QSC CXD-Q Quick Start Manual

CXD-Q Amplifier

Quick Start Guide

EXPLANATION OF TERMS AND SYMBOLS

The term “WARNING!” indicates instructions regarding personal safety. If the instructions are not followed the result may be bodily injury or death.

The term “CAUTION!” indicates instructions regarding possible damage to physical equipment. If these instructions are not followed, damage to the
equipment could result that may not be covered under the warranty.

The term “IMPORTANT!” indicates instructions or information that are vital to the successful completion of the procedure.

The term "NOTE" indicates additional useful information..

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol in a triangle is to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the
product's enclosure that may constitute a risk of electric shock to humans.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is to alert the user to the presence of important safety, and operating and
maintenance instructions in this manual..

NOTE:

separate outputs. For detailed instructions for custom configurations refer to the CXD-Q User Guide (TD-000438).

This Quick Start Guide assumes starting with the amplifier's basic factory configuration, with four separate inputs and four

Rack Mount the Amplifier

1. Secure the amplifier in the rack with eight screws (not supplied)—four in front, four
in back.

— Figure 1 —

TD-000437-00-B

*TD-000437-00*

Connections

ROUTABLE INPUTS

Q-SYS Q-LAN

LAN A LAN B

Connect LAN A, and if available, LAN B, to the Q-LAN network. (Figure 2) Refer to your Q-SYS documentation for network
requirements and connection detail.

Inputs

Balanced

The CXD-Q amplifiers convert the analog input signals into digital audio streams and then route them
over the network to the Q-SYS Core Processor for routing and processing. In the Q-SYS design, the
digital signals appear at the CXD-Q input component. From there they can be directed as needed.
Refer to the Q-SYS documentation.

1. Wire the audio line-level sources to up to the Euro-style connectors (supplied). You may use either
balanced inputs (Figure 3) or unbalanced inputs (Figure 4).

2. Plug the connectors into the appropriate receptacles (Routable Inputs 1, 2, 3, 4) Figure 5.

— Figure 3 —

—

+

21 43

WARNING!:

3. Plug the IEC power cord into the AC receptacle on the rear of the amplifier. (Figure 6)

GPIO

Refer to "GPIO" on page 8 for details about using the GPIO.

Outputs and Configuration

The configuration of the amplifier must match that of its corresponding amplifier component in the
Q-SYS design. Double check them, and if necessary change the amplifier configuration by following
the instructions on its front panel. Note that changing the output configuration of the amplifier
changes the outputs to the loudspeakers accordingly. Use the diagrams shown in Figure 8 thru

Figure 10 as references for wiring the loudspeakers. After you connect the outputs to the loudspeakers you may turn the amplifier on.

Do not turn the amplifier on yet.

— Figure 5 —

— Figure 6 —

— Figure 2 —

Unbalanced

—

+

— Figure 4 —

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

— Figure 7 —

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

Figure 8 through Figure 11 illustrate three types of output channel configurations: separate, bridged, and parallel. The tables to the right of the

loudspeaker connections show all the configurations possible and and how to connect them.

Separate Channels (A B C D)

TD-000437-00-B

2

— Figure 8 —

Bridged (A+B) and Separate (C D) Channels

Parallel Channels (ABCD)

— Figure 9 —

SETTINGS CAN BE
CONFIGURED FOR

70V, 100V AND

200V DIRECT

OUTPUT.

— Figure 10 —

Connect the Loudspeakers

1. Connect the loudspeaker wiring to the 8-pin Euro-style connector as needed for
your amplifier's configuration.

2. Install the female 8-pin Euro-style connector onto the male connector on the rear of
the amplifier as shown in Figure 11.

3. Use a Phillips screwdriver to secure the connector.

3

— Figure 11 —

TD-000437-00-B

Amplifier Control

NOTE:

is connected to the Q-SYS Core Processor via Q-LAN.
When the amplifier is not connected to the Core Processor
it goes into a Fault mode, and becomes non-operational.

The following scenarios assume that the amplifier

Off Mode

• Rear power switch is off; the amplifier is not operable. The power
switch is the AC mains disconnect.

• The power button is not lit.

• Turn the power switch on. The amplifier enters the mode in which it
was when power was removed – Run, Mute All, or Standby.

Run Mode

• From Standby or Mute All mode, press and release the power button
on the front panel. The amplifier is in Run Mode.

• The power button lights green.

• The amplifier is fully operable; audio can pass.

Standby Mode

• From Mute All or Run mode, press and hold the power button on
the front panel for approximately four seconds.

• The power button lights solid red.

• The amplifier is not operable; audio will not pass.

Mute All Mode

• From the Run Mode, quickly press and release the power button.

• The power button flashes red; all the output Mute buttons are red.

• The amplifier output is disabled but the front panel is fully operable.

Master Control Knob

• Adjusts gain for the selected channel or channels. At least one
channel must be selected.

• When one or more channels are selected, turn the Master Control
knob to jump to the Gain screen. After a few seconds with no activity,
it will return to the earlier screen.

• If more than one channel is selected and their gains are different, the
knob will adjust their gains while maintaining the relative difference
between or among them, up until one of the channels reaches its
upper or lower gain limit.

NEXT and PREV Buttons

• Navigates forward and
backwards through the screens.

ID Button

• Press this button to display the
amplifier's network name. At the same time, the ID buttons on the
associated Q-SYS Amplifier component and the associated Q-SYS
Configurator item will flash. Press the ID Button again or click one of
the other ID buttons to stop the flashing and exit the screen.

• Use this button also when prompted to synchronize the amplifier
configuration to the associated Q-SYS design.

SEL Buttons

• Use these buttons to select an output channel whose gain you wish
to change.

• Select more than one channel to change multiple gain settings at the
same time.

• If two or more output channels are bridged or in parallel, selecting
any channel in the group will select the others as well.

NEXT

SEL

PREV

ID

TD-000437-00-B

4

Inputs and Outputs

Component

Component

1

2

3

4

5

1

5

6

2

3

4

The CXD-Q amplifiers have four mic/line inputs and four amplified outputs on the rear of the amplifier. The inputs and outputs are not connected
inside the amplifier.

The CXD-Q amplifiers convert the analog input signals into digital audio streams and then route them over the Q-LAN network (LAN A and/or LAN
B) to the Q-SYS Core Processor for routing and processing. In the Q-SYS design, the digital signals appear at the CXD-Q input component. From there
they can be directed as needed. Refer to the Q-SYS documentation.

In the Q-SYS design, digital signals meant for amplification are received via Q-LAN from the Core Processor at the CXD-Q Output component. The
CXD-Q Output component may have one to four outputs, depending on the configuration of the amplifier. Use the amplifier Properties menu to
select the desired configuration and use the amplifier's ID button to accept the configuration.

T1

+

CH A

T2

-

ROUTABLE INPUTS

21 43

Q-LAN

CXD4.3Q In

cxq-1234

CXD-Q Input

Q-Sys

DSP, Routing,

and so on.

CXD4.3Q Out

cxq-1234

CXD-Q Output

Q-LAN

T3

+

CH B

T4

-

T5

+

CH C

T6

-

T7

+

CH D

T8

-

— Figure 12 —

Screens

Channel Configuration Screens

CHANNEL CONFIGURATION

1. Graphic representation of the assignments of audio streams to output channels —
Signals (Q) are audio streams from the Q-LAN network, and the output channels are A
through D.

2. Number of individual channel outputs and their configuration — See the Q-SYS help for
the CXD-Q Amplifier component to review all available configurations.

Q A

Channel Configuration Locked to Design

Q B

4 Channels: A B C D

Q C

Q D

3. Indication that the Q-SYS design and the amplifier are in sync.

4. Indication that the amplifier is not synchronized to the Q-SYS design; user action is

required.

CHANNEL CONFIGURATION

Design requires 3 Channels: A+B C D

5. Indication that user action—pressing the amplifier's ID button—is required to accept
the amplifier configuration.

Status Screen

1.

DEVICE:

at the factory, but you may change it in the Q-SYS Configurator.

2.

DESIGN:

This is the hostname (network name) of the amplifier. A default name is assigned

This is the name of the Q-SYS design containing the amplifier. The amplifier will

Q A

Q B

4 Channels: A B C D

— Figure 13 —

Q C

Q D

Press ID to Accept

only operate if it is in a running Q-SYS design.

3.

STATUS:

• OK – Green bar; means both audio and hardware are good.

•

•

•

4.

FIRMWARE:

a. Open the Q-SYS Designer Software version associated with the desired firmware version.
b. Connect the amplifier to the network and turn it on.

The color of the bar and the text display the current status of the amplifier.

Compromised

– Orange bar; audio is good but a redundancy mechanism is active
(one LAN down but the other is still up) or a non-fatal hardware problem exists (fans
too slow, temperature higher than expected, etc.)

Fault

– Red bar; audio is stopped, or hardware is malfunctioning or misconfigured

(amplifier off, audio streams broken, amplifier fault, loudspeaker short circuit, etc.)

Initializing

– Blue bar; indicates initialization or design start. Audio does not pass.

Indicates the Q-SYS firmware version. To update the firmware:

5

DEVICE:

DESIGN:

STATUS:

FIRMWARE:

GAIN AB: -27.0 dB GAIN C: 0 dB

STATUS

My Design Filename

— Figure 14 —

TD-000437-00-B

CXQ-1234

OK

4.0.00

GAIN D:

10.0 dB

c. Open the Q-SYS design that contains the amplifier. Select

1
2
3

4

HEALTH

1

2

3

1

2

3

4

6 7 8 9

5

File > Save to Core and Run

.

d. The amplifier, Core Processor, and any other Q-SYS peripherals included in the design will automatically update.

5.

GAIN A - D:

Displays the current gain setting of each channel. Combined channels (bridging or parallel) are are displayed together. The green

background is a bargraphical representation of the gain setting as well.

LAN A / LAN B Screen (Figure 15)

1.

IP Address

—Use Q-SYS Configurator to edit parameters. LAN A is required and cannot be

turned off.

2.

Netmask

3.

Gateway

4.

LAN B

.

.

— LAN B is not required but if it is used, the network parameters appear here..

Health Screen

IP ADDRESS:

NETMASK:

GATEWAY:

IP ADDRESS:

NETMASK:

GATEWAY:

— Figure 15 —

LAN A

192.168.xxx.xxx

255.255.0.0

0.0.0.0

LAN B

1. FAN – Speed in RPM; varies with internal temperature.

2. PSU TEMP; CH A&C Temp; CH B&D Temp – The amplifier monitors three different
temperatures and automatically triggers limiting or shutdown at these thresholds:

• Thermal limiting starts at 69º C

• Thermal shutdown at 80º C

3. VRAIL 1; VRAIL 2 – Indicate the output section rail voltages. These are the normal values:

• VRail 1 = +147 VDC +/- 5V (typical)

FAN:

PSU TEMP:

CH A&C Temp:

CH B&D Temp:

VRAIL 1:

VRAIL 2:

1109

35.3°C

35.4°C

35.3°C

149

-151

• VRail 2 = -147 VDC +/- 5 V (typical)

— Figure 16 —

Output Screens

Each output or group of outputs has a dedicated screen. Figure 17 is an example.

1. GAIN – The gain applied to the signal in the output section. It is controlled by the GAIN
knob on the front panel of the amplifier or the GAIN control in the CXD-Q Output
component in the Q-SYS Design.

2. INPUT – The audio signal level applied to the CXD-Q Output component in the Q-SYS
design. This meter reading can be changed from RMS to Peak in the Amplifier Out
component in the Q-SYS design.

3. VOLTAGE - The output voltage delivered to the loudspeaker. This reading can be RMS or

GAIN:

Q-LAN INPUT:

VOLTAGE:

POWER:

HEADROOM:

DAC LIMIT

peak depending on the Meter Select setting in the Q-SYS design for the associated channel.

4. POWER – The power of the amplifier / loudspeaker circuit. This reading can be average
(“RMS”) or peak depending on the Meter Select setting in the Q-SYS design.

5. HEADROOM – The headroom, referenced to the amplifier's maximum output before
clipping.

6. DAC LIMIT – Indicates that the signal to the D to A converter is too high and the limiter has engaged to prevent clipping. This is a sign that the gain
structure is not correct.

7. PROTECT – Indicates that the channel is in Protect Mode. The usual cause is an excessively low load impedance or short circuit.

8. CLIP – Indicates that the output signal exceeds the amplifier's maximum output voltage capability.

9. LIMIT – Indicates the amplifier limiter is acting on the signal. Clipping, excessive output current, short circuits, or excessive operating temperature
will trigger the limiter.

TD-000437-00-B

6

OUTPUT A

PROTECT

— Figure 17 —

-23.0 dB

-45.0 dB

.777 V

.011 W

-41.3 dB

CLIP

LIMIT

Output Gains Screen

4
5

2 31

6

The Output Gains screen provides a quick overview of all outputs. Adjust output gains here.

To access this screen, use the NEXT or PREV buttons or press one or more of the SEL buttons.
Then adjust gain for the selected channels. If you press one or more of the SEL buttons but do
not make any gain adjustments, this screen will remain visible for a short time but then return
to the previous screen.

1. The highlighted background indicates the channel selected.

2. The channels are displayed according to the configuration of the amplifier.

3. The output gain is controlled by the GAIN knob on the amplifier or by the Gain control in
the CXD-Q Output component in the Q-SYS design.

4. The level of the Q-LAN digital audio stream applied to the channel, referenced to digital
full-scale.

5. The output voltage of the channel or group of channels.

6. In this example, channels A and B are parallel, while C and D are separate.

AB

OUTPUT GAINS

-45.0 dB

-45.0 dB

C

-45.0 dB

D

Q-LAN: -8.08 dB

VOLTS: 101 V

Q-LAN:

VOLTS:

Q-LAN:

VOLTS:

-100.0 dB

.014 V

-100 dB

.014 V

— Figure 18 —

7

TD-000437-00-B

GPIO

Q-Sys-Powered LED

Works for LEDs up to 18 mA.

Current is limited in the GPIO circuit

by a 127Ω resister in series.

Button or Contact Closure

GPIO

Ground

Potentiometer

GPIO

Analog In

Ground

+3.3 V

GPIO 5-8

Ground

10 kΩ

Examples

Connector

Pin

1 3.3 V 100 mA max (power cycle to reset current limiting IC)

2 GPIO 1 5 mA in/out, 3.3 V max; 127 ohm resistor in series

3 GPIO 2 5m A in/out, 3.3 V max,;127 ohm resistor in series

4 GND Ground

5 GPIO 3 5 mA in/out, 3.3 V max; 127 ohm resistor in series

6 GPIO 4 5 mA in/out, 3.3 V max; 127 ohm resistor in series

7 GND Ground

8 GPIO 5 18 mA in/out max, 3.3 V max; 127 ohm resistor in series

9 RELAY NO Relay Normally Open

10 RELAY COM Relay Common

11 RELAY NC Relay Normally Closed

12 GND Ground

13 GPIO 6 18 mA in/out max, 3.3 V max; 127 ohm resistor in series

14 GPIO 7 18 mA in/out max, 3.3 V max; 127 ohm resistor in series

15 GND Ground

16 GPIO 8 18 mA in/out max, 3.3 V max; 127 ohm resistor in series

GPIO # and

Function

Specications

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

— Figure 19 —

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

8

TD-000437-00-B

— Figure 20 —

Contact

Support

Mailing Address

QSC, LLC

1675 MacArthur Boulevard

Costa Mesa, CA 92626-1468 U.S.

Main Number

[phone]

World Wide Web

www.qsc.com

Sales & Marketing

Voice

[phone] International

Toll free (U.S. only) [phone]

FAX

[phone]

E-mail

24/7 Support

QSC offers 24/7 support only on Q-SYS™
Networked Audio Systems.

Q-Sys™ Customer Support

Full Support for all QSC Products

Business Hours: 6 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time (Mon-Fri)

Tel. [phone] (U.S. only)

Tel. [phone]

Fax. [phone]

Q-SYS Emergency-only After-Hours and Weekend Support*

Tel: [phone] (U.S./Canada)

Tel: [phone] (non-U.S.)

* After-hours calls are guaranteed a 30 minute response time from a
Q-SYS Support Team member. For Q-SYS ONLY!

E-mail

[e-mail]

(An immediate e-mail response is not guaranteed. For URGENT issues
use the phone numbers above.)

[e-mail]

If you would like a full copy of the CXD-Q User manual, visit the QSC website at www.qsc.com, or contact Customer Service
[phone] or toll free (USA only) [phone] to receive a copy by mail.

Si desea obtener una copia completa del manual del usuario de la CXD-Q, visite el sitio web de QSC en www.qsc.com,
o póngase en contacto con el Servicio al Cliente al [phone] o sin costo (sólo en EE.UU.) al [phone] para
recibir una copia por correo.

Pour obtenir un exemplaire complet du manuel d’utilisation de la CXD-Q, allez sur le site Web QSC à www.qsc.com ou
contactez le service clientèle au [phone] ou au [phone] (numéro vert - USA seulement) pour recevoir un
exemplaire par courrier.

Ein vollständiges Exemplar des Benutzerhandbuchs für die CXD-Q finden Sie auf der QSC-Website unter www.qsc.com. Sie
können sich unter [phone] oder unter der (nur in den USA) gebührenfreien Nummer [phone] auch an
den Kundendienst wenden, um sich ein Exemplar zuschicken zu lassen.

如果您需要 CXD-Q 产品用户手册的完整副本，请访问 QSC 网站 www.qsc.com，或致电客户服务部
门 [phone]，或拨打免费电话（仅限美国）[phone] 通过邮件获取副本。

© 2014–2019 QSC, LLC. All rights reserved. QSC and the QSC logo are registered trademarks of QSC, LLC in the U.S. Patent and Trademark office and other countries. All other

trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

http://patents.qsc.com.

9

TD-000437-00-B