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ATC Labs Perceptual SoundMax Q24 Operation Manual

24-band stereo audio processor for fm and digital
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Perceptual SoundMax
TM
Model Q24
24-band Stereo Audio Processor for FM and Digital
http://www.atc-labs.com/soundmax
Operation Manual
Version 2.1, January 2012

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Summary of Contents for ATC Labs Perceptual SoundMax Q24

  • Page 1 Perceptual SoundMax Model Q24 24-band Stereo Audio Processor for FM and Digital http://www.atc-labs.com/soundmax Operation Manual Version 2.1, January 2012...
  • Page 2 IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS __________________________________________________________________________ WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK (1) THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE EARTHED, (2) USE TEH EQUIPMENT ONLY WITH A RACK AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER, (3) DO NOT REMOVE THE TOP COVER, FRONT PLATE, OR BACK PLATE (CONTACT QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL).

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS PRODUCT OVERVIEW ....................... 4 INSTALLATION AND QUICK START GUIDE ............... 6 2.1 S ....................6 UPPLIED CCESSORIES 2.2 R ..................7 OUNTING THE 2.3 I/O ..................8 OWER ONNECTIONS 2.4 R ........10 EMOTE OMPUTER ONITORING OFTWARE NSTALLATION 2.5 F ....................

  • Page 4: Product Overview

    ATC Labs has a strong sound processing technology pedigree. It was founded by researchers with long career in Bell Labs acoustics research. Technology developed by ATC...
  • Page 5 includes all standard inputs and outputs expected of a product of this class such as Digital AES I/O balanced analog I/O, baseband composite FM outputs, SCA & RDS inputs, etc. It offers an attractive touch-screen interface for user control and is supplemented by sophisticated software that allow unsurpassed monitoring and tuning options using a networked PC based remote control.

  • Page 6: Installation And Quick Start Guide

    Complete the Registration Card and return it to ATC Labs (address on the card). The Registration Card enables us to inform you of new applications, performance...

  • Page 7: Rack Mounting The Unit

    2.2 Rack Mounting the Unit Use the supplied rack-mounting kit to mount the unit in a standard 19-inch equipment rack. Model Q24 requires standard rack unit space of 2.5 U (4.37inch). There should be a good ground connection between the rack and the chassis. It is recommended that you leave 1U of space both above and below the unit and 10 cm (4 inch) or more space in the rear.

  • Page 8: I/Oand Power Connections

    • Non Use periods: The power cord of the equipment should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time. • Object and Liquid Entry: Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.
  • Page 9 Input and Output Connections: 1. Baseband Input SCA – BNC Connector 2. Baseband Input RDS/RBDS– BNC Connector 3. Composite Baseband Output 1 (COMP/MPX) – BNC Connector 4. Composite Baseband Output 2 (COMP/MPX/PILOT)– BNC Connector 5. Balanced Analog Input (Right) - XLR Connector 6.

  • Page 10: Remote Computer Monitoring Software Installation

    Model Q24 hardware is supplied with SoundMax Manager software for remote computer interface. This software is provided with CD-ROM or user can download from http://www.atc-labs.com/soundmax. SoundMax Manager which allows for elaborate Configuration, Control, Monitoring and Tuning of multiple Q24 processors connected to a network.
  • Page 11 functionality includes the ability to configure parameters specific to a processors, preset selection, detailed parameter tuning, custom processing profile creation, and much more. Monitoring capability include global view of the processor health and VU meters tied to the Input/Output of each processor. 2.4.1 Installing Perceptual Soundmax Manager •...
  • Page 12 SoundMax Manager will auto detect the “Model Q24 rack Mount processor” as Live Station. By clicking on the station from this list, you can get a detailed view and options to configure that particular station. This view provides the ability to configure parameters specific to a channel such as profile selection, save and remove profiles, tune profile parameters.

  • Page 13: Front Panel Controls

    Front Panel Controls 19 in 4.2 in Figure 2.4: Model Q24 FRONT PANEL 1. Power Switch: Once the rare-panel master switch is in ON position (i.e. equipment is in power standby mode) use this switch to turn the unit ON or OFF. 2.

  • Page 14: Quick Start Guide

    Quick Start Guide (WARNING: Do not skip to this section without familiarizing yourself with the material in the above sections) Make sure Installation procedure is complete as per instruction given in Section 2.1- Model Q24 ships with digital input and digital output as the default I/O connections. So during the quick start the audio coming in through the digital input will be processed and the processed output will be available on the digital output connection.
  • Page 15 Figure 2.5: HOME Screen Processor settings can be modified only after unlocking the controls by providing valid authentication key. After clicking on UNLOCK tab follow the instructions given below: • Enter a valid password and SAVE it (the unit ships with a default password of “1234”).
  • Page 16 Figure 2.6: Preset Profile Selection Screen • With the soft keys of NEXT and PREVIOUS user can traverse between next page and previous page respectively. • User can go to the recent last preset with LAST key. • With TUNE key user can see the different processing module available and their ON/OFF status.

  • Page 17: Detailed System Setup Instructions

    Section 3 Detailed System Setup Instructions 3.1 Model Q24 Main Screen Controls: Home Screen Figure 3.1: Home Screen Main Screen Display labels the following items: Soft keys: UNLOCK, SETTING, BYPASS, CONFIGURE • Input and Output VU meter • Output Spectrum in 10 Bandwidth central frequency display. •...
  • Page 18 Click on SETTING key to get access of setting screen corresponding to Analog I/O setting, Digital I/O setting, composite and SCA/RBDS setting and Info screen • Use rotary to go back and forth between various control or click on any of the key. •...

  • Page 19: Input/Output Configuration

    Figure 3.2: Preset Profile Selection Screen Input/Output Configuration With SETTING screen user can setup input and output levels according to studio appliances. Model Q24 is a complex audio processor so before proceedings with any change user must understand the architecture of the processor: 3.2.1 Processor Signal Flow Architecture The figure below shows the signal processing paths in the system.
  • Page 20 Figure 3.3: Signal Processing Paths in Perceptual SoundMax Model Q24 3.2.2 Input Configuration Model Q24 supports Stereo Input either AES/EBU standard or balanced XLR type. Input selection is software configurable and De-emphasis is also software selectable. Figure 3.4: Input Configuration •...
  • Page 21 your installation supplies to the Q24’s analog input. It has range of -10dBu to +12dBu. Digital reference level: It has range from -25dBFS to 0dBFS • Peak Level: Analog peak level: This tunable option provides necessary HEADROOM to take care of peaks above the reference level. It has range of 0dBu to 12dBu. Digital peak level: Digital Headroom is provided with the Highly Effective Automatic Gain Control Module, Which will detect the Peak level and adjust the overall gain.
  • Page 22 • Pre-emphasis: This option provides Pre-emphasized ANALOG and DIGITAL outputs. If user wants pre-emphasis only on COMPOSITE PATH then refer to Section 3.2.4. • Two Band Limiter: To avoid distortion caused by over amplification done through pre-emphasis, Q24 is equipped with TWO BAND LIMITER. Two band limiter will control the gain of higher frequency by applying filter having attenuation from 0dB to -20dB.
  • Page 23 • SCA IN: Subcarrier inputs sum into composite baseband outputs and provides MPX outputs. SCA and RBDS levels will make sure proper A/D will match to the absolute maximum peak level of analog signal to the full scale digital level with word length 24 bit.
  • Page 24 Table 3.1: Different Q24 Settings and their Status • UPGRADE: Updating the software is three step procedure: Download the updates from ATC-labs website. Extract the folder and keep extracted folder in USB storage Plug the USB device into Q24’s USB port and press UPGRADE key A T C L a b s C o p y r i g h t ( 2 0 1 2 ) A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e d .
  • Page 25 NOTE: User can also upgrade the software from PC to Q24 interface (refer section 5). • SET PASSWORD: Security key setting screen shown below will come after pressing SET PASSWORD soft key. Figure 3.8: Set Password Screen A valid Password should consist of more than 5 characters. After entering the password press SAVE soft key.
  • Page 26 Figure 3.9: Diagnostic Screen To diagnose each path with built in test tone follow these steps: Select any one of the path form Digital/Analog/Composite FM option. Press Playback key Now select option from Tone/Sweep/Pink Noise. In case of Tone, fundamental frequency can vary from 1 kHz to 24 kHz. User can also configure Start and stop frequency in case of Sweep tone.

  • Page 27: Audio Processing Operation

    Section 4 Audio Processing Operation 4.1 Overview of Available Processing Tools In this section we take a brief look at our processing philosophy and the different signal processing blocks available in Perceptual SoundMax Model Q24 and provide a description of their functionality. CONFIGURE screen has the option of TUNE, which give access to all processing module at one place.
  • Page 28 In this section we take a brief look at our processing philosophy and the different signal processing blocks available in Perceptual SoundMax Model Q24 and provide a description of their functionality. In this description it will be helpful to keep the UI illustrated in the Figure above in mind; as explained in the next section this UI is also accessible through a remote networked PC interface and also same control may be applied using the front panel TFT touch panel control of the product.
  • Page 29 4.1.1 Intelligent Loudness Control (LOUDNESS): Figure 4.2: Loundness Control This module detects the current input stereo loudness and controls the output stereo loudness depending on the two sliders value. • The first slider is for the release time, to control how fast the audio loudness should get adapted to desired level.
  • Page 30 • The fourth slider decides the maximum permissible gain of the AGC. If it is at left most side then gain is close to 1 and if its at right most side then gain will be highest. Moderate setting advised is 0.55 to 0.8 for good quality audio. A T C L a b s C o p y r i g h t ( 2 0 1 2 ) A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e d .
  • Page 31 4.1.2 Accurate Multiband Dynamic Range Compression (DRC): Multiband Dynamic Compression improves the consistency of the FM stations sound. It also remarkably increases the loudness of the program material, without producing unpleasant side effects. To change the dynamic range in different bands individually this module is provided with greater functionality than any other product available on the market.
  • Page 32 is adjusted in corresponding band. The 10 and 6 band options is used to produce a consistent processed sound, free from undesirable artifacts. The 4 and 2 band processing is to produce partially controlled sound, which preserves the frequency balance of the original program material for lighter processing. The adjacent drop down box named as DRC BASE PROFILE is for genre selection.
  • Page 33 • OP TUNE Operating Points: These thresholds are the levels defined in dB for each band. It’s the master threshold and rests of the thresholds are derived from it. Operating points are set for each genre in such a way that it will apply desired gain on particular frequency.
  • Page 34 • BAND TUNE: In BAND TUNE screen user can tune following options for one selected band: Figure 4.6: DRC BAND Tuning Screen Gain: With this gain slider user can modify DRC intensity slider (which is explained in fig 4.4) for individual bands. Operating Point: User can also tune individual band’s operating point with this slider that is same as OP TUNE screen’s operating points.
  • Page 35 Expansion Threshold: Expansion is the complementary process to compression: it actually increases the level of the signal. When a signal falls below an expansion threshold level, the signal undergoes amplification. Compression Thresholds: This threshold determines the signal level above which compression will occur.
  • Page 36 4.1.3 Multi-Band Equalizer Figure 4.7: Multi-Band Equalizer This module equalizes the audio in 10 bands according to the 10 slider setting. For all the slider at the middle of the range equalizer is effectively null. Each slider can go 5dB up and 5dB down. The reset button is used to set equalizer to transparent functionality.
  • Page 37 Figure 4.8: Bass Enhancement 4.1.6 Stereo Enhancement Processing (STEREO): This module creates a new balance in the stereo. It widens or shrinks the stereo image depending on the slider setting. The scale is divided between 0.0 and 1.0. The higher the value of this slider, the more balanced audio we have with increased stability in the stereo image.
  • Page 38 Monodownmix: With this option output can be streamed as mono. User can select any of the Mono type from check box named as • SUM • LEFT • RIGHT 4.1.7 Wideband Automatic Noise Removal (WANR): Figure 4.10: Wideband Automatic Noise Removal Settings Model Q24 comes bundled with a world class real-time automatic noise control block.
  • Page 39 Color Model: For heavy noise reduction of a particular environment such as machine and instruments noise type, the more complex Color Model is recommended and the dial once again runs values from 0.0 to 1.0. A user can choose the level of noise filtering by varying the value of the dial.
  • Page 40 preset profile from the profile menu. The other controls like WANR and ICS etc may then be modified while maintaining these values for DLFR control. 4.1.9 Incoherent Component Suppression (ICS): This module detects the incoherent sections of the input audio and smoothes the corresponding audio component resulting in a sound that is easier to process by the human auditory perception system thus increasing the listenability of the sound.
  • Page 41 frequency content. This module dynamically detects the sibilant, fricative sections of the input audio and smoothes the same form that audio section only. Figure 4.13: SFS Settings The slider controls include the Start Frequency, which specifies the frequency threshold above which the processing is done; this can be varied from 4 kHz to 8 kHz. The dial controls the intensity of processing done by the algorithm.
  • Page 42 Figure 4.14: Final Look Ahead Limiter Settings A T C L a b s C o p y r i g h t ( 2 0 1 2 ) A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e d . Page 42...

  • Page 43: Remote Control Using Networked Pc

    Section 5 Remote Control Using Networked PC Perceptual SoundMax Model Q24 allows for elaborate control of its operation through either its front panel TFT touch screen control or through a software GUI interface running on a networked PC connected to the same Ethernet as the processor. Below we describe both these options in some detail.

  • Page 44: Guide To Creating Custom Processing Profiles Using Soundmax Manager

    Figure 5.1: Screen 1 and 2 of the SoundMax Manager Software running on a Networked PC Guide to Creating Custom Processing Profiles using SoundMax Manager As described in Section 2.4.1 a tune screen opens up when the “tune” button on the second screen is pressed.

  • Page 45: Tuning Guide

    • Incoherent Component Suppression (ICS), • Dynamic Listening Fatigue Reduction (DLFR), • Multi-Band Graphic Equalizer (Equalizer), • Pre-Emphasis, and • Low Pass Filtering. These different tools when managed judiciously can provide crystal clear, pleasant, noise free high quality audio and offer the user flexibility for creating a customize signature sound.
  • Page 46 designed filter bank for generating an extremely detailed time-frequency representation of the signal. Wideband Automatic Noise Removal Toolkit (WANR): • Model Q24 comes bundled with a world class real-time automatic noise control block. The user can choose a few optional parameters and background noises, including dynamic background noises, are automatically identified on the fly and removed from the audio.
  • Page 47 Envelope Stereo Processing: • This module controls the stereo balance in the audio. It may widen or shrink the stereo image depending on the characteristics of the stereo audio and the slider setting. This tool helps in maintaining a consistent stereo image which would make audio sound pleasant.
  • Page 48 increasing the listen ability of the sound. The slider controls for this module include a Start Frequency, which specifies the frequency threshold above which the processing is done; this can be varied from 4 kHz to 8 kHz. The dial controls the intensity of processing done by the algorithm.
  • Page 49 Operation Display Point Screen Expansion Dynamic Threshold Listening Fatigue Reduction Compression Threshold Wide Band Auto Noise Reduction Limiting Threshold Stereo Processing Noise Voice/Vocal Threshold Enhancement Attack Emphasis Time Low Pass Filtering Release Time ByPass Processing Channel Info Final Sibilant / Limiter Fricative Smoothing...

  • Page 50: Preset Processing Profiles And Custom Profiles

    Section 6 Preset Processing Profiles and Custom Profiles Factory Preset Profiles Factory Programming Presets are our “factory recommended settings” for various audio formats or classes. These are designed as starting points to help get on air quickly without having much to understand and adjust the various controls. Each of these can be further tuned based on once preferences and saved in custom profiles or user defined profiles so that next time the user can directly access and tune into these user defined profiles.

  • Page 51: Custom Profile Creation

    • DANCE: This preset is designed to preserve the punch and slam in dance music percussion (such as the beater click in kick drums). It is loud and has a bright high frequency texture. • LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL: An alias for the JAZZ preset. •...

  • Page 52: Hardware Specifications

    Section 7 Hardware Specifications Installation Analog Audio Input: Configuration: Left and Right/Stereo Maximum Input Level/Impedance: +24dBu/ >10k Nominal Input Level: Adjustable -10.0 to +12.0 dBu A/D Convertor Resolution: 24-bit EMI Suppressed: Yes Connectors: Balanced XLR Female Analog Audio Output: Configuration: Stereo Output Level: Adjustable -6.0 to +20 dBu SNR: >...
  • Page 53 EMI Suppressed: Yes Connector: AES – XLR Male Composite Baseband Output: Configuration: Two Outputs with Individual Trim Control Maximum Output Level (unbalanced): +12dBu D/A Conversion:24 Bits Signal to Noise Ratio: 108dB @ 48kHz ( A-Wtd), > 100 dB, 20Hz-20kHz Dynamic Range: 109dB @ 48kHz (A-weighted) THD: <...
  • Page 54 Figure 6.1: Model Q24 in Rack A T C L a b s C o p y r i g h t ( 2 0 1 2 ) A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e d . Page 54...
  • Page 55 Phone : +91-120-2519611 Fax : +91-120-2519610 Email Id: support@atc-labs.com Web: http://www.atc-labs.com A T C L a b s C o p y r i g h t ( 2 0 1 2 ) A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e d .

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