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Operating Manual - VCM-88, VCM-88E, RD-8, RW-8 Level Controllers
9. Data Connections and Configurations
9.1 Standard Remote Data Control
To connect the RD-8 or RW-8 remote controller,
the VCM-88 uses a rear panel female XLR jack, while the
VCM-88E uses a three pin euroblock connector. The con-
troller data can be sent through one channel of a standard
audio snake without affecting adjacent audio channels.
Do not use an isolation transformer in the data line.
The Standard data protocol is compatible with cur-
rent RD-8 and RW-8 remote controllers, AMX (VCM-88
and VCM-88E drivers), and Crestron controllers. Both
AMX and Crestron provide hardware which interfaces with
the VCM-88(E) through the XLR or euroblock Data In con-
nector. To learn more about their integrated control sys-
tems, visit their websites at <www.amx.com> and
<www.crestron.com>.
The details of the Standard VCM-88(E) digital for-
mat are as follows: Pin 1 is ground, Pin 2 is used for the
data input signal to the VCM-88(E), and Pin 3 is used as a
+26VDC power supply signal for powering the RD-8 re-
mote controller. Do not use pin 3 with 3rd party hardware
such as AMX or Crestron.
A valid message consists of two bytes with no break
between byte1 and byte 2.
1 Byte = start bit + 8 data bits + stop bit (10 bits
total, no parity)
Baud rate: 9600 bps
Start bit: logical 0 (current on)
Stop bit: logical 1 (current off)
Byte 1: Channel ID Character:
hex 80 - hex FF = Channels 1 - 128
Byte 2: Channel Level Character:
hex 7F = full on = +20.25dB
hex 64 = unity gain = 0dB
hex 00 = off = -75dB
(step size = 0.75dB)
9.2 AMX and Legacy
Using older RD-8 and RW-8 remote controllers,
as well as retired AMX products using the VCX-88 driver,
requires the Legacy data protocol. To know whether Ashly
hardware controllers require the Legacy or Standard proto-
col, look at the first three numbers in the Serial Number
sticker affixed to the unit.
10
Product
Legacy (old) Prefix
RD-8
708- ****
RW-8
709-****
VCM-88
Data Protocol
To set the data protocol on a VCM-
Jumpers
88 for Legacy controllers, set the internal
jumpers (J6) to Ashly/AMX.
J6
MIDI (1,3)
1
2
data protocol on a VCM-88E for Legacy
RS-232 (2,3)
3
4
controllers, DIP switches on the back panel
CRESTRON (1,4)
must be set to the Legacy configuration.
ASHLY (2,4)
(AMX)
Fig. 9.2
9.3 DC Control Voltage Connection
Direct DC voltage control of internal VCA circuits
is available on the VCM-88(E). On the VCM-88, a D-Sub
15 pin female connector is used, while the VCM-88E uses
a 12 pin euroblock connector. DC control meets the re-
mote control objectives with minimal hardware require-
ments and allows for custom "low-tech" hardware inter-
faces. Two wires are used to supply positive and negative
DC voltage to ordinary 10K ohm linear-taper potentiom-
eters, and a wire is used to return the wiper of each control
to its respective channel (see pinout below). Telephone wire
with eleven conductors or more is a good choice for this
application, and since only DC voltage is used, control line
distance is not a major concern.
Pin 1 Channel 1 DC control input
Pin 2 Channel 2 DC control input
Pin 3 Channel 3 DC control input
Pin 4 Channel 4 DC control input
Pin 5 Channel 5 DC control input
Pin 6 Channel 6 DC control input
Pin 7 Channel 7 DC control input
Pin 8 Channel 8 DC control input
Pin 9 Master DC control input
Pin 10 +15VDC - Connect to pot CCW
Pin 11 (Ground for data input)
Pin 12 -4VDC - Connect to pot CW
Pin 13-15 Not Used
9.4 RS-232 Control and Protea System Software
Protea System Software is Ashly's custom Win-
dows program for controlling the Protea family of digital
audio processors, as well as the VCM-88(E). Using the
software extends the capabilities of the VCM-88 by allow-
ing storage of channel and scene settings to disk. The pro-
gram interface has the look and feel of the RD-8 remote
control, and can control up to 16 devices for a total of 128
audio channels. (See fig. 9.3)
Standard (new) Prefix
794-****
797-****
To set the
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