SC MASTER 4M
SC MASTER 2M
AV Stumpfl
SC MASTER 4M Contents • i
Contents
Introduction 1
Control centre and MP3 player ............................................1
The Features .......................................................................2
Versions and Scope of Supply.............................................4
Upgrade for 2M version...................................................5
Accessories.....................................................................5
Address ...............................................................................7
Documentation Status.....................................................7
Front and Rear Views 9
Front view ..........................................................................10
Rear View ..........................................................................12
IR remote control unit ........................................................14
Getting Started 16
General .........................................................................16
Cable Connections and Power Supply ..............................16
Programming shows 19
Overview............................................................................19
Programming with Wings Platinum....................................21
Preparatory steps..........................................................21
Creating a project..........................................................22
ii • Contents
Special Features for Programming............................... 23
Producing a Show Medium 25
General ............................................................................. 25
Generating data for the SC MASTER ............................... 27
The FlashCard Dialog in Wings Platinum..................... 27
Creating the presentation data for the CF Card ........... 30
Specifying show properties .......................................... 34
Editing Remote Properties of Shows ................................ 37
Special settings ............................................................ 40
Editing Remote Properties in SHOW.INI...................... 40
Data Transfer to CF Card ................................................. 43
Copying the show data onto a CF card ........................ 43
Playback of shows 45
Presentations - compact layout and comfortable handling 45
Navigation within a show.............................................. 48
Extended selection of shows........................................ 49
IR remote control range................................................ 50
Continuing a show after power failure............................... 51
Show Start with Timer....................................................... 52
Mixer and Audio Routing 53
General......................................................................... 53
Structure of Card player and Mixer ................................... 53
The card player ............................................................ 54
Special characteristics of playback of multi-channel sound55
Schematic mixer diagram............................................. 57
Mixer operation............................................................. 58
Audio Routings.................................................................. 63
How to select Audio Routings ...................................... 63
Stereo sound without live comments............................ 64
SC MASTER 4M Contents • iii
Multi-channel sound without live comments..................65
Stereo sound with live comments and Ducking Function66
Stereo sound with multi-channel player and live comments68
Stereo sound with equalizer at LINE-IN 1.....................69
Multi-channel sound with separate volume controls .....71
Parallel stereo sound at LINE-OUT1 and LINE-OUT2..73
Multi-channel card player with separate volume controls74
Zero dB settings............................................................75
Microphone operation........................................................76
Microphone connection.................................................76
Operation of radio microphones....................................77
Equalizer usage ............................................................77
Settings for the Ducking Function .................................78
SC NET System 81
General .........................................................................81
Cable Connections and Power Supply ..............................81
Address configuration........................................................82
Setting addresses in the Media Pool ............................82
Setting the addresses at the hardware .........................83
Subadresses of the SC Master .....................................84
Ensuring communication within the SC Net.......................85
The Menu 87
Layout of the Menu............................................................87
How to use the menu.........................................................89
Menu operation via IR remote control...........................92
Menu Chart........................................................................93
The Menu Items 95
Setting ...............................................................................95
Load ..............................................................................95
iv • Contents
Save ............................................................................. 95
Factory ......................................................................... 95
Options.............................................................................. 98
AuxAdrs (Auxiliary address) ......................................... 98
RSOAdrs (RS-Out address) ......................................... 98
SCNet (SCNet Communication)................................... 98
ContShw (Continue Show) ........................................... 99
TrayStP (Tray Starting Position)................................... 99
PDCMode................................................................... 100
Display........................................................................ 101
IRRecve (IR-Receive) ................................................ 102
RMT-Out (Remote-Out).............................................. 102
HighLgt (High Light Function)..................................... 103
DataIO (Data In/Out) .................................................. 104
232InBd (Baud rate for RS232-In).............................. 105
Sound.............................................................................. 106
Master ........................................................................ 106
Input ........................................................................... 109
LinOut2 (Line Out 2)................................................... 110
Routing ....................................................................... 112
SaveVol (Save Volume) ............................................. 116
Slider .......................................................................... 116
Signal .............................................................................. 118
Priorty (Priority) .......................................................... 118
DigiCod (Digital Coding)............................................. 118
Cue-In......................................................................... 119
Cue Out ...................................................................... 120
ContDLC (Continual DLC).......................................... 121
ExtTC (External Timecode) ........................................ 122
RSOut ............................................................................. 123
Driver.......................................................................... 123
NumOfPr (Number of Projectors) ............................... 124
Timer............................................................................... 124
SC MASTER 4M Contents • v
AutoTim (Auto Timer)..................................................124
Command....................................................................125
TTime (Timer Time) ....................................................125
Info...................................................................................126
Trouble shooting 127
Finding faults ...................................................................127
List of problems ...............................................................128
Update of operating software 132
Updating ..........................................................................132
Technical Appendix 134
ASCII protocol..................................................................134
Connector configuration ..................................................138
RS232-IN connector ...................................................138
RS232-OUT connector................................................139
SC NET connector ......................................................140
CUE-IN connector.......................................................141
CUE-OUT connector...................................................141
Audio connectors ........................................................142
REMOTE connector....................................................143
AUX connector............................................................144
DATA IN / OUT connector...........................................145
POWER connector......................................................146
Technical Data.................................................................146
Glossary 147
Index] 150
SC MASTER 4M Introduction • 1
Introduction
Control centre and MP3 player
SC MASTER series units are MP3 players featuring a superordinate Show Control Management for controlling multimedia events. Within the SC Net network, they form the central control system with a variety of input and output options.
Sound and control information is stored on a memory card the
size of a postage stamp. Direct and undelayed access ensures
both synchronization and interaction. The SC MASTER gives
you "complete control"! Congratulations and welcome to the
Stumpfl system!
The core of the device is a microprocessor with programmable
operating software which allows the many features and functions of this new generation of control units to be implemented.
The required configuration settings can be made, saved and
called up in the entry menu. Any future developments can
easily be incorporated via software updates, which will keep
your unit always up-to-date.
This manual with its step-by-step instructions should help you
to familiarize yourself with all the features and possibilities of
this device.
This manual is also available as PDF document. The latest
version can be downloaded from our website.
2 • Introduction
The Features
To provide a feeling for the extraordinary efficiency of the SC
MASTER we have listed the most important features below. If
some of the topics inspire your curiosity, just follow the cross
references for further information.
Audio
• The integrated audio player offers up to four channels,
works without any movable parts, i.e. it is virtually wearfree, and uses a Compact Flash Card (called CF Card for
short) as data carrier. The audio data are compressed in
accordance with the Fraunhofer MPEG1 Layer3 audio
compression format (called MP3 for short).
• On a CF card the size of a postage stamp with a storage
capacity of 512 MB more than eight hours of stereo sound
can be stored at a quality which is similar to that of a CD.
• Integrated IR-remote controllable audio mixer with four
stereo inputs (two for the card player and two for external
sources) and a microphone input.
• The mixer can easily and conveniently be configured for a
variety of applications via the routing menu.
• Automatic Ducking Function: As soon as the speaker talks
into the microphone, the levels of all other audio sources
are automatically reduced so that the spoken parts remain
clear and understandable despite the music in the background.
SC MASTER 4M Introduction • 3
Control
• Control of external components via SC NET, DLC data
signal or the integrated RS232 interface.
• Control of lighting and other devices via DMX512 signals.
The first six channels are available via a special optional
cable (DMX or
DALI); control of up to 64 channels via the
optional DMX Upgrade Module.
• Control of building engineering technology via the DALI
system and the configurable REMOTE connector (DALI or
DMX). All 16 DALI groups are available, but there is no differentiation between subaddresses.
• Four floating relays for switching tasks.
• Multi-functional DATA I/O-Port for linking up with periph-
eral devices, e.g. transponder reader for identification of
individual visitors.
• Comprehensive timer function and synchronization with
DCF77 signal with the optional radio clock module.
• Freely definable show configurations via Scheduler file.
Even highly complex conditions can be specified.
• Remote control via the RS 232 input for integration with
superordinate media control systems.
• Remote input for direct starting of shows via simple key-
pads.
• Direct connection of a keypad matrix with up to 24 keys.
• Connection of light barriers and motion detectors.
• Interactive show design in response to a variety of input
conditions, e.g. branching to other show sections by
pressing a key.
4 • Introduction
• In the case of a power failure while playing back a show
from CF Card, SC MASTER automatically saves the position where the show was broken off. After starting up
again, you can resume the show from the same position.
• Simple, intuitive programming of all sequences via Wings
Platinum software. Subprograms can be called up via the
Call Function; sequences that remain the same needn't be
programmed more than once.
• All settings are menu driven via a display, which is well
readable from all angles, with the brightness being adjustable. Up to six set-up configurations can be saved and retrieved at any time.
• The SC MASTER operating software can be updated via a
file and a Windows PC at any time.
Versions and Scope of Supply
Both device versions are identical in their hardware, but offer
differing MP3 player functions.
• 2M version: Stereo card player
• 4M version: 4-channel card player
The 2M version can be software-upgraded at any time - in
terms of its hardware the unit is fully equipped.
SC MASTER 4M Introduction • 5
All devices include the following:
• IR remote control unit
• Power Supply Unit AC-3
• User Manual and Wings Platinum CD ROM
Upgrade for 2M version
• 4-channel card player
Accessories
• Compact Flash cards (CF cards) with varying memory
capacities of up to 2 GB.
• EC Mixer with two sliders which can be allocated to any
channel.
• Start keypad with up to 3 keys for connection to the
REMOTE connector
• Keypad with 16 keys for direct connection to the RS 232-IN
connector
• Transponder for object oriented event triggering.
• Motion detectors and light barriers
• Radio clock module for time-controlled presentation to be
connected to the REMOTE connector.
• OC/Analog Module with 16 open-collector switch outputs
and 8 analog outputs 0 – 10 V.
6 • Introduction
• DMX Upgrade Module for direct control of up to 64 DMX
channels.
• DMX512 extension cable for connection to REMOTE con-
nector, SCK-MDMXE
• External IR receiver for connection to the REMOTE connec-
tor
Important note on the disposal of the equipment
Please do not dispose your Stumpfl equipment
in unsorted household waste. Take it to a
collection or recycling place for electronic
waste provided by your municipality, community or city. This helps to protect the environment, as all the parts of the unit, i.e. also the
dangerous substances contained in electronic
components will be disposed of accordingly
and the reusable components be reintroduced
in the economic cycle.
SC MASTER 4M Introduction • 7
Address
If you would like to contact us, just write a letter, send us a fax
or an e-mail. We'll be pleased to hear from you!
Visit our website on the Internet. We'll always have the latest
information and software ready for you!
AV Stumpfl GmbH
Mitterweg 46
A-4702 Wallern
Tel.: 0043-7249/42811
Fax: 0043-7249/428114
E-Mail: support@stumpfl.com
Internet: http://www.stumpfl.com
Documentation Status
Last reviewed: 31.01.2006
SC MASTER 4M firmware: 3.94
Wings Platinum Version: 2.40
This manual has been prepared with care and contains all
information about the SC MASTER 4M available at the time of
print.
This documentation is also available as a PDF file, which,
under certain circumstances, may be more up-to-date than the
printed version. If necessary, contact us for the latest Help
versions.
SC MASTER 4M Front and Rear Views • 9
Front and Rear Views
10 • Front and Rear Views
Front view
1. Dot matrix display
2. Keys for menu and show selection as well as for volume
control for the MASTER output.
3. ESC key for the menu and for aborting running shows
(press for more than one second)
4. ENTER key for the menu, for show start and restart from
X-times or pause markers.
5. PC LED lights up, when the PC is connected
6. SHOW LED is on while a show is running; it starts blinking
when an X-time has been encountered.
SC MASTER 4M Front and Rear Views • 11
7. LOCK LED lights up when a valid digital audio signal is
applied
8. CUE LED is illuminated when a show is run from CF card
or while a control signal is read. Blinking signalizes that a
control signal is output without a show running.
9. ON/OFF switch with control LED, is illuminated when ON
10. Eject button for the memory card
11. Compact Flash Card slot (CF card for short)
12. AUX LEDs light up when the corresponding relay is open
or closed, respectively.
13. IR receiving diode behind the display
12 • Front and Rear Views
Rear View
1. REMOTE connector for connection of cable-operated
remote control unit, query switches, Radio Clock Module,
cable for DMX or DALI, output of two OC switches (not all
of them can be run at the same time!).
2. RS232-OUT connector, serial interface RS232 for control
of external devices
3. Data jack incl. 8 IN/OUT channels for controlling special
interfaces. See page 104.
4. CUE-IN connector, configurable interface for timecode,
control signals and digital audio signals with control information. See page 119.
5. LINE-OUT2 connector, outputs for the second mixer
stereo pair (channels 3 + 4)
SC MASTER 4M Front and Rear Views • 13
6. LINE-OUT1 connectors, outputs for the first mixer stereo
pair (channels 1 + 2)
7. LINE-IN2 connectors, second mixer stereo input for connection of external audio sources
8. LINE-IN1 connectors, first mixer stereo input for connection of external audio sources
9. Microphone input as 6.3 mm mono jack, unbalanced
10. Connector with AUX relay switch outputs
11. CUE OUT connector, control signal output
12. Optical input for digital audio signals with timecode (reads
control signals only, but no audio information)
13. SC NET connector for connection to the SC NET modules.
14. RS232 IN, serial port for computer connection or connection to a serial LAN adapter, e.g. for remote control
15. Connector for power supply unit AC-3
14 • Front and Rear Views
IR remote control unit
1. Cover of battery compartment, on the rear. Caution:
Strictly
observe the correct polarity indicated at the bottom
of the battery compartment when inserting the batteries!
2. Bass and treble controls for the master level, i.e. they take
effect on the mix of all audio sources
3. IR transmitting diodes (range from 10 to 20m)
SC MASTER 4M Front and Rear Views • 15
4. Ducking control; specifies to what extent the volume of
music is to be reduced when the presenter starts talking.
5. Volume control for the master level, i.e. it takes effect on
the mix of all audio sources
6. Volume control (and Mute keys) for the audio sources
Line1, Line2, microphone and card player; they take effect
on the corresponding audio source only. Further information can be found under Mixer operation on page 58
7. Skip
/Skip: For selecting a piece of music when no
show is running; selection of jump markers within a particular show in mode "Show Pause"; key functions Ï and
Ð for menu operation
8. Stop
: Terminates a piece of music when the SC
MASTER is used as card player. When a show is running
...pressed briefly: "Show Pause" on/off, .... pressed for
more than 2.5 seconds: Show is aborted; during menu operation: ESC key
9. Play
: Starts a piece of music when the SC MASTER is
used as card player; restarts the show from X-times or
pause markers within a show; ENTER key for menu operation
10. Keys for selecting or starting shows. See also Extended
selection of shows on page 49. Number keys can also be
used for starting from X-times.
11. Ducking Function; manual reduction of the music volume
16 • Getting Started
Getting Started
General
You may be burning to start testing your new SC MASTER.
However, before you can start presenting your first show, you
will have to take a few preparatory steps.
Cable Connections and Power Supply
Connecting the system cables
Connect the cables as displayed below.
Once you have set up the connections between the system
components, you can start programming with Wings Platinum.
SC MASTER 4M Getting Started • 17
In order to find out how this is done, refer to the corresponding
chapters.
Please note the following:
• Other connection diagrams in this manual do not include
the power supply unit and take its existence for granted.
• Power for the SC Net modules is supplied via the SC
Master. For more than three modules within the SC Net,
additional power supply units are required. Apart from a
few exceptions, such as the SC Servo, one power supply
unit AC-3 can supply up to five SC Net modules.
• If older SC Master units (2M, 4M or Lite) in an existing
installation are replaced by units with a separate SC Net
port, the modules must be connected to this port and an
additional CAT5 cable be used. In such a case, the SC
Net outlet of cable SCK-A-SCM-SCN is non-functional.
18 • Getting Started
Switching on
Press the main switch (POWER ON) to switch on the
SC MASTER. The red LED above it lights up and the display
shows several messages one after the other. After about 3
seconds the display should be as follows, depending on
whether the 4M or 2M version is used:
Inserting the batteries into the IR remote control unit
The battery compartment is located at the rear of the remote
control unit. Push the cover of the battery compartment downwards by pressing on the arrow symbol and insert four batteries size LR03 (round cell 1.5 V) in accordance with the polarity
indication. Slide the cover back to close the battery compartment again.
Important: Strictly
observe the correct polarity indicated
at the bottom of the battery compartment when inserting
the batteries!
The SC MASTER is now ready for operation.
SC MASTER 4M Programming shows • 19
Programming shows
Overview
For programming, SC MASTER interacts with Wings Platinum.
It is the link between multimedia units and computer. Communication with the computer is via a serial port.
1. First of all, with the devices being deactivated, connect the
RS232-IN connector of the SC MASTER with the serial in-
terface (Com 1....4) of your computer. You should use the
optional cable STK-C010 to avoid possible problems
caused by ground loop and interfering voltage.
20 • Programming shows
2. Now switch on the computer and the SC MASTER unit.
3. Start Wings Platinum, load a project or create one. A
device port "Stumpfl DLC" or "Stumpfl SC Net" using the
corresponding interface must be configured in the project.
4. In the Wings Platinum tool bar click on
"Enable device
control". After the connection has been established, the
green PC LED lights up and button "Enable device ports"
appears depressed and in colour.
If you have problems establishing a connection with the PC,
proceed according to the checklist, which you can find in the
Online Help of Wings Platinum under "Problems... ".
SC MASTER 4M Programming shows • 21
Programming with Wings Platinum
Preparatory steps
Hard disk recording allows parallel production of sound track
and control program. This means that you don't have to mix
and complete the sound track first before you can start programming or synchronizing but that the sound can be added
piece by piece when producing the control program. This
allows for maximum flexibility. The Workshop for Beginners
in the Wings Platinum Help Menu illustrates the various functions available by giving a few production examples.
In principle, the set-up for programming and sound tracking is
as follows:
What and how many external devices are connected, depends
entirely on your project.
Link up control unit and computer as described on page 16
and activate the system.
22 • Programming shows
Creating a project
Before SC MASTER can play back sound, you need to create
the corresponding project and copy it onto CF card. In addition
to MP3 audio samples, it also requires a show file containing
playback information for the samples and, most of the time,
also information for the devices to be controlled.
In Wings Platinum, project creation is media or object-oriented.
This means that you arrange pictures, videos, music and
control functions as desired and that the image mix is immediately visible on the virtual screen. All components involved are
accurately synchronized. The steps to take, which are explained in more detail in the Wings Platinum Online Help, are
as follows:
Creating a project: The fastest and easiest way to do so is
via one of the Project Wizards or via project templates.
Capturing media: Scan your pictures and save music and
sounds on your hard disk using Wings Platinum. Wings Platinum helps you to do so in a variety of ways. As an alternative,
you can copy existing media files onto your hard disk and
import the corresponding media files into the Media Pool.
Arranging control objects in line with sound: Drag the
corresponding control objects and pieces of music from the
Media Pool into the corresponding track in the timeline. All the
resulting objects can be shifted, dissolved or cut in virtually the
same way, which means that learning to edit is quite easy.
Immediate test run with devices: A sequence that has been
prepared in Wings Platinum can immediately be checked via
the connected devices, as the devices will follow the Locator
position in Wings Platinum when the device control system is
enabled.
SC MASTER 4M Programming shows • 23
Creating presentation data: Once you have completed your
project and want to present it without PC you need to create
presentation data for the SC MASTER.
Details on how to produce presentation data for CF card can
be found from page 30 onwards. Refer to the Online Help to
find out about the sophisticated ways of programming with
Wings Platinum. This help is context-sensitive, i.e. by pressing
the F1 key the topic matching the open dialog box will usually
be displayed. The help also contains example projects for
classical show control applications.
Special Features for Programming
SC MASTER's innovative technology allows you to work and
present in a completely different way - something you should
consider during programming
• Should your show stop at a certain point to be continued
only after pressing a key, simply add a pause marker where
the show is to stop.
• You can also set position markers which allow direct navi-
gation within a show during presentation. To do so, set the
corresponding number of position markers by right-clicking in a
marker track.
• During playback, these markers can be accessed via the
Skip keys
and and the IR remote control in mode "Show
Pause". The show can be continued at this position by pressing the PLAY key
.
• You should also pay special attention to the comprehensive
topic "Special functions for the SC Master" in the Wings Platinum
Online Help. It deals with variables and jumping to other shows.
SC MASTER 4M Producing a Show Medium • 25
Producing a Show Medium
General
Once you have finished programming your show, you continue
by creating the presentation medium, which allows you to
present your show even without computer.
Unbelievable, but true! MP3 audio data compression
Strictly speaking this compression technology developed by
the Fraunhofer Institute is called MPEG 1 Layer 3. In the
meantime, however, it's only called MP3 for short among
experts. That's what we do, too.
But more important is what there is to it: It is hardly conceivable that a reduction of audio data by up to 90% does not
result in an audible loss of quality. This compression technology is based on psychoacoustics, i.e. perception of sound by
people. In long series of scientific tests it has been found out
what a person can actually hear, what is essential for hearing.
And this is exactly what MP3 compression is about. All other,
unimportant signals clearly fall victim to the compression!
However, the result is really worth hearing. Only trained ears
will be able to notice the differences between the compressed
music and the original one, although this also depends on the
type of music. The compression of solo instruments is more
26 • Producing a Show Medium
critical than that of pop arrangements. Your can choose the
extent of compression yourself, which means that you can
influence the quality and choose the right compression suitable for your music.
Gaining first experience with MP3 is something to look forward
to!
In the list below you can find out about the dependencies
between memory space requirements and extent of compression. It applies to stereo sound.
Data rate CF Card 48 MB 96 MB 192 MB
96 kbits/s Playing time 63 min 126 min 252 min
128 kbits/s Playing time 47 min 95 min 185 min
192 kbits/s Playing time 31 min 63 min 125 min
256 kbits/s Playing time 23 min 47 min 93 min
The playing time is reduced further, when a high number of
shows or data-intensive shows, e.g. shows containing commands for slider control, are stored on the CF card.
SC MASTER 4M Producing a Show Medium • 27
Generating data for the SC MASTER
There are two steps to produce a CF card to be used as
presentation medium:
1. The presentation data for the CF card are generated and,
first of all, stored on the hard disk
. These are the control
signals for the show on the one hand, and the sound track
elements compressed in accordance with the MP3 data
compression format on the other.
2. The presentation data prepared such are then transferred
from the hard disk to the CF card. This requires a computer with CF card drive, which is also available as external unit with USB connection. Or, as an alternative, you
can also use the PCMCIA slot of your notebook via a CF
card adapter.
The FlashCard Dialog in Wings Platinum
The presentation data for CF card are generated in Wings
Platinum via the FlashCard dialog, which can be called up via
the main menu "Output"/"FlashCard...".
The FlashCard Dialog is the central tool for generating, transferring and managing CF card presentation data.
28 • Producing a Show Medium
The left field contains a list of card directories. One directory
always stands for the contents of one
CF card, i.e. it is the
inverted image of a CF card on the hard disk.
generates a new card directory.
copies a card directory onto the CF card.
deletes a card directory and its contents.
The centre field lists the shows contained in the highlighted
card directory. The number in front of the show refers to its
position on the CF card. The plus sign indicates that the required data for the show are available. A question mark would
indicate that the data are missing. At the top, next to "All" you
can see the volume of data contained in the highlighted card
directory.
SC MASTER 4M Producing a Show Medium • 29
deletes a show and the pertaining MP3 files.
The field on the right lists all MP3 compressed audio files used
in the highlighted show. The plus sign in front of a name
indicates that the required data for the show are available. A
question mark would indicate that the data are missing.
plays back an MP3 file
Double-click the show name or MP3 files to open a dialog box
where you can specify the names and other characteristics for
shows. More information can be from page 34 onwards.
By check marking Update Show File (without audio files)
you can up-date the presentation data without having to recompute the sound track. To do so, highlight the show to be
updated in the centre column and click "Create single show".
Only use this option if you have not made any changes to the
sound track! Otherwise show playback may no longer be in
sync.
30 • Producing a Show Medium
Creating the presentation data for the CF Card
During this process, the presentation data for a project are,
first of all, created and then saved to the hard disk. Please
note that an MP3 encoder must be available on the computer
to be able to compress audio data in accordance with the MP3
compression format. Usually the Lame encoder is already
installed. Further MP3 encoders can be downloaded from the
Internet. Further information can be found in the Wings Platinum Online Help.
This is how you generate the presentation data:
1. Load the show or project you want to generate presentation data for and click "Output – FlashCard..." in the main
menu.
2. Under "Card directories" highlight the card directory you
want the new data to be copied into. Or create a new card
directory by clicking
.
3. In field "Show name" enter a name for your show. The
maximum number of characters is eight. No special characters are allowed. Now click "Create single show".
4. Select the required timeline under "Timeline and Por-
tion". The default setting "Timeline1" only needs to be
changed when there are several timelines.
SC MASTER 4M Producing a Show Medium • 31
5. Select the project portion for which presentation data are
to be generated.
The following options are available:
• "Complete timeline from 0:00 seconds" ... just like
the timeline, the show starts at zero seconds, so that
a possible leader up to the first object is also included
and finishes after the last object.
• "Complete timeline starting with first object" ... the
show starts before the first and finishes after the last
object. (.... recommended for CF cards)
• "Only selected portion of timeline" .... only the se-
lected portion of the timeline will be considered. If no
portion is highlighted this option cannot be selected.
32 • Producing a Show Medium
6. Select the device port the control data of which are to be
used. Normally, you can leave the default setting. Alterations may only be necessary when there are several device ports being used. Now click "Start".
7. Select an MP3 encoder. Encoders listed under "Encoder
(direct)" will generate the MP3 files without saving any
temporary data on hard disk. "Encoder (via wave file)"
will temporarily save the sound track as wave file in the
FlashCard directory, use it to produce MP3 files and finally
delete the wave file again. You only need to make sure
that the drive of the FlashCard directory has enough
memory capacity.
8. Now select a data rate. Usually, 128 kbits/s should be
sufficient for CD quality. If you are not satisfied with the
quality try to improve the result by choosing a higher data
rate.
SC MASTER 4M Producing a Show Medium • 33
9. Click "OK". And the presentation data will be generated.
Please note the following:
• While creating the presentation data, several windows will
appear, in accordance with the MP3 encoder used and
disappear again.
• When presentation data have already been generated for
a project, any alterations to the picture objects can easily
be updated without renewed sound track computation:
Highlight the corresponding show in the FlashCard dialog
box and checkmark "Update show file only (without audio
files)" followed by clicking "Create individual show".
• Only change the contents of card directories via the
FlashCard dialog in Wings Platinum. When using Windows
Explorer to do so, pieces of information relevant for
SC MASTER or SD Event Control may not be updated
and you might end up with problems running the shows.
• You can transfer old and new shows together onto a CF
card, if you specify the same folder for CF card data in
both programs. In the FlashCard dialog of both programs,
all presentation data of your shows will then be visible.
34 • Producing a Show Medium
Specifying show properties
You can assign certain control properties or audio functions to
shows, which are then evaluated by the SC MASTER during
show presentation. Open the dialog box by double-clicking the
show name.
The name can be altered in field "Name".
Field "Position" defines the position of the show on the CF
card. This is the number you can enter later on via the IR
remote control unit to start the show.
By activating "Autostart", the show is automatically started
after powering up SC Master.
Click on the arrow in field "Audio Routing" to be shown a
selection of possible settings:
SC MASTER 4M Producing a Show Medium • 35
Click one set of Audio Routings to assign it to the show. This
set of audio routings will automatically take effect for the SC
MASTER when the show is started. Which of the audio routings you choose depends on your show concept. For a normal
show with stereo sound you can choose, for example, " Multichannel 4Æ2 / no Mic" and for a Speaker Support Show
"Stereo 2Æ2 / Mic + Ducking". If you choose "Keep current
Routing", the routing set in SC MASTER remains enabled for
the presentation.
Further information on routings can be found in chapter Audio
Routings on page 63.
36 • Producing a Show Medium
In field "Additional control signal" you can specify whether
an additional control signal is to be output at the CUE-IN
connector in addition to the DLC signal.
If you want to use older control units which can only read
MateTrac, for example, select "MateTrac". If you want to
synchronize multimedia components via timecode, select the
timecode with the corresponding frame rate.
Under Create Start Status you can lay down whether the start
status of the show is to be transferred to the control system, or
whether playback is to start on the basis of the corresponding
control system status. This parameter is only relevant for DLC
signals.
Click "OK" to save all selected properties along with your
show.
SC MASTER 4M Producing a Show Medium • 37
Editing Remote Properties of Shows
For Show Control applications, shows frequently need to be
remote-controlled. The SC MASTER allows you to start shows
simultaneously or interactively from CF card by pressing
certain keys or via remote commands. This is defined in the
CF Card Remote Table. The following operations are possible:
• Linking keys on an IR remote control to a show
• Linking remote commands (RS 232 or keypad) to a show.
For keypads, a certain trigger can be specified for the
switching contact (close or open). If Close/open is selected,
a second show can be started when the contact opens.
• Allocating a mode for show start.
And this is how it is done:
1. In the main menu, click Output – FlashCard... And the
FlashCard dialog will appear.
2. Double-click the corresponding FlashCard directory and
the dialog box FlashCard Settings will appear. In column
Remote input you will find the 32 keys of an IR remote
control unit, followed by an additional 120 remote inputs
below. Each of these remote inputs can be linked to a
show and a mode be determined for show start.
38 • Producing a Show Medium
3. Highlight the corresponding remote input.
4. In column Show click on the entry field, enter the corre-
sponding show number and press Enter.
5. In column Mode right-click the entry field and select the
corresponding mode for the remote behaviour of the show.
The various modes have the following effects:
• Normal ...normal show start is only possible when no
show is on; the running show is not interrupted
• Interrupt ....show start interrupts any show being
played back.
• Terminate ...show start terminates only other shows
but not itself
SC MASTER 4M Producing a Show Medium • 39
• Add ...starts an additional show which is to be played
back simultaneously with any other running shows.
Up to 6 shows can run in parallel. Please bear in
mind, that this Start Mode interrupts the sound of
other shows if they use the same stereo output.
• End ...terminates show playback. Is used for termi-
nating individual shows; other shows continue.
• Continue ...continues the selected show, when play-
back was paused at a pause marker or an X-time.
• Continue all ...continues all shows paused at pause
markers or X-times.
• Memory ...show is preselected and started automati-
cally at the end of the running show.
• Restart ...a running show is started again from the
beginning, other shows continue.
6. When using one of the inputs Remote 1 to 120 you can
specify whether the show is to start when the switching
contact opens or closes. Right-click column Trigger and
select Close or Open. If Close/open is selected, a second
show can be chosen for opening.
In the example above show 1 is started when the contact
closes, while show 7 starts when the contact is opened.
40 • Producing a Show Medium
Therefore, show 1 can be continued by holding down the
key and terminated by releasing the key, which starts show
7.
7. Finish by clicking on OK.
Special settings
Below you will find a few special settings:
Activate transponder ...prepares a CF card for communication with a transponder.
Activate scheduler ...prepares a CF Card for time-controlled
show start. In addition to this you need to create a scheduler
file containing the control information for the show starts.
Further information can be found in the Wings Platinum Online
Help.
Editing Remote Properties in SHOW.INI
Remote Properties can also be edited in SHOW.INI with an
ASCII Editor, e.g. Notepad. This may be very useful in emergency situations. SHOW.INI is located in every CF card directory. Unless you have specified any other location, the show
data for the SC MASTER can be found in "C:\Programs\
Wings Platinum\EventControl Data" or on the CF card.
Important:
• Only edit sections "Key Table" and "Remote Table"; never
any other sections.
• Only
edit contents of CF card directories via the FlashCard
Dialog in Wings Platinum; never use Windows Explorer to
copy files.
SC MASTER 4M Producing a Show Medium • 41
The Key Table
This section is located at the end of SHOW.INI and defines the
properties for using an IR remote control unit. It refers to keys
1 to 9 of the standard remote control unit or to all 32 keys on
the unlabelled IR remote control (customized version).
The parameters are arranged as follows:
K1...32 addresses the corresponding key on the IR remote
control unit
S1...120 addresses the corresponding show to be started by
means of the previously defined key.
The Start Behaviour of the addressed show can be defined
as follows: -
N Normal start, the running show is not interrupted
I Interrupt Start; every running show is interrupted
B a running show is started again from the beginning,
other shows continue.
T Terminate Start; terminates only other shows but not
itself
42 • Producing a Show Medium
M Memory Start, show is preselected and started auto-
matically at the end of the running show.
A Added Start; show is run simultaneously in addition to
the running show. A maximum number of 10 shows
can be run simultaneously.
E End of show playback. Is used for terminating individual shows; other shows continue.
If only a section of a show is to be executed, start and stop
markers programmed in Wings Platinum can be addressed.
The Remote Table
This section of SHOW.INI is located directly below the Key
Table. It refers to a keypad matrix with 16 keys connected to
the DATA IN/OUT connector. The syntax for the Remote Table
is identical to that of the Key Table. Only the start and stop
markers are missing.
SC MASTER 4M Producing a Show Medium • 43
Data Transfer to CF Card
After generating the presentation data for the SC MASTER,
you can transfer them onto CF card. For copying onto CF
card, the computer must be equipped with a CF card drive.
Such drives are also available as external drives with USB
connection. If you use a notebook, a CF card adapter for the
PCMCIA slot will suffice.
Copying the show data onto a CF card
This is how you copy previously prepared presentation data
onto CF card:
1. In the main menu, click "Output – Flash Card..."
2. Insert the CF card into the CF card drive of your computer.
3. Under Card directories highlight the card directory you
want copied onto CF card and click
.
4. Select the letter for your CF card drive. If you don't remember, look it up in the Windows Explorer.
44 • Producing a Show Medium
5. Click "OK". The data are then transferred onto the CF
card.
Please note the following:
• If you transfer a card directory onto the CF card, the
existing files on this CF card will be erased!
• The situation is different for updating a show or for a
directory which is already located on the CF card: In this
case, only the modified or new files are transferred. This is
a great advantage for editing shows as data transfer and
transfer time are reduced to the absolutely necessary.
• Should there be an error during the file transfer, the CF
card must be formatted (using the FAT16 file system only!)
and the presentation data be transferred again. A failure to
do so may result in problems during show playback.
SC MASTER 4M Playback of shows • 45
Playback of shows
Presentations - compact layout and comfortable handling
For playing back show or audio projects you need a CF card
containing the show data prepared beforehand using Wings
Platinum. In principle, the configuration is the same as for
programming. However, no PC is required but possibly an
additional, external remote control unit.
What and how many external devices are connected, depends
on your project.
This is how you start a show:
Î Start up the system
46 • Playback of shows
Î Insert the CF card into the SC MASTER slot, unless this
has been done beforehand. As a consequence, a message will appear on the SC MASTER display that the card
was detected.
Î Select the audio routing (...dispensable when the routing
has been saved along with the show. But you should verify
the correct setting in menu "Routing"/"Priorty"/ "Card".
Chapter The Menu on page 87 provides information about
menu operation.
Î Starting the show: Select and start the show by pressing
the corresponding number keys on the IR remote control
unit. On the SC MASTER display the show title appears
and the red SHOW LED lights up or flashes when an Xtime or a pause marker is encountered. CUE LED on the
control unit lights up as a sign that the projectors are controlled.
The show is running ...!
Î Press key PLAY
or a number key to start from an X-
time. The display and the flashing SHOW LED will tell you
when the program stops at an X-time.
Î Press key STOP
on the IR remote control unit to stop
the show. The message on the display will be "Show
Pause". Press the STOP key
once again and the show
will continue.
Î The volume can be controlled via the two CARD keys on
the IR remote control unit.
Î If you want to abort the show prematurely, press the STOP
key
for more than 2.5 seconds or the ESC key on the
SC MASTER for more than one second.
SC MASTER 4M Playback of shows • 47
Please note the following:
• The audio routing is a decisive factor for the mixer and
card player functions. When there is no sound you should
check your choice of audio routing. Further information
can be found in chapter Mixer and Audio Routing from
page 53 onwards.
• With position markers in your show, it is possible to navi-
gate between them via the skip keys in mode "Show Pause". Further information can be found on page 47 and in
the Wings Platinum Online Help.
• For playback via an additional or external control signal,
the corresponding signal must be enabled in the Show
Properties and saved along with the show. Further details
can be found at Specifying show properties on page 34.
• After show playback or during breaks you can activate or
deactivate the control signal by pressing keys Ï and Ð
simultaneously for more than half a second. The display
will briefly show "Record" (signal was activated) or "Playback" (signal was deactivated). See also ContDLC (Con-
tinual DLC) on page 121.
48 • Playback of shows
Navigation within a show
The SC MASTER offers elegant ways of navigating within a
show during the presentation. This can be done via the keys
on the IR remote control unit.
Scrolling within a show
While playing back, press and hold a skip key for fast scrolling
forward
or backward within the show.
Jumping to position markers
After stopping your show you can use the skip keys
and
in mode "Show Pause" to jump to the position markers you
have programmed in Wings. The corresponding marker number will be visible on the display.
And the show immediately
moves to the corresponding position. Once the trays have
reached the corresponding positions, you can deactivate mode
"Show Pause" by pressing the PLAY
or the STOP key and
continue playing back.
Jumping back to the STOP position
After stopping the show and jumping to a position marker
(Mode "Show Pause") you can jump back to the STOP position by pressing the NO key. The display will show "Stop
Position".
SC MASTER 4M Playback of shows • 49
Setting and jumping to spontaneous markers
Spontaneous markers can be set while
playing back a show.
To do so, simply press the YES key. The display will briefly
show "Set Marker".
After pressing the STOP key
in mode "Show Pause", you
can jump to this spontaneous marker by pressing the YES
key. The display will show "Marker: Memory". Press PLAY
to continue from this position. A spontaneous marker remains
stored even after the SC MASTER is switched off. You can
only overwrite it by setting a new spontaneous marker.
Extended selection of shows
Switch on your unit and insert the CF card into the SC
MASTER. To extend the options for show selection you have
two alternatives:
Via the IR remote control unit
Î Press the YES key: The display will show "Start
Show:___".
Î Now enter a figure from 1 to 120 on the number keys in
order to select a show. Any keying errors can be deleted
by pressing the "NO" key and entering the number again.
Interrupt the show selection by pressing "NO" once again.
• By pressing button "YES" the selected show is started.
Via the keys on the unit
Î Press the ENTER key: The display will show: "Start Show?"
Confirm with ENTER.
50 • Playback of shows
Î Select the required show with keys Ï and Ð. The display
will give you show number and title. Hold keys Ï or Ð to
make the display "run". This is a nice feature if you want to
move to far-away positions very quickly.
Î Press ENTER, if the name of the required show is dis-
played, and the show will start immediately.
Note: Shows can also be started via switch and RS 232. Refer
to page 40 and the Wings Platinum Online Help.
IR remote control range
The IR remote control unit works perfectly at a distance of
between 0.3 m and 15 m. At a distance below the minimum
distance of 30 cm overdrive problems may occur, which restrict infrared reception. At the maximum distance of 15 to 20
m it largely depends on the layout of the room where the SC
MASTER is used. Light absorbing components, such as
curtains etc. may reduce the range. In such a case, we would
recommend using a cable remote control unit. It is connected
to the REMOTE connector of the SC MASTER.
For professional presentations in large halls, we recommend
using cable remote control units to improve operational reliability.
SC MASTER 4M Playback of shows • 51
Continuing a show after power failure
A power failure during a show is every technician's nightmare.
The SC MASTER can't prevent the power failure itself, but it
offers very comfortable ways of continuing safely and synchronously from the point of interruption. Once you have read
through this chapter, just go ahead practising the "worst case".
Î Leave all main switches on or switch the units on again
after the power supply is resumed. Wait for the automatic reset
of the peripheral devices.
Î After switching on, the SC MASTER will not display the
usual message but "Continue Show?" to find out whether you
want to continue the show. Confirm this message by pressing
the ENTER key on the device or the YES key on the remote
control. Following this the control signal containing the status
at the position of interruption is output to the peripheral devices.
Î You can continue your show be pressing the ENTER key or
the PLAY key .
Please note the following:
• If you answer the question "Continue Show?" by pressing
the ESC key instead of the ENTER key, SC MASTER will
start up as usual in normal operating mode.
52 • Playback of shows
• Function "Continue Show" can be deactivated in menu
"Options" / "CntShw" via CS=OFF. This may be useful for
permanent installations.
Show Start with Timer
The SC MASTER is equipped with a timer for time-controlled
show playback.
Parameter settings can be made in menu "Timer". Further
information can be found in chapter Timer from page 124
onwards.
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 53
Mixer and Audio Routing
General
The SC MASTER, in one tiny little unit, offers highly sophisticated control and sound technology. The audio components it
contains consist of a card player for up to four channels and a
mixer with nine inputs and four outputs, as well as sound
control and a ducking function. For easy handling, these
functions can be configured for your applications via Audio
Routings. First of all, however, let's find out about the Structure
of Card player and Mixer.
Structure of Card player and Mixer
From the outside you would hardly notice that the SC
MASTER contains a mixer and card player with up to four
channels. To make you understand how SC MASTER works
and how you can take full advantage of your system, we would
like to give you an idea about the structure of the audio components.
54 • Mixer and Audio Routing
The card player
The card player uses CompactFlash Cards as storage medium
which are the size of postage stamps, just like those used in
digital cameras. As they are fixed memories, no moving sampling mechanism is required and the card player is virtually
wear free.
Before saving the audio data onto CF card, they are compressed by an MP3 encoder in Wings Platinum. This is done in
accordance with the Fraunhofer MPEG1 Layer3 audio compression format (called MP3 for short). The data rate for CDlike audio quality is only one Megabyte per minute, i.e. one
tenth of the original data rate. By the way, the Fraunhofer
Institute has been very successful in this field - MP3 has
become established worldwide.
The possible playing time depends on the memory capacity of
the card and the extent of data compression. On a CF Card
with a memory capacity of 96 MB, for example, more than 90
minutes of stereo sound at a CD-like quality can be stored.
This is equivalent to a data rate of 128 kbits/s.
The playback quality, on the one hand, depends on the data
compression: the higher the data rate, the better the sound,
and, on the other, on the quality of the MP3 encoder used.
Wings Platinum allows you to use MP3 encoders by different
producers. Further information on this subject can be found in
the Wings Online Help or on the Internet.
In the list below you can find out about the dependencies
between memory space requirements and extent of compression. It applies to stereo sound.
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 55
Data rate CF Card 48 MB 96 MB 192 MB
96 kbits/s Playing time 63 min 126 min 252 min
128 kbits/s Playing time 47 min 95 min 185 min
192 kbits/s Playing time 31 min 63 min 125 min
256 kbits/s Playing time 23 min 47 min 93 min
The playing time is reduced further, if a high number of shows
or data-intensive shows, e.g. shows containing commands for
slider control, are stored on the CF card.
Two or four channels?
Depending on whether your unit is a 2M or a 4M version, your
SC MASTER has a card player with two or four channels.
Playback of multi-channel sound is only possible with the 4M
version. Stereo sound can be played with both versions. This
is simply done by pressing the PLAY key
on the IR remote
control unit. For further details refer to Mixer operation on page
58.
Please note that all explanations and graphics refer to the 4M
version using a four-channel card player. The 2M version also
allows all functions and menus to be selected. However, this
does not extend to channels 3 and 4 because they are not
available.
Special characteristics of playback of multi-channel sound
Playback of multi-channel sound is only possible with the 4M
version. MP3 only supports stereo files, therefore multichannel sound requires a show project that starts two stereo
56 • Mixer and Audio Routing
samples simultaneously. For technical reasons, SC MASTER
does so with a tolerance of plus/minus two sample values,
which is about the same as displacing one loudspeaker forward or backward by 8 mm with reference to the other. In
practice this is negligible, however, sound channels with a
critical phase relationship should possibly be saved in one
stereo sample.
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 57
Schematic mixer diagram
In principle, the mixer component incorporated in the SC
MASTER can be compared to a normal mixer. Don't get confused by the fact that the controls depicted here are located on
the IR remote control and that only the connectors are located
on the device itself.
On the left side of the diagram you can see the inputs for the
audio sources and the integrated card player. On the right side
the sum of mixed audio signals is applied to the outputs. This
section is also called "Master".
58 • Mixer and Audio Routing
Now follow the path of a microphone signal, for example. Via
MIC-IN it is supplied to the mixer and from there via the equalizer to the channel volume control. Via the summing bus for
channel 1 and 2 it is then applied to the Master section and led
to the master volume control. The signal is then fed through
the equalizer in the master section before it is available at the
LINE-OUT1 connectors, e.g. for an amplifier or active loudspeakers.
For the other audio sources, the process is similar. After
passing the channel volume controls, which control both
stereo channels equally, the signals are fed to the master
section via the corresponding summing bus. The summing bus
allows the signals for the various output channels to be combined so that they can be controlled jointly via the master
volume control.
So much for the schematic diagram. All the mixer components,
however, can be varied in the way they interact. For this
purpose, we have prepared routings for various applications in
the SC MASTER.
Mixer operation
The controls for the SC MASTER are arranged differently from
those of a classic mixer. The most important functions can be
controlled via the IR remote control keys while other, less
important ones, are controlled via the menu.
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 59
The symbols will show you which functions can be performed
via the IR remote control unit
and which can be set via the
menu
. All functions which can be controlled via IR remote
control also have menus to preset values. These preset values
are always effective after switching on the device. Further
information can be found in the description of menu Sound
from page 106 onwards.
Example for first operating steps
The factory setting of the SC MASTER allows you to start
testing the mixer immediately. For this purpose copy one show
onto the CF card. See Producing a Show Medium from page
25 onwards.
60 • Mixer and Audio Routing
Connect an audio source (e.g. CD player) to LINE-IN1. If you
have a microphone you can connect it to the SC MASTER via
MIC-IN.
After completing these preparations, switch on all units involved.
Î Use the Skip keys
and on the IR remote control unit
to select a piece of music from the CF card. The display will
show the names of MP3 compressed audio files.
Î Press the PLAY key
to start playing back the piece of
music.
Î The card player volume can be adjusted via the CARD
keys. The display will show numbers (0....31) for the current
setting.
Î When using an integrated amplifier, adjust it so that for card
volume "29" and Master volume "31" powerful sound can be
heard. Presumably you will have to choose a higher setting
than usual.
Î Press key STOP
on the IR remote control to stop the
card player.
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 61
The next step will be testing the additional audio source.
Î Start the connected audio source (e.g. CD player) and turn
up the volume via the LINE1 keys on the IR remote control
unit.
Î With the sound of the additional audio source on, start the
card player by pressing the PLAY key
. You can now
hear a mixture of both audio signals.
Î Use keys CARD and LINE1 to control the mixing ratio or
softly fade in and out an audio source.
Now try out the Master Section.
Î Via the VOLUME keys you can control the complete mix
volume, i.e. the sum level of both audio sources.
Î Keys BASS and TREBLE can be used for adjusting the
sound mixing, i.e. to compensate for any factors in the
presentation room influencing the sound.
Our recommendation:
• The controls for the master volume on the IR remote control
MASTER / VOLUME should only be used for adjusting the
level to the amplifier. Recommended basic setting: MV=31
(in menu "Sound"/ "Master"/ "Volume").
• The actual volume control is carried out via the channel
volume controls, i.e. only for the corresponding audio
source such as microphone, Line1, Line2 or card player.
If you want to test the microphone, choose the corresponding
routing, e.g. "2=2MDuk". Please note that the factory-setting
62 • Mixer and Audio Routing
for the microphone volume is zero. Therefore you should start
out by slowly increasing the volume to the required level to
avoid undesired feedback distortions which can be heard as
unpleasant squeaking in the loudspeakers. Further information
can be found in the next chapter Audio Routings and in section
Microphone operation on page 76.
Mute Function
Input channels MIC-IN, LINE-IN1, LINE-IN2 and those of the
card player can very simply be muted. Press the volume keys
and for the corresponding channel quickly one after the
other.
Deactivate muting by pressing the volume key of the channel
in question.
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 63
Audio Routings
Audio Routings allow card player and mixer functions to be
adjusted to various applications.
How to select Audio Routings
There are two ways of selecting audio routings:
1. By selecting the corresponding routing in menu "Rout-
ing"/"AudioRt" for the SC MASTER.
2. By saving a routing along with a show via the FlashCard
dialog box in Wings.
If no show is running, the routing selected in menu "Routing"/"AudioRt" is automatically enabled. If you start a show
which was saved along with its routing, the corresponding
routing will become effective immediately. After this show is
finished, the routing chosen in menu "Routing"/"AudioRt"
becomes effective again.
Please note the following:
• If, for any reasons, you don't want to use the routing saved
along with the show, deactivate it in menu "Routing"/"Priorty" by selecting "Menu". In this case, the audio
routing selected at the SC MASTER will be the valid one.
• All explanation and graphics refer to the 4M version with 4-
channel card player. The 2M version also allows all functions and menus to be selected. However, this does not
extend to channels 3 and 4 because they are not available.
64 • Mixer and Audio Routing
Stereo sound without live comments
For standard shows with stereo soundtracking without live
comments, you should use routing "4=2" in menu Audio Routing. The same can be achieved by selecting "Multi-channel
4Æ2 / no Mic" in Wings and saving the show.
Routing "4=2" operates the card player with four channels. The
mixer mixes all sources into a stereo sum to be output at
LINE-OUT1. The microphone input is inactive.
MASTER VOLUME control and equalizer affect all audio
sources likewise.
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 65
Multi-channel sound without live comments
For normal shows with multi-channel sound without live comments, you should use routing "4=4" in menu Audio Routing.
The same can be achieved by selecting "Multi-channel 4Æ4 /
no Mic" in Wings and saving the show.
Routing "4=4" operates the card player with four channels. The
mixer mixes all external sources as well as card player channels 1 and 2 into a stereo sum to be output at LINE-OUT1.
Card player channels 3 and 4 are output to LINE-OUT2. The
microphone input is inactive.
The MASTER VOLUME control affects all master channels
likewise.
66 • Mixer and Audio Routing
Note: Selecting routing "4=4" only makes sense for the Pro
4M version.
Stereo sound with live comments and Ducking Function
For Speaker Support Shows with live comments you should
use routing "2=2MDuk" in menu Audio Routing. The same can
be achieved by selecting "Stereo 2Æ2 / Mic + Ducking" in
Wings and saving the show.
Routing "2=2MDuk" operates the card player in stereo. The
mixer mixes all sources into a stereo sum to be output at
LINE-OUT1. The Ducking Function is active and automatically
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 67
reduces the volume of all sources except for the microphone.
This function can also be performed manually by pressing the
NO key on the IR remote control unit.
MASTER VOLUME control and equalizer affect all audio
sources likewise.
Information about the Ducking Function and its adjustment can
be found in chapter Microphone operation from page 76 onwards.
68 • Mixer and Audio Routing
Stereo sound with multi-channel player and live comments
For shows with multi-channel sound track to be mixed to a
stereo sum you should use routing "4=2Mic" in menu Audio
Routing. The same can be achieved by selecting "Multichannel 4Æ2 / micro" in Wings and saving the show. Microphone operation is without Ducking Function.
Routing "4=2Mic" operates the card player with four channels.
The mixer mixes all sources, i.e. also the four card player
channels, into a stereo sum to be output at LINE-OUT1.
MASTER VOLUME control and equalizer affect all audio
sources likewise.
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 69
Stereo sound with equalizer at LINE-IN 1
If you want to influence the sound of an external audio source
when presenting a show with stereo sound tracking, you
should use routing "4=2LnEQ" in menu Audio Routing. The
same can be achieved by selecting "Multi-channel 4Æ2 /
Equalizer Line1" in Wings and saving the show. This routing
can be used for radio microphones, for example, whose receivers have no variable output and supply Line level only.
Routing "4=2LnEQ" operates the card player with four channels. The mixer mixes all sources into a stereo sum to be
output at LINE-OUT1. The signals from LINE-IN1 are fed via
the equalizer and the MIC channel volume control. The settings are made via menus "BassMic" and "TrebleMic" or via
70 • Mixer and Audio Routing
the MIC keys on the remote control unit, respectively. Ducking
can only be performed manually by pressing the NO key. With
this routing, the microphone input is inactive.
MASTER VOLUME control and equalizer affect all audio
sources likewise.
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 71
Multi-channel sound with separate volume controls
If you want to influence the mix of LINE-OUT1 and LINE-OUT2
for a show with multi-channel sound independently in sound
and volume, you should use routing "4=4sMod" in menu Audio
Routing. The same can be achieved by selecting "Multichannel 4Æ4 / Split Mode" in Wings and saving the show.
Routing "4=4sMod" operates the card player with four channels. The mixer mixes all external sources as well as card
player channels 1 and 2 into a stereo sum to be output at
LINE-OUT1. Card player channels 3 and 4 are led via the
microphone input volume control and supplied to LINE-OUT2.
This way card player channels 1/2 and 3/4 can be adjusted
separately in their volume.
72 • Mixer and Audio Routing
There are separate equalizers for LINE-OUT1 and LINEOUT2. They are set via the menus "Master" (for LINE-OUT1)
and "LinOut2" (for LINE-OUT2).
The MASTER VOLUME control on the IR remote control unit
takes effect on LINE-OUT1 and LINE-OUT2. A level difference
of the card player channels set via CARD and MIC controls
remains effective.
Note: Selecting this routing only makes sense for the Pro 4M
version.
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 73
Parallel stereo sound at LINE-OUT1 and LINE-OUT2
For the output of parallel stereo signals at LINE-OUT1 and
LINE-OUT2, use routing "2=4" in menu Audio Routing. The
same can be achieved by selecting "Stereo 2Æ4 / no Mic" in
Wings and saving the show.
With a routing of "2=4" the input signals from LINE-IN1 and
LINE-IN2 as well as from card player 1+2 are additionally
applied to output channels 3 and 4, which means that the
same signals are available both at LINE-OUT2 and LINEOUT1. The microphone input is not inactive.
74 • Mixer and Audio Routing
Multi-channel card player with separate volume controls
For in-situ optimization of voice playback to be carried out
independently of music, choose routing "4=2sMix". The same
can be achieved by selecting "Multi-channel 4Æ2 / Split Mixer"
in Wings and saving the show.
Routing "4=2sMix" operates the card player with four channels. The signals from channel 3 and 4, however, are fed via
the microphone input volume control. The mixer mixes all
sources into a stereo sum to be output at LINE-OUT1.
This is a classical example:
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 75
Sound track with separate comment track
In Wings Platinum, assign the comments to channels 3 and 4.
When playing back from CF Card via routing "4=2sMix", the
comment volume (channels 3 and 4) can be adjusted via the
MIC keys on the IR remote control unit. The CARD keys can
be used to adjust the volume of music (channels 1 and 2). The
VOLUME keys can be used to adjust the stereo sum volume,
i.e. of comment and
music.
Zero dB settings
There is a mixer setting which causes a signal to be output at
the same level as it was applied at the inputs - the zero dB
setting. For the SC MASTER this is achieved by setting the
card player volume control to 29 and the other volume controls
to 31. For the microphone input channel, which has a very
high amplification, this setting is not possible.
Note: Zero dB values are only applicable if the equalizer
values are zero.
76 • Mixer and Audio Routing
Microphone operation
The SC MASTER mixer has a microphone input which can
conveniently be used for live comments and moderation. A
special feature in this context is the speech-controlled Ducking
Function which automatically reduces the volume of music
during moderation.
Microphone connection
The unbalanced microphone input MIC-IN is wired for a 6.3
mono jack connector and is suitable for dynamic and low-level
capacitor microphones. There is a compressor and a limiter in
the signal path to achieve an optimal dynamic range and good
comprehensibility. Microphones with a level of more than 8
mV/Pa (for example Sennheiser K6 system) require matching
via a special cable. Usage of radio microphones is possible if
the receiver features a variable output, e.g. for Sennheiser
radio installations.
Please note the following:
• Microphone operation requires a routing with microphone
input support. Further information can be found in chapter
Audio Routings from page 63 onwards.
• The factory setting of the microphone volume in the menu
is MV=0 to avoid undesired feedback distortion. Slowly increase the volume via the MIC keys on the IR remote control
until the required volume has been reached. Once you have
found the correct setting, you can enter this value in menu
"MicVol".
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 77
Operation of radio microphones
The receivers usually have a variable output. Adjust the control next to the output connectors to the minimum level (left
stop). Connect the receiver to the SC MASTER MIC-IN connector.
Via the IR remote control unit, adjust the microphone channel
volume to MV=31. Put on the neck band with the microphone
or talk into the hand-held transmitter. While speaking, turn up
the volume control on the back of the receiver until your voice
is undistorted and clearly audible. The maximum setting of the
control on the receiver should be one third of the whole range
only. (for an AF level of 0 dB). Make sure that the peak levels
are not "flattened" by the SC MASTER limiter. Ask a second
person to evaluate the sound – solely relying on the speaker's
own opinion is not enough.
Equalizer usage
The microphone input features an equalizer to adjust voice
and microphone in their sound quality. When directional microphones are spoken into from a close distance, the proximity
effect results in the bass being boosted so that the voice
sounds dull. Menu "BassMic" allows you to reduce the bass
level. With certain microphones, a slight treble emphasis
causes male voices to sound more transparent and to be
better comprehensible. This extended dynamic response can
be adjusted via menu "TrebMic".
78 • Mixer and Audio Routing
Settings for the Ducking Function
The factory-set values for the Ducking Function are average
values which are a good basis for starting you off. However,
some fine-tuning is worth taking. After all, finding the optimum
setting depends on a number of very individual aspects. Essentially, the following items play an important role:
• your personal speaking style
• the loudness of your voice
• the sensitivity of the microphone in use
• your personal idea of what the mixture of music and
speech should be like
The next illustration will show you the volume control of the
Ducking Function in the form of an envelope - something you
will recognize from Wings Platinum. The envelope form can be
influenced by various parameters.
The parameters can be found in menu "Ducking" and have the
following meaning:
SC MASTER 4M Mixer and Audio Routing • 79
DF Ducking Fade defines the speed at which the music is
faded out and faded in again.
DA Ducking Attack defines the speed at which the music is
faded out when the function is automatically activated by voice
signals.
DV Ducking Value defines the extent of music reduction.
DD Ducking Delay defines the period of time that the
volume reduction is to be maintained following its activation by
voice signals.
During the presentation, the determining variable is the time it
takes to activate the Ducking Function, i.e. the activation
time. The function can be activated automatically via a voice
signal through the microphone or manually via the NO key on
the IR remote control unit.
It's a good idea to optimise the Ducking Function in two steps:
1. Adjustment of parameters DF and DV for activation via
the NO key.
Both these values should be set and tested via the NO key,
i.e. without activation of the Ducking Function via the microphone. The parameter setting can be assessed most easily
when using a piece of music with a uniform level.
2. Adjustment of parameters DA, DD and DS in accordance
with your speaking style, the loudness of your voice and the
microphone used. For a realistic evaluation you should consult
a second person: it is very difficult for a speaker to assess
his/her own voice.
80 • Mixer and Audio Routing
DA (Ducking Attack) should be short enough to avoid the first
syllables of a sentence from being covered up by music.
DD (Ducking Delay) should be long enough to keep the music
volume reduced in speech pauses. Otherwise, the music
signal will start "pumping" even in short pauses.
Below you will find our recommendations for an adjustment of
the microphone level (menu "DuckSen"): Depending on the
loudness of your voice you may have to vary the value:
Sennheiser e 835S (dynamic microphone) DS=25...30
Sennheiser ew 152 * (radio microphone) DS=25...35
* see also Operation of radio microphones on page 77
Choose a setting which avoids activation of the Ducking Function by handling and breathing noises. Increase the value if
this should be the case. On the other hand, accurate activation
of the Ducking Function by speech should be guaranteed.
Further information about the menus for the Ducking Function
can be found under Settings for the Ducking Function on page
78.
SC MASTER 4M SC NET System • 81
SC NET System
General
The SC Net System is a network consisting of an SC Master
unit and one or several SC Net modules for controlling a
variety of different devices. All SC Net modules are run via one
single bi-directional network connection, which also serves as
a power supply.
Cable Connections and Power Supply
All components are run via one single network connection
made of standard Cat5 cable with a length of up to 1,000 m.
Usually, the modules are connected in series. With a distributor module, however, the arrangement of cables can also be
star shaped. The compact dimensions of these modules allow
them to be located next to the devices to be controlled so that
the numerous connecting cables only need to be branched off
at this location and can be kept very short. Unused SC Net
outputs must be terminated. In large, widely branched networks, you should use modules with Iso-PlugIns for potential
insulation and optimum operating safety.
The SC Net modules are supplied via additional power supply
units. The power supplied additionally is not only available for
the module connected to the power supply unit, but for all SC
82 • SC NET System
Net modules within the network. Usually, the power supply unit
AC-3 can supply up to five SC Net modules. However, there
are also some modules which require a separate power supply
unit.
Address configuration
Device address 1 is always allocated to the master unit. Device addresses 2 to 125 are used for the modules (slaves)
within the network. If address 2 or higher is allocated to an SC
Master unit, it is regarded as a module within the network.
Every SC Net device offers particular functions to be addressed via subaddresses. After adding SC Net devices under
"Devices" in the Wings Platinum Media Pool, they are listed
with their particular functions while Wings Platinum automatically allocates an address, which, however, can be altered at
any time. An SC RELAY 8out, for instance, would be visible as
8 switching contacts with addresses 2/1 to 2/8, i.e. 2 would be
the device address and 1 to 8 the subaddresses of the individual relay contacts.
Setting addresses in the Media Pool
If you want to change the address settings in Wings Platinum,
e.g. when different hardware is to be used for controlling,
proceed as follows:
1. Click on tab Devices in the Media Pool. If the correspond-
ing devices are not displayed, click on the plus sign in
front of the device port.
SC MASTER 4M SC NET System • 83
2. Right-click the corresponding control channel and select
Properties. The Properties Dialog will appear.
3. Under Address enter the new address and confirm with
OK.
Setting the addresses at the hardware
For an SC Net Module to be able to perform the programmed
functions, the device address listed in the Media Pool under
Devices must be set in the module. Currently the address
setting is performed via SC Master components. At a later
time, this will also be possible via Wings Platinum.
This is how you set the device addresses at the SC Master
and the SC Net Modules:
1. Connect the SC Master with the SC Net Modules and
switch on the system.
2. In the SC Master menu go to "Options – SC-Net – Ne-
tAdrs" and select NA=1.
3. In order to establish communication within the SC Net,
switch on the SC Master and off again. When starting up
the SC Master, a message such as "SC-Baud: 460800"
must briefly be displayed (the value depends on the baud
rate). After communication has been established, the blue
SC Net LED at the SC Net modules will blink at an interval
of a few seconds. In the event of no communication being
established, refer to page 85 for further information.
4. Return to the menu and select the address you want to
allocate to an SC Net Module, e.g. EA=2 under "Options –
SC-Net – ExtAdrs".
84 • SC NET System
5. By pressing Enter at the SC Master, all connected SD Net
modules are set to configuration mode. This is indicated
by the DATA LEDs blinking while the SC Master is sending the address into the network. Both remain active for 20
seconds.
6. During this time, press the Setup button on the SC Net
Module to be configured to save the address. You may
have to use a pen to press the setup button. This terminates configuration mode.
Note: You can now check the address set for the module. If
you press the Setup button, the module address is briefly
displayed on the Master unit display. If this does not work for
your units, you may have to update the operating software.
Subadresses of the SC Master
The SC MASTER features various interfaces which can be
addressed as follows for SC Net operation:
Display /2 (..for information on the output of
messages refer to the Wings Platinum Online Help)
DMX/DALI /3 and up (up to 64 DMX channels,
output to the REMOTE connector)
Switch outputs /70, /71, /72 and /73 (four AUX relays
and open-collector outputs at the REMOTE connector)
RS232 /90 (RS232-OUT connector)
RS232 /91 (RS232-IN/CAN connector)
SC MASTER 4M SC NET System • 85
Ensuring communication within the SC Net
For an SC Net system to work reliably, the data rate needs to
be set to an appropriate value. SC Master automatically negotiates the baud rate with the modules, provided setting "Au-
doBd" has been chosen in Menu "Options – SC Net – SCN
Baud". However, the SC Master does not know how many
modules are connected. This is why, after powering up the
system, you need to check whether all SC Net modules communicate with the SC Master. The are certain LEDs at the SC
modules which indicate whether communication has been
established:
• POWER LED ...red lamp that blinks every second when
power supply and module are in working order. If the LED
is on permanently or not on at all, there is either a malfunction or no power supply.
• DATA LED ...lights up in green while the data for the set
module address are arriving.
• SC NET LED ...lights up in blue when the module detects
a valid activity on the network, which usually happens
every 3 seconds in a passive state. If there is more activity
on the network bus, the LED lights up more frequently and
may even light up permanently.
After powering up the system, all the POWER LEDS at the SC
Net modules must light and blink every second, while the SC
NET LEDs must briefly blink every three seconds. If there is no
communication with one module – something that may happen
86 • SC NET System
in widely branched networks – you need to reduce the SD Net
baud rate manually until even the last module starts communicating within the network. This can be done in menu "Options
– SC Net – SCN Baud". Further information is available from
page 98 onwards.
SC MASTER 4M The Menu • 87
The Menu
Layout of the Menu
SC MASTER is a modern, software-controlled unit with a
number of functions, which would be very difficult to control via
switches and keys only. This is why it has an extensive menu
for configuration purposes.
Via this menu, SC MASTER is told what to do. In combination
with the display and the keys Ï, Ð, ESC and ENTER, the
menu is the central input instrument. The menu layout is as
follows:
88 • The Menu
The vertical structure is divided into menu trees while the
horizontal structure is divided into menu branches. Every
menu branch starts with the main menu and ends with the
entry menus.
Now what can be seen on the display? Just imagine covering
this structure with a sheet of paper with a rectangular window
just as large as the menu name. What you can see now corresponds to the display. By moving the sheet you can move to
other locations in the menu. The display, therefore, only shows
a selectable section of the complete menu.
SC MASTER 4M The Menu • 89
How to use the menu
The best way to comprehend the operating steps is to switch
on your control unit and try out the following steps. Print or
copy the menu chart and place it next to the unit - this will help
you find the corresponding menu more easily.
To enter the menu, press both keys ESC and ENTER simultaneously. The display will show "-Menu-". Confirm with the
ENTER key and the main menu opens up. The arrows to the
right of the menu name indicate the following:
• The type of arrows shows us that we are in the main
menu, as sub and entry menus have different arrow symbols.
• The direction of the arrows signalizes whether any further
menu items can be found above or below. The double arrows visible in the picture indicate that further menus can
be found above and below.
90 • The Menu
Main menu, submenu, and entry menu arrows
Let's briefly remember our sheet of paper and the window. Use
keys Ï and Ð to move the window up and down, i.e. in vertical direction along a menu tree. The ENTER key moves the
window to the right, the ESC key to the left, i.e. in horizontal
direction along a menu branch.
You can step through the various items of the main menu with
keys Ï and Ð. The main menu is structured as follows:
• "Settings" for loading and saving configurations
• "Options" for selecting special features
• "Sound" for configuration of card player and mixer func-
tions
• "Signal" for configuration of control signal functions
• "RSOut" for configuration of the serial interface, e.g. for
the Projector Module
• "Timer" for setting the timer functions
• "Info" provides information about the device version.
If you want to move to a sub menu, simply press the ENTER
key. The type of arrow will now change as a sign that you are
in a sub menu, and the direction of the arrows indicates
whether further menu items can be found above or below.
SC MASTER 4M The Menu • 91
Press the ENTER key again, and you will move to the next sub
menu tree or the actual entry menu. This depends on whether
there are any further sub menus in this menu branch or not.
From the arrow symbols taking the form of triangles you can
see whether you have reached an entry menu. What you can
see now is the current setting. This is indicated by the triangles
being filled.
Use keys Ï and Ð to choose from a number of other possible
settings. For parameters which have not been activated the
arrows take the form of lines. By pressing ENTER the new
setting is activated and, as a confirmation, the arrows take the
form of filled triangles.
Parameters not activated Parameters activated
Via the ENTER key you can reach the menu branch but you
can also, step by step, move back to the main menu by pressing the ESC key. Once you have reached the main menu and
press the ESC key once more, the question "Exit?" will appear
together with an ENTER symbol. By the way, this symbol
signalizes that a confirmation is required before the corresponding menu item can be activated. By pressing the ENTER
key you can exit the menu.
Good. Now you know how to enter a menu, how to navigate
through it and how to make settings. So nothing can keep you
92 • The Menu
from exploring and finding out about all the other menus. On
the next page you will find a menu chart and, in the following
chapters, information about any possible settings, organized
according to main menu items.
Menu operation via IR remote control
Once you have entered the menu, the menu functions can
also be controlled via IR remote control:
IR remote control unit Menu function
PLAY key
ENTER
STOP key
ESC
Skip keys
and Keys Ï and Ð
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