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Stagetec CRESCENDO PLATINUM User Manual

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Stage Tec
Stage Tec
CRESCENDO
User Manual | Software Release 4.3 | 08.2017
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Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems
Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems
platinum
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Summary of Contents for Stagetec CRESCENDO PLATINUM

  • Page 1 Stage Tec Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems CRESCENDO platinum User Manual | Software Release 4.3 | 08.2017...
  • Page 4 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Publisher: Stage Tec Entwicklungsgesellschaft für professionelle Audiotechnik mbH Tabbertstraße 10 | D-12459 Berlin/Germany | www.stagetec.com Copyright: Stage Tec Entwicklungsgesellschaft für professionelle Audiotechnik mbH Design, copywriting, graphics & layout: Martin Mader (mader@stagetec.com) Übersetzung:...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Table of Contents Block diagram Signal flow Introduction Precautions and safety warnings Legal notice …………………………………………………………… 24 Declaration of conformity ……………………………………………… 25 Safety Precautions …………………………………………………… 26 Storage and operation conditions …………………………………… 28 Preparations …………………………………………………………… 29 Operation &...
  • Page 6 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems platinum System CRESCENDO Interfaces Console ……………………………………………………………… 73 Base station …………………………………………………………… 76 Machine Control ………………………………………………………80 Relay Interface …………………………………………………… 97 Operation Mixing console The control surface ………………………………………………… 109 Terminology ……………………………………………………………113 Layers …………………………………………………………………115 Spill function ……………………………………………………… 122 Selecting channels –...
  • Page 7 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems On-screen indications ……………………………………………… 227 Bus channels Groups and sums …………………………………………………… 237 bus channels …………………………………………………… 244 Monitor section Introduction ………………………………………………………… 249 monitor channel ………………………………………………… 249 Headphone output ………………………………………………… 258 Solo and PFL modes ………………………………………………… 260 Playback ( PB ) monitor channel ………………………………………...
  • Page 8 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Automixer Configuration ……………………………………………………… 332 Operation…………………………………………………………… 333 Console Control Control systems platinum control using the RAP format ………………… 337 CRESCENDO platinum control using the RAS format ………………… 339 CRESCENDO Appendix Replacing Knobs Fader Knobs ………………………………………………………… 345 Replacing Key Caps and Labels ………………………………………...
  • Page 9 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...
  • Page 10 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 11: Block Diagram

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Block diagram...
  • Page 12 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Ch Input (»CH 1 A«) Input Board Routing Gain Expander/Gate Equalizer & Filter Delay Insert Compressor Fader Mute Panorama Routing Output Board Audio Audio NEXUS NEXUS CRESCENDO CRESCENDO CRESCENDO CRESCENDO CRESCENDO CRESCENDO CRESCENDO CRESCENDO CRESCENDO...

  • Page 13: Signal Flow

    Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Signal flow Together with the NEXUS audio routing system, the CRESCENDO platinum console provides extremely flexible routing options. The illustrations on the following pages show the three parts of the overall system’s block diagram and will be used as reference for the present manual.
  • Page 14 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems devices. It sources its signal from NEXUS , and its output is available on the network. NEXUS The group and summing busses are connected to bus channels, which can be routed to other busses (configurable) or transmitted to external de- vices via NEXUS.
  • Page 15 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Third spread The Downmix channel is used to create a stereo mix of a multichannel signal. Its inputs and outputs can be routed to the desired sources and destinations inside the NEXUS system. The right part of the illustration shows the console’s A/D and D/A convert- ers for the Talkback channel and a pair of headphones.
  • Page 16 Gain Fader »EXT PFL« CRESCENDO CRESCENDO Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems PFL Bus Channel (1/2) Gain Fader Mute CRESCENDO CRESCENDO Freely routable (signal pro Auxiliary Bus Channel (1/n) Fader Gain Mute CRESCENDO CRESCENDO Freely routable (signal pro N–1 Bus Channel (1/n) Gain Equalizer &...
  • Page 17 Routing Output Board Routing PFL Bus to NEXUS Out Audio NEXUS PFL Channel Out NEXUS (»PFL L OUT«) Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Aux Ch Output PB Channel Out (»Aux 1 L OUT«) (»PB L SP«) PB Channel Input Aux Channel Out Limiter Routing...
  • Page 18 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Main (Sum) Bus Channel (1/n) Internal Down Mix Mixing Busses Input Left (»DmIn L A«) Routing In Left Fader Fader Main Out Left NEXUS CRESCENDO CRESCENDO CRESCENDO (»Dmix L OUT«) In Center (»DmIn C A«) Routing...
  • Page 19 N–1 Gain & Mute (»CR-1 LF SP«) CR Channel Input CRESCENDO Fader, Dim & Routing Output Board (»CR-1 LF A«) Mute PFL Out CRESCENDO NEXUS NEXUS Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems CRESCENDO Control Room Channel »CR« Routing Console Out Phones NEXUS...
  • Page 20 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 21: Introduction

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Introduction...
  • Page 22 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 23: Precautions And Safety Warnings

    Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Precautions and safety warnings The CRESCENDO platinum digital mixing system is a cutting-edge product for professional audio processing. Please read the following precautions and safety warning to avoid personal injury and damage to the mixing system, and to preserve the system’s reliability and integrity.

  • Page 24: Legal Notice

    Stage Tec Entwicklungsgesellschaft für profes- sionelle Audiotechnik. The graphic operation software for CRESCENDO platinum and NEXUS STAR as well as the associated system software are the intellectual property of Stage Tec Entwicklungsgesellschaft für professionelle Audiotechnik mbH, Berlin, and subject to its licensing terms.

  • Page 25: Declaration Of Conformity

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems • The S/P DIF format is a joint development of Sony and Philips and has been standardized by the IEC . • The SDI video and audio formats have been standardized by the SMPTE . •...

  • Page 26: Safety Precautions

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Safety Precautions ������� Ple�se re�d ��d ��ders���d �he f�ll�w��g bef�re �per����g � RES ENDO pl�����m , AURATUS, AURUS/ pl�����m , NEXUS ��d/�r NEXUS STAR pr�d�c�. Espec��lly �he pr�d�c�’s we�gh� ��d ��s p�wered c�mp��e��s m�y c��se per- s���l ��j�ry! Ple�se re�d �he f�ll�w��g sec����...

  • Page 27: Mechanical Details

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Mechanical details Though this console is both stable and relatively lightweight, please pay at- tention to the following: • Only grasp the side panels or the console’s front side (wooden panel) to lift and move it to a different location.

  • Page 28: Other Remarks

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems • Bear in mind that the computer used to control the NEXUS unit may re- quire lower ambient temperatures. • Never expose the console to direct heat sources, like sun beams or strong stage lights.

  • Page 29: Preparations

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems pation is nevertheless indispensable. More specifically, leave the rack slots above and below the base station empty—do not cover them with blind plates! If a sufficiently low ambient temperature cannot be guaranteed, in- stall a fan unit for 19"...

  • Page 30: Operation & Maintenance

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Operation & maintenance Never switch on a power supply to which no load is connected. All maintenance and repair operations must be performed by trained engineers. This also applies to the replacement of cards inside the console and of power supplies.

  • Page 31: Fiber-Optic Connections

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems • The controls are connected to surge diverters on the circuit boards to pro- tect the internal components from undesirable spikes. Electrostatic voltage build-ups in the console’s vicinity may nevertheless be discharged onto the unit when the user touches its controls, and cause malfunctions or even dam- age certain components.
  • Page 32 Never modify the mechanical or electrical characteristics of any part or com- ponent. Always consult with the manufacturer prior to performing any modi- fication whatsoever! The unique concept of the CRESCENDO platinum mixing console provides several advantages, which are based on thorough research...

  • Page 33: About The Operating Manual

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Always exit all running applications and use the operating system’s shut- down function before switching off the computer. Be sure to heed the licensing terms of the supplied Microsoft operating system. Caveat emptor Any modification or change to any of the Stage Tec components will void your warranty! About the operating manual...

  • Page 34: Quotation Marks

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Conventions in this document The present manual uses a minimum of different font styles so as not to dis- tract you from its main purpose: coming to grips with the console. All fea- tures should be readily recognizable from their context.
  • Page 35 NEXUS, NEXUS STAR, NEXUS busses, Blue terms refer to the console’s items ( platinum , CRESCENDO CRESCENDO platinum busses, CRESCENDO platinum signal processing Keys… The following keys, whose names may differ depending on the keyboard you are using, have invariable, global functions: [Ctrl], [Cntrl]: The »Control«...
  • Page 36 You can even print the document if required. Be sure to comply with the usage terms, though. We tried to keep the CRESCENDO platinum manual as compact as possible so that you can keep it handy for any doubts or questions you may have.

  • Page 37: Support

    +49 30 639902-32. Product information See our website for information about other products (http://www.stagetec. com). You will also find current documentation supplied as PDF files that you can download. Of course, you can also contact us directly: •...
  • Page 38 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Microsoft Windows Embedded Runtime Licenses, page 1...
  • Page 39 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Microsoft Windows Embedded Runtime Licenses, page 2...
  • Page 40 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Microsoft Windows Embedded Runtime Licenses, page 3...
  • Page 41 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...
  • Page 42 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 43: Revisions

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Revisions Stage Tec mixing systems keep evolving. Our software updates, which are usually free of charge for existing customers, not only fix existing problems, but usually also expand the feature set. The changes implemented by the software releases for the various consoles types are explained on the following pages.

  • Page 44: Crescendo Softwareversion 4.3

    The »Automixer« function for panel discussions takes care of automatically controlling the gain setting of input channels based on their input levels (Gain Sharing). This optional function for CRESCENDO platinum requires both soft- ware version 4.3 and RMDQ signal processing cards.

  • Page 45: Frequency Setting

    Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Loudness Indication A CRESCENDO platinum mixing system containing RMDQ cards and running software version 4.3 allows the optional addition of a loudness indication for the bus channels. This indication complies with ITU-R BS .1770-2, ITU-R BS .1771 and EBU R 128.
  • Page 46 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems cy parameters: equalizers, high/low-pass filters, notch filters (as well as side- chain filters) and the de-esser filters. The settings of older Projects are loaded without a glitch. Controlling Dynamics Blocks using Logic Control The »Audio-Follows-Video«...
  • Page 47 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Configuring fades in the » « dialog FADE CONFIGURATION CHANNEL › The right part of the window can be used to set the fade curve (»Set Fade Type«) and speed (»Set Fade Time«). Note that any changes you make here are only applied if the »Set Fade Type«...

  • Page 48: Crescendo Software Version 4.2

    4.1 CRESCENDO Creating Projects The Project creation process has been revamped for CRESCENDO platinum systems equipped with second-generation DSP cards ( RMDQ ) and running software versions 4.1 and higher. Projects can now be created in the rede- signed »...

  • Page 49: Crescendo Software Version 4.0

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems software version 4.0 CRESCENDO A/B inputs for input channels Each input channel has two independent inputs, allowing for the connection of two sources. These mixer inputs can be patched separately in the matrix windows.

  • Page 50: Crescendo Software Version 3.12

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems software version 3.12 CRESCENDO New Appearance of NEXUS Base Devices New Appearance of NEXUS Base Devices The » NEXUS RESOURCES « window now displays base devices in a clearer way: rather than showing socket icons, the front panels only list the cards available inside the base device in question in normal view.
  • Page 51 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Scene Automation: Assignable Colors for the List The [Text Color], [Back Color] and [Scene Color] buttons in the bottom section of the » SCENE AUTHORING « window can be used to modify the background color of either the list or the currently selected row.

  • Page 52: Crescendo Software Version 3.11

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems software version 3.11 CRESCENDO Dynamics modules’ control inputs linkable The control inputs (Key In) of the dynamics modules can be routed to exter- nal inputs, allowing you to control the level behavior of other sources. The control inputs of the dynamics modules assigned to stereo channel pairs and linked groups are now also linked, so that feeding the Key input of only one channel of such a pair or group is enough to control all of them.
  • Page 53 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Controlling scene automation using Logic Control Certain functions available for scene automation, like selecting consecutive scenes, starting/stopping scene automation, etc., can now also be controlled using NEXUS Logic Control. The new software version even allows you to ac- tivate and switch off scene automation remotely.

  • Page 54: Crescendo Software Version 3.10

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems software version 3.10 CRESCENDO Automation – ‘Channel Function’ Snapshot type The new »Channel Function« Snapshot type allows you to save the function parameters you specify. Unlike the familiar »Full Function« Snapshot, this type also allows you to specify the channels whose settings should be stored.
  • Page 55 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems »Aux to Fader«/»N–1 to Fader« function The [ MUTE ] key of each fader now also affects the AUX /N–1 Send bus to which the fader in question has been assigned using the »Aux to Fader« function. Additionally, while the »Isolate«...
  • Page 56 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems current settings directly to the memory »in the background« if that is more convenient. To do so, briefly hold the [ MEM ] key. Extended setting range for the low-cut filter Depending on the NEXUS microphone cards ( XMIC , etc.) and the system soft- ware, the filter frequency for the microphone inputs now extends to 3Hz (as opposed to 20Hz) while the low-cut filter is off.
  • Page 57 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems column header is clicked. If you check the »Used in Scene Authoring« box, all events in the scene list are flagged with a background color. (Whenev- MIDI er the box is checked, the Windows color picker is displayed where you can select the desired background color.) By right-clicking a »...
  • Page 58 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Establishing multiple patch connections in the matrix windows The matrix windows have been changed as follows: • In the past, patching several channels of a given source involved estab- lishing separate patch connections for each of the desired channels. Now, the »...
  • Page 59 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems to display. Rather than the four previously available console sections (»Left Side«, »Center Fader«, »Right Side« and »Virtual Fader«), the new software version provides up to 16 sections (depending on the system). (Those sec- tions are preset by the manufacturer based on the mixing system’s size.) The labels shown in the list can be customized by editing the »…data\template\ surfcfg.txt«...

  • Page 60: Crescendo Software Version 3.8/3.9

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems software version 3.8/3.9 CRESCENDO Recalling NEXUS Snapshots Snapshots, which are created and managed within the CRESCENDO NEXUS operating software, can now also be remotely selected. CRESCENDO pro- vides virtual control inputs through its flexible NEXUS Logic Control system, which can be programmed to respond to external signals (relay contacts, serial control signals, etc.).

  • Page 61: Stereo Pairing

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems software version 3.7 CRESCENDO Solo function linkable Stereo and multi-channel links as well as Master/Slave control groups allow you to specify the parameters that should be linked. These parameters now also include the Solo function. Scene automation The Scene lists now also allow you to specify NEXUS snapshots that were cre- ated with the configuration software.
  • Page 62 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Bypass The optional » VCA Bypass« function allows you to dissociate the channels controlled by a VCA group from the Master channel by pressing a key. Such Slave channels then adopt the level settings corresponding to the current fader positions.
  • Page 63 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems dynamics curve for the selected processor. When you touch an encoder, an information window with the settings of the assigned parameters pops up. The [IN] key is no longer dedicated to the equalizer but can now also be used to insert the currently assigned processor into the signal path.
  • Page 64 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems software version 3.6 CRESCENDO Selecting group types for the spill function The Spill function allows you to temporarily assign all channels associated with the channel strip whose [ SPILL ] key you pressed to the console’s con- trol surface.
  • Page 65 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems you want to control with the faders. (This mode is indicated by means of a red background for the channel names on the TFT screens.) The »Auto Solo« function allows you to quickly monitor the mixes performed with the AUX / N–1 busses: simply assigning a different AUX /N–1 bus to the faders will con- nect the corresponding AUX /N–1 summing channel to the Solo bus.
  • Page 66 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Switching between these two pages is a matter of pressing the [FM 49–96] key in the monitor module’s » LAYER « section. The screen for the CR (main monitor) and PB monitor busses provides in- dependent level indications.

  • Page 67: Power Supply Monitoring

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems software version 3.5 CRESCENDO Monitor channel added In addition to the multichannel » CR « monitor bus, CRESCENDO now provides a separate stereophonic monitor channel called » PB « (for »playback«). It works similarly to the main monitor channel and can access all available signal sourc- es.
  • Page 68 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems which comes as standard with NEXUS base stations, is capable of interpreting a multitude of messages and events generated either internally or externally (received via the serial and relay inputs). One application for this functional- ity is warning light signalization on the relevant channel strip.
  • Page 69 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems assignment is performed with the central Channel module’s [ CENT FAD ] key. Press and hold the key for a while to activate assignment mode. Press the [ SEL ] key of the channel strip you want to use as »central« channel strip. Briefly press and hold the [ CENT FAD ] key again to leave this mode.
  • Page 70 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 71: Crescendo Platinum System

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems platinum System CRESCENDO...
  • Page 72 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems •  Communication Microphone •  Headphones •  Port •  Headphones •  Port •  Nearfield Speaker •  Phasemeter Out •  Port •  ext. Monitor (VGA) •  Power •  Power •  Connection to Base Device (Foc) • ...

  • Page 73: Interfaces

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Interfaces Thanks to the optical connection technology, installing a CRESCENDO / NEXUS system is surprisingly user-friendly. This section discusses the connection possibili- ties and fundamental cable connections of the various system components. Console The console provides the following sockets for external devices: Front...
  • Page 74 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems • Standard IEC sockets supplying the power. All power supplies need to be connected to separate wall outlets (redundancy). • socket and USB port of the configuration PC that allow you to con- nect an external monitor screen (1024 ×...
  • Page 75 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Externals Modules The easy internal wiring system of the modules allows you to install the de- sired modules up to 2m away from the console, which may come in handy for producers or project supervisors. Obviously, such modules should be housed in small desktop consoles or directly in the studio furniture.

  • Page 76: Base Station

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Base station and RMC console control and DSP cards The console control cards RMD and RMC are located in the central NEXUS STAR base station. The RMD cards are chiefly used for signal processing purposes and provide no connectors for external devices.
  • Page 77 Remote Control: This D-Sub socket allows you to connect external devices you wish to remotely control from the CRESCENDO platinum console. Its wir- ing depends on the software driver to be used (and can be specified by the customer): RS-232 or RS-422. The socket is of the 9-pin D-Sub type (male).
  • Page 78 Ethernet port (this requires a router). Additional or alternate operat- ing PC s can be connected to the NEXUS base stations on the network. Given that the NEXUS system can also be controlled by the CRESCENDO platinum console’s built-in configuration PC ( CRESCENDO platinum configuration and operating software), there may be no need for external PC s.
  • Page 79 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Nearfield Speaker Phones XLR analog audio 1/4" jack CRESCENDO Console Duplex fiber optical cable, LC connector Patch Cord Ethernet, crossed, CAT 5, CRESCENDO RJ45 connector Console PC Virtual Surface Ethernet, CAT 5 Remote Control RS 232/422 External PC...

  • Page 80: Machine Control

    RMC and NEXUS XCI cards, which can be used to con- CRESCENDO trol external devices. Machine control is built into the CRESCENDO platinum console system. The connected devices are controlled via the appropriate device drivers, which can be selected in the CRESCENDO platinum configura- tion software.
  • Page 81 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems If you select the » XCI Serial IF « board in the »Interface Type« list of the » TAPE CONTROL « window, the list below it shows the XCI interfaces of all cards available for machine control.
  • Page 82 NEXUS XCI The RMC card for the CRESCENDO platinum console is fitted with a serial in- terface for controlling external machines. The interface uses a command set developed and used by Sony, and adopted by several other manufacturers.
  • Page 83 Sony 9-Pin protocol) Starting with version 6.4, the Digidesign Pro Tools system supports machine control commands transmitted by CRESCENDO platinum. (Pro Tools must be equipped with the hardware and software Remote options.) The CRESCEN- platinum driver uses the RMC board’s serial RS 422 interface. Digidesign sells an adapter cable for connecting the Pro Tools computer.
  • Page 84 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems control for recorders ( interface) MIDI RMC MIDI D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female MIDI Output Pin 5: MIDI Out – (to DIN Jack, Pin 5, MIDI In–) Pin 9: MIDI Out+/5 V (to DIN Jack, Pin 4, MIDI In+) MIDI Thru Pin 4: MIDI Thru–...
  • Page 85 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Denon DN-M1050R MD player ( interface) XCI DTE DN-M1050R D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female GND (Pin 5) TxD (Pin 2) TxD (Pin 3) RxD (Pin 3) RxD (Pin 2) GND (Pin 5) XCI02 configuration: Internal Connector ST2x...
  • Page 86 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems interface) DENON DN-990R MD PLAYER (XCI XCI DTE DN-990R D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female GND (Pin 5) GND (Pin 5) TxD (Pin 3) RxD (Pin 3) RxD (Pin 2) TxD (Pin 2) XCI02 configuration: Internal Connector ST2x...
  • Page 87 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Digidesign Pro Tools hard disk recording system ( interface) XCI SMPTE/EBU Sony 9 Pin D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female Pin 1: GND Pin 1: GND Pin 2: Rx– Pin 2: Tx– Pin 3: Tx+ Pin 3: Rx+ Pin 5: GND...
  • Page 88 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Merging Pyramix hard disk recorder ( interface) XCI SMPTE/EBU Sony 9 Pin D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female Pin 1: GND Pin 1: GND Pin 2: Rx– Pin 2: Tx– Pin 3: Tx+ Pin 3: Rx+ Pin 5: GND...
  • Page 89 The machine allows you to arm tracks via the control protocol (»Record Ready«). While the machine is being used in »Insert« edit mode (default), the »Track Arming« window of the CRESCENDO platinum operating software (»Tape« > »Transport« > [Track Arm.]) allows you to arm the desired tracks. The [1] and [2] buttons are assigned to the two audio tracks, while the timecode track (»Insert Sub«...
  • Page 90 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Sony Betacam BCB -75 video machine ( interface) XCI SMPTE/EBU Sony 9 Pin D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female Pin 1: GND Pin 1: GND Pin 2: Rx– Pin 2: Tx– Pin 3: Tx+ Pin 3: Rx+ Pin 5: GND...
  • Page 91 (hardware and software). Sony’s machine control protocol has been adopted by countless other manufacturers. To control a machine for which no CRESCENDO platinum driver is as available, try using the standard driver for a machine like the Sony Be- tacam BCB -75/ PCM 7040, Tascam DA -88/98 or Merging Pyramix.
  • Page 92 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Tascam DA -88/98 multitrack recorder ( interface) XCI SMPTE/EBU Sony 9 Pin D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female Pin 1: GND Pin 1: GND Pin 2: Rx– Pin 2: Tx– Pin 3: Tx+ Pin 3: Rx+ Pin 5: GND...
  • Page 93 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Tascam MD -801R MD player ( interface) XCI DCE MD-801R D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female GND (Pin 5) GND (Pin 5) RxD (Pin 3) TxD (Pin 3) TxD (Pin 2) RxD (Pin 2) XCI02 configuration: Internal Connector ST3x...
  • Page 94 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Tascam MX -2424 multitrack recorder ( interface) XCI SMPTE/EBU Sony 9 Pin D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female D-Sub, 9 Pin, Female Pin 1: GND Pin 1: GND Pin 2: Rx– Pin 2: Tx– Pin 3: Tx+ Pin 3: Rx+ Pin 5: GND...
  • Page 95 The player supports both absolute and track-specific positioning. These modes require the use of separate CRESCENDO platinum device drivers. The »Type 0« sub driver uses the project time, while the »Type 1« sub driver is based on absolute time. The driver required for the desired mode needs to be selected in the »Assign Tape Control«...

  • Page 96: Parallel Interface

    XRI cards. Universal program- ming and control of the relay functions can be performed with the keys of ’s machine control units. To this end, the CRESCENDO platinum CRESCENDO system provides six virtual machines that can be configured for CRESCENDO platinum machine control in much the same way as other devices—using...

  • Page 97: Sri Relay Interface

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Relay Interface The optional SRI relay card allows users to connect external switches to des- tinations inside the console. It can be used to control external devices and to process control signals. The card is addressed via the universally program- mable NEXUS Logic Control system.

  • Page 98: Interference Suppression

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems If necessary, the sockets can be routed to appropriate connectors that can be accessed from outside the console. Interference suppression Bouncing switches, noisy control signals, crosstalk and an interference-prone environment can cause the relay inputs to behave erratically. To avoid such problems, all inputs and outputs on the SRI are fitted with filters whose time constants (±10ms) have been set to accommodate the software’s re- sponse time.
  • Page 99 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Inputs and outputs Inputs: The inputs can be triggered by control voltages and used for query- ing switching contacts. The following modes are supported: • Querying external contacts by means of the internal auxiliary voltage •...
  • Page 100 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Opto Coupler Pin 1: Input 1 (a) Input 1 Independent Inputes related to Jumper 1/2 contact mode common potential Pin 2: Opto Coupler Input 2 (a)/1 (b) Input 2 Opto Coupler Pin 3: Input 3 (a) Input 3 Input Jack...
  • Page 101 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems If the internal power source is used, its polarity can be reversed using the »Input« jumper called »Pin 25 polarity«. To this end, both jumpers need to be connected either vertically (negative polarity for pin 25) or horizontally (posi- tive polarity).

  • Page 102: How The Outputs Work

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Opto Coupler Pin 1: Output 1 (a) Output 1 Output Jack Opto Coupler (ST11) Pin 2: Output 2 (a)/1 (b) Output 2 Jumper 1/2 Opto Coupler Independent Inputes related to Pin 3: Output 3 (a) contact mode common potential Output 3...
  • Page 103 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Outputs sharing a common ground: The output socket is assigned to a jumper board whose 1/2~15/16 jumpers can be used to configure the opto- coupler outputs in one of two ways: if the jumpers are connected to the »Out- puts related to common potential«...

  • Page 104: Specifications

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Floating outputs: Connecting the 1/2~15/16 jumpers to the other position (»Odd input isolated …«, i.e. right) assigns the two lines (a/b) of the associ- ated semiconductor relay to the corresponding adjacent pins on the D-Sub socket.
  • Page 105 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems SRI pin wiring »Input« socket – D-Sub, 25 pins, female Contact Common-ground Floating Remark signal signal Pin 1 In 1 In 1a Pin 2 In 2 In 1b Pin 3 In 3 In 3a Pin 4 In 4...
  • Page 106 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 107: Operation

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Operation...
  • Page 108 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 109: Mixing Console

    LED fans. This approach allows for quick and effective operation. Less frequently used parameters can be accessed by switching the function of certain controls. The CRESCENDO platinum console is a sophisticated controller without any internal signal processing. It allows you to control more audio channels than there are physical channel strips.

  • Page 110: Channel Operation

    Those channel strips are similar to the channels on conventional consoles. They are located on the left (and, optionally, right) side(s) of the CRESCENDO platinum console for easy identification. Metering module The TFT screens provide universal and flexible level readouts of one or sev- eral channels.
  • Page 111 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems screen, multi-function module, fader module...
  • Page 112 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Monitor module, channel module and main screen...

  • Page 113: Monitor Module

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Channel module Each console comes with a Channel module that provides quick access to all available audio channels—even channels assigned to different layers or that have not been assigned to any channel strip at all. This module con- tains a multitude of keys and encoders and therefore also allows you to set parameters most users only need every so often.
  • Page 114 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Channel strips: the »channel strips« (»channel section«) refer to the console’s hardware used to operate the input, group and summing channels (fader and multi-function modules, see above). Master section: the central console area houses the »central Channel mod- ule«...

  • Page 115: Layers

    16 physical faders (and the remaining controls on each chan- nel strip) to set the input or the bus channels. CRESCENDO platinum has sev- eral layers that can be switched globally. This means that each channel strip can be used to control different audio channels.
  • Page 116 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems channel strips on several layers. The following example is based on the de- fault assignments shown above. The layers are indicated by the keys and the display in the Monitor mod- ule’s » LAYER « section. There are four keys to the left and right of the displays. These are used to select the so-called »Front«...
  • Page 117 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems impractical for the job at hand. That is why we devised a hierarchical layer selection system: First select a »Front« layer in the Monitor module’s » LAYER « section by pressing a key (e.g. »Layer A«) in the left column. Next, press a key to the right of the display (e.g.
  • Page 118 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems all layer selections, i.e. even those triggered by a Snapshot or a Scene (Scene automation) you recall. The advantage of this system is that you can complete a setting opera- tion while the new layer is selected. It applies to all parameters of the chan- nel you are operating.
  • Page 119 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems The assignment is based on the following principle: from left to right, the layer keys of a given module represent the available layers. Pressing the layer key of the first channel strip therefore assigns all eight channel strips of that module to the first layer (»...
  • Page 120 Now that you know how to select layers, we will show you how to assign au- dio channels to channel strips on a given layer and how to change existing assignments. CRESCENDO platinum allows you to use both the operation panel and the configuration software for this (see elsewhere in this manual for details about the configuration software).
  • Page 121 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems › Press one of the keys to the left of the » LAYER « display to select the layer on which you wish to change an assignment. Here’s an example: sup- pose you want to assign audio channel 17 to the first channel strip on the second layer.

  • Page 122: Spill Function

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems sign�d �� s�rips in �rd�r �� b� �p�ra�i�nal. F�r (pair�d) s��r�� chann�ls, f�r in- s�anc�, assigning jus� �n� audi� chann�l �f �h� pair �� a s�rip is �n�ugh. Any s��- �ing y�u chang� f�r �h� »availabl�« chann�l is ind��d als� ad�p��d by i�s »hidd�n« c�un��rpar�.

  • Page 123: Selecting Channels - Select

    Selecting channels – Select As stated earlier, CRESCENDO platinum not only provides channel strips of the sort you find on conventional mixing consoles, but also a »Channel module« in the central console section. That module can be assigned to any given au- dio channel.
  • Page 124 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems which case the Channel module mirrors the channel strip settings (and vice versa). Alternatively, the Channel module can be assigned to the desired au- dio channel in the » CHANNEL « section. That section is part of the Channel module and allows you to select all available audio channels.
  • Page 125 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems per display row. (The upper row displays the type and number of the se- lected channel.) › Use the upper encoder half to select the desired audio channel. The number of the selected channel appears next to the type indication. Assigning an audio channel to the Channel module Displaying the selected channel In addition to the lit [ SEL ] key, the blue-background areas on the TFT screen...

  • Page 126: Brightness

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems › Briefly press and hold the [ CENT FAD ] key (it flashes). › Press the [ SEL ] key of the channel strip you want to use as »central« channel strip. ›...

  • Page 127: Automatic Brightness Adjustment

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Automatic brightness adjustment platinum is equipped with sensors that measure the ambient CRESCENDO light conditions and adapt the console’s brightness accordingly. Press the encoder to switch on the »Autolight« function. The display next to it shows the »...
  • Page 128 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 129: Inputs And Outputs

    Inputs and outputs Audio network The CRESCENDO platinum mixing system is based on Stage Tec’s NEXUS audio routing system. CRESCENDO uses the inputs and outputs of this flexible audio network (even though it also provides a few interfaces for talkback purposes).

  • Page 130: Operation

    The available inputs and outputs of the ( NEXUS ) system can be patched to the desired console resources using the CRESCENDO platinum configuration software. The software, which runs on the PC built into the console, provides dialog windows—the so-called »matrix windows«—where you can establish...
  • Page 131 �� �h� c�ns�l�’s r�s�urc�s. Unlike the NEXUS operating software, which allows you to create cus- tomized (partial) matrix windows, the CRESCENDO platinum software only provides an input and an output matrix. The input matrix (»Configuration« > »Input Matrix«) is used to route the signals received by NEXUS to the con- sole’s inputs.
  • Page 132 Restricting the matrix view The left part of the NEXUS and CRESCENDO platinum software’s matrix win- dows contains two drop-down lists that allow you to restrict the number of resources to be displayed. The »Source« list is used to limit the number of sources that are displayed (see the left column of the matrix section).
  • Page 133 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems only specific channel or resource types. The following resource types can be displayed (note that the lists only contain existing types): Source selection list of the ‘ ’ and ‘ INPUT MATRIX OUTPUT MATRIX’...
  • Page 134 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Destination list (‘Mode Select’) of the ‘ TRIX’* INPUT MA »All Console Input«: All platinum inputs CRESCENDO »Input Channel«: Inputs of the platinum input channels CRESCENDO »Sum Channel«: Inputs of the platinum bus channels CRESCENDO »Talk Channel«: Inputs of the platinum Talkback channels...
  • Page 135 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Console inputs Input channels: »Ch 1 A«: Input of the first channel »Ch 1 «: Insert input of that channel INSIN … Talk channel: »Talk C A«: Talk channel input Talkback channel: »Tbck L A«: Input of the left Talkback channel »Tbck R A«: Input of the right Talkback channel Insert inputs of the summing bus channels:...
  • Page 136 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems »FOC RTW «: input of that device »FOC RTW CH 7«: Input 7 of that device »FOC RTW CH 8«: Input 8 of that device »FOC Speaker L«: Left external monitor speaker (socket located at the back of the meter bridge) »FOC Speaker R«: Right external monitor speaker (socket located at the back of the meter bridge) »FOC Headph L«: Left headphone channel (sockets below the arm rest) »FOC Headph R«: Right headphone channel (sockets below the arm rest)
  • Page 137 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Outputs of the channels to which the group busses are connected: » «: Bus channel output of the group bus; left channel (1) » 1 L M «: Pre-fader bus channel output of the group bus (without level control); left channel »...

  • Page 138: Channel Names

    NEXUS manual.) These names are also displayed in CRESCENDO ’s ma- trix window. The names of the console’s inputs and outputs can be changed using the CRESCENDO platinum configuration software (»Libraries« > »Label Channels…«). Those names appear both in the matrix windows and in the console’s displays.
  • Page 139 NEXUS cards that feed the speakers, an external display and the signal routing of the Talkback channel. The CRESCENDO platinum configuration software allows you to store such assignments permanently. (See the »Configuration« chapter elsewhere in this manual for a detailed discussion of how to use the software.)
  • Page 140 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 141: Input Channels

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Input channels Input section The audio channels’ input section provides a host of processing tools, some of which are managed by the console’s hardware ( RMD cards), while others are handled by the input cards in the NEXUS base station (like the low-cut filters of the microphone A/D converters).
  • Page 142 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems act setting range depends on the converter, is usually –20dB~+70dB. These parameters can also be controlled from the central Channel module on the console after selecting the channel in question. Additionally, the Channel module provides access to other input parameters.
  • Page 143 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems with the upper half of the concentric encoder. The lower row refers to the gain setting of the microphone converter (adjusted with the lower half). The LED segments indicate the attenuation (green segments, left) and gain settings (red, right area).
  • Page 144 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Controlling the input stage from the central Channel module The central Channel module allows you to set the input sensitivity and other input-related parameters via its » INPUT « section (right side). section, viewing the input parameters INPUT You already know how to select inputs and set their gain: pressing the...

  • Page 145: Low-Cut Filter

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Low-cut filter The NEXUS microphone converters ( XMAD, XMIC ) are equipped with low-cut (high-pass) filters with an adjustable frequency. The filters can be set on the console. (If requested, they can also be operated in parallel from the NEXUS software.) See the card’s data sheet for details about the filters.
  • Page 146 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems nel is fed to both channels (the key lights). Similarly, pressing the [ R BOTH ] key will assign the right source channel to both channel strips. Press the lit key again to revert to regular stereo operation. Source swapping: if required, you can also cause the two channels of a ste- reo pair to swap sources by pressing the [ SWAP ] key (it lights).
  • Page 147 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems it starts flashing.) As an alternative, you can use the NEXUS operating soft- ware to assign the generator bus to the desired input. Activating the generator: The generator’s parameters can only be set us- ing the NEXUS software.

  • Page 148: Delay

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Here’s an example: when you switch on a microphone input’s low-cut filter, the corresponding icon appears in the display. Also think of other operators who may be using the same sources before adjusting one of their settings.

  • Page 149: Setting The Delay Time

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems » INPUT « section. Assign the desired audio channel to the Channel module by pressing the channel strip’s blue [ SEL ] key. The delay value can be set using the lower half of the topmost encoder and the keys next to it. The settings appear in the »...

  • Page 150: Equalizers And Filters

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Equalizers and filters All input and group channels are fitted with a four-band parametric equalizer. This filter type is called a »peaking filter« (or bell filter). Each filter band has a frequency, gain (boost/cut) and »Q« (bandwidth/quality) parameter. Though the filter bands are named in the familiar way (»...
  • Page 151 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems The equalizer functions discussed here are only available for channel types that do indeed provide an equalizer. For audio channels with no equalizer section, the respective displays and indications remain dark. ip� h�ugh �h�...
  • Page 152 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Equalizer encoders The gain setting (cut or boost) of each frequency band can be adjusted with the respective encoder’s upper half. By default, the lower encoder half allows you to set the center frequency. Press the encoder, then use its lower half to set the filter’s cut-bandwidth (Q).
  • Page 153 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems assigned to the equalizer (in which case the [ EQ ] key lights), pressing the [ EQ ] key assigns the top (1–2) and bottom (7–8) encoders to the high- and low-pass filters respectively. The upper encoder half allows you to set the corresponding filter’s cutoff frequency, while the lower half sets the Q value.
  • Page 154 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems letter »k« next to a frequency value is short for »kilo«. »1k8« therefore means that the center frequency is set to 1.8kHz (i.e. 1,800Hz). When you release the encoder, the pop-up window normally disappears after a while.
  • Page 155 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ture is also available if you only touch an encoder without actually changing its setting. This allows you to confirm the settings of the various equalizer bands and filters. Equalizer section of the Channel module Activating the equalizers Like on the channel strips, you can insert (or remove) the equalizer into the selected channel’s signal path with the [ IN ] key in the »...
  • Page 156 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems The lower part of this section is used for the high- and low-pass filters (one each). The upper encoder half is used to select the frequency, the lower half allows you to set the filter slope. Bear in mind that these filters have no gain setting that would allow you to boost a given frequency range.

  • Page 157: Resetting The Equalizer

    The »k« character used for some frequency values is short for »kilo«. Alternate equalizer settings—‘ MEM ’ All CRESCENDO platinum channels fitted with an equalizer section also pro- vide a memory where you can save a second set of EQ settings. Press the [ MEM ] key in the central Channel module’s Equalizer section to alternate be-...

  • Page 158: Dynamics Processing

    > »Copying parameter settings«). Dynamics processing All CRESCENDO platinum input channels are fitted with dynamics proces- sors. These two dynamics processors can be set individually and are locat- ed in different locations along the signal path. The expander is located in a...
  • Page 159 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ed behind the equalizer/filter, insert loop and delay processor. The configu- ration software allows you to change their locations if so desired. You can take advantage of this to insert the compressor after the fader in order to use it as a kind of limiter.
  • Page 160 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Operation All dynamics processor parameters can be set in the central Channel module. Before doing so, however, remember to select the channel whose dynamics settings you want to change (by pressing the blue [ SEL ] key on its channel strip, for instance).
  • Page 161 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems » RATIO « encoder: The compression or expansion ratio can be set with the upper half of the » RATIO « encoder. This parameter can be set from »1:1« (no compression/expansion) through »20:1« (limiter) or »1:20« (gate operation). The ratio value of summing limiters is fixed at »20:1«.
  • Page 162 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems the dynamics processor that is currently active. (Use the [ COMP ], [ LIM ] and [ E/G ] keys to select the desired processor.) Numeric indications: the lines next to the concentric » ATTACK « encoder show the numeric values set with the encoder.
  • Page 163 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems pressor used for processing has a slow attack, for instance. Such divergences, which are inherent to dynamics processors, are taken into account and dis- played. If you switch off the currently selected dynamics processor, the dis- played curve changes into a line.

  • Page 164: Other Indications

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Other indications Some functions allow you to select specific parameters and to copy them to other channels. The blue » CO « message to the left of the curve appears when a dynamics processor is selected for this. The global Copy function is discussed elsewhere in this manual (»Additional functions«...

  • Page 165: Encoder Assignments

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems namics processors, while the remaining processors (equalizer, etc.) remain »responsive«. Parameters you »isolate« in this way (see the lit [ MAN ] key) can still be adjusted manually. When you create a Snapshot, the current settings of isolated parameters are also stored.
  • Page 166 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Encoder Encoder »1–2« function: Upper encoder half: Attack Lower encoder half: Delay Encoder »3–4« function: Upper encoder half: Release Lower encoder half: Hold Encoder »5–6« function: Upper encoder half: Compression/expansion Ratio; for a limiter, this setting is fixed Lower encoder half*: Limiter and compressor input gain (Reference Gain) Lower encoder half*:...

  • Page 167: Controlling Dynamics Blocks Using Logic Control

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems The » FCT « row displays the processor’s name (e.g. » COMP « if the compres- sor is selected). The next line refers to the upper encoder half, and the bot- tom row to the lower encoder half. Dynamics processor parameters See above for a detailed description of the dynamics parameters and their functions.

  • Page 168: Project Data

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems • Logic Control’s logic cells need to be programmed to perform the re- quired operations (see the »Service Software« chapter in the NEXUS manual). • The logic cells of Logic Control, or their virtual signal lines that feed the system need to be assigned to the desired audio channels.
  • Page 169 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Compressor Limiter Gain Expander/Gate Equalizer Mixer Mixer Mixer Mixer Mixer GPI In Key Signal Input Channel Compressor Limiter Gain Expander/Gate Equalizer Mixer Mixer Mixer Mixer Mixer GPI In Key Signal Input Channel Compressor Limiter Gain...

  • Page 170: De-Esser

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems De-Esser platinum provides a de-esser for each input channel.* This can CRESCENDO be controlled using the channel module’s »DYNAMIC« section. Pressing the [ DE-ESSER ] key assigns the de-esser to those controls. (Press the key again if you need to edit the expander/gate settings.) The current assignment is in- dicated by the key that lights.
  • Page 171 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Encoder Assignments The available parameters are shown in the relevant displays. The rotary en- coders are assigned to the following parameters: The de-esser can be set in the Channel module’s section DYNAMIC Drehgeber Rotary encoder Level...
  • Page 172 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Excursion: Levels and behavior of the dynamics processors Let us take a brief look at the precise functions available for the various dynamics processors: Threshold In most cases, dynamics processing is only applied to a limited level range. The »Threshold«...
  • Page 173 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Ratio The relationship between the output and input levels can be set with the »Ra- tio« parameter, which specifies the amount of compression and expansion. The »1:1« setting means that the signal is not processed. By setting the ratio to »2:1«, you specify that the dynamic range (level differences) of the signal portion above the Threshold level should be halved.
  • Page 174 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Expanders are used to widen the dynamic range below the Threshold level, and therefore do the exact opposite of a compressor. The »Ratio« set- ting »1:2«, for instance, doubles the dynamic range. Select »1:20« if all levels below the Threshold value should be muted altogether, in which case the expander effectively becomes a noise gate.
  • Page 175 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ting of »0dB« means that the signal is never attenuated—irrespective of how the remaining parameters are set! Select the maximum value to cause the processor to act like a regular expander or noise gate. Range Dynamic though they may be, extensive changes to a signal’s dynamic range also have a static effect on it.
  • Page 176 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems A long »Hold« time may help you to avoid nasty »pumping« effects or dis- tortion induced by an extremely short »Attack« time. Combined with other parameters (especially »Release«) it can also be used for creative applications (like a »Gated Reverb«...

  • Page 177: Parallel Busses - Aux

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems platinum mixing systems provide an adjustable »Pre-Delay« CRESCENDO parameter that solves this problem in a far more elegant way: the signal to be processed is delayed by a small amount, allowing the processor to »look ahead«...
  • Page 178 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems • (iliary) bus channel: The channel to which an AUX bus is connected and where the AUX bus signal can be adjusted if necessary (see the »Auxil- iary Bus Channel« in the diagram). Ch Input (»CH 1 A«)
  • Page 179 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Encoders for stereo AUX Sends Stereo AUX Sends can be operated as follows: The upper half of the concentric encoder is (usually) used to set the gain (»Off«~ »+15dB«). The lower encoder half is used to set the stereo position (Pan) in 121 steps between »L60«...
  • Page 180 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Channel Fader Pre/Post Auxiliary Gain 1/2 Auxiliary Pan Stereo Aux Send 1/2 upper encoder lower encoder … Mono Channel Channel Fader Pre/Post Auxiliary Gain 1 Mono Aux Send 1 upper encoder Pre/Post Auxiliary Gain 2 Mono Aux Send 2 lower encoder...
  • Page 181 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ip� h� d�faul� s�urc� p�in�s (Pr�/P�s�) can b� m�v�d �� diff�r�n� l�ca�i�ns using �h� c�nfigura�i�n s�f�war�. S�� b�l�w. his all�ws y�u �� s�urc� �h� »Pr�« signal b�f�r� �h� �qualiz�rs and dynamics pr�c�ss�rs if s� r�qu�s��d. ��� �ha� �his fl�xibili�y is n�v�r�h�l�ss subj�c�...
  • Page 182 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems that allows you to connect or sever an AUX Send’s connection to an AUX bus. Each Send level setting greater than »Off« automatically establishes the re- quired connection. A »connected« AUX Send is indicated by means of a blue number.
  • Page 183 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems for this purpose. Again, this function applies to both AUX Sends that can be controlled by the concentric encoder. The copy function is discussed else- where in this manual (»Additional functions« > »Copying parameter set- tings«).
  • Page 184 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ip� If y�u n��d �� chang� �h� chann�l l�v�ls a� �his s�ag�, simply pr�ss �h� k�y �ha� ligh�s in �h� k�y/display s�c�i�n �� r�s��r� �h� s�andard assignm�n�s wi�h�u� ac- �ually l�aving »Aux �� Fad�r« m�d�. »Aux to Fader«...
  • Page 185 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems pair. If you configured more than 8 AUX busses, you can use the arrow keys to select the busses that are currently invisible. The setting procedure in this section is the same as for the channel strips. The concentric encoders are used to set the level (upper encoder half) and Pan (lower half) for the stereo AUX Sends.
  • Page 186 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Sends assigned to the encoder you press. Here is an example: if you select different source points for AUX Sends 7 and 8 in the central Channel module and then press the associated encoders on the channel strip, both Sends are set to »Pre Fader«...
  • Page 187 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Obviously, there is also a numeric read-out of the current Pan setting, with indications ranging from »L60«, over »C«, to »R60«. You may remember that selecting an extreme Pan setting assigns the channel to only that AUX bus. Send display indications ����...
  • Page 188 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Mono AUX Sends for stereo channels: The AUX Sends of monophonic busses work as always: the encoder is used to set the level of the sig- nal transmitted to the bus in question. This allows you to set different AUX Send levels for the left and right channels of a pair if so desired.
  • Page 189 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Channel Fader Pre/Post Auxiliary Gain 1 Mono Aux Send 1 upper encoder Pre/Post Auxiliary Gain 2 Mono Aux Send 2 lower encoder … Left Channel Channel Fader Pre/Post Auxiliary Gain 1 Mono Aux Send 1 upper encoder Pre/Post Auxiliary Gain 2...
  • Page 190 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Behavior for 2-Channel Link groups While working with stereo channels as described above (i.e. with an audio channel pair) and using stereo AUX busses, the AUX encoders allow you to set the send level, the balance and the stereo width. The assignments of the two audio channels (left/right) to the left and right AUX busses are fixed, however.

  • Page 191: Insertion Loops

    (like for regular channels). Multichannel AUX busses for linked channels As stated earlier, CRESCENDO platinum also allows you to create 5.1-channel busses. This is based on a link of the required AUX Sends (e.g. 1~6). Here, changing a channel’s AUX Send 1 level also affects the level settings for AUX Sends 2~6 for that channel.
  • Page 192 Talk Channel Out (»Talk C OUT«) Talk Channel Gain Fader »EXT PFL« CRESCENDO CRESCENDO PFL Channel Out (»PFL L OUT«) Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems PFL Bus Channel (1/2) Gain Fader »EXT PFL« CRESCENDO CRESCENDO PFL Channel Out Ch Input (»CH 1 A«)

  • Page 193: Direct Outs

    (not muted). Direct outs Each input channel of the CRESCENDO platinum mixing system provides a direct output that can be connected to a digital audio workstation or any other recording device if so desired. In the matrix windows of the CRESCEN-...
  • Page 194 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Given that direct outs are only rarely used, all associated controls are lo- cated in the central Channel module’s » INPUT « section. (Remember to first assign the desired channel to the central Channel module by pressing the blue [ SEL ] key on its channel strip.) Ch Input (»CH 1...

  • Page 195: Faders

    ] key: select »Pre« or »Post« sourcing Faders All channel strips of a CRESCENDO platinum mixing system are equipped with touch sensitive faders with a setting range of »Off«~+15dB (level attenuation or gain). The level can be set in extremely fine (inaudible) logarithmic steps...
  • Page 196 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems specially selected to accommodate the human ear (resolution: 0.25dB). The numeric value can be checked in the information window that appears au- tomatically on the relevant TFT screen whenever you touch a fader back. (If you do not need this feedback, you can deactivate it in the configuration software’s »...
  • Page 197 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems platinum provides yet another way of transmitting informa- CRESCENDO tion to »Logic Control«: when you activate the global »Backstop« function, the lower mechanical stop position of all faders is shifted slightly up by the motors.
  • Page 198 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems the compressor (you may have noticed that these two messages use differ- ent colors. The color blue is used to indicate that a parameter or group has been selected for the copy function.) Messages for white and red light: These two fields are available for free as- signment by the user.

  • Page 199: Mute

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems chang� �h� bargraph indica�i�n �f all inpu� chann�ls, f�r ins�anc�, pr�ss �h� blu� [ SEL ] k�y �f an inpu� chann�l.) �w h�ld d�wn �h� [ FAD BAR ] k�y whil� s�l�c�ing �h�...

  • Page 200: Special 'Channel On' Function

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Sends—if they are sourced »Pre-Fader«. The location of the function along the signal path can be changed using the configuration software. ] on a channel strip MUTE When a channel is muted, the [ MUTE ] key in the » MONITOR « section of the console’s master section lights.

  • Page 201: Pre-Fader Listen - Pfl

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ��rnal func�i�ns and d�vic�s.S�� �h� EXUS manual f�r h�w �� pr�gram �h� l�gic func�i�ns.) Whil� c�r�ain k�ys �n �h� CRESCE DO pla�inum c�ns�l� (lik� �h� M�ni��r m�dul�’s »Us�r« k�ys) can b� qu�ri�d by »L�gic C�n�r�l«, ��h�rs (�h�s�...
  • Page 202 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ip� h� l�ca�i�n �f �his func�i�n al�ng �h� signal pa�h can b� chang�d (bu� mus� r�main b�f�r� �h� fad�r) using �h� c�nfigura�i�n s�f�war�. The PFL bus and the channel to which it is connected are stereo, allow- ing you to preserve the stereo image even while monitoring the PFL version.
  • Page 203 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems To defeat the assignment, you need to press the key again (or reset it in another way). If the key is held for a while, its operation becomes momentary, meaning that the assignment is only maintained while you hold the key. ����...

  • Page 204: Solo Function

    PFL assignments in one go. Solo function The CRESCENDO platinum mixing system is equipped with a separate Solo bus that allows you to single out the desired channel. When you pres a channel’s [ SOLO ] key, the corresponding output signal is transmitted to the Solo bus.
  • Page 205 Pan positions. Depending on the chan- nel type and the Solo bus’s format, some settings may result in constellations whose formats don’t match. CRESCENDO platinum uses the following system to feed the various Solo busses: Ch Input (»CH 1...

  • Page 206: Solo Modes

    Inplace Solo: In addition to the Mix and Latest Solo modes whose signal(s) is/are transmitted to a separate bus, CRESCENDO platinum also provides an »Inplace Solo« mode. This mode means that »soloing« a channel actually mutes all other channels, leaving only the selected channel. This mode is only available for input channels—other channel types do not support it.
  • Page 207 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems the regular Mix (several channels) or Latest (only one channel) Solo mode de- scribed above. To do so, switch on the [ SOLO ] (Latest) or [&] (Mix) key. When you press an input channel’s [ SOLO ] key, all other channels are muted (their [ MUTE ] keys light).

  • Page 208: Isolate

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Using ‘Inplace Solo’, ‘Safe Inplace Solo’ When you select Inplace Solo mode, the dedicated Solo bus is not used, be- cause the selected channel’s solo status is based on muting all other chan- nels.
  • Page 209 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Isolating (locking) channels Press the [ MAN ] key on the desired channel strip to lock all of the correspond- ing audio channel’s parameters. The key lights and the » MA « messages ap- pear to indicate the »isolated«...

  • Page 210: Working With Stereo Pairs

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Defeating lock settings Locked channels can be returned to normal by pressing their [ MAN ] keys (channel strip) or the central Channel module’s [ MAN CHAN ] key. If only a few parameter groups are locked or if you don’t want to defeat the locked state of all parameter groups, switch to selection mode and touch the controls of the parameter groups whose settings you want to change.
  • Page 211 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems processors is paired to avoid Pan shifts for signals whose left and right chan- nels use different levels. In this mode, the Pan and AUX Send functions are expanded. The Pan en- coder of the left channel is replaced by a Balance parameter, while the Pan encoder of the right channel can be used to set the stereo width.
  • Page 212 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Here’s an example: suppose you want one channel of a stereo pair to use slightly different equalizer settings. Changing the settings using the controls of just one of the two channels would cause the other channel to change as well.
  • Page 213 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems �i�n gr�ups in qu�s�i�n b�f�r� linking �h� �w� chann�ls, and �h�n ac�iva�� �h�m again. Alternate link mode – 2-channel link After selecting the pairing function described above, the »Pan« encoders of the left and right member channels do not allow you to mix the correspond- ing channels to the two busses.

  • Page 214: Routing

    In such a case, the complete signal flow looks as follows: all signal sourc- es are connected to the input cards on the NEXUS base station and routed to the desired input channels of the CRESCENDO platinum console using the matrix windows of the operating software. The output signals of the various...
  • Page 215 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ed to the main summing bus. In addition to the group and summing busses, the mixing system provides other bus types with dedicated functions and settings: the AUX and N–1 busses. Input Channel Talk Channel PFL Bus Channel Auxiliary Bus Channel...
  • Page 216 All of the studio’s outboard gear is connected to the NEXUS sys- tem. (This allows you to patch any source to any destination—without using external patch bays.) The CRESCENDO platinum software is used to route the microphone signals to the desired console inputs.
  • Page 217 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems a way as to have access to the workstation’s inputs via one layer, and to its outputs via another layer. Also remember that the gain encoders allow you to change the levels of channels assigned to the »Back« layers. Operation The central Channel module’s »...
  • Page 218 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems cussion of the N–1 functions.) If an N–1 Send of the channel is routed to the bus, the associated key lights. You can press that key to change the routing state. Careful, though: the [ AUX ] key in this console section does n�� allow you to assign AUX Sends.
  • Page 219 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems matically transmitted to all bus members that make up the multichannel bus. Here’s an example: suppose you want to route the currently selected mix channel to a stereo group bus. Press either the [ GRP 1] or the [ GRP 2] key of the left or right bus to assign the channel to the stereo bus.
  • Page 220 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems cable. The selected signal point for AUX send busses (Pre/Post) is indicated by the field’s color (white: Pre fader position; blue: »Post« position). (The AUX Sends and the N–1 system are described elsewhere in this manual.) Ignoring automation data The routing settings can be saved as Snapshots along with all other eligible settings.

  • Page 221: Pan

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems nam� disapp�ars (s� �ha� y�u r�v�r� �� �h� pr�vi�us assignm�n�). (By d�fini�i�n, �h� »R�v�rs� R�u�ing« func�i�n �nly displays r�u�ings �ha� ar� curr�n�ly in plac�— n�� all p�ssibl� s�urc�s.) If y�u canc�l a r�u�ing assignm�n� via �his display, y�u can n�v�r�h�l�ss r�s��r�...
  • Page 222 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems �h� »Fr�n�/Back« p�si�i�n and �h� LFE l�v�l ar� n�� us�d �n �h� s��r�� v�rsi�n, and s� �h� c�rr�sp�nding param���rs ar� n�v�r display�d. All channel strips are fitted with dedicated » PAN « encoders (above the fader modules) that also allow you to set the channels’...
  • Page 223 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems When you press an encoder, its upper half can be used to set the LFE lev- el (only for 5.1 busses). The encoder’s current assignment is indicated by the message next to it. If »L–R« lights, the encoder functions like a regular Pan control.
  • Page 224 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems signed to the »Base« parameter. This field furthermore remains dark when the channel is assigned to a bus that doesn’t support front/rear Pan settings. Channel Fader Balance Left Channel Channel Fader Balance Right Channel Stereo Channel The stereo channel pair’s balance parameter is used to set its level balance for the signals transmit-...
  • Page 225 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems As stated in the »Working with stereo pairs« chapter above, 2-Channel Link mode can be activated by pressing and holding the [ STER ] key (simply pressing it would create a regular stereo pair). Phantom Center The regular Pan function allows you to position the selected signal anywhere between the five available channels.
  • Page 226 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Selecting a Divergence mode platinum provides two divergence setting types that can be se- CRESCENDO lected in the Channel module: »Div I« produces a cross-fade between the cen- ter, left and right channels, meaning that the level of the signal transmitted to the center bus decreases as you increase the divergence setting.

  • Page 227: On-Screen Indications

    Press the key again to defeat the »isolation« state. On-screen indications The CRESCENDO platinum mixing system is fitted with high-resolution TFT screens that are used for level metering displaying a host of other settings. Unlike regular LED displays, CRESCENDO ’s screens can also be used to display graphics.
  • Page 228 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems cale« window) is indicated by means of the scale’s red background section at the top. If you set the headroom to »9dB«, for instance, the area between –9 and 0dB will be shown on a red background. Levels in excess of 0d BFS are also detected and flagged with a red bar above the level scale bar.

  • Page 229: Changing The Sensitivity

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Level readouts for stereo and 5.1 channels When two channels are paired, a stereo icon (two yellow circles) is displayed in the upper screen section. In that case, the two bargraphs show the levels of the two channels.
  • Page 230 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Clip indications Each level meter contains a clip indication that lights red whenever the level lies beyond 0d BFS . This indication is held for a little while to give you ample time to realize that some clipping occurred.

  • Page 231: Metering Specifications

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems to the group or summing channels, however. Even in »All« mode, the left and right level graphs of a channel strip can still be configured individually. Your selection therefore only applies to all left or all right level meters. To leave this mode, press the [ ALL ] key again (it goes dark).
  • Page 232 The names of the channels that are currently assigned to the channel strips appear below the level meter section. Feel free to change the default names in the CRESCENDO platinum configuration software. If you don’t change the system’s default names, the available channels use names that refer to their type and number.
  • Page 233 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems • Blue: This channel is currently selected and therefore assigned to the cen- tral Channel module. • Red: The » AUX to Fader« function is active, meaning that the faders can be used to control an AUX Send or N–1 Send. (If you select a channel while in this mode, it will be displayed in reverse colors.) Dynamics processing metering Two additional bargraphs are provided to monitor the dynamic processor’s...
  • Page 234 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Dynamics curve and Pan indication When you touch or rotate an encoder assigned to a dynamics processor, the display shows a dynamics curve (that replaces the equalizer curve). When you change a Pan setting, a Pan graphic is displayed. Routing The busses to which an audio channel can be routed are displayed in the four fields below the equalizer curve.

  • Page 235: Control Groups

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems platinum allows you to assign channel outputs either directly CRESCENDO to the desired bus (or busses), or to distribute them to several busses using the Pan function. If the Pan encoder in the central Channel module is on, the selected channel’s signal is assigned to several busses at once.
  • Page 236 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 237: Bus Channels

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Bus channels Groups and sums As mentioned earlier, input channels can be assigned to busses, which are chiefly used to (pre)mix the signals of several channels. The busses’ output signals are displayed in the configuration software’s matrix windows and can be assigned to NEXUS outputs or other resources.
  • Page 238 N–1 busses (they can be switched off in the configuration software). Use the Solo or PFL function to listen to group bus channels in isolation. The CRESCENDO platinum configuration software allows you to route the outputs of the group channels to the desired output sockets on the NEXUS base station.
  • Page 239 Solo and PFL bus The Solo and PFL functions covered elsewhere in this manual allow users to select specific audio signals for monitoring. CRESCENDO platinum provides dedicated busses for these functions that do not interfere with your remain- ing bus assignments while mixing and recording. In the matrix windows, some output signals of these busses can be routed to the desired monitor speakers.
  • Page 240 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...
  • Page 241 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems All bus channels are linked to other bus channels in one way or another. Therefore, changing a setting for one channel of a 5.1-channel bus (summing busses) is enough to apply that change to all linked channels. Any offset you may have programmed (by changing a setting for only one channel) is pre- served, so that »global«...
  • Page 242 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems like the meters of regular channels: the bargraphs always indicate the levels at the selected metering points.) The order of the bargraphs is based on the SDI /Dolby E recommendations, where correlating channels are always shown as stereo pairs (from left to right): left channel (»L«), center channel (»R«), right channel (»C«), LFE channel (»...
  • Page 243 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Monitor busses: the left window pane displays the levels of the main » CR « and the additional stereo » PB « monitor busses. The name that is displayed always refers to the currently selected source. (The monitor channel can be assigned to various signal sources.

  • Page 244: Aux Bus Channels

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems in this section doesn’t make sense. (The routing settings for the connected station are not taken into account, however.) NEXUS The headroom provided by (and adjusted on) the NEXUS system is in- dicated by means of a red background behind the meter scale.
  • Page 245 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Aux/N–1-bus channel...
  • Page 246 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Muting The output signals of the bus channels can be muted if desired. (This muting setting only applies to the bus channel—not the corresponding bus signal, which may have been assigned to another resource using the matrix.) The bus channels can be muted with their [ MUTE ] keys.
  • Page 247 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems upper left corner (like » AUX 1L«, for instance). The bargraphs show the level setting of the corresponding bus channel. The color coding system used here is the same as for other level indications on the console: settings up to 0dB are shown by means of a green bar, higher values are indicated by a red bar.
  • Page 248 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 249: Monitor Section

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Monitor section Introduction Two dedicated audio channels are provided for monitoring purposes. Their inputs and outputs are displayed in the NEXUS matrix window and can be routed in any way you see fit. Though the inputs of the »Control Room« and »Playback«...
  • Page 250 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems be monitored. In addition, you can select any signal source available to the system, like the outputs of an external playback device, for instance. NEXUS The most frequently used sources can be selected via a dedicated section, which has the advantage that the sources to be monitored don’t need to be selected using the configuration software.
  • Page 251 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems a system that not only assigns the channel whose [ SOLO ] key you press to the Solo bus but also connects the Solo bus’s output to the CR bus. Simply pressing the [ SOLO ] key therefore mutes all signals except the soloed chan- nel without any additional configurations.
  • Page 252 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems located in the bottom part of the » MONITOR « section (Monitor module). The key of the selected input lights. To select the other input, simply press the corresponding key. The reason why two keys are provided for this ap- plication is that this allows you to switch sources without looking at the keys.
  • Page 253 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems › Press the key next to the name of the bus (or bus channel) you want to use. (The PFL bus or the output of the bus channel it is connected to can also be selected as source.
  • Page 254 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Monitoring NEXUS resources Given that the monitor channel’s inputs are displayed in the configuration software’s matrix windows, you can connect them to any NEXUS source you like. (Remember, though, that such assignments are reset as soon as you se- lect a different source on the console itself.) systems are always configured to the customer’s specifications.
  • Page 255 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems List of assignable sources The following sources can be assigned to the monitor channel: Sources Key/source ] key: summing bus channels; Together with [ ]: summing bus output ] key: group bus channels; Together with [ ]: group bus output ] key: bus channels;...

  • Page 256: Level Compensation

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Level compensation To avoid level hikes between monitor signals and/or multi-channel formats, you can specify a level offset for each source individually. Here is how to change the default offset value (0dB): ›...

  • Page 257: Setting The Attenuation

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Muting the monitor channel You can mute each output of the monitor channel individually using the Monitor module’s [L], [C], [R], [ SL ], [ LFE ] and [ SR ] keys (located above the [ DIR ] and [ TAPE ] keys).

  • Page 258: Headphone Output

    (»PFL L OUT«) Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Aux Ch Output PB Channel Out (»Aux 1 L OUT«) (»PB L SP«) PB Channel Input Limiter Aux Channel Out Routing Fader Routing Output Board PB Left (»PB L A«) Additional input CRESCENDO...
  • Page 259 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ping sides and/or selecting a mono mode also affects the signal transmit- ted to this output. The MUTE and DIM settings, however, have no effect on the headphone signal. The headphone output is sourced from the left and right monitor busses. Multichannel sources (»L«, »C«, »R«, »...

  • Page 260: Solo And Pfl Modes

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Solo and modes The Solo and PFL functions are described in the »Input channels« chapter. The monitor module’s » SOLO PFL « section provides access to global settings related to these functions. Here’s a brief summary of the functions we are referring to: platinum is fitted with a stereo PFL and a configurable Solo CRESCENDO...

  • Page 261: Solo Inplace

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Solo modes The Monitor module allows you to select one of the following Solo modes: [ SOLO ] key: In this mode, only one channel can be assigned to the Solo bus at any one time.

  • Page 262: Playback ( Pb ) Monitor Channel

    PFL Out CRESCENDO Auxiliary Gain & Routing Output Board Audio Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Mute CRESCENDO NEXUS NEXUS Playback ( ) monitor channel N–1 Gain & Mute CRESCENDO Matrix, Output Routing: In (left column): CRESCENDO outputs CRESCENDO Out (bottom row): NEXUS output boards ct Out...
  • Page 263 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems bus channel, block diagram excerpt...

  • Page 264: Downmix Channel

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ���� Unlik� AURA US c�ns�l�s, CRESCE DO pla�inum pr�vid�s n� addi�i�nal » alk- back« inpu� f�r �h� PFL bus. Ins��ad, CRESCE DO pla�inum has a d�dica��d alk- back chann�l (s�� �h� »C�mmunica�i�n« s�c�i�n). Downmix Channel For multichannel projects, you can decide to combine the member channels (»L«, »C«, »R«…) into a stereo mix.
  • Page 265 Group Bus Channel (1/n) Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Gain Insert Delay Fader Mute CRESCENDO CRESCENDO CRESCENDO CRESCENDO CRESCE Sum Insert Freely routable (signal process Output (»Sum 1 INS«) Routing Main (Sum) Channel Insert Input (»SUM 1 INSIN«) NEXUS Main (Sum) Bus Channel (1/n)

  • Page 266: Setting The Level

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ���� h� D�wnmix chann�l has six individual inpu� chann�ls wh�s� signals ar� mix�d and �ransmi���d �� �w� sp�cial buss�s, which ar� c�nn�c��d �� �w� �u�pu� chan- n�ls. h� ma�rix wind�ws pr�vid� acc�ss �� f�ur diff�r�n� pa�ch p�in�s �f �his signal pa�h�...
  • Page 267 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Encoder 3/4: right input channel (upper encoder half); left Surround input channel (lower encoder half) Encoder 5/6: right Surround input channel (upper encoder half); LFE INPUT CHANNEL (LOWER ENCODER HALF) Encoder 7/8: This concentric encoder allows you to set the Downmix chan- nel’s output level.
  • Page 268 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Using channel strips The Downmix channel’s inputs and outputs can be assigned to the channel strips for more intuitive control. All six Downmix inputs and the two outputs can be assigned to any channel strip on any layer. (See the »Layers« section for how to assign channels to channel strips.) You may remember that you can use the »...
  • Page 269 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...
  • Page 270 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 271: Communication

    Communication Introduction ‘Talk’ and ‘Talkback’ – CRESCENDO platinum provides a »Talk« and a »Talk- back« bus for communication purposes. The »Talk« bus allows the sound engineer to talk to the musicians in the studio or on stage. To this end, you can connect one or several speakers to the NEXUS base station and position them where you like.
  • Page 272 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems The Talk channel and its bus routing can be set using the Monitor mod- ule that provides a dedicated section (» TALK «) consisting of an encoder and a display. Input Channel Talk Channel PFL Bus Channel Auxiliary Bus Channel...
  • Page 273 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems › In the » MONITOR « section, select the desired bus type by pressing its key ([ SUM ], [ GRP ], [ AUX ]…). › You can now address the artist, etc., via one or several busses of the selected type by pressing the corresponding key(s) in the »...
  • Page 274 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems › Again briefly press and hold the [ BUS ] key in the » TALK « section after as- signing all desired busses. ���� B� awar� �ha� �h� alk chann�l is n�� imm�dia��ly c�nn�c��d �� �h� buss�s y�u s�l�c�...

  • Page 275: Talkback

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Talkback platinum provides a separate Talkback channel that allows art- CRESCENDO ists to communicate with the control room. Its input and output can be freely routed to the desired resources (in the matrix windows) . Input Channel Talk Channel Talk Back Channel...
  • Page 276 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems The input source could be a microphone input or another input on NEXUS to which an intercom system is connected. The Talkback channel’s output could be routed to the NEXUS output card to which an amplifier and a speak- er are connected.
  • Page 277 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...
  • Page 278 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 279: Additional Functions

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Additional functions Global functions The functions discussed below allow you to change certain assignments for all channels. Global encoder assignments The four concentric encoders at the top of each channel strip perform several functions and therefore affect different mixing functions: the equalizers, the Sends and the N–1 busses.
  • Page 280 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Global reset functions Some functions can be reset for the entire console. After muting several chan- nels, for instance, pressing the monitor module’s [ MUTE ] key will activate all muted channels. This applies to all channels on all layers (including the »Back« layer)—even channels that are not assigned to any channel strip.

  • Page 281: Basic Settings

    It is perfectly possible to specify the function group(s) you want to copy (e.g. only the equalizer or dynamics settings). The basic settings can be changed any time. CRESCENDO platinum distin- guishes between several channel types, allowing you to use different basic settings for input channels, group channels, etc.
  • Page 282 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ���� h� basic chann�l s���ings can �nly b� c�pi�d �� audi� chann�ls �f �h� sam� �yp�. Chann�ls b�l�nging �� ��h�r �yp�s cann�� b� s�l�c��d. › Confirm by pressing the [ OK ] key. The parameter values of the selected function groups (the equalizer and delay settings in our example) are cop- ied from the basic channel to the selected target channels.

  • Page 283: Copying Parameter Settings

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Copying parameter settings The copy function allows you to copy the settings of one audio channel to other channels of the same type. You can even specify which settings you want to copy. The central Channel module’s » SNAP « section is used to copy the desired parameter settings.

  • Page 284: Channel Parameter Libraries

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems group, its settings are only copied to the remaining input channels—not the group bus channels.) ip� �w �ha� all r�maining chann�ls �f �h� sam� �yp� ar� s�l�c��d, y�u can d�cid� �� �xclud� �n� �r s�v�ral chann�ls fr�m �h� c�py �p�ra�i�n� swi�ch �ff �h� [ SEL ] k�ys �f all chann�ls wh�s�...
  • Page 285 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems › Press a free* key in the » ROUTING « section (the eight keys to the left and right of the display). The settings are stored in the first empty memory with a generic name. (Consecutive memories are used as you store set- tings—memories cannot be re-ordered.) The channel parameter libraries can be accessed via the Channel module’s »...
  • Page 286 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Loading library settings Parameter sets can be retrieved from the library as follows : › Start by selecting the channel for which you want to load the desired settings. › Quit the storage function, if necessary: the [ SAVE LIB ] key must not flash. ›...

  • Page 287: Mute Control Groups

    Audio channels can be linked to groups for simultaneous muting and unmut- ing. Pressing the [ MUTE MSTR ] key then mutes (or unmutes) all channels as- signed to the selected group. CRESCENDO platinum provides 16 mute groups for flexible muting scenarios. Channels not assigned to any mute group are not muted by the mute groups.But you can still mute them individually us-...

  • Page 288: Using Mute Groups

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ���� Each audi� chann�l can �nly b� assign�d �� �n� Mu�� gr�up. Assigning a chan- n�l �� a diff�r�n� gr�up will �h�r�f�r� canc�l i�s pr�vi�us assignm�n�. B� awar�, h�w�v�r, �ha� i� is p�rf�c�ly p�ssibl� �� s�l�c� s�v�ral Mu�� gr�ups whil� mixing. Using Mute groups After assigning all desired channels to the various mute groups, you can mute and activate them using the »Mute Master«...

  • Page 289: Stereo And 2-Channel Links

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Stereo and 2-channel links The procedure for creating stereo channel pairs is described in the »Input channels« chapter. Here is a brief recap: › To pair two adjacent channels, press the [ STER ] key in the central Chan- nel module’s »...
  • Page 290 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems remains possible at all time. Link groups can be set up in the central Chan- nel module’s » ROUTING « section. ���� h� c�nfigura�i�n s�f�war� all�ws y�u �� c�nfigur� gr�up and summing bus chann�ls f�r mul�ichann�l us�...
  • Page 291 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ip� h� s���ings �f �h� chann�l y�u hav� jus� assign�d (and ind��d �f all ��h�r chan- n�ls b�l�nging �� �h� gr�up) d� n�� chang�. CRESCE DO pla�inum m�m�riz�s �xis�ing »�ffs��s« and appli�s subs�qu�n� chang�s pr�p�r�i�nally. H�r�’s an �x- ampl��...

  • Page 292: Master/Slave Control Groups

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Master/Slave control groups Master/Slave and VCA groups can be controlled from a controlling chan- nel that acts as »Master channel«. The feature set and procedure for such groups are similar to the those of the Link groups. Unlike Link groups, how- ever, where the channel strip of any channel assigned to the group can be used, Master/Slave groups can only be controlled using one specific channel.
  • Page 293 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems first four Master/Slave groups (left) and parameter groups (right). If neces- sary, use the arrow keys to view the remaining Master/Slave and parameter groups. (Tip: group names can be changed in the configuration software’s »Libraries«...
  • Page 294 Master channel. This allows you to quickly change the »Master« as- signment as and when necessary: select the channel and press the [ MSTR ] key. (There is no need to specify the group, because CRESCENDO platinum »knows« which group the selected channel belongs to.) ip�...
  • Page 295 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems dio) value, which depends on both its original setting and the related Master fader’s setting is –10dB. This setting cannot be inferred from the fader back’s position, because the fader in question is disconnected in VCA mode. Set- ting the fader manually to »–16dB«...

  • Page 296: Timers

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems • When a slave fader is set to »0dB«, its audio value corresponds to the original setting (no offset). • All other parameters behave like in a regular master/slave control envi- ronment. VCA mode indeed only affects fader settings. Timers platinum contains two independent timers that are available CRESCENDO...

  • Page 297: Indicator Fields

    Indicator fields The lower part of the central screen on the CRESCENDO platinum console con- tains several indicator fields that can be controlled by » NEXUS Logic Control«. Those areas are intended for signaling external or internal events and can be programmed by the user (see the »Logic Control«...

  • Page 298: Assigning Resource Names

    The [Save] button can be used to store your settings as a separate file (outside the NEXUS or CRESCENDO platinum Project). When loading such a file at a later stage ([Load] button), remember to transmit its settings to the console ([Ok] or [Apply] button).

  • Page 299: Access Privileges

    This is especially useful for bigger systems involving several NEXUS base stations and CRESCENDO platinum consoles, because it allows you to avoid operations that might cause problems to other users who are using the sys- tem at the same time.

  • Page 300: Crescendo Platinum Status

    The »System« window shows more detailed information. Click the [System] button (at the bottom of the » CRESCENDO platinum Info« window) to select it. Be aware, however, that doing so may cause dropouts, because this function queries the hard- ware directly.
  • Page 301 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...
  • Page 302 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems...

  • Page 303: Automation And Projects

    Automation and Projects Snapshot automation The CRESCENDO platinum mixing system provides static automation that al- lows you to save the audio parameters of all processing channels, and to re- call them when necessary. (To this it adds scene automation, which will be discussed in a separate section.) The current parameter settings can be stored...
  • Page 304 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems channels to be included can be selected by touching their fader backs prior to storing the Snapshot. Recalling snapshots To recall (load) a Snapshot, proceed as follows: › Press the [ LOAD ] key in the central channel module’s » SNAP « section. The key lights and all previously saved Snapshots are listed in the display.
  • Page 305 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Creating Snapshots – Full Snapshot To store all current mixer settings, proceed as follows: › (Start by setting all parameters and functions to your liking.) › Press the [ SAVE ] key in the » SNAP « section of the central Channel mod- ule (the key lights).
  • Page 306 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems › Use the » SNAP « encoder to select the memory you want to overwrite. The name of the destination memory is displayed in the upper line. › Press the [ OK ] key. ip�...
  • Page 307 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Snapshot«, only the parameters for which it contains settings are updated. In our example, for instance, the equalizer and dynamic settings would re- main unchanged, while the fader and Pan settings would be updated. Here is how to save a partial Snapshot: ›...
  • Page 308 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems ip� W� r�c�mm�nd naming y�ur Snapsh��s and using a sp�cial charac��r �r symb�l f�r par�ial Snapsh��s �� ��ll �h�m apar� fr�m gl�bal Snapsh�� m�m�ri�s. ip� F�r �v�ry n�w Snapsh�� y�u s��r�, y�u n��d �� s�l�c� �h� d�sir�d func�i�n gr�ups again.

  • Page 309: Deleting Snapshots

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems touched. Specifically, we are referring to the following parameters: monitor channel, Talk channel, timers, brightness control (when this manual went to press; subject to change), global PFL and Solo modes (including the »Back- stop«...

  • Page 310: Editing Snapshots

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems shot after deleting an existing one, it is still added at the end of the list (as stated above), but it will use the first »free« name. Here is an example: if you delete »Snapshot 2«...
  • Page 311 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Change the settings you recalled. Store the changes to the Snapshot memory (i.e. update the memory). Please be aware that the edit function always affects an existing Snap- shot—any changes you make are stored to the memory you recalled. You cannot select another destination.

  • Page 312: Scene Automation

    After programming your Scene list, you may want to operate it via the con- sole. Even though CRESCENDO platinum has no dedicated keys for Scene con- trol, you can access the relevant functions (Start, Stop, previous/next Snap- shot) via »...
  • Page 313 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems › Select the »Scene Authoring« entry from the »Automation« menu. › The » SCENE AUTHORING « window that appears now allows you to acti- vate (or deactivate) global Scene automation by checking the »Scene On/ Off«...

  • Page 314: Project Management

    �h�m �� �h� c�ns�l�’s c�n�r�l sys��m by clicking �h� [Apply] bu���n. Project management All settings of the CRESCENDO platinum console can be saved as so-called »Project« files. Unlike Snapshots, which only contain audio-related settings, Project files also include all settings related to the console settings and as- signments.

  • Page 315: Startup Behavior

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems The configuration software (see the dedicated chapter) also allows you to specify the basic console functions by adapting the available hardware resources to the requirements for the job at hand (number of channels and busses as well their format).
  • Page 316 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems tem partition. Irrespective of these safety measures, CRESCENDO platinum can also be used without the internal PC , because all signal processing (and the console itself) is controlled by dedicated hardware and software. (This approach is at the heart of the system’s amazing response time and reliabil-...
  • Page 317 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems › Use the arrow keys to select an existing Project if you want to overwrite it, or press the [ NEW ] key to create a new Project. › Press the LAYER key in the » LAYER « section. (To abort the operation, press the [ CANC ] key instead.) Be aware that saving these settings may take a while—wait for the progress bar to disappear.
  • Page 318 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems N–1 Gain Mix to N–1 Bus Off Air Matrix Control Mixing Console Mixing Console Mixing Console Pre/Post Fader Selection Information Input Board Routing Input Channel N–1 Gain N–1 Gain N–1 Gain NEXUS NEXUS Mixing Console Mixing Console...

  • Page 319: N-1 Conference System

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems N–1 conference system The standard N–1 system can be used for easy configuration of complex cue signals, which is especially useful for conference applications. Each input and output pair can be set to »Pre«- or »Post«-fader routing to specify whether or not the resulting signals should be affected by the mix settings.
  • Page 320 ’s N–1 system CRESCENDO The N–1 system provided by the CRESCENDO platinum console is based on the flexibility requirements mentioned earlier (see the full-color illustration). It offers several advantages over manual systems, no matter how sophisti- cated they may be: •...
  • Page 321 8-in/8-out matrix.) Inputs: the microphone signals (or the outputs of the telephone hybrids) are routed to the console’s first eight audio channels. This routing needs to be programmed using the CRESCENDO platinum configuration software. (The...
  • Page 322 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems choice of these channels is important for a meaningful use of the »Off-Air« function described below. The channels can be selected using the configu- ration software. Apart from that, all mixer channels, can be routed to the N–1 busses.
  • Page 323 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems conference involves a maximum of eight members, for instance, you can set the level of each member (channel) for all N–1 busses separately. The matrix provides 64 summing (i.e. patch) points and 64 encoders for setting the de- sired mix.
  • Page 324 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems N–1 signal before the fader. Press a lit key again to switch the source point to »Post«. If you select the »Pre« setting, the levels of the signals transmitted to the other conference members only depend on the N–1 encoder settings (and possibly also the levels of the N–1 bus channels).
  • Page 325 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems on and off as needed. For spaces reasons, CRESCENDO platinum uses a two- tier system for this: Start by selecting the N–1 bus whose connection status you want to change. (Or, to put it differently, select the conference member whose cue mix you want to change.) Briefly press and hold one of the [ ON ] keys above...
  • Page 326 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems this mode to allow the host to address all conference members irrespective of the current fader settings and the on-air mix. All Sends of a channel are set to »Post«: the conference member’s signal is routed to all busses.
  • Page 327 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems › The four concentric encoders in the central Channel module now allow you to set the selected channel’s N–1 Send parameters. The encoder and display assignments to the busses follow the familiar system. Bear in mind, however, that N–1 Sends (unlike AUX Sends) are all monaural.

  • Page 328: Off-Air Function Of The N-1 System

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems nel for details about this function. (The Talk channel can be controlled from the Monitor module. It provides a level control and a compressor. Remember to route a microphone signal to the Talk channel’s input. This routing is also required for the built-in microphone.) The Talk function is only available for configured »Off-Air«...
  • Page 329 3. After closing the fader, the »Pre« source points are once again selected if so desired. By default, the CRESCENDO platinum system uses the first eight audio channels for this Pre/Post switching functionality. (The editor software al- lows you to assign it to other channels, however.) Remember this while as- signing audio channels to the channel strips.
  • Page 330 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems once again add the corresponding signal to the »Off-Air« mix. Select this mode if the conference members are likely to make several statements in the course of a show. Summary of Off-Air mode •...

  • Page 331: Automixer

    The »Automixer« function for panel discussions takes care of automatically con- trolling the gain setting of input channels based on their input levels.. System Requirements This optional function for CRESCENDO platinum requires both software ver- sion 4.3 and RMDQ signal processing cards. How It Works Automatic level setting is performed for each input channels by a dedicated signal processing module located behind the fader.

  • Page 332: Configuration

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems The Automixer signal processing blocks are located behind the relevant faders. Moving one fader therefore allows you to change the system bal- ance. Example: if the current speaker talks softly, users can move his fader up to make him louder and the others softer (thanks to the »Automixer«...

  • Page 333: Operation

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Operation When creating an eligible Project, all input channels are assigned to auto- mixer group »1«. This assignment is shown in the blue AMX  1 field at the bot- tom of the TFT screen. A channel’s assignment to the automixer is displayed on screen.
  • Page 334 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems › To activate assignment mode, press and hold the [ VCA ] key in the Channel module’s Routing section for a short while. The key lights and the associated keypad/display shows four control groups: »...

  • Page 335: Console Control

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Console Control...
  • Page 336 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Console–XCMC Pair 3a: Pin 1–Pin 1 Pair 3b: Pin 2–Pin 2 Pair 2a: Pin 3–Pin 3 Pair 1b: Pin 4–Pin 4 Pair 1a: Pin 5–Pin 5 Pair 2b: Pin 6–Pin 6 Pair 4a: Pin 7–Pin 7 Pair 4b: Pin 8–Pin 8 LTC Timecode In (Pin 12)

  • Page 337: Control Systems

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Control systems Certain console functions can be controlled externally. CRESCENDO platinum supports several protocols and receives such instructions via the serial interface on the XCMC mixer card. platinum control using the RAP format...
  • Page 338 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Commands Read/write fader value – 0x00 0x00 This parameter is used to query and set the fader values of input channels. The resolution is 10 bits (range: 0~1023). The value »0« represents a closed fader, while »1023« refers to the maximum setting.

  • Page 339: Crescendo Platinum Control Using The Ras Format

    RAS format CRESCENDO As an alternative, CRESCENDO platinum can be controlled using an RAS -based protocol. Please see the table below for the supported commands. The XC- ’s serial interface requires no additional configuration by the user—ev- erything is prepared by the manufacturer.
  • Page 340 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Commands In the command string shown below, please bear in mind that it is referenced to audio channels: they are the ones being controlled—not the channel strips. Channels are counted in ascending order, starting from zero. The first audio channel therefore uses the value »0«...
  • Page 341 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems SET_FADER_LEVEL – 0EH <Fader-Nummer> <Pegel> <Dauer> Control › console Fader: 1 byte, fader number (1~255) Level: 1 byte, level in dB, signed char (–99~+9) Duration: unsigned short; in 40ms steps; note: the fade uses a linear dB curve Length: 5 bytes SET_PRELISTEN1_ON –...
  • Page 342 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems GET_FADER_MUTE* – 45H <Fader-Nummer> Control › console Fader number: 1 byte, fader number (1~255) Length: 2 bytes FADER_MUTE* – 46H <Fader-Nummer ><Mute> Console › control Fader number: 1 byte, fader number (1~255) Mute: 0= OFF, 1= ON Length: 3 bytes Control commands supported by...

  • Page 343: Appendix

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Appendix...
  • Page 344 Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Cover Inlay Pane Front Body Push Button Switch...

  • Page 345: Replacing Knobs

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems Replacing Knobs You can easily replace encoder and fader knobs. This is also true for key caps and key-cap labels. Fader Knobs The fader-knob material includes conductive components that allow for de- tecting when controls are physically touched.

  • Page 346: Encoder Knobs

    Stage Tec Professional Digital Audio-Routing And Mixing-Console Systems › When creating your own labels, consider the following: The cap-label dimensions are 8.45 mm × 8.45 mm (1/3" × 1/3"). Be sure to use thin trans- parent material. The original labels were printed using the Univers (Zurich) font (9 pt).
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