AtlasIED DPA-DAC4 Users Guide

Owner’s Manual

Dante™ Accessory Card

™

Dante

DPA-DAC4

DPA-DAC4

Accessory Card

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Dante

DPA-DAC4

™

Accessory Card

Owner’s Manual

Description

The DPA-DAC4 accessory card is designed to work in conjunction with DPA Series 4-channel

ampliers. The DPA-DAC4 is a 4-input Dante™ receiver that features digital audio transportation over
standard IP networks. The DPA Series 4-channel ampliers come standard with four balanced line
inputs and an accessory card slot to add an additional 4-inputs, giving the amplier a total of 8-inputs.
All inputs can be mixed and routed to any of the four amplier channels. All four amplier channels
have an assortment of DSP tools including level controls, EQ’s, limiters, high & low pass lters, and
delay to provide exibility for a range of applications.

Features

• Dante™ digital audio platform

• 4-channel receiver

• Integrates with 4-channel DPA Series amplifiers

Dante™ Overview

Audinate® created Dante™, an uncompressed, multi-channel digital media networking technology,

with near-zero latency and synchronization. Hundreds of Dante™-enabled products are available from
many manufacturers, enabling you to mix devices from multiple manufacturers.

One cable does it all. Dante™ does away with heavy, expensive analog or multicore cabling, replacing
it with low-cost, easily-available CAT5e, CAT6, or fiber optic cable for a simple, lightweight, and
economical solution. Dante™ integrates media and control for your entire system over a single,
standard IP network.

Dante™ systems can easily scale from a simple pairing of a console to a computer, to large capacity

networks running thousands of audio channels. Because Dante™ uses logical routes instead of
physical point-to-point connections, the network can be expanded and reconfigured at any time with
just a few mouse clicks.

Since the signal audio is transmitted digitally, common analog challenges like interference from other

electrical equipment, crosstalk between cables, or signal degradation over long cable runs is not a
problem. Setting up Dante™ networks is easy, even the most complex networks can be set up and

configured quickly and easily with Dante™, making system integration simple. Dante™ automatically

handles the technical complexities.

Signal routing and system configuration with Dante™ is fast, simple, and incredibly flexible. Dante
Controller™ is a powerful software application that manages devices on the network. Setting up a
Dante™ network is typically just a matter of plugging devices into an Ethernet switch and connecting

a computer to the network. All Dante™ devices are automatically discovered and displayed in Dante™
Controller, so a system can be up and running in seconds.

Visit www.audioinate.com for details or to learn more on using Dante™. There are many Dante™
guides available in the industry. AtlasIED offers one in the BlueBridge® DSP section of atlasied.com.

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Owner’s Manual

Dante

DPA-DAC4

™

Accessory Card

Audio Applications

When installed, the DPA-DAC4 converts the DPA Series amplier into a digital audio network
amplier. The combination of the digital audio transport receivers along with integrated DSP makes
the DPA Series amplier the go to solution for a variety of applications including:

• Restaurants

• Government facilities

• Schools

• Industrial facilities

• House of worship

Selecting the dBFS Reference on the DPA-DAC4

The DPA-DAC4 comes with a choice of dBFS (Decibels Full Scale) gain selections of 0dBFS = 10dBu
and 0dBFS = 20dBu. Factory default for the card is 0dBFS = 20dBu. There is a 2-pin header on
the card that is the OdBFS gain selection. When a shunt is applied to the header, the 0dBFS = 20dBu
setting is engaged. When the shunt is removed the setting is 0dBFS = 10dBu. Most pro audio
equipment gains are in the range of 20dBu – 24dBu. Read the entire manual to understand these
settings.

Shunt on 0dBFS = 20dBu, factory default
Shunt off 0dBFS = 10dBu

Matching Gain from a Source to the DPA Series Amplier In a Dante™ Network

Understanding the gain structure is very important to avoid clipping the audio signal or amplier
output. There are three potential ways to clip the signal chain.

1. Amplier Input Clipping - This occurs when the applied input signal exceeds the maximum input
level of the amplier input stage.

2. Amplier Output Clipping - Driving the amplier to maximum output level requires 0dBu or .775V
of signal when all level faders in the GUI are set to “0” or all up. Exceeding this level will cause the
amplier output stage to clip.

3. Digital Clipping - This occurs when the 0dBFS levels are exceeded. This is very important to
understand. Several examples are provided to help understand digital to analog gain structure.
Note: AtlasIED recommends to always place a limiter set for 0dB in the signal path prior to the
Network Output of the transmitting device. This is the best way to prevent clipping the DPA-DAC4.

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Dante

DPA-DAC4

™

Accessory Card

Owner’s Manual

DPA-DAC4 Card Installation

Note: Accessory card installation must be done by a qualied technician.

1. Remove the DPA amplier from the AC mains source. Note: In standby mode there are DC voltages
present. The DPA amp must be removed from the AC Mains source in order to prevent damage to
the card or amplier.

2. Remove the two screws (M3 x 8mm Pan Head Black) holding the DPA Accessory blank panel.

3. Remove the ribbon cable from the cover plate.

4. Connect the accessory card to the ribbon cable by carefully aligning the ribbon cable connector to
the mating PCB connector. Do not force. If aligned correctly the cable will mate easily.

5. Carefully guide the accessory card into the slot without forcing the PCB or cable.

6. After the card is inserted and the accessory panel is ush to the chassis, align the two screw
holes and secure them together by inserting two M3 x 8mm screws.

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Owner’s Manual

Dante

DPA-DAC4

™

Accessory Card

The following example illustrates an AtlasIED BlueBridge® digital signal processor sending audio

over the network via Dante™ to an optional DPA-DAC4 Dante™ card.

Please note the following:

1. Audio signal is applied to the analog input of the BlueBridge® DSP. For this example, a .775V / 0dBu
signal was applied.

2. The analog signal is converted to digital in the DSP domain, processed and routed onto the Dante™
Network output of the BlueBridge® DSP. The signal chain throughout the BlueBridge® DSP is kept
at 0dBu.

3. The Dante™ Network output or Transmitter level is set for a maximum signal of 0dBu and remains

the same through transmission through the network without any signal degradation or amplitude

loss. The input sensitivity of the DPA ampliers is 0dBu / .775V. This means the analog input signal
to the amp is set properly to achieve full power output from the amplier without clipping any part
of the signal chain.

Analog

Inputs

Line

BlueBridge BB-88DT

DPA602 Amplier

DSP and Amp

Conguration

Web Browser

Access

Mic

Optional 4 Channel Dante™ Card

(Receiver)

DPA-DAC4

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4

4 Channel Mode = 4 or 8 Ohm Outputs

Dante™

Digital Audio

Router Switch

Up to 300'

LAN

Dante™

Digital Audio

AtlasIED SMP-15

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Dante

DPA-DAC4

™

Accessory Card

Owner’s Manual

DPA Setup after DPA-DAC4 Installation

1. Please read the DPA manual for access to the DPA Series amplier control GUI interface. Proceed
to step #2 after accessing the GUI.

2. In the Setup page go to the Amplier Conguration Tab. On this page select the box “Enable
Accessory Inputs”

3. Go to the I/O Router page and route Inputs 5-8 to an output.

4. Priority Mute functions & Remote Level can be assigned in the “Mute, Link & Port” page.

Figure 1

DPA Setup Page

(Select Amp Cong Page)

Figure 3

DPA I/O Router Page

(Conrm Fader Knobs are Present)

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Figure 2

DPA Conguration Page

(Select Enable Accessory Inputs)

Figure 4

DPA Mute, Link, and Port Page

(Select Mute Function if Required)

Owner’s Manual

Dante

DPA-DAC4

™

Accessory Card

Connecting the DPA-DAC4 to a Dante™ Network

Refer to the example below on how to connect a simple Dante™ network audio system. There are

three items needed to make a Dante™ network, (1) gigabit router, Dante™ transmitter and a Dante™

receiver. In the illustration example below the AtlasIED BlueBridge® BB-168DT is the transmitter
and the DPA-DAC4 is the receiver. The DPA-DAC4 installed into the DPA amplier becomes the DPA
ampliers Inputs 5-8. The router and the CAT5e cable connect the devices together.

Figure 5 is a conguration snapshot of the GUI of the BB-168DT. Analog inputs 1-4 are routed to a
limiter, then onto the network outputs 1-4. Where signal goes from the BB-168DT network output is
determined by a separate software called Dante Controller™. Dante Controller™ is a free software that

allows connectivity and signal routing within Dante™ devices.

Note: Always
add a limiter

before the
network output.

Set the limiter
threshold to

0dBu to prevent

clipping the
input of the DPA

amplier.

Figure 5

Figure 6 shows the BB-88DT and DPA-DAC4 on the Dante™ Network. The DPA amplier model
number will not appear in the Dante™ Controller GUI because the amplier is not the recognized

Dante™ device, the DPA-DAC4 is. The accessory card installed in the amplier combines the digital

and analog platforms. The cells that have been connected are indicated by the green highlighted
circle with the check mark. These highlighted cells indicate the routing of the BB-88DT transmitters
01, 02, 03, 04 (BB-88DT network output 1, 2, 3, 4) to the DPA-DAC4 (Atlas4-0a004b) receiver channels
1, 2, 3, 4 (DPA amplier inputs 5-8).

Note: Can be

renamed in Dante
Controller

™

Figure 6

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Green check circles

indicate a specic

channel connection

between the Dante™

transmitting device
and the Dante™

receiving device.

DPA-DAC4

™

Dante

Figure 7 shows input signal on the DPA amplier Inputs 5-8 (DPA-DAC4 receiver Inputs 1-4). Figure 8
shows the DPA GUI with Input 5 routed to Output 1. Note: In order to avoid input clipping from the
DPA-DAC4 when high signal levels come from the DSP network output, set the input level to “0” or
max. To reduce the amplier levels, adjust the amplier output level faders.

Accessory Card

Figure 7 Figure 8

Owner’s Manual

Input meters
indicate proper

input signal (0dBu)

from the Dante
network transmitter
to achieve

maximum amplier

output without

clipping.

™

Ideal output level

before amplier
output clipping.

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Note: Input fader

set to 0, or all the

way up, to reduce
input clipping from

the DPA-DAC4.

Owner’s Manual

Dante

DPA-DAC4

™

Accessory Card

Setting Levels In The DPA Amplier to Avoid Clipping

It is important to set the input levels within the system to avoid clipping the amplier input or
the output DPA-DAC4 card. Note: The best way to prevent clipping the DPA-DAC4 is to place a
limiter set for 0dB in the signal path prior to the network output of the transmitting device (always
recommended). This is shown in Figure 5. Follow these guidelines for setting the gain structure.

1. Set the DPA-DAC4 card to 0dBFS = 20dBu. The shunt needs to be on.

2. In the DPA GUI I/O Router page set the input level to 0dB. This is shown in Figure 8

3. In the DPA GUI Output Level page set the output levels to -40dB.

4. Most of the time a DSP processor will be used as the Dante™ Transmitter. It is highly
recommended that a limiter is placed before the network output. This is shown in Figure 5. Set
the limiter maximum output to 0dB or +3dB. This will prevent the amplier input or DPA-DAC4 from
clipping, but will be enough signal to achieve maximum amplier output. Note: The DPA-DAC4
clips at +7dBu.

5. Increase the levels until the input meters in the DPA are achieving 0dB. This shown in Figure 7. If
the levels are reaching +3dB, adjust the network output levels or the limiter on the DSP.

6. After the proper input levels have been set, adjust the DPA amplier output level to the desired
sound levels.

Selecting the Router OR Network Switch – Important!

It is extremely important when selecting a router or switch for the Dante™ network; not all routers
or switches are the same. The size of the Dante™ network will inuence which router or switch is
needed to handle network trafc. There are three things to look for at a minimum or system dropouts
may occur. Refer to Audinate® for products they recommend.

1. Gigabit speed.

2. If using a network switch, it must be a “managed switch” type.

3. If using a router with a built-in switch, it should have DD-WRT rmware or Open Source rmware.

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Dante

DPA-DAC4

™

Accessory Card

Owner’s Manual

Dante™ Items to Know or Think About

1. Fixed Levels - Signal level cannot be added or reduced within Dante Controller™. It is strictly a
signal router.

2. What Does 0dBFS Mean - In the previous example, the signal output of the BlueBridge® DSP onto

the Dante™ network is 0dBu, so the signal within the BlueBridge® DSP can be increased by 20dBu

before clipping the Dante™ network. This denes the relationship of 0dBFS = 20dBu (0dB “Full
Scale”) from the source, which in this case the source is the BlueBridge® DSP. When interfacing

Dante™ networks, it is very important to know the source and receiver OdBFS specication.

3. DPA-DAC4, -10dB Setting - If the setup is identical as describe above, but the DPA-DAC4 card is
set to 0dBFS = 10dBu, how would that affect a DPA amplier? The signal coming into the DPA
amp would be -10dB down and the amp could never reach full output because the DPA amplier
requires 0dBu to reach full output power. To correct the low input level to the amp, increase the
signal from the source (BlueBridge® DSP) by 10dBu. Keep in mind within BlueBridge® there is only
10dBu of headroom before digitally clipping the input of the DPA-DAC4. Be careful when adding
EQ boost. If adding 6dB of EQ boost at 100Hz, there is only 4dB of headroom at 100Hz before
clipping. If the DPA-DAC4 was set to 20dBu = 0dFS there would be 14dB of headroom at 100Hz.
This is why it’s so important to know the OdBFS reference points between devices in the Dante™
network.

4. Industry Standard - At the time of this information, there is no industry standard between
companies for scaling 0dBFS gain levels in equipment. In a digital studio this is usually not an
issue because most of the same brand is used or a limited number of products are interfaced.
However, with live sound or commercial audio there can be multiple brands used in one job.

Dante™ can be great for connectivity between devices but be aware of gain structure matching.

5. Interfacing Data with Different Manufactures Equipment - To help understand scaling here are
some examples:

• Source device 0dBFS = 20dBu, transmits to a receiver with a 0dBFS = 20dBu reference, the output
is 0dBu. This scenario is ideal when using the DPA ampliers.

• Source device 0dBFS = 20dBu, transmits to a receiver with a 0dBFS = 10dBu reference, the output
is -10dBu. To get full output of the DPA ampliers you have to increase the network output levels
by 10dBu to get 0dBu into the DPA ampliers input.

• Source device 0dBFS = 10dBu, transmits to a receiver with a 0dBFS = 20dBu reference, the output
is +10dBu. This combination will give too much signal into the DPA amplier. Reduce the signal
from the DSP Network output.

• Source device 0dBFS = 10dBu, transmits to a receiver with a 0dBFS = 10dBu reference, the output
is 0dBu.

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Owner’s Manual

6. Understanding Digital Noise vs Headroom - If headroom before clipping is a concern, the higher
the ratio between OdBFS and output level, the less likely clipping will be an issue. If the application
is paging and background music then a lower number is ok because the headroom is not as critical.
In live sound reinforcement applications such as a church band or a concert, more headroom and
gain is needed for dynamics. The issue with higher gain in a product is the higher the gain the higher
the noise output. To combat high gain output noise, use a Dante™ Transmitter product with good
signal to noise ratio specication, such as 100dB or better. For instance, AtlasIED BlueBridge
has a signal to noise ratio of 110dB. The noise is very low before it is amplied, assuring low noise
out of the DPA amplier. Look at the input and output 0dBFs reference points and the noise oor
specication. If they are not listed call the manufacturer.

Dante

DPA-DAC4

™

Accessory Card

®

DSP

Specications

Description 4 input Dante™ receiver card for the DPA Series amplifiers

Connection Single RJ-45

Cable Quality CAT-5

Gain Settings 0dBFS = 20dBu & 0dBFS = 10dBu PCB shunt selectable

Indicators Ethernet network activity LED green / yellow

Amplifier Interface 16 pin DPA amplifier connections

Electrical Specifications

Dante™ Transmission Speed 100Mbps

Frequency Response 20Hz - 20KHz +/- 1dB

THD .06% @ 1KHz

Maximum Output Level 7dBu

Noise 10dB Gain Setting = -83dBu

20dB Gain Setting = -77dBu

Mechanical

Dimension H 0.97" x W 4.7" x D 2.5" (H 24.6mm x W 119mm x D 63mm)

Weight 2.6oz (.07kg)

Color Black

Material Steel

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Dante

DPA-DAC4

™

Accessory Card

Owner’s Manual

Limited Warranty

All products manufactured by AtlasIED are warranted to the original dealer/installer, industrial or
commercial purchaser to be free from defects in material and workmanship and to be in compliance
with our published specifications, if any. This warranty shall extend from the date of purchase
for a period of three years on all AtlasIED products, including SOUNDOLIER brand, INNOVATIVE
ELECTRONIC DESIGNS brand, and AtlasIED brand products except as follows: one year on
electronics and control systems; one year on replacement parts; and one year on Musician Series
stands and related accessories. Additionally, fuses and lamps carry no warranty. AtlasIED will solely

at its discretion, replace at no charge or repair free of charge defective parts or products when the

product has been applied and used in accordance with our published operation and installation
instructions. We will not be responsible for defects caused by improper storage, misuse (including
failure to provide reasonable and necessary maintenance), accident, abnormal atmospheres, water
immersion, lightning discharge, or malfunctions when products have been modified or operated
in excess of rated power, altered, serviced or installed in other than a workman like manner. The
original sales invoice should be retained as evidence of purchase under the terms of this warranty.
All warranty returns must comply with our returns policy set forth below. When products returned to
AtlasIED do not qualify for repair or replacement under our warranty, repairs may be performed at
prevailing costs for material and labor unless there is included with the returned product(s) a written
request for an estimate of repair costs before any nonwarranty work is performed. In the event of
replacement or upon completion of repairs, return shipment will be made with the transportation
charges collect.

EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT APPLICABLE LAW PREVENTS THE LIMITATION OF CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES FOR PERSONAL INJURY, ATLASIED SHALL NOT BE LIABLE IN TORT OR CONTRACT
FOR ANY DIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL LOSS OR DAMAGE ARISING OUT OF THE
INSTALLATION, USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCTS. THE ABOVE WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

AtlasIED does not assume, or does it authorize any other person to assume or extend on its behalf,
any other warranty, obligation, or liability. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may
have other rights which vary from state to state.

Service

Should your DPA-DAC4 require service, please contact the AtlasIED warranty department at

1-877-689-8055, ext. 277 or support.atlassound.com to obtain an RA number.

AtlasIED Tech Support can be reached at 1-800-876-3333 or support.atlasied.com.

Visit our website at www.AtlasIED.com to see other AtlasIED products.

©2017 Atlas Sound L.P. The Atlas “Circle A”, Soundolier, and Atlas Sound are trademarks of Atlas Sound L.P.

IED is a registered trademark of Innovative Electronic Designs LLC. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their

AtlasIED.com – 12 –

respective owners. All specs are subject to change without notice. ATS005361 RevB 4/17 P/N 493656

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