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Calrec ALPHA Installation Manual

Digital broadcast production console with bluefin hdsp
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ALPHA
INSTALLATION MANUAL
Digital Broadcast Production Console with Bluefin HDSP
calrec.com
Putting Sound in the Picture

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  • Page 1 ALPHA INSTALLATION MANUAL Digital Broadcast Production Console with Bluefin HDSP calrec.com Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 2: Analogue Line Outputs (Dac Cards Only) - Style

    This publication Tel +44 (0)1422 842159 is for International usage. Alpha is a trademark of Calrec Audio Ltd. All other Fax +44 (0)1422 845244 trade marks acknowledged. Email Enquiries@calrec.com Calrec Audio Ltd reserve the right to change specifications without notice.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Synchronisation AES Inputs GPIO Connections AES Outputs Serial Interface Mic/Line or Line Inputs Dolby DP570 & DP564 setup (for Calrec remote Line Outputs interface) Dolby DP570 & DP564 Cabling Schedule Appendix A - Unipower Bulk Power Supplies and MADI Seperate Distribution...

  • Page 4: Important Information

    (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) legislation, from the second week in April If in doubt, please contact Calrec Audio 2006 the vast majority of Calrec PCB and Limited for guidance prior to commencing cable assemblies will have been produced any such work.

  • Page 5: Health And Safety

    The maximum potential between the terminals exceeds 60 volts, the blanking plates are fitted to avoid the risk of electric shock. CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 6: Technical Support

    Hebden Bridge request. HX7 8EZ England Repairs If you need to return goods to Calrec, for whatever reason, please contact the Tel: +44 (0) 1422 842159 Company beforehand in order that you Fax: +44 (0) 1422 845244 can receive advice on the best method Email: support@calrec.com...

  • Page 7: Overview

    ALPHA OVERVIEW calrec.com Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 8: System Overview

    5.1 SURROUND 3&4 4 MAIN OUTPUTS OUTPUTS 20 MONO TRACK STEREO OUTPUTS OR 5.1 10 STEREO OUTPUT MATRIX ANALOGUE MADI HYDRA LINE OUTPUTS OUTPUTS OUTPUTS OUTPUTS Please note that Hydra inputs cannot be patched to Hydra outputs. 8 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 9: Inputs And Outputs

    **Wide Area Bulk Cards are used to expand the I/O of the system via a wide area interface such as MADI, or Hydra - Calrec’s Hydra I/O units can interface up to 96 inputs sophisticated audio HYDRA I/O UNIT and 96 outputs, analogue or digital. These networking system.

  • Page 10: Equipment List

    Up to 5 Analogue I/O Racks 1 Bulk I/O card to interface to the Digital I/O Rack Up to 8 mic/line or line input cards, in line with the quotation Up to 8 line output cards, in line with the quotation 10 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 11: Environmental Considerations

    Non-operating: -20°C to +60°C (-4°F to suitable fixings during transit to prevent +140°F). movement, and possible damage. Calrec Audio Ltd is not liable for any damages to Relative humidity the touch screen, the touch screen arm, Operating: 25% to 80% non condensing.

  • Page 12: Input/Output Port Labelling

    These allow being mono in which case the two halves ports to be used for different purposes of the pair have separate labels and the & suffixes are not applied. Note that I/O marked in this way 12 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 13: System Specification

    Analogue output for 0dBFS matches input setting into >1kOhms (+24dBu max into 600 Ohms) The system can be pre-set with up to five external sync sources, plus internal, such that if the 1st source fails, it will automatically switch to the 2nd, and so on. CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...
  • Page 14 14 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 15: Frame Options And Dimensions

    ALPHA FRAME OPTIONS AND DIMENSIONS calrec.com Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 16: Control Surface Frame Sizes

    TFT METER TFT METER TFT METER TFT METER custom frames, with wedge sections etc, METER please contact Calrec. DELAY AUX O/P MON SEL MON LS The smallest frame size is 12 modules wide, made up of 3 sections (4:4:4) and usually provides 32 faders with two audio paths on each fader.

  • Page 17: End Profile

    (shaded) for access to premises. The control surface sections can also be split apart if required. OB Frame Dimensions When housed in an outside broadcast vehicle, the rack equipment is located underneath the console. CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 18: Front Elevation Dimensions

    FRONT ELEVATION DIMENSIONS 3 Section Frame (4:4:4) 4 Section Frame (4:4:4:4) 5 Section Frame (4:4:4:4:4) 18 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 19: Equipment Installation Information

    ALPHA EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION INFORMATION calrec.com Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 20: Typical Rack Layout

    Analogue I/O Rack Multi-Rail PSU 33.0 10.0 **** Multi-Rail PSU Other Multi-Rail PSU For longer distances, custom MADI Unit Digital I/O Rack 16.5 made cables can be provided. Hydra Gigabit Interface Unit Digital I/O Rack 16.5 20 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 21: Bulk Power Supply And Distribution

    600W. 35ºC. 2 x 24V 600W PSU 45dBA 3 x 24V 600W PSU 47dBA 4 x 24V 600W PSU 48dBA 5 x 24V 600W PSU 49dBA 6 x 24V 600W PSU 50dBA CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 22: Multi-Rail Psu

    Broadcast Facilities panel would begin to bay. In outside broadcast situations, the flash and a message would be sent to the unit should ideally be located into an control surface via AWACS. equipment bay which offers mechanical support from underneath. 22 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 23: Pc Information

    A Gigabit Ethernet port is provided to but cannot change PC hardware settings of the side brackets, each of which enable the PC to be connected to a Calrec (i.e. set up network, install drivers. It is has two mounting holes. The PC rack...

  • Page 24: File Backup

    (such as saving even if not edited). If the file needs to be e-mailed to Calrec for any reason it should always be zipped to protect the file time/date stamp. A new backup copy of this file should be made after a console upgrade.

  • Page 25: Synchronisation

    Video, (PAL or NTSC). TTL Wordclock is another possible external source. Video and TTL Wordclock Synchronisation Two Video (PAL or NTSC) and two TTL Word Clock synchronisation inputs are provided on the rear of the Digital CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 26: Gpio Connections

    DC - 5 to 50 volts, positive or negative, AC - 5 to 50 volts peak, 50-60Hz. Relay 5 Relay 13 Relay 6 Relay 14 Relay 7 Relay 15 Relay 8 Relay 16 18 . 36 18 . 36 26 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 27: Serial Interface

    The Serial Port Settings screen is used to received from the user serial port. tell the system what information it should receive from each serial interface port, CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 28: Dolby Dp570 & Dp564 Setup (For Calrec Remote Interface)

    Repeat the process for all the GPI pins 24 <down arrow> until you see “Edge” - 31 Dolby Multichannel Audio Tool Model DP570 to Alpha Remote Connection Cable (fully isolated) Designed to be plugged in second remote card Dolby DP570 GPIO...

  • Page 29: Dolby Dp570 & Dp564 Cabling Schedule

    DOLBY DP570 & DP564 CABLING SCHEDULE CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 30: Madi

    Digital I/O Rack. Each MADI interface can operate in either 56 or 64 channel mode and can transmit over a coaxial AND optical medium and receive over a coaxial OR optical medium. A switch allows receiver selection. 30 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 31: Hydra Audio Networking

    ALPHA HYDRA AUDIO NETWORKING calrec.com Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 32: Technology

    I/O resources and control each mixing console, in a star formation. administration functions, leaving the data between Calrec digital consoles. Connections may be made with Category user free to creatively exploit network Hydra I/O units, with up to 96 inputs/...

  • Page 33: Hardware

    MAC address Alpha can have up to 8 WAB interfaces. Switches are available in 1U or 2U against its own MAC address. There is a versions, and can have a combination...

  • Page 34: Hydra I/O Rack

    When the internal ambient temperature the networking system to one or more reaches 60°C (140°F), the OVER TEMP Calrec digital consoles. red LED on the DC power supply unit will Dimensions 7U X 482mm (19 inch ) light.

  • Page 35: Network Redundancy

    Power USB 2 IEEE1394 Mic In Power Reset 491-043 switches, and the two switches are connected together. Alpha Control Surface Hydra I/O Rack 1 Gigabit Switch 1 HP Procurve 9 M D -T YPE Act FDx Max Switch 4104gl Reset...

  • Page 36: Small Format I/O Units

    Each output connector has a green LED to inches indicate that there is a route established to AD5603 24 mic/line in & 8 line out 12.5 it from a console on the network. AD5608 12 mic/line in & 4 line out 11.5 36 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 37 IP Addresses If a small format I/O unit needs to be connected together. Calrec will supply each device in your swapped out, the replacement unit must system with its own unique IP address, be programmed with the correct IP which the system uses to identify each address.
  • Page 38 38 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 39: Audio Input And Output Interfaces

    ALPHA AUDIO INPUT AND OUTPUT INTERFACES calrec.com Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 40: Aes Inputs And Outputs

    If a slot is occupied by a bulk I/O card, AES, BULK OR WAB H119 H120 then the AES I/O connectors belonging to that slot are left unused, and the SMB connectors for bulk I/O are used to connect to the analogue I/O racks. 40 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 41: Analogue Inputs And Outputs

    2 dedicated input connectors on SLOT CONNECTOR CONNECTOR the rear of the rack, to which the system’s analogue inputs are connected. Each of the input connectors provides connections for 4 stereo inputs. CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 42: Bnc And Xlr Interface Connector Panels

    BNC Input Panel (Rear) INPUTS 17-32 INPUTS 1-16 SCSI - 36F SCSI - 36F SN5031-2 BNC Output Panel (Front) OUTPUTS SN5032-2 BNC Output Panel (Rear) OUTPUTS 17-32 OUTPUTS 1-16 SCSI - 36F SCSI - 36F SN5032-2 42 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 43: Edac Interface Connector Panels

    Varicon 56 Way Metal Hood 400-038 516-230-556 Solder Type Varicon Pins 400-025 516-290-500 Varicon Pin Extraction Tool 516-280-200 Crimp Type Varicon Pins 400-024 516-290-590 (XLR) Neutrik NC-3-FC 410-007 8X38W EDAC PANEL SN5080 12X38W EDAC PANEL SN5145 CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 44: Aes Inputs - Bnc Interface

    16 . 34 16 . 34 17 . 35 17 . 35 18 . 36 Chassis 18 . 36 Chassis BNC INPUT I/F PANEL (REAR) INPUTS 17-32 INPUTS 1-16 SCSI - 36F SCSI - 36F SN5031-2 44 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 45: Aes Outputs - Bnc Interface

    16 . 34 16 . 34 17 . 35 17 . 35 18 . 36 Chassis 18 . 36 Chassis BNC OUTPUT I/F PANEL (REAR) OUTPUTS 17-32 OUTPUTS 1-16 SCSI - 36F SCSI - 36F SN5032-2 CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 46: Aes Inputs - Xlr Interface

    11 . 29 12 . 30 13 . 31 14 . 32 15 . 33 16 . 34 17 . 35 18 . 36 Chassis XLR INPUT I/F PANEL (REAR) SCSI - 36F INPUTS SN5035 SN818-148-6 46 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 47: Aes Outputs - Xlr Interface

    11 . 29 12 . 30 13 . 31 14 . 32 15 . 33 16 . 34 17 . 35 18 . 36 Chassis XLR OUTPUT I/F PANEL (REAR) SCSI - 36F OUTPUTS SN5036 SN818-149 CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 48: Analogue Mic/Line Inputs (Mic/Line Or Line Adc Cards)-Style 1

    8 or 12 way Ideally, the EDAC interface panels should slot has 2 dedicated input connectors EDAC interface panels via Calrec custom be located within 5m (16.5ft) of the on the rear of the rack (shown within cabling to achieve Style 1 (4 pairs per Analogue I/O Rack.

  • Page 49: Analogue Mic/Line Inputs (Mic/Line Or Line Adc Cards)-Style 2

    2 dedicated connectors are connected to 8 or 12 way input connectors on the rear of the rack EDAC interface panels via Calrec custom Ideally, the EDAC interface panels should (shown within dotted border), to which the cabling to achieve Style 2 (6 pairs per be located within 5m (16.5ft) of the...

  • Page 50: Analogue Line Only Inputs (Line Adc Cards Only)-Style 1

    Chassis 16 . 34 Chassis Style 1 - 8 pairs per 38 way EDAC chassis connections. 17 . 35 17 . 35 18 . 36 Chassis 18 . 36 Chassis 8 WAY EDAC INTERFACE PANEL SN5080 50 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 51: Analogue Line Only Inputs (Line Adc Cards Only) - Style 2

    On EDAC, the first pin is HOT (phase), the second pin is COLD 17 . 35 17 . 35 (anti-phase) and H.LL are chassis connections. 18 . 36 Chassis 18 . 36 Chassis 8 WAY EDAC INTERFACE PANEL SN5080 CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 52: Analogue Line Outputs (Dac Cards Only) - Style 1

    Style 1 - 8 pairs per 38 way EDAC 17 . 35 18 . 36 Chassis On EDACs, the first pin is HOT (phase), the second pin is COLD (anti-phase) and 8 WAY EDAC INTERFACE PANEL H.LL are chassis connections. SN5080 52 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 53 Style 2 - 6 pairs per 38 way EDAC On EDACs, the first pin is HOT (phase), the second pin is COLD (anti- 8 WAY EDAC INTERFACE PANEL phase) and H.LL are chassis connections. SN5080 CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 54: Specification For Scsi Style Cabling

    FULLY SCREENED 15 . 33 16 . 34 17 . 35 18 . 36 X Metres 36W MDR PLUG 36W SHIELDED COVER STOCK CODES 3M10136-6000EL 3M 103336-3210-00 OR EQUIVALENT OR EQUIVALENT 312-079 1M 312-078 3M 312-077 5M 54 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 55: Category 5E And Category 6 Cables

    These are general rules to follow, and compression than those on the inside. if in doubt, always refer to the cable Over-tightening deforms the twisted pairs manufacturer’s recommendations. CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...
  • Page 56 56 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 57: Input And Output Port Labelling Sheets

    ALPHA INPUT AND OUTPUT PORT LABELLING SHEETS calrec.com Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 58: Aes Inputs

    5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 9L + 9R 10L + 10R 11L + 11R 12L + 12R 13L + 13R 14L + 14R 15L + 15R 16L + 16R 58 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 59 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 9L + 9R 10L + 10R 11L + 11R 12L + 12R 13L + 13R 14L + 14R 15L + 15R 16L + 16R CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...
  • Page 60 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 9L + 9R 10L + 10R 11L + 11R 12L + 12R 13L + 13R 14L + 14R 15L + 15R 16L + 16R 60 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 61 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 9L + 9R 10L + 10R 11L + 11R 12L + 12R 13L + 13R 14L + 14R 15L + 15R 16L + 16R CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...
  • Page 62 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 9L + 9R 10L + 10R 11L + 11R 12L + 12R 13L + 13R 14L + 14R 15L + 15R 16L + 16R 62 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 63 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 9L + 9R 10L + 10R 11L + 11R 12L + 12R 13L + 13R 14L + 14R 15L + 15R 16L + 16R CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 64: Aes Outputs

    5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 9L + 9R 10L + 10R 11L + 11R 12L + 12R 13L + 13R 14L + 14R 15L + 15R 16L + 16R 64 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 65 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 9L + 9R 10L + 10R 11L + 11R 12L + 12R 13L + 13R 14L + 14R 15L + 15R 16L + 16R CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...
  • Page 66 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 9L + 9R 10L + 10R 11L + 11R 12L + 12R 13L + 13R 14L + 14R 15L + 15R 16L + 16R 66 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 67 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 9L + 9R 10L + 10R 11L + 11R 12L + 12R 13L + 13R 14L + 14R 15L + 15R 16L + 16R CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...
  • Page 68 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 9L + 9R 10L + 10R 11L + 11R 12L + 12R 13L + 13R 14L + 14R 15L + 15R 16L + 16R 68 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 69 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 9L + 9R 10L + 10R 11L + 11R 12L + 12R 13L + 13R 14L + 14R 15L + 15R 16L + 16R CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 70: Mic/Line Or Line Inputs

    (or 1st of 2 mono) 6 characters (only if pair dedicated to 2 mono signals) 1L + 1R 2L + 2R 3L + 3R 4L + 4R 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 70 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 71 (or 1st of 2 mono) 6 characters (only if pair dedicated to 2 mono signals) 1L + 1R 2L + 2R 3L + 3R 4L + 4R 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...
  • Page 72 (or 1st of 2 mono) 6 characters (only if pair dedicated to 2 mono signals) 1L + 1R 2L + 2R 3L + 3R 4L + 4R 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 72 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 73 (or 1st of 2 mono) 6 characters (only if pair dedicated to 2 mono signals) 1L + 1R 2L + 2R 3L + 3R 4L + 4R 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...
  • Page 74 (or 1st of 2 mono) 6 characters (only if pair dedicated to 2 mono signals) 1L + 1R 2L + 2R 3L + 3R 4L + 4R 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 74 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 75 (or 1st of 2 mono) 6 characters (only if pair dedicated to 2 mono signals) 1L + 1R 2L + 2R 3L + 3R 4L + 4R 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 76: Line Outputs

    (or 1st of 2 mono) 6 characters (only if pair dedicated to 2 mono signals) 1L + 1R 2L + 2R 3L + 3R 4L + 4R 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 76 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 77 (or 1st of 2 mono) 6 characters (only if pair dedicated to 2 mono signals) 1L + 1R 2L + 2R 3L + 3R 4L + 4R 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...
  • Page 78 (or 1st of 2 mono) 6 characters (only if pair dedicated to 2 mono signals) 1L + 1R 2L + 2R 3L + 3R 4L + 4R 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 78 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 79 (or 1st of 2 mono) 6 characters (only if pair dedicated to 2 mono signals) 1L + 1R 2L + 2R 3L + 3R 4L + 4R 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...
  • Page 80 (or 1st of 2 mono) 6 characters (only if pair dedicated to 2 mono signals) 1L + 1R 2L + 2R 3L + 3R 4L + 4R 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R 80 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 81 (or 1st of 2 mono) 6 characters (only if pair dedicated to 2 mono signals) 1L + 1R 2L + 2R 3L + 3R 4L + 4R 5L + 5R 6L + 6R 7L + 7R 8L + 8R CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...
  • Page 82 82 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 83: Appendix A - Unipower Bulk Power Supplies And Seperate Distribution

    ALPHA APPENDIX A - UNIPOWER BULK POWER SUPPLIES AND SEPERATE DISTRIBUTION calrec.com Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 84: Bulk Psu

    The chassis assemblies. Safety grounding is rear mounting brackets should be used provided via ground connections in the line when no support is provided under the cord entry receptacles. rack assembly, the rack should not be 84 ALPHA with Bluefin...

  • Page 85: Psu Monitoring And Distribution Unit

    1RU front angles. The unit should always be mounted in a horizontal position. It is recommended that the rack is not supported by the front flanges alone. CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...

  • Page 86: Notes

    NOTES 86 ALPHA with Bluefin...
  • Page 87 CALREC Putting Sound in the Picture...
  • Page 88 This publication is for International usage. Despite considerable effort to produce up Alpha is a trademark of Calrec Audio Calrec Audio Ltd to date information, no literature published Ltd.

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