Crown SMX-6, AMB-5, MPX-6 User Manual

[

IQ Mixer/Multiplexer

AMB-5, MPX-6, SMX-6

HARDWARE INSTALLATION MANUAL

©1993 by CROWN INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Mailing Address: Service Department:

P.O. Box 1000 1718 W. Mishawaka Rd

Elkhart, IN 46515-1000 Plant 2 SW

Trademark Notice:

™

AMB-5,
Amcron,® IQ System,

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SMX-6,

™

MPX-6,

™

Distributed Intelligence,

®

®

PCC

and

PZM

™

and

®

are registered trademarks of Crown International, Inc.

Algo

Elkhart, IN 46517

™

are trademarks and

Crown,

®

Modified for the

World Wide Web

FULL

3

YEAR

THREE-YEAR

WARRANTY

INTERNATIONAL

AMCRON, a division of Crown International, Inc., 1718 West
Mishawaka Road, Elkhart, Indiana 46517-4095 U.S.A. warrants to
you, the ORIGINAL PURCHASER and ANY SUBSEQUENT OWNER
of each NEW Amcron product, for a period of three (3) years from the
date of purchase by the original purchaser (the ÷warranty periodš) that
the new Amcron product is free of defects in materials and
workmanship, and we further warrant the new Amcron product
regardless of the reason for failure, except as excluded in this Amcron
Warranty.

ITEMS EXCLUDED FROM THIS AMCRON WARRANTY

This Amcron Warranty is in effect only for failure of a new Amcron
product which occurred within the Warranty Period. It does not cover
any product which has been damaged because of any intentional
misuse, accident, negligence, or loss which is covered under any of
your insurance contracts. This Amcron Warranty also does not extend
to the new Amcron product if the serial number has been defaced,
altered, or removed.

We will remedy any defect, regardless of the reason for failure (except
as excluded), by repair, replacement, or refund. We may not elect
refund unless you agree, or unless we are unable to provide
replacement, and repair is not practical or cannot be timely made. If a
refund is elected, then you must make the defective or malfunctioning
product available to us free and clear of all liens or other
encumbrances. The refund will be equal to the actual purchase price,
not including interest, insurance, closing costs, and other finance
charges less a reasonable depreciation on the product from the date
of original purchase. Warranty work can only be performed at our
authorized service centers. We will remedy the defect and ship the
product from the service center within a reasonable time after receipt
of the defective product at our authorized service center. All expenses
in remedying the defect, including surface shipping costs to the nearest
authorized service center, will be borne by us. (You must bear the
expense of all taxes, duties and other customs fees when transporting
the product.)

You must notify us of your need for warranty service not later than ninety
(90) days after expiration of the warranty period. All components must
be shipped in a factory pack. Corrective action will be taken within a
reasonable time of the date of receipt of the defective product by our
authorized service center. If the repairs made by our authorized service
center are not satisfactory, notify our authorized service center
immediately.

DISCLAIMER OF CONSEQUENTIAL AND INCIDENTAL

YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO RECOVER FROM US ANY
INCIDENTAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECT IN THE
NEW AMCRON PRODUCT. THIS INCLUDES ANY DAMAGE TO
ANOTHER PRODUCT OR PRODUCTS RESULTING FROM SUCH A
DEFECT.

No person has the authority to enlarge, amend, or modify this Amcron
Warranty. This Amcron Warranty is not extended by the length of time
which you are deprived of the use of the new Amcron product. Repairs
and replacement parts provided under the terms of this Amcron
Warranty shall carry only the unexpired portion of this Amcron
Warranty.

We reserve the right to change the design of any product from time to
time without notice and with no obligation to make corresponding
changes in products previously manufactured.

No action to enforce this Amcron Warranty shall be commenced later
than ninety (90) days after expiration of the warranty period.

THIS STATEMENT OF WARRANTY SUPERSEDES ANY OTHERS

CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL FOR AMCRON PRODUCTS.

SUMMARY OF WARRANTY

WHAT THE WARRANTOR WILL DO

HOW TO OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE

DAMAGES

WARRANTY ALTERATIONS

DESIGN CHANGES

LEGAL REMEDIES OF PURCHASER

9/90

3

YEAR

NORTH AMERICA

CROWN, a division of Crown International, Inc., 1718 West Mishawaka Road,
Elkhart, Indiana 46517-4095 U.S.A. warrants to you, the ORIGINAL PURCHASER
and ANY SUBSEQUENT OWNER of each NEW Crown product, for a period of
three (3) years from the date of purchase by the original purchaser (the ÷warranty
periodš) that the new Crown product is free of defects in materials and
workmanship, and we further warrant the new Crown product regardless of the
reason for failure, except as excluded in this Crown Warranty.

This Crown Warranty is in effect only for failure of a new Crown product which
occurred within the Warranty Period. It does not cover any product which has been
damaged because of any intentional misuse, accident, negligence, or loss which
is covered under any of your insurance contracts. This Crown Warranty also does
not extend to the new Crown product if the serial number has been defaced,
altered, or removed.

We will remedy any defect, regardless of the reason for failure (except as
excluded), by repair, replacement, or refund. We may not elect refund unless you
agree, or unless we are unable to provide replacement, and repair is not practical
or cannot be timely made. If a refund is elected, then you must make the defective
or malfunctioning product available to us free and clear of all liens or other
encumbrances. The refund will be equal to the actual purchase price, not including
interest, insurance, closing costs, and other finance charges less a reasonable
depreciation on the product from the date of original purchase. Warranty work can
only be performed at our authorized service centers or at the factory. We will
remedy the defect and ship the product from the service center or our factory within
a reasonable time after receipt of the defective product at our authorized service
center or our factory. All expenses in remedying the defect, including surface
shipping costs in the United States, will be borne by us. (You must bear the expense
of shipping the product between any foreign country and the port of entry in the
United States and all taxes, duties, and other customs fees for such foreign
shipments.)

You must notify us of your need for warranty service not later than ninety (90) days
after expiration of the warranty period. All components must be shipped in a factory
pack, which, if needed, may be obtained from us free of charge. Corrective action
will be taken within a reasonable time of the date of receipt of the defective product
by us or our authorized service center. If the repairs made by us or our authorized
service center are not satisfactory, notify us or our authorized service center
immediately.

YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO RECOVER FROM US ANY INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECT IN THE NEW CROWN PRODUCT.
THIS INCLUDES ANY DAMAGE TO ANOTHER PRODUCT OR PRODUCTS
RESULTING FROM SUCH A DEFECT. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE

EXCLUSION OR LIMITATIONS OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO
YOU.

No person has the authority to enlarge, amend, or modify this Crown Warranty. This
Crown Warranty is not extended by the length of time which you are deprived of
the use of the new Crown product. Repairs and replacement parts provided under
the terms of this Crown Warranty shall carry only the unexpired portion of this
Crown Warranty.

We reserve the right to change the design of any product from time to time without
notice and with no obligation to make corresponding changes in products
previously manufactured.

THIS CROWN WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, YOU MAY
ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE. No action
to enforce this Crown Warranty shall be commenced later than ninety (90) days
after expiration of the warranty period.

ITEMS EXCLUDED FROM THIS CROWN WARRANTY

DISCLAIMER OF CONSEQUENTIAL AND INCIDENTAL DAMAGES

THIS STATEMENT OF WARRANTY SUPERSEDES ANY OTHERS

CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL FOR CROWN PRODUCTS.

Telephone: [phone]. Facsimile: 219/294-8301Telephone: [phone]. Facsimile: 219/294-8301

SUMMARY OF WARRANTY

WHAT THE WARRANTOR WILL DO

HOW TO OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE

WARRANTY ALTERATIONS

DESIGN CHANGES

LEGAL REMEDIES OF PURCHASER

9/90

The information furnished in this manual does not include all of the details of design, production, or
variations of the equipment. Nor does it cover every possible situation which may arise during installation,
operation or maintenance. If you need special assistance, beyond the scope of this manual, please contact
our Crown Technical Support Group.

Crown Technical Support Group, POB 1000, Elkhart, Indiana 46515-1000 U.S.A.

Phone: [phone] or 219/294-8200 Fax: [phone]

WARNING

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC

SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS

EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE!

IQ Mixer/Multiplexer Hardware Installation

CONTENTS

1 Welcome.......................................................................7

1.1 Options .................................................................7

1.2 Unpacking.............................................................7

2 Facilities ........................................................................8

3 Hardware Installation ..................................................10

3.1 Connecting to a Host Computer (Step 1) ...........10

3.1.1 Communication Standards & Parameters 11

3.2 Connecting to the Crown Bus (Step 2) ...............12

3.2.1 Setting the IQ Address.............................12

3.2.2 Crown Bus Wiring .................................... 13

3.3 Connecting the Audio Ins & Outs (Step 3) .........15

3.3.1 Mic/Line Inputs .........................................15

3.3.2

AMB-5

3.3.3 Audio Outputs ..........................................16

3.3.4 Stack Inputs .............................................17

3.3.5 Paralleling Inputs......................................18

3.4 Connecting Auxiliary Devices (Step 4)............... 19

Ambient Sensing Input .................16

4 Options .......................................................................20

4.1 Option 1: A 1-Loop IQ Interface .........................20

4.2 Option 4: Crown Local Net ................................. 20

4.2.1 Wiring the Crown Local Net ..................... 20

5 Service........................................................................22

5.1 Amcron Service ..................................................22

5.2 Crown Service.....................................................22

5.2.1 Service at a Crown Service Center ..........22

5.2.2 Crown Factory Service .............................22

6 Technical Information ................................................. 23

6.1 Audio ...................................................................23

6.1.1 Input Section ............................................23

6.1.2 VCA Sections............................................23

6.1.3 Output Section..........................................23

6.1.4 Level Sense Circuits

6.2 Control and Interface Section .............................23

6.2.1 Crown Bus Interface.................................23

6.2.2 RS232/RS422 Interface.............................23

6.2.3 D/A Converter .......................................... 23

6.2.4 Log Amp and A/D Converter ....................24

6.2.5 Auxiliary Port ............................................ 24

7 Specifications ............................................................. 26

7.1 General ............................................................... 26

7.2 Audio ................................................................... 26

(AMB-5 & SMX-6)...

23

Page 4

A Appendix ..................................................................... 27

Rev. 0

IQ Mixer/Multiplexer Hardware Installation

1.1 Three Mixer / Multiplexer Models ............................ 6

2.1 Front and Rear Panels.............................................. 8

3.1 An

3.2 RS232 Cable Wiring for a PC ..................................11

3.3 RS422 Cable Wiring for a Macintosh ......................11

3.4 RS232 Cable Wiring for a Macintosh ......................11

3.5 Selecting the Communication Parameters ..............12

3.6 Crown Bus Wiring for Removable Barrier Blocks... 13

3.7 Crown Bus Wiring for 5-pin DIN Input ....................14

3.8 Crown Bus Wiring for 4-pin DIN Output ................. 14

3.9 Crown Bus Wiring Loopš from Output to Input, etc.14

3.10 An Audio Input Section............................................15

3.11 Suggested Audio Input Gain Control Settings........15

3.12 Balanced Audio Input Wiring...................................15

3.13 Unbalanced Audio Input Wiring ..............................16

3.14 Sensing Input Section.............................................. 16

3.15 An Audio Output Section .........................................17

3.16 Balanced Audio Output Connections

3.17 Unbalanced Audio Output Connections

3.18 A 12x2 Mixer Using 2 Mixer/Multiplexers

3.19 Stacking the Outputs of Multiple Units ................... 18

3.20 A 6x8 Mixer Using 4 Mixer/Multiplexers................. 18

3.21 Paralleling the Inputs of Multiple Units

3.22 A 12x8 Mixer Using 8 Mixer/Multiplexers

3.23 Sample Auxiliary System Wiring

3.24 Internal Auxiliary Circuit

4.1 A Crown Local Net RS422 Serial Loop

4.2 Crown Local Net Wiring

6.1 General IQ Mixer Block Diagram

A.1 IQ Address Switch Settings from 0 to 125.............. 27

A.2 IQ Address Switch Settings from 126 to 250..........28

IQ System

ILLUSTRATIONS

with a PC Host Computer, etc. ........10

......................

..................

...............

...................

...............

.............................

..........................................

....................

...........................................

............................

17
17
17

18
18
19
19
20
21
25

Rev. 0

Page 5

IQ Mixer/Multiplexer Hardware Installation

ENABLEDSPI

ENABLEDSPI

Fig. 1.1 Three Mixer / Multiplexer Models

Page 6

Rev. 0

IQ Mixer/Multiplexer Hardware Installation

1 Welcome

Thank you for purchasing a Crown IQ mixer/multi­plexer. IQ mixer/multiplexers are intelligent mixers
with special signal routing capabilities. Their intelli­gence stems from a powerful onboard microproces­sor which enables them to be controlled and
monitored by a Crown

IQ System

each output can be individually controlled and, with
their

distributed intelligence

operate even when an

IQ System

In addition to two main outputs (one for each chan­nel), each model has a second set of ÷busš outputs
which are switched on/off by a relay. This enables
many mixer/multiplexers to be connected to a com­mon audio bus without loading it down. They are
designed to work as stand-alone units in a small
audio system or as modules in a large audio sys­tem.

Three different models are available to serve a wide
variety of needs. The

MPX-6

operate as 6x2 mixers. The
as a 5x2 mixer. Multiple units can be connected
together to form larger mixers. For example, a

6

and

SMX-6

can be connected together to form a
single 12x2 mixer. They can also be connected as a
6x4 mixer.

®

. Each input and

™

capability, continue to

is not connected.

™

and

SMX-6

AMB-5™

™

models

can operates

MPX-

1.1 Options

In a standard
the mixer/multiplexers are connected to the system
via the Crown Bus. The Crown Bus is a serial com­munication loop which carries IQ commands and
data. IQ mixer/multiplexers are also able to bypass
the Crown Bus and connect (one at a time) directly
to a computer (PC compatible or Macintosh®). Once
configured, the mixer/multiplexers can be discon­nected and allowed to operate by themselves.

Option 1 allows an
nect to a host computer and serve as a Crown Bus
interface between the computer and other IQ com­ponents. This eliminates the need to purchase a
separate IQ interface (IQ-INT) for a small

tem

.

Option 4 allows an
Crown Local Net loop. The Crown Local Net is a
communication subsystem within an
Using it, two or more
between themselves to keep track of the total num­ber of open microphones. This information can then
be used to prevent feedback when more mics are
open.

Note: Options 2-3 are not presently available.

IQ System

AMB-5, MPX-6

SMX-6

, the IQ components like

or

SMX-6

to con-

IQ Sys-

(only) to connect to a

IQ System

SMX-6s

can communicate

.

The

MPX-6

is the simplest of the three models. It
provides basic mixing capabilities. All control and
monitor functions are handled by the
The

MPX-6

does not have the automatic mixing

IQ System

capability of the other models because it does not
have input sensing.

The

SMX-6

sensing

is more sophisticated because it has

ability. A sensing circuit is located at the
beginning of each input to sense the input signal
level ahead of any signal processing. Similar sen­sors are located at each output. These sensors,
along with its onboard intelligence, enable the

6

to perform many versatile functions like automatic

SMX-

mixing, compression, and automatic level control.
The

AMB-5

has the same functions as an

SMX-6

plus it has the ability to sense the ambient sound
level and automatically adjust its output level ac­cordingly. In this way it serves as the ultimate
automatic level controller. Input 6 is dedicated as
the sensing input, leaving five to function normally
as a 5x2 mixer. Unlike the

SMX-6

, signal processing
is only available for Channel 1. Channel 2 functions
like an

MPX-6

.

.

1.2 Unpacking

Please unpack and inspect the unit for any damage
that may have occurred during transit. If any dam­age is found, notify the transportation company im­mediately. Only you, the consignee, may initiate a
claim with the carrier for damage resulting from
shipment. Crown will cooperate fully as needed.
Save the shipping carton as evidence of damage for
the shipper’s inspection.

Even if the unit arrived in perfect condition, as most
do, save all packing materials so you will have them
if you ever need to transport the unit. NEVER SHIP

THE UNIT WITHOUT THE FACTORY PACK.

Rev. 0

Page 7

(Front View)

IQ Mixer/Multiplexer Hardware Installation

120 VAC

60 Hz

20 W

AUX
CTRL

RS232 / RS422

CROWN BUS

SERIAL DATA LOOP

IN

OUT IN

+–+

INPUT

GROUND

ONLY

–

AUDIO
OUT

2

MAIN

STACK
IN

BUS

AUDIO
OUT

1

MAIN BUS

STACK
IN

(Rear View)

Figure 2.1 Front and Rear Panels

2 Facilities

AUX Connector

A 3-pin male mini-XLR connector is used for remote
control of equipment lacking the Crown Bus. A 10
VDC power source is provided to control solid state
relays and other logic circuits. The auxiliary con­nector also includes a high-impedance 10 VDC in­put. (Section 3.4)

Stack Audio Inputs

These two stack inputs allow you to multiply the
number of audio inputs by stacking 2, 3, or more
units to build a 12x2, 18x2, or larger mixer. (Section

3.3.3)

DSPI

This yellow LED is a Data Signal Presence Indicator.
It flashes whenever a valid IQ command has been
received. The indicator can also be forced on to aid
rapid troubleshooting of the Crown Bus wiring.

AUDIO
IN

6

+–+–+–+–+–

AUDIO

ADD 25

0

5

FOR MIC

IN

-5

10

-10

15

5

21

-12

LMP

+– +– +– +– +–

AUDIO

ADD 25

0

5

FOR MIC

IN

-5

10

-10

-12

-10

15

4

21

LMP

AUDIO

ADD 25

0

5

FOR MIC

IN

-5

10
15

3

21

-12

LMP

AUDIO

ADD 25

0

5

FOR MIC

IN

-5

10

-10

15

2

21

-12

LMP

AUDIO

ADD 25

0

5

FOR MIC

IN

-5

-10

-12

-5

10

-10

15

1

21

-12

LMP

Enable Indicator

This amber enable indicator shows that the unit is
receiving AC power.

Audio Input Gain Control

Each of the six input channels has a screwdriver­set, calibrated gain potentiometer for adjusting the
input gain to the input signal level. They can be
used to compensate for different microphone sensi­tivities. (Section 3.3.1)

RS232/RS422 Connector

This DB25 connector functions as a standard RS232
or RS422 serial communications port. It can be used
for connection directly to a host computer (Section

3.1) or, if Option 4 was purchased, for connection to
a Crown Local Net loop (Section 4.2).

Crown Bus Ground Connector

This chassis ground stud is provided to connect an

ADD 25

0

5

FOR MIC

10
15

21

LMP

Page 8

Rev. 0

IQ Mixer/Multiplexer Hardware Installation

Important:
(H) connectors. TURN THE UNIT OFF before changing the settings of the IQ Address (M),
Baud Rate & Parity (N) or Communication Standard (O) switches.

optional shield for the Crown Bus cable. Only the
shield of the input cable should be connected.
Shielded wire will reduce the total distance a Crown
Bus loop can be run, but shielding may be neces­sary to reduce interference with certain kinds of
audio cables. (Section 3.2)

TURN THE UNIT OFF before connecting to the RS232/RS422 (F) or Crown Bus

Crown Bus Input/Output Connector

A 4-pin removable barrier block plug is used for
input and output connection to the Crown Bus. The

pins are numbered backward from right to left (as
you face the back panel of the unit). Pin 1 is input

negative (–), pin 2 is input positive (+), pin 3 is
output negative (–), and pin 4 is output positive (+).
(Section 3.2)

Main Audio Outputs

A 3-pin removable barrier block plug is used to
connect to the main output of each channel. These
outputs can also be connected to the stack inputs
(B) of other mixer/multiplexers to make a 12x2 (or
larger) mixer. (Section 3.3.2)

Auxiliary Bus Audio Outputs

A 3-pin removable barrier block plug is used to
connect to the bus audio output of each channel.
The bus outputs are isolated switchable outputs that
can be turned on when needed by the
This allows many multiplexers to be tied together on
the same bus without loading down the outputs.
(Section 3.3.2)

IQ System

Audio Inputs

A 3-pin removable barrier block plug is used to
connect to the input of each of the six audio inputs.
The input gain control (E) and the input selector (K)
of each one should be set to match the input signal
level. These inputs can also be connected in parallel

with the inputs of other mixer/multiplexers to make a
6x4 (or larger) mixer. (Section 3.3.1)

Input Selector

A three-position input selector accommodates dif­ferent input signal levels. The three settings are L
for line-level input, M for mic-level input, and P for
mic-level input with phantom power. The P setting
supplies 44 volts DC for phantom-powered mics.

IQ Address

An 8-section DIP switch is used to set the IQ ad­dress of the unit. The unit must be given a unique IQ
address so it can be independently controlled and
monitored by a the system. It must also be set
properly if the unit is to be used in a Crown Local
Net. Two or more IQ components of the same type
should NEVER have the same address on the same
Crown Bus loop. (Section 3.2) Important: The IQ

address should only be set with the power cord
disconnected from the AC supply.

Baud Rate & Parity

A 6-section DIP switch is used to set the baud rate
and parity for RS232/RS422 serial communication.
This is only necessary when the DB25 connector (F)
is used. Important: The baud rate should only be set

with the power cord disconnected from the AC sup-

.

ply.

Communication Standard

A communication standard switch which allows the
unit to be configured for the RS232 or RS422 com­munications. (Sections 3.1³3.1.1) Important: The

communication standard should only be set with the
power cord disconnected from the AC supply.

Rev. 0

Page 9