-screen button.
  • Page 44 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Advanced Functions Timecode Options Referencing to LTC or MTC From the Project Settings window within M.A.R.S., you can select whether recordings are referenced to: • Int. – internal timecode (default) • LTCi – Linear timecode from an Ethersound channel. •...
  • Page 45 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Advanced Functions Then select the MIDI/LTC menu: Choosing the LTC Input Make sure that the LTC Input option at the bottom of the page is ticked. Touch the Input Ch box and enter a number from the numeric keyboard.
  • Page 46 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Advanced Functions Changing the Timecode Format This option can be set from the Transport Options page: Touch the M.A.R.S. on-screen timecode display (within the milliseconds zone named options): The Transport Options page opens: Touch the TimeCode Format box to select a different timecode format from the drop-down menu.

  • Page 47: Project Management In M.a.r

    M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. Project Management in M.A.R.S. This section describes how to manage Projects within M.A.R.S. Note that only the most common functions are described. For more details on the MT128 recording system, please refer to the documentation at http://www.vb-audio.com The MT128 Project Manager Window...
  • Page 48 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. From the Project Manager window, you can perform the following operations: Load a Project Use the steps described on Page 12 to load back any project stored on the M.A.R.S. hard disk. Delete a Project Select the Project name from the Last Projects list.
  • Page 49 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. The Project Settings Window This window contains the settings for a Project – it opens when you select: • NEW PROJECT from the Project Manager, see Page 30. • Load Project from the Project Manager, see Page 12. •...
  • Page 50 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. Create a New Project using Save As This allows you to create a new Project from an existing one. Note that this operation creates a Project folder recordings, but does not copy existing audio into the new folder. If you wish to copy audio already recorded into a new folder, then you should create a new Project and use the Import function as described on Page 56.
  • Page 51 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. Select Save As Template The Save project as Template pop-up appears. Select Save. Then select OK to confirm. The template is created. You can check it by returning to the Project Manager window; the template appears in the list on the right: To create a new project from a template: Select a file from the Templates list.
  • Page 52 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. The Current Project Window Once you have created or opened a Project on M.A.R.S., the main operating window appears: This window is divided into 6 areas. Different pages can be opened within the main area (3) using the Page selection buttons (6).
  • Page 53 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. Project Info (2) Transport Control (4) Marker Control (5) Page Selector (6) Use the Page selector buttons to select different sub pages – for example, Arm + Matrix opens the Arm -> Matrix page. M.A.R.S.
  • Page 54 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. M.A.R.S. Sub Pages You can find full details on M.A.R.S. sub pages from the MT128 documentation at http://www.vb-audio.com The most useful pages for M.A.R.S. applications are: I/O -> Meters This page provides metering for all tracks on M.A.R.S.: Arm ->...
  • Page 55 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. Timeline -> Tracks This page provides a horizontal view of audio clips recorded on M.A.R.S.: Timeline -> Import/Export This page provides access to import and export options. See Page 56 for details. M.A.R.S.
  • Page 56 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. Importing Audio This function imports audio files into an existing Project. For example, to make a copy of audio files on the M.A.R.S. hard disk, or to import audio from an external drive. Use this function to make a copy of an existing Project, by first creating a new Project and then importing the audio.
  • Page 57 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. The Import Audio File window opens: On your system, you should see the contents of drive E. Touch the top bar (E:\) to open the File selector. The File Selector window opens: On the left of the display, you will see the drives connected to the M.A.R.S.
  • Page 58 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. On the E:\ drive, files are organised into two main directories: • MT128_Media – inside this folder are the individual media folders for every Project on M.A.R.S.; these folders contain your audio files. •...
  • Page 59 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. If the files you wish to import are not named alphabetically, then you cannot use this method as the track order will not match the original recording. Instead: Select the USE ORDER OF SELECTION option on the right of the window: Now select each audio file in the order in which you wish to import them –...
  • Page 60 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Project Management in M.A.R.S. Select TimeLine -> Tracks to view the horizontal timeline of audio clips on M.A.R.S. to confirm the import has been successful: 60 / 69 M.A.R.S. User Guide...

  • Page 61: Ethersound Configurations

    M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Ethersound Configurations Ethersound Configurations When more than one console exists within the Ethersound network, then you may wish to use either of the following configurations: Example 1: In this example, M.A.R.S. is connected as the last device in the Ethersound network chain.
  • Page 62 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Ethersound Configurations Example 2: If you do not wish the FOH M.A.R.S to affect Ethersound channels feeding the monitoring console, then configure the network as follows: In this example, the monitor console can decide what it receives by changing its Ethersound channel patching: •...

  • Page 63: Troubleshooting

    M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Troubleshooting Troubleshooting The following section describes some typical problems and how to resolve them: The MARS LED on the Main Mix display is red This indicates a problem with the Ethersound connection. Check the physical Ethersound network connections carefully.
  • Page 64 MAC address. If not: Select the M.A.R.S. Ethersound address from the drop- down list. If there is no Ethersound address available, then there is still a problem with Ethersound connection. Please contact Innovason service for further assistance. 64 / 69 M.A.R.S. User Guide...
  • Page 65 Select Sys Set at the top left of the display to open the System Settings. Select the Remoting menu: The Innovason Eclipse option must be ticked. Select Save to save the change and close the System Settings window. M.A.R.S. User Guide...
  • Page 66 M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Troubleshooting M.A.R.S. plays back but the correct timecode does not appear in the front panel display: This timecode display can be switched between Internal (M.A.R.S.) and MIDI timecode within the Nova software. Switch the touch-screen to NOVA. Select VIEW ->...

  • Page 67: Replacing The M.a.r.s. Hard Disk

    M.A.R.S. (Multitrack Audio Recording System) Replacing the M.A.R.S. Hard Disk Restarting M.A.R.S. and/or Nova You can restart both Nova and M.A.R.S. by powering off and powering on the console frame. However, if you wish to only restart M.A.R.S., without affecting Nova, or vice versa, you can use the console keyboard as follows: To restart only the Nova control computer: Press [CTRL] + [ALT] + [DEL].

  • Page 68: Installing M.a.r.s : System And Software

    INSTALLING M.A.R.S : System and software INSTALLING M.A.R.S : System and software The USB key provided with the console contain all the necessary files and softwares to re- install the Sytem and M.A.R.S. Before installing the system, you must change the cabling on the back of the the desk in order to force the console to start and stay active on the M.A.R.S computer during its starting and not to switch on the NOVA computer.
  • Page 69 INSTALLING M.A.R.S : System and software – During the start, when you see a message inviting you “to press F4 to start NOVA” please press immediately F5. This launch the M.A.R.S audio card configuration windows. - Adjust the audio card parameters like following: Press the “Rescan ASIO driver”...

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