Cloud Electronics Z4ii User Manual

Z4II & Z8II ZONE MIXERS

Installation and User Guide

Contents

Safety Information .................................. 4

Safety Notes Regarding Installation ................... 4

Conformities ......................................................... 4

Safety Considerations and Information ............. 4

Overview .................................................. 5

Introduction .......................................................... 5

Scope of this manual ..........................................................5

What’s in the box ................................................. 5

Main Features ....................................................... 5

Optional System Components ........................... 6

DM-1 Dual Microphone Input Module ..........................6

LM-1 Mic/line input module with remote music

control ..................................................................................6

RL-1 Remote Music Level Control .................................6

RSL-6 Remote Music Level/Source Control .................6

PM Series Paging Microphones ........................................7

PM1 Paging Microphone ....................................................7

Block Diagram ...................................................... 7

Front Panel Description ...................................... 8

Rear Panel Description ........................................ 9

Installation ............................................. 10

Hardware Considerations ................................. 10

Power Supply ......................................................10

Fuses and ratings .............................................................. 10

System Connections .......................................... 10

Music Sources ................................................................... 10

Mono and stereo sources .......................................... 10

Balanced sources .......................................................... 10

Zone outputs .................................................................... 11

Unbalanced inputs ........................................................ 11

Microphone inputs .......................................................... 12

Facility Ports ..................................................................... 12

Connecting a DM-1 remote input plate ................. 12

Connecting an LM-1 remote input plate ................ 12

Paging System connections ............................................ 13

Connecting a PM4/8/12/16 paging mic .................... 13

Connecting a PM1 paging mic ................................... 14

Music Control .................................................................. 14

Connecting an RL-1 remote control plate ............. 14

Connecting an RSL-6 remote control plate ........... 15

Music Mute ........................................................................ 15

Setting Up & Operation ....................... 16

Music Inputs ........................................................ 16

Gain & level ....................................................................... 16

Local/remote control ......................................................16

Microphone Inputs ............................................. 16

Phantom Power ...............................................................16

Gain & level ....................................................................... 16

EQ ....................................................................................... 16

High-pass lter ................................................................. 16

Paging mic input ................................................. 16

Phantom Power ...............................................................16

Gain & level ....................................................................... 17

EQ & high-pass lter ....................................................... 17

Zone Outputs ..................................................... 17

EQ ....................................................................................... 17

Priorities.............................................................. 17

Mic 1/Mic 2 priority ........................................................ 17

Paging mic priority ........................................................... 17

Line 6 priority ................................................................... 17

Microphone priority over input at Facility Port ....... 17

Options and Additional Information ... 18

LM-1 and DM-1 active input plates – general

considerations ..................................................... 18

Connecting multiple DM-1s .......................................... 18

Using the Facility Ports as auxiliary zone inputs ...... 19

RL-1 and RSL-6 remote control plates – general

considerations ..................................................... 19

Control of music source and level via external DC 19

Music level ..................................................................... 19

Music source ................................................................. 20

Fitting Bose® Series II EQ cards ...................... 20

Appendix ................................................ 22

Application example .......................................... 22

PCB jumper location and settings .................... 23

PSU capability and optional device current

consumption ....................................................... 25

Ground loops ...................................................... 25

EMC considerations ........................................... 25

Technical Specications ........................ 26

General Specications ....................................... 26

Notes ...................................................... 27

Z4II & Z8II Installation and User Manual v1.0 3

Safety Information

Safety Notes Regarding

Installation

• Do not expose the unit to water or moisture.

• Do not expose the unit to naked ames.

• Do not block or restrict any air vent.

• Do not operate the unit in ambient temperatures above

35 °C.

• Do not touch any part or terminal carrying the

hazardous live symbol ( ) while power is supplied to

the unit.

• Do not perform any internal adjustments unless you

are qualied to do so and fully understand the hazards

associated with mains-operated equipment.

• The unit has no user-serviceable parts. Refer servicing

to qualied service personnel.

• If the moulded plug is cut off the AC power lead for

any reason, the discarded plug is a potential hazard and

should be disposed of in a responsible manner.

Safety Considerations and

Information

The Z4II and Z8II must be earthed. Ensure that the mains
power supply provides an effective earth connection using a
three-wire termination.

Caution - High Voltages

Do not touch any part or terminal carrying the hazardous
live symbol ( ) while power is supplied to the unit.

Terminals to which the hazardous live symbol refers require

installation by a qualied person.

Caution - Mains Fuse

The internal PSU contains no user-replaceable fuses. Mains
over-current protection is provided by the fuse in the IEC
receptacle; only replace this fuse with one of an identical
type and rating.

Caution - Servicing

The unit contains no user-serviceable parts. Refer servicing

to qualied service personnel. Do not perform servicing
unless you are qualied to do so.

Conformities

This product conforms to the following European EMC
Standards:

BS EN 55103-1:1997

BS EN 55103-2:1997

This product has been tested for use in commercial and
light industrial environments. If the unit is used in controlled
EMC environments, the urban outdoors, heavy industrial
environments or close to railways, transmitters, overhead
power lines, etc., the performance of the unit may be
degraded.

The product conforms to the following European electrical
safety standard:

BS EN 60065:2002

The Z4II and Z8II were developed and manufactured with
high quality materials and components, which can be
recycled and/or reused.

Disconnect the power cable from the unit before removing
the top panel and do not make any internal adjustments with
the unit switched on.

Only reassemble the unit using bolts/screws identical to the
original parts.

Z4II & Z8II Installation and User Manual v1.04

Overview

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing this Cloud Zone Mixer. We are

condent that you will be pleased with its performance,
features, exibility and reliability.

The Cloud Z4II and Z8II are versatile analogue multizone
audio mixers. They are intended to form part of permanent

sound systems in pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, ofces,

factories and other areas, where multiple audio sources
(background music, TV sound, etc.) are in use and need to
be easily combined with announcements and/or paging in
one or more zones. They have been designed to interface
directly with industry-standard paging mic interfaces, and are
compatible with Cloud PM Series paging microphones.

Scope of this manual

This manual provides a comprehensive guide to the features
and functionality of the Cloud Z4II and Z8II Zone Mixers.
The two models are identical in facilities and features, and
differ only in the number of zones they support:

Model Z4II – four output zones

Model Z8II – eight output zones

Please read through the manual to become fully acquainted

with the numerous conguration and control functions the

units offer.

The manual is arranged as follows:

• Overview – introduction to the Zone Mixers and their

options.

• Installation – wiring the Zone Mixers in a practical

situation.

• Setting Up & Operation – setting the system up and

user instructions.

• Options and Additional Information – additional

information about system options.

• Appendix – additional technical information. Includes

technical specications.

The Z4II/Z8II manual includes full details of the optional
LM-1 and DM-1 remote input panels. Basic information
on interfacing Cloud PM Series paging microphones and
connecting the RL-1 and RSL-6 remote control plates is also
provided. This information is also supplied with each optional
item.

What’s in the box

Unpack the Z8II or Z4II and its accessories with care. It is
always a good idea to store all packaging (if practical), in case
you ever need to return the unit to your Cloud dealer for
any reason.

As well as this manual, the shipping carton should contain
the items listed below. Please contact your Cloud dealer
immediately if any of them are missing or damaged.

• Cloud Z8II or Z4II Zone Mixer

• IEC mains lead (AC cord) with moulded plug

appropriate to the territory

• Set of mating connectors for all rear panel screw-

terminal connectors

Main Features

• 6 stereo line inputs

• 8 (Z8II) or 4 (Z4II) balanced mono line outputs

• 2 microphone inputs (balanced), phantom power

selectable

• Separate paging mic input with contact closure zone

selection

• Per-zone facility port for optional remote line and/or

mic input plates

• Mic routing to all zones with programmable override

logic

• Per-zone front panel control of music level, music source

and mic level

• Supports per-zone remote control of music level and

source

• HF & LF EQ adjustment for each mic input and for

music in each zone music output

• Preset gain trim control for each mic and music input

• Line input 6 may have priority over other music inputs

• Accepts Bose® EQ cards

• External Music Mute input for interfacing with

emergency systems

• 3U 19” rack-mounting unit

Thank you again for placing your condence in Cloud

products.

Z4II & Z8II Installation and User Manual v1.0 5

Optional System Components

The following components may form part of the audio
system and may be ordered separately if required. They may

also be retrotted to a system at a later time.

DM-1 Dual Microphone Input Module

control of zone music level and source. The music ducking
facility is also provided for the mic input. See page 12
(Connecting an LM-1 remote input plate) and page 18 (LM-1
and DM-1 active input plates) for more information.

RL-1 Remote Music Level Control

g.1: DM-1

The DM-1 is an active input plate which allows one or two
microphones to be connected to the Zone Mixers in a
remote location. Each microphone has its own level control,
and overall preset HF/LF EQ controls are also provided. A
Music Ducking button activates the Zone Mixer’s priority
circuitry; when enabled, a microphone signal from the DM-1
will reduce the music level in the zone where it is installed.

The DM-1 connects to one of the unit’s Facility Ports,
and the microphone signals are fed to that zone only. The
mixer’s Mic 1 and Mic 2 inputs remain available. Multiple
DM-1s (in the same zone) may be daisy-chained to provide

mic inputs in more than one position. The DM-1 ts a

standard UK-style dual-gang electrical back box. See page
12 (Connecting a DM-1 remote input plate) and page 18 (LM-1
and DM-1 active input plates) for more information.

LM-1 Mic/line input module with remote
music control

RL-1

7

8

9

g.3: RL-1

5

4

3

2

1

0

10

MUSIC LEVEL

6

The RL-1 is a small plate with a single control for locally
adjusting the music level in a zone. It is connected to one of
the mixer’s Music Control Ports. See page 14 (Connecting an

RL-1 remote control plate) and page 19 (RL-1 and RSL-6 Remote
control plates) for more information.

RSL-6 Remote Music Level/Source Control

4

3

5

2

6

1

SOURCE SELECT

5

6

4

3

2

1

10

0

MUSIC LEVEL

RSL-6

7

8

9

g.2: LM-1

The LM-1 resembles the DM-1, but has one microphone
and one stereo line input, which provides a convenient
access point for the connection of a DJ mixer, laptop, MP3
player or similar. The plate also includes the functions of
the RSL-6 Remote Control Plate (see below), permitting

Z4II & Z8II Installation and User Manual v1.06

g.4: RSL-6

The RSL-6 is the same size as the RL-1 and connects in a
similar way; it allows local music source selection as well as
music level control. See page 15 (Connecting an RSL-6 remote

control plate) and page 19 (RL-1 and RSL-6 Remote control
plates) for more information.

PM Series Paging Microphones

PM1 Paging Microphone

g.5: PM16

Cloud PM paging microphones may be connected directly to
the Z8II and Z4II. Models are available which can page to 4, 8,
12 or 16 zones. Clearly, not all zones on the ‘higher’ models
can be addressed with only one zone mixer. See page 13
(Connecting a PM4/8/12/16 paging mic) for more information.

g.6: PM1

The Cloud PM1 paging microphone is also compatible with
the Z8II and Z4II. It is a much simpler unit which addresses
only one zone. See page 14 (Connecting a PM1 paging mic) for
more information.

Block Diagram

The simplied block diagram below illustrates the basic signal architecture of the Z8II. Only the routing and logic for one zone

output is shown. The architecture of the Z4II is identical, the only difference being the number of zone outputs.

g.7: Z8II Block Diagram

Z4II & Z8II Installation and User Manual v1.0 7

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

10

g.8: Z8II Front Panel

Note - The front panel of the Z8II is shown above.
The Z4II’s is identical, except that it only has controls for zones 1 - 4.

Front Panel Description

1

MUSIC SOURCE – 6-way rotary switch selecting
which Line Input (1 to 6) will be the music source for
each zone. See page 16 (Local/remote control)

2

MUSIC LEVEL – adjusts the music level in each
zone. See page 16 (Music Gain & Level)

3

MICROPHONE 1 – adjusts the level of the
microphone connected at Mic 1 input in each zone. See
page 16 (Microphone Inputs Gain & Level)

4

MICROPHONE 2 – adjusts the level of the
microphone connected at Mic 2 input in each zone. See
page 16 (Microphone Inputs Gain & Level)

5

PAGING MIC LEVEL – adjusts the level of the
microphone connected at the Paging Mic input in each
zone. This is a preset control and is intended to be set
on installation and not readjusted by the user. See page
17 (Paging Mic Gain & EQ)

6

7

8

9

10

POWER – latching push-button switch with integral

green LED

MUTE – red LED which illuminates when an external

Music Mute command is applied (i.e., from re control

panel, etc.) See page 15 (Music Mute)

Zone idents – a space is provided below each zone’s

controls for printed labels identifying the zone by name

Source idents – a space is provided beside Zone 1’s
source select control for printed labels identifying each
music source by name

Rack mounting ears – the unit may be rack-mounted
in a standard 19” equipment rack. It requires 3U of rack
height. See page 10 (Hardware considerations)

Z4II & Z8II Installation and User Manual v1.08

10

g.9: Z8II Rear Panel

11

5

4

3

12

6

7

13

8

14

2

Note - The rear panel of the Z8II is shown above.
The Z4II’s is identical, except that it only has output connections for zones 1 - 4.

16

1

9

15

Rear Panel Description

1

LINE INPUTS – 6 pairs of RCA (phono) sockets
(Line 1 to Line 6) for connection of music sources.
Inputs are stereo, summed internally to mono. See page
10 (Music sources)

2

LINE INPUT GAIN – preset trim control for each
input, providing ±10 dB of gain adjustment for input
level matching. See page 16 (Gain & Level)

3

MIC INPUTS – 2 balanced microphone inputs
(Mic 1 & Mic 2) on latching XLR sockets. See page 12
(Microphone inputs)

4

MIC GAIN – preset mic gain control for each input,
gain range 10 to 60 dB. See page 16 (Microphone Inputs
Gain & Level)

5

MIC EQ – HF & LF preset EQ controls. See page 16
(Microphone Inputs EQ)

6

PAGING MIC INPUT – dedicated balanced input
(XLR) for paging mic. See page 16 (Paging mic input)

7

PAGING MIC GAIN – as 4. See page 17 (Paging
Mic Gain & level)

8

PAGING MIC EQ – as 5. See page 17 (Paging Mic

EQ & high-pass lter)

PAGING MIC ACCESS PORT – 10-pin 5 mm-pitch

9

screw-terminal connector for per-zone contact closure
paging access. See page 13 (Paging system connections)

ZONE OUTPUTS – 8 balanced outputs* for each

10

zone on 3-pin 3.5 mm-pitch screw-terminal connector.
See page 11 (Zone outputs)

ZONE EQ – HF & LF music EQ adjustment for each

11

zone output. See page 17 (Zone output EQ)

12

FACILITY PORT – 9-pin female Dsub per-zone, for
connection of remote input plates and other functions.
See page 12 (Facility Ports)

13

MUSIC CONTROL PORTS – 3-pin 5 mm-pitch
screw terminal connector per-zone, for connection of
RL-1/RSL-6 remote control plates. See page 14 (Music
Control)

14

LOCAL/REMOTE SWITCHES – determine
whether front panel music source controls will remain
active when remote control plates are connected (per­zone). See page 14 (Music Control)

15

MUSIC MUTE – 2-pin 5 mm-pitch screw terminal
connector for connection of external emergency muting
relay (e.g. re control panel). See page 15 (Music Mute)

16

MAINS – Fused IEC receptacle for AC mains (includes
storage for spare fuse). See page 10 (Power Supply)

* Only 4 zone outputs on Model Z4II (Items 10 to 14)

Z4II & Z8II Installation and User Manual v1.0 9