1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Calrec Manuals
  4. Recording Equipment
  5. ALPHA SYSTEM PLUS
  6. Operator's manual

Calrec ALPHA SYSTEM PLUS Operator's Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
OPERATORS MANUAL
(Product V1.25)
Issue 8
Calrec Audio Ltd
Nutclough Mill
Hebden Bridge
West Yorkshire
HX7 8EZ
England
UK
Tel:
+ 44 (0) 1422 842159
Fax: + 44 (0) 1422 845244
Email: enquiries@calrec.com
Website: www.calrec.com

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the ALPHA SYSTEM PLUS and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for Calrec ALPHA SYSTEM PLUS

Summary of Contents for Calrec ALPHA SYSTEM PLUS

  • Page 1 OPERATORS MANUAL (Product V1.25) Issue 8 Calrec Audio Ltd Nutclough Mill Hebden Bridge West Yorkshire HX7 8EZ England Tel: + 44 (0) 1422 842159 Fax: + 44 (0) 1422 845244 Email: enquiries@calrec.com Website: www.calrec.com...
  • Page 2 Modifications to this equipment by any party other than Calrec Audio Limited may invalidate EMC and safety features designed into this equipment. Calrec Audio Limited can not be liable for any legal proceedings or problems that may arise relating to such modifications.
  • Page 3 ....................................IMPORTANT HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION ! This equipment must be EARTHED. ! Only suitably trained personnel should service this equipment. ! Please read and take note of all warning and informative labels. ! Before starting any servicing operation, equipment must be isolated from the AC supply (mains). ! Fuses should only be replaced with ones of the same type and rating as that indicated.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    ....................................CONTENTS TECHNICAL CUSTOMER SUPPORT ............... 6 OVERVIEW ........................7 INTRODUCTION ....................8 PRINCIPAL FEATURES ..................9 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS ................10-11 GETTING STARTED ................... 12-13 TOUCH SCREEN LAYOUT ................14 ERROR MESSAGES (AWACS) ............... 15 FADER AREA ....................... 17 CHANNEL AND GROUP FADERS ..............18 CHANNEL CONTROL ..................
  • Page 5 ....................................Continued... METERING SYSTEM ....................61 METER CONFIGURATION ................. 62-63 TFT METERING SYSTEM ................64-70 SAVING AND RESTORING METER CONFIGURATIONS....... 71 ON-SCREEN PATCHING ..................... 73 INPUT PORTS SCREEN ................74-75 OUTPUT PORTS SCREEN ................ 76-77 ASSIGNABLE INSERT SENDS ............... 78 ASSIGNABLE INSERT RETURNS ..............79 INSERT SCREEN ....................

  • Page 6: Technical Customer Support

    User registration form located at the end of this manual. If you have any other issues regarding your Calrec purchase, then please contact us and we will do our best to help. Calrec welcomes all Customer feedback.

  • Page 7: Overview

    ....................................Overview...

  • Page 8: Introduction

    The high level of reliability of all Calrec products, many of which are still in daily use after 20 years serv- ice, reflects a clear awareness of the critical nature of the operating environment.

  • Page 9: Principal Features

    User-definable metering system, with recallable meter configurations. Flexible TFT screen-based meters with total user-configurability. Input Delay control screen and additional panel option. Optional I/O expansion via a wide area interface such as MADI or Hydra, Calrec’s sophisticated audio networking system. Channel / Group Facilities All channels have 4-band EQ, 2-band Filters, Compressor/Limiter and Expander/Gate.

  • Page 10: Important Concepts

    ....................................IMPORTANT CONCEPTS Layering Each fader can control two independent audio signal paths, named A and B. These signal paths can be either channels or groups, although for easy reference, the faders are simply known as channel faders. B signal paths are fully equipped with all the same facilities as an A path.
  • Page 11 All ports are optional, including those for the monitoring. The system can be supplied with any combination of mic/line and digital ports. Calrec digital consoles are available in a number of configurations known as Audio Packs, which are a suggested complement of ports. The Audio Pack which most closely matches the requirements of the installation can be chosen, and the port quantities can be fine tuned appropriately.

  • Page 12: Getting Started

    ....................................GETTING STARTED As a safety measure, ensure that all faders are minimised, and the control room level control is no more than half way up. Assuming that the basic system ports have been set up and the control room monitor speakers are connected to the appropriate outputs, firstly choose a channel fader by pressing the A (or B) button on the channel fader panel.
  • Page 13 ....................................Return to the I/O Matrix panel and also select Input 1 in order to assign a port to it. Do this by turning the PORT/No. selector control knob to scroll through the available M 23LR ports. Pressing the knob down and turning it will switch EXEC VE PATH to another list of input ports.

  • Page 14: Touch Screen Layout

    ....................................TOUCH SCREEN LAYOUT The system is designed to minimise the need for the operator to use the screen once the console has been preset. A logical user interface provides easy and quick access to the functions and information on the touch screen. Failure of the screen’s computer has no effect on the operation of the control surface or the audio.

  • Page 15: Error Messages (Awacs)

    ....................................ERROR MESSAGES (AWACS) If a problem does develop, messages will be delivered on the Automatic Warning and Correc- tion System (AWACS) screen. The AWACS button at the bottom of the screen will flash to alert the user that a message has been reported. Selection of this button will open the AWACS page, where messages can be viewed.
  • Page 16 ....................................

  • Page 17: Fader Area

    ....................................Fader Area...

  • Page 18: Channel And Group Faders

    ....................................CHANNEL AND GROUP FADERS Channel and group paths are controlled by the console’s channel faders. Each fader can control two independent audio signal paths, named A and B. Any fader can con- trol any channel or group path. Main output paths are controlled by their dedicated faders on the main outputs panel.

  • Page 19: Channel Control

    ....................................CHANNEL CONTROL Situated above the channel fader module, the channel control module provides a set of GROUP MAIN indicative LEDs and a set of user-definable rotary controls (Wild controls) for each fader. LINE A set of LED’s provide good visual feedback of : TRACK Routing to groups and mains MIX-M...

  • Page 20: Assignable Fader

    ....................................ASSIGNABLE FADER ASSIGNED Drums FDR19A FADER LOCK FADER PEAK FLTR IA5392 The Assignable Fader is positioned towards the centre of the console, in the optimum listening position, and works in parallel with the currently assigned channel or group fader. Alternatively, LOCK FADER allows it to be fixed to a specific path.

  • Page 21: Vca Grouping

    ....................................VCA GROUPING VCA groups allow the audio level, CUT, AFL and PFL functions of several slave faders to be control- led from one master fader. A VCA group is made or edited by holding down the Assign Button (A or B) of the fader to be master and pressing the Assign buttons of faders to be added or removed as slaves.

  • Page 22: Automatic Cross-Fading

    ....................................AUTOMATIC CROSS-FADING This feature allows the user to automatically fade channel and group faders in or out under the control of an external signal. Cross-fades may be achieved by driving two or more optos with one fader being faded out while a second fader is being faded in. Assigning Auto-Faders to Opto Inputs Auto-fadersare assigned to any one opto input using the OPTIONS - GPI screen.
  • Page 23 ....................................Fade IN and OUT Times The fade in and out times of each auto-fader are individually adjustable either by typing a value in the relevant cell in the fade in/out columns, or by using the nudge buttons. The range for both parameters are 10 ms to 5secs, as follows: 10ms to 100ms in 10ms steps 100ms to 1sec in 100ms steps 1sec to 5s in 500ms steps...
  • Page 24 ....................................

  • Page 25: Assign Panels

    ....................................Assign Panels...

  • Page 26: I/O Matrix

    ....................................I/O MATRIX (1) Input Port Assignment Each channel path can select between two input ports. Ports are assigned to inputs 1 and 2 for the currently assigned fader using the I/O Matrix as follows: FADER EXEC Press 1 or 2 to select an input. Use the rotary control to scroll through the I/P LABEL PORT/No.
  • Page 27 ....................................(5) Clearing Paths Channels can be cleared off the fader by pressing SEL FADER, CLR and EXEC. This will clear all settings and port assignments from the channel. (6) Direct Output Ports Ports can be connected to channel and group direct outputs, first by selecting PORT1 or PORT2, and using the rotary control and ON button to choose and select ports.

  • Page 28: Input/Output Controls

    ....................................INPUT/OUTPUT CONTROLS The INPUT controls in the Input/Output section allow sepa- SURROUND SOUND rate settings for the two channel inputs and gain, and ON/ - 9. >RS - 7. OFF for the group and main direct inputs. (1) Input Settings Each channel path can switch between two input ports REAR using buttons 1 and 2.
  • Page 29 ....................................The Front Pan allows the front signal to be panned from left, through centre, to right. On stereo channels and groups, the L-R PAN acts as a balance control. The Front/Back pan control pans the signal between Front and Back. When Rear Level is switched IN, the levels to the rear and front are controlled seperately.

  • Page 30: Motorised Joystick Panel

    ....................................MOTORISED JOYSTICK PANEL The joystick panel is available as an option, and can be either a single joystick, or twin joysticks as shown. The joysticks allow accurate stereo and surround panning of the channel. Drums Drums FDR19A FDR19A FADER DIVERGENCE FADER DIVERGENCE...
  • Page 31 ....................................Controls Active CONTROLS ACTIVE must be selected for the joystick controls to take effect. When selected, the joystick moves to the position set by the Front Pan and F-B controls (including IN/OUT status). If the joystick is being touched when Controls Active is selected, then the audio will move to the position of the joystick.

  • Page 32: Input Delay

    ....................................INPUT DELAY This screen allows specific amounts of input delay to be applied to each channel path. There are 42 legs of delay available, each providing up to 250ms of delay. Stereo channels use two legs. Assigning Delay to an Input Select the fader path either by pressing its assign button or by selecting it from the screen, then press ASS.

  • Page 33: Functions Controls

    ....................................FUNCTIONS CONTROLS The Functions Panel is used to control: MIX MINUS BUS TEST TONE PINK FLTR 1012Hz + 1. (1) Mix minus Bus and direct input level and switching -11. NOISE (2) Console-wide and channel clearing functions ONLY FREQUENCY LEVEL TONE (3) Assignment of the Channel Control module’s...

  • Page 34: Wild Control Assignment

    ....................................WILD CONTROL ASSIGNMENT The Wild controls in each fader’s channel control section are assigned WILD ASSIGN FADER BARGRAPH either from the controls on the FUNCTIONS panel, or from the USER CHAN WILD screen. All the Assign panel rotary controls incorporate a switch which is HOLD operated by pushing the control.

  • Page 35: User-Chan Screen

    ....................................USER-CHAN SCREEN This screen provides alternative controls for channel functions already available on the control surface. The right side of the screen shows the fader paths A and B. To make changes, select the required fader path either from the screen or by pressing its fader assign button, and use the controls on the left side of the screen.

  • Page 36: Channel Copy

    ....................................CHANNEL COPY CHANNEL COPY Drums FDR19A Nine sections of a channel or ALL together can be copied to another channel or I/PS channels using the Functions panel, or the User-Copy screen. First select the FADER fader path you wish to copy, by pressing its fader assign button. The nudge FLTR buttons (<...

  • Page 37: Oscillator Controls

    ....................................OSCILLATOR CONTROLS TEST TONE PINK FLTR The Oscillator controls are used to generate test tones for align- 1012Hz + 1. NOISE ment and testing. The Enable LED lights to show that the Oscilla- ONLY tor controls are enabled. FREQUENCY LEVEL TONE INTERRUPT...

  • Page 38: Eq And Filters

    ....................................EQ AND FILTERS The Equaliser panel controls EQ and Filters on the channel paths only. As console processing is not pooled, EQ can be assigned to every channel, without fear of running out. Once a channel has been selected by pressing it’s Assign button (A or B), it’s frequencies can be adjusted using the following controls.

  • Page 39: Dynamics

    ....................................DYNAMICS The Dynamics panel controls compressor and expander or gate, on channels and groups, and compressor on main outputs. As console processing is not pooled, dynamics can be assigned to every path, without fear of running out. Once a channel has been selected by pressing it’s Assign button (A or B), it’s dynamics can be adjusted using the following controls.

  • Page 40: Routing Panel

    ....................................ROUTING PANEL (1)Routing Buttons Routes for the selected channel can be made or removed TRACK CONTROL CHANNEL/GP TO TRACKS by pressing the numbered buttons on the routing panel. TRACK - 5. To route several adjacent channels to one bus, the nudge buttons (on the Functions or I/O Matrix OMNI panel) can be used to quickly select the channels.

  • Page 41: Panels-Route Screen

    ....................................PANELS-ROUTE SCREEN This screen works in parallel with the console Assign Buttons and the Routing panel. It pro- vides alternative controls for the routing, which can be useful when it is not convenient to use the panel, or incase the panel develops a fault. The right side of the screen has buttons for channel paths A and B, and Mains 1-4.

  • Page 42: Auxiliary Control Panel

    ....................................AUXILIARY CONTROL PANEL The Auxiliaries panel controls the feeds from the channels or AUXILIARY groups to the auxiliary output busses. + 3. -12. + 1. -18. The ON button switches the feed from the currently assigned channel or group to that auxiliary output bus. Each feed is post the channel or group fader, but can be pre fader, selected using the PRE button.

  • Page 43: Auxiliary Output Panels

    ....................................AUXILIARY OUTPUT PANELS AUXILIARY OUTPUTS AUXILIARY OUTPUTS AUXILIARY OUTPUTS LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL INTER INTER INTER INTER INTER INTER INTER INTER INTER INTER AUX OUTPUT AUX OUTPUT AUX OUTPUT AX4729 AX4729 AX4730 These panels control the auxiliary outputs. Displays The displays above each rotary control show what is being controlled (e.g O/P or DIR) until they are adjusted, when the level is then displayed.

  • Page 44: Memory Controls

    ....................................MEMORY CONTROLS LIVE MEMORY Scene3 04 08 76 Scene8 Once the console has been set up as required, its settings can be saved in the memory system. Up to 99 memories can be held in the SELECTED MEMORY Flash ROM for different console arrangements. In addition to this, an INSERT >...

  • Page 45: Memory Set Up Screen

    ....................................MEMORY SET UP SCREEN The Memory Setup screen duplicates the memory functions available on the control surface, and allows management of stored memories and stacks. The two memories either side of the Se- lected Memory will appear in the windows either side of the Selected Memory window. With the Auto >...

  • Page 46: Memory Isolation

    ....................................MEMORY ISOLATION The Isolate screen allows some console settings to be isolated from memory recall. This means their current settings will not be over-written when a different memory is loaded. The right side of the screen shows all fader paths. Paths can be selected from here or by pressing the fader assign button.

  • Page 47: Partial Memories

    ....................................PARTIAL MEMORIES Partial Memories mode allows the user to specify components of console settings to be saved. When a partial memory is recalled, only the settings saved will be updated. The partial memo- ries screen provides a mechanism for selecting channels or sub-components of channels to be saved in a partial memory.
  • Page 48 ....................................

  • Page 49: Main Outputs, Monitoring And Talkback

    ....................................Main Outputs, Monitoring and Talkback...

  • Page 50: Main Outputs Panel

    ....................................MAIN OUTPUTS PANEL The Assign Button on each main fader calls the main output to the Assign panels to allow: MAIN 1 MAIN 2 MAIN 3 MAIN 4 STEREO Routing (of one main to another - indicated on the TONE TONE TONE...

  • Page 51: Broadcast Facilities

    Functions can be set to be active, or not, in any of CANCEL the three states. This can significantly reduce the risk of human error, Calrec A udio-England PSU FAIL making the whole system a more robust, less stressful, user friendly environment for operators to work in.

  • Page 52: Monitor Selector

    ....................................MONITOR SELECTOR SELECTOR 1 The Monitor and Meter Selectors are used to select the DESK source to monitor, and what to display on the meters. Selec- STEREO MAIN DESK tors 1 and 2 are sub-selectors which feed the other selectors. MONO MAIN All Selector external inputs can be mono, stereo, or 5.1.

  • Page 53: Monitor Ls

    ....................................MONITOR LS STUDIO LISTEN The Small LS level control is in series with the Main LS level DESK MAIN MAIN MAIN control. This allows the Main LS level control to be used irrespec- DIR I/P TO MON tive of which LS system is in use. The Small LS level control is FLASH used to adjust for the difference between the two sets of LS.

  • Page 54: Assignable Monitoring, Meter Select And Ls Control

    ....................................ASSIGNABLE MONITORING, METER SELECT AND LS CONTROL The assignable monitor panels are available as an option. As an alternative to the standard monitor panels, they offer a higher degree of flexibility and user-definability. Each monitor output can select the source to monitor from all the available sources, independently of the other monitor outputs.
  • Page 55 ....................................(2) Monitor Source Selections There are 16 selection buttons. These can display the available monitor sources or functions allocated to the selected bank. (3) Misc Outputs There are 6 misc outputs to which monitor sources can be assigned. Each misc output can be given a suitable name during the set up of the console.
  • Page 56 ....................................Monitor Selection Panel Setup Screen The screen allows all the available sources to be allocated to 7 banks of 16 selection buttons. This means that sources of the same type can be banked together for ease of access. Each external input’s selection button can be given a user-definable label which will appear both on the screen and on the button’s display.
  • Page 57 ....................................Saving and Restoring Monitor Configurations Once the user has the Assignable Monitor Panels set up as desired, the monitor configuration can be given a name and saved to the PC’s hard disk, so that it can be recalled at a later date. The name of the monitor configuration currently active on the control surface will be shown at the top of the screen, and the name of the monitor configuration currently being viewed/edited on the screen will be shown underneath.
  • Page 58 ....................................Misc Output Misc Functions When a misc output is selected, the misc functions bank allows the following functions to be applied. MUTE MUTE = CUT = DIM ! The Mute button for each Misc output can be set to CUT or DIM the selected monitor source using the MUTE=CUT or CUT L CUT R...
  • Page 59 ....................................Control Room Miscellaneous Functions L C R The Control Room Misc Functions selection button LFE OFF allows listening modes to be applied to the Control LS RS PHAN SOLO SOLO SOLO CENTRE Room monitor, and APFL functions to be set up. MISC FUNCTIONS Pressing this button gives access to functions dis- SOLO...
  • Page 60 ....................................Decoder Remotes The Decoders selection button allows any decoders which are installed to be con- DP570 trolled. Pressing this button allows the user to select a decoder, and gives access FULL NO COMP to decoder remote functions displayed on the Monitor Selections panel. The differ- ent types of decoder are located in seperate banks, and functions are chosen in DECODERS the same way as monitor sources.

  • Page 61: Metering System

    ....................................Metering System...

  • Page 62: Meter Configuration

    ....................................METER CONFIGURATION (1) Meter Selection The Set up application provides an interface with which to tell the console which meter panels occupy which position along the upstand. The numbered buttons on this screen allow the meter panel in that upstand position to be selected for set-up. Upon selection of one of the numbered buttons, the meter occupying that upstand position will be shown in the main section of the screen.
  • Page 63 ....................................Meter Options The table below shows the options available for display. Source Option 1 Option 2 Unused Mains Mains 1-4 Desk Stereo or Surround, Stereo (Lo Ro), M/S, Stereo Phase Mains 1-4 Line Stereo or Surround, Stereo (Lo Ro), M/S, Stereo Phase Mains 1-4 Pre Stereo (Lo Ro), M/S, Stereo Phase Mains 1-4...

  • Page 64: Tft Metering System

    ....................................TFT METERING SYSTEM MD5404 Up to 16 high quality TFT screen based meters can be incorporated into the console upstand either instead of or alongside bargraph and moving coil meters. The user can dynamically change the layout of the meters and their arrangement. The screen layout is configured such that each half of the screen can have 4 or 6 columns, allowing 8 or 12 meter positions across its width.
  • Page 65 ....................................TFT Meter Setup Screen The Setup screen contains options to set global metering settings. (1) Screen Brightness Over time, the brightness of TFT screens can degrade. For this reason, a set of controls are provided to adjust the brightness of each screen indi- vidually and globally.
  • Page 66 ....................................Changing TFT Screen Layout The user can (with some rules) control the layout of the rows and columns on the TFT screens. The Set-up Application provides an interface with which to tell the console which meter panels occupy which position along the upstand. The numbered buttons on the METERS-LAYOUT screen allow the meter panel in that upstand position to be selected for set-up.
  • Page 67 ....................................Allocating Sources to TFT Meters Sources are allocated to TFT meter positions in the same way as bargraph or moving coil meters. Select a meter position (its background will turn blue) and select CHANGE METER. A box appears to allow the meter source to be chosen, from Mains, Groups, Auxes, Channel Inputs or Other.
  • Page 68 ....................................TFT Configuration Example 1 In the example below, the TFT meter screen has been split up into three rows. The top row has been split up into 12 meter positions to house the tracks, and the middle and bottom rows have been split up onto 8 meter positions across, to house the channel inputs for the A and B paths respectively.
  • Page 69 ....................................TFT Configuration Example 2 In the example below, the TFT meter screen has been split up into two rows with 12 meter positions across each row. The top row takes up 1/3 of the height of the screen, and is occu- pied by tracks.
  • Page 70 ....................................TFT Configuration Example 3 In the example below, the TFT meter screen has different row sizes on each half. In the first half, the top row houses graphs showing four tracks, allowing 16 tracks across half of the screen. The middle and bottom rows display channel inputs for A and B paths respectively. The second half of the screen has been split into two rows, each taking up half of the screen’s height.

  • Page 71: Saving And Restoring Meter Configurations

    ....................................SAVING AND RESTORING METER CONFIGURATIONS Once the user has the meters set up as desired, the configuration can be saved to the PC’s hard disk, so that it can be recalled at a later date. A configuration consists of the values set on the SETUP screen and any TFT meter layouts designed on the LAYOUT screen.
  • Page 72 ....................................

  • Page 73: On-Screen Patching

    ....................................On-Screen Patching...

  • Page 74: Input Ports Screen

    ....................................INPUT PORTS SCREEN This screen allows patching of input sources to channel inputs, insert returns, direct inputs or to output ports. On the control surface, ports are assigned using the I/O Matrix, but these screens provide an alternative set of controls. The screen below shows the patching for channel inputs. The screens automatically scroll to follow the Assign button (A and B) presses on the faders.
  • Page 75 ....................................(5) Patching Assignment is made by selecting a source, and an input or output, and selecting Patch. The input source label will appear in the channel input label field and on the fader on the console (if that input, 1 or 2 is currently selected on the Input/Output panel). By selecting the label cell on the screen, the input name can be edited using the keyboard.

  • Page 76: Output Ports Screen

    ....................................OUTPUT PORTS SCREEN The I/O - Output screens allow patching of console output signals to main, auxiliary and track output ports, insert sends and direct outputs. The screen below shows the patching for buss outputs. (1) Output Port Lists All of the available ports can be grouped into suitable lists using the Set up application.
  • Page 77 ....................................(4) Patching To make an assignment, select an output signal, and an output port, and select Patch. Output signals can be patched to any number of output ports by repeating this procedure. (If groups are set to be mono, only the left output will have a signal on it). Patches can be removed from selected output ports using the REMOVE patching button.

  • Page 78: Assignable Insert Sends

    ....................................ASSIGNABLE INSERT SENDS The assignable insert sends are set up on the Output Ports screen, INSERT by selecting “Assignable Inserts” from the list of Output Views. The DIRECT OUTPUT output ports for assignable insert sends can be patched, moved and removed here in the same way that buss outputs are patched.

  • Page 79: Assignable Insert Returns

    ....................................ASSIGNABLE INSERT RETURNS The assignable insert returns are set up on the Input Ports screen, by selecting “Assignable Inserts” from the list of Input Views. The INSERT DIRECT OUTPUT input sources for assignable insert returns can be patched, moved and removed here in the same way that channels inputs are patched.

  • Page 80: Insert Screen

    ....................................INSERT SCREEN Once the assignable insert sends and returns have been set up on the Input and Output screens, they can be patched here to channels and INSERT DIRECT OUTPUT groups, in the same way that channel inputs are patched. The Fader View buttons select which paths are on display.

  • Page 81: Main Insert Sends

    ....................................MAIN INSERT SENDS The main insert sends are set up on the I/O - OUTPUT screen, by select- ing “Main Inserts” from the list of output views. The output ports for main INSERT DIRECT OUTPUT insert sends can be patched, moved and removed here in the same way - 4.

  • Page 82: Main Insert Returns

    ....................................MAIN INSERT RETURNS The main insert returns are set up on the I/O - INPUT screen, by selecting “Main Inserts” from the list of Input Views. The input sources for main INSERT DIRECT OUTPUT insert returns can be patched here in the same way that channel inputs are - 4.

  • Page 83: Monitoring, Talkback And Oscillator Outputs

    ....................................MONITORING, TALKBACK AND OSCILLATOR OUTPUTS The output ports for the monitoring, talkback and oscillator outputs can be patched on the I/O - OUTPUT screen, by selecting “Mon/TB & Osc” from the list of Output Views. The send ports for the LS monitor insert are patched on this screen. The return ports are patched on the Options - Mon I/P &...

  • Page 84: Direct Output Ports

    ....................................DIRECT OUTPUT PORTS The output ports for the direct outputs, can be patched on the I/O - OUTPUT screen, by select- ing “Direct Outputs” from the list of Output Views. EXTERNAL METER OUTPUT PORTS The output ports for external meters, such as a DK phase scope, can be patched on the I/O - OUTPUT screen, by selecting “To 3rd Party Meter”...

  • Page 85: Direct Input Ports

    ....................................INPUT-OUTPUT PORTS Input ports can be patched directly to output ports on the I/O - INPUT screen, by selecting “Outputs” from the list of Input Views. DIRECT INPUT PORTS Input ports can be patched to direct inputs on the I/O - INPUT screen, by selecting “Direct Inputs” from the list of Input Views.
  • Page 86 ....................................

  • Page 87: Engineering Information

    ....................................Engineering Information...

  • Page 88: User- Busses Screen

    ....................................USER- BUSSES SCREEN (1) Main Busses The type of main output (stereo/surround) has to be set up on this screen. (2) Group Busses Group busses can be selected to be mono or stereo. Stereo channels feed a mix of left and right to mono groups.

  • Page 89: States Screen

    ....................................STATES SCREEN LS Monitor Insert The LS monitor insert is switched in and out here using the Enabled and Disabled buttons. The send ports are patched on the I/O - Output - Mon, TB & Osc screen. The return ports are patched on the Options - Mon I/P &...

  • Page 90: Tech Screen

    ....................................TECH SCREEN The TECH screens are for the studio technician and Calrec Support Engineers to diagnose prob- lems, access system information such as lists and rack card configuration, save the default studio memory and enter password protected modes in order to lock critical parts of the system.
  • Page 91 This user is intended to be used during normal operation of the PC. This user has full rights to the PC, and can install and change PC hardware settings. This user is CalrecAudioAdmin calrec intended for use during re-configuration of the PC and to set up Hydra Audio Networking.

  • Page 92: Miscellaneous Screen

    ....................................MISCELLANEOUS SCREEN (1) Mic Input Headroom This area allows the channel mic input headroom to be set. This is the headroom available above the input gain setting, up to the channel fader. For example, if the input gain is set to 40 dB and the mic input headroom is 36 dB, then the channel will handle up to -4 dB up to the fader which can be backed off to avoid clipping of the programme output.

  • Page 93: Synchronisation Screen

    ....................................SYNCHRONISATION SCREEN (1) Available Sources 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. One of the external sources can be Video, (PAL or NTSC).

  • Page 94: Monitor Inputs And Talkback Screen - Monitor Ls

    ....................................MONITOR INPUTS AND TALKBACK SCREEN - MONITOR LS This screen is used to allocate monitor sources to the user-definable buttons on the standard Monitor LS panel. Buttons can only be assigned when in Technician or Supervisor mode. This allows the system to be set up prior to operation, and protects against accidental changes once the console is in use.

  • Page 95: Monitor Inputs & Talkback Screen - Monitor Selector

    ....................................MONITOR INPUTS & TALKBACK SCREEN - MONITOR SELECTOR This screen is used to allocate monitor sources to the user-definable selection buttons on the standard Monitor Selector panel. Buttons can only be assigned when in Technician or Supervi- sor mode. This allows the system to be set up prior to operation, and protects against acciden- tal changes once the console is in use.

  • Page 96: Talkback Inputs

    ....................................TALKBACK INPUTS The input sources for Talkback and Reverse Talkback are patched here. (1) Source Lists Talkback input ports can be any kind of port, selected from the list on the left of the screen. Different lists are accessed using the selection buttons. The sources can be viewed as pairs (for patching to stereo or surround paths), individual (for patching to mono paths), or individual with the actual rack number, card slot and input shown (for diagnostic purposes).

  • Page 97: Monitor Selector External Inputs

    ....................................MONITOR SELECTOR EXTERNAL INPUTS The input sources for External Monitor Inputs can be patched here in the same way that channel inputs are patched. Return ports for the LS monitor insert are patched here also. The send ports are patched on the I/O - Outputs - Mon TB & Osc Screen. The LS monitor insert is switched in and out on the States Screen.

  • Page 98: External Input Meters

    ....................................EXTERNAL INPUT METERS The input sources for external input meters can be patched here in the same way that channel inputs are patched. Up to 6 external input sources can be metered. External input ports are selected from the available lists on the left of the screen. Different lists are accessed using the selection buttons.

  • Page 99: Condition Switching (Tx/Reh) Screen

    ....................................CONDITION SWITCHING (TX/REH) SCREEN This screen provides a mechanism for the system’s condition switching to be set up. There are three modes which the system can be in: Transmit (TX or On Air), Rehearse, or Neither. These are controlled from the ON AIR and REH buttons on the console or from external inputs set up on the GPI screen.

  • Page 100: General Purpose Outputs

    ....................................GENERAL PURPOSE OUTPUTS (1) “Misc Functions” or “Channel Fader Open” The relay-isolated general purpose outputs can have various console functions assigned (with “Misc Functions” selected), or they can be set to operate when particular faders are opened (with “Channel Fader Open” selected). Console functions can be assigned to more than one output.

  • Page 101: General Purpose Inputs

    ....................................GENERAL PURPOSE INPUTS (1) “Misc Functions”, “Channel Cut” or “Auto-Fade” The opto-isolated general purpose inputs can be assigned to various console functions (with “Misc Functions” selected), or they can be set to cut channels (with ‘Channel Cut’ selected). With “Auto Fade” selected, the opto-isolated inputs can be assigned to auto-faders to allow automatic cross-fading.

  • Page 102: Gpi-Auto Fade

    ....................................GPI-AUTO FADE The GPI-AUTOFADE screen allows optos to be assigned to the 32 assignable auto-faders. This allows channel or groups to be be automatically faded in or out under the control of an external signal. To make an assignment, select an opto from the available list on the left, and an auto-fader from the auto-fader list on the right, and then select "Patch".

  • Page 103: Serial Interface

    ....................................SERIAL INTERFACE The system currently supports the following serial interfaces: Cue Director Nexus Router TSI Image Video 1000 Serial port setup and label associations are made using the Options-Serial I/F screens. Serial Port Settings Screen The console can have up to 8 hub cards, each of which can have a serial interface port for allowing equipment to be connected to the system.
  • Page 104 ....................................Router Label Setup Screen Some Routers incorporate a label interface which is used for the transmission of source (input) and destination (output) descriptions between itself and other equipment. When an audio signal from a Router is connected to the console, its associated label is transmitted to the con- sole via a serial interface.
  • Page 105 ....................................Router Label Association Screen This screen allows each of the defined labels to be associated with one of the console’s input ports. The input ports are shown down the left hand side of the screen, and the Router labels are shown along the bottom of the screen.

  • Page 106: Pc Information

    Network Ports A network port is provided to enable the user to connect to their own LAN. Calrec will not be responsible for the configuration of this port or for any performance issues arising from its use.
  • Page 107 (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 108: Optional I/O Expansion Via Wide Area Interfaces

    The Hydra audio networking system provides a powerful network for sharing of I/O resources and control data between Calrec digital consoles. Remote I/O units, with up to 96 inputs/outputs, analogue or digital, may be connected onto the network, providing remotely located sources and destinations that can be used by any or all mixing consoles.

  • Page 109: Important Changes Between Different Product Versions

    ....................................Important Changes Between Different Product Versions...
  • Page 110 ....................................Important Operational Changes Between Different Versions of This Product Please note that some version numbers are not generally released for all products, and are therefore not documented here. V1.8 included: A change to the way Port Lists are selected on the I/O Matrix panel. The previous method of just pressing the control down will now have no effect.
  • Page 111 VU & PPM moving coil meter responses improved. M/S function for main, Anc 1 & Anc 2 meter sels (Calrec, internal meters only). The L & R meters can now by switched to display M & S (mono & stereo difference signals) using the M/S buttons on the meter selectors.
  • Page 112 ....................................V1.10 included: (Continued...) Dolby SDU4 control via relays/optos (from the right hand decoder remote button). This allows remote switching for Alt Output Modes (stereo or mono). Default memory - on Tech screen (Also clears isolate settings). This should be set by the Studio Tech- nicians on the Tech screen.
  • Page 113 ....................................V1.11 included: (Continued...) No Restriction on number of analogue inputs which can be used simultaneously. Synchronisation from AES inputs to work from any of the first six inputs on each AES card. Three options for pulsed relays, Pulse On, Pulse Off and Pulse Both. Tone to groups.
  • Page 114 ....................................V1.16 included: (Continued...) The Oscillator’s External inputs (stereo and mono) are now available. The Oscillator’s L ONLY Tone interrupt is now operational. Stereo tone feeds all stereo outputs (instead of mono tone) PFL is prevented from feeding more than one set of loudspeakers at once. i.e. PFL to small LS or to PFL LS to be off if PFL to Mon.
  • Page 115 ....................................V1.23 included: Introduction of new style assignable monitor panels. The type of monitor anel fitted must now be cho- sen in the configuration. The old and new style panels cannot be mixed in a console. The Setup Application is used to select:- The width, phantom centre and LFE off settings of the monitor outputs.

  • Page 116: Notes

    ....................................NOTES...

  • Page 117: User Registration

    Completion of this regis- tration form will ensure that we send all technical correspondence directly to you at the ad- dress you have indicated. The form, once completed should be returned to Calrec at the following address. User Registrations Calrec Audio Ltd...
  • Page 118 ....................................
  • Page 119 ....................................
  • Page 120 Calrec Audio Ltd reserve the right to change specifications without notice. E & O.E. The established policy of Calrec Audio Ltd. is to seek improvements to the design, specifications and manufacture of all products. It is not always possible to provide notice outside the company of the alterations that take place continually.

Table of Contents