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Audio Perfect™ 800
Installation & Operations Manual
Perfect Communication through Technology, Service, and Education.
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Summary of Contents for Gentner Audio Perfect 800

  • Page 1 Audio Perfect™ 800 Installation & Operations Manual Perfect Communication through Technology, Service, and Education.
  • Page 2 Gentner Part No. 800-150-001 February 2000 (Rev. 1.1) ©2000 by Gentner Communications Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means without written permission from Gentner Communications Corporation. Printed in the United States of America.
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    able of Contents 1. Introduction ........5 Warranty Registration .
  • Page 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS 3. Appendices .........39 Appendix A Specifications .
  • Page 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Figure 26. Hold time Diagram ..............28 Figure 27.
  • Page 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS TECHNICAL SUPPORT: 1.800.283.5936 (USA) OR 1.801.974.3760...
  • Page 7: Introduction

    INTRODUCTION • AUDIO PERFECT 800 Introduction Audio Perfect 800 Congratulations on purchasing the Audio Perfect 800 (AP800) distributed echo cancelling, audio processing, microphone mixing matrix. Communication media such as voice mail, the Internet, conference calling, videoconferencing and electronic presentation are driving the demand for better audio-communication technologies.
  • Page 8: Warranty Registration

    Worldwide Web Page @ http://www.gentner.com tech2@gentner.com Warranty Registration Please register your Audio Perfect™ product online by visiting Gentner Technical Support at the World Wide Web address listed above. When your product is properly registered, Gentner Communications will be able to serve you better should you require technical assistance or desire to receive upgrades, new product information, etc.
  • Page 9: Features And Benefits

    INTRODUCTION • FEATURES AND BENEFITS Features and Benefits Distributed Echo Cancellation™ technology; each microphone has its own echo canceller for a total of eight echo cancellers per unit Plug-and-play echo cancellation 100 percent digital signal processing (DSP) Simultaneous direct connection to several video codecs and telephone lines (using AP10 Telephone Interfaces) Two internal submixing buses used for mixing and level control in sound-reinforcement systems...
  • Page 10: Applications

    INTRODUCTION • APPLICATIONS Applications The AP800 contains many unique features that make the AP800 easier to set up and use. Specific user programming capabilities tailor-make AP800 functionality to suit almost any application, including audioconferencing, videoconferencing, distance learning, boardrooms, conference rooms, teletraining, telemedicine, courtrooms, and hotel/convention centers.
  • Page 11: Installation And Setup

    Figure 1. Equipment Ensure that the equipment shown in Figure 1 was received with your shipment. Inspect your shipment for damage. Gentner Communications is not responsible for product damage incurred during shipment. You must make claims directly with the carrier.
  • Page 12 INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • FRONT PANEL 1. LCD. The two-line, 16-character-per-line LCD display is used for AP800 setup and level adjustments in conjunction with the four associated front-panel buttons [2, 3 and 4]. Functions that can be accessed via the front-panel LCD include setup, programming, troubleshooting, and numeric audio level and gain readouts.
  • Page 13: Rear Panel

    Phoenix push-on connector(s). 6. G-Link In. This RJ45 connector is part of the AP800 RS485 LAN. The first Gentner unit in the local G-Link network must have the G-LINK IN connector terminated with a G-Link terminator. The first Gentner unit’s G-LINK OUT connector is then attached to the G-LINK IN connector on the next Gentner unit, forming a daisy-chain network.
  • Page 14: G-Link Networking

    7. G-Link Out. This RJ45 connector is part of the AP800 RS485 LAN. The allow interconnection of up last Gentner unit in the local G-Link network must have the G-LINK OUT to eight AP800s and 16 connector terminated with a G-Link terminator. The first Gentner unit’s AP10s.
  • Page 15: Distributed Echo Cancellation Tm

    G-Link EC Reference Bus. Network Requirements The G-Link (RS485 LAN), gives you the ability to interconnect the AP800 with multiple Gentner units (additional AP800s or AP10s). The maximum distance between interconnected Gentner units is 20 feet. Gentner Communications recommends that category five twisted-pair (10BaseT LAN) cable be used.
  • Page 16: Figure 4. Room Acoustics Diagram

    INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • ROOM ACOUSTICS Air Vent Speaker Microphone Directly related to the room’s acoustic make up are several problems Figure 4. Room Acoustics common to all conferencing and broadcast situations: reverberation, acoustic echo and ambient noise. The objective is to minimize the impact that these conditions have on your audioconference.
  • Page 17: Microphone Selection

    INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • MICROPHONE SELECTION Conference Room Layout Figure 5 is a block diagram of a basic audioconferencing installation using the AP800. The AP800 mixes microphone audio, cancels echo and directs the audio to a video codec and AP10 Telephone Interface. Audio from the video codec and the telephone line is routed to the AP800 and sent to the speaker(s).
  • Page 18: Microphone Placement

    INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • REQUIREMENTS Microphone Placement One of the most effective ways to minimize the problems encountered with audioconferencing is to position the speakers and microphones so that you achieve the maximum amount of acoustic isolation (isolation between loud speaker audio and microphone audio). This can be accomplished using unidirectional microphones and placing the loud speaker out of the optimum pickup area (see Figure 6).
  • Page 19: Equipment Placement

    INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • INSTALL ATION Equipment Placement The AP800 is designed for mounting in a 19" equipment rack. Do not block any of the ventilation holes. With a desktop kit, it can be modified for tabletop placement. Environmental Requirements The AP800 can be safely operated in a room with varying temperatures between 32°...
  • Page 20: Step 1 - Back Panel Connections

    INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS Step 1 — Back Panel Connections Power The power module [1] (See Figure 8, left; Figure 9, below) will accommodate an AC voltage-input of 100–240Vac, 50/60Hz, 30W. Figure 8. Power Plug Figure 9. Rear Panel Connectors Output A–D Connect up to four line-level outputs [2] to external equipment (video codecs, AP10 Telephone Interfaces, VCRs, video codecs, AP10...
  • Page 21: Step 2 - G-Link Connections

    Note: If the Gentner units to be networked are stacked vertically, connect them using the short RJ45 jumper (provided). When networking between Gentner units (maximum distance, 20 feet), Figure 16.
  • Page 22: Step 3-Device Id

    The first Gentner unit’s G-LINK OUT connector [7] (see Figure 9) is then Connection attached to the G-LINK IN [6] connector on the next Gentner unit in the chain. At the end of the network, the final Gentner unit attached must have the G-LINK OUT connector [7] terminated with a G-Link terminator as well.
  • Page 23: Step 4 - Mixer Mode

    INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • MIXER MODE eight (0–7) options. When the desired device ID is visible, press ENTER to select it. DEVICE ID CONFLICT NOTE: If the same DEVICE ID is assigned to more than one unit on the G-Link network, Meter LED “+12”...
  • Page 24: Lcd Programming

    INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • LCD PROGRAMMING DUAL MIXER NOTE: A dual-mixer AP800 acts as a closed system (See Figure 19). This parameter cannot be used if the unit is to link audio with other AP800 units on the G-Link network within a single system. When using the dual mixer parameter, a single AP800 unit can be used as two distinct mic mixers, allotting mics 1–4 and outputs 1–4/A–B to one mixer, and mics 5–8 and outputs 5–8/C–D to the second mixer.
  • Page 25: Figure 20. Lcd Menu Tree

    The menu trees are structured in levels, such that the first level (top of the tree) branches into multiple subcategories. These branches typically end when an adjustable parameter or viewable value is reached (see Figure 20). Power-Up Screen Gentner AP800 Version 1.0 System Inputs Outputs...
  • Page 26: Security

    INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • SYSTEM PARAMETERS adjusted, you should be able to hear the difference as it changes. To store the new value, press ENTER. To discard the change and revert back to the old value, press ESC. If a category button is pressed while a parameter is being adjusted, the LCD will prompt for the new information to be saved or discarded before switching to another menu category.
  • Page 27: System Parameters

    INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • SYSTEM PARAMETERS System Parameters There are eight system-level parameters (See Figure 21, previous page) with which an AP800 can be programmed: select preset, lock panel, set passcode, device ID, unit ID number, mixer mode, gate parameters, and RS232.
  • Page 28: Figure 23. Gate Parameters Lcd Submenu

    ON microphones as they speak. This mode can be turned on (default) or off by selecting the option and pressing ENTER. Gentner Communications recommends leaving this feature ON. TECHNICAL SUPPORT: 1.800.283.5936 (USA) OR 1.801.974.3760...
  • Page 29: Figure 24. Pa Adaptive Mode Diagram

    First Mic Priority. This feature helps maintain maximum audio intelligibility by only allowing one microphone to gate ON when one person is speaking. Gentner Communications recommends leaving this setting ON. When turned OFF, usually two or more microphones gate on when only one person speaks. However, when this parameter is turned ON, one person will usually be able to gate ON only one microphone.
  • Page 30: Figure 25. Off Attenuation Diagram

    INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • SYSTEM PARAMETERS Microphone On Attenuation Microphone Off Noise Floor Figure 25. Off Attenuation Hold Time. This feature determines the length of time that a microphone remains ON after the microphone audio level drops below the gate ratio (Figure 26, below). Values range from 0. 1 –8.0 seconds in one-tenth of a second increments.
  • Page 31 INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • SYSTEM PARAMETERS Decay Rate. This feature determines how fast a microphone gates OFF after the hold time expires (see Figure 27). Three options are available for this feature: slow (default), medium, and fast. Microphone On Microphone Off Figure 27.
  • Page 32 INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • SYSTEM PARAMETERS ADAPTIVE/MANUAL AMBIENT NOTE: Any combination of channels may be set in adaptive ambient or manual ambient modes. Only individual channels cannot be set with both modes active. RS232 There are four RS232 parameters that can be adjusted via the front panel LCD (see Figure 28).
  • Page 33: Input Parameters

    LEDs "3" and "8" will flash green. If the error is caused by outgoing data, LEDs "3" and "7" will flash green. Call Gentner Tech Support for help correcting this error. Timeout The AP800 has one additional system mode called TIMEOUT. This parameter may be adjusted via the RS232 port only, either using the Audio Perfect TM Tools or the TOUT command (see page 70).
  • Page 34 INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • INPUT PARAMETERS to gate the microphone on or off as per parameters set elsewhere in this submenu (i.e. gate ratio, etc.). Manual on activates a microphone unit until it is manually deactivated. Manual off deactivates a microphone until it is manually activated.
  • Page 35 INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • INPUT PARAMETERS Level Level The actual ambient noise in the The actual ambient noise in the room room changes slo wly over time changes by a large amount over a allowing the AP800 to adapt to the short period of time making it ambient level changes.
  • Page 36: Output Parameters

    There are two parameters that can be set: subbus 1 and subbus 2. Each gain can be adjusted in dB. Power-Up Screen Gentner AP800 Output Parameters Version 1.0 There are two main submenus under the outputs menu tree: output 1–8, and output A, B, C, D.
  • Page 37 INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • OUTPUT PARAMETERS O u t p u t s G - L i n k O u t p u t s S u b - b u s Routing Matrix Setup S1 S2 From CODEC Receive Input A From AP10 Receive Input B...
  • Page 38 INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • ECHO CANCELL ATION Echo Cancellation Setup EC Reference 1, 2. The EC reference tells the microphones which out- put will be used as the sample reference for echo cancellation. EC REF 1 (default) references Output D (typically used for connection to a power amp and speaker).
  • Page 39: Meter Parameters

    INSTALL ATION AND SETUP • ECHO CANCELL ATION Slave Unit Because the slave unit will not be using one of its own outputs as the EC reference, “EC Ref #1” must be defined as the “G-Link EC Ref” only (as shown in Figure 37). The slave unit will then use the master’s defined output (in this case, Output D) as its reference for echo cancellation.
  • Page 40: Operation

    REMOTE CONTROL NOTE: Gentner Communications recommends use of a custom remote controller for user interface. Refer to the manufacturer’s documentation for your particular custom remote controller. All other functionality requiring direct interface with the equipment is contained in other parts of the Audio Perfect™...
  • Page 41: Appendices

    APPENDICES • APPENDIX A: SPECIFICATIONS Appendices Appendix A: Specifications Dimensions 19"/48.3cm x 1.75"/4.45cm x 10"/25.4cm (WxHxD) Weight 10 lbs./4.5kg dry 13 lbs./5.9kg shipping Connectors POWER: Auto-adjusting power module; 100-240Vac; 50/60Hz; (fuse) 2 amp 250Vac, 30W typical RS232: DB9 female, selectable 9,600/19,200/38,400 (bps) baud CONTROL/ DB25 female;...
  • Page 42 APPENDICES • APPENDIX A: SPECIFICATIONS Frequency Response: 20Hz to 15kHz +2dB SNR: >65dB referenced at 0dBu input, 0dBm output THD: <. 1 % Outputs Removable Phoenix block connector, 0dBu nominal, adjustable, balanced bridging; impedance 50 ohms (designed to drive >600 ohm inputs) Frequency Response: 20Hz to 15kHz +2dB SNR:...
  • Page 43: Warranty

    Appendix B: Warranty and Warranty Compliance Gentner Communications Corporation (Manufacturer) warrants that this product is free of defects in both materials and workmanship. Should any part of this equipment be defective, the Manufacturer agrees, at its option, to: A. Repair or replace any defective part free of charge (except trans-...
  • Page 44: Fcc Part 15 Compliance

    Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Gentner Communications Corporation could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
  • Page 45: Glossary

    APPENDICES • APPENDIX C: GLOSSARY Appendix C: Glossary In order to gain a better understanding of the AP800 and how it operates, you should be familiar with several terms associated with automatic microphone mixers: Adaptive Ambient. This portion of the mixer monitors the varying ambient noise level in the room and changes the threshold level at which a microphone gates on.
  • Page 46 APPENDICES • APPENDIX D: CONNECTOR PINOUTS Table 2: Control/Status A Port Pinout Pin Number User Definable* Status Momentary/Latching Default Description Lock front panel toggle Status of front panel lock Mute all mics toggle Status of mute all mics Mute A output toggle Status of A output mute Mute B output toggle Status of B output mute...
  • Page 47: Applications

    APPENDICES • APPENDIX E: APPLICATIONS Pin Number User Definable* Status Momentary/Latching Default Description Input B Presence Status Input C Presence Status Input D Presence Status No connection No connection +5Vdc +5Vdc Ground *Control/Status Pinout Note: The first 16 pins on each of the Control/Status Ports (A & B) are programmable via the AP Tools software and/or direct serial port commands For more information on pin programming, see Appendix G, pages 50 and 67.
  • Page 48 APPENDICES • APPENDIX E: APPLICATIONS Control System Speakers or PC (Optional) External Power Amp AP800 Logic Out Status and Control Video CODEC G-Link Terminator Tape Player (Optional) Analog Telephone Line AP10 OLT AGE RANGE 100v-240V 2A FREQUENCY 50Hz/60Hz TELCO RECEIVE TRANSMIT LINE G-LINK...
  • Page 49 APPENDICES • APPENDIX E: APPLICATIONS Also commonly used in a teleconferencing scenario are Gentner’s Assistive Listening System (ALS) products: RX-1A Assistive Listening Receiver, RX-6 Assistive Listening Receiver, TX-37A Transmitter. For more information on these products, contact Gentner Communications at one of the numbers listed at the bottom of the page.
  • Page 50 AP800s, other equipment used in previously described conferencing applications is not necessary. If your courtroom application requires communication with an off-site location, the configuration shown in Figure 41 is a possible setup using Gentner equipment for multisite communication. G-Link Terminator...
  • Page 51 APPENDICES • APPENDIX E: APPLICATIONS Convention Center/Hotel Dividable Meeting Rooms Gentner equipment supports meetings set up for panel discussions in conference centers and hotels. This type of meeting requires a different setup than that of a business meeting or distance-learning application.
  • Page 52: Accessories

    APPENDICES • APPENDIX F: ACCESSORIES Appendix F: Accessories Accessory Gentner Part Number AP10 Telephone Interface 910-150-201 Tabletop Omni Microphone 910-103-160 (with cable) Tabletop Uni Microphone 910-103-161 (with cable) Tabletop Omni Microphone 910-103-162 (black button)/ 910-103-163 (white button) Tabletop Uni Microphone...
  • Page 53 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS Command Syntax All command lines will be set off by the flag symbol “O”. The serial command line that follows the “O” uses the following typographic conventions: <X> Parameters enclosed in “< >” indicate a mandatory parameter Parameters enclosed in “[ ]”...
  • Page 54 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS Table 4. AP800 Serial Commands Command Function Command Function AAMB Enable/disable adaptive ambient* MDMODE Enable/disable modem mode Enable/disable AGC* Set/report three-band equalization* AMBLVL Set/report ambient level Enable/disable high-pass filter* BAUD Set/report RS232 port baud rate MINIT Set/report modem initialization string CHAIRO...
  • Page 55 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS This command changes or reports back the state of the AGC for a microphone or line input. " [DEVICE] AGC <CH> <X> Explanation <CH> CH= 1-8 Parameter to apply to the specified microphone channel CH= A-D Parameter to apply to the specified line input CH= * Parameter to apply command to all microphone channels <X>...
  • Page 56 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS Return Values The command will return the updated condition (1=9,600 baud, 2=19,200 baud, 3=38,400 baud) of the RS232 baud rate in the same format as the command. CHAIRO This command changes or reports back the state of the chairman override for a microphone channel.
  • Page 57 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS <W> W= I Parameter to specify an input channel W= O Parameter to specify an output channel Return Values The command will return the current default meter in the same format as the command. This command changes or reports back the state of the echo canceller for a microphone "...
  • Page 58 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS Return Values The command will return the ERLE of the microphone channel in the same format as the command (#10 ERLE 1 20). This command changes or reports back the state of the equalizer for a microphone "...
  • Page 59 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS Return Values The command will return the updated condition (On=1, Off=0) of first mic priority mode in the same format as the command. This command selects or returns the status of the first microphone priority mode for the AP800. "...
  • Page 60 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS CH= 1-2 Parameter to apply to select the subbus channel CH= * Parameter to apply command to all microphone channels <W> W=S Parameter to set subbus W=I Parameter to set input W= O Parameter to set output <X>...
  • Page 61 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS GMODE This command changes or reports back the gating mode for a microphone. " [DEVICE] GMODE <CH> <X> Explanation <CH> CH= 1-8 Parameter to apply to the specified microphone channel CH= * Parameter to apply command to all microphone channels <X>...
  • Page 62 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS Explanation <X> X=0 Parameter to unlock the front panel. X=1 Parameter to lock the front panel X=2 Parameter to toggle the state from one state to the other (regardless of current state) X=Null Parameter to return the current state of the front panel Return Values The command will return the updated condition of the front panel.
  • Page 63 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS Explanation <X> X=1 Parameter to designate the AP800 as master-single X=2 Parameter to designate the AP800 as dual mixer X=3 Parameter to designate the AP800 as slave X=4 Parameter to designate the AP800 as master-linked X=Null Parameter to return the current mode Return Values The command will return the updated condition of the mixer in the same format as the command.
  • Page 64 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS This command changes or reports back the state of the high pass filter for a microphone " [DEVICE] MHP <CH> <X> Explanation <CH> CH= 1-8 Parameter to apply to the specified microphone channel CH= * Parameter to apply command to all microphone channels <X>...
  • Page 65 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS Return Values The command will return the updated condition of the gain applied in the same format as the command. MMAX This command changes or reports back the setting for the maximum number of microphones on each AP800.
  • Page 66 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS Return Values The command will return the updated condition of the echo canceller reference in the same format as the command. MTRX This command programs or reports the configuration of where an input is routed. The data is in a hex format.
  • Page 67 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS Example 2 The following command routes MIC INPUT 1 POST GATE audio to OUTPUTS A, B, and C, and to the G-LINK X-BUS. MTRX 1 4700 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 Hex=4700 Example 2: OUTPUTMIX Matrix Return Values...
  • Page 68 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS This command changes or reports back the state of the nonlinear processing for a microphone. " DEVICE] NLP <CH> <X> Explanation <CH> CH= 1-8 Parameter to apply to the specified microphone channel CH= * Parameter to apply command to all microphone channels <X>...
  • Page 69 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS Return Values The command will return the updated value of off attenuation in the same format as the command. This command selects or returns the current status of the PA adaptive mode. " [DEVICE] PAA <X> Explanation <X>...
  • Page 70 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS <COMMAND> COMMAND=String Pin will execute string when actuated COMMAND=Null Parameter to return the current programming for the pin COMMAND=Clear Parameter to clear current programming (do nothing state) COMMAND LIST: LFP, PRESET, MUTE, GAIN, AGC, EQ, GMODE, CHAIRO Return Values The command will return the updated condition of the pin in the same format as the command.
  • Page 71 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS Return Values The command will return the updated condition of the pin in the same format as the command. If the command did not alter the state, the command returns the current event for which the pin is programmed.
  • Page 72 APPENDICES • APPENDIX G: SERIAL PORT COMMANDS Explanation <X> X=1 Parameter to select the EC Reference 1 X=2 Parameter to select the EC Reference 2 X=3 Parameter to select the G-Link EC Ref bus <OUTPUT> OUTPUT=1-8 Parameter to select 1-8 as the EC reference OUTPUT=A-D Parameter to select A-D as the EC reference OUTPUT=E Parameter to select G-Link EC Ref bus as the EC Reference OUTPUT=F Parameter to select none...
  • Page 73: Worksheets And Diagrams

    APPENDICES • APPENDIX H: WORKSHEETS AND DIAGRAMS Appendix H: Worksheets and Diagrams Figure 43. Routing Matrix Worksheet TECHNICAL SUPPORT: 1.800.283.5936 (USA) OR 1.801.974.3760...
  • Page 74 APPENDICES • APPENDIX H: WORKSHEETS AND DIAGRAMS Figure 44. Programming Worksheet TECHNICAL SUPPORT: 1.800.283.5936 (USA) OR 1.801.974.3760...
  • Page 75 APPENDICES • APPENDIX H: WORKSHEETS AND DIAGRAMS Figure 45. AP800 Block Diagram TECHNICAL SUPPORT: 1.800.283.5936 (USA) OR 1.801.974.3760...
  • Page 76 Perfect Communication through Technology, Service, and Education.™ Gentner Communications Corporation 1825 Research Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119 Phone: 1.800.945.7730 USA/+1.801.975.7200 FAX: +1.801.977.0087 www.gentner.com Manual Part No. 800-150-001 Rev. 1. 1...

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