Ashly FR-16 Users Manual

FR-8 and FR-16 Remote Control

Operating Manual

Introduction

The FR-8 and FR-16 are Ethernet-based remote control devices for Ashly Ethernet compatible
products with DSP capabilities, including the Ashly ne24.24M, NE two-channel ampliers (with DSP),
NE multichannel power ampliers (with DSP), ne8800/4800 processors, and all Pema power ampli­ers. The FR-8 has eight assignable faders with a master fader, and the FR-16 has 16 faders with a
master fader. Each fader can be assigned to control an input or output DSP gain function, or assigned to
control an output mixer. Fader scaling is available whereby the user can set a maximum and minimum
value for each fader. The master fader provides an overall level control for selected faders. Buttons
above each fader provide mute control with LED, can indicate signal level for that channel with user
dened LED transition points, and will indicate communication failure with the target device. Each
unit is powered by Power over Ethernet (PoE), or by an external PoE injector, and has automatic IP
addressing. A clear window opening is provided above and below each fader to allow insertion of user
dened labels which are available as a document template on the Ashly website. The FR-8 and FR-16
are designed to mount to a standard four or seven-gang US electrical wall box array, can be mounted to
any at surface using the cutout template found on page 9, or can be used as a desktop device.

When the FR remote is rst connected or powered on, it attempts to communicate with all
devices it has been programmed to control, if any. Once communication with the targeted device(s)
is established, it waits to transmit any fader or switch position data to the targeted device until
a control is physically changed by the user, and then only the data for that control. This feature
prevents sudden and unexpected changes when reconnecting or re-starting the FR remote, as well as
when a new preset is recalled to the host device. When in doubt, make sure all faders are either in
the correct position or fully down before reconnecting.

ASHLY AUDIO INC.

847 Holt Road Webster, NY 14580-9103 Phone: [phone]

Toll-Free: [phone] Fax: [phone] www.ashly.com

Operating Manual - FR-8 and FR-16 Remote Level Controller

1. Network requirements

Ethernet communication is made by wiring with standard
Cat-5 cable terminated with an RJ-45 or Neutrik etherCON
connector through an Ethernet network router, switch, hub, or
patch panel to a PC running Protea NE Software v5.10 or higher.
Maximum cable distance is 100 meters (328 ft) from the nearest
router, hub, or switch. Ashly networked devices will auto detect
their Ethernet network connection, and adapt (Auto-MDIX) to either a straight through pin to pin, or
crossover Ethernet cable. Note that the push release tab on the back panel connector (as shown) is meant
only for etherCON connectors. Standard RJ-45 connectors have their own built-in release tab.

Power over Ethernet - FR remote controllers are powered using a class 2 IEEE 802.3af Power
over Ethernet (PoE) switch, hub, or in-line PoE injector. Power consumption is two watts maximum.

IP Address -

router or Link Local Addressing will assign IP addresses to each product automatically. When a router
is not available, most current NE products and remotes have the capability to assign their own IP address
based on Link Local Addressing. This allows the device to operate without the need to set up static IP
address. If the only option is to use an Ethernet switch instead of a router, and communications problems
remain which cannot be solved with the use of the Link Local standard, each device must have a static
IP address assigned from within Protea NE software. This is done by selecting “Manual Conguration”
in the Network Properties tab of each device, where the system/network administrator must assign each
product its own unique static IP address, each with the appropriate sub-net if applicable.

Firewalls - If Protea NE software does not detect the FR-8/16, the rewall in the host PC
should be turned off, as rewalls may block the device response to the controlling PC when network
communication is attempted. The current PC rewall status is found by clicking on the Windows
Start button, then Control Panel, then double clicking on the security shield where the rewall can
then be disabled. Once communications with the device is established, the rewall can be enabled
again, but if there continues to be communications problems then disable the rewall.

Wi-Fi and LAN – For the initial device auto-conguration process, any secondary Wi-Fi
connection should also be disabled, and the LAN (Local Area Network) connection must be enabled
on the PC. Secondary network connections may confuse the auto device discovery process. Go
to the Windows Control Panel, then Network Connections, to disable any secondary network con­nections. Once communications with the device is established, secondary network connections can
be enabled again, unless a communications problem remains with the FR-8/16, in which case the
secondary network connections should remain disabled.

There is no need to assign an IP address to FR-8/16 used with a network router. The

Connecting Device(s) - Connect an Ethernet cable with PoE (Power over Ethernet) to the
FR-8/16 unit. If a successful Ethernet connection has been made, a solid green LED (Link) lights up
near the device Ethernet port. If there is no green LED showing, there is either a problem with the
cable or the network source, which must be addressed before proceeding further. All RJ-45 Ethernet
ports ash green when active, so backtrack through any other cables, routers, or switches to nd the
problem. The ashing yellow LED (Data) indicates that data is owing to or from the device.

Communication Failure Indicator - If a fader has been assigned to control a specic device
function but has somehow lost contact with that device, the LED button above that fader will con­tinually ash to indicate communication has been lost.

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Operating Manual - FR-8 and FR-16 Remote Level Controller

2. Mechanical requirements

The FR-8 and FR-16 are designed to be mounted to an electrical wall box or modular box array,

to any at surface using the provided cutout, or as a freestanding desktop controller.

The FR-16 will mount to a modular 7-gang US electrical box, with a minimum box depth of

2.25”. The FR-8 mounts to a 4-gang electrical box. For mounting to a wall or at surface without
using a wall box, a mechanical drawing and cutout pattern are provided in this manual on pages 9.

Fader and switch function labels can be created using the document template found on the

Ashly website and referenced in this manual on page 10.

Follow these instructions for mounting to an electrical wall box or surface:

Note: Remove power

before mounting. Avoid

static shock disruptions
to this or other connected
devices by mounting to an
earth-grounded metal wall
box or other earth grounded
point. This prevents static
discharge from owing
through the data lines.

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Operating Manual - FR-8 and FR-16 Remote Level Controller

3. FR Firmware Update (Flash Reprogram)

To view the current FR rmware revision, click on it’s control surface Network Properties
tab and look under Hardware Conguration. If a newer rmware update is available on the Ashly
website, the user may download it and run the Flash Reprogram procedure found in the FR Device
Options menu. If the control surface is somehow unable to communicate with the FR device due to
a corrupt internal program, run ash reprogram from the main Proteane window under Flash Pro­grammer/Launch Flash Reprogram. This requires the FR device MAC address, found on the back
panel. When the FR device is put into ash reprogram mode, the highest channel LED turns green
and Master LED turns amber. All control function is suspended until reprogramming is completed

4. Protea NE Software

Protea NE Software version 5.10 or greater is required for the FR Remotes. Load it from the
supplied CD or Ashly website to a PC running Microsoft®
Windows 7/Vista/XP, 32 & 64 bit.

Network Tree - Start Protea NE Software and the
FR-8/16 should appear in the network tree in the “Ashly
Remotes” folder. From the factory, it should appear with
the name “FR-8 (or 16) Fader Remote” in green. If it
doesn’t appear, click the “Scan For Devices” button under
the network tree. All devices continuously broadcast their
availability to the software. All currently connected and
active products are highlighted in green, while products
which have been formerly connected but are currently
off-line or unavailable show up in red. To clear the network tree of all unavailable (red) items, right
click the top level item (Ashly Network) and select <Clear Inactive Devices In All Groups>.

Project Canvas - To congure the FR-8/16, double-click its icon in the network tree, which
brings up that FR-8/16’s control surface. Alternatively, drag the icon from the network tree onto the
project canvas and double-click it there. Drawing elements such as lines, rectangles, text, and image
les can be added to the canvas to complete a visual control screen displaying all Ashly devices
under control, which is then saved as a project le. Drawing elements are found as icons above the
canvas. To add text or image les, right click over empty canvas. The saved project le contains all
devices, settings, and drawing elements shown on the project canvas.

Once an image has been placed on the canvas, it must be manually deleted if that device is no
longer available to the software. Scanning for devices does not automatically remove images which
may have been installed at one time but are now off line. To clear the canvas of all devices and
drawn elements click <File - New>.

Design Mode - Design Mode must be enabled to work with devices or drawing elements in
the project canvas. Right-click on canvas to enable Design Mode. This allows placed objects to be

moved around, while unchecking Design Mode locks objects in place and prevents the addition of
other objects or devices. Further help is available in Protea NE software by navigating through the

online help menu.

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Operating Manual - FR-8 and FR-16 Remote Level Controller

4.1 Software - FR Control Surface Features

Within the main FR-8 or FR-16 control surface, there are two tabs at the bottom labeled
“Conguration” and “Fader Test”. All device targeting and programming of faders happens in the
conguration tab. There are no user controls in the fader test tab, it is meant only for visual refer­ence, indicating current FR fader and switch position as well as front panel lockout status.

Global Features:

Global features affect the entire FR device and include the following:

Device Name: Up to 20 characters can be used for the device name. The name appears

in the device menu tree in the Proteane Software startup screen, as well as the main FR device screen.

Target Security:

= “default” with no password), the FR device will have full access to all available control parameters
on the targeted DSP device. However, if an administrator wishes to limit control parameter access from
an FR controller to selected target devices on the network, they must enter the same user name and
password on both the FR-8/16 target security elds and on the specied target’s device users section,
under the general security tab. Think of it as creating a login requirement for each device before they
can be assigned to work together, up to the level of parameter access granted by the target device. Note
that even though “Default” and “Admin” are reserved system user names, any changes to these reserved
FR name or password elds requires a corresponding entry on the target device. Note also that target
security is completely independent from the general FR security section described in section 5, and that

user names and passwords implemented there have no impact to or from those used for target security.

When target security is left unspecied or in its default state (user name

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Operating Manual - FR-8 and FR-16 Remote Level Controller

Switch Button LED Function: All switch LEDs normally indicate mute (red) or

enable (green) for each fader, but can be alternately set to indicate signal level. When set for signal
level mode, the LEDs use green and amber to indicate the post-fader signal level in dBu at the point
of gain control for each fader. Every fader’s LED transition points can be individually set.

LED Brightness: The overall brightness of FR-8 and FR-16 LEDs can be adjusted to one

of four levels to match ambient room lighting. The factory default is for the brightest setting.

Clear All: This button clears the control parameters of all faders in the conguration

window and returns them to factory default settings. It also clears the FR device target security user
name and password. Note: individual fader parameters can be cleared by clicking on any control for
that fader and then clicking the pop-up “Clear Fader” button associated with that fader.

Fader Control Features: Individual fader control parameters include assign-

ment of the targeted device, fader mode, device channel, mixer sub-channel (if in mixer mode), fader
scaling, signal LED breakpoints (if the switch button LEDs are selected for signal level mode), and
assign to master fader. An individual fader clear function button appears when editing any control

point in a fader row. This returns that fader’s parameters back to default settings.

Fader:

The total number of faders available on the FR remote are shown here, either 8 or 16.

Device: Each fader can be programmed to control one exclusive NE device available in the

drop down menu, or to be inactive.

Mode: Once a target DSP device has been selected, the fader can operate in one of two

modes, Mixer Mode or I/O Level Control Mode.

Mixer Mode - In mixer mode, the fader is rst assigned to the target device’s output
channel mixer, then assigned to a mixer sub channel, whereby the fader acts as a level control corre­sponding directly to one of that mixer’s input sources. The mixer sub channel feature is only avail­able in mixer mode.

I/O Level Control Mode - I/O level control mode offers individual assignment of
faders to single input or output channel DSP gain controls on the targeted device, whereby the fader
works along with the DSP gain function. For controlling a stereo signal, one FR fader can control
more than one device channel by linking input or output gain functions within the target device.

Fader Scaling - The gain range for target DSP gain stages is -50dB to +12dB. By default,

the FR fader will use the full range of the DSP gain function under its control. An upper or lower
fader limit can be assigned to prevent insufcient or excessive audio level.

LED Level Transition Points - When the switch button LEDs are set to signal level

mode, the two thresholds at which point the green signal LED rst turns on and then transitions from
green to amber can be dened by the user. Factory default transition points are -22dBu for green and
+14dBu for amber.

Master Fader Assignment -

control by the master fader. The factory default is for all faders to be assigned to the master fader. If a
fader appears to be functioning but has no effect on level, check that the master fader is not muted or down.

Faders can be individually selected for or removed from

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Operating Manual - FR-8 and FR-16 Remote Level Controller

5. Other Features

Front Panel Lock-Out

When unintended or unauthorized changes to the faders or buttons must
be prevented, a keyed switch or contact closure can be connected to this Euro­block connector. When the two pins are unconnected, the front panel operates
normally. When connected via a switch or contact closure, physical changes
on the front panel are locked out and ignored by software. Note: Before un-

locking the front panel, it is suggested that all faders rst be placed fully down
or at pre-determined marked levels to avoid excess volume. Lock-out status is

indicated in software in the main control surface fader test tab window.

Factory Reset

If it is necessary to restore the FR remote to it’s factory default settings, follow these steps:

1. Remove power from the FR-8/16.

2. Press and hold down buttons 5, 6, 7, 8 on the FR-8, or

buttons 9, 10, 11, 12 on the FR-16.

3. Apply power to the FR-8/16.

4. Release the held buttons after all the buttons glow amber.

Security

In addition to the hardware lockout, there are multiple user/multiple levels of FR-8 and FR-16
software protection assignable within the security tab. The security data is stored within the FR
remote device itself, not Protea NE Software. Passwords are case sensitive. Be sure to write down
the password and store in a convenient place for future reference. Note that device security is differ­ent than the target security, and is located next to the main control surface conguration window tab.

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Operating Manual - FR-8 and FR-16 Remote Level Controller

Using Multiple Remote Controllers

Proteane software allows multiple NE remote controllers the ability to target the same DSP
device. For example, an Ashly neWR-5 could target the same DSP device as an FR-16, if a user
wanted to add remote preset or logic control to the remote gain control offered by the FR-16. Note
that in this case, both the FR remote and the neWR-5 remote could conceivably be congured to
control the same gain function on the target DSP device. Ashly does not recommend this practice.
However if it is deemed necessary to have two remote control devices controlling the same function,
know that the last remote device action will always take effect, regardless of which device it is and
regardless of the position or setting of the other remote device(s). This is true for any combination
of Ashly NE remote control devices targeting the same device and function. The administrator can
avoid the possibility of redundant control situations like this by using the target security feature to
limit control access to DSP devices.

6. FR-8 and FR-16 Dimensions

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Operating Manual - FR-8 and FR-16 Remote Level Controller

7. Panel Mount Cutout Pattern

Note: This template is also available as a pdf download from the Ashly website. Look in the

downloads section, then under FR-8 and FR-16 Application Notes.

9

Operating Manual - FR-8 and FR-16 Remote Level Controller

8. Function Label Template

An editable document template is available on the Ashly website for making custom labels.
Text, text color, and background color can be individually dened for each label and inserted behind
the front panel overlay windows as shown below.

Note: The front panel must be removed for label insertion. See instructions in section 2.

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Operating Manual - FR-8 and FR-16 Remote Level Controller

9. FR-8 and FR-16 Troubleshooting Tips:

1) I can’t nd the target device I want to control - Is the target device plugged into
the network? Is it turned on? Are there multiple target devices of the same model? Rename
individual devices with a unique identier. For an immediate update of available devices, click
<Scan for Devices> at the bottom of the main Protea

2) How do I get rid of extra target devices listed that do not exist? The FR target
device drop down listing is taken directly from the main Proteane network tree. Devices listed in
the network tree appear green if they are live units, and red if they were once available but are
now ofine. To clear all inactive devices from the menu tree, right click on <Ashly Networks>
at the top of the menu tree and click <Clear Inactive Devices From All Groups>.

3) Even though my user name is “default” or “admin”, I don’t have access to the
target device - Is there additional text in the user name eld? Is the password eld blank?

Any password entry, even on the reserved user-names of “default” or “admin” must have a cor­responding match in the target devices.

4) What do the various LED indicators and blinking patterns mean?

Mute/Unmute - If a fader is assigned to a target device function and the switch
button LEDs are set to Mute/Unmute mode, they will be solid red when muted and solid
green when unmuted.

ne

network tree.

Signal Level ­signal level with green and amber, but will still turn solid red if the mute button is pressed. If
the fader is not assigned a function, it will not indicate mute/unmute or signal level.

Factory Reset -

Communications failure -

device becomes unavailable, the fader LED will continuously ash red to indicate that commu­nication has been lost for that fader. See if the target device is powered on and networked.

Flash Reprogram ­fader LED glows solid green while the master fader LED glows amber. Once reprogramming
begins, red LEDs blink to indicate the new program is being loaded. Upon completion, all LEDs
either turn off or revert to their user dened status, and the FR device is ready for use. Unlike
factory reset, ash reprogram does not delete or overwrite user settings on the FR device.

5) Why won’t the FR device let me ash reprogram it?
the FR device becomes corrupt for some unexpected reason, you will not be able to ash repro­gram it from the FR control surface in Protea
ash reprogrammer as follows:

1) Click on <Flash Reprogrammer> in the main Proteane software window

2) Click <Launch Flash Reprogrammer>

3) In the Select Device window, click <Skip This Step>

4) Select the latest FR rmware le from website download or CD

5) Enter MAC address found on FR device back panel

6) Enter IP address of 255.255.255.255

7) Finally, click <Flash Reprogram>

If the switch button LEDs are set to signal level mode, they will indicate

All LEDs glow amber during factory reset until held buttons are released.

If a fader was assigned to a target device, but that target

In ash reprogram mode, all controls are disabled and the highest

If the rmware program in

ne

software. Rather, you must use the main Proteane

11

Ashly Audio Inc. LIMITED WARRANTY (USA ONLY)

(Other countries please contact your respective distributor or dealer.)

For units purchased in the USA, warranty service for this unit shall be provided by ASHLY AUDIO, INC. in ac-

cordance with the following warranty statement.

ASHLY AUDIO, INC. warrants to the owner of this product that it will be free from defects in workmanship and
materials for a period of FIVE years from the original-date-of-purchase. ASHLY AUDIO INC. will without charge,
repair or replace at its discretion, any defective product or component parts upon prepaid delivery of the product to the
ASHLY AUDIO, INC. factory service department, accompanied with a proof of original-date-of-purchase in the form of
a valid sales receipt. This warranty gives you specic legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from
state to state.

EXCLUSIONS: This warranty does not apply in the event of misuse, neglect, or as a result of unauthorized altera­tions or repairs made to the product. This warranty is void if the serial number is altered, defaced, or removed. ASHLY
AUDIO, INC. reserves the right to make changes in design, or make additions to, or improvements upon, this product
without any obligation to install the same on products previously manufactured.

Any implied warranties, which may arise under the operation of state law, shall be effective only for FIVE years
from the original-date-of-purchase of the product. ASHLY AUDIO, INC. shall be obligated to only correct defects in the
product itself. ASHLY AUDIO, INC. is not liable for any damage or injury, which may result from, or be incidental to, or
a consequence of, such defects. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, or the exclu­sion, or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.

OBTAINING WARRANTY SERVICE:

For warranty service in the United States, please follow this procedure:

1) Return the product to ASHLY AUDIO, INC. freight prepaid, with a written statement describing the defect
and application that the product is used in. ASHLY AUDIO, INC. will examine the product and perform any necessary
service, including replacement of defective parts, at no further cost to you.

2) Ship your product to:

ASHLY AUDIO, INC.
Attention: Service Department
847 Holt Road

Webster, NY 14580-9103

585-872-0010 toll free 800-828-6308 fax [phone] www.ashly.com

Ashly Audio Inc 847 Holt Rd Webster NY 14580

 2011 by Ashly Audio Corporation. All rights reserved worldwide.

Printed in USA R0911