ClearOne AP400 User Manual

AP400 Audio Conferencing System

Installation & Operation Manual

ii

Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760

© 2002 ClearOne Communications, Inc. All

rights reserved. No part of this document may

be reproduced in any form or by any means

without written permission from ClearOne

Communications, Inc. Printed in the United

States of America. ClearOne Communications,

Inc. reserves specific privileges. Information in

this document is subject to change without

notice.

AP400 Installation and
Operation Manual
ClearOne Part No. 800-150-001
July 2002 (Rev. 5.0)

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ClearOne Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760

AP400 Installation and Operation Manual

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Professional Services Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Sales and Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

ClearOne Communications EuMEA GmbH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Product registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Product returns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Controls and Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Front panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Rear panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

G-Link Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

G-Link bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

CHAPTER 2: Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Equipment Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Power requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Telephone line requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Auxiliary equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Equipment placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Environmental requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Hardware Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Connecting the unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Networking Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

G-Link connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Device IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Mixer mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

LCD Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Menu trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

System parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

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Input parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Output parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Routing parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Meter parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

CHAPTER 3: AP-Ware Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Installing AP-Ware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

To install AP-Ware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

CHAPTER 4: Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Controlling the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Muting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Telco Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

To make and disconnect a call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Other telco options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Custom control through DB-25 port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Touch panel control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

APPENDICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Appendix A: Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Appendix B: Warranty and Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Appendix C: Connector Pinouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Appendix D: Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Appendix E: Serial Port Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Appendix F: Worksheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760

Congratulations on purchasing the Audio Perfect®400, an advanced eight-by-eight

digital matrix mixer with Gentner

®

Distributed Echo Cancellation®, audio processing,

and a single-line telephone hybrid. It uses six user-definable presets to quickly adapt

to a variety of teleconferencing and sound reinforcement applications such as

distance learning, teletraining, telemedicine, courtrooms, conference rooms,

boardrooms, hotels, and houses of worship.

All of the AP400’s functions are programmed in AP-Ware™, an all-new

configuration software. The result is quicker setup, with fewer hassles and more

control.

In its most simple form, the AP400 is a mic mixing matrix. As such, all mic

mixing parameters can be customized and any input or combination of inputs can

be routed to any output or combination of outputs. This allows great flexibility in

accommodating a variety of applications and requirements.

The AP400 features numerous functions which greatly enhance its

performance and flexibility. For example, it can gate mics on and off when the

sound within a mic’s acceptance pattern reaches a certain level.

The AP400 monitors each mic independently, observing ambient levels and

making decisions based on each mic’s environment. Thus, the input for a mic

located in a highly reverberant part of a conference room is gated, mixed, and

processed to compensate for the changes in that area and to reduce echo and

noise. This improves audio quality and decreases the possibility of feedback.

The AP400 facilitates local and remote PC setup and diagnostics, logic

outputs, and automatic gated mic operation. Mic inputs can be individually

customized to gate on and off as you want, while automatic gain control keeps the

overall sound level consistent.

Adjustments in routing, level, and other functions can be made through

presets activated through a rear-panel closure or an RS-232 serial interface.

Network-based interconnectivity allows up to eight AP400/AP800 units to be

connected and controlled as a single unit.

CHAPTER 1: Introduction

Product Overview

Introduction ~ Product Overview

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Features

• Distributed Echo Cancellation technology; each microphone has its own echo

canceller for a total of eight echo cancellers per unit

• Easy-to-use AP-Ware software for quick configuration of all functions

• 100 percent digital signal processing (DSP) ensures crystal-clear audio with

the deepest, most reliable hybrid null

• Simultaneous direct connection to several video codecs

• 8 x 8 matrix mixer

• Internal submixing bus for mixing and level control in sound reinforcement

systems

• Eight line output channels expandable with additional AP400 units; any of

the eight input channels can be mixed to any of the eight outputs on a given

unit; all output levels are adjustable and can be instantly muted

• Four-channel automatic microphone mixer with four line inputs (expandable)

• All automatic microphone functions and operating modes operate across

expanded units

• Input gain, audio processing, equalization, muting, and automatic mixer

• Expandable using a high-speed digital network bus; a total of eight AP400s

can be interconnected

• All G-Linked devices can be accessed, controlled, and programmed via a

single RS-232 connection

• Program, operate and perform diagnostics from the front panel, a

connected PC (direct or via modem) or other type of serial remote-control

device

• Six programmable presets for instant configuration changes

• Lockout front-panel access for security

• Built-in telephone interface with touch-tone dialing, echo cancellation,

continual phone line adaptation, receive reduction, and analog phone line

compatibility

• 5W speaker amp output

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Introduction ~ Professional Services Group

Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760

If you need any additional information on how to install, set up, or operate your

system, please contact us at one of the locations listed below. We welcome and

encourage your comments so we can continue to improve our products and serve

your needs.

ClearOne Communications ~ 1825 Research Way ~ Salt Lake City, UT 84119

Technical Support

Telephone: [phone] (USA) or 1.801.974.3760

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

Web site: www.clearone.com

Sales and Customer Service

Telephone: [phone] (USA) or 1.801.975.7200

Fax: [phone] (USA) or 1.801.977.0087

E-mail: [e-mail]

ClearOne Communications EuMEA GmbH

Leonhardstr. 16-18, D-90443 Nuremberg, Germany

Telephone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

Product registration

Please register your AP400 online by visiting ClearOne Technical Support at

www.clearone.com.

When your product is properly registered, ClearOne is better

able to serve you should you require technical assistance. Registration information is

also used to notify you of upgrades and new product information.

Product returns

All product returns require a return authorization (RA) number. Please contact

ClearOne Technical Support before attempting to return your AP400 unit.

Professional Services Group

Introduction ~ Unpacking

Ensure that the equipment shown below was received with your shipment.

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Unpacking

Figure 1.1. Equipment

Controls and Connections

ClearOne is not responsible
for product damage

incurred during shipment.
You must make claims directly with
the carrier. Inspect your shipment
carefully for obvious signs of
damage. If the shipment appears to
be damaged, retain the original
boxes and packing material for
inspection by the carrier. Contact
your carrier immediately.

!

Front panel

A. LCD. The two-line, 16-character-per-line LCD display is used for AP400

setup and level adjustments in conjunction with the four associated front-

panel buttons [B]. Functions that can be accessed via the front-panel LCD

include setup, programming, troubleshooting, and numeric audio level and

gain readouts.

B. Enter/▲▼/ESC. These buttons are used to navigate the AP400’s menu

system.

Figure 1.2. Front panel controls

AP-Ware software provides

complete configuration

capabilities for the AP400.
Please refer to the AP-Ware help file
for more information.

✍

www.gentner.com

Audio Products

AP400 Audio Conferencing System

Gentner Corporation ~ 1825 Research Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84119 ~ tel [phone] ~ fax [phone]

Installation & Operation Manual

A

BC E F

D

G

H

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Introduction ~ Controls and Connections

Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760

C. LED Meter. The LED bar meter is displays the audio level of any selected

input or output on the AP400, as well as displaying echo return loss (ERL)

and echo return loss enhancement (ERLE) for mic channels 1–4.

D. Meter. The Meter button takes you directly to the Meter branch of the

AP400’s LCD programming tree.

E. System, Inputs, Outputs, Routing. These buttons provide direct access to

the corresponding sections in the LCD menu.

F. Mic On LED. These LEDs indicate microphone gate status.

G. On. The On button connects and adapts the AP400 to the telephone line.

Pressing and holding the On button for more than two seconds while the

AP400 is active readapts the unit.

H. Off. The Off button disconnects the AP400 from the telephone line and

mutes all audio to and from the telephone line.

Rear panel

A. Power. This power module accommodates power ranging from

100–240VAC, 50/60Hz, 30W. No switching is required.

B. Inputs A–D. These connectors are used with line-level inputs. Inputs can

include video codecs, AP10 Telephone Interfaces, VCRs, or CD players, or

other audio sources. These inputs can be mixed in any combination with the

gated inputs to any of the eight outputs. Nominal input is 0dBu. Mix level

can be easily set for each non-gated input.

C. Outputs A–D, 1–4. These connectors allows eight line-level outputs to be

connected to the unit. Outputs can include video codecs, AP800s, AP10

Telephone Interfaces, and VCRs. These outputs can be configured to contain

any combination of gated and non-gated inputs. The nominal output level is

0dBm.

The front panel buttons are
also used to enter the front

panel passcode. See Lock
Panel (page 17) for more details.
The front panel passcode can also
be created in AP-Ware. Refer to the
AP-Ware help file for more
information.

✍

For electrical

specifications, see

Specifications, page 37.

✍

Figure 1.3. AP400 rear panel connectors

H

I

AB

C

DE

F

G

Introduction ~ G-Link Networking

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D. Mics 1–4. Up to four mic/line-level inputs (selectable) can be connected

using the three-terminal Phoenix connector(s).

E. G-Link In, Out. These RJ-45 connectors are part of the AP400’s high-

speed digital bus network, which passes audio between units.

F. RS-232. This female DB-9 serial port is for connection between the AP400

and a PC, modem, or other custom remote control. For serial

communications protocol, see Appendix E, page 43.

G. Control/Status. This female DB-25 connector is used to interface parallel

control to the AP400. Most of the pins on this connector can be

programmed to perform any function via a contact closure to ground. For

instructions on how to program the control and status pins, see page 61 or

the AP-Ware help file. These pins go low when active. The six presets can be

activated at any time via these connectors. For pinouts, including a

description of the default settings, see Appendix C, page 42.

H. Speaker. One five watt, 4-16Ω speaker can be directly connected to the

AP400, eliminating the need for a power amplifier.

I. Telco Line. Connects to your telephone line source.

Telco Set. Connects to your telephone handset.

Digital technology can provide a distinct advantage in designing and controlling

teleconferencing systems. The ability to network with additional AP units (for a

maximum of 64 mic inputs) makes the Audio Perfect systems ideal for room

combining applications or larger applications which require more microphone inputs.

The G-Link gives you the ability to interconnect the AP400 with other Audio

Perfect units (additional AP400s, AP10s, and AP800s). The maximum distance

between connected ClearOne units is 20 feet. ClearOne Communications recommends

that category five twisted-pair (10Base) cable be used.

G-Link bus

This digital bus is on every Audio Perfect product. It is a mix-minus bus which

allows audio to be routed to any destination on the G-Link network. The AP400 has

four digital buses: X-bus, Y-bus, Z-bus and G-Link EC Reference bus.

G-Link Network

Do not attempt to create a
system using more than

64 microphones. You can
combine up to eight AP800s or
AP400s.

✍

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Introduction ~ G-Link Networking

Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760

X-bus

This mix-minus bus is defined as the master microphone mix, and it supports NOM

(see page 26). All gated microphones are default routed to this bus.

Y-bus

This mix-minus bus is defined as the line input master mix. All line-level audio inputs

such as video codecs, AP800s, AP10 Telephone Interfaces, VCRs, etc., are default

routed to this bus. Y-bus does not support NOM.

Z-bus

This mix-minus bus is a user-defined auxiliary mix bus. Z-bus does not support

NOM.

G-Link EC Reference bus

This bus provides a system-wide echo canceller reference signal. It allows the

reference signal to be passed to additional G-Linked mic channels and their

associated echo cancellers. Typically, one output on one unit will be passed along the

G-Link EC Reference bus.

Control bus

The control bus is an independent channel from the G-Link’s audio channel; it uses a

different pair of wires on the same cable. This allows control information to pass

even if the units are not using the audio link. The AP400 supports the full set of

commands through the control bus.

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Technical Services Group ~ 1-800-283-5936 (USA) ~ 1-801-974-3760

CHAPTER 2: Installation

Power requirements

The AP400 will accommodate an AC voltage-input of 100–240VAC, 50/60Hz, 30W.

Telephone line requirements

The AP400’s telephone interface operates on a standard analog telephone line and

connects with a standard RJ-11C modular jack. If you do not have an RJ-11C jack

where you want to install the AP400, contact your telephone company for

installation.

Auxiliary equipment

Any auxiliary equipment to be used with the AP800 (i.e., AP400, AP10 Telephone

Interface, AP IR Remote Control, desktop kit, microphones, speakers, recording

equipment, etc.) should be available at time of installation.

Equipment placement

The AP800 is designed for mounting in a 19" equipment rack. Do not block any of

the unit’s ventilation holes. With a desktop kit, the unit can be adapted for tabletop

placement.

Environmental requirements

The AP800 can be safely operated in a room with varying temperatures between 32°

and 110° F (0-43° C).

Equipment Requirements

Installation ~ Hardware Setup

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The AP400 is designed for easy installation and setup. All connections are made

through rear-panel connectors. This chapter provides instructions on installing the

units and making initial connections, creating a G-Link network, assigning device ID

numbers, selecting the mixer mode, and using the LCD menu.

The diagram below illustrates the typical connections that are made for a

single-unit AP400 system. The default routing settings in AP-Ware allow the

AP400 to work out of the box for this type of installation.

Figure 2.1. AP400 installation diagram

Hardware Setup

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Installation ~ Hardware Setup

Connecting the unit

To connect the AP400

1. Place the unit in a standard 19-inch rack and attach it securely.

2. Connect the telephone line from the wall jack to the RJ-11C Line jack [I].

3. Plug the telephone set into the RJ-11C Set jack [I].

4. If you are using a custom controller for control and status, connect it to the

Control/Status port [G].

If you are using an external RS-232 controller or the AP IR remote,

connect it to the RS-232 port [F].

5. Wire the inputs and outputs to the AP400 using the provided three-terminal

Phoenix push-on connectors. These connectors are designed for easy wiring;

simply insert the desired wire into the appropriate connector opening and

tighten down the top screw.

• Mic 1–4 [D] Mic or line level inputs

• Inputs A–D [B] Line level inputs only

• Outputs A–D, 1–4 [C] Line level outputs

When connecting, use the screened legend on the back of the unit;

overlapping from one channel to another can cause improper operation.

6. Connect the speaker wire to the + (red) and – (black) binding post

connectors. A 4–16Ω speaker can be directly connected to the AP400,

eliminating the need for an external power amplifier.

7. Plug in the AP400 to complete the installation. The power output [A] will

operate at any level between 100–240VAC and 50–60Hz.

If you are installing only one AP400 and are not connecting it to any other AP units,

you have completed the hardware installation.

Figure 2.2. Rear panel connections

The three terminals in
the Phoenix connector

correspond with the rear­panel audio contacts (from left to
right): + (positive), – (negative),
and



(ground).

✍

Figure 2.3. Phoenix push-on connector

AB

C

H

DE

F

I

G

Installation ~ Networking Units

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G-Link connections

Using the G-Link connectors, you can connect up to eight AP800/400s and 16 AP10

units, where the total number of microphone inputs does not exceed 64. Make

connections between units in daisy-chain fashion using the short RJ-45 jumper

(provided). If your units are further apart (maximum distance 20 feet), use category-

five twisted-pair cable (10 BaseT).

For a single-unit system, no connection is required in either G-Link In or

G-Link Out connectors.

To create a G-Link network

1. Insert a G-Link terminator (provided) in the G-Link In connector of the first

unit in the network.

2. Connect the RJ-45 jumper cable (or Cat. 5 twisted-pair cable) to the G-Link

Out connector of the first unit and to the G-Link In connector of the second

unit. Continue connecting units in the same fashion.

3. Plug the G-Link terminator in the G-Link Out connector on the last unit to

complete the network connections.

A G-Link network supports
connection of a maximum

of any combination of 8
AP400s and AP800s. It also
supports up to 16 additional AP10s,
for a maximum of 24 telephone
lines.

✍

Figure 2.4. G-Link Network Connections

Networking Units

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Installation ~ Networking Units

Device IDs

Once your physical G-Link network is established (and if you have more than one AP

unit at a site), you need to specify unique device ID numbers for each AP400 on the

network. As shipped from the factory, all AP400 units default as device ID “0”. Set

device ID numbers for each unit at your site by manipulating the front-panel LCD.

To set the device ID

1. Press the System button, then scroll to Device ID.

2. Press Enter, then scroll through the eight (0–7) options.

3. Press Enter to select the appropriate device ID.

Repeat this process for each

AP product on the G-Link network.

If the same Device ID is assigned to more than one unit of the same type on

the G-Link network, Meter LED “+12” will flash red and Meter LED “0”, “-4”,

“-30”, and Mic 4 will flash green on the affected units. To correct the problem,

change the device ID on one of the units.

Device types

Device IDs are automatically assigned a device type. AP400s are always device

type “3” (AP800 device types are “1”, AP10 device types are “2.”). The device

ID # selected is added to the device type “3” to generate the unique address for

that unit. For example, the first AP400 unit in your G-Link network would be

identified as “30”, “3” being the Device Type, and “0” being the Device ID.

Mixer mode

Once your physical G-Link network is established and unique G-Link device ID

numbers for each AP400 on the network are established, the mixer mode must be

set. There are three mixer-mode settings: master-single (default), master-linked, and

slave.

• Master-single must be used when only one AP400 is used in a system.

• Master-linked denotes the master AP400 unit when more than one AP400 is

on the network; only one AP400 can be designated as master-linked when

multiple AP400s are used in a system.

• Slave is used for all networked AP400s that are not designated as master-

linked or master-single. If two AP400s are part of the same system, set one

with the master-linked parameter. Set the other with the slave parameter.

Installation ~ Networking Units

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A system is defined as one or more AP units that communicate to perform

mixing functions. A system can consist of one unit in master-single mode or

several units that work together with one master-linked unit and multiple slave

units. Systems can be G-Linked together for easy reconfiguration, as shown in

Figure 2.5. The physical location on the G-Link network determines which system

individual units belong to. In Figure 2.5, for example, AP400 device 4 has been

designated as master-linked. The units located below this unit on the G-Link

network constitute System 3, while units above it belong to different systems. The

entire network could be easily reconfigured into one system by changing the mixer

mode on Devices 3 and 4 to slave units which would then refer to the only master-

linked unit on the system: AP400 device 0.

To set mixer mode

1. Press the System button. Scroll through the menu until you see Mixer Mode.

2. Press Enter, then scroll through the three options.

3. Press Enter at the appropriate option to select it.

4. Repeat this process for all AP units in the G-Link network.

EC reference

When multiple AP400 units are linked together and will use only one output channel

to drive the speaker system, this output must be defined as the acoustic source which

will be used by all of the linked AP400s. In other words, the output which the

master unit will use as the EC reference must be identified to the slave units via the

G-Link. See page 28 for details on echo cancellation setup for multiple units.

Errors

If the units are not connected correctly, you might experience a synchronization

error. Meter LED “+12” will flash red and Meter LEDs “0”, “-4”, and “-30” flash

green on affected slave units. The error is the result of one of two problems:

incorrect master/slave configuration or a broken G-Link connection.

If it is a master/slave configuration error, LEDs will flash on a unit that is

designated as a slave unit but does not have a master unit. To correct the problem,

make certain that Mixer Mode for the master unit is set to Master-Linked and not

to Master-Single.

If the error is in the G-Link connection, LEDs flash on the units that are not

physically connected to master unit. To correct the problem, check for broken

connections and reconnect the G-Links.

Figure 2.5. Multiple AP systems

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Installation ~ LCD Programming

LCD Programming

For most installations, the default settings in the AP400 do not need to be changed;

the system can be used as soon as power is applied. However, if you need to

customize any settings, such as telephone connection options or unique routing

requirements, you can do so through the front panel user interface or with AP-Ware

software.

The front panel includes a 2x16 character LCD, menu buttons, level LED bar

meter and gate LED indicators.

When power is applied to the AP400, all LEDs light and the LCD panel reads

INITIALIZING. If initialization is completed without any errors, a title screen

appears, showing the product name (top line) and the version number (bottom

line). The title screen remains on display until you initiate some action that writes

information to the LCD panel or the AP400 detects and displays an error. (If an

error is displayed, contact our Technical Services Group.)

Menu trees

Five menu trees (menu categories) comprise all of the AP400 options you can control

through the front panel: System, Inputs, Outputs, Routing, and Meter. You enter each

of the trees, or move from one tree to another, by pressing the corresponding button

(right).

The menu trees are structured in levels, such that the first level (top of the

tree) branches into multiple subcategories (see Figure 2.7, next page). These

branches typically end when an adjustable parameter or viewable value is reached.

Navigating the menu items

Use the ▲ and ▼ buttons to scroll through the menu items at a particular level.

When you reach the last menu item, the display scrolls back to the beginning of the

list, and vice-versa. If you hold down an ▲/▼ button, the scrolling speed increases.

To descend a menu level (go deeper into the tree), press Enter. To ascend a

menu level (go back toward the top of the tree), press Esc.

Switching from one main menu category to another

To switch between main menu categories, press the System, Routing, Outputs, Inputs,

or Meter buttons. If the menu tree is left inactive for a period of time (see Timeout,

page 22), the LCD reverts to the title screen.

Figure 2.6. Front panel buttons

Pressing ESC at the top of
the menu tree has no
effect.

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Installation ~ LCD Programming

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Figure 2.7. LCD menu tree

Adjusting a value

To adjust a parameter, first verify that it is flashing. If the parameter is not flashing,

it cannot be adjusted. If the parameter is flashing, adjust the value with the ▲ and
▼ buttons. As the value is adjusted, the parameter is updated immediately. For

example, if you adjust input gain, you should be able to hear the difference as it

changes. To store the new value, press Enter. To discard the change and revert back

to the old value, press Esc. If you press a menu category button while a parameter is

being adjusted, it is the same as pressing the Esc key.

In general, while adjusting parameters, numerical values do not wrap around

when the end is reached. However, parameters that toggle between two values (or

are a list of values) will wrap around. When adjusting a parameter and a ▲/▼

button is held, after 2 seconds the parameter will scroll through its values at a

faster rate.

ClearOne

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Installation ~ LCD Programming

System parameters

The System button enables you to view and adjust nine parameters (see Figure 2.28):

Select Preset, Lock Panel, Set Passcode, Device ID, Unit ID, Mixer Mode, Gate

Parameters, RS-232, and Telco. For default settings, see the default programming

worksheet (page 67). Items printed in boldface are the factory defaults.

Select preset

The Select Preset menu item allows you to select one of the six available preset

configurations into the AP400. For example, you can set the AP400 for different

room microphone configurations: Preset 1 for a two-mic presentation, Preset 2 for a

four-mic conference, Preset 3 for a three-mic priority panel discussion with 20 mics

for audience questions.

Scroll through the numbered presets until you see the desired preset. Press

Enter. The preset is immediately loaded into AP400 memory for active use.

Lock panel

The front panel can be locked to prevent unauthorized adjustments to the AP400.

Menu items can still be viewed when the panel is locked, but settings cannot be

altered or entered until the panel is unlocked by entering the appropriate passcode.

To lock the front panel

1. Press the System button.

2. Scroll through the menu items to select Lock Panel, and press Enter.

3. Select On, and press Enter again.

To unlock the front panel

1. Attempt to adjust a parameter. The AP400 prompts you for the passcode.

2. Begin entering the passcode. Once you have correctly entered the fifth

character, the front panel unlocks. (The default passcode for all units is

▲▲▼▼Enter.)

Set passcode

Once you have unlocked the AP400, you can change the passcode. Before the AP400

allows passcode changes, the new passcode must be entered, then re-entered to

validate it. The passcode must be five front panel buttons (in any combination or

multiple).

If you enter a passcode and
unlock the system, you

must lock it again after
making any changes. Otherwise the
panel will remain unlocked and
accessible to anyone.

✍

Installation ~ LCD Programming

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A good way to remember the new passcode is to create a word using the first

letters of the buttons. For example, using Rooms as the passcode would be the

button sequence: Routing, Output, Output, Meter, System.

Device ID

The Device ID menu selection lets you choose from eight G-Link network IDs (0–7).

See Device IDs on page 13.

Unit ID

The Unit ID number allows you to view the read-only unit address set at the factory.

This unique ID number identifies that particular unit and cannot be changed.

Mixer mode

This setting allows you to set to master or slave mode. See page 13 for details.

Gate parameters

There are nine gate parameters that can be adjusted via the front-panel LCD (Figure

2.8). The parameters in this submenu include: PA adaptive mode, maximum number

of mics, first mic priority, last mic mode, gate ratio, off attenuation, hold time,

decay rate, and manual ambient.

PA adaptive mode

The AP400 recognizes how much loudspeaker audio is picked up by the

microphones. It then uses this level as the new ambient level when audio is present

at the power amplifier (see Figure 2.9). This prevents loudspeaker audio from gating

on a microphone while still allowing people in the room to gate on microphones as

they speak. This mode can be turned on (default) or off by selecting the option and

pressing Enter. ClearOne Communications recommends leaving this feature on.

Maximum number of mics

This parameter sets the maximum number of microphones that can be gated on at

any one time. This range can be set from one to eight microphones or off. The

default setting is four. To set the maximum number of microphones, scroll through

the number ranges (one through eight), select the desired number and press Enter.

When multiple AP400s
are used in a system, the
gate parameters on all

units must be set the same.

✍

Figure 2.8. Gate parameters LCD submenu

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First mic priority

This feature helps maintain maximum audio intelligibility by allowing only one

microphone to gate on when one person is speaking. ClearOne Communications

recommends leaving this setting on. When turned off, usually two or more

microphones gate on when only one person speaks. However, when this parameter is

turned on, one person will usually be able to gate on only one microphone. First Mic

Priority does this by determining the audio level received by all microphones when

the first microphone is gated on. This audio level is then used as the ambient level

for all other microphones. This mode can be turned on (default) or off by selecting

the option and pressing Enter.

Last Mic Mode

There are three modes of last mic operation: last on, mic 1 and off. Last on leaves

the last-activated microphone full on until another microphone input is gated on. Mic

1 allows the AP400 to revert back to a mic 1 input when all microphones gate off.

The default setting for Last Mic Mode is off. To change a last mic mode option,

select it, edit the value, and press Enter.

Gate Ratio

The gate ratio specifies how much louder the microphone audio level must be above

the ambient level before a microphone gates on. Remember, this value is relative to

the ambient level. If adaptive ambient mode is on, the actual on threshold changes

as the ambient level changes. The adjustment range is from 0–50dB in 1dB

increments. Default setting is 15. If microphones frequently gate on when no one is

speaking, increase the gate ratio.

Installation ~ LCD Programming

Figure 2.9. PA Adaptive Mode