Genelec 9301B Users Guide

9301B

Operating Manual

Genelec 9301B
Multichannel AES/EBU Interface

Genelec 9301B Multichannel AES/EBU Interface

Introduction

Congratulations and thank you for

purchasing the Genelec 9301B multichannel

AES/EBU interface.

This manual addresses the setting up and

use of the Genelec 9301B multichannel AES/

EBU interface intended for use with 7300

Series subwoofers.

73xx Smart Active Monitoring (SAM)

subwoofers have one AES/EBU digital

input. The 9301B expands that digital audio

connectivity to 16 channels, to create, for

example, a 9.1.6 configuration including

the additional low frequency eects (LFE)

channel.

Genelec's energy-saving Intelligent Signal

Sensing (ISS) function automatically puts

the 9301B into a power-save state when no

AES/EBU input signal is present. The waiting

time before activation can be configured

using Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM)

software. When ISS is on your monitoring

system will remain ready for action and the

9301B will consume less than one watt of

power. The interface will wake up and switch

to normal operating mode when it senses an

AES/EBU input signal.

This 9301B is supplied with:

• Mains cable

• 5 m GLM network cable

• Operating manual

Installation

We strongly recommend switching off/

disconnecting mains power from all system

devices before connecting signal cables.

Connections

The mains input supports a wide voltage

range (100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz). If the mains

power is provided by a generator, inverter or

a low-quality UPS device, we recommend

using a harmonic filter to reduce the

unwanted harmonic distortion.

The digital audio inputs for AES/EBU

digital audio both use DB25 connectors.

If the LFE channel is in use, the interface
channel and subframe carrying the LFE
signal is assigned by the user in GLM.

The digital audio output for the monitors

uses one DB25 connector to deliver 16

channels of AES/EBU format audio. The

output signals are bit-to-bit copies of the

digital input signals, so the outputs retain the

original signal quality without modication.
When used, the LFE signal is output through

the same DB25 connector, meaning that

the LFE channel content is available for any

device connected to this output.

The digital audio output for the subwoofer

is a single male XLR connector, which uses

an AES/EBU cable to carry the sum of all

the main channel inputs over one AES/EBU

subframe and the LFE channel, if used, over
the other AES/EBU subframe. A GLM Kit
and Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM)

software is required in order to use the

9301B with 7300 Series subwoofers.

The AES/EBU output on 7300 Series

subwoofers enables the daisy-chaining of

additional SAM subwoofers to increase

the capacity of the system's low frequency

acoustic output (SPL). To make this possible,
GLM software will align the playback of the

complete subwoofer system with the rest of

the monitoring system.

The 9301B includes two GLM Network

connectors for management using Genelec

Loudspeaker Manager (GLM) software.

Input cabling

Digital Audio Workstations and other

professional digital audio sources frequently

offer DB25 connectors using AES59

standard compatible pinouts for digital

audio. These typically feature four inputs

and four outputs, delivering up to 8 channels

of digital audio in and 8 channels of digital

out. This pinout is also known as the Tascam

digital audio pinout. The AES59 standard

also offers a configuration to deliver 16

channels of digital audio in one direction,

used in the output DB25 connector of 9301B

(see 'Output cabling' section below).

The 9301B uses two AES59 compatible

DB25 connectors for input, each receiving

up to 8 channels of digital audio from the

digital audio source, typically connected with

DB25-to-DB25 cables connecting the audio

source digital outputs to the receiving device

GLM ADAPTER

SUBWOOFER

LINK

AES OUT

DIGITAL

OUT

DIGITAL

IN

DIGITAL

IN

GLM

NETWORK

AES IN 14 AES IN 58 AES OUT 18

AUDIO SOURCE

Figure 1. The principle of connecting the 9301B

AES IN 14

AES IN 58

AES OUT 18

Figure 2. Functional block diagram of the 9301B and the sample rate converter (SRC)

digital inputs (see Fig. 3). Please check for
this specically when purchasing the cable.

If you'd also like to access the incoming

digital audio lines on your audio source's

DB25 connectors, a combination of two

break-out cables oering XLR connectors

can be used between your audio source

and each 9301B DB25 input. This makes

the audio source device's DB25 connectors

available for incoming connections and this

is also a safe choice as you will always have

the possibility to connect specic outputs at

the digital audio source to the digital audio

inputs in 9301B. For example, Avid cable
type DigiSnake DB25-XLR M+F AES/EBU is

suitable for this.

Output cabling

The AES59 standard oers a conguration

to deliver 16 channels of digital audio in

one direction. This is in the output DB25

connector of 9301B. The audio output

Figure 3. Digital audio input cable

pin-out.

MAINS INPUT

= AES/EBU DIGITA L CABLING

= GLM NETWORK CABLING

Figure 4. Digital audio output cable

pin-out.

in 9301B is intended for connections to

monitors. The recommended cable for

this connection is an 8 x XLR male fan-out

cable with AES59 pin-out, also known as

the Tascam analogue pin-out. For example
an Avid cable type DB25-XLRM DigiSnake
can be used. Typically AES/EBU XLR-to­XLR cables are required to extend the signal

onwards to the monitors.

Connector pinouts

The input connector pinouts of the 9301B's

two DB25 audio input connectors follow the

AES59 standard compatible pinout shown

in Figure 3. This features four inputs and

four outputs, delivering 8 channels of digital

audio in and 8 channels of digital out. This

pinout is also known as the Tascam digital

audio pinout.

The AES59 standard oers a conguration

to deliver 16 channels of digital audio in one

direction. The output connector pin-out

of the 9301B's single DB25 out is shown

below. This pinout is compatible with the

AES59 standard. This pinout is also known

as the Tascam analogue output pinout. We

strongly recommend that a high-quality AES/

EBU digital audio cable is used.

Indicator Colour, indication Meaning

Power switch

Input signal indicator

Table 1. Front panel indicator light functions

Solid green Power on, normal operation

Blinking green GLM is adjusting 9301B

Green blink every 10 s 9301B in power save mode

No light No power, power o

Solid green Valid digital audio is detected and

received

No light Valid input is not detected

Controls and Adjustments

The 9301B's front panel features a mains

power switch with power-on light and eight

active-connection indicator lights for AES/

EBU inputs, each carrying two channels of

audio.

The 9301B is completely set up using

Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM™)
software. Please refer to the ‘Use With GLM
Management Network’ section below for

details.

While editing the 9301B settings in GLM,

the interface's power-on light will blink

continuously. A lit input light indicates a

valid AES/EBU input. If an input light is o,

there is an AES/EBU data issue or there is no

valid AES/EBU input. See Table 1 for a list of

indicator lights and their functions.

Use With GLM™

Management Network

The 9301B is set up using Genelec

Loudspeaker Manager GLM™ software,
using GLM's Management Network. More
information about the GLM is available in the

SAM System Operating Manual.

Figure 5. 9301B setup panel in GLM software.

System configuration

Setup is simple and consists of the following

steps:

• Connect digital audio inputs ‘AES IN 1-4’
and ‘AES IN 5-8’.

• Connect ‘AES OUT 1-8’ to a fan-out cable
and continue with XLR-to-XLR cables to

each monitor. Please use cables intended

for carrying AES/EBU digital audio. We

strongly discourage the use of standard

analogue microphone cables as this may

reduce system performance.

• Connect the 'SUBWOOFER LINK' output
to the 'DIGITAL IN' connector on a

Genelec 7300 Series subwoofer.

• Connect CAT 5 (RJ45) cables between

the 9301B, every monitor and subwoofer.

Finally, connect to the GLM Adapter
device (see Figure 1). The connection

order of the other devices is not important.

Connect the GLM Adapter device to your

computer via USB.

• Install and run Genelec Loudspeaker
Manager (GLM) software.

All devices appear in GLM software monitor

stack. Move devices from the monitor stack

onto GLM honeycomb grid, including the

9301B. You may want to drag and drop

9301B close to the subwoofer connected to

it (see Figure 5).

When using multiple 9301Bs, you can

identify an 9301B by clicking the 9301B

icon in GLM, causing the associated 9301B

device front panel power button light to blink.

Setting up a 9301B in GLM:

• Select the ‘Input Signal Type’ for the
monitor Group to be ‘AES/EBU Digital’.

Then 9301B devices become active in

the group. Set the ‘AES/EBU Digital Input

Mode’ for all the connected 7300 Series
subwoofers to ‘Multichannel’.

• Select the AES/EBU inputs to enable

them.

• In the ‘LFE Channel’ drop-down, select

the AES input and subframe that carries

the LFE channel audio.

• Select the ‘+10 dB’ setting in the
subwoofer configuration if the LFE

channel audio requires a 10 dB boost

relative to the main audio channels.

When all 9301B units in the system are set to

‘Group O’ state, the ‘AES/EBU Digital Input
Mode’ in all 7300 series subwoofers switch

the AES/EBU digital stereo audio input to a

standard stereo audio input.

Acoustic calibration

To acoustically calibrate your setup, x the

measurement microphone included with

your GLM Kit onto a microphone stand

so that the microphone points upwards,

then place the microphone at the listening

position with the top positioned at the

listener’s ear height.

Follow the steps in GLM software to

calibrate your entire system. The calibration

process starts after you create a new group

preset using ‘File’ | ‘New’ menu item. An

existing group preset can be calibrated by

selecting the ‘Group Preset’ | ‘Calibrate’ meu

item.

If you wish to disconnect the computer

after calibration, save GLM calibration onto

monitors, subwoofers and 9301B interfaces

in your system. The settings can be stored

using GLM software menu item ‘Store' |
'Store the Current Group Settings’. Note

that monitors and subwoofers have a switch

that enables stored settings. This switch

must be set to ON for operating the system

with the stored settings. After removing the

GLM network cable and powering the 9301B
and monitors o and on again enables the

stored settings. We strongly recommend

using GLM software and keeping the GLM
network connected for the full exibility of

the monitoring system.

Returning to factory settings

GLM settings stored in a 9301B can be

erased by keeping the power switch

depressed for more than 10 seconds before

releasing it again. This returns the 9301B to

its factory settings. After this, GLM software
should be used to recongure the 9301B.

Operating Environment

The 9301B is designed for indoor use

only, and the permissible ambient room

temperature is 15-35 degrees Celsius (50-

95°F) with a relative humidity of 20% to 80%

(noncondensing). If the 9301B has been

stored or transported in a cool environment

before entering a warm room, please wait

between 60 minutes before unpacking it,

as this will prevent harmful condensation.

Sufficient cooling must be ensured to

keep the 9301B within optimal operating

temperatures. No minimum clearance for

ventilation is needed around the interface.

Maintenance

There are no user serviceable parts inside

the 9301B. Maintenance or repair must only

be performed by Genelec certied service

personnel.

Guarantee

Genelec guarantees the 9301B for two

years against manufacturing faults or defects

that alter performance. Refer to the reseller

for full sales and guarantee terms.

Safety Considerations

The 9301B has been designed in

accordance with international safety

standards. To ensure safe operation, the

following warnings and precautions must be

observed:

• Servicing and adjustment must only be

performed by Genelec certified service

personnel.

• The enclosure must not be opened.

• Do not use this product with a mains

cable or mains outlet without a protective

earth (potential-equalising) connection, as

doing so may result in personal injury.

• To prevent fire or electric shock, never

expose the unit to water or moisture.

• Do not place objects filled with liquid,

such as vases, on or near the 9301B.

• The 9301B is never completely

disconnected from mains power unless

the mains cable is removed from the

device or the mains outlet.

Compliance to FCC Rules

This device complies with part 15 of the

FCC Rules. Operation is subject to both of

the following two conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful

interference.

• This device must accept any interference

received, including interference that may

cause undesired operation.

Note: This equipment has been tested

and found to comply with the limits for a

Class B digital device, pursuant to part

15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are

designed to provide reasonable protection

against harmful interference in a residential

installation. This equipment generates, uses,

and can radiate radio frequency energy

and, if not installed and used in accordance

with the instructions, may cause harmful

interference to radio communications.

There is no guarantee that interference will

not occur in a particular installation. If this

equipment does cause harmful interference

to radio or television reception, which can

be determined by turning the equipment o

and on, the user is encouraged to try and

correct the interference by one or more of

the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the

equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on
a circuit dierent from that to which the

receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced

radio/TV technician for help.

Modications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer can void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment under FCC rules.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight 2 kg (4.4 lbs)

Dimensions:

Height
Width
Depth

Mains voltage 100...240 VAC (50...60 Hz)

Mains tolerance +/- 10 %

Power consumption

ISS power saving mode
Idle

Full operation

Digital audio input connectors 4 XLR female

Digital audio input impedance 110 Ohm

Digital audio output connectors 5 XLR male

Digital audio format AES/EBU (AES3-2003)

Digital audio word length Minimum 16 bits, maximum 24 bits.

Digital audio sample rate Minimum 32 kHz, maximum 192 kHz.

44 mm (1 11/16 in)
466 mm (18 3/8 in)
211 mm (8 5/16 in)

1 W
1 W
2 W

Can also be used with S/P-DIF and AES3id

signals when impedance converters are
used

Fixed point, AES/EBU format

Supports single-wire AES/EBU audio,
does not support dual wire AES/EBU audio

Genelec 9301B Multichannel AES/EBU Interface

Genelec Document D0206R001. Copyright Genelec Oy 2.2023. All data subject to change without prior notice

International enquiries:

Genelec, Olvitie 5

FIN-74100, Iisalmi, Finland
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]

Email [e-mail]

In the U.S. please contact:

Genelec, Inc., 7 Tech Circle

Natick, MA 01760, USA
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]

Email [e-mail]

In China please contact:

Beijing Genelec Audio Co.Ltd
Room 101, Building B33,

Universal Business Park,

No.10 Jiuxianqiao Road,

Chaoyang District,

100015 Beijing, China
Phone [phone]
[phone]

Email [e-mail]

In Japan, please contact:
Genelec Japan Inc.

2-22-21 Akasaka, Minato-ku

07-0052, Tokyo

Phone [phone]
[e-mail]

Email [e-mail]

www.genelec.com

In Sweden please contact

Genelec Sverige

Tureholmsvägen 12

125 35 Älvsjö

Sweden
Phone [phone]

Email [e-mail]