Model 76B/77B User Guide Issue 1, July 2008
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 3
for Surround
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Issue 1, July 2008 Model 76B/77B User Guide
Page 4 Studio Technologies, Inc.
for Surround
Introduction
What This User Guide Covers
This User Guide is designed to assist you
when installing and using the Model 76B
Central Controller and one or more associated Model 77B Control Consoles.
Overview
As creating and distributing multi-channel
surround (5.1) and stereo (2-channel) audio
material has become a day-to-day reality,
the ability to simply and effectively monitor
these sources is imperative for recording,
post-production, and broadcast facilities.
Studio Technologies has addressed these
needs with the StudioComm for Surround
Model 76B Central Controller and Model
77B Control Console. With its digital audio
inputs, analog outputs, Dolby® E dialnorm
support, and extensive set of user resources it’s a simple task to integrate the system
into virtually any facility. The carefully
selected group of features, including
fl exible input source selection, dialnorm
display, channel downmix, channel solo,
and reference level, make the system
powerful yet simple to operate. And by
using the best of contemporary technology,
as well as following rigorous design practices, the system’s audio quality is excellent.
With the StudioComm for Surround system
any audio console, disk-based recording
system, or broadcast facility can have a
complete multi-channel monitor system. Its
unique feature set makes it especially well
suited to meet the unique needs of broadcast master control applications.
A StudioComm for Surround system
starts with the Model 76B Central Controller. It occupies one space in a standard
19-inch rack. Two surround (5.1) and three
stereo (2-channel) audio inputs, along with
a surround (5.1) and an auxiliary stereo
(2-channel) monitor outputs, are provided.
The surround and stereo inputs are digital and compatible with AES3id sources.
These unbalanced digital signals utilize
BNC connectors and are ubiquitous in most
post-production and broadcast environments. Sample rates of up to 192 kHz and
bit depth of up to 24 are directly supported.
With the system’s dynamic range of greater
than 106 dB, there isn’t a problem ensuring
that a source’s audio quality is maintained.
The monitor outputs are analog, balanced
line-level, with a maximum signal level of
+26 dBu. They include power-up/powerdown protection circuitry to help maintain
the health of the connected loudspeaker
systems.
A source of Dolby E metadata can be
connected to the Model 76B Central Controller. This RS-485/RS-422 115.2 kbit/s
serial data signal carries numerous data
elements, including one that represents
the average dialog level of an associated
audio program. This dialog normalization
or “dialnorm” value is an integral part of
many broadcast distribution systems, ending up as part of consumer audio playback
systems. Hardware and software within the
Model 76B separates the dialnorm element
that relates to one of the connected surround audio sources. This dialnorm level
value can be displayed on the Model 77B
Control Console, as well as being used to
automatically adjust the surround monitor
output level. This provides a unique solution
to the broadcast and post-production world,
allowing a professional environment to accurately simulate an end user’s experience.
Digital audio signals are interfaced with the
Model 76B using nine BNC connectors.
Analog monitor output signal connections
Model 76B/77B User Guide Issue 1, July 2008
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for Surround
are made using one 25-pin D-subminiature
connector. An advanced flash-based
microcontroller integrated circuit provides
the logic “horsepower” for the unit. AC
mains power is connected directly to the
Model 76B, which is factory selected for
100, 120, or 220/240 V operation. The
internal power supply utilizes two toroidal
mains transformers for quiet audio operation. One 9-pin D-subminiature connector
is used to connect the Model 76B with up
to four Model 77B Control Consoles. A
second 9-pin “D-sub” connector is used to
interface the Dolby E dialnorm data and
remote control signals with the Model 76B.
The Model 77B Control Console is the
“command center” and is designed to
reside at an operator’s location. It allows
fi ngertip selection of all monitoring functions. Numerous LED indicators provide
complete status information. A 4-digit
numeric display indicates the monitor output or dialnorm level in real time. A major
strength of the Model 77B is its ability to
confi gure, under software control, many
important operating parameters.
While most installations will use only one
Model 77B Control Console, up to four
can be connected to a Model 76B Central
Controller. This provides multiple users
with full control over a facilities’ monitor
system. The Model 76B can provide power
for the fi rst two Model 77B units while an
external 12 volt DC source is required for
a third and fourth unit. The interconnecting
cables use 9-pin D-subminiature connectors to carry RS-485 data and DC power.
Additional Details
The Model 77B provides four buttons and
associated LEDs for selecting the input
source to be monitored. The buttons are
designed such that up to six unique input
choices are available. Using the Model
77B’s confi guration mode, each of the six
input choices can be confi gured from the
Figure 1. Model 76B Central Controller Front Panel
Control console
to/from data
active LED
Figure 2. Model 76B Central Controller Back Panel
AC mains
input connection
Issue 1, July 2008 Model 76B/77B User Guide
Page 6 Studio Technologies, Inc.
To/from
Model 77B
Control
Console
RS-485 and
remote control
inputs
Analog monitor
output connections
Stereo Input C
connection
Surround Input B
connections
Surround Input A
connections
Metadata
active
LED
Stereo Input A and
Stereo Input B
connections
Powe r
present
LED
Director cue
output enable
for Surround
Channel solo
Downmix
Input select
Figure 3. Model 77B Control Console Front Panel
system’s two surround (5.1) and three
stereo (2-channel) inputs. The confi guration mode also allows stereo inputs A and
B to be used as either stereo or monaural sources. This is especially useful in
broadcast applications where a 2-channel
AES3id source may carry two independent
monaural signals. To highlight this powerful
feature: the Model 77B allows independent
monitoring of the two channels associated
with a single AES3id source. Broadcast
master control applications can greatly
benefi t from this confi guration fl exibility.
The surround monitor output level can be
controlled by way of a large, easy-to-use
rotary control. The control, actually a digital
encoder, allows level selection in precise
0.5-dB steps. The auto mute all function
causes the monitor output channels to
automatically mute whenever the output
level is set to its minimum position. Using
the reference level function, the monitor
output level can be set to a pre-confi gured
value. This is provided for audio-withpicture applications that require a specifi c
Display mode
Dialnorm and
monitor output
level display
Monitor Output
• Dialnorm enable
• Reference level
• Mute all
• Dim
• Rotary level control
monitor output level. The reference level
is easily confi gured by taking an electronic “snapshot” of the desired monitor
output level. For operator confi rmation a
4-digit LED readout can display the level
of the surround monitor output channels.
To match the needs of a facility, it can be
confi gured to display either the attenuation
level or the sound pressure level (SPL).
The dim function allows the surround
monitor output level to be reduced by a
fi xed dB amount. The dim level is confi gured from among four available values. A
mute all function allows all surround monitor output channels to be simultaneously
muted. The channel solo section provides
individual surround channel monitoring
control, allowing a single channel to be
monitored while the others are automatically muted. Multiple channels can also
be simultaneously selected for “soloing.”
A special solo mode is also provided,
called channel pop solo, which offers a
unique aid in monitoring audio material.
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for Surround
Channel pop solo allows the level of a
single channel to be raised while the level
of the other channel is reduced. This helps
to emphasize the content on one channel
without fully muting the others. Broadcast
applications can benefi t from the channel
pop solo mode, allowing, for example, the
center channel to be highlighted while still
maintaining some level on the other channels. The amount of level increase—the
“pop”—as well as the amount of attenuation can be confi gured to meet the needs
of specifi c applications or users.
Two functions allow the input sources to
be checked for level or phase inconsistencies. The 5.1 to stereo downmix function
is used to create a stereo signal from the
selected surround (5.1) source. The stereo
to mono downmix function allows audio
on the left and right channels to be added
(summed) and monitored on the center
output channel. The two downmix functions
can be simultaneously enabled, allowing a
surround source to be checked for mono
compatibility.
In addition to the surround (5.1) monitor
output, a stereo (2-channel) auxiliary monitor output is also provided. A stereo signal,
connected to stereo input C on the Model
76B Central Controller, can be routed to
the auxiliary output. A pushbutton on the
Model 77B Control Console allows on/off
control of the signal; no level control or
signal modifi cation takes place. The auxiliary output feature can be useful in special
applications, e.g., in a broadcast control
room setting where an audio signal, such
as site-event cue signals, needs to be
monitored by way of an independent set of
loudspeakers.
For fl exibility, the StudioComm for
Surround system is designed to easily
integrate with equipment such as production intercom systems, on-air or recording
tally signals, audio consoles, and fi lm
motion-control electronics. Three remotecontrol input functions are provided: mute
all, dim, and auxiliary output on/off. By providing access to these functions, talkback
or slate activity from an audio console or
other communications system can control
the level of the surround monitor output or
enable to the auxiliary output.
Installation
In this section you will be installing the
Model 76B Central Controller in an equipment rack. Connections to the digital audio
inputs and analog monitor outputs will
be made. If desired, a source of Dolby E
metadata will be connected and external
equipment will be interfaced to the remote
control inputs. A location will be selected
for the fi rst Model 77B Control Console
and it will be connected to the Model 76B.
AC mains power will be connected to the
Model 76B.
For advanced applications up to three
additional Model 77B Control Console
units can be connected to the Model 76B.
Please refer to the Advanced Installation
section of this guide for details.
System Components
The main shipping carton contains one
each of the following: Model 76B Central
Controller, Model 77B Control Console,
20-foot (6.1-meter) 9-pin D-sub interconnecting cable, and user guide. Units destined for North America also include an
AC mains cord. Your dealer or distributor
Issue 1, July 2008 Model 76B/77B User Guide
Page 8 Studio Technologies, Inc.
for Surround
should provide an AC mains cord for destinations outside of North America. Any
additional Model 77B Control Consoles
will be shipped in separate cartons.
Mounting the Model 76B
The Model 76B Central Controller requires
one space in a standard 19-inch (48.3 cm)
equipment rack. Select a location that is
convenient for making connections to the
digital and analog audio signals as well
as interfacing with the Model 77B Control
Console. A 20-foot (6.1-meter) cable is
supplied to connect the Model 76B to the
Model 77B. If the needs of a specifi c installation dictate, an alternate-length interconnecting cable can be fabricated and used.
Secure the Model 76B into the equipment
rack using two mounting screws per side.
Audio Connections
Audio signal connections are made by
way of nine BNC jacks and one 25-pin
D-subminiature connector which are located on the Model 76B’s back panel. Refer
to Figure 2 for a detailed view of the back
panel. The BNC jacks will be used for interconnecting with the digital audio signals. A
cable assembly with a 25-pin D-sub plug
(male) on one end and the desired connectors on the other end will be used for
connecting to the analog monitor outputs.
Digital Audio Inputs
Prior to sources being connected to the
fi ve inputs it’s worth reviewing how they
are used by the StudioComm system.
Surround inputs A and B each have six
channels (5.1) and can be confi gured
for monitoring over the surround monitor
output channels. The relationship between
input channels and output channels is
maintained, i.e., left input to left monitor
output, right input to right monitor output,
center input to center monitor output, etc.
(Of course this won’t be true in the special
case where the 5.1 to stereo downmix
function is enabled.)
Stereo inputs A and B can be confi gured
to be used as a stereo source or as two
independent monaural sources. When
confi gured as a stereo source the left
channel is routed to the left monitor output
and the right channel to the right monitor
output. Alternately, the left and right input
channels can be independently confi gured
to output by way of the monitor output’s
center channel. In this way a single digital
audio source can supply one or two monaural signals to the StudioComm system
and be correctly monitored.
Stereo input C is unique in that it can serve
as a source for both the surround and the
auxiliary monitor outputs. As with the other
inputs, stereo input C can be assigned,
using the confi guration function, to an input
select button. This will allow stereo input
C to be monitored using the left and right
channels of the surround monitor output. In
addition, the signal connected to stereo input C will be routed to the auxiliary output
whenever that function is active. To clarify:
if the auxiliary output is enabled (turned
on) a signal on the left channel of stereo
input C will be present on the left channel
of the auxiliary output; a signal on the right
channel of stereo input C will be present
on the auxiliary output’s right channel.
It’s important to note that there is one
limitation regarding stereo input C. Unlike
stereo inputs A and B, it can only be
used as a stereo (2-channel) source. Its
left and right channels can’t be independently monitored over the center channel
of the surround monitor output. (The
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for Surround
confi guration function doesn’t allow this
anyway so there is no potential for a
problem to develop.) Also, the left and
right channels of stereo input C can’t be
independently monitored by way of the
auxiliary output. It follows a left-in-to-leftout, right-in-to-right-out scheme.
The nine female BNC connectors on the
Model 76B’s back panel are used to interface with digital audio signal sources. Each
of the digital audio inputs is intended for
connection to an unbalanced digital audio
source that is compatible with the AES3id2001 standard. In broadcast environments
these signals may also be referred to as
following the SMPTE 276BM standard.
As expected, these signal sources will
be provided in the form of coaxial cables
with BNC plugs attached. The Model 76B
supports sampling rates of up to 192 kHz
with a word length (depth) of up to 24 bits.
Note that no master external synchronization source is required as each input is
independently self-clocking.
Balanced AES3 digital audio signals
can also be used with the Model 76B’s
inputs if external coupling transformers
(“baluns”) are utilized. These impedancematching (110 ohms to 75 ohms) transformer assemblies typically provide a 3-pin
female XLR connector on their input and
a female BNC connector on their output.
Analog Monitor Outputs
The connector labeled Analog Monitor
Outputs provides access to the Model
76B’s surround (5.1) and stereo (2-channel) auxiliary monitor outputs. The surround output channels are intended to
connect to the main loudspeaker system
incorporated in a facility. The auxiliary
output channels are provided to support a
separate set of loudspeakers, the primary
application intended to allow monitoring of
inter- or intra-facility communications.
The monitor output channels are designed
for connection to audio amplifi ers associated with monitor loudspeakers, or to the
inputs of loudspeakers that contain integrated amplifi ers. The monitor outputs are
electronically balanced and capable of
driving balanced or unbalanced loads
of 600 ohms or greater. While balanced
operation is preferred, unbalanced operation does not pose a problem. To connect
to an unbalanced load connect the
+ terminal as signal high, and both the
– and shield as the signal low/shield. For
optimal unbalanced operation, it is important to connect both – and shield together
directly on the D-sub plug, not at the other
end of the harness.
Note that while the Model 76B’s electronically balanced output circuits are capable
of driving loads of 600 ohms or greater
their output level will drop slightly as the
load impedance approaches 600 ohms.
A 0.5 dB difference in output level can be
expected as the load impedance changes
from 10 k ohms to 600 ohms.
The wiring scheme used by the D-subminiature connector complies with that
made popular by TASCAM® with their
DA-88® product. A wiring assembly prepared for the Model 76B’s monitor outputs
is identical to that of a DA-88-style output
assembly. Please refer to Figure 4 for the
exact connection details. Note that unlike
a DA-88-style assembly, the two threaded
fasteners associated with the Model 76B’s
D-sub connector uses 4-40 threads. This
complies with the original design standard
for D-subminiature connectors.
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Page 10 Studio Technologies, Inc.
for Surround
Signal Signal
Connections High (+) Low (–) Shield
L 24 12 25
R 10 23 11
C 21 9 22
LFE 7 20 8
LS 18 6 19
RS 4 17 5
Auxiliary L 15 3 16
Auxiliary R 1 14 2
Notes: 1) Connector type on Model 76B is 25-pin D-subminiature
female. Installer must provide plug (male). Connector uses
4-40 threaded inserts for locking with mating plug.
2) Wiring scheme follows TASCAM DA-88 convention.
Standard DA-88-type wiring harnesses are directly
compatible, with the exception of 4-40 screw threads
being required.
Figure 4. Connections for Surround and
Auxiliary Monitor Outputs
Metadata Input
The Model 76B allows a source of Dolby E
metadata to be directly connected. Hardware and software inside the Model 76B
extracts (“parses”) one of the dialnorm
data elements from the connected metadata signal. This dialnorm value can be
viewed on the Model 77B’s LED display
and, if desired, used to control the monitor
output levels. Refer to the Technical Notes
section of this guide for details.
The metadata signal is connected by
way of a 9-pin D-subminiature connector,
labeled RS-485/Remote Control Inputs,
which is located on the back panel of the
Model 76B. Refer to Figure 5 for exact
connection details. While only the data+
and data– connections are absolutely
necessary, a shield connection can also
be made. Note that the connections for
the metadata signal are reminiscent of
the SMPTE 207M standard.
Signal Pin Direction
RS-485 Data+ 7 Input
RS-485 Data– 2 Input
Data Shield 1 Shield
Remote Mute All 5 Input
Remote Dim 6 Input
Remote Auxiliary Output On/Off 8 Input
Remote Spare 9 Input
Remote Input Common 4 Common
Note: Connector type on Model 76B is 9-pin D-subminiature
female. Connector uses 4-40 threaded inserts for
locking with mating plug.
Figure 5. Connector Pin Outs for Metadata and
Remote Control Inputs
The metadata signal must be in the form
of RS-485 or RS-422 asynchronous serial
data. This differential signal must have a
data rate of 115.2 kbit/s and a data format
of 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit
(8-N-1). A metadata signal of this type
is commonly available on metadatagenerating or de-embedding equipment
from broadcast equipment manufacturers
such as Dolby Laboratories®, Evertz®,
and NVISION®.
While in hardware the Model 76B’s RS-485
input connection is bi-directional, in software it’s confi gured only to receive data.
This means that there’s no reason why
a signal already connected between two
other pieces of equipment can’t also be
connected in parallel (“bridged”) with the
Model 76B’s metadata input.
A word of advice—Studio Technologies
has found documentation supplied with
some metadata-generating equipment has
incorrect (or at least confusing) pin-out
information. This has resulted in much
head scratching and hair pulling. As such,
it may be valuable to use a logic analyzer
Model 76B/77B User Guide Issue 1, July 2008
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 11
for Surround
or oscilloscope to confi rm that the metadata source is actually on the expected pins
of the source connector prior to connecting
it to the Model 76B.
Remote Control Inputs
Support is provided for three remote
control input functions: remote mute all,
remote dim, and remote auxiliary output on/off. The inputs use logic gates,
“pulled up” to +5 volts DC by way of resistors, which are active whenever they are
brought to their logic low state. Inputs of
this type are commonly referred to as GPI
inputs. While the input circuitry is protected
from over-current and static (ESD) discharge, care should be taken to prevent
nasty signals from reaching them. The
inputs are active only when held in the low
state; they can’t be confi gured to change
state (“latch”) in response to a logic pulse.
The same 9-pin D-subminiature connector
used for the metadata input is also used
for the remote control inputs. Refer to
Figure 5 for the exact connection details.
Note that pin 4 (remote input common)
connects to the Model 76B’s internal circuit
common connection as well as the Model
76B’s chassis and mains earth connections. Figure 5 also shows one spare
remote control input (pin 9). This is provided for future applications and should
remain unconnected.
Connecting the Model 76B
to the Model 77B
A 9-pin female D-subminiature connector,
labeled To/From Control Console, is provided on the back panel of the Model 76B
Central Controller. This is used to interface
the unit with Model 77B Control Consoles.
A 9-pin female D-sub connector, labeled
To/From Central Controller, is provided
on the back panel of each Model 77B
Control Console. A cable with 9-pin male
D-sub connectors on each end is used to
interconnect the Model 76B with the Model
77B units. A 20-foot (6.1-meter) cable is
included in the shipping carton. The cable
implements all nine connector pins in a
one-to-one manner.
Should an interconnecting cable of a different length be required there’s no problem
for one to be fabricated and used. While it
can be wired in a one-to-one fashion covering all nine pins, a minimum of only four
connections are required: pin 1 (data+),
pin 6 (data–), pin 4 (DC+), and pin 9
(DC–). The Model 76B’s connector pin-out
scheme was designed to allow creation of
an interconnecting cable which uses commonly available 2-pair audio cable. This
cable, consisting of two twisted pairs each
with an individual shield, is typically sleek,
fl exible, and available in many colors. One
pair and shield can be used for the data
connections while the other pair and shield
can be used for the DC connections. This
implementation has the advantages of
providing a shield for the data path and
a more robust common connection (two
conductors including the shield) for the DC
power circuit. Refer to Figure 6 for details.
A few simple calculations are required to
determine the maximum cable length when
connecting a Model 77B to a Model 76B.
The differential transmission scheme used
by the system’s RS-485 interface makes
an interconnection in excess of 1000 feet
(300+ meters) easily possible. The limiting
factor is typically the ability of the wiring to
pass the DC power supplied by the Model
76B to the Model 77B. The Model 76B supplies 12 volt DC nominal with a maximum
current of 200 milliamperes.
Issue 1, July 2008 Model 76B/77B User Guide
Page 12 Studio Technologies, Inc.
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Signal Pin Direction
Data+ 1 To/From Model 77B
Data– 6 To/From Model 77B
Data Shield 2 To/From Model 77B
DC+ 4 To Model 77B
DC– 9 To Model 77B
DC Power Shield 5 To/From Model 77B
Note: Connector type on Model 76B is 9-pin D-subminiature
female. Connector uses 4-40 threaded inserts for
locking with mating plug.
Figure 6. Connections between Model 76B and
Model 77B
The Model 77B requires a minimum of
9 volts DC, 100 milliamperes maximum
for correct operation. (The voltage must be
measured directly at the Model 77B’s 9-pin
connector.) So the maximum interconnecting cable length is directly related to the
resistive voltage losses associated with
the two DC-carrying conductors. As the
Model 76B supplies 12 volts and the Model
77B requires 9 volts minimum, this directly
leads to a 3 volt DC maximum drop due
to the interconnecting cable. Using Ohm’s
law it’s quite easy to determine whether
the selected cable will support the desired
interconnection length. Calculate the voltage drop by multiplying the total resistance
(in ohms) of the proposed cable by 0.01
(the square of the Model 77B’s maximum
required current). Remember to include
the resistance in both the DC+ and DC–
wires in the fi gure for the total resistance.
our friends “down under” and in Europe
receive units set for 220/240 volts. Before
connecting the Model 76B to AC mains
power, check to be certain that it is confi gured to match the local mains voltage.
Look on the back panel (adjacent to the
power entry connector) for an indication
of the factory-confi gured voltage. Note
that an incorrect confi guration could prevent operation or cause damage to the
unit. Should it be necessary to change
the unit’s operating voltage it must be
performed only at the factory, or by a
factory-authorized service technician.
The Model 76B uses an IEC-standard C14
inlet connector to mate with the AC mains
cord. The AC mains cord should have a
C13 socket affi xed with the wire colors
conforming to the internationally recognized CEE color code:
Connection Wire Color
Neutral (N) Light Blue
Line (L) Brown
Protective Earth (E) Green/Yellow
Safety Warning: The Model 76B does
not contain an AC mains disconnect
switch. As such, the AC mains cord
plug serves as the disconnection
device. Safety considerations require
that the plug and associated outlet be
easily accessible to allow rapid disconnection of AC mains power should it
prove necessary.
AC Mains Power
The Model 76B is internally confi gured
to operate from nominal 100, 120, or
220/240 volts, 50/60 Hz. Units shipped
to North America are factory selected for
120 volt operation. Units bound for Japan
are generally selected for 100 volts while
Model 76B/77B User Guide Issue 1, July 2008
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 13
As soon as AC mains power is applied,
the Model 76B Central Controller’s power
LED will light steadily. The two data activity
LEDs, control console and metadata, may
also light. Each of the connected Model
77B Control Consoles will go through a
power-up sequence, lighting each LED in
for Surround
succession. Using its 4-digit display, each
Model 77B will also momentarily display its
address, its software version, and the software version of the associated Model 76B.
Advanced
Installation
Additional Model 77B
Control Consoles
Some installations will benefi t from the
Model 76B’s ability to be controlled by up
to four Model 77B Control Consoles. In
this section details on how to connect additional Model 77B units will be reviewed.
While control of one Model 76B by up to
four Model 77B units is fully supported,
one limitation does exists. A Model 76B
Central Controller is capable of providing
DC power for only one or two Model 77B
units. Connecting a third or fourth Model
77B requires use of a separate source of
12 volt DC power. As each Model 77B unit
requires a maximum current of only 100
milliamperes, obtaining an external power
supply should not prove to be an issue.
Many low-cost external 12 volt DC power
supplies are available that will be suitable
to the task. For optimal operation they
should be a “switch-mode” type with
a fi ltered and regulated output.
Central Controller, is provided on the back
panel of each Model 77B Control Console.
A cable with 9-pin male D-sub connectors
on each end is used to interconnect each
Model 77B with the Model 76B. A 20-foot
(6.1-meter) cable is included in the main
shipping carton as well as with each “solo”
Model 77B. These cables implement all
nine connector pins in a one-to-one
manner.
When connecting one or two Model 77B
units to a Model 76B all nine pins of the
interconnecting cables can be connected
in parallel (“multed”). This will connect the
data signals between all the units and
route the Model 76B’s 12 volt DC power
output to both Model 77B units. A basic
cable implementation would have pin 1
(data+), pin 6 (data–), pin 4 (DC+), and
pin 9 (DC–) connected. Connecting to a
third and fourth Model 77B requires that
only pin 1 (data+) and pin 6 (data–) be
connected from the Model 76B to the
third and fourth Model 77B units. (This
will create a “data bus” between the Model
76B and all of the Model 77B Control
Consoles.) An external 12 volt DC source
must provide power to the third and fourth
Model 77B. This power source, capable of
supplying a minimum of 200 milliamperes
of current (100 milliamperes per Model
77B), needs to connect to pin 4 (DC+) and
pin 9 (DC–) on the third and fourth unit.
As covered in a previous section of this
user guide, a 9-pin female D-subminiature
connector, labeled To/From Control Console, is provided on the back panel of the
Model 76B Central Controller. This is provided to interface the Model 76B with up
to four Model 77B Control Consoles. A
9-pin D-sub connector, labeled To/From
Issue 1, July 2008 Model 76B/77B User Guide
Page 14 Studio Technologies, Inc.
Previous paragraphs of this user guide discussed the Model 76B to Model 77B cable
length issues. Please review that information prior to creating the interconnection
scheme to be used for installing multiple
Model 77B units.
for Surround
Confi guration
After the physical installation has been
completed it’s important that the system’s
confi guration options be carefully reviewed.
In most cases one or more of the operating
parameters will need to be revised to meet
the needs of a specifi c installation. Many
of the parameters will impact the signal
fl ow in to and out of the Model 76B Central
Controller. Other parameters affect how the
one or more Model 77B Control Consoles
will display status conditions and respond
to user commands.
Confi gurable Parameters
Many StudioComm functions can be
confi gured to meet the exact needs of
an installation. The Model 77B Control
Console is used to display and select the
desired system confi guration. Here’s an
overview of what can be confi gured:
• Model 77B Device Address
• Auxiliary Output Nominal Level
• Digital Input Reference Level
The confi guration diagrams, located at
the end of this section, give details on setting each parameter. An overview of each
confi gurable parameter is provided in the
following paragraphs.
Entering and Exiting the
Confi guration Mode
A small button is located on the back of
each Model 77B Control Console, adjacent
to the 9-pin D-sub connector. On any connected Model 77B pressing and holding
this button for two seconds places both the
Model 76B and all the connected Model
77B units into the confi guration mode.
The Model 76B will immediately mute the
monitor outputs as a protection measure.
In the confi guration mode the Model 77B’s
array of buttons and LEDs no longer perform their normal functions, instead allowing you to observe and change many of
the operating parameters. The dialnorm
and output level LEDs, associated with the
display mode section, will light alternately
to indicate that the confi guration mode is
active.
• Monitor Output Nominal Level
• Input Select Buttons
• Reference Level
• Overall Display Mode
• Reference Level in dB SPL
• Dialnorm Reference Level
• Dialnorm Data to Surround Input
Assignment
• Dim Level
• Remote Inputs
• Channel Pop Solo Mode Offset Levels
Model 76B/77B User Guide Issue 1, July 2008
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 15
To leave the confi guration mode and return
the Model 77B units to normal operation
once again press and hold the confi gure
button for two seconds. Note that confi guration changes are stored in nonvolatile
memory only after the confi guration mode
has been exited.
Our apologies to those of you who fi nd
the confi gure button a pain to use, but it’s
supposed to be that way! Seriously, the top
of the button is slightly recessed from the
back panel, making it harder to accidentally activate. We didn’t want normal operation to cease because someone pushed a
Model 77B into a “rats nest” of schedules,
memos from management, and empty
for Surround
coffee cups! But a fi rm press with the fl eshy
part of an index fi nger should do the trick.
There is no problem frequently “tweaking” the system’s operating parameters
to achieve the desired performance. The
confi guration data is stored in nonvolatile
memory, which is rated for thousands of
read and write cycles and a retention time
in tens of years. Note that memory integrated circuits are located in both the Model
76B Central Controller and the Model 77B
Control Consoles. Only the individual device
address is stored in each Model 77B. All
other confi guration para-meters are stored
in the Model 76B.
Model 77B Device Address
A unique device address must be assigned
to each Model 77B that is connected to a
Model 76B. The choices are A1, A2, A3, or
A4, with the default address being A1. As
most installations will fi nd only one Model
77B utilized, its default setting is appropriate. For installations that use a second,
third, or fourth Model 77B each unit must
be confi gured with a unique device address.
Problems will occur if more than one unit
has the same address! It’s important to
highlight the fact that the device address is
the only setting that must be done on each
individual Model 77B unit. All other settings
can be made on any one of the connected
Model 77B units.
Auxiliary Output Nominal
Level
The nominal level of the stereo (2-channel)
auxiliary output can be confi gured to match
the requirements of a specifi c installation.
Devices connected to the auxiliary output
could include an amplifi er associated with
a loudspeaker system or inputs on selfcontained amplifi ed loudspeakers. (These
types of devices must include a means of
adjusting their output level.) This confi guration setting defi nes the analog output level
when a digital input source, at its reference level, is connected and the auxiliary
output is enabled. The choices are +4.0,
0.0, –6.0, or –12 dBu. When connecting to
the input of a device that’s not associated
with a loudspeaker system most applications will fi nd the +4.0 dBu setting correct
as it meets the dominant worldwide audio
standards. For broadcast applications
that follow the PAL standards the 0.0 dBu
setting may be appropriate. Devices such
as amplifi ed speakers will often perform
better when receiving signals with a lower
nominal level. In the latter case the ability
to comfortably use a level potentiometer
may be greatly enhanced using the –6.0 or
–12.0 dBu settings. The latter setting would
be appropriate when connecting the auxiliary output to the popular series of amplifi ed loudspeakers from Fostex®.
While sometimes not fully understood,
using the term dBu is more in line with
contemporary audio applications than
the outdated dBm and the “semi-pro”
dBV references; dBu refers to audio levels
without regard to their load impedance,
typical of situations where an output has a
low source impedance and is connected to
a high-impedance input. An analog audio
signal with a level of +4 dBu has an RMS
level of 1.228 volts. A 0 dBu signal has an
RMS level of 0.775 volts.
Digital Input Reference Level
Confi guring the digital input reference level
to match the sources associated with a
specifi c installation is an important step
Issue 1, July 2008 Model 76B/77B User Guide
Page 16 Studio Technologies, Inc.
for Surround
toward achieving optimal audio performance. This ensures that the Model 76B’s
digital audio receiver integrated circuits
are confi gured to match the digital input
source’s “0 VU” or average point. The digital input reference level can be selected
from four choices: –20.0, –18.0, –16.0,
and –14.0 dBFS. Note that this parameter
sets, as a group, the input reference level
for all of the Model 76B’s digital input connections. The Society of Motion Picture
and Television Engineers (SMPTE) recommends a reference level of –20 dBFS,
a value which is also extensively used
in professional audio applications. The
recommended digital reference level for
PAL broadcast applications is –18 dBFS.
The other two levels were included because… well, we can’t remember why! But
it seemed like a good idea at the time. If
you end up using the –16.0 or –14.0 dBFS
settings please let us know why and we’ll
add that information to the next version of
this user guide!
Monitor Output Nominal Level
The nominal level of the six channels
associated with the surround (5.1) output
are confi gured, as a group, to match the
requirements of an installation. This setting
defi nes the analog output level when
a digital input source, at its reference level,
is connected and the monitor output level
is at its maximum. The choices are 0.0 or
+4.0 dBu. Most applications will fi nd the
+4.0 dBu setting correct as it meets the
dominant worldwide audio standards.
For broadcast applications that follow
the PAL standards the 0.0 dBu setting
may be appropriate.
A fi nal review of the two previously selected settings might now be in order. The
most common input and output combination will have a digital input reference level
of –20.0 dBFS and a monitor output nominal level of +4.0 dBu. For PAL broadcast
applications a setting of –18.0 dBFS for
the digital input and 0.0 dBu for the analog
outputs would be typical.
Input Select Buttons
The three input select buttons, along with
the group select button, allow six source
confi gurations to be selected for monitoring. The Model 76B has connections
for two surround (5.1) and three stereo
(2-channel) AES3id digital audio sources.
Any of these sources can be assigned
to any of the input select buttons. To fi t
broadcast applications where it’s typical
for non-stereo pairs to share an AES3id
2-channel path, the individual left and right
audio channels of stereo inputs A and B
can be assigned to separate input select
buttons as required. These “mono” signals
will be routed to the center monitor output
channel.
Spending time reviewing the input select
button confi guration function may prove
very worthwhile. It is a unique feature of
the StudioComm for Surround system
and offers a great opportunity to optimize
monitoring performance.
Reference Level
For audio-with-picture applications it’s
often benefi cial for monitoring to be done
in reference to a known loudspeaker level.
This is often referred to as “mixing to 85
dB” on the monitors. The StudioComm for
Surround system allows a precise monitor
output level to be stored, and then enabled
Model 76B/77B User Guide Issue 1, July 2008
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 17
for Surround
by pressing the Model 77B button labeled
Reference Level. Setting the reference
level is very simple but care is required:
1. Set up a precision sound pressure
level (SPL) measuring device at the
desired listening location.
2. Place the StudioComm system in the
normal operating mode, not the confi guration mode. Be certain that the
dim, mute all, reference level, dialnorm
enable, and downmix functions are not
active. The remote mute all or remote
dim functions must not be active.
3. Use the Model 77B Control Console
to select the input source that contains
the desired reference signal source,
e.g., pink noise.
4. Observing the SPL meter, adjust the
Model 77B’s rotary level control until
the desired reference monitor system
level has been reached.
5. Being careful not to disturb the position of the rotary level control, enter the
confi guration mode by pressing and
holding the confi guration button located on the Model 77B’s back panel.
6. Once the confi guration mode has been
entered, the monitor outputs will mute.
Press and hold the reference level
button; its associated LED will begin
to fl ash. After fi ve seconds the LED
will light steadily to indicate that a
“snapshot” of the new reference level
has been taken. The Model 77B’s numeric display will then show the value
of the new reference level. The value
shown will always be a negative number as it’s always a value less than the
maximum output level. The reference
level button can now be released.
7. To complete the process the confi guration mode must be exited. This is performed by again pressing and holding
the confi gure button for two seconds.
The new reference level is now stored
in the Model 76B’s nonvolatile memory.
Only by repeating the entire procedure
can the value be changed.
Once the confi guration mode has been
exited, the monitor outputs will again become active. Confi rm that the correct level
has been stored by pressing the reference
level button. The SPL meter should display
the desired level. If not, repeat the calibration procedure to achieve the desired goal.
You might wonder why you have to press
and hold the reference level button for
fi ve seconds before the selected value is
recognized. This is provided specifi cally so
that unauthorized users won’t accidentally
change the reference level while they experiment with the confi guration mode. Only
if you know the “secret” will you be able to
store a new value.
Overall Display Mode
The Model 77B’s 4-digit numeric display
can be confi gured to display the output
level in either an attenuation mode or an
SPL mode. In the attenuation mode the
output level is shown as a reduction in
value relative to the maximum output level.
When the rotary control is used to set the
output level to its maximum the display will
show 0.0. As the rotary control is moved in
the counterclockwise direction the display
will show negative values, reaching approximately –69.5 dB before the full mute
function automatically mutes the outputs.
In the SPL mode the display can be
confi gured to allow the output level to be
presented to users in terms of the actual
Issue 1, July 2008 Model 76B/77B User Guide
Page 18 Studio Technologies, Inc.
for Surround
sound pressure level (SPL). Used in conjunction with the reference level in dB SPL
confi guration and the stored reference
level, SPL mode allows a user to see a
visual representation of the SPL level that
is present in the listening environment.
While it takes a little more care to correctly
implement the SPL display mode, it can
offer an enhanced experience for StudioComm users.
Reference Level in dB SPL
The reference level in dB SPL confi guration allows a specifi c SPL value to be
associated with the stored reference level
value. In this way whenever the monitor output is at the reference level, either
through activating the reference level function or manually adjusting the rotary level
control, the Model 77B’s display will show
the confi gured SPL level. Whenever the
monitor output is not at the reference value
the display will show the current value, in
dB, relative to the reference level. The reference level in dB SPL can be confi gured
over a range of 70.0 to 100.0 dB in 1.0-dB
steps. In many applications a value of 85
would be appropriate, refl ecting the widely
used audio-for-picture 85 dB monitoring
reference level. (Typically this 85 dB is
really 85 dBC, indicating that a C-weighting fi lter has been applied to the measurement.) Other common reference SPL
values, such as 82 and 87, are well within
the allowable range.
be adjusted up or down in response to an
incoming dialnorm value. The dialnorm
reference level parameter can be adjusted
over the entire –31 to –1 dB range but
typical values will be in the range of –27 to
–24. Implementation purists might want to
select –31 dB as it may well be the “truest”
implementation of the dialnorm scheme.
In this way the system will, when enabled,
reduce the monitor output level whenever
dialnorm is different than –31 dB. But as
bar fi ghts have broken out over decisions
such as this we’ll leave the choice up to
you! For additional information about dialnorm refer to the Technical Notes section
of this user guide.
Dialnorm Data to Surround
Input Assignment
For correct operation the connected Dolby
E dialnorm data must be assigned to work
in conjunction with its associated surround
input. In this way the dialnorm data will
only display, and level changes will only
take place, when the appropriate surround
input is selected by an operator.
Dim Level
The dim function is used to reduce the
monitor output level by a preset amount.
The reduction is in dB relative to the monitor output’s current level. There are four
dim level values available: –10.0, –15.0,
–20.0, and –25.0 dB.
Dialnorm Reference Level
The dialnorm reference level parameter is
provided so that the StudioComm system
can be confi gured to match a facilities’ or
“plant” default dialnorm level. This value is
used as a reference against which the surround monitor output level will, if enabled,
Model 76B/77B User Guide Issue 1, July 2008
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 19
Remote Mute All
Two confi guration choices are associated
with the remote mute all function: disabled
and enabled. To utilize the remote mute all
function simply requires you to select the
enabled setting.
for Surround
Remote Dim
Two confi guration choices are associated
with the remote dim function: disabled and
enabled. To utilize the remote dim function
simply confi gure it for enabled.
Remote Auxiliary Output
On/Off
This function confi gures whether the on/off
status of the auxiliary monitor output can be
controlled using the remote control input.
Channel Pop Solo Mode
Offset Levels
Two parameters can be confi gured that
set how the channel pop solo function will
impact audio levels. The up offset level sets
the amount of increase (gain) that a channel will experience when it is soloed in the
channel pop solo mode. The down offset
level sets the amount of decrease (attenuation) that the non-soloed channels will
experience when a channel is active in the
channel pop solo mode.
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for Surround
Confi guration—Entering and Exiting Confi guration Mode
Press and hold the confi guration
button for 2 seconds to enter or
exit the confi guration mode.
These LEDs will
light alternately
when confi guration
mode is active.
Model 76B/77B User Guide Issue 1, July 2008
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 21
for Surround
Confi guration—Model 77B Device Address and Auxiliary Output
Nominal Level
Press and hold the Auxiliary Output Enable button to
display and select the Model 77B’s device address
and auxiliary output nominal level.
When the Auxiliary Output Enable button is pressed, use the
input buttons to select the nominal level of the auxiliary output.
When LED Group 1-3 is lit the output level is +4.0 dBu. When
LED 1/4 is lit the output level is 0.0 dBu. When LED 2/5 is lit the
output level is –6.0 dBu. When LED 3/6 is lit the output level is
–12.0 dBu.
Note:The Model 77B’s device address is the only parameter stored in the Model 77B. All other parameters are stored in the Model 76B.
Issue 1, July 2008 Model 76B/77B User Guide
Page 22 Studio Technologies, Inc.
Use the level control to change this specifi c
Model 77B’s device address. Address can
be either A1, A2, A3, or A4.
for Surround
Confi guration—Digital Input Reference Level and Monitor
Output Nominal Level
When the Mute All button is pressed, use the
Channel Solo L and R buttons to select the
monitor output nominal level. Use the buttons
to change the confi guration. L LED lit means
nominal level is 0.0 dBu; R LED lit means
nominal level is +4.0 dBu.
Press and hold the Mute All button to display
and select the digital input reference level
and monitor output nominal levels.
Model 76B/77B User Guide Issue 1, July 2008
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 23
When the Mute All button is
pressed, use the level control
to adjust the digital input reference level. Available digital input
reference levels are –20.0 dBFS,
–18.0 dBFS, –16.0 dBFS, and
–14.0 dBFS.
for Surround
Confi guration—Input Select Buttons
When an input button is pressed use the
L and R buttons to assign stereo input
A to that button. Both L and R LEDs lit
means stereo input A is assigned to that
button as a stereo source. L LED only
lit means channel 1 of stereo input A is
routed to the center output and channel
2 is not used. R LED only lit means channel 2 of stereo input A is routed to the
center output and channel 1 is not used.
When an input
button is pressed
use the 5.1 to
Stereo button to
assign surround
input A to that
button. Use the
Stereo to Mono
button to assign
surround input B
to that button.
When an input button is pressed use the
C and LFE buttons to assign stereo input
B to that button. Both C and LFE LEDs lit
means stereo input B is assigned to that
button as a stereo source. C LED only
lit means channel 1 of stereo input B is
routed to the center output and channel
2 is not used. LFE LED only lit means
channel 2 of stereo input B is routed to the
center output and channel 1 is not used.
When an input button is
pressed use the LS button
to assign stereo input C to
that button. Both LS and RS
LEDs lit means stereo input
C is assigned to that button
as a stereo source. Individual stereo input C channels
cannot be routed to center
output.
Press and hold an input to display and select which input source
is assigned to that button in Group 1-3. Press and hold both the
group select button and an input button to display and select
which input is assigned to that button when Group 4-6 is active.
Default: Surround input A assigned to input 1.
Surround input B assigned to input 2.
No input assigned to input 3 (disabled).
Stereo input A assigned to input 4.
Stereo input B assigned to input 5.
Stereo input C assigned to input 6.
Note:If no input is assigned to an input button that button is disabled.
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for Surround
Confi guration—Reference Level
Press and hold the Reference Level button for 5 seconds to take a
“snapshot” of the level control’s setting at the time confi guration mode
was entered. The Reference Level LED will fl ash when the button is
initially pressed and then light solid when the “snapshot” has been taken.
Default: Reference level set for fully attenuated (minimum) monitor output level.
Note: The 5-second delay is a safety feature ensuring that the reference level will not be accidently changed.
To permanently store the new value, you must still exit the confi guration mode.
Model 76B/77B User Guide Issue 1, July 2008
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 25
for Surround
Confi guration—Overall Display Mode and Reference Level
in dB SPL
When the Display Mode button is pressed, use the
Channel Solo L and R buttons to select the overall
display mode. L LED lit means attenuation mode is
selected; R LED lit means SPL mode is selected.
Use the buttons to change the confi guration.
Default: Attenuation display mode selected.
85.0 dB SPL reference level.
Press and hold
the Display
Mode button
to display and
set the overall
display mode
and the SPL
reference level.
When the Display Mode button
is pressed, use the level control
to adjust the SPL reference level.
The range is 70.0 to 100.0 dB in
1.0-dB steps.
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Page 26 Studio Technologies, Inc.
for Surround
Confi guration—Dialnorm Reference Level and Dialnorm Data
to Surround Input Assignment
When the Dialnorm Enable button is pressed, use the Downmix 5.1 to Stereo and
Stereo to Mono buttons to assign the dialnorm data to the appropriate surround input.
LED 5.1 to Stereo lit means dialnorm data assigned to surround input A. LED Stereo
to Mono lit means dialnorm data assigned to surround input B.
Press and hold the Dialnorm
Enable button to display and set
the dialnorm reference level and
assign the dialnorm data.
Default: –31 dB dialnorm reference level.
Dialnorm data assigned to surround input A.
Model 76B/77B User Guide Issue 1, July 2008
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 27
When the Dialnorm Enable button is
pressed, use the level control to adjust
the dialnorm reference level. The range
is –31 to –1 dB in 1-dB steps.
for Surround
Confi guration—Dim Level, Remote Mute All, Remote Dim,
and Remote Auxiliary Output On/Off
This LED displays the
This LED displays the confi guration of remote mute all. LED not lit
means remote mute all is disabled;
LED lit means enabled. Use the
button to change the confi guration.
confi guration of remote
dim. LED not lit means
remote dim is disabled;
LED lit means enabled.
Use the button to change
the confi guration.
This LED displays the confi guration
of remote auxiliary output on/off.
LED not lit means remote auxiliary
output on/off is disabled; LED lit
means enabled. Use the button to
change the confi guration.
Press and hold the Dim button to display
and select the dim level, remote mute all,
remote dim, and remote auxiliary output
on/off confi gurations.
Default: –20.0 dB dim level.
Remote mute all disabled.
Remote dim disabled.
Remote auxiliary output on/off disabled.
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Page 28 Studio Technologies, Inc.
When the Dim button is pressed, use the level
control to adjust the dim level. Available dim
levels are –10.0 dB, –15.0 dB, –20.0 dB, and
–25.0 dB.
for Surround
Confi guration—Channel Pop Solo Mode Offset Levels
Press and hold
the 5.1 to Stereo
button to display
and select the
channel pop solo
up offset level.
Press and hold the
Stereo to Mono
button to display
and select the
channel pop solo
down offset level.
Default: 6.0 dB channel pop solo up offset level.
–6.0 dB channel pop solo down offset level.
When the 5.1 to Stereo button is pressed, use the level
control to adjust the channel pop solo up offset level. The
range is 0.0 to 12.0 in 0.5-dB steps.
When the Stereo to Mono button is pressed, use the level
control to adjust the channel pop solo down offset level.
The range is –0.0 to –12.0 in 0.5-dB steps and full mute.
Full mute is selected by adjusting the level control past
–12.0, at which point the display will show ‘– – – –’.
Model 76B/77B User Guide Issue 1, July 2008
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 29
for Surround
Confi guration—Restore Factory Defaults
Press and hold both the Dialnorm Enable and Dim buttons for 5 seconds
to restore Model 77B factory defaults. Once defaults have been restored,
the associated LEDs will light. After the buttons are released, confi guration mode will be exited and normal operation will resume.
Factory Defaults: Device address A1.
+4.0 dBu auxiliary output nominal level.
–20.0 dBFS digital input reference level.
+4.0 dBu monitor output nominal level.
Surround input A assigned to input 1.
Surround input B assigned to input 2.
No input assigned to input 3 (disabled).
Stereo input A assigned to input 4.
Stereo input B assigned to input 5.
Stereo input C assigned to input 6.
Reference level set for fully attenuated (minimum) monitor output level.
Attenuation display mode selected.
85.0 dB SPL reference level.
–31 dB dialnorm reference level.
Dialnorm data assigned to surround input A.
–20.0 dB dim level.
Remote mute all disabled.
Remote dim disabled.
Remote auxiliary output on/off disabled.
6.0 dB channel pop solo up offset level.
–6.0 dB channel pop solo down offset level.
Warning:Each Model 77B unit must have a unique address. Restoring factory defaults will reset only this specifi c Model 77B to address A1. If another connected unit is already confi gured for address A1,
normal system operation will stop.
Note:The 5-second delay is a safety feature ensuring that the factory defaults will not be accidently restored.
Issue 1, July 2008 Model 76B/77B User Guide
Page 30 Studio Technologies, Inc.
for Surround
Operation
Now that you’ve installed and confi gured
the system, you’re ready to go. You should
fi nd operation very easy. However, taking
time to study this section of the guide may
prove valuable, especially regarding the
system’s support for dialnorm.
Model 76B Central Controller
The Model 76B’s front panel contains
three LEDs. The power LED should be lit
whenever AC mains power is connected.
The control console activity LED will light
steadily whenever the Model 76B is communicating correctly with the one or more
connected Model 77B units. This LED will
remain off during the system power-up
process, something that typically takes
several seconds to complete. The metadata activity LED will light whenever an
active metadata signal has been connected and valid sync word information
is being received.
Model 77B Control Console
note that all Model 77B units function
simultaneously—there is no priority of
one unit over the others.
Input Source Selection
Four input select buttons work together to
allow monitoring of up to six input sources.
One button serves as a group select while
the other three select the specifi c input.
The group select button is used to select
the active group, alternating between
groups 1-3 or 4-6. Two LEDs are associated with this button and indicate which
of the groups is active. The other three
buttons are used to select the specifi c
input source to be monitored. The choices
are 1/4, 2/5, and 3/6, with the active input
following the status of the group select
function. LEDs are associated with the
input select buttons and indicate which
is active. Note that the Model 77B “remembers” which specifi c input was last selected
for each group, so changing between
groups will switch between two specifi c
inputs. This allows rapid switching between, as an example, input 1 and input 6.
StudioComm for Surround operation is
controlled using Model 77B Control Consoles and, if connected, the metadata and
remote control inputs. In most installations
only one Model 77B will be present but,
as previously discussed, up to four can
be connected to one Model 76B. To make
things easy to describe, we’ve divided the
operator functions into seven main groups:
input source selection, downmix, monitor
output general functions, channel solo,
auxiliary output, display and display mode,
and remote control inputs.
Any change made to any one Model 77B
will be refl ected in the status LEDs and
displays on all the connected units. And
Model 76B/77B User Guide Issue 1, July 2008
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 31
The specifi c sources assigned to the
input buttons depend on the signals connected to the Model 76B along with how
the system has been confi gured. Any input
can be assigned to any input select button. (Technically, the same input could be
assigned to multiple buttons!) This means,
for example, that a surround input could
be monitored using any of the input select
buttons. The same holds true for a stereo,
dual channel, or monaural input source.
Downmix
Two downmix functions allow users to
perform “real-world” audio format compatibility checks. One function allows a
for Surround
surround (5.1) signal to be “folded down”
(mixed) to stereo (2-channel). The other
allows a stereo signal to be converted to
mono. Using the downmix functions simply
requires pressing the desired button. The
buttons are set to always “latch” the functions on and off. An LED is located adjacent to each button and lights whenever its
respective function is active. Please refer
to the Technical Notes section of this guide
for a detailed description on how the downmix functions perform their tasks.
5.1 to Stereo
When the 5.1 to stereo downmix function
is enabled the LS, RS, and C channels
associated with a surround signal are
combined (“folded down”) with the L and
R signals to create a 2-channel stereo (left
and right) signal. The resulting stereo signal, sometimes known as LoRo, is routed
to the L and R surround monitor output
channel. The C, LFE, LS, and RS monitor
output channels are muted. By utilizing this
downmix function phase relationships and
inter-channel level issues can be quickly
observed.
Stereo to Mono
The stereo to monaural downmix function
combines the left and right audio channels
to create a single-channel monaural signal.
This signal is sent out the C (center) monitor output channel while the L, R, LS, RS,
and LFE channel monitor output channels
are muted.
Note that when a surround source is
selected for monitoring, the 5.1 to stereo
downmix function will automatically enable
whenever the stereo to mono downmix
function is enabled. This ensures that an
operator will hear a mono signal created
by folding down all channels associated
with the selected surround input. The Model 77B associates the state of the downmix
functions with the currently selected input.
For example, if input 4 is the selected input
source and the 5.1 to stereo downmix
function is enabled, this condition will be
“remembered” when switching to a stereo
or monaural input source. Upon returning
to input 4, the 5.1 to stereo downmix function will again become active.
Note that a specifi c downmix function
can only be enabled when it is applicable
for the currently selected input source.
This means that the 5.1 to stereo downmix function can only be enabled when a
surround (5.1) input source is selected.
Neither of the downmix functions can be
enabled when an input source confi gured
for monaural is selected. This is because
an input of this type is already monaural
(one channel) and wouldn’t be impacted
by any additional fold down.
Monitor Output General
Functions
Four buttons and one rotary control are associated with the surround monitor output
functions. The buttons control operation
of the reference level, mute all, dim, and
dialnorm enable functions. The rotary level
control is used to manually set the monitor
output level. These buttons and the control
do not impact the auxiliary monitor output.
Reference Level
The reference level button sets the
surround monitor output level to a preset
value. Technical personnel, using a soundpressure-level (SPL) meter and precision
signal source, should have set this level
to meet the requirements of the specifi c
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monitoring environment. The LED associated with the reference level button will
light whenever the function is active.
Whenever the reference level mode is
active the rotary level control is disabled.
The 4-digit display will indicate the reference output level. Note that the system’s
default reference level is full mute so “out
of the box” the Model 77B will display four
horizontal lines when reference level mode
is enabled.
The reference level LED also serves as a
calibration aid. If the reference level mode
is not active, whenever the monitor output
level is precisely the same as that stored
for the reference value the reference LED
will fl ash. The monitor output level can
reach this exact level through the use of
the rotary level control by itself or through
the setting of the rotary level control in
conjunction with the dialnorm data and dim
function. Whatever path the output level
takes to reach the reference level value, it
will cause the reference level LED to fl ash!
Mute All
Pressing the mute all button causes the
six channels associated with the surround
monitor output to mute. The 4-digit display
indicates the mute condition by showing
four horizontal dashes. The mute all button
is always set to “latch” the function on and
off. The LED associated with the mute all
button will light whenever mute all is active. Note that if mute all is enabled via the
remote mute all function, the mute all LED
will fl ash. Also, the mute all function does
not impact the auxiliary monitor output.
Dim
The dim function is provided for user
convenience, allowing the surround monitor output level to be reduced by a fi xed
amount. The Model 77B’s confi guration
mode allows the dim level to be selected
from among four choices: –10.0, –15.0,
–20.0, or –25.0 dB. Pressing the dim button will enable the function. The dim button
is always set to “latch” the function on and
off. The 4-digit display, when selected for
output level mode, will indicate the revised monitor output level. If the requested
“dimmed” output level is equal to or less
than the minimum attenuated level, the
monitor output will go into full mute and the
display will show four horizontal dashes.
When dim is active the monitor output level
reduction will apply no matter whether the
monitor output level is being set by the
rotary level control or by the reference level
button. The LED associated with the dim
button will light whenever dim is active. If
dim mode is enabled via the remote dim
function the dim LED will fl ash.
It’s worth using a few sentences to discuss
the auto dim off function. Whenever dim
is enabled due to the dim button being
pressed, as well as the rotary level control
being active (reference level mode is not
active), changing the setting of the rotary
level control will automatically turn off
dim. The auto dim off function is a unique
attempt at protecting the aural health of
users. No longer will there be a heartstopping blast of audio when the dim button is pressed, supposedly to enable dim,
but actually turning dim off because it was
already enabled. It’s hard to explain unless
you’ve experienced this in person—trust
us, this situation can and does happen!
Note that the auto dim off function is not
active whenever dim is enabled due to
the remote dim function being active. This
allows remote control equipment, such
as a talkback system, to reliably dim the
monitor outputs.
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for Surround
Dialnorm Enable
Enabling the dialnorm level function simply requires pressing the dialnorm enable
button. The button provides a “latching”
function so that the selected state is
maintained. An associated LED will light
whenever the function is active. The dialnorm enable function can only be activated
when the selected input source is a surround signal that has been confi gured as
having dialnorm associated with it. (This
is because dialnorm level data is available only for that specifi c source.) When
enabled, as the dialnorm level changes
the monitor output level will automatically
increase or decrease as appropriate. During confi guration of the system a dialnorm
reference level was entered. This level,
typically in the range of –27 to –24 dB, is
compared to the incoming dialnorm level
value. If the current dialnorm level is less
than the reference value the output level is
increased by the difference. If the current
dialnorm level is greater than the reference
value the output level is decreased, again
by the difference. Note that dialnorm levels are limited to a range of –31 to –1 dB.
This restricts the maximum amount of level
control to 30 dB.
The 4-digit display, when selected for
output level display mode, will display all
level changes as they occur, including
level changes due to dialnorm activity. The
current dialnorm level value can itself be
viewed by selecting the display dialnorm
mode.
In either display mode the decimal
point “dot” in the lower-right corner of the
4-digit display will light whenever the current dialnorm value matches the dialnorm
reference value. This topic is described in
greater detail in the Display and Display
Mode section later on in this section. The
Technical Notes section of this guide also
will provide additional useful information
about dialnorm.
Rotary Level Control
The rotary level control is used to manually
adjust the surround monitor output level. It
is active whenever the reference level function is not active. The level control provides
the ability to adjust the monitor output level
over a 70 dB range. Technically the rotary
level control is a 24-step-per-revolution
mechanical encoder. The amount of level
change in dB per step (“click”) will depend
on how quickly the control is turned. When
changed slowly, each step represents a
0.5 dB change in level. In this case, to
traverse the entire level range would require rotating the control more than four
full turns. But the Model 77B’s software
detects when the control is rotated more
quickly and increases the amount of level
change in dB per step. A little experimentation will allow the user to acquire a good
“feel” for how best to use the control. The
reference LED will fl ash when the rotary
level control sets the output level to be the
same as the stored reference level. Whenever the rotary level control is used to set
the output level for minimum, the monitor
output channels will automatically mute.
Technically, this has the same effect as
when the mute all function is active.
Channel Solo
The channel solo function allows specifi c
channels to be selected for individual or
group “solo” monitoring. The function takes
place electrically “after” the input source
selection, downmix, and level control
functions. Two solo modes are available,
normal and channel pop. In the normal
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solo mode the level of a channel selected
for soloing actually doesn’t change; the
solo function causes the non-soloed monitor output channels to mute. In the channel pop solo mode the level of the soloed
channel will increase, while the level of
the non-soloed channels will decrease. In
this way the soloed channel will “pop out”
from an audio mix so as to be more easily
observed. The actual level changes that
occur in pop solo are dependent on how
the system has been confi gured.
Six buttons and associated LEDs, along
with the auxiliary output button and its
status LED, are associated with the channel solo function. To solo a channel simply
requires pressing one of the solo buttons.
The buttons function in a press-to-enable/
press-to-disable “latching” mode. The LED
associated with a soloed channel will fl ash
to indicate that solo is active. The auxiliary output enable button is used to select
the solo mode. Using this button the solo
mode can be changed any time between
normal and channel pop. Simply press and
hold the auxiliary output enable button for
a few seconds until its associated LED
lights in the desired manner; steady for
normal solo mode and fl ashing for channel
pop solo mode. Once the state of the LED
changes (steady-to-fl ashing or vice-versa)
the desired solo mode becomes active.
The selected solo mode will be maintained
even after the system is powered down
and subsequently powered up.
Note that there is a potential downside of
having to use the auxiliary output status
button to change the solo mode. Whenever
the button is pressed the on/off status of
the auxiliary monitor output will change
too. While this may be a bit odd and possibly inconvenient, it hopefully won’t prove
to be a big issue. It’s simply an artifact of
“multi-tasking” the button’s function. Once
the solo mode has been selected the auxiliary output status button can be “tapped” to
select the desired on/off condition.
For user fl exibility, more than one output
channel can be selected for soloing at a
time. The Model 77B even allows all six
monitor output channels to be simultaneously selected for solo. This would seem
to be an “all soloed so none are soloed”
mode. But this condition is specifi cally
allowed so that an output channel mute
function can be provided. By fi rst soloing
all output channels an operator can then
“un-solo” specifi c channels, directly muting
them. It’s a bit confusing to describe
in words but is very simple to use and
can be very useful resource—try it out
and you’ll see! But note that while you
can always solo all channels, it’s really
more useful to do this when the system in
confi gured for normal solo mode. If selected for the channel pop solo mode, soloing
all the channels won’t provide a very useful
function.
Auxiliary Output
As has been previously discussed in this
user guide, the auxiliary monitor output
is a stereo (2-channel) output signal that
can be used for special applications. The
source for this output is stereo input C.
Using the auxiliary output enable button
it can be routed to the auxiliary monitor
output as desired. The button functions in
an alternate action manner to change the
current state of the output. An associated
LED lights whenever the auxiliary output is
active. No level control, downmix, or other
Model 77B-supported functions will impact
the auxiliary output.
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for Surround
Display and Display Mode
The Model 77B’s 4-digit LED display can
be selected to show either the level of the
surround monitor output or the dialnorm
level. The display mode button is used to
select the desired mode. Two LEDs are
associated with this button, indicating
which mode is active.
Both modes will indicate level in dB. What
the digits actually represent will depend
on how the Model 77B has been confi gured. When selected for the output level
display mode, the surround monitor output
level will be shown as either the amount
of attenuation or the sound pressure level
(SPL). If confi gured for the attenuation
mode the display will show the output
level as an attenuation value in reference
to the maximum output. This is in the form
of 0.5-dB steps less than the maximum
of 0.0 dB. So a display of –40.5 would
indicate that the surround monitor output
is set to be 40.5 dB below the maximum
level. As the rotary level control is moved
counterclockwise the output level will go
down and the indicated value will get more
negative.
If the Model 77B is confi gured to display
the output level in SPL, the 4-digit display
will always show the output level in positive
numbers. These numbers are intended to
represent the sound pressure level in dB
SPL, a fi gure that should directly relate to
the actual sound pressure level that the
loudspeaker system is presenting to users.
(Typically, the level value would actually
be in dBC, the C-weighted sound pressure
level.) When the reference level button is
enabled, or the rotary level control is set so
that the reference level has been reached,
the display will typically show something
in the range of 82 to 87 dB. Assuming that
the monitoring environment has been
correctly calibrated, this would indicate
that an average listening level of 85 dB,
for example, had been achieved.
When the 4-digit display is set for the dialnorm display mode a much different piece
of information will be shown to the user. It
will show the somewhat obscure but important dialnorm level parameter that’s associated with a surround input source. As has
been covered in other parts of this guide,
dialnorm is intended to provide a numeric
value that represents the average dialog
level associated with an audio-for-picture
element. Technically, dialnorm values can
range from –31 to –1 dB but during actual
operation they will typically be in the range
of –30 to –20 dB. The value may change
relatively frequently in conjunction with
changes to the actual audio signal. This
would be the case, for example, with a
television program that consists of alternating program and advertising segments. In
other situations the dialnorm level will only
change when an “on-air” source is switched
from typical station-originated segments to
an extended-duration broadcast program,
such as a live concert event. And on the
extreme end, in some facilities the dialnorm
level is fi xed and won’t ever change. That’s
not really in the spirit of what dialnorm is
supposed to accomplish, but c’est la vie.
Whatever the dialnorm level—the Model
77B will display it!
In both display modes a special feature is
provided to assist users in knowing if the
current dialnorm level matches a facility’s
“house” reference. This reference level,
typically in the range of –24 to –27 dB, is
entered as part of the Model 77B’s confi guration process. The “dot” in the lower-right
corner of the 4-digit display will light whenever the current dialnorm level matches the
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for Surround
Figure 7. Incoming dialnorm level match “dot”
stored reference level. Refer to Figure 7.
This feature can be useful in broadcast
transmission and distribution applications.
In theory, any time the dot in the lowerright corner is not lit the current dialnorm
level value is causing a level adjustment to
take place. This level adjustment may be
taking place in the StudioComm system, if
the dialnorm enable function is active, as
well as in downstream users of the broadcast signal.
Note that if a valid dialnorm source is not
available the 4-digit display, when selected
to display dialnorm, will show four horizontal bars. This could be due to a problem
with the metadata signal connected to the
Model 76B Central Controller. But more
frequently this will simply be the normal
result that occurs when the Model 77B’s
input is not selected for the metadataassociated surround input source.
As has been previously discussed, the
channel pop solo mode offers a unique
way of sonically highlighting an individual
channel. A channel selected for soloing
in this mode will have its level increased
while the other non-soloed channels will
be reduced in level. To highlight this condition the letters POP will appear in the
4-digit display whenever a channel is
actively being soloed in the channel pop
solo mode. This ensures that a user will
understand that the monitor outputs no
longer represent the true inter-channel
level relationships.
Remote Control Inputs
Three remote control signals can be connected to the StudioComm system and
confi gured for operation. The functions are
remote mute all, remote dim, and remote
auxiliary output on/off. When an external
signal activates remote mute all the LEDs
on the Model 77B associated with the
mute all button will fl ash. If mute all was
already active when the remote mute all
function is activated, the LED will change
from being steadily lit to fl ashing.
When an external signal activates remote
dim the LED on the Model 77B associated
with the dim button will fl ash. If dim was already active when remote dim is activated,
the LED will change from being steadily lit
to fl ashing.
When an external signal activates remote
auxiliary output the LED associated with
the auxiliary output enable button will fl ash.
If the auxiliary output was already active
when remote auxiliary output on/off is
activated, the LED will change from being
steadily lit to fl ashing.
Technical Notes
Dialnorm
A source of Dolby E metadata can be
connected to the Model 76B Central Controller. Within this fl ow of metadata frames
can be a “dialnorm” level value that’s associated with one of the Model 76B’s 5.1
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for Surround
surround input signals. When this surround
input is selected for monitoring its associated dialnorm level value can be displayed
by the Model 77B Control Console. It can
also be used to control the level of the surround monitor output.
Technically, the metadata is in the form
of a 115.2 kbit/s RS-485/RS-422 signal
that contains a number of data elements,
including one or more that represent the
average dialog level (dialog normalization or dialnorm) in the audio program
signals being carried over the digital audio
portion of the related Dolby E interface.
These dialnorm levels are associated with
specifi c programs within the 8-channel
audio “stream.” Firmware within the Model
76B is able to parse (separate) the data
elements, specifi cally separating the fi rst
dialnorm level value in the metadata frame
from the one or more that may be present
later in the frame. To clarify, any dialnorm
level elements that occur later in the same
metadata frame are ignored. This method
was selected as it was assumed that the
fi rst dialnorm level element will always be
associated with a 5.1 program. There’s
a technical basis for why this should be
true. In Dolby E a 5.1 program is always
assigned to the fi rst six channels (channels 1-6). While there may be separate
dialnorm values associated with audio
channels 7 and 8, they are not relevant for
correct StudioComm system operation.
surround monitor outputs; left surround
(LS) input dropped in level by 3 dB and
routed to the L surround monitor output;
right surround (RS) input dropped in level
by 3 dB and routed to the R surround monitor output; low-frequency-enhancement
(LFE) input is muted; C, LFE, LS, and RS
surround monitor output channels are muted. The resulting stereo signal is sometimes
known as LoRo.
The stereo to mono downmix function performs this action: L input dropped in level
by 3 dB and routed to the C surround monitor output; R input dropped in level by 3 dB
and routed to the C surround monitor output; C, LS, RS, and LFE inputs mute.
“Hot” Disconnection of the
Model 77B Control Consoles
There’s no problem relocating one or more
Model 77B Control Consoles while the
StudioComm system is operating. You
can disconnect the 9-pin interconnecting
cable, move the unit (or units), and then
re-connect without issue. Upon disconnection of all control consoles the Model 76B
Central Controller will mute the monitor output channels as well as saving the current
operating parameters. No clicks, pops, or
other noises will occur when the Model 77B
units are again connected. The Model 77B
units will go through their standard powerup sequence and then normal
operation will resume.
Downmix
Monitor Output Transient
The downmix functions are implemented
in the Model 76B Central Controller’s
hardware using analog circuitry. The 5.1
to stereo downmix function performs this
action: center (C) input dropped in level by
6 dB and routed to the left (L) and right (R)
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Protection
The Model 76B Central Controller contains
a power-up/power-down transient protection feature. This limits the chance of damage to the monitor loudspeakers during the
time when AC mains voltage is connected,
for Surround
disconnected, or has changed signifi cantly
from nominal. A combination of hardware
and software is used to monitor one of the
power supply “rails.” Until the AC mains input exceeds its nominal operating voltage
range, electromechanical relays maintain
a short-circuit condition on the monitor
outputs. After the input voltage is recognized as valid, a short delay takes place
before the relays are allowed to function
normally. Whenever the AC mains input
drops below its nominal operating voltage
range, the relays immediately go to their
mute state. During testing it was found
that upon power up the monitor outputs
remained very quiet; during power down a
small to moderate “tick” was the worst that
was heard.
Model 76B to Model 77B
Mono-to-Center Polarity
It’s worthwhile to note that a polarity inversion takes place whenever the stereo to
mono downmix function is active. By design, the left (L) and right (R) input signals
experience a 180-degree inversion in
the Model 76B’s combining circuitry. This
should not cause a problem as monitoring
audio signals over a single loudspeaker is
considered polarity insensitive. Only during
electrical testing would this condition be
detected.
Connections
Figure 6 gives a detailed description of
the signals that connect the Model 76B
Central Controller to the one or more
Model 77B Control Consoles. The Model
76B provides a +12 volt DC power source
for use by the Model 77B’s circuitry. The
DC output is current-limited to minimize
the chance that a short-circuit condition
will damage the Model 76B’s circuitry. An
asynchronous, bi-directional, data interface links the connected units. The RS-485
hardware connection scheme operates at
a rate of 115.2 kbit/s and uses an 8-N-1
data format. The Model 76B communicates
with each Model 77B unit 20 times per
second, receiving button and rotary level
control information and sending LED and
4-digit display status data.
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Specifi cations
Model 76B Central Controller
General Audio:
Frequency Response: digital inputs to monitor
outputs loaded with 10 k ohms
32 to 48 kHz Sample Rate: 20 Hz-20 kHz
±0.05 dB
88.2 to 96 kHz Sample Rate: 20 Hz-40 kHz
±0.05 dB
176.4 to 192 kHz Sample Rate: 20 Hz to 40 kHz
±0.05 dB; down 0.5 dB at 80 kHz