Cloud FPA-1 Installation Manual

FPA-1 Installation Guide v1.1

FPA-1

Facility Port Adapter

Installation Guide

FPA-1 Installation Guide v1.1

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Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 3

Mounting - mechanical............................................................................................................................................... 4

Connections and Controls .......................................................................................................... 5

Block Diagram ............................................................................................................................. 6

Installation – connections ........................................................................................................... 6

Powering the FPA-1 .................................................................................................................................................... 6

Application Examples ................................................................................................................................................. 6

1. Connecting a BT-1E to a CX261 ..................................................................................................................... 8

2. Connecting an LM-2 to an MPA240 ................................................................................................................ 9

3. Connecting an LM-2 to a CX263 .................................................................................................................. 10

4. Connecting an LE-1 to a CX261 ...................................................................................................................11

Technical Specication .............................................................................................................. 12

FPA-1 Installation Guide v1.1

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Introduction

The FPA-1 Facility Port Adapter is an accessory which can be used with almost any Cloud host product – ampliers, zone
mixers, zone mixing ampliers, etc. Its primary purpose is to allow a remote input module tted with an RJ45 connector - such
as the LM-2 and BT-1 - to be used with the host. Without an FPA-1, these remote modules are only directly compatible with
Cloud host units tted with an RJ45 Facility Port, such as the Z4/Z8MK4 and 46-120 ranges.

With an FPA-1, audio sources connected at the remote input module are routed to a line input on the host device, greatly
increasing the exibility of the installation. The FPA-1 supports both mono and stereo operation, and can be used with either
unbalanced or balanced line inputs. The remote control functions of the LM-2 input module are also catered for, allowing remote
volume control of many Cloud mixers and mixer-ampliers.

The FPA-1 is also compatible with LE-1, BE-1 and ME-1 remote input modules: these are normally used with the DCM-1 range
of Digital Control Mixers, but may be interfaced via an FPA-1 to a line input on any host unit, in stereo or mono as appropriate.

A typical application example would be to use the FPA-1 to connect a BT-1E Bluetooth wireless audio module to a CX261

Zone Mixer in a tness centre. This would allow customers to route audio wirelessly from their own smartphones or portable
MP3 players into the audio system, in stereo. The CX261 has stereo unbalanced inputs but no Facility Port; the BT-1E uses Cat 5
cable tted with RJ45 connectors, so interfacing one to a CX261 would normally be problematical. The FPA-1 makes connection
simple: the BT-1E audio source is routed to a CX261 line input.

A secondary use for the FPA-1 is to provide local DC power for a remote input module when unusually long cable lengths
require it. Recommended maximum cable lengths for connecting accessories to host units are detailed in Technical Note
TN-009 which can be found under “Cable Connector List” on the Resources page of the Cloud website. If these cable lengths
are exceeded, or if other technical problems in a particular installation suggest that a separate PSU should be employed, the
FPA-1 acts as a convenient power injection point to supply local DC power to the input module.

IMPORTANT:

The FPA-1 is an extremely versatile interface and may also be used to connect Cloud remote input modules to non-Cloud
ampliers or mixers. However it must be emphasised that the FPA-1 has been developed for use with Cloud products exclusively,
and its performance has only been evaluated using Cloud products. Thus while it is likely that the FPA-1 will operate satisfactorily
when used with some non-Cloud products, no guarantee can be given of correct operation and Cloud Electronics Ltd. accepts
no responsibility for the consequences of any such use.

FPA-1 Installation Guide v1.1

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Mounting - mechanical

The FPA-1 is a small steel unit with two “keyhole” slots for mounting. It can be easily xed with wood screws or nuts and bolts
to any convenient surface, in a wall or ceiling void or within a rack or other equipment housing. Power consumption is negligible
and there are no ventilation considerations.

51.60 mm32.90 mm

116.00 mm

R3.75 mm

R2.10 mm

86.60 mm

25.80 mm

16.12mm

FPA-1 Installation Guide v1.1

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Connections and Controls

12 34 5

1. TO WALL PLATE – connect this RJ45 socket to the remote input module (LM-2, BT-1, LE-1, BE-1 or ME-1) using
screened Cat 5 cable and shielded RJ45 connectors.

2. TO CLOUD MIXER – a connection to this RJ45 socket is optional. If using the FPA-1 as a breakout box to provide local
DC power to a remote input module, this connector can be used to connect to the host’s Facility Port or Extension Port
with screened Cat 5 cable in the normal way.

NOTE: Because both RJ45 connectors 1 and 2 carry analogue audio, only screened Cat 5 and shielded RJ45 connectors

should be used.

3. OUTPUT – two 3-pin, 3.5 mm-pitch screw terminal connectors. Note there are separate connectors for AUDIO LEFT
and AUDIO RIGHT, and each output is electronically balanced. For mono operation, connect either output to a line input

on the host unit; for stereo operation connect both outputs. (Note that many Cloud host units are equipped with stereo
line inputs which are summed internally to mono).

The pinout of each connector is as follows:

PIN SIGNAL NOTES

1 Screen

2 Audio ‘-‘ (cold) Do not use when connecting to an unbalanced input

3 Audio ‘+’ (hot)

4. MODE – a recessed press button switch: set to MONO/FACILITY PORT (button out) to congure the outputs as
mono and to STEREO/EXTENSION PORT (button in) to congure them as stereo.

5. REMOTE MUSIC CONTROL – a 3-pin, 3.5 mm-pitch screw terminal connector for connecting to the host
unit’s remote music control port. (Note that this port is identied in various ways on different Cloud products:
MUSIC CONTROL, RSL-6, etc.)

6. This connector carries the control voltages from the remote level and source controls on the input module connected at

1

e.g., an LM-2. The pinout of the connector is as follows:

PIN FUNCTION NOTES

1 Ground

2 Remote level control

3 Remote source select Do not connect if host unit does not support remote source selection

Setting switch 4 to STEREO disables this connector.

Note: switches (and in many cases, internal jumpers) will need to be set in the host unit in order for remote music controls

to operate.