QSC RAVE-81-S Owners manual

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RAVE

“S” series Digital Audio Router

USER MANUAL

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RAVE 80s

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RAVE 81s

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RAVE 88s

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RAVE 160s-24

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RAVE 161s-24

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RAVE 188s-24

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(8 AES3 outputs)

(8 AES3 inputs)

(4 AES3 inputs + 4 AES3 outputs)

(16 analog audio outputs)

(16 analog audio inputs)

(8 analog audio ins + 8 analog audio outs)

TD-000070-00

Rev. C

*TD-000070-00*

Attention!

•Maximum operating ambient temperature is 65° C.

•Never restrict the airflow throught the devices’ fans

or vents.

•When installing equipment into a rack, distribute

the units evenly. Otherwise, hazardous conditions

may be created by an uneven weight distribution.

•Connect the unit only to a properly rated supply

circuit.

•Reliable Earthing (Grounding) of Rack-Mounted

Equipment should be maintained.

EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL 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 users to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.

EXPLICATION DES SYMBOLES GRAPHIQUES

Le symbole éclair avec point de flèche à l’intrérieur d’un triangle équilatéral est utilisé pour alerter l’utilisateur de la presence à l’intérieur du coffret de “voltage dangereux” non isolé d’ampleur suffisante pour constituer un risque d’elétrocution.

Le point d’exclamation à l’intérieur d’un triangle équilatéral est employé pour alerter les utilisateurs de la présence d’instructions importantes pour le fonctionnement et l’entretien (service) dans le livret d’instruction accompagnant l’appareil.

ERKLÄRUNG DER GRAPHISCHEN SYMBOLE

Der Blitz nach unten zeigendem Pfeil in einem gleichseitigen Dreieck weist den Benutzer auf das Vorhandensein einer unisolierten,

gefährlichen Spannung“ im Gehäuse hin, die ” stark sein kann, einer Person einen elektrischen

Schlag zu versetzen.

Das Ausrufzeichen in einem gleichseitigen Dreieck weist den Benutzer auf wichtige Betriebs- und Wartungs- vorschriften in den beiliegenden Unterlagen des Gerätes hin.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

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.

AVIS

RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE

NE PAS OUVRIR

ATTENTION: Pour eviter les risques de choc électrique, ne pas enlever le courvercle. Aucun entretien de pièces intérieures par l’usager. Confier l’entretien au personnel qualifié.

AVIS: Pour eviter les risques d’incendie ou d’électrocution, n’exposez pas cet article à la pluie ou a l’humidité.

VORSICHT

GEFAHR EINES ELEKTRISCHEN

SCHLAGES. NICHT ÖFFNEN!

VORSICHT: Um das Risiko eines elektrischen Schlages zu vermindern, Abdeckung nicht entfernen! Keine Benutzer Wartungsteile im Innern. Wartung nur durch qualifiertes Wartungspersonal.

WARNUNG: Zur vermeidung von Feuer oder elektrischen Schlägen, das Gerät nicht mit Regen oder Feuchtigkeit in Berührung bringen!

SAFEGUARDS

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.

PRECAUTIONS

L’énergie électrique peut remplir de nombreuses fonctions utiles. Cet appariel a été conçu et réalisé pour assurer une sécurité personnelle entiére. Une utilisation impropre peut entraîner des risques d’électrocution ou d’incendie. Dans le but de ne pas rendre inutiles les mesures de sécurité, bien observer les instructions suivantes pour l’installation, l’utilisation et l’entretien de l’appareil.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) INFORMATION

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a commercial 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. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his or her own expense.

“QSC” and the QSC logo are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

RAVE™ is a trademark of QSC Audio Products, Inc. CobraNet™ is a trademark of Peak Audio, Inc.

Table of Contents

RAVE “S” Series Digital Audio Router User Manual

Warning Notices................................................................................................................................................. 2

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 4

Illustration of RAVE unit ................................................................................................................................. 5

Glossary .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

How it works .................................................................................................................................................. 8

Channel routing ............................................................................................................................................ 10

Installation ......................................................................................................................................................... 11

Pre-Installation preparation: analog signal levels (RAVE 160/161/188s only) ........................................... 11

Rack mounting .............................................................................................................................................. 13

Connections ....................................................................................................................................................... 13

Ethernet connection ..................................................................................................................................... 13

Analog audio connections (RAVE 160/161/188 only) .................................................................................. 14

Digital audio connections (RAVE 80/81/88 only)......................................................................................... 15

AC power ...................................................................................................................................................... 16

Master/Sync output ..................................................................................................................................... 16

Slave/Sync input ......................................................................................................................................... 16

RS-232 port .................................................................................................................................................. 17

Synchronizing to an AES3 (AES/EBU) stream................................................................................................18

Operation ............................................................................................................................................................ 20

Network activity/status indicators .............................................................................................................. 20

Channel audio signal indicators ................................................................................................................... 22

Program and software “kill” mode .............................................................................................................. 24

Routing ......................................................................................................................................................... 24

Network Design Considerations ................................................................................................................... 26

Specifications ................................................................................................................................................... 29

Appendix ............................................................................................................................................................ 32

Ethernet Cabling ........................................................................................................................................... 32

RS-232 Port Information ............................................................................................................................... 32

Resources ..................................................................................................................................................... 33

How to contact QSC Audio Products and Warranty Information............................................................ 34

Note: Page numbering starts with cover as page 1. This is done to keep electronically-distributed document

page numbering synchronized with the printed document.

INTRODUCTION: Overview

RAVE™ Digital Audio Router products provide a means of

transporting CobraNet™ audio signals over a Fast Ethernet

network. Using standard network hardware and physical me-

dia, a RAVE system has a maximum capacity of 64 audio chan-

nels on a 100BASE-TX repeater segment and the ability to

support hundreds of audio channels on a switched Ethernet

LAN. RAVE transports the audio signals over the network in a

standard uncompressed 48 kHz digital format in resolutions

of 16, 20 or 24-bit. Additionally, RAVE products support op-

eration in stand-alone mode, requiring minimal front-panel

setup, or in software mode, utilizing off-the-shelf applications

implementing the Simple Network Management Protocol, or

SNMP.

A RAVE system handles routing in bundles of up to 8 indi-

vidual audio channels. Each RAVE supports up to two bundles

of audio. The availability of audio through network transmis-

sion or reception is dependent on the RAVE model. The 88s

and 188s-24 can both receive and transmit data over the net-

work and can support higher capacity configurations when

setup through the Management Interface using SNMP.

Each RAVE unit has a female RJ-45 Ethernet connector on its

rear panel for connecting to a standard Category 5 Unshielded

Twisted Pair (UTP) cable. For economy and flexibility, RAVE

utilizes standard off-the-shelf Fast Ethernet devices such as

repeaters, switches and fiber optic media converters. You need

at least two RAVE devices—one to send and one to receive,

or two that operate bi-directionally—to route audio over an

Ethernet network. There are currently six RAVE models, with

three basic send/receive configurations (16 channels send,

16 channels receive, or 8 channels send/8 channels receive).

Each of these configurations is available with either analog

or digital AES3 (often called AES/EBU) audio inputs and out-

puts. The six models are listed in the table below:

NOTE! Many instances of RAVE model numbers, as presented in this manual,

have had the suffix (“s” or “s-24” ) removed for clarity and ease of reading.

INTRODUCTION: Illustration of RAVE units

Front view of a RAVE 161s-24; other models are similar

Power LED

Rear view, from top:

RAVE 160s-24, RAVE 188s-24, RAVE 161s-24, RAVE 80s, RAVE 88s and RAVE 81s

Bundle assignment selector switches (behind cover)

Network status LEDs Audio signal level LEDs

Audio I/O section

Sync connections

Ethernet connection

RS-232 port

IEC connector (AC power)

and fuse holder

INTRODUCTION: Glossary

AES

3— A digital audio format specification approved by

the Audio Engineering Society and European Broad-

cast Union for inter-device conveyance of a dual-

channel (stereo) digital audio signal. Also called

AES/EBU. This specification is periodically revised

and amendments are published by the AES.

Bundle—The basic network transmission unit under Cobra-

Net. Up to 8 audio channels may be carried in a

bundle. Each bundle is assigned a unique number

and its value denotes the distribution type, either

multicast or unicast, between RAVE devices. A

bundle can be thought of as a virtual cable between

two or more RAVE devices, which transports mul-

tiple audio channels. Bundle numbers can be as-

signed to the RAVE via its front-panel interface or

through an SNMP supporting browser or related ap-

plication.

Channel

—A single digital audio signal. Audio channels on

CobraNet have a 48 kHz sampling rate and may

be of 16, 20 or 24-bit resolution. Up to 8 audio

channels may be carried in a bundle.

Latency

—The time interval from when an event occurs and

when it is perceived. In digital audio routing, this is

typically the time required to convert an analog in-

put to a digital signal, transmit that signal over the

network, receive it and convert it back to analog for

the end listening device. Latency is dependant upon

every device in the signal chain that adds any time

delay to the delivery of the audio.

Management Interface

be thought of as the software and front panel con-

trols that determine how the RAVE will operate. The

MI is the means for control and monitoring of

CobraNet parameters within the RAVE unit. Two

main management methods are supported by

CobraNet; the host management interface (HMI)

and SNMP. RAVE supports SNMP and its front panel

switches for control. A RAVE unit can use its front-

panel thumbwheel switches to access most con-

figuration parameters for stand-alone mode. The

front-panel interface will satisfy most configuration

requirements. All of RAVE’s configuration param-

eters are accessible using SNMP.

—The management interface (MI) can

Conductor

—The CobraNet device on the network which sup-

plies the master clock and permissions list. A con-

ductor arbitration procedure insures that there is

one and only one conductor per network at any time.

Crossover cabl

and receive wire pairs swapped at one end. Cross-

over cables permit a direct connection of two nodes

without a repeater or switch in between. A cross-

over cable can also be used for cascading repeat-

ers or switches that don’t have an available uplink

port.

e—An Ethernet patch cable with the transmit

MI Variable Set

— The MI variable set is the group of param-

eters that can be controlled by the MI.

Multicast Bundle

many routing of audio on the network. Ethernet

multicast addressing is used to deliver a multicast

bundle. Because a multicast bundle consumes band-

width network-wide (within the same broadcast do-

main), use of this delivery service must be rationed

on a switched network. By design, all bundles on a

repeater network are of the multicast type.

—A multicast bundle supports a one-to-

Introduction: Glossary (continued)

Repeater

Simple Network Management Protocol

Stand Alone Mode

Software Mode

—Network repeaters are commonly referred to as

Ethernet multi-port hubs. A data signal arriving in

any port is reproduced out all other ports on the

hub. A repeater hub does not buffer or interpret the

data passing through it. An Ethernet network is

typically wired in a star configuration and the

repeater hub is at the center. Repeaters are half-

duplex by design and all RAVEs attached to a

repeater share the same broadcast domain. 64

audio channels is the maximum capacity on a LAN

configured with network repeaters. Repeater

networks with RAVE require the use of Class II

devices that are 100 Mbps only.

Note: CobraNet networks must consist of only network re-

peaters or only network switches. A mix of these de-

vices is not supported on the same LAN. This does

not apply to non-CobraNet™ traffic.

—SNMP is the network

industry’s standard for control and monitoring of net-

work devices. SNMP is a cross-platform, cross-net-

work protocol and may be used as the interface for

managed network switches and multi-protocol rout-

ers. CobraNet supports SNMP as one method for ac-

cessing its Management Interface.

— Stand alone mode is operating a RAVE

using the RAVE’s front and rear panel controls. All

available management interface variables are ac-

cessed using the front panel hexadecimal switches

when operating in stand alone mode. Also called hard-

ware mode. Redundancy and external Synch can be

setup via SNMP independent of the front panel switch

positions.

— Software mode is operating a RAVE using

the SNMP software only. All available management

interface variables are accessed through the network

connection using a PC and the proper software.

Switch

—A network switch examines incoming data and sends

it to the port or ports to which the data is addressed.

Networks that use switches realize higher overall

bandwidth capacity because data may be received

through multiple ports simultaneously without con-

flict. Switches are full-duplex devices. A network

that uses switches to connect network segments is

called a switched network. Because each switch

port has its own collision management and full use

of bandwidth, audio capacity may realistically reach

several hundred channels depending on the network

architecture. Additionally, switched networks may

support non-CobraNet packet types, allowing con-

trol and monitoring of the system devices

(QSControl, SNMP). Network switches range from

basic stand-alone models to more complex man-

agement and routing devices.

Note: CobraNet networks must consist of only network

repeaters or only network switches. A mix of these

devices is not supported on the same LAN. This does

not apply to non-CobraNet traffic.

Unicast Bundle

Uplink por

— Unicast bundles provide a single point-to-

point connection between two devices. Unicast

transmission is the preferred choice when operat-

ing on network switches. Data which is unicast is

addressed to a specific RAVE or other CobraNet

device. A network switch may examine the unicast

address field of the data and determine on which

port the addressed RAVE resides and direct the data

out only that port. Unicast bundles conserve band-

width network wide and reduce congestion at the

node.

t—A special port on a network repeater or switch

used for cascading or linking to another repeater or

switch.

Introduction: How It Works

Ethernet networks are used most often for data communica-

tions, such as with file or print sharing on an office LAN (Lo-

cal Area Network). A typical application might include a num-

ber of PCs or workstations, servers and shared printers all

connected to common Ethernet hardware. Messages (Ether-

net frames) are communicated between devices on the LAN

in a random and non-deterministic manor. Network response

to print messages or file access is usually noncritical so long

as the intended outcome occurs in a reasonable amount of

time. For example, when multiple users are attempting to

share a common printer at the same time, some users will

likely experience delays in output. Collisions or failed attempts

to access the network may also be acceptable so long as the

intended messages are retransmitted. Most often, a limited

amount of collisions are expected and are usually transpar-

ent to the user.

nection and/or an abundance of bandwidth dedicated to a

single device on each switch port. On network switches, RAVE

establishes a half-duplex link to a dedicated port. The 100

Mbps of bandwidth available at a switched port is more than

enough to support all of the typical communications require-

ments of RAVE while providing for an ample amount of con-

trol and monitoring through the MI via SNMP messages.

A network of CobraNet devices can be thought of as a syn-

chronized orchestra. The unit acting in the “conductor” role

provides the system clock and grants network permissions to

the “performer” units. Each RAVE has a local internal clock so

that any RAVE may arbitrate for the role of network “conduc-

tor”. RAVE devices may also be synchronized to an external

clock source, which is attached to a rear-panel BNC connec-

tor. External synchronization requires configuration setup

through the front-panel interface or via SNMP. The permis-

Audio networks are different because late arrival or failed

attempts to transmit audio messages are immediately per-

ceived by the listener. Therefore, audio network transmission

must be error free with low latency and delivery must be pre-

cisely defined. To do this, RAVE incorporates the CobraNet

protocol. CobraNet is the industry’s most reliable audio deliv-

ery mechanism. CobraNet provides low latency, determinis-

tic delivery of audio over Ethernet on either network repeat-

ers or switches. Collisions are prevented on shared media

links, such as repeater hubs, by CobraNet’s proprietary “order

persistent” media access scheme. On dedicated media links,

such as with network switches, collisions are prevented due

to separate transmit and receive paths in a full-duplex con-

sions list is a message sent with the system clock that allow

individual units access to the network and reserve bundle as-

signments.

RAVE routes audio in bundles that are populated with a de-

fault value of 8 channels per bundle. The actual number of

channels per bundle may be altered, from 0 to 8, from the

management interface using SNMP. Reducing channel count

reduces system bandwidth requirements. On the models sup-

porting CobraNet transmission (81/88/161/188) audio is

brought into the RAVE using the rear panel connectors.

Introduction: How It Works (continued)

In default mode, the signals from the first 8 audio channel in-

puts will be grouped together in a bundle whose “network iden-

tifier” number is specified from the front-panel hexadecimal

switches or through the management interface. The bundle will

then be sent over the network to the destination devices that

are configured, or set to receive the bundle. RAVE models sup-

porting CobraNet reception (80/88/160/188) can then receive

the bundle by setting their respective front-panel hexadecimal

switches (or MI variables) to the appropriate bundle number.

The received bundle is then separated into individual audio chan-

nels and forwarded to the first 8 audio outputs at the rear-panel

in either analog or digital format, depending upon which model

Rave is used.

Signal flow for the six RAVE models are depicted below. The

wide black arrows indicate the bundle direction to or from the

network interface, while the thin arrows indicate individual audio

channels to or from RAVE’s rear-panel connectors.

RAVE 80s: 8 AES Outs

RAVE 160s-24: 16 analog outs

RAVE 81s: 8 AES ins

RAVE 161s-24: 16 analog ins

RAVE 88s: 4 AES ins + 4 AES outs

RAVE 188s-24: 8 analog ins + 8 analog outs

Introduction: Channel Routing

Channel Routing

A RAVE network handles routing in bundles of up to eight audio

channels. Each bundle of audio transmitted on the network oc-

cupies a unique identifier, or number. In stand-alone mode, each

RAVE device handles two bundles—two sent, two received, or

one of each. For example, a RAVE 161, with 16 analog audio

inputs, supports two bundles for transmission over the network.

Therefore, the 161 requires two separate bundle number as-

signments to enable both groups of audio to be sent onto the

network. In default mode, one bundle comprises audio chan-

nels 1 through 8—the second bundle, channels 9 through 16.

You can always alter the number and order of audio channels

within each bundle via SNMP.

Similarly, a RAVE 80, with eight AES3 digital outputs, supports

network reception of two bundles (each AES3 output carries

two audio channels). With receivers, each bundle number need

not be unique. A receiver may “tune-in” to two specific bundles

signments may be the same. Whether the bundle assignments

on a receiver (or multiple receivers) can be duplicated is depen-

dent on whether the particular transmitters are setup for unicast

or multicast transmission. On network repeaters, all bundles

are multicast. On network switches, the value of the bundle

assignment determines the addressing of the transmission.

A RAVE device that both sends and receives, such as the RAVE

188 (eight analog inputs and 8 analog outputs) or RAVE 88 (4

AES3 inputs and 4 AES3 outputs), transmits one bundle and

can receive another. Note: in software mode, the RAVE 88 and

188 can support two bundles in each direction.

Behind a removable cover on the front panel of each RAVE unit

are four hexadecimal rotary switches. In stand-alone (hardware)

mode, these switches are used for selecting the assignments

for each of RAVE’s two bundles. In software mode, these

from two separate transmitters or both receiving bundle as-

Rotary Switches

Bundle Setup:

The two left-most switches set the assignment of the RAVE’s first bundle. The default mapping for the first bundle is:

RAVE 81/ 88/161 and 188- bundle 1 transmitted onto network from audio inputs 1 through 8 RAVE 80 and 160- bundle 1 received from network routes to audio outputs 1 through 8

The two right-most switches set the assignment of the device’s second bundle. The default mapping for the second bundle is:

RAVE 81 and 161- bundle 2 transmitted onto network from audio inputs 9 through 16 RAVE 88 and 188- bundle 2 received from network routes to audio outputs 1 through 8

switches are used to provide a network name for the RAVE.

Removable Cover- RAVE 160s-24 shown

RAVE 80 and 160- bundle 2 received from network routes to audio outputs 9 through 16

NOTE! Detailed instructions on setting network bundle assignments follow later in the Operation chapter.

Installation: Pre-Installation Level Setting (RAVE 160/161/188 only)

PRE-INSTALLATION PREPARATION: ANALOG AUDIO SIGNAL LEVELS (RAVE 160/161/188 ONLY)

The RAVE models supporting analog audio inputs and/or outputs may require signal level setup to

achieve optimum performance. Level setup must be configured before rack-mounting the units. The

digital AES3 (digital audio) models do not require any adjustment. Level adjustments are made by

configuring internal jumpers on the main circuit board. For access to these jumpers, you must first

remove the top cover of the RAVE unit as follows.

NOTE: If synchronizing to an AES3 (AES/EBU) source, see page 18 for AES3 jumper settings.

CAUTION: Detach the power cord before removing the top cover. Dangerous voltages within the enclosure may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to humans.

To remove cover, first detach the AC power cord, then remove screws from top, bottom, and sides. The arrows in this picture point to the 17 screw locations.

Required tools: #2 Phillips screwdriver.

Then lift the rear edge of the top cover about ¼ inch, or 6 mm, and slide the cover forward about 2 inches, or 5 cm. Lift the cover straight up to remove it from the chassis.

Reverse this procedure to reinstall the cover.

Be sure to take proper protective measures, such as working on an antistatic surface and wearing a grounding wrist strap, before touching any circuitry inside.

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