ClearOne comm AP800 User Manual

AP800 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.

AP800 Installation and
Operation Manual
ClearOne Part No. 800-150-001
July 2002 (Rev. 3.0)

iii

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

AP800 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

CHAPTER 2: Installation 7

Equipment Requirements 7

Power requirements 7

Auxiliary equipment 7

Equipment placement 7

Environmental requirements 7

Hardware Setup 8

Connecting the unit 8

Networking Units 9

G-Link connections 9

Device IDs 10

Mixer Mode 11

LCD Programming 13

Menu Trees 13

System parameters 15

Input Parameters 21

Output Parameters 24

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Routing Parameters 24

Meter Parameters 27

CHAPTER 3: AP-Ware Software 29

Description 29

Installing AP-Ware 30

To install AP-Ware 30

CHAPTER 4: Operation 31

Control 31

Remote Control 31

Volume Control 31

Muting 32

APPENDICES 33

Appendix A: Specifications 33

Appendix B: Warranty 34

Appendix C: Compliance 35

Appendix D: Connector Pinouts 36

Appendix E: Accessories 38

Appendix F: Serial Commands 39

Appendix G: Worksheets 58

Glossary 61

Index 64

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

Congratulations on purchasing the Audio Perfect®800, an advanced twelve-by-

twelve digital matrix mixer with Gentner

®

Distributed Echo Cancellation®and audio

processing. 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 AP800’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 AP800 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 AP800 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 AP800 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 reduce echo and noise.

This improves audio quality and decreases the possibility of feedback.

The AP800 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. Eight of the 12 channels can be configured as an

automatic microphone mixer.

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 AP800/AP400 units to be

connected and controlled as a single unit.

CHAPTER 1: Introduction

Product Overview

Introduction ~ Product Overview

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Features

• Gentner®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)

• Simultaneous direct connection to several video codecs and

telephone lines (using AP10 Telephone Interfaces)

• 12x12 matrix mixer

• Two internal submixing buses for mixing and level control in sound

reinforcement systems

• All automatic microphone functions and operating modes operate across

expanded units

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

programmable per input channel

• Expandable using a high-speed digital network bus; a total of eight AP800s

and 16 AP10s can be interconnected for up to 64 mic inputs and 96 line

outputs

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

single RS-232 connection

• Six programmable presets for instant configuration changes

• Lockout front-panel access for security

3

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 AP800 online by visiting ClearOne Technical Support at

www.clearone.com.

When your product is properly registered, ClearOne

Communications 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 AP800 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

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.

!

Controls and Connections

Figure 1.2. Front panel controls

Front panel

A. LCD. The two-line, 16-character-per-line LCD display is used for AP800

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

panel buttons.

B. Enter/▲▼/ESC. These buttons are used to navigate the AP800’s menu

system.

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

input or output on the AP800, as well as display echo return loss (ERL) and

echo return loss enhancement (ERLE) for mic channels 1–8.

The front panel buttons
are also used to enter the

front panel passcode. See
Lock Panel (page 15) for more
details. The front panel passcode
can also be established in AP-Ware.
Refer to the AP-Ware help file for
more information.

✍

Optional

www.gentner.com

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

AP800 Installation

and Operation Manual

Audio Products

AP800 Audio Conferencing System

Installation & Operation Manual

ABCE

D

F

5

Introduction ~ Controls and Connections

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

AP800’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.

Rear panel

A. Power. This power module accommodates power ranging from

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

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

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, 1–8. 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.

D. Mics 1–8. Up to eight 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 AP800’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 AP800

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

communications protocol, see Appendix F, page 39.

G.

Control/Status A and B.

These two DB-25 connectors are used to interface

parallel control to the AP800. Most of the pins on these connectors can be

programmed to perform any function via a closure to ground. For pinouts,

including a description of the default settings, see Appendix D on page 36.

Figure 1.3. Rear panel connections

For electrical
specifications, see
Specifications on page 33.

✍

ABCD E F G

Introduction ~ G-Link Network

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G-Link network architecture allows up to eight AP800s/AP400s and up to 16 AP10

Telephone Interfaces to be controlled as if all were part of a single unit.

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 AP800 with other Audio

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

between connected ClearOne units is 20 feet/6.1 meters. ClearOne Communications

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

connected AP800s and AP10s is also possible via a single COM port.

G-Link bus

This digital mix-minus bus appears on every Audio Perfect product. It allows audio

to be routed to any destination on the G-Link network. The AP800 has four digital

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

• X-bus. This mix-minus bus is defined as the master microphone mix, and it

supports NOM (see page 24). 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 such as from video codecs, AP400s, AP10 Telephone Interfaces,

VCRs, etc. are default routed to this bus.

• Z-bus. This mix-minus bus is a user-defined auxiliary mix bus.

• G-Link EC Reference bus. This bus provides a system-wide echo canceller

reference signal. It allows for 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.

G-Link Network

A G-Link network will

allow interconnection of

up to eight
AP800s/AP400s and 16 AP10s.

✍

When multiple AP800s
are used in a system, the
gating parameters on all

units must be set the same.

✍

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

CHAPTER 2: Installation

Power requirements

The AP800 will accommodate an AC voltage-input of 100–240VAC, 50/60Hz, 30W.

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

The AP800 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 AP800 system. The default routing settings in AP-Ware allow the

AP800 to work out of the box for this type of installation.

Connecting the unit

To connect the AP800

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

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

Control/Status port [G].

Installation ~ Installation

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Hardware Setup

Figure 2.1. Completed AP800 installation

Figure 2.2. Rear Panel Connectors

Speakers

External Power Amp

AP800

Video

CODEC

Tape Player (Optional)

AP10

V

OLTAGE RANGE 100v-240V 2A

FREQUENCY 50Hz/60Hz

IN

OUT

G-Link
Termin a tor

REMOTE

TRANSMIT

INPUT

Termin a tor

Analog Telephone Line

RECEIVE
OUTPUTG-LINK

Control Syst em

or PC (Optional)

G-Link

TELCO

LINE SET

Logic Out

Status and

Control

Telephone

Set

ABCD E F G

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Installation ~ Installation

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

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

4. Wire the inputs and outputs to the AP800 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 1–8 [D] Mic or line level inputs

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

• Outputs A–D, 1–8 [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.

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

connectors. A 4–16Ω speaker can be directly connected to the XAP 400,

eliminating the need for an external power amplifier.

6. Plug in the AP800 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 AP800 and are not connecting it to any other AP units,

you have completed the hardware installation.

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/6.1 meters),

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.

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

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.

✍

Networking Units

Installation ~ Installation

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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.

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 AP800 on the

network. As shipped from the factory, all AP800 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.

Figure 2.4. G-Link Network Connection

AP800 unit 0

AP800 unit 2

AP800 unit 1

G-Link
Terminator

G-Link
Terminator

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Installation ~ Installation

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Device types

Device IDs are automatically assigned a device type. AP800s are always device

type “1” (AP400 device types are “3”, 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 AP800 unit in your G-Link network would be

identified as “10”, “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 unit on the network are set, the mixer mode must be set. There are

four mixer-mode settings (see Figure 2.5): master-single (default), master-linked,

slave, and dual mixer.

• Master-single must be used when only one AP800 is used in a system;

however, only one AP800 can be designated as master-linked when multiple

AP800s are used in a system.

• Master-linked denotes the master AP800 unit when more than one unit is on

the network.

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

linked, master-single, or dual mixer. If there are two units networked, one

must be set with the master-linked parameter, the other must be set with the

slave parameter.

• Dual mixer is used when a single AP800 is used as two distinct mic mixers.

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

functions. A system can consist of one unit in master-single or dual mixer 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. The physical

location on the G-Link network determines which system individual units belong

to. In Figure 2.5, for example, AP800 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: AP800 Device 0.

When using the dual mixer parameter, a single AP800 unit can be used as

two distinct mic mixers, allotting Mics 1–4 and Outputs 1–4/A–B to one mixer,

and Mics 5–8 and Outputs 5–8/C–D to the second mixer.

Figure 2.5. Multiple AP Systems (multiple

AP800s, multiple AP10s)

A dual-mixer AP800 acts

as a closed system. This

parameter cannot be used if
the unit needs to link audio with other
AP800 units on the G-Link network
within a single system.

✍

0

1

2

3

Installation ~ Installation

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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

Multiple units to one speaker output note:

When multiple AP800 units are linked

together and are using only one output channel to drive the speaker system, this

output must be defined for the entire system as the sample reference for echo

cancellation. 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 25 for details

on echo cancellation setup for multiple units.

Errors

A synchronization error occurs when slave units are not receiving a signal from the

master unit. Meter LED “+12” will flash red and Mic LEDs “1,” “2,” and “4”

will flash green on affected slave units. The error is a 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 or Dual Mixer.

If the error is in the G-Link connection, LEDs will flash on any units that are

not physically connected to the master unit. To correct the problem, check for

broken connections and reconnect the G-Links.

13

Installation ~ LCD Programming

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

The AP800’s front panel is simple and intuitive to operate, thanks to its front-panel

user interface: a 2x16 character LCD, previously described menu buttons, level LED

bar meter and gate LED bar meter.

When power is applied to the AP800, the LCD panel will first read

INITIALIZING. If an error is displayed, contact technical support. If initialization

is completed without any errors, a title screen is displayed, including the product

name (top line) and the version number (bottom line). The title screen remains on

display until an event occurs (i.e., a button is pressed) that writes information to

the LCD panel or a device conflict error is detected.

Menu Trees

There are five menu trees (menu categories): meter, inputs, outputs, routing, and

system. All menu items are arranged under these menus. To enter one of the five

menu trees or to move from one menu tree to another, press the corresponding

category button.

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

tree) branches into multiple subcategories. These branches typically end when an

adjustable parameter or viewable value is reached (see Figure 2.6).

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 20), the LCD reverts to the title screen.

Easy, complete AP system
configuration is also

available with AP-Ware
software. See Chapter 3, AP-Ware
Software, and the AP-Ware help file
for more information.

LCD Programming

✍

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

✍

Installation ~ LCD Programming

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Figure 2.6. 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.

Select Preset
Lock Panel
Set Passcode
Device ID
Unit ID #
Mixer Mode
Gate Parameters
RS- 232

Inputs 1-8
Inputs A,B,C,D
Subbus 1,2

Pow er-Up Screen

ClearOne AP800
Version X.X

OutputsInputsSystem Routing Meter

Output 1-8
Output A,B

,C,

D

Route to
Outputs 1-8

Route to
Outputs A,B,C,D

Route to
Subbus 1,2

Route to
G-Link X,Y, Z

Route to
EC Reference 1,2

Route to
G-Link EC Ref

Inputs
Outputs
ERL
ERLE
Defau lt Meter

15

Installation ~ LCD Programming

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System parameters

There are eight system-level parameters (see Figure 2.6, previous page) with which

an AP800 can be programmed: select preset, lock panel, set passcode, device ID,

unit ID number, mixer mode, gate parameters, and RS-232. For default settings, see

the programming worksheet (page 59). Bolded items are the factory defaults.

Select Preset

The Select Preset menu item allows one of six presets to be selected for AP800 use.

These preset configurations can be easily loaded via the LCD display or by serial

commands to the RS-232 port. For example, the AP800 can be set up for different

room microphone configurations (e.g. Preset 1 for a two-mic presentation, Preset 2

for an eight-mic conference, Preset 3 for a three-mic priority panel discussion with

20 mics for audience questions, etc.).

To select a preset, scroll through the numbered presets until the desired preset

is visible, then press Enter. The preset will immediately be loaded into AP800

memory for active use.

Lock Panel

The front panel can be locked to prevent unauthorized adjustments to the AP800.

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 AP800 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 the AP800 is unlocked, the passcode can be changed. Before the AP800 will

allow passcode changes, the new passcode must be entered, then re-entered for

validation.

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.

✍

Refer to the AP-Ware help

file for complete

information about
establishing presets.

✍

Installation ~ LCD Programming

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A good way to remember the new passcode would be to create a word using

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

the key sequence: routing, output, output, meter, system. The passcode must be

five characters long.

Device ID

The AP800’s device ID is set in the Device ID menu selection. There are eight

G-Link network positions (0–7). See Device IDs, page 10.

Unit ID

The Unit ID menu selection allows for accessing the read-only address set at the

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

Gate Parameters

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

Figure 2.7). The parameters in this submenu include last mic mode, maximum

numbers of mics, PA adaptive mode, first mic priority, gate ratio, off attenuation,

hold time, decay rate, and manual ambient.

PA Adaptive Mode

The AP800 recognizes how much loudspeaker audio is picked up by the microphones

and uses this level as the new ambient level when audio is present at the power

amplifier (see Figure 2.8). 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.

Figure 2.7. Gate Parameters LCD

submenu

Figure 2.8. PA adaptive mode

New Gate Ratio

New Ambient Level

Gate Ratio

Ambient Level

When the AP800 detects
audio in the power amplifier,
it increasesthe ambient level
to match the level of the

er audio at the

speak

microphones.This prevents
the speaker audio from
turning on the microphones

.

17

Installation ~ LCD Programming

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

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.

First Mic Priority

This feature helps maintain maximum audio intelligibility by allowing only one

microphone to gate on when a person is speaking. ClearOne 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 works 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 microphone that was activated last full on until another microphone input is

gated on. Mic 1 allows the AP800 to revert back to a mic 1 input when all

microphones gate off. The default setting for last mic mode is off. Select the setting

you want to use 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.

Off Attenuation

This sets the amount of level reduction applied to a microphone when it is off (see

Figure 2.9). Low values increase the amount of echo and reverberation allowed into

the system. If the value is set high, you might be able to hear the microphones gate

on and off as the background noise is reduced. The adjustment range is from

0–50dB, in 1dB increments. Default setting is 12. As more microphones are added to

the system, the off attenuation should be adjusted toward 50 (high).