Dan Dugan Sound Design E User Manual
Dan Dugan Sound Design
Model E Automatic Mixing Controller
User Guide
Release Date: July 2007
Version: 1.0
Part Number: EM
Author: Rob Wenig
Important Safety Instructions and Warnings
The Model E’s circuitry is made in the USA and meets applicable national safety standards.
Standards Compliance
The third-party power supply provided with this product has been certified to comply
with UL.
Safety Instructions
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. WARNING! To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this ap-
paratus to rain or moisture.
7. Clean only with dry cloth.
8. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufac-
turer’s instructions.
9. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or
other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
10. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A po-
larized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type
plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third
prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your
outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
11. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
12. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods
of time.
14. WARNING! Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is re-
quired when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply
cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the
apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.
15. WARNING! To reduce the risk of electric shock, DO NOT REMOVE COVER.
No user serviceable parts inside.
Warranty Statement
Warranty: One year parts and labor
Dan Dugan Sound Design warrants that Model E hardware will be free from defects in
components and workmanship for a period of 12 months from the date of invoice. During
the warranty period, Dan Dugan Sound Design will cover the cost of all parts and labor
to remedy the defect, or replace products which prove to be defective. Dan Dugan
Sound Design is not obliged to honor this warranty if the hardware has failed to be
maintained and operated as specified by Dan Dugan Sound Design, in the accompanying documentation, or other than in accordance with industry standards. Defects caused
by unauthorized modifications, misuse, negligence, act of God or accident are not
covered by this warranty. Software is provided as a convenience, but due to the wide
variety of computer systems, cannot be guaranteed to work. This Limited Warranty
is exclusive and no other warranty is expressed or implied. Dan Dugan Sound Design
does no t warra nt tha t Dan Dugan Sound Design software, or any third-party software,
is error free. Third party branded or manufactured goods are supplied by Dan Dugan
Sound Design with care but without responsibility and subject only to third party
suppliers’ warranties. In all other respects Dan Dugan Sound Design is not liable for
consequential damages.
Dugan Model E User Guide
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction...................................................................................................7
1.1 Conventions...............................................................................................7
1.2 Introduction to the Model E ......................................................................7
1.3 Remote Control and Software...................................................................8
Chapter 2: Quickstart........................................................................................................9
Chapter 3: Installation....................................................................................................13
3.1 Bench Tests Before Installation...............................................................14
3.2 Audio Wiring...........................................................................................14
3.2.1 Analog I/O.................................................................................14
3.2.2 Digital I/O.................................................................................15
3.3 Setting Levels..........................................................................................16
3.3.1 Analog.......................................................................................16
3.3.2 Digital........................................................................................17
3.4 Power-up Commands ..............................................................................17
3.5 Linking ....................................................................................................19
Chapter 4: Operation.......................................................................................................21
4.1 How it Works ..........................................................................................21
4.2 Settings....................................................................................................22
4.3 Pre-fader Insert........................................................................................23
4.3.1 Muting Channels.......................................................................23
4.3.2 Pre-listening to Muted Channels...............................................24
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Dugan Model E User Guide
Chapter 5: Web Control Panel...................................................................................25
5.1 Software Installation................................................................................25
5.2 Operation.................................................................................................28
5.2.1 Auto Mix Weight......................................................................29
5.2.2 Logic Functions.........................................................................31
Chapter 6: ASCII Remote Control............................................................................33
6.1 Installation...............................................................................................33
6.2 ASCII Remote Control Commands.........................................................33
6.2.1 Introduction...............................................................................33
6.2.2 Commands ................................................................................34
Chapter 7: Firmware Updates....................................................................................43
Chapter 8: Specifications.............................................................................................45
Chapter 9: Connector Pinouts...................................................................................47
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Dugan Model E User Guide
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Conventions
We will use:
• activate to mean toggling on a button (LED lit).
• de-activate to mean toggling off a button (LED not lit).
• select to mean pressing a button repeatedly until the desired LED is lit.
1.2 Introduction to the Model E
The Model E Automatic Mixing Controller helps professional audio mixers handle
multiple live mics without having to continually ride their individual faders. This eightchannel signal processor patches into the input insert points of an audio mixing console.
It detects which mics are being used and makes fast, transparent cross-fades, freeing the
mixer to focus on balance and sound quality instead of being chained to the faders. The
Model E’s voice-controlled crossfades track unscripted dialogue, eliminating cueing
mistakes and late fade-ups while avoiding the choppy and distracting effects common
to noise gates.
The Model E supports a broad spectrum of live mixing applications:
• Conference reinforcement, video trucks
• Houses of worship
• Film and television dialogue, reality shows
• Multiple wireless mics for theater
• Boardrooms, civic meeting rooms, community TV
• Teleconferencing and distance learning
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Dugan Model E User Guide Introduction
The Model E has many other features that dramatically improve the performance of live
mixing with multiple mics:
• Eliminates late upcuts
• Reduces PA feedback and studio noise
• Analog or digital connection
• Internal Web server for remote control panel
• Half-rack size–mount two in one RU
• Link units for up to 64 mics
• Connects to mixer with TRS insert cables
1.3 Remote Control and Software
The Model E can be controlled three ways:
• front panel controls on the Model E
• Web Control Panel (see Chapter 5: Web Control Panel)
• ASCII commands via Ethernet (see Chapter 6: ASCII Remote Control)
There are four computer programs associated with the Model E. They are all stored in
flash memory in the device.
• A web page within your browser runs the Java applets (devlist.htm and dugane.htm)
that display the two panes of the real-time control panel. This web page (index.htm)
is provided on a disc with the unit, can be downloaded from our web site, or downloaded from the unit when you browse to its IP address.
• Operating firmware governs booting, switching, communications, and displays
• DSP firmware embodies the Dugan Speech System algorithm.
Any of these programs can be updated in the field. Subscribe to the Yahoo group dug-
anusers for news on updates. To install updates, see Chapter 7: Firmware Updates.
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Dugan Model E User Guide
Chapter 2: Quickstart
This section provides step-by-step instructions to help you get started quickly. It includes
information to connect and install the Model E, make initial settings, and link units.
Step 1 Connections
Connect the provided power supply to the Model E.
Set the NORM-SLAVE switch on the rear panel to NORM (up) for normal (not linked)
operation.
The Model E can be interfaced with:
• an analog mixing board;
• a digital mixing board using analog or digital connections;
Analog
The Model E is a line-level device normally patched into the insert jacks (send and return) for each mic input channel on the board. Check the insert jack wiring on your mixing board. If they are 1/4-in TRS jacks (wired tip = send, ring = return), use TRS-TRS
insert cables to connect the Model E. Other configurations require special cables. The
Model E is wired as follows: tip = input, ring = output.
Figure 2-1 Analog connection
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Dugan Model E User Guide Quickstart
Digital I/O
The Model E may be connected to a digital mixing board with ADAT connections that
transmit eight channels on each digital audio optical cable. Connect the console ADAT
output to the Model E LINK IN, and the Model E LINK OUT to the board’s ADAT
input. On the mixing board, insert the ADAT inputs and outputs on each mic channel,
post-fader.
Figure 2-2 Digital connection
Step 2 Power-up Commnads
The Model E can execute six commands during power-up. Each command is selected
by holding down a specific button during the entire power-up process. Power-up is
complete after the bypass LEDs light sequentially and extinguish. The three commands shown below are the most common. See Power-up Commands on page 17 to
learn about the additional modes.
Reset Audio
Hold the channel 1
clear label text, and set the I/O to analog. We recommend starting an installation in this
mode.
Digital I/O
Hold the channel 3
Linking is not possible and the analog connectors are inoperative.
Analog I/O
bypass button down to set all parameters to factory default settings,
bypass button down to switch all I/O to the ADAT link connectors.
Hold the channel 3 mute button down to switch all I/O to the analog connectors. Digital
connectors are available for linking.
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Dugan Model E User Guide Quickstart
Step 3 Linking Multiple Units
All linked units must be in analog audio I/O mode and use analog connections to the
board because linking requires the digital I/O connectors. Up to eight Model Es (64
channels) can be linked into a single system that maintains the gain of one mic from the
room no matter how many mics are connected. One unit must be the master and the others slaves.
Set the NORM-SLAVE switch on the rear panel to NORM (up) to designate that Model
E as the Master. Set the NORM-SLAVE switch on the rear panel to SLAVE (down) to
designate that Model E as Slave.
Link units in a ring configuration as shown below. Note that all LINK IN and OUT connectors are used to create the ring.
OPTICAL LINK
IN
OUT
Master
Step 4 Operation
Raise your console preamp gains until the Model E’s green level LEDs stay illuminated
when the room is quiet. The
the acceptable range for automatic mixing and flashes red to indicate clipping. There
should be enough gain ahead of the Model E to maintain the green LED at all times.
NOTE: When the green light goes out, the channel is in a downward expansion mode
to avoid feedback. This condition should be avoided because the smooth ambience characteristic of Dugan automatic mic mixing is lost.
OPTICAL LINK
IN
OUT
OPTICAL LINK
IN
Slave
Slave
OUT
Figure 2-3 Linking units
level LED illuminates green when the input level is within
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Dugan Model E User Guide Quickstart
Figure 2-4 Setting console preamp gain
If there is insufficient gain to keep the level LEDs lit green when no one is talking, set
the rear panel LEVEL switch to
-10. Sufficient ambient sound level at the input is about
-50 dBu in +4 mode and -62 dBu in -10 mode.
The Model E does not limit, compress, or control levels. It performs just one critical
function: cuing multiple mics. The Dugan Speech System cross-fades mics while maintaining a natural low level of ambience with minimal feedback. It is essential to distinguish this behavior from the annoying fluctuation of levels and uneven ambience
produced by a conventional gating system.
When one person talks into the Dugan Speech System, it rapidly fades that mic’s gain
up and the others down. When the talker pauses, all mics crossfade to a medium gain
that equals the sound of one mic at full gain. When several people speak simultaneously, the gain is shared. Thus, all mics sound normal when used, multiple open mics do
not cause noise build-up or feedback, and the mixer can leave the faders up.
The LED gain meters show the channel gains resulting from the process. They are not
level meters! Adjust your board’s preamp gains so all LED meters float at about the
same gain when no one is talking. This procedure will assure smooth automatic mixing.
With the optimum balance set such that the gain meters hover around the same level
with no one talking, the faders may not end up in a line. The fader for a softer speaker
will be higher than a louder one. Automixing does not require cueing the faders in and
out, so fader position is not important.
Instead of pulling the faders down, leave them up and use the Model E’s mute buttons
to mute mics. This is necessary because on most mixers the analog insert points are prefader. If a fader is pulled down to mute a mic, that mic’s signal remains in the process
and punches holes in the ambience. If your mixer can patch inserts post-fader, you need
not be concerned with this.
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Dugan Model E User Guide
Chapter 3: Installation
Units shipped to the USA include a 120 VAC power supply. Contact the factory if you
require a different power supply.
The section Section 3.1 Bench Tests Before Installation is intended for experienced
technicians to test the Model E prior to installation. Those without test equipment can
begin in Audio Wiring on page 14. In either case, we recommend placing the Model E
in a convenient place in the mixer’s line of sight. Rack ears can be removed.
Figure 3-1 Model E placed conveniently
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Dugan Model E User Guide Installation
3.1 Bench Tests Before Installation
The Dugan Speech System can be tested with the following procedure:
1. Connect two different oscillators to inputs 1 and 2.
2. Set both to 1 kHz frequency and 0 dBu level (or -20 dBFS in digital).
3. Fine-tune the frequency of one oscillator so that the Model E gain indicators
bounce up and down at about 2 Hz (1000/1002 Hz).
4. Adjust the oscillator levels so that the gain displays are equal.
5. Leaving one oscillator in input 1, move the second signal to input 3, 4, etc.,
observing the bouncing display. This is a good way to test linked systems.
NOTE: The two inputs mix in the side chain control mix bus. The signal level on this
bus beats between no signal (subtraction) and +6 dB (addition) as the waves
phase against each other. When the two waves cancel in the control mix, both
channels will rise to full. Gains bounce down to -6 dB when the two waves add.
3.2 Audio Wiring
3.2.1 Analog I/O
The eight channel inputs and outputs are TRS insert jacks. The Model E receives signal on the Tip and sends the return from the Ring.
When the Model E is off, the audio signal passes through unaltered, so the unit may be
left patched when not in use.
Figure 3-2 Analog connection
The Model E can be connected to the insert or the line level input jacks.
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Dugan Model E User Guide Installation
Insert
This is the normal way to connect the Model E using a mic-level signal. Patch the audio
channels in the insert loop (send-return) of each console input strip. Check the insert
jack wiring on your mixing board. If they are 1/4-in TRS jacks (wired tip = send, ring
= return), use TRS-TRS insert cables to connect the Model E. Other configurations require special cables. The Model E is wired as follows: tip = input, ring = output.
Figure 3-3 Analog insert (left) and line level (right) block diagrams
Line Level
This is an optional method of connecting the Model E to line-level devices, such as wireless mic receivers. Use split insert cables. The receiver output is wired to the tip of the
TRS plug. The connector for the mixer’s line input is fed from the TRS plug’s ring.
3.2.2 Digital I/O
Start up the Model E in Digital I/O mode by holding down the channel 3 bypass button.
This switches all I/O to the ADAT link connectors. Linking is not possible and the analog connectors are inoperative.
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