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Calrec Alpha 100 Operator's Manual

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Alpha 100
OPERATORS MANUAL
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
Note:
Please see pages 71-74 for details of important operational changes from earlier versions of
this product.
(Product V1.10)

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Summary of Contents for Calrec Alpha 100

  • Page 1 Alpha 100 OPERATORS MANUAL (Product V1.10) 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 Note: Please see pages 71-74 for details of important operational changes from earlier versions of...
  • Page 2 Please observe the following:- After Sales Modifications. 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

    Alpha 100 ....................................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.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Alpha 100 ....................................CONTENTS PAGE Technical Customer Support Product Warranty, Repairs Introduction Principal Features Important Concepts Layering Assignable Control 48 Fader Frame Standard Layout Paths and Ports Port Labels and Lists Getting Started 14 - 15 Signal Paths Inserts Systems Diagram...
  • Page 5 Alpha 100 ....................................Ancillary 1 Meters Talkback Other Meters PC Screens Screen Usage & Layout Error Messages The Operational Screens I/O - I/P’s - Channel Inputs 42 - 43 I/O - Output - Direct Output I/O - Output - Buss Outputs...

  • Page 6: Technical Customer Support

    Supply of replacement components Supply of documentation Technical advice by telephone 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. Stephen Brant...

  • Page 7: Product Warranty

    REPAIRS If you need to return goods to Calrec, for whatever reason, please contact the Company beforehand in order that you can receive advice on the best method of returning the goods &...
  • Page 8 The high level of reliability of all Calrec products, many of which are still in daily use after 20 years, reflects a clear awareness of the critical nature of the operating environment.

  • Page 9: Principal Features

    Alpha 100 ....................................PRINCIPAL FEATURES Format Up to 96 faders, with A & B layers of control, plus 4 dedicated Main Output faders. Up to 96 Stereo or Mono Channels plus 48 Mono Channels. Comprehensive Surround Panning and Monitoring. Channel / Group Facilities All channels have 4-band EQ, 2-band Filters, Compressor/Limiter and Expander/Gate.

  • Page 10: Important Concepts

    ....................................IMPORTANT CONCEPTS If you are at all familiar with sound mixing consoles, you should find the Alpha 100 very easy to operate. To help with this, there are just a few basic concepts which need to be explained: LAYERING Each Fader can control two independent audio signal paths, named A and B.

  • Page 11: Fader Frame Standard Layout

    Alpha 100 ....................................48 FADER FRAME STANDARD LAYOUT Key to the bottom diagram Bold border denotes the area of the “ASSIGN PANELS” (920-543) Please Note: Any text shown in indicates functions which are not available in this product release (V1.10).

  • Page 12: Paths And Ports

    Alpha 100 ....................................PATHS AND PORTS Digital consoles, by necessity, incorporate features which may seem, at first sight, to be a nuisance. The main difference which falls into this category, is the way in which audio signals get from the outside world into the channels within the desk.

  • Page 13: Port Labels And Lists

    Alpha 100 ....................................PORT LABELS AND LISTS When the Alpha 100 is installed, all the Ports on the system are labelled to match the studio wiring. Some rules are imposed on this labelling: • The I/O should be labelled in pairs.

  • Page 14: Getting Started

    Alpha 100 ....................................GETTING STARTED Assuming that the “house technician” has set up the basic system ports, etc, firstly choose a channel fader by pressing the A (or B) button on the channel fader module. Next, go to the I/O Matrix panel and, if a Path Type is not already indicated, press either the Mono or Stereo buttons to assign a mono or stereo channel to the fader.
  • Page 15 Alpha 100 ....................................You are now ready to use the channel as you would on any other desk. Set the Input Gain, Panning, etc, on the Input Output panel, the EQ and Dynamics on their respective panels, and route the signal, to Main 1 say, on the Routing panel.

  • Page 16: Signal Paths

    ....................................SIGNAL PATHS As can be seen from the diagram, the Alpha 100 can have up to 96 Stereo or Mono, plus 48 Mono channels. The 8 groups can each be designated as stereo or mono (see the Busses screen in the User screens group).

  • Page 17: Systems Diagram

    Alpha 100 ....................................SYSTEMS DIAGRAM (920-544) Please Note: Any text shown in indicates functions which are not available in this product release (V1.10).

  • Page 18: Channel" Faders

    Alpha 100 ....................................“CHANNEL” FADERS Channel and Group Paths are controlled by the console’s “CHANNEL” FADERS. Any “Channel” Fader (A or B) can control any Channel or Group Path. The Main Paths are controlled by the faders on the Main Outputs Module.

  • Page 19: Channel Control

    Alpha 100 ....................................“CHANNEL CONTROL” The “Channel Control” module is housed above the “Channel” faders. At the top, led’s display: Routing to groups and mains; the currently selected input type (Mic, Analogue Line, or Digital); whether the Sample Rate Convertor (SRC) is switched in, if it is a Digital input;...

  • Page 20: Functions Module

    Alpha 100 ....................................FUNCTIONS MODULE MIX-MINUS BUS, DIRECT INPUTcan be switched ON or OFF, and a rotary control is provided to adjust its level. The port for this is patched on the Direct Input Ports Screen. CLEAR, AUX CLEAR, DEFAULT SET-UP and CONSOLE CLEAR flash when pressed and require the EXEC button to be pressed before the operation is carried out.

  • Page 21: Channel Copy

    Alpha 100 ....................................CHANNEL COPY Also controlled from the FUNCTIONS module is Channel Copy. Nine sections of a channel or ALL together can be copied to another channel or channels. The Nudge buttons (< and >), plus A & B, can select the channel to be copied by calling it to the Assign Panels.

  • Page 22: Input/Output Controls

    Alpha 100 ....................................INPUT/OUTPUT CONTROLS The INPUT controls on the Input/Output module allow separate settings for the two channel inputs, plus Gain and On/Off for the Group & Main direct inputs. SRC switches the sample rate converter on digital inputs.
  • Page 23 Alpha 100 ....................................The FRONT/BACK pan can be switched to be a rear level control. When the REAR LEVEL is not in circuit, the Front/Back pan control pans the signal between Front and Back. When the Rear Level control is IN, the level to the Front remains as set by the Front/Back pan but the level to the Front >...

  • Page 24: Eq & Filters

    Alpha 100 ....................................EQ & FILTERS The Equaliser module controls EQ & Filters on the Channels. ALTERNATE EQ FLTR allows switching between two complete sets of alternate settings. Excessive control ranges are deliberately avoided to simplify operation. The controls provide:...

  • Page 25: Dynamics

    Alpha 100 ....................................DYNAMICS The Dynamics module controls Compressor and Expander or Gate, on Channels and Groups, and Compressor on Main outputs, providing: Compressor: Threshold +20dB to -20dB Recovery 75ms to 4 sec + AUTO Ratio 1 to 50 Attack 50µs (0.05 ms) to 5ms...

  • Page 26: Routing

    Alpha 100 ....................................ROUTING Routes for the selected channel can be made or removed by pressing the numbered buttons on the routing panel. To route several adjacent channels to one bus, the nudge buttons (on the Functions or I/O Matrix module) can be used to quickly select the channels.

  • Page 27: Simple Channel Schematic

    Alpha 100 ....................................SIMPLE CHANNEL SCHEMATIC (920-546) On the Input/Output module, BUS feeds the direct Output signal to the Mix Minus Bus. The output of the Mix Minus Bus feeds back into the channel (or group) where the channel’s signal is subtracted.

  • Page 28: Auxiliaries

    Alpha 100 ....................................AUXILIARIES This module controls the feeds from the channels or groups to the auxiliary output busses. Each feed can be Pre or Post the channel or group fader. The Auxiliary buses are pre-set to be mono or stereo via the PC. If, for example, aux 9 is stereo, then aux 19 will not be available (and Aux 19 will not work on the monitor selector).

  • Page 29: Aux Output

    Alpha 100 ....................................AUX OUTPUT These modules control the Auxiliary outputs. On Stereo auxiliaries a dual level display will be shown. For example, aux 9 & 10. Here buttons 19 & 20 will be inoperative. There cannot be a level offset on the output display.

  • Page 30: Memory & I/O Matrix

    Alpha 100 ....................................MEMORY & I/O MATRIX 99 memories can be held in the Flash ROM. The LIVE MEMORY is the last memory loaded. The SELECTED MEMORY is the one which will be affected by the buttons; Load, Save, Remove, Insert into Stack & Clr (on the keypad).
  • Page 31 Alpha 100 ....................................The I/O MATRIX panel area allows: • Faders to be called to the Assign Panels, via the <, >, A and B buttons and the keypad (with SEL FADER lit). • Paths to be assigned to the faders, via the GROUP, and STEREO and MONO Channel buttons.

  • Page 32: Main Outputs

    Alpha 100 ....................................MAIN OUTPUTS The ASSIGN BUTTON on each Main fader calls the Main output to the Assign Panels to allow; routing (of one Main to another - indicated on the routing leds above the faders), Insert on/off, and control of the Compressor and Direct input.

  • Page 33: Main Meters

    Alpha 100 ....................................MAIN METERS The MAIN METERS can be Surround only, There can be a separate M/S meter They can be PPM’s, VU’s, Bargraphs, Phase display incorporating bargraphs, or a mixture of these. The Main meter selector is on the Monitor Selector module. It can select either Main 1 or 2 Desk (pre Tone &...

  • Page 34: Monitor Selector & Ls

    Alpha 100 ....................................MONITOR SELECTOR & LS All SELECTOR external inputs can be Mono, Stereo, , or 5.1. Mono inputs are fed to L + R. SEL 1 & SEL 2 are sub-selectors which feed the other selectors. The SMALL LS level control can be in series with the Main LS level control.
  • Page 35 Alpha 100 ....................................ALTERNATIVE LISTENING MODES: All off indicates NORMAL (Mono, Stereo or Surround depending on the source selected and the LS arrangement). 3 STEREO with Phan Centre ON is the same as STEREO except the LFE is optional. ØR, L+R to L, L to L+R, and R to L+R will work in any mode, but are really designed for use in STEREO mode or when monitoring Stereo sources.
  • Page 36 Alpha 100 ....................................ANCILLARY 1 METERS The ANCILLARY 1 METERS can be Surround only, There can be a separate M/S meter They can be PPM’s, VU’s, Bargraphs, Phase display incorporating bargraphs, or a mixture of these. Please Note: Any text shown in...
  • Page 37 Alpha 100 ....................................TALKBACK Please Note: Any text shown in indicates functions which are not available in this product release (V1.10).
  • Page 38 Alpha 100 ....................................OTHER METERS APFL MAIN MAIN TRACKS 1-24 SPACE FOR TRACKS 25-48 ANC 2 METERS LOGO OUTPUT ANC 1 GROUPS MINUS METERS INPUT BLANK BLANK OUTPUT AUX O/P BLANK A comprehensive set of optional meters are available, for example: Track Bargraphs displaying the Track output levels, post Tone 6*.
  • Page 39 Alpha 100 ....................................PC Screens Please Note: Any text shown in indicates functions which are not available in this product release (V1.10).

  • Page 40: Screen Layout

    ....................................SCREEN USAGE The Alpha 100 is designed to minimise the need for the operator to use the screen once the console has been preset. Failure of the screen’s computer has no effect on the operation of the control surface or the audio.

  • Page 41: Error Messages

    Alpha 100 ....................................ERROR MESSAGES If a problem develops, such as the failure of the primary external sync signal, the PC will switch to the Automatic Warning and Correction System (AWACS) screen. The Messages Pending section at the top of the screen will contain a list of un-cleared errors. Selecting an error mes- sage will reveal a more detailed description of that error in the Message Text section, at the bottom of the screen.

  • Page 42: Input Sources

    Alpha 100 ....................................THE OPERATIONAL SCREENS I/O - INPUT - Channel Inputs INPUT SOURCES All the inputs (mic, line or digital) can be accessed on the left hand side of the INPUT screen. They will have been labelled and grouped into lists at the time the Alpha was installed.

  • Page 43: To Make Connections

    Alpha 100 ....................................MIC OPEN Each input port can be assigned to either of the two MIC OPEN busses by firstly selecting the input and then selecting BUSS 1 or BUSS 2. Then, if the input is patched to a channel input, it will operate the mic open circuit when that channel is faded up and routed to the programme output.
  • Page 44 Alpha 100 ....................................I/O - OUTPUT - Direct Outputs OUTPUT PORTS - All the outputs (line or digital) can be accessed on the right hand side of the OUTPUT screen. They will have been labelled and grouped into lists at the time the Alpha was installed.
  • Page 45 Alpha 100 ....................................I/O - OUTPUT - BUSS OUTPUTS The output ports for the Main, Aux and Track outputs can be patched here in the same way that Direct Output Ports are patched. Each pair of auxes can be two mono outputs or a stereo output as set up on the USER - BUSSES screen.
  • Page 46 Alpha 100 ....................................ASSIGNABLE INSERTS Assignable inserts are designed to be pre-connected to send and return ports which are in turn pre-wired to insertable devices or to an insert patchbay (normally there would be some assignable inserts of each type).
  • Page 47 Alpha 100 ....................................I/O - OUTPUT - Assignable Insert Sends The Output Ports for Assignable Insert Sends can be patched here in the same way that Direct Output Ports are patched. The Input ports connected to the Insert Return can also be seen.
  • Page 48 Alpha 100 ....................................I/O - INPUT - Assignable Insert Returns The Input Sources for Assignable Insert Returns can be patched here in the same way that channel inputs are patched. The Output ports connected to the Insert Send can also be seen.
  • Page 49 Alpha 100 ....................................I/O - Insert The Assignable Inserts can be patched here to channels and groups, in the same way that chan- nel inputs are patched. The CONSOLE PATH TYPE and the FADER SEQUENCE select which paths are on display. The send and return ports should have been pre-set on the OUTPUT &...
  • Page 50 Alpha 100 ....................................I/O - OUTPUT - Main Insert Sends The Output Ports for Main Insert Sends can be patched here in the same way that Direct Output Ports are patched. The Input ports connected to the Insert Return can also be seen.
  • Page 51 Alpha 100 ....................................I/O - INPUT - Main Insert Returns The Input Sources for Main Insert Returns can be patched here in the same way that channel inputs are patched. The Output ports connected to the Insert Send can also be seen. These are set up on the OUTPUT screens.
  • Page 52 Alpha 100 ....................................I/O - OUTPUT - Mon, TB & Osc Outputs The output ports for the Monitoring can be patched here in the same way that Direct Output Ports are patched. Outputs shown in grey are not available in this product release.
  • Page 53 Alpha 100 ....................................I/O - OUTPUT - Ext Meter Outputs The output ports for the External Meters, such as a DK phase scope, can be patched here in the same way that Direct Output Ports are patched. Most of the meters on the console are driven internally and do not require output ports.
  • Page 54 Alpha 100 ....................................I/O - INPUT - Outputs Input ports can be patched directly to output ports on this screen. Please Note: Any text shown in indicates functions which are not available in this product release (V1.10).
  • Page 55 Alpha 100 ....................................MEM - MEM This screen works in parallel with the MEMORY panel on the console. From here, memories can be backed up to the PC’s hard disk, re-named, and cleared. The STACK is shown here. Scene labels can be applied to positions in the stack.
  • Page 56 Alpha 100 ....................................MEM - ISOL The isolate screen allows whole channels/groups or parts of channels/groups to be isolated from memory recall. This means their current settings will not be over-written by what is in the memory. Please Note: Any text shown in...
  • Page 57 Alpha 100 ....................................Panels - Route This screen works in parallel with the console Assign Buttons and the ROUTING panel. Please Note: Any text shown in indicates functions which are not available in this product release (V1.10).
  • Page 58 Alpha 100 ....................................User - Busses GROUPS Group busses can be selected to be Mono or Stereo. Stereo channels feed a mix of L + R to mono groups. Mono channels pan L/R to stereo groups. AUXES Mono Aux busses can be paired up to make stereo auxes or vice-versa. When a pair of auxes are changed in this way, all settings of the pair are cleared.
  • Page 59 Alpha 100 ....................................Options Screens The OPT screens are used to pre-set the system to the studio’s required settings. These settings are not stored in the individual console memories but can be saved separately using the OPT - FILE screen. This allows options to be changed without invalidating any saved memories.
  • Page 60 Alpha 100 ....................................Opt -Misc 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 61 Alpha 100 ....................................Opt -Sync 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. Please note that the facility for locking to external AES sources is restricted to the first six inputs of each AES card in the console.
  • Page 62 Alpha 100 ....................................OPT - Mon I/P - Monitor Buttons View This screen gives a confirmation of how the monitor panel buttons have been set up. Please Note: Any text shown in indicates functions which are not available in this product release (V1.10).
  • Page 63 Alpha 100 ....................................Opt -Mon I/P - External Ports View The Input Sources for External Monitor Inputs can be patched here in the same way that channel inputs are patched. The NAME of the external input will correspond to the text on the button as shown on the Monitor Buttons View.
  • Page 64 Alpha 100 ....................................Opt -TX/REH This screen allows the condition switching for the system to 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 Each function can be set to be active, or not, in any of the three states.
  • Page 65 Alpha 100 ....................................Opt -Optos The Opto-isolated Input connections for various Console Functions can be patched here in the same way that channel inputs are patched. If optos are patched to Input Ports, when fired externally, they will cut any channel to which that input port is connected.
  • Page 66 Alpha 100 ....................................Opt -Relays The Relay-isolated Output connections for various Console Functions can be patched here in the same way that channel inputs are patched. The relay can be set to latch or pulse for 100 ms, when the Console Function is activated.
  • Page 67 Alpha 100 ....................................OPT - FILE Changes to options take effect as soon as they are made. However, if they are not saved, the next time the desk boots up the options will revert to their previous settings. SAVE OPTIONS TO FLASH saves the current settings to disk as well as updating the on-board flash ROM.
  • Page 68 Alpha 100 ....................................Notes: Please Note: Any text shown in indicates functions which are not available in this product release (V1.10).

  • Page 69: User Registration

    Completion of this registration form will ensure that we send all technical correspondence directly to you at the address you have indicated. The form, once completed should be returned to Calrec at the following address. User Registrations Calrec Audio Ltd...
  • Page 70 Alpha 100 ....................................Please Note: Any text shown in indicates functions which are not available in this product release (V1.10).
  • Page 71 Alpha 100 ....................................IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL CHANGES FROM EARLIER VERSIONS OF THIS PRODUCT 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. Instead, to change to a different list you should press and turn the control.
  • Page 72 Alpha 100 ....................................IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL CHANGES FROM EARLIER VERSIONS OF THIS PRODUCT V1.10 includes: Input port to output port routing. Set on the INPUTS screen (Outputs Tab). Copy INPUT now copies the input gains, phantom power and SRC settings (where the inputs are the same type).
  • Page 73 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 74 Alpha 100 ....................................IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL CHANGES FROM EARLIER VERSIONS OF THIS PRODUCT V1.10 includes: (Continued...) AWACS system responds to console processor hot-swap. Previously, this was notified sepa- rately. Stereo pan display shows L-R difference in dB. This is for the Channel/Group Front pan control on the Input/Output panel, when not in L-C-R mode.
  • Page 75 Alpha 100 ....................................Please Note: Any text shown in indicates functions which are not available in this product release (V1.10).
  • Page 76 Calrec Audio Ltd reserve the right to change specifications without notice. E & O.E. Alpha 100 is a trademark of Calrec Audio Ltd. All other trade marks acknowledged.  (926-073 Iss.4) 2001 Calrec Audio Ltd...