Cloud LM-2 Technical Note

Clearly better sound

Technical Note

TN-012

Connecting an LM-2 to a Line Input on a Z4MK4/Z8MK4

Preamble:

The LM-2* is a remote module for use with Cloud host units tted with an RJ45 Facility Port. It combines

the functions of a remote input connection plate, local audio mixer and a remote control for the host unit’s

background music.

Microphone and stereo line inputs are provided, with individual level controls. The stereo input is summed
to mono, and then mixed with the mic input. The LM-2 is designed to be connected to a Facility Port on
the host unit using screened Cat 5 cable and shielded RJ45 connectors. An audio source connected at the
LM-2 module is then routed into the Zone to whose Facility Port it has been connected (normally the one
where the LM-2 is installed).

It is sometimes useful to be able to make the remote audio source available to every Zone supported by
the host unit, rather than just the one local to the LM-2. To achieve this, the balanced audio signal from the
LM-2 needs to be connected to one of the host unit’s balanced line inputs instead of a Facility Port; it can
then be selected as the music source for each Zone where it is required, from the host unit’s front panel
(or from further LM-2 or RSL-6 Series remote control plates, if they are installed).

This Technical Note describes how to connect an LM-2 module to a balanced line input instead of a Facility Port.
Note that the LM-2 Installation Guide (supplied with each module) should also be referred to while making this
connection.

* The LM-2 is currently available in six style/nish variants: LM-2B, LM-2W, LM-2AB, LM-2AW, LM-2DB and LM-2DW. This Technical Note is
applicable to all variants; the wording “LM-2” is used throughout for brevity.

Applicable products:

Cloud Z4MK4 and Z8MK4 Zone Mixers are tted with
both an RJ45 Facility Port and balanced line inputs
and are thus suitable for the connection described in
this Technical Note.

Parts required:

• 2 x screened RJ45 plugs

• Screened Cat 5 cable of the appropriate length

(host to module location)

• Short length 25 cm (12”) of twin-and-screen
audio cable

• 9-way nylon terminal block (“choc-strip”) suitable

MIC LEVEL

5

4

3

2

1

MIC INPUT

6

0

MUSIC LEVEL

6

7

5

7

4

8

9

10

3

2

1

LINE INPUT

8

9

10

0

MIC

PRIORITY

3

4

2

5

1

3

6

6

5

7

4

8

2

9

10

1

0

LM-2

for 1.5 mm2 (6 A) cable

• Crimp ferrules (white)

• H15 silicone sleeves, 2 mm bore silicone sleeving

• Plastic enclosure to house terminal block with

two cable grommets (recommended but not

essential)

(Note that as the cable carries analogue audio, only screened
Cat 5 cable and shielded RJ45 connectors should be used.)

LM-2 front panel

Clearly better sound

Tools required:

RJ45 crimp tool, small wire cutters, wire stripper,
small screwdriver, ferrule crimp tool. A drill will also
be required if an enclosure is being used.

Required Skill Level: Low.

Ability to strip wire neatly, crimp RJ45 connectors,
and use of crimp ferrules.

Procedure - wiring:

The procedure essentially consists of “breaking-out”
three cores of Cat 5 cable and wiring them to one
of the Z4/8MK4’s four balanced line inputs. A terminal
block housed in a plastic enclosure is used to make a
neat and mechanically robust set of connections.

Follow the wiring instructions in the LM-2 Installation
Guide, and install screened Cat 5 cable between the
host unit and the LM-2. Crimp a shielded RJ45 onto
each end of the cable according to the normal wiring

standard, which is included here for completeness:

1

8

8

8

1

1

If the terminal block is to be housed in a plastic
container (recommended for neatness), pass
the cables through holes in the enclosure, tting
grommets in the holes rst. (The holes may need to
be drilled.)

Screened Cat 5 cable

FROM LM-2 IN

REMOTE LOCATION

Plastic enclosure with

grommetted entry holes

TO FACILITY PORT

ON HOST UNIT

As Cat 5 cores are invariably solid wires, it is strongly
recommended that crimp ferrules are tted to all
cores to make a mechanically robust connection.
White ferrules should be satisfactory for all the
connections.

PIN USE CAT 5 CORE

1 Audio ‘cold’ phase (-) White + Orange

2 Audio ‘hot’ phase (+) Orange

3 Priority VCA control White + Green
4 +V Blue

5 0 V White + Blue
6 -V Green

7 Music level control (0 to 10 V) White + Brown
8 Music source select control (0 to 10 V) Brown

SCN GND for system music controls Connector shell

At the LM-2 end, plug the RJ45 into the LM-2’s
OUTPUT connector.

Turn the host unit off, plug the RJ45 into the Facility
Port for the Zone in use, then cut the Cat 5 cable
approximately 15 cm (6”) back from the connector.
Strip the jacket back on both ends by about 5 cm
(2”), t H15 sleeves, and fan the cores out, including
the drain wire for the cable screen.

Connect the cores into the terminal block as shown:

Z4/Z8 Balanced Line Input

1 32

Note: Do not connect RJ45

Pins 1, 2 or 3 (Wt/Gn, Or & Wt/Or)

WT/OR

OR

WT/OR

WT/GN

BL

WT/BL

BL

OR

WT/BL

WT/GN

hot (‘+’)

cold (‘-’)

Cat 5 to Facility Port

BN

SCN

WT/BN

GN

9-way Terminal Block

BN

GN

SCN

WT/BN

Twin-and-Screen

Cat 5 from LM-2

hot (‘+’)cold (‘-’)

Audio Cable

Note that the White+Green core (RJ45 pin 3) should
not be connected in this particular application. This
core carries the VCA priority control voltage from