Audessence ALPS-1-IP Installation & Operation Manual
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Audessence ALPS-1-IP Installation & Operation Manual

Audio level processing system
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Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual
Audessence
Audessence ALPS-1-IP
Installation & Operation manual
ALPS-1-IP Manual [Version 4.00] 2013-03-25
Audessence Ltd, 64 Kimberley Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 4EP, United Kingdom
info@audessence.com
Tel (UK) 0330 6600 108 :: (Int'l) +44 330 6600 108 ::
Email:
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  • Page 1 Audessence Audessence ALPS-1-IP Installation & Operation manual ALPS-1-IP Manual [Version 4.00] 2013-03-25 Audessence Ltd, 64 Kimberley Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 4EP, United Kingdom info@audessence.com Tel (UK) 0330 6600 108 :: (Int'l) +44 330 6600 108 :: Email: Page 1 of 45...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Risk of Electric Shock if cover removed ...........4 Warning Symbols ...............4 Other Safety Instructions .............4 Conformity .................6 Quickstart Guide ................7 Installing the Audessence Controller Software........10 Software Modes ............... 10 Connections ................11 Input / Output Setup ..............12 Input Levels ................13 Output Levels .................
  • Page 3 Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Contact Us ................40 Appendix 1 ................41 Control via Text Commands ............41 Log In ................... 41 Timeout ................41 Appendix 2 – ASCII Text Commands Reference ........42 ASCII commands available to all access levels ......42 ASCII Commands available to ‘User’...

  • Page 4: Safety Information

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Safety Information Risk of Electric Shock if cover removed CAUTION To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover. No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel. Warning Symbols The above symbol alerts the user to the presence of dangerous voltages inside the enclosure.
  • Page 5 / or as marked on the equipment. Grounding: Employ suitable grounding of metal cases. A dedicated M4 size captive ground point is provided on all Audessence equipment on the right-hand side of its rear panel. Servicing: Refer all servicing to qualified personnel only.

  • Page 6: Conformity

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Conformity This device complies with the requirements of the EEC council directives: 93/68/EEC (CE marking); 73/23/EEC (Safety – low voltage directive; 89/336/EEC (electromagnetic compatibility). Conformity is declared to the following standards as applicable: EN55022, EN55103-1, EN55103-2, EN61000-4-3, EN61000-4-4, EN60950-1.

  • Page 7: Quickstart Guide

    Audessence Quickstart Guide Setup & Control: ALPS-1-IP can only be set up via computer control. Graphical User Interface (GUI) software, supplied on CD with every unit, gives full control of all parameters and the PC can be remote from the ALPS hardware box.
  • Page 8 Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Input – Analogue or Digital? Decide whether you are going to be using Analogue inputs or AES (digital) input. Navigate to ‘Input’ menu and select the input you wish to use. In the GUI this is found in ‘Setup\Input’ menu.
  • Page 9 Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Getting Started: For the vast majority of applications, just plug in and go - and you will find your levels are much better controlled than before! The next step, still easy, is to select a Factory Preset from one of the nine factory presets. See manual page 15.

  • Page 10: Installing The Audessence Controller Software

    Audessence Controller software. Software Modes The Audessence Controller (GUI) software can be operated in either of two modes, Expert Mode or Easy Mode. The preferred mode is set up via a wizard when the software is first run for the first time. It is also possible to swap modes during operation, although settings can’t always be carried across modes.

  • Page 11: Connections

    Female ‘D’ connector [Rear Panel]. Control ports operate ‘in parallel’; NB use one-at-a-time only. For use with Audessence Controller GUI programme running on a Windows PC. N.B. Text format commands can also be used with many Automation systems running on PCs, or ‘HyperTerminal’ / similar text based comms suite on the PC.

  • Page 12: Input / Output Setup

    Particularly with digital input, there is a chance of some programme segments (for example direct dubs from commercially mastered CDs) having a much higher peak level all the way up to 0dBFS. If required, ALPS-1-IP will cope with these extra-loud inputs remarkably well.

  • Page 13: Input Levels

    If analogue input is in use, ‘top of scale’ or 0dBFS is equivalent to +20dBu. Normal programme peaks should register around -20 to -15dBFS on the ALPS-1-IP’s input meters (the first two yellow segments of the front- panel meters), regardless of whether digital or analogue input is being used.

  • Page 14: Output Levels

    Be aware if this is what you are doing, and also please be aware that it does not have to be this way, only if you want it so! ALPS-1-IP’s r.m.s. responding AGC can also keep the output at a consistent level without making everything loud! See later manual section on setting audio processing parameters [Wideband Limiter Drive] for further information.

  • Page 15: Presets

    Presets Getting started with presets The best way to get started with setting the ALPS-1-IP to produce the exact levelling action you require is simply to load one of the nine built-in factory presets. If you are in ‘Menu’ mode, press the ‘Preset’ button in the Controller (it’s just to the right of the ‘disconnect’...
  • Page 16 These values are saved when a setup is ‘Saved As’ a file on the PC. When Uploading a file from PC back to the ALPS-1-IP, there is a checkbox to select whether or not to load Setup Parameters into the ALPS-1-IP.

  • Page 17: Description Of Easy Mode Factory Presets

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Description of Easy Mode Factory Presets Select the most suitable preset from the list below. (e.g. for most levelling duties, use Level-Ana or Level-Dig as appropriate to which input - analogue or digital - you wish to use).

  • Page 18: Description Of Expert Mode Factory Presets

    +12dBu, (PPM7) instead of +8dBu (PPM6) as in the stock preset. Tailoring the protection capabilities of your Audessence ALPS processor can maximise the programme dynamic range and ‘presenter satisfaction’, whilst providing totally reliable, tweak-proof protection against overload to all downstream equipment.
  • Page 19 Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Preset 2: AgcLite** • This preset was designed specifically for gentle, artistically sensitive processing of classical music and other musical genres that rely on dynamics for the musical effect. A dynamic range of somewhat more than 24dB at the input (PPM 1 to PPM 7+) is gently, and relatively sedately, processed to a controlled dynamic range of less than 12dB at the output (PPM 3 to PPM 6).
  • Page 20 This preset is suitable for all forms of digitally-delivered radio and audio such as webstreaming, Podcasting, DAB, and HD Radio. If you can’t find an Expert Mode preset that gives the desired result, try ‘Easy Mode’ or contact Audessence by email - in the first instance to: tech@audessence.com Page 20 of 45...

  • Page 21: Easy Mode Audio Processing Controls

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Easy Mode Audio Processing Controls ‘Easy-Mode’ will allow you to easily create a customised setting, but without having to go into all the technicalities of audio processing. All ‘Easy-Mode’ controls display help text when you hover the cursor over them. Thus...
  • Page 22 Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Amount of Correction • This slider affects how much volume correction is applied by the AGC stage. With the slider at 'Zero', perceived volume correction (sometimes rather loosely referred to as 'compression' or ‘normalisation’) is completely disabled.

  • Page 23: Audio Loudness

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence ‘Audio Loudness’ This simply makes the audio louder, within the confines of the maximum peak level (‘Ceiling’) set in the Output menu. Loudness: • This slider controls how loud your audio will sound. The higher you set this control, the nearer you get to the Output Level Ceiling set in the Output menu.

  • Page 24: Expert Mode Audio Processing Controls

    If you are not experienced in adjusting audio processors, start by using factory presets. Filters (Input menu) ALPS-1-IP includes low-pass and high-pass filters immediately before the active audio processing stages. The low-pass filter is a fixed linear-phase filter which is much less than -0.5dB at 20kHz.

  • Page 25: Agc

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence [AGC Basic] Attack • Controls how fast the AGC responds when the input is getting louder. Release • Controls how fast the AGC responds when the input is getting quieter. Gtd (Gated) Attack and Gtd Release •...
  • Page 26 Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence [AGC Advanced] Mode [Off / Normal / Adv (Advanced) Low / Adv Medium / Adv High] • Off means no AGC action at all. The AGC gain will be permanently frozen at 0dB. Normal means the AGC response will use fixed time-constants (‘AGC Attack’ and ‘AGC Release’) only.

  • Page 27: Compressor

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Compressor The compressor is designed to boost very low-level signals moderately, and to ameliorate very high levels. It can be used to deliberately compress the sound, adding ‘density’ and audibly processing the dynamics of speech and music.

  • Page 28: Limiter

    The wideband limiter is used for most studio-based applications in conjunction with the AGC. Using the wideband limiter guarantees that the output of ALPS-1-IP won’t clip. It can also be used to drive the signal in order to make it sound louder whilst remaining at the same peak level.
  • Page 29 Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence WB (Wideband) Gate • This is an advanced feature that slows down the release of the wideband limiter during pauses in the signal. It is especially useful for reducing pumping and over- processing of voice signals.

  • Page 30: Hf (Pre-Emphasis) Limiter / And 'De-Essing

    96) ONLY! Digital Output Rate • Selects double rate (96 or 88.2kHz) or normal rate (48 or 44.1kHz) for interfacing to any digital system. ALPS-1-IP does not support 32kHz or lower output rates. [Pre-Emphasis menu] De-emphasis on-off • If Limiter Mode is set to ‘Wideband & HF’ (only!), this selects whether the output is actually pre-emphasised or whether it takes account of pre-emphasis but has a flat characteristic.

  • Page 31: Link (System Menu)

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Link (System Menu) Normally a stereo unit, the ALPS-1-IP Left and Right channels are normally linked so that the louder of the two controls both. ALPS-1-IP can also be set to dual-mono mode, so that two completely independent mono programmes could be processed by a single ALPS-1-IP unit.

  • Page 32: Setting Up Ip Connections

    The Lantronix directory also contains all the required software utilities to make any configuration task a breeze. By far the easiest way to configure the IP address of the ALPS-1-IP is to use the Web configurator utility (‘DeviceInstaller.exe’) supplied in the above-mentioned directory.
  • Page 33 Make sure all are powered-up and appear to be working OK. Power up the ALPS-1-IP unit last, this will ensure ALPS-1-IP gets a DHCP assigned IP address. Run DeviceInstaller. In your ‘Start’ menu, it can be found in the ‘Lantronix’ directory.
  • Page 34 IP networking parameters if required, such as subnet mask and gateway. It is strongly recommended NOT to leave the ALPS-1-IP’s IP interface set to use DHCP. DHCP is very convenient for getting the config done, but is likely to suffer problems after a power cut - there may be no guarantee that ALPS will get the same IP address from DHCP every time.
  • Page 35 Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence It should now be possible to communicate from the GUI directly to the ALPS-1-IP unit via IP networks. The GUI is easy to set for IP operation. In the ‘Connections’ menu, just select ‘Ethernet TCP/IP’ as the connection Type and enter the IP address and Port number parameters to the right.

  • Page 36: Set Up Details For Audio Fail Emails

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Set up details for Audio Fail emails Email notification of silence at the ALPS-1-IP inputs is available. This is set up via the same ‘Device Installer’ software used for setting up IP connections in the previous sections.
  • Page 37 Ports, from 49152 through 65535 and this is the correct range to use. For further and up-to-date info, see: http://www.iana.org/assignments/port-numbers At the ALPS-1-IP end, the minimum set-up is a NAT router with at least a basic firewall and preferably also more advanced security, that can be set up to forward traffic on the selected port number (default 61237) to the suitable local-range fixed IP address that the ALPS-1-IP IP interface has been set to.

  • Page 38: Gpio Port Details

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence GPIO Port Details 15-way (Female) D-connector on ALPS-1-IP rear panel. Interface circuitry incorporates overvoltage, ESD and RFI protection. Pinouts Type Function Notes GND (*1) Earth for inputs Not Used Input Preset Load 1 Pull to Earth / GND to load Preset 1...

  • Page 39: Dsp Software Update

    PC ‘Controller’ programme) version is released, you will be able to download it from the Audessence website, install the new GUI on your PC and then, if you wish, upload the latest DSP software from the new GUI into your ALPS-1-IP. All updates are provided at no additional cost.

  • Page 40: Contact Us

    Audessence Controller PC programme. Email: steve@audessence.com Please contact Martin Spencer if you have any questions, comments or suggestions regarding audio processing, setup of Audessence audio processors and operational considerations. Email: martin@audessence.com Please contact Graham Sloggett if you have any questions, comments or suggestions for the Sales department.

  • Page 41: Control Via Text Commands

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Appendix 1 Control via Text Commands HyperTerminal parameters [for text based control of ALPS-1- If using HyperTerminal, then to get the full range of features including bar-graph level displays on the PC, you need to run HyperTerminal Private Edition (HTPE) Ver. 6.3 or above, available free from: http://www.hilgraeve.com...

  • Page 42: Appendix 2 - Ascii Text Commands Reference

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Appendix 2 – ASCII Text Commands Reference Please note: All ASCII text commands are case-sensitive. Use CAPS where indicated. ASCII commands available to all access levels These commands are available immediately upon connecting to the ALPS unit, •...

  • Page 43: Ascii Commands Available To 'User' Access Level

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence ASCII Commands available to ‘User’ access level The following additional commands are available only after connecting to the ALPS • unit, and then logging in as User with the correct password. In each case the command as shown must be followed by the [enter] character, the •...

  • Page 44: Appendix 3 - Alps Parameter Listing

    Audessence ALPS-1-IP manual Audessence Appendix 3 – ALPS Parameter listing Parameter Detail Integer/ Decimal agca AGC Main attack (sec) 100m agcag AGC Gated attack 500m agcr AGC Main release 100m agcrg AGC Gated release agcgate AGC Gate threshold agcmaxg AGC maximum gain (dB)

  • Page 45: Appendix 4 - Rs-232 Interface Details

    Audessence Appendix 4 - RS-232 Interface details The DB-9 connector on the rear panel of ALPS-1-IP can be used for a variety of control applications, including the following: Control from an automation system that can output ASCII text over RS-232 •...

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