Ashly NE8800S Users Manual
ne 8800
ne 4800
ne 4400
Network Enabled
DSP Processor
ASHLY AUDIO INC.
847 Holt Road Webster, NY 14580-9103 Phone: (585) 872-0010
Toll-Free: (800) 828-6308 Fax: (585) 872-0739 ashly.com
Operating Manual - ne8800, ne4800, ne4400 DSP Processor
Important Safety Instructions
Consignes de sécurité à lire attentivement
The lightning ash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the
user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may
be of sufcient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point
within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating
and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying the device
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not expose
this apparatus to rain or moisture.
6. Do not use this apparatus near water.
7. Clean only with dry cloth.
8. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
9. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including ampliers)
that produce heat.
10. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or
grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades
with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has
two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade
or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the
provided plug does not t into your outlet, consult an
electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
11. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched
particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the
point where they exit from the apparatus.
12. Only use attachments/accessories specied by the
manufacturer.
13. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table
specied by the manufacturer, or sold with the
apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when
moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury
from tip-over.
14. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when
unused for long periods of time.
15. Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug
is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen
into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to
rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been
dropped.
FCC Compliance
Le symbole de la èche dans un triangle équilateral symbolisant la foudre est prévu pour sensibiliser l’utilisateur à la présence de tension de voltage non isolée à l’intérieur de l’appareil.
Elle pourrait constituer un danger de risque de décharge électrique pour les utilisateurs. Le
point d’exclamation dans le triangle équilatérale alerte l’utilisateur de la présence de consignes
qu’il doit d’abord consulter avant d’utiliser l’appareil.
1. Lisez ces instructions.
2. Conservez ces instructions.
3. Observez les avertissements.
4. Suivez ces instructions.
5. Pour réduire le risque de feu ou la décharge électrique,
ne pas exposer cet appareil pour pleuvoir ou l’humidité.
6. Ne pas utiliser l’appareil près de l’eau.
7. Le nettoyer à l’aide d’un tissus sec.
8. Ne pas bloquer les ouvertures de ventilation, installer
selon les consignes du fabricant.
9. Eloigner des sources de chaleur tel: radiateurs,
fourneaux ou autres appareils qui produisent de la
chaleur.
10. Ne pas modier ou amputer le système de la mise à
terre. Une prise avec mise à terre comprend deux lames
dont une plus large ainsi qu’une mise à terre: ne pas la
couper ou la modier. Si la prise murale n’accepte pas
la che, consulter un électricien pour qu’il remplace la
prise désuète.
11. Protéger le cordon de secteur contre tous bris ou
pincement qui pourraient l’endommager, soit à la che
murale ou à l’appareil.
12. N’employer que les accessoires recommandés par le
fabricant.
13. N’utiliser qu’avec les systèmes de xation,chariots,
trépied ou autres, approuvés par le fabricant ou vendus
avec l’appareil.
14. Débrancher l’appareil lors des orages électriques ou si
inutilisé pendant une longue période de temps.
15. Un entretient effectué par un centre de service accrédité
est exigé si l’appareil a été endommagé de quelque
façon: si il a été exposé à la pluie,, l’humidité ou s’il ne
fonctionne pas normalement ou qu’il a été échappé.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in both a commercial and residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
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Operating Manual - ne8800, ne4800, ne4400 DSP Processor
Table Of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2 UNPACKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
3 THE NE PROCESSOR SERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
4 AC POWER AND MECHANICAL REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
5 GETTING STARTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
6 FRONT PANEL FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
7 STANDARD BACK PANEL FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
8 OPTIONAL FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
8.1 Mic Input Channels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
8.2 AES3 Input Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
8.3 AES3 Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
8.4 Network Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
9 PROTEA NE SOFTWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
9.1 Device Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
9.2 Preset Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
9.3 NE Processor Control Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
10 REMOTE CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
10.1 WR-5 Programmable Zone Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
10.2 RD-8C or RW-8C Fader Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
10.3 WR-1, WR-1.5, and WR-2 Remote Controllers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
10.4 FR-8 and FR-16 Networked Fader Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
10.5 NE WR-5 Networked Programmable Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
11 SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
12 TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
13 BLOCK DIAGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
14 FACTORY INSTALLED INPUT/OUTPUT OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
15 WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
WARNING: THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTH GROUNDED THROUGH THE
SUPPLIED POWER LINE CORD
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Operating Manual - ne8800, ne4800, ne4400 DSP Processor
1. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your purchase of this NE (network enabled) processor. The ne8800, ne4800, and ne4400 combine state of
the art DSP processing with Ethernet control, and use optional factory installed expansion cards to provide mic inputs, AES3
digital audio input/output, and full integration with Dante® or CobraNet® networked audio. Please read the entire manual to
fully understand the features and capabilities of this product.
About Ashly
Ashly Audio was founded in 1974 by a group of recording engineers, concert sound professionals, and electronics design-
ers. The rst products were elaborate custom consoles for friends and associates, but business quickly spread to new clients and
the business grew. The philosophy we established from the very beginning holds true today: to offer only the highest quality
audio tools at an affordable cost to the professional user – ensuring reliability and long life. Many years later, Ashly remains
committed to these principles.
Ashly’s exclusive Five Year, Worry- Free Warranty remains one of the most liberal policies available on any commercial-
grade product. The warranty covers every product with the Ashly brand name, and is offered at no extra cost.
2. UNPACKING
As a part of our system of quality control, every Ashly product is carefully inspected before leaving the factory to ensure
awless appearance. After unpacking, please inspect for any physical damage. Save the shipping carton and all packing ma-
terials , as they were carefully designed to reduce to minimum the possibility of transportation damage should the unit again
require packing and shipping. In the event that damage has occurred, immediately notify your dealer so that a written claim
to cover the damages can be initiated.
The right to any claim against a public carrier can be forfeited if the carrier is not notied promptly and if the shipping carton
and packing materials are not available for inspection by the carrier. Save all packing materials until the claim has been settled.
3. THE NE PROCESSOR SERIES
There are three processor models, each with line level inputs and outputs, a full suite of DSP processing functions, 10/100
Ethernet control, eight assignable 12V Digital Logic I/O ports, eight DC level control ports assignable to input or output levels,
a RS-232 control port, and a remote data port for programmable controllers such as the Ashly WR-5 and RD-8C.
Base Models:
ne4400 - Four line inputs, four line outputs
ne4800 - Four line inputs, eight line outputs
ne8800 - Eight line inputs, eight line outputs
In addition to the base model features, models can be custom ordered with various combinations of mic preamp inputs,
AES3 inputs and outputs, plus Dante or CobraNet network audio.
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Operating Manual - ne8800, ne4800, ne4400 DSP Processor
4. AC POWER AND MECHANICAL REQUIREMENTS
The AC mains requirement for the NE Processor is 90VAC to 240VAC, 50-60Hz, 70W maximum, and requires a properly
grounded AC connection. The unit mounts to a standard 19 inch equipment rack. A cooling fan draws air in from the right side
and blows air out the left side when viewed from the front.
5. GETTING STARTED
Download the software
Ashly Protea NE software is no longer included on a CD with each unit. Check the Ashly web site at www.ashly.com
to download the latest software release. Autorun will launch the application<ProteaSystemSoftwareNE> to install the Protea
software. A note about rewalls: When running Protea NE software on a PC for the rst time, Windows will prompt the user to
allow the software through any active rewalls. Allow this. Once the software is properly installed, Windows must be congured
to permanently allow a rewall exemption for Protea NE software.
Connect to Ethernet
The Ethernet control connection is made using an RJ-45 terminated eight conductor cable connected directly to a computer
or indirectly over a standard 10/100M Ethernet network. Maximum cable distance for Ethernet is 100 meters from the nearest
hub or switch for copper twisted pair CAT5 cable. For more detailed information about the proper implementation of an ethernet
network, review one of the many comprehensive Ethernet networking guides available on the internet.
Identify the processor in software
Once the software is loaded to the computer and an Ethernet connection has been made to the NE processor, all Ashly NE
products installed on that network will be automatically detected and shown in the active device listing on the left side of the
Protea software startup canvas. In addition to detecting which models are currently online, any factory installed options (mic
preamps, AES3, CobraNet) are auto-detected and the software control surface for the new NE product automatically displays
available controls for the options present. Note: In the event of multiple processors of the same model on the network, the user
can nd a single physical unit by right clicking over the unit’s name in the drop down menu or picture on the canvas, and then
click <Identify>, which will ash the Com LED on that unit’s face panel for two seconds.
The software scans for active NE devices on power-up, but the user can manually scan at any time as well with <Scan For
Devices> at the bottom of the network NE device listing. NE devices continuously broadcast their availability to the software.
All currently connected and active NE devices are highlighted in green, while NE products which may be or have been formerly
installed but are currently off-line or unavailable show up in red. Individual NE products can be dragged onto the project canvas
to simulate physical rack installation groups, but editing each product can be done from either the product list or the canvas.
The NE system project canvas
The project canvas is used to visually represent and control a xed physical sound system installation, and can display any
of the Ashly NE processors, ampliers, and remotes used in that system. The user can also place individual control objects such
as level faders, single LEDs, meter bars, etc, and assign them to specic product functions within that project. Once a control
object is placed, right click on it to bring up its properties. Lines, rectangles, text, even image les can be added to create a
custom virtual control screen along with the NE products and individual control objects. To see all available canvas tools, right
click anywhere over open canvas. Checking <Design Mode> allows placed objects to be moved around, while unchecking
<Design Mode> locks objects in place.
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Operating Manual - ne8800, ne4800, ne4400 DSP Processor
6. FRONT PANEL FEATURES
1. Power LED – Indicates the unit is turned on.
2. Clock Source – The Network clock, Word clock, AES3 clock, or Internal clock are indicated according to the master
clock source selected in the control software. The Network clock LED turns orange when Net Matrix Mode is enabled.
3. Sample Rate – 48KHz or 96KHz sampling rate may be selected from software. Also during ash reprogramming, both
sampling rate LEDs will light amber for the duration of the procedure.
4. Com LED – The Com LED indicates that data is being sent or received via the Ethernet control port. The Com LED
can also be made to ash on for two seconds to visually identify a physical unit from within the software.
5. Input Source – If more than one type of input is available for a given channel pair, an input source selection tab is
available in software. The user can select an input pair source as analog (line input), analog (mic preamp), AES3 input, network
audio, as well as set the input source selection to auto detect digital audio sources while automatically switching back to analog
input when no AES3 or network audio signals are present. Green LED color = “Selected”, Red = “Not Valid”, and Off = “Not
Being Used”.
6. Input Level Meters – Input LED level meters display the signal level at the A/D converter before the DSP section.
Levels displayed on the front panel are measured in dBFS (Decibels Full Scale), where 0dBFS is the maximum level possible,
or true clipping. Software meter displays can be assigned as dBFS, dBu, or VU, but the front panel meters are always dBFS.
The Threshold LED is used for dynamics functions congured in the DSP Controls section of the software.
7. Input/Output Mute– This button is pressed to mute the input or output channel, and will additionally update that channel’s mute status as shown in software. Green means the channel is unmuted, while red means the channel is muted and will
not pass audio. For security, all front panel mute controls can be disabled from within software under <Device Options>, then
<Disable Front Panel Mutes>. If a mic input channel is set up for the push to talk function using logic I/O pins, that channel’s
mute button will illuminate orange to indicate push to talk status, and turn green whenever the mic button is pressed.
8. Output Level Meters – Like the input meters, output meters reference 0dBFS, meaning 0dBFS is the true clipping
point, and are measured from the D/A converter point after the DSP section.
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