Phoenix Audio Octopus User Manual

User Manual

Please read this manual carefully before using the Phoenix Octopus

For additional help and updates, refer to our website www.phnxaudio.com

To contact Phoenix Audio for support, please send a detailed e-mail to [e-mail]

Table of Contents

Introduction…………………..….…………………2
Specifications………………………………………2
Product Concept …………………………………..3
Installing………………….…………………………5
Setup Wizard …………………………….. ………11
Setup Utility ……………………………………….15

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Introduction

The Phoenix Octopus Conferencing Mixer utilizes Beamforming microphone array technology, provides unlimited daisy chain

capability, and allows for multiple connectivity options all in a single, easy to install box. The Octopus gives the ability to mount

microphones and speakers anywhere in the room (ceilings, walls, and table tops). It comes standard with USB and RCA connectors

for VoIP and Video Codec connectivity, with the option of adding a PSTN (analog telephone) interface or a digital telephone

interface. The Phoenix Octopus can be ordered with an optional 40 watt, 4-output amplifier for powering speakers. Each Octopus unit

has four microphone inputs, each of which can be set as Mic level (3V or 24V Phantom available) or Line level. Each of the four

inputs can be set to participate in the Beamforming process, or designated as a unique Auxiliary or Sound Reinforcement channel.

The Octopus utilizes Phoenix Audio’s proprietary Beamforming algorithm. It performs echo cancellation, noise suppression, and de-

reverb filtering to rid the send signal of unwanted echo and reflected sounds.

Specifications

For Mic level: 90mVpp Max

Inputs

Designation: Microphone (mixer inputs), Auxiliary, Sound Reinforcement
Number of inputs: 4 per unit
Phantom: User selectable: 3V, 24V or none (for Line inputs)
Connectors: XLR
Input Impedance (load):
3V Phantom: 2K ohm
24V Phantom: 590 Ohm
No Phantom: 2K ohm
Maximum input level: 1.8V/Gain
Gain: User selectable: 0dB to 42dB in 6dB steps
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 16 KHz

Audio Out

Connectors: RCA and XLR (the XLR is re-assigned as Link Up when
the unit is configured as Slave)
Level: Line or Mic level (user selectable)

For Line level: 1.8Vpp Max

Link Up level: Line (1.8Vpp fixed)
Impedance: 25 ohm
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 16 KHz

Audio (Far-End) In

Connector: RCA
Impedance: 100K ohm
Level: 1.8Vpp

Far-End (Speaker) out

Connector: 2pin terminal block
Impedance: 25 ohm
Level: 1.8Vpp Max

Com Port: RS232 – protocol available upon request

Power: 5V, 200mAmp (through the USB connector)

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Product Concept

The Octopus is designed for easy installation and setup
therefore the microphones are mixed automatically utilizing a
sophisticated Beamforming mixer algorithm. This means that
the Octopus will assess the signals picked up by all the
microphones, and decide, instantaneously, which one will take
part in the mixing and with what level of emphasis (weight). At
any point any number of microphones can take part in the
mixing, from a single microphone to all of them – the unit will
make the assessment automatically and will control the mixing
parameters. The user does not have to (and actually cannot)
control the process. The microphones that are selected to take
part in this automatic process are referred to in this document
as Matrix microphones

In addition to the Matrix microphones, the user can define up
to four unique input channels; each of them can be designated
as “Sound Reinforcement” (referred hereon as SR) or
“Auxiliary” (referred hereon as AUX). Both types of unique
channels will be summed with the Beamforming output; they
will also be summed with the incoming “far-end” signal and
played through the local speakers (the user can control the
level of local playback for each unique channel separately and
independent from the far-end playback level). These channels
can be used for local amplification of a podium microphone
(SR channel) or local amplification of a pre-recorded
presentation (AUX). The difference between these two types is
in the way the echo and feedback cancellers treat them.

either Slaves or a Master. The Master communicates with the
conferencing unit (VoIP, Video Codec or Telephone) and
receives, into its microphone inputs, the output of Slave units.
Each of the Slaves can act as a lower hierarchy Master
(referred to as a mid-level Master) and as such receive into its
microphone inputs lower level Slaves. The Matrix microphones
are connected to the lowest level Slaves. The following
guidelines apply to the connection:

• A Master unit will be configured at the top of the chain;
it will be connected to the communication line. Its
inputs can be assigned as unique channels (SR or
AUX) or Slave’s output.

• The Slaves that are connected to this Master can be
used as mid-level Masters and be fed from lower level
Slaves. Note: anything referred to as a mid-level
Master in this document must be designated as a
Slave when running the Setup Wizard.

• All the inputs of a Slave unit are of similar nature. More
specifically – if one of the inputs is designated as
Slave’s output then all the inputs will be assigned the
same.

• The Matrix microphone will be connected to the lowest
level Slaves.

• When all the units are connected, the output of the
whole setup results in the automatic Beamforming
process of all the microphones + the SR channels +
the AUX channels.

This Layered Star expansion configuration is explained in
detail in the following chapters.

Each Octopus unit can manage up to four input channels, but
is capable to connect to other Octopus units for an unlimited
expansion. For the expanded setup units are configured as

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Panels Overview

Front panel includes:

• On/Off switch.

• Power LED indicator.

• 1/4” audio Monitor jack – this jack is used for setting and

testing the unit. During setup (with the Setup Wizard) the
microphone inputs and the system output will be assigned
to this jack (depending on the setting phase – see details
in the Setup Wizard chapter).

• Optional Telephone interface – see details in the next
chapters.

Back panel includes

• Four input XLR connectors.

• LED indicator (next to each of the inputs) indicating when

Phantom power is on.

• SPK In - RCA jack for the far-end signal (connected to the
CODEC’s speaker out connector).

• Audio Out - RCA jack for system out signal (connected to
the CODEC’s input connector).

• XLR jack for either Link Up connection (when unit is
assigned as a Slave) or system output (similar to the Audio
Out RCA jack).

• Terminal Block (2 Pin) for speaker out (non-powered).

• Com Port - RS232 communication with a control panel

(AMX, Crestron or other).

• USB jack for USB computer connection. The USB is used
for control, audio data (in and out) and power (does not
power the “powered speakers”).

• Optional Power Module panel including an AC jack (220V
or 110V) and four speaker’s spring connection.

Optional Telephone Interface

Optional Power Module panel

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Designing & Installing the Octopus System

For optimal performance we recommend the following steps
while setting up the Octopus system:

1) Making all the necessary connections, including the
microphones, speakers, communication interface(s)
and controls.

2) Using our Setup Wizard to configure the unit(s), set,
tune, and test the microphones and speakers’
connections.

3) Using our Audio Setup utility for further settings.

The following chapters will walk you through these three
steps.

done with the Setup Wizard and is explained in detail in the
next chapter). Connect your inputs to the Mic inputs on the
back panel using standard XLR connections (see diagram
below).

If your setup includes more than four inputs you need to use
several units (depending on the number of inputs) and
connect them in our unique “Layered Star” expansion
configuration. In this configuration the Matrix microphones
(unlike SR or AUX input) are connected to lower hierarchy
level units which will be configured as Slaves - up to four
microphones per Slave (so if you have 5-8 Matrix inputs you
need 2 ‘lower level’ Slaves, 9-12 inputs you need 3 ‘lower
level’ Slaves, and so on).

Making the Connections

Microphones / Inputs

If your setup includes up to four inputs (including Matrix
microphones as well as SR and AUX inputs) you should
configure the unit as a “Stand Alone” unit (configuration is

Up to four Slaves are connected to either a mid-level Master
or a Master unit using a standard XLR to XLR cable (not
supplied) - the Link Up of the lower level unit is connected to
one of the microphone inputs of the higher level unit. Note
that with two layers (one Master and up to four Slaves) you
can connect up to 16 Matrix microphones.

Stand Alone configuration with 3 Matrix microphones and 1 podium microphone

Link Up

In1

In2

In3

In4

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