Page 1 System 5 Digital Audio System User Guide...
Page 2 Fauxlder, TL In Tune, TL MasterMeter, TL Metro, TL Space, TL Utilities, Transfuser, Trillium Lane Labs, Vari-Fi, Velvet, X-Form, and XMON are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. Xpand! is Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Page 3: Table Of Contents
System 5 Startup Sequence ........
Page 4 Joystick Linking ................122 System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 5 Solo-In-Place................175 Chapter 15. Hybrid Pilot and System 5 Fusion Options .
Page 6 System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 7 Part I: Introduction to System 5...
Page 9: Chapter 1. Introduction
The broadcast version of the console (System S5B) does not support console automation or transport controls (see Chapter 3, “eMix Application”). • The DF66 Digital Processing Core performs System 5’s audio I/O via MADI. The DF66 can have a maximum of six 120 MHz DSP line cards.
Page 10 System 5 hardware diagram System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 11: System 5 Startup Sequence
System 5 Startup Sequence With all system components turned off: Turn on the Ethernet switch and allow it to complete its startup diagnostics. Turn on the SC264 System Computer. Turn on all I/O units. On the SC264, double-click the eMix icon on the desktop.
Page 12: About This Guide
About This Guide This guide provides a basic overview of System 5 features and functionality. For complete instructions on connecting and configuring your system, see the System 5 Installation Guide. Conventions Used in This Guide All of our guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands:...
Page 13: Chapter 2. Quickstart To Common Tasks
• Connect and play a CD • Connect and monitor a microphone Connect and Play a CD Connecting and playing a CD illustrates System 5’s basic configuration, routing, and monitoring principles: • Set up eMix • Assign the CD channels to the console •...
Page 14 Press the Main Panel key and select Channels. Press the Setup key and then press Show Input Names. The TFT display above the channel shows the input names. Sources page in PatchNet System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 15: Connect And Monitor A Microphone
To route to the mix bus: Press the Channel On switches for each CD channel. Select the Mix button on channels 1 and 2. Select the In key of the B Mix Bus, which defaults to two-channel stereo. Press the Master Section’s CR Source key. The Mix Busses display in the Panel Viewer.
Page 16 Press the Master Section’s CR Output key. The output formats display in the Panel Viewer. Select Stereo. Turn off the Cut button and adjust the control room monitor level with the Master Section’s Main Monitor knob. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 17: Chapter 3. Emix Application
Chapter 3: eMix Application The eMix application has the following tabs along the bottom of the window: Directory File management (see first section below) PatchNet Digital patchbay (see page 19) Busses Group and mix bus formats (see page 26) System System setup (see page 28) Folddown Folddown formats (see page 31)
Page 18 Rename, Copy, Paste, and Delete Project These buttons are arranged vertically along the right side of the Projects Window. Copying a Project and pasting it to another Drive is the easiest way to backup a Project. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 19 To copy and paste a Project: Select a Project from the Projects Window. Click the Copy button to copy the selected Project. The Paste button remains dim until the Copy button is used. Click the Paste button to paste the copied Project. You can navigate the Directory to another Drive before pasting.
Page 20 The Projects Window appears with a list of Projects on that Drive. Select a Project and click the Titles tab. – or – Double-click the Project. The Titles Window appears with all Titles in that Project. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 21 To open a Mix other than the last one used, double-click the Title. – or – Click the Mixes tab. The Mixes Window displays existing Mixes. See page 16 to see how to open a Mix. Select the Title and click Open. This opens the Title with the last Mix used.
Page 22 Click the Select Current button to instantly navigate back to the currently open Mix in the Mixes Window. This is a convenient way to browse the Directory without losing your place. Edit Notes Click the Edit Notes button to enter information about the Title or Mix. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 23 Title Defaults This section describes how to set up basic PatchNet settings when a new Mixer Model is selected. This process includes naming the sources and destinations and connecting group bus outputs to multitrack inputs. The setup process is equivalent to setting and labeling the normalled connections on a conventional patch.
Page 24 • All meters single; follow fader • All meters single; Group Bus Outputs • All meters single; Mix Bus Outputs • All meters single; Aux Sends • 1–24 Dual: Fader + Group Bus 1–24 System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 25: Patchnet
• The outboard gear is ready to be patched into channels. System 5 must be initially set up so all studio equipment displays on the PatchNet screen and is correctly labelled and normalled. This basic wiring information is stored in the Title Default so these settings can be used when starting a new session with a new Title.
Page 26 Stores the selected patchpoints Recall Patches Recalls selected patchpoints Sources and Destinations The console has up to 24 MADI source/destination ports, each carrying up to 64 channels (44.1/48 kHz) or 32 channels (96 kHz). System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 27 Cabling This category handles MADI cable connections for the ML530s. Mic-Line Interface Patching For mic inputs and analog inputs not at +4 dB, the Avid Modular I/O and the ML530 provide preamps with gain, phantom power, high-pass filter, and hiZ/loZ switching (ML530 only). The Modular I/O can provide up to 56 preamp channels per MADI port, while the ML530 provides 24 channels.
Page 28 To set the destinations for the 12 mics: Select the Console I/O category and the A and B Inputs sub-category. Drag through the A Input column next to C25–C36 to select channels 25–36. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 29 The entries are highlighted in green and the list of A input channels appear in the Destinations column in the Selected: area (see figure below). Setting Destinations Click the Patch button to make the connection. The sources and destinations appear in the A Input and Name columns, respectively (see figure below). The sources and desti- nations are cleared from the Selected: area.
Page 30 The sources and destinations appear in the A Input and Name columns, respectively. The sources and destinations are cleared from the Selected: area. After connecting the 12 mics and the R-1 returns, the Console I/O - A and B Inputs Window is shown below. Nuendo and mics patched System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 31 Monitor Patching The monitor outputs are automatically routed to the analog patch unit supplied with System 5 and are ready to be normalled to the speaker inputs. The monitor feeds are also available within PatchNet for routing to other destinations.
Page 32: Busses
Group busses). Group and Mix busses differ in two ways: • There are 16 Mix sections but only one set of Group busses. • Mix sections have associated recorder playback returns. Mix Bus Window with law palette Group Bus Window System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 33: Externals
The letters at the far left of the Mix Bus Window denote the 16 mix sections. The letters “I” and “L” are omitted to avoid confu- sion with one another. Click the cell to the right of the letter to name the section. The number of busses available is indicated by the blue area (i.e., there are 32 busses).
Page 34: System
System System 5 can be customized for each application. The number of channels, busses, and external inputs available depends on the Mixer Model and amount of processing in the DF66 (or DF70 Super Core, if used instead). Given a number of processing cards, several different Mixer Models can be configured, each with different numbers of channels, mix and group busses, and aux sends.
Page 35 To change the mixer model: Click the System tab at the bottom of the eMix Window. From the list on the left of the System window, select the desired Mixer Model. The name of the Mixer Model describes the sample rate, number of channels, and bus architecture. The central part of the win- dow displays the hardware configuration required to run the Mixer Model selected.
Page 36 Changing the MADI channel setting on a Line Card affects its MADI ports in pairs. 56-channel MADI devices, such as the FC726 Format Converter, are not compatible with the Line Card at its 64-channel setting. This operation reboots the DSP Pilot app. If eMix is running, it will restart to synchronize. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 37: Folddown
Folddown Click the Folddown tab at the bottom of the eMix window to display the Folddown window (see figure below). Folddown supports rules by which one monitor output format (Format In along the left) is played by a different format (Format Out on top). For ex- ample, to play a 5.1-channel mix in LCRS, the Boom channel could be attenuated 6 dB and mapped to all channels, and the Sl and Sr mapped to the S channel without attenuation.
Page 38 Folddown window with additional formats System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 39: Diagnostics
Diagnostics When a system error occurs and the Diagnostics page is not displayed, the Wave logo and top-screen border flashes. Click the Wave logo at the bottom left corner of the main eMix screen to display the Diagnostics page. If a control module shows an error condition: Press its Reset button.
Page 40: System 5 Wave Logo
System 5 Wave Logo Click on the System 5 Wave logo in the bottom right of the eMix screen to display software version information and shutdown options. Auto Failover When Auto Failover is checked (enabled), and an actual or potential failure of the primary DF66 is detected by the diagnostics sys- tem, it switches the entire input audio path over to the backup DF66.
Page 41: Console Operation Logging
Console Operation Logging The System Computer uses the eTracer application to view console information. Log files contain time-stamped descriptions of events pertaining to the console’s software operations, including snapshot and layout recalls. These files are stored in the C:\eMix\log folder. A new file is created when the current file exceeds 2 MB. Log information can be filtered to display informa- tion for selected modules, message types, and components (see figure below).
Page 42 System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 43 Part II: Master Facilities and Channel Strip...
Page 45: Chapter 4. Cm401T Master Section
Chapter 4: CM401T Master Section The CM401T Master Module controls master functions for Monitors, Communications, Solo, and Meters. CM401T Master Module Chapter 4: CM401T Master Section 39...
Page 46: Monitoring
Monitoring The System 5 monitor system accommodates multiformat outputs up to 7.1 channels. There are seven monitor outputs (see figure below): • Main Control Room and Mon A (7.1 max) • Alt 1 (5.1 max) • Alt 2, Mon B, C, and D route two busses (stereo) Mon A, B, C, and D are used for SLS/Cue feeds.
Page 47 Monitor Source Selection The sources for Mon A–D and Control Room outputs are selected using the Panel Viewer. Press the Mon A–D or CR Source buttons to display available sources (figure below shows the MonD Source Panel). Monitor Controls and MonD Source Panel Use the keys on the bottom of the Panel to select the source type: External (CD, VTR, etc.), Aux Sends, or Mix Sections.
Page 48 The Control Room Monitors may be switched off/on by pressing the output level knob’s center switch or the Cut switch. Monitors A–D may be switched off/on by pressing the output level knob’s center switch. They are off when their output level knob’s center LED is not lit. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 49 Cut Individual CR Speakers The Control Room speakers can be individually switched on and off. The L, C, R, Sl, Sr, Bm, X and Y keys in the Control Room Output Panel are lit when on. In addition, the LEDs above the CR Source LCD light to show active speakers. Mon Lock The Mon Lock key on the Bus Master Strip disables the Control Room and Monitor levels.
Page 50: Communications
Pressing the Aux key at bottom right displays the Comms:Talkback:Aux Panel (right of figure below), which sets the talkback set- tings for the Aux busses. When displaying the Comms:Talkback:Aux Panel, this key changes to Mons, which switches back to the Comms:Talkback Panel (left of figure below). System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 51 Talkback Press the Talk key at the bottom of the Comms:Talkback Panel to display the Comms:Talkback Panel. Comms:Talkback Panels Monitors Tbk1 and Tbk2 (if Tbk2 On is lit) can be routed to Mon A–D by pressing the Tbk>MonX keys on the left of the Comms:Talkback Panel. These keys are momentary unless Tbk Ltch is active, in which case they are toggled on/off each key press.
Page 52 All>Lsn key. The on/off keys are momentary unless Lsn Ltch is active. Set the listen mic levels by pressing one of the Lsn1 – Lsn4 xx.x keys on the right of the Panel and using the SpinKnob to set the level. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 53 Oscillator/Slate Oscillator Press the OscSlt key at the bottom of the Comms:Talkback Panel to display the Comms:Slate/Osc Panel (see figure below). Turn the oscillator on by activating the Osc>On key. Select the oscillator type by pressing the Osc>Sine, Osc>White, or Osc>Pink keys on the top right of the Panel.
Page 54 The Quick Access Panel, located below the CR Level area, accesses the most commonly used Communications parameters without using the Panel Viewer. Use the buttons above the panel to display Quick Access Panels for general Communications, Talkback, Listen, and Slate/Osc. Quick Access Communication Panels System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 55: Solo
Solo System 5 has an extensive solo control system that is accessed from the center section. Press the Master Solo section’s Solo Ctrl switch to display the Solo Panel. Master solo controls (left) and Solo panel (right) Solo Mode Three Solo modes can be selected by pressing their respective switches in the Solo Panel. Selecting one mode automatically de- selects the previous mode.
Page 56 Press the Solo-Safe key again or another Solo Panel key to exit the mode. Backstop PFL Each System 5 fader has a backstop PFL switch past the bottom of its travel. To activate and use Backstop PFL: Press Solo Ctrl on the Center Section.
Page 57: Meters
Meters The System 5 meters are displayed on the TFT screen at the top of each Strip. Each Strip’s meter can be independently set and can measure: • Channel: The fader, Swap, Main, or any channel, even one not assigned to that Strip can be metered. There is an option to dis- play two meters that track different information.
Page 58 For the dual meter example above, pressing Strip 2’s Wave key assigns Group Bus 2 to the upper meter and Strip 2’s fader to the bottom meter. If Strip 3’s Wave key was pressed instead of Strip 2, Group Bus 2 would still be assigned to Strip 3’s upper meter. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 59 Master Section Meters The TFT screen above the center section shows two meters. The upper meter automatically shows the selected monitor output for- mat. For example, if the Control Room monitors Mix Bus A and it is a 5.1-channel format, the meter automatically displays 5.1 channels.
Page 60 System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 61: Chapter 5. Cm402T Expanded Channel Module
Chapter 5: CM402T Expanded Channel Module The CM402T module (see figure on next page) is located to the left of the CM401T Master Section that contains the Center Strip. The CM402T expands access to Strip functions, so they are more readily available than from their normal Strip. The CM402T includes the following functional sections, from top to bottom: •...
Page 62 CM402T Expanded Channel Module System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 63: Channel Select Panel
Channel Select Panel The Channel Select Panel provides easy physical access to any channel or Control Group in your System 5 configuration. It de- faults to displaying the first 32 channels, each with a four-character LCD, ON/Solo, and Channel Select keys.
Page 64: Knobset Panels
Select Panel are dedicated to dynamics (left) and EQ (right). The two panels (eight knobs each) above the Knobset Control Panel display different combinations of Aux, Input, and Filters depending on the preset selected from the Knobset Control Panel. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 65 Knobset Control Panel The Knobset Control Panel configures the knobs above the panel and which pages of Dynamics and EQ appear below it. The Input and Aux functions have configuration pages which can be accessed by pressing both cfg  keys simultaneously (see “Channel Functions”...
Page 66: Bus Routing Panel
This is the default mode of operation. The top two rows indicate Group Bus routing. The bottom row is for the 16 Mix Busses. Rec Ready This mode supports track arming up to 48 recorder tracks. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 67: Chapter 6. Channels And Strips
Swap and Main channels. System 5 has several innovative, efficient methods that manage channel-to-Strip mapping and channel settings: • Any channel can be assigned to any Strip, and assignments need not be consecutive.
Page 68 6 of 7 Link Pre-Fader Function Output 7 of 7 Fader & Mute Post-Fader Direct Output Solo PF L/AFL Sends Pan/Route Pan/Route The Strip with block diagram for Main/Swap channels and meter/status display System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 69 Map Channels, Control Groups, and Busses to Strips Each Strip can control a Main and Swap channel. One or both of the channels can be a Control Group or Bus instead of a normal channel. Channels can be assigned individually using the Strip controls or to multiple Strips using the Channel Assign Panel (page 64) or Bus Assign Panel (page 65).
Page 70 Activate the Main or Swap channel on the Strip to which you will assign the selected channel, and press its Chan Select key. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to assign multiple channels. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 71 Multiple Assignments: Bus Assign Panel The Bus Assign Panel is typically used to assign busses to multiple Strips but can also be used for a single assignment. Press the Main Panel key in the center section. Press the Busses key. The Bus Assign Panel appears.
Page 72 Press the Setup key in the Channel Assign Panel. Press the Show Input Name key to toggle between displaying the channel number and the names patched into the channel’s A and B inputs. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 73 Strip Utilities The Strip Config Panel contains useful utilities that make Strip operations more efficient: Strip Lock, Strip Expand, Strip Zone Select, Spill Select, Fader Unity, and Fader Meters. Strip Config Page 1 Strip Config Page 2 Fader Text: Strip Lock Strip Expand Momentary Values Always Show Values...
Page 74 Press the Fader Unity key in the Strip Config Panel. The Fader Unity key illuminates. Press the Chan Select key for each channel on which to set unity gain. The fader moves to 0 dB. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 75 You can also press that channel’s Chan Select key in the center section Select Panel. Channel Select key solo solo solo solo solo Center Section Select Panel Deselect the Fader Unity key when finished to turn off the Fader Unity function. Fader Meters The Fader Meters parameter controls what the Strip fader’s LEDs measure.
Page 76 If Knob Text is set to Momentary Values (see page 69), selecting Knob Touch Enabled displays the knob’s values when touched. To punch in a knob when touched with automation running: Enable Knob Touch Punch. Select Knob Touch Enabled. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 77: Channel Control Features
Clear Defaults The Clear Defaults file determines what happens when a function or channel is cleared. For example, a certain set of equalizer set- tings can be restored when you clear a channel’s EQ. Clear Defaults settings are stored in the C:\emix\system\ClearDefaults.dat file and may be moved between Titles, systems, or Mixer Models.
Page 78 The Fader Automation Status LEDs show the automation mode status for the fader. Fader Controls Backstop PFL System 5 faders have a backstop switch past the bottom of their travel. See “Backstop PFL” on page 50 for details. Wave Key The Wave key has three functions.
Page 79 All Mode When All mode is active on a Strip, that Strip’s function and Swap keys operate on all channels currently mapped to the console. This mode changes only which parameters are currently displayed. For example, assigning EQ to one Strip’s knobs assigns EQ to all Strip knobs.
Page 80: Channel Process Order And Patch Points
5 of 7 Function 6 of 7 Link Pre-Fader Function Output 7 of 7 Fader & Mute Post-Fader Direct Output Solo PF L/AFL Sends Pan/Route Pan/Route Channel processor order and patch points System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 81 To display the configuration controls for processor order and patch points: Press the Input function key to assign the Input controls to the knobs. Press both cfg  keys simultaneously. The cfg keys flash to show configuration mode is active. The configuration pages display the patching and processor order for that knobset.
Page 82 (Delay, Meter, EQ, Filters, Dynamics, and Fader) and can be considered as another processor. The insert point can be switched in/out using the Ins In key next to the Strip’s function keys or from Input knobset page 3. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 83: Channel Functions
Channel Functions System 5 provides exceptional programmable functions for each channel: Input, Dynamics, EQ and Filters, Aux Sends, and Pan. Function Presets Function Presets support storing and recalling function settings to a channel. They can be moved between Titles, systems, and Mixer Models.
Page 84 Atrm and Aphs have corresponding controls for the B input; Dly and Inp adjust one parameter that applies to both inputs. Analog Controls Gain Atrm Aphs Filt Digital Controls Page keys display Input B and Signal Processing In/Out pages Input A (left) and Signal Processing In/Out (right) knobsets System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 85 Analog Controls If an ML530 Mic-Line Interface or Modular I/O preamp is patched to the input, the top four knobs show the analog mic-line con- trols. Otherwise, they are blank. • The top knob shows whether the input is high or low impedance (HiZ = line; LowZ = mic). Press the lower switch to the left of the knob to toggle between values.
Page 86 In/Out status of that processor; the switch lights when the processor is in. The function In/Out switches to the left of the Strip’s function switches also toggle the processors In/Out. See “Channel Processor Order” on page 76. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 87 Dynamics Each channel has a compressor/expander/gate with external key input and filtered sidechain. Press the Dyn function key to as- sign Dynamics to the knobset; the TFT display at the top of the Strip shows the dynamics graph (yellow when dynamics are In, gray when bypassed).
Page 88 The compressor parameters are shown in the figure above. The lower switch next to the cRat knob switches the compressor in/out. The compressor parameters are summarized in the table below. gain makeup (dB) cKne knee (0–30) cRat ratio (infinity:1 = hard limiter) System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 89 Sidechain/Filters (Page 4) The Sidechain/Filters knobset page is shown in the figure above. The lower switch next to the SC knob activates sidechain listen mode for that channel. The Sidechain/Filters parameters are summarized in the table below. DFfr Dynamics Filter; sidechain filter frequency (range = 20 Hz to 21 kHz) DFtp Dynamics Filter;...
Page 90 To help find problematic frequencies, the Notch filter can be put into a listen mode by pressing the Listen key next to the fre- quency knob. This temporarily changes the filter to band-pass. The listen setting is not saved in the Title and is not automated. Listen defaults to Off. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 91 Aux Sends The number of Aux sends available depends on the number of cards in the DF66 (or whether the DF70 is used instead) and the current Mixer Model. See “Choosing a Mixer Model” on page 28 to learn about these issues. The CM401T Master module has a Group/Aux Strip used for Aux Master functions.
Page 92 Press and hold down the Wave key on the channel you want to paste to, and press the Paste  key. After the first paste, the copied channel undims, but you can continue pasting to other channels. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 93 Unlike a traditional analog console, System 5 is not limited to one pan format and one pan control per channel. System 5 sup- ports the following pan formats (also called pan laws): mono, stereo, LCR, LCRS, 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1.
Page 94 SmartPan The System 5 has an automatic function called SmartPan that prevents the disappearance of the audio signal during panning if some of that Mix Section’s busses are not assigned. For example, if a channel assigned to a 5.1 Mix Section does not send anything to the center mix bus, SmartPan automatically uses a stereo pan law so the signal is still present when panned to the center.
Page 95: Channel Mixing Functions
Track Panner Module The Track Panner Module is a four-Strip wide optional addition to the System 5 console. It controls the Pan of a channel, Multi Format Master, or Control Group assigned to the Center Strip. Press a Strip’s Wave key to assign it to the Center Strip; the active channel’s Pan is automatically controlled by the Track Panner Module.
Page 96 Pan is active in Mix and/or Group routing. The MIX route key also lights dimly in other modes to show that channel is assigned to one or more busses. Assignments and pan settings are remembered when routing is toggled off and on. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 97 Mix Minus (S5B Only) Each channel has a Mix Minus output that can send a unique feed to an announcer. The Mix Minus Reference Bus is configured on the last page of the GRP routing knobset. The signal from the channel to the mix minus system can be set pre- or post-fader using the Pre key. The Mix- knob controls the Mix Minus Output’s gain.
Page 98 System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 99: Chapter 7. Busses And Bus Masters
Chapter 7: Busses and Bus Masters The number of busses and channels available in your System 5 configuration is determined by the processing power in the DF66 Super Core (number of cards) or the DF70 (if used instead) and the Mixer Model: more channels = less busses and vice versa. See “Choosing a Mixer Model”...
Page 100: Bus Master Functions
The Bus Master Strip has eight knobs and five function keys that control all Bus Master functions. Clear Bus Master Knobset Aux Master Group Master Mix Master Bus Lock Mix, Group, and Aux Mon Lock Master Strip CM401T Center Section with Bus Master Strip System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 101 Aux, Grp, and Mix Masters Pressing the Aux Mstrs, Grp Mstrs, or Mix Mstrs keys displays the Aux Bus, Group Bus, or Mix Bus functions, respectively, on the Bus Master knobset. Bus Lock The Bus Lock key disables the following functions when activated: Bus Levels (Mix Master, Master Trims, and Leg Trims), Bus In- serts, Bus On/Off switches.
Page 102 • Press the lower of the two buttons to the left of each knob to turn that Mix Bus On/Off. All individual bus parameters are re- tained if the Bus is turned on after being off. • Use the  and  buttons to display additional pages if there are more than eight busses. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 103 Individual Mix Busses The right side of the figure above displays the individual Mix Bus selected by pressing the upper of the two buttons to the left of each knob. The important functionality is summarized below: • Press the lower of the two buttons to the left of each knob to turn the individual bus On/Off. Its level is retained if that bus is turned on after being off.
Page 104 This mode stays enabled if you navigate to a different panel so press AuxtoFader again to disable this function when finished. This operation affects all channels including those not on the surface. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 105: Mix And Group Bus Setup
Bus Master Inserts Each Group, Mix, and Aux Bus has an insert point. See “Mix Bus Send/Return” on page 25 to learn about bus insert send and re- turns specified in PatchNet. To switch the insert in/out: Press the Aux Mstrs, Grp Mstrs, or Mix Mstrs button to display that bus on the Bus Master knobset. Press both cfg ...
Page 106 System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 107 Part III: Control, Layouts and Snapshots, and Linking...
Page 109: Chapter 8. Machine Control (S5P Only)
Chapter 8: Machine Control (S5P Only) The center section Machine Control Panel contains System 5’s Transport and Locate functions. Use the figure below as a refer- ence for this chapter. Time Display 12:24.03.10 Time Display sec / ft fr / msec...
Page 110: Transport Controls
The Current Time Display shows the absolute time code at the current transport location. The Locate Time Display contains the Locate Time Register value. This value can be stored to any of the registers displayed in the Locate Registers Panel (see below). System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 111 Locate Registers H:M:S:F Feet + Frames FF o-set 00:00:00:00 Film Type 35mm PreRoll 00:00:00:00 PostRoll00:00:00:00 Rollback00:00:00:00 T/Start 00:00:00:00 T/End 00:00:00:00 R/Start 00:00:00:00 R/End 00:00:00:00 Locate Registers Panel Feet + Frames or H:M:S:F Display The recorder’s time can be displayed in the H:M:S:F format (the default SMPTE timecode) or the Feet + Frames format commonly used for film.
Page 112 Press the Return key to cycle the transport between the R/Start and R/End locations (pre- or post-roll times are observed). Title Start Press the Title Start key (see figure above) to locate to the T/Start time set in the Locate Registers Panel. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 113 Cue Points Each Title can store virtually unlimited Cue points. CMX 3600 EDL files can be imported into the cue list from the Titles folder. When an EDL is selected, the Open button changes to Import. If a cue point in the EDl matches one already in the Title, the cue in the Title is kept so the Cue notes are maintained. To create a new Cue: Press the Store Locate or Store Current key to use the Locate or Current Time, respectively.
Page 114: Track Arming
(top of CM402T and record paddles in CM403): • flashing = armed • solid = recording Machines - Setup Panel System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 115 TC Lock TC Lock sets the elapsed time before System 5 locks to the incoming timecode. This setting accounts for the time required by the tape deck to ramp up to its playback speed. If System 5 locks to the signal before the playback speed stabilizes, the automation will not properly synchronize with the audio on the tape.
Page 116: Tt002
The System 5 software can auto-sense the TT002 or TT007. The setup options are done from the Machines page on the CM401T (see page 102), and the System Preferences Page (see figure below). From the System Preferences page, select the timecode source, frame rate, track arming length, and fast forward/rewind speeds.
Page 117: Chapter 9. Control Groups And Multi Format Masters
Group application uses a Group Master channel to control similar channels. For example, a single master fader can change the fader level of all announcer mics. System 5 supports up to 48 Control Groups, each of which can control Fader, On/Off, Pan, Aux, Filters, EQ, Dynamics and Input channel settings.
Page 118 The Clr key begins flashing. Press the Control Group key to clear. All slaves are deleted from the Control Group, the name reverts to the default (G#), and the display dims to show it is empty. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 119: Multi Format Masters
Coalesce Control Group This operation transfers automation from the Control Group master to the slaves. The audio result is identical to before the co- alesce operation, and the Control Group remains intact. To coalesce a Control Group: Press the Coal key at the bottom of the Groups Panel. The Coal key begins flashing.
Page 120: Spill Area
• Dual mono: Control Group (adjust functions on the slave channels) • True stereo source: Multi Format Master (do not adjust the slave channels) • Multiple similar signals: Control Group (adjust functions on the slave channels) System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 121: Chapter 10. Layouts And Snapshots
Chapter 10: Layouts and Snapshots System 5 performs mix-management functions significantly faster than a traditional analog mixing system: • The PatchNet digital signal patching system can save a complex patch system for each Title. See Chapter 3, “eMix Application.” • Automation supports recording, refining, and replaying virtually all settings with unprecedented precision.
Page 122 The New key darkens and the Name key illuminates. Unused locations are darkened and have a default name (L #). In the figure above, the first unused location is L 13. Use the console keyboard to name the new Layout. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 123 Recall a Layout To recall a single Layout: If the RCL key is not lit, press it once so it flashes. Press the location key for the desired Layout. The Layout reconfigures the console surface and the RCL key turns off. It can be useful to recall several Layouts consecutively to decide which to work with: If the RCL key is not lit, press it twice so it illuminates but does not flash.
Page 124: Snapshots
Press the New key at the bottom left of the Snapshot Panel. The New key flashes to signify creation of a new Snapshot. Select the functions to include in the Snapshot using any of the following methods: System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 125 Individual Function or Channel Parameter Press a Strip function’s parameter key or switch to select only that parameter (i.e., High EQ, fader on/off, etc.). – or – Current Knobset Function Press the Knobset Select switch at the top right of the Strip or the Func Sel switch (to the left of the * key) to select all parameters for the current knobset function in the current channel (Main or Swap).
Page 126: Scene Automation
Scene List The Scene List is shown on the CM401T. Navigate the Scene List and change properties without recalling the scene using the Next and Prev buttons. CM401T Scene List System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 127 Scenes Panel To access the Scene Panel, press the Scenes key on the CM401T Main Panel. If there are no Scenes, press New or Ins to create one to edit. The Scene List shows the currently selected parameters. To edit parameter values, press the button to the right of the Scene parameter displayed (see figure above).
Page 128 A knob or fader can glide but a switch can not. For example: If a fader is currently down and its ON switch is inactive (off), and a Snapshot has the fader up and its ON switch is active, the fader first moves up, then the switch turns on, so the glide is inaudible. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 129: Chapter 11. Linking (S5P Only)
Chapter 11: Linking (S5P Only) Multiple parameters can be linked such that altering one of them affects them all. Relative offsets are retained between linked con- tinuous controls (fader, EQ, frequency, etc.) so moving any member of a linked group causes all other members to track the mag- nitude of that move relative to their start position.
Page 130: Link Suspend
Hold down the Wave key and press the joystick’s Link key (or the Link key on any of the selected channels) to exit Link mode. The joystick Link key stays lit to indicate it controls the Link. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 131 To set up a Link from the joystick with existing channel Links: Hold down the Wave key and the press the joystick’s Link key. The Link key flashes and the joystick displays ?? in the channel display to indicate Link mode. Press the Link key on any channel already in a Link.
Page 132 System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 133: Chapter 12. Dynamic Automation (S5P Only)
Chapter 12: Dynamic Automation (S5P Only) System 5’s dynamic automation records and plays back the movements and settings of the console faders, knobs, and switches. Each parameter displays its automation read/write status with dedicated status LEDs. System 5 provides utilities to easily rehearse au- tomation settings before committing to recording them.
Page 134: Automation Interface
Preview Glid e Suspend Auto Capture Preview Joi n Punch Punch Join Capture Preview Fill Fill to Region Punch Fill Fill Auto Match Al l Undo Redo Match Center Section Automation Panel System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 135 Automation LEDs The figure below shows the fader, switch, and knob automation interfaces. Each automated parameter has two status LEDs: • The red LED (right) indicates the parameter is in Write mode. • The green LED (left) indicates the parameter is in Read mode. Top of Strip Knobset Select/Punch switch...
Page 136: Automation Modes
Write Absolute The parameter can record and replay Absolute automation. The red LED flashes while recording. The parameter also plays Trim automation, if it exists, but the indicator reflects the Absolute level. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 137 Write Trim A knob or fader set to Write Trim mode and punched into record for the first time moves to the null trim position at 0 dB. A trim range of ±15 dB can augment the Absolute value. Trim settings are maintained separately from Absolute values unless they are merged.
Page 138: Assigning An Automation Mode
Knobset Select/Punch keys While the Write Abs key is still flashing, other individual Strip functions can be set to Write Absolute mode. When finished, press the Write Abs key again so it stops flashing. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 139 Strip Mode/Strip Function To assign an automation mode selected on the Strip to an entire function or individual parameters on a Strip: Hold down the Strip’s Wave key and press its Select/Punch key. The popup menu above the Strip displays automation modes. The current mode is highlighted in green. Press the Select/Punch key until the desired mode is highlighted green.
Page 140: Recording Automation
Write Record Write Ready Ready Write Record Write Ready Ready Can be manually Moves will be Can be manually operated recorded operated Time Time Knob (left) and fader (right) punch record methods System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 141 Additional Fader Punch Record Methods • To record a flat move without touching the fader, punch the fader in and out with the fader Select/Punch key (left of figure below). Flash Punch Punch Punch Release to Punch Out Write Record Write Write Record...
Page 142: Playing Back Automation
These conditions initiate the Read Suspended state: The green LED flashes rapidly and the new knob moves or switch states are audible but not recorded. This is an effective method of rehearsing automation moves without changing modes. Press the Select/Punch key again to return to Read mode. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 143: Modifying Automation
Isolate In Isolate mode, parameters do not play or record automation, but can be manually adjusted. Write Trim Playing back Trim automation for an Aux knob or fader has the following behavior: • If the control is in Write Trim mode, it indicates the Trim level of the recorded automation, while the audio reflects the total level (Absolute + Trim).
Page 144 Toggling the Glide settings is closely related to setting the automation mode. Continuing to hold down the Wave key and repeatedly pressing the Func Select key cycles through the automation modes. To toggle the Glide setting, press the Func Select key once and then release both keys. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 145 Setting Auto and Manual Glide Times To set the Auto Glide time in the Automation Panel: From the Main Panel, press the Automation button to display Automation Panel Page 1. Enter a timecode into the locate time display using the center section numeric keypad. The entire time must be entered, beginning with frames.
Page 146: Fill Features
The Fill features make it unnecessary to do a complete initial pass just to write settings throughout the mix; the engineer can re- cord only necessary moves. It is sometimes desirable, though, to write nominal values in all, or selected areas of the mix. System 5’s Fill utilities accomplish this: AutoFill, Fill Start, Fill End, Fill Region, and Fill to Punch.
Page 147 AutoFill AutoFill writes the value at the punch-in point back to the beginning of the mix (or previous punch-out point) and to the end of the mix (or next punch-in point). AutoFill can only be used during a parameter’s first automation pass, which ends when the recorder stops;...
Page 148 Set all Fader On switches to Write Absolute mode for channels that should not be active at the song start. Punch in, mute the On switch and punch out just before the song actually starts. This mutes the channel back to the Title start. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 149 Fill End Press the Fill End key in the center section automation panel. The Fill End key flashes. Punch in the parameter and adjust the control. Punch out and the level at that time is written to the end of the mix. The Fill End key stops flashing indicating it is no longer active.
Page 150: Automation Performance Utilities
Preview level. The parameter will punch in at the Preview level regardless of the state of the Suspend Preview key. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 151 Punch Preview Press the Punch Preview key to punch in all parameters in Preview mode at the level set when punched out in the Preview pass. Activating the Punch Preview key automatically illuminates the Suspend Preview key. Knobs and Switches Punching in a knob or switch set to Write Absolute (or Write Trim for the knob) with Preview On permits manual changes to the pa- rameter, but ignores underlying automation.
Page 152 All Match All Match punches out all parameters currently recording and glides/snaps them back to their underlying automation value. Auto Match Auto Match automatically snaps to the underlying automation when the recorder stops. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 153: Synchronizing Automation With An External Device
TC Lock TC Lock sets the elapsed time before System 5 locks to the incoming timecode. This setting accounts for the time required by the tape deck to ramp up to its playback speed. If the console locks to the signal before the playback speed stabilizes, the automation will not properly synchronize with the audio on the tape.
Page 154: Automation Management
• Pass 8 is derived from Pass 5, not from Pass 7. Passes 6 and 7, like Pass 3, have been saved, but the user decided to continue with a different path. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 155 Prune Tree Pruning the mix tree deletes all passes that are not in the direct line from the first to the last pass. In the figure above, passes 3, 6, and 7 would be deleted but the existing numbers are retained. This frees up space and simplifies complicated trees. Prune the tree only when you are sure you will not need the information in those passes.
Page 156 From the bottom of the eMix screen, press the Conform tab to display the Conform screen. Each entry is a note that appears in chronological order, and consists of: Start Time, Duration, End Time, Operation, and Total Change. Conform screen System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 157 Hot Keys Tab and Shift+Tab Moves to next/previous field. This may trigger time fields to be calculated and displayed Arrow Up/down Moves to the previous/next entry Page Up/Down Scrolls up/down the list by one page Home/End Scrolls to the top/bottom of the list Shift+Page Up/Down Scrolls to the top/bottom of the list Operation Types...
Page 158 Notes are not automatically cleared after a Conform operation. Store Notes Stores the current notes using a Windows file interface. Recall Notes Recalls a notes file into the current screen using a Windows file interface. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 159 Executing the Conform Operation After all notes have been entered and verified, press the Conform button at the bottom-center of the screen. The Execute Conform dialog appears to confirm that you want to proceed. This realigns the automation with the edited film. Execute Conform dialog Each Conform operation adds a new pass to the Pass Tree.
Page 160 System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 161: Chapter 13. Gpi/O Event System
The TT002 provides 32 GPIOs on two 37-pin DC-type connectors. The GP inputs are opto-isolated, and the GP outputs are relays. See the System 5 Installation Guide for GPIO pin-out information. Two TT002 cards can be used for 64 GPIOs, but only one can work as a machine controller.
Page 162: Input Types
Stereo Aux Pre/Post Out Play Stop Transport Ctrl Fast Forward Rewind Record Take Scene Scene # Event Changeover Changeover Normal Start Channel # Activation Level (dB) On Air End Channel # Activation State (Mute/UnMute) System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 163: Output Types
Output Types GP Output Types, Settings, and Activation Values Output Type Settings Activation Values Monitor A Monitor B Monitor C Control Room Monitor D Control Room Cut Control Room Dim Relay Output #: (1–32) Pulse length (0 to latch): 0 to 1000 ms Machine: GP132 One Open...
Page 164: Logical Operators
To display the Events configuration screen, click the Events tab at the bottom of the eMix screen. The Events screen has three sections: Inputs, Event List, and Outputs. See “GPI Examples” on page 158. Event Configuration Window System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 165: Event List
Event List An event is composed of: • an input description and type; – and – • a logical operator; – and – • an output description and type. To add an event to the list: Click the <click to add event> field at the bottom of the Description column. Click in the Description field, and type a description.
Page 166: Deleting Events
Select OR as the logical operator from the menu. Under Input, click on the <click to add input> field. The Add Input Event dialog appears. Select Fader from the menu and click OK. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 167 Configure the Input Properties to the following settings: Channel # Activation level (dB) Activation Type Below Repeat steps 3–5 for any additional channel faders, but set the Channel # in step 5 to the new channel number. Under Output, click on the <click to add output> field. The Add Output Event dialog appears.
Page 168 Configure the Input Properties to the following settings: Input Active State Machine TT002 Under Output, click the <click to add output> field. The Add Output Event dialog appears. Select Switch Output from the menu and click OK. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 169 Configure the Output Properties to the following settings: Channel # Switch Function Channel Activation Value To have a video switcher turn a specific camera mic channel off: In the Event Configuration window, under Event List, click on the <click to add event> field. The Add Event dialog appears.
Page 170 Audio Follow Video This example has four cameras, each with a microphone, configured with a video switcher, TT002 GP Input, and System 5 console. We want to implement the following functionality: • When the video switcher takes camera 1, channel 1’s audio is on while channels 2–4 are muted.
Page 171 = off for each. Now when the video switcher selects camera 1, System 5’s channel 1 turns on and channels 2–4 mute. Repeat the steps above to program channel 2 to turn on when the video switcher selects camera 2, and mute channels 1, 3, and 4.
Page 172 System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 173: Chapter 14. Cm403 Film/Post Module (S5 Only)
The CM403 fulfills the requirements for a traditional PEC/Direct monitoring system for the post-production environment. It can be used in single- and multi-operator System 5 consoles. Up to four Post Panels can be installed in a single system. The CM403’s form factor is the same as other CM40x control modules.
Page 174: The Film Panel
The Film Panel is divided into two distinct parts: the traditional PEC/DIR panel on the left, and an additional utility panel to the right. The right panel duplicates most of the CM401T’s monitoring and setup functions. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 175 The PEC/DIR Panel This panel houses the traditional paddles used for PEC/DIR, Bus/Playback, or Bus/Tape switching. The second set of paddles are used to put tracks into record. There are eight paddle strips, with associated switches above them, and a master control strip. Bus/Tape switching on the paddles is consistent with the Dir/Ret CR Source switching on the CM401T (see “Monitoring”...
Page 176 Exp/Sel switch. Ctrl Down Talk Solo - allows user to solo externals and monitor sources. Scroll keys- scrolls the displays to allow access to more than 8 bus-sections or externals. Monitor Utility Section System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 177 Speaker Re-Assign The system automatically sends mix busses to the correct monitor bus based on the bus format. For example, when monitoring FX1, the left bus of the section is automatically sent to the left monitor bus. It is sometimes necessary to override this assignment and send a mix bus to a different monitor bus than was intended.
Page 178 M o m Spkrs Spkrs Monitor Alt 2 Insert Spkrs S u m I / C Rec's S a f e Ext's Spkr Lock Asgn Fold Solo Ctrl Down Talk Solo Safe System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 179 CM403 TFT Display The TFT displays meters and an overview of the monitor bus assignments. Metering Display The meters track what is currently assigned to the paddles. The send and return for each bus are displayed on separate meters. At the top level, where the paddles are assigned to the bus sections, eight meters can be displayed for each of the mix busses within the section.
Page 180: Dual Joystick Panel
Assign a channel to the joystick with the same key strokes used to assign a channel to a strip (see page 69). Joystick Assign Mode The Joystick Assign Mode is in Strip Config Panel Page 3 (see below). Strip Config 3 Joystick Assign Mode Cycle Direct Assign 402 Cycle Joystick Assign Mode System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 181 Cycle Selecting a channel using the Wave key assigns it to the left joystick. Selecting a second channel within 2.5 s assigns it to the right joystick. Direct Assign Hold a channel’s Wave key down and select Pan To: to assign that channel to the left joystick. Hold the Wave key down and select the Pan knobset key to assign the channel to the right joystick.
Page 182: Multi-Operator Console
Multi-Operator Console System 5’s multi-operator post environment creates one large console that can operated by multiple engineers. In reality, each section is a unique System 5 console, which supports a maximum number of channels per operator. The Mix and Solo busses are normally linked across the consoles, while the Aux and Group busses are not. In a two-operator system, one console usually handles the FX, and the other music and dialogue.
Page 183: Track Arming
Machine Control Film environments often require both operators to share control over the machines. A single synchronizer (such as a CB RM6 or SoundMaster) can combine the machine control commands from two consoles. third-party synchronizer TT003 RS422 TT003 RS422 System Computer System Computer Slave Master...
Page 184 System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 185: Chapter 15. Hybrid Pilot And System 5 Fusion Options
Chapter 15: Hybrid Pilot and System 5 Fusion Options The Hybrid option supports controlling EUCON-enabled workstations from the System 5 control surface. It requires a SC254H Pilot computer and is appropriate for larger applications that use a separate DF66 or DF70 to handle DSP.
Page 186 System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 187: Appendix A. Compliance Information
Appendix A: Compliance Information Environmental Compliance EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance) Avid declares that this product complies with the following standards regulating Disposal of Waste Equipment by Users in the emissions and immunity: • FCC Part 15 Class A European Union • EN55103-1 E4 •...
Page 188: Safety Compliance
Warning! To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture. 16) For products containing a lithium battery: CAUTION! Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type. System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System User Guide...
Page 190 Avid Technical Support (USA) Product Information 2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard Visit the Online Support Center at For company and product information, Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USA www.avid.com/support visit us on the web at www.avid.com...

Avid Technology System 5 User Manual

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. Quickstart to Common Tasks

Chapter 3. Emix Application

Chapter 4. CM401T Master Section

Chapter 5. CM402T Expanded Channel Module

Chapter 6. Channels and Strips

Chapter 7. Busses and Bus Masters

Chapter 8. Machine Control (S5P Only)

Chapter 9. Control Groups and Multi Format Masters

Chapter 10. Layouts and Snapshots

Chapter 11. Linking (S5P Only)

Chapter 12. Dynamic Automation (S5P Only)

Chapter 13. GPI/O Event System

Chapter 14. CM403 Film/Post Module (S5 Only)

Chapter 15. Hybrid Pilot and System 5 Fusion Options

Appendix A. Compliance Information

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