QSC BASIS 904zz Owner's Manual

BASIS 904zz

16 Output CobraNet Enabled Control and Monitoring Signal Processor
Hardware Manual

*TD-000152-00*

TD-000152-00 rev.A

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS & EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to
the presence of uninsulated “dangerous” voltage within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to humans.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of
important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in this manual.

SAFEGAURDS
Electrical energy can perform many useful functions. This unit has been engineered and manufactured to
assure your personal safety. Improper use can result in potential electrical shock or fire hazards. In order
not to defeat the safeguards, observe the following instructions for its installation, use and servicing.

CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the cover. No user-serviceable parts inside.
Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.

WARNING: To prevent fire or electric shock, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture.

1- Maximum operating ambient temperature is 50°C (122°F).
2- Never restrict airflow through the device fan or vents. Please insure that the air intake and exhaust
vents are unobstructed.
3- When installing equipment into rack, distribute the units evenly. Otherwise, hazardous conditions
could be created by an uneven weight distribution.
4- Connect the unit only to a properly rated supply circuit. The BASIS 904zz is suitable for connection to
100 - 240 VAC, 47 - 440 hertz, with no special considerations other than the appropriate IEC power cord.
5- Reliable Earthing (Grounding) of rack-mounted equipment should be maintained.

LITHIUM BATTERY WARNING
THIS EQUIPMENT CONTAINS A NON-RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERY. LITHIUM IS A CHEMICAL
KNOWN TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE CANCER OR BIRTH DEFECTS. THE NON-RECHARGE­ABLE LITHIUM BATTERY CONTAINED IN THIS EQUIPMENT MAY EXPLODE IF IT IS EXPOSED TO FIRE OR
EXTREME HEAT. DO NOT SHORT CIRCUIT THE BATTERY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RECHARGE THE NON­RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERY.

FCC INTERFERENCE STATEMENT
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 to the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, 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 switching the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to
correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

- Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.

- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio or TV technician for help.

© Copyright 2004 QSC Audio Products, Inc. QSC® is a registered trademark of QSC Audio Products, Inc. “QSC” and the QSC logo are registered

with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Introduction

The BASIS 904zz provides the digital audio transport, signal
processing, control and status monitoring facilities needed
to bind a group of amplifiers and loudspeakers into an inte­grated functioning system. In conjunction with QSCon­trol.net software, the BASIS 904zz enables the user to
design, test and deploy professional audio reinforcement
and distribution systems ranging in size from one to hun­dreds of channels.

Each QSC power amplifier connects directly to a BASIS
904zz via one of its eight QSC DataPorts. All mission-critical
elements of the BASIS-driven sound system are monitored.
User-selected events are logged and loudspeaker protection
features unique to BASIS such as QSC's power limiter are
made possible through the DataPort functionality.

A standard Windows computer is the principle user-inter­face for controlling the overall BASIS/QSControl system.
However, the BASIS 904zz also offers a front panel interface
for accessing critical functions.

A single QSControl server computer can support several cli­ents running QSC's latest Venue Manager software. Thus,
the sound system can be operated via several computers,
roaming wireless laptops, tablets, etc., all at the same time,

Don’t want to read the entire manual? Just

want to dig right in? Go to page 18....

from anywhere a connection to the QSControl network is
available.

The QSControl network can also be managed from a single
computer running both the client and the server. Once all
BASIS devices in a system are configured, a computer is no
longer required on that system’s network. All basic func­tions of the BASIS 904zz continue to operate with or with­out a control computer connected to the network.

Audio enters a BASIS 904zz from CobraNet source devices
such as QSC's line of RAVE digital audio routers. Any combi­nation of 24 CobraNet channels (selected from up to 4 bun­dles of 32 channels) can be routed into the 24 x 24 DSP
engine. Any or all of the 24 DSP channels can also be routed
to up to 32 CobraNet channels on the network.

Unlike many configurable DSP boxes, the intrinsic process­ing latency of the BASIS 904zz is both short and fixed at

0.396 milliseconds. The delay does not change regardless of
the DSP configuration, unless the configuration intention­ally adds more delay.

1- Power indicator
2- Diagnostic indicator
3- Network status indicators
4- Port connection status indicators
5- Multi-function push buttons
6- Display
7- Rotary select/accept knob
8- Safe Mode push switch (recessed)
9- DataPorts

See page 14 for detailed descriptions.

10- Monitor chain in/out
11- Relay outputs
12- Logic outputs
13- Omni inputs
14- RS-232 port
15- Network status indicators
16- QSControl 10BaseT receptacle
17- CobraNet 100BaseTx receptacle
18- IEC power inlet

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Introduction (continued)

The BASIS 904zz also supports the new optional low­latency CobraNet feature that provides transport at only

2.66 milliseconds delay.

Both software and firmware can be easily updated over the
network. In the future, QSC will be adding new capabilities
to both BASIS and QSControl.net. Our latest code releases
and access to up-to-date information on BASIS and QSCon­trol.net are available at www.qscontrol.net. We invite you
to visit us there.

Block Diagram

We've applied our many years experience in supporting
high-end installed sound with our previous system-building
products such as RAVE, QSControl, CM16a, DSP-3, DSP-4,
and DSP-30. The BASIS 904zz brings all that technology
together in one compact, powerful, easy to use system. We
are confident that your new BASIS 904zz will provide years
of dependable service and we hope it will help you, the sys­tem designer and implementer, to express your creative
audio system ideas.

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Introduction - Networking the BASIS 904zz

The BASIS 904zz has two RJ-45 network connection ports on the rear panel. One port is labeled "QSControl" and supports standard
10BASE-T Ethernet. The other port is labeled "CobraNet" and supports 100BASE-TX, also known as "Fast Ethernet". In the following we
describe the use of these ports and show example network connection schemes.

The BASIS 904zz supports two distinct kinds of network activity; the first is audio transport via CobraNet, and the second is control and
monitoring via QSControl.net. The user can choose to install one network for CobraNet traffic and a second separate network for
QSControl traffic. We call this the "Two Wire Interface". Alternately, it is possible to run both control and audio traffic over CobraNet
via the CobraNet port. In this case the QSControl port is unused. We call this the "Single Wire Interface".

Under the most demanding real-time control conditions and when using the lowest latency CobraNet settings, users may experience
better QSControl performance using separate networks, especially when displaying a great many real-time meters. For most applica­tions, separate networks won't provide any discernible benefits and will of course cost more. We therefore recommend using the Sin­gle Wire Interface when running CobraNet.

Why CobraNet Needs Special Treatment:

Ordinary Ethernet traffic has no guaranteed time of delivery. Packets of information may arrive at their destination out of order and
some may be delayed more than others. This is fine for E-mail and even for downloading MP3 files over the Internet. Everything ends up
properly reassembled at the destination, but how long this takes will vary according to network loading, span, etc. In contrast, Cobra­Net is "real time" - it delivers audio with a minimal, consistent transmission delay. CobraNet is designed to use as much of conventional
networking technology as possible while providing both guaranteed time of delivery and isochronicity - maintaining a phase-locked
sample-accurate clock across the entire network. These requirements mean that ordinary unregulated Ethernet data cannot be freely
mixed with CobraNet information. The two can coexist on the same wire, but only by adhering to the proper rules.

To learn more about CobraNet and appropriate network topologies, please visit http://www.qscaudio.com/products/network/
resources.htm and http://www.peakaudio.com/CobraNet/background.html.

Notes on Network Systems Design:

As with any communications system, the reliability and performance of a local area network is intimately related to the designer's skill
and knowledge in implementing a topology that is robust, efficient and standards-compliant. Proper network design is even more criti­cal in distributed multimedia systems. Therefore, it is important for the system designer to realize that some conventional network
practices must be avoided. Although each network design is unique and may carry its own performance requirements, compliance to
the following three points will assist in building an audio network that is trouble free and efficient.

First, audio and conventional data communications deliveries should not exist on the same LAN or VLAN. The exception to this is the
BASIS 904zz Single Wire Interface, which offers a solution for converging audio and QSControl.net onto the same LAN or VLAN. How­ever, conventional communications, such as corporate networks, print services, e-mail and Internet access, should not exist alongside
CobraNet audio and QSControl.net on the same LAN or VLAN. Further, CobraNet audio and QSControl.net data should not exist
together on the same LAN or VLAN when implementing the Two Wire Interface. This is not to say that conventional communications
cannot share the same network hardware with a BASIS 904zz. In fact, common network hardware, such as managed Ethernet switches
and media converters, can service both BASIS 904zz products and conventional data communications equipment so long as the man­aged switch or media converter are partitioned into separate network domains. This is normally done by configuring a separate VLAN
for each data type. (Some switches may allow individual port assignments or support partitions through DIP switch selection.)

Second, CobraNet audio must traverse either a repeater domain or a network switch domain. The point here is that the CobraNet port
on a BASIS 904zz must connect directly to, and only to, either a repeater LAN or a switched Ethernet LAN. Hybrid networks containing
both repeaters and switches are not permitted on the audio segment. Connecting the CobraNet port to a repeater that is in turn con­nected to a network switch poses an illegal and non-compliant condition. We recommend always connecting the QSControl and/or
CobraNet port(s) directly to network switch ports.

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Third, the BASIS 904zz and QSControl.net system are targeted at network switch deployments.
The consumer costs of Ethernet switches have continued to fall over the last several years and are now comparable with repeaters on
a per port basis. In addition, the sophistication and scalability of network switches make them ideal for new installations. However, we
do realize that designers may wish to add BASIS products to existing audio network installations that are built on repeater LAN topolo­gies. This applies primarily to existing CM16a and RAVE networks. For this very reason we continue to support connectivity to network
repeater hardware with the BASIS 904zz. Support for network repeaters exist only with the Two Wire Interface. That is to say that the
QSControl port and the CobraNet port must be connected to separate repeater LANs. Even when properly configured, audio channel
capacity is severely limited and both audio and control network expansion is limited by the respective wire speed of each segment. In
other words, scalability ceases to exist when bandwidth demands on the QSControl segment approach 10 Mbps and demand on the
CobraNet segment approaches 100 Mbps. Obviously, we recommend taking advantage of switch network technology whenever possi­ble.

It should be noted here that while the CobraNet port on a BASIS 904zz is restricted to repeater LAN or switch LAN deployments,
QSControl.net is a TCP/IP standards-compliant network system and therefore supports operation on network repeaters, switches and
routers. When implementing the Two Wire Interface, the QSControl.net segment does not require a single topology data path and
therefore repeaters, switches and routers may be assembled on the LAN in a hybrid fashion.

To learn more about network design rules and system compliance visit the QSC network resources page at http://www.qscaudio.com/
products/network/resources.htm. To learn more about CobraNet design requirements and to obtain the CobraCAD system design utility
visit the Peak Audio website at http://www.peakaudio.com/CobraNet/Network_Design.html.

All of this may seem daunting if you are new to networking. However, it all boils down to connecting a few simple cables between var­ious networking devices. Most of the time it "just works". QSC helped pioneer CobraNet with our RAVE ™ products and there are hun­dreds of installations all over the world, in theme parks, hotels, stadiums - everywhere. They run hum-free, sound great and are very
reliable.

The following examples will help get you started, but they just scratch the surface of what can be achieved with advanced network­ing…

Example #1 - QSControl.net X-over mode:

This is the simplest connection you can make between the BASIS 904zz and your computer. You use a CAT-5 crossover cable connected
between the BASIS QSControl port and your computer's Network Interface Card, (NIC). No network switch is required. With QSCon­trol.net server and client software installed and running on your computer you will be able to completely set up and monitor your BASIS
904zz.

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Example #2 - CobraNet X-over mode:

This is the simplest connection you can make between two BASIS/RAVE units. You use a CAT-5 crossover cable connected between the
CobraNet ports of each unit. No network switch is required. This connection allows audio to pass between the two units over Cobra­Net. The BASIS 904zz is an audio “destination” device, therefore, the other unit must be an audio “source” device puting CobraNet
audio data onto the cable.

Combining example 1 and 2 lets you setup and monitor one unit at a time, much as you would have to do using a point-to-point
RS232 connection, while passing audio between them, all without a network switch. However, you would have to physically connect
your computer first to one unit and then to the other. With this elementary connection you don't have a true network. It is like making
RS-232 connections - except that performance is better.

All the other examples are of proper networks and all require a network switch. On a proper network, you have direct access to all
units all of the time without having to physically switch between them. You still get the great performance of TCP/IP over Ethernet.
(And we believe QSC's advanced 4th generation networking software provides the best performance of any networked audio control
system available today including Ethernet based systems from competitors.)

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Example #3 - Single Wire Interface:

Here all QSControl and CobraNet traffic shares the same single CAT-5 cable between the BASIS 904zz and an unmanaged Ethernet
switch. The QSControl.net system manages traffic flow efficiently and reliably so that all audio and control data is delivered to its
appropriate destination anywhere on the network. This configuration works well when CobraNet audio deliveries are point to point.
Though the example shows only two units, as many devices may be connected as there are available switch ports. All BASIS/RAVE
units will be able to communicate simultaneously with the computer. All will have access to CobraNet audio. Switches can be con­nected to other switches to build larger networks; all of the normal networking principles apply. (Note: there must be at least two
CobraNet devices online for any data - audio or control - to come out of the CobraNet port)

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