Tact Audio RCS 2.0 Owner Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

TACT RCS 2.0 DIGITAL ROOM

CORRECTION PREAMPLIFIER

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ONGRATULATIONS

You have now acquired the most advanced
audio product ever developed for the re­production of music.

The RCS 2.0 is the result of more than 10
years of intensive scientific research into
wave propagation by TacT partner Dr.
Radomir Bozovic. Although this product is the
most advanced of its kind, you will find the
operation surprisingly simple. The software
and controls have been designed for intuitive
ease of use. All aspects of the unit have been
designed for upgradeability. This includes the
front panel functions and display which can
be changed via the host computer.
The 3 powerful DSP’s have the capacity to
handle even more features in the future, and
there are installation slots for 3 additional
DSP’s for future upgrades.
Most importantly, the TacT RCS 2.0 will take
you to new levels of extreme listening plea­sure. After a short time, you will realize that
the TacT RCS 2.0 offers such substantial im­provements in the areas of spatial presenta­tion, imaging, depth and dynamic control that
it can only be described as an evolution (to
quote a review of TacT 2.0).

!

REMOTE CONTROL

The included TacT remote control has the same
buttons as the front panel, plus 9 number keys
for direct access to the memory positions.

SECURITY

TacT® is a registered trademark of TacT Audio Inc.,

201 Gates Road, Unit G, NJ 07643, Little Ferry, USA.

Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone] •

Email: [e-mail]

www.tactaudio.com

RCS 2.0 has a unique software key imple­mented in the internal memory section. This
means that the software supplied will only
work with this particular unit. In case of theft,
the unit can only operate as a preamplifier ­it will not be able to perform any room cor­rection functions.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Pre-Operating Instructions

1. When removing the unit from the packing case, visually check for shipping damage. Contact both the shipper and
TacT Audio immediately if the unit bears any sign of damage from mishandling. All TacT Audio equipment is care­fully inspected before leaving our factory.

2. KEEP SHIPPING CARTON AND PACKING MATERIALS for use in the unlikely event that the unit needs servicing.
If this unit is shipped without the original packing, damage could occur and void the warranty.

Important Safety Instructions

1. Read these instructions entirely before installing or operating this apparatus.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with dry cloth.

7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifi­ers) that produce heat.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one
wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the
third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet. To protect against electrical shock, match the wide blade of the polarized plug
to the wide slot in the outlet, fully insert plug.

10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the
point where they exit from the apparatus. Do not use this unit with a damaged cord or plug.

11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

12. Use only with cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with

the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination
to avoid injury from tip-over.

13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in
any way, such as when the power-supply cord or plug are damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen
into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been
dropped.

Cleaning and Maintenance

1. Always unplug the unit from the electrical outlet.

2. Do not use abrasive cleaners. Simply wipe the exterior
with a clean soft cloth. A small amount of non-abrasive
cleaner may be used on the cloth to remove any exces-

sive dirt or fingerprints.

CUSTOMER REGISTRATION

For security reasons and to make future

upgrades easier for you, we strongly

WARNING:

To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose

this apparatus to rain or moisture

recommend that you submit the enclosed

registration form so that TacT Audio can

register you as owner of the unit

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

The lightning with arrowhead symbol
within an equilateral triangle is intended to
alert the user to the presence of uninsu­lated “Dangerous Voltage” within the
products’ enclosure that maybe of suffi­cient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electrical shock to person.

REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS

AD Module (optional)

Microphone

input

Digital coaxial

Analog inputs for

Digital AES/

EBU input

inputs

Digital coaxial

Digital

optical input

Analog outputs from

DA Module (optional)

Digital optical

output

Digital AES/

EBU output

output

Mains input and

on/off switch

PC connection

RS232 input

DIGITAL INPUTS:

The RCS 2.0 DD (basic version) has the
following digital inputs:

• 3 coaxial/RCA inputs

• 1 AES/EBU input

• 1 Toslink optical input

DIGITAL OUTPUTS:

The RCS 2.0 DD has 3 digital outputs:

• 1 coaxial/RCA inputs

• 1 AES/EBU input

• 1 Toslink optical input

ANALOG INPUTS:

The optional AD converter has 4 stereo
inputs: 3 x RCA, 1 x balanced XLR

How to get started:

1. Connect your computer to the RCS 2.0 via the

RS232 cable supplied with the unit. Be sure to connect
to the RS232 input and NOT to the RS232 Aux.

2. Connect the microphone to the microphone input on
the RCS 2.0.

3. Connect the appropriate analog and/or digital inputs
and outputs according to the labeling on the back of the

RCS 2.0.

4. Connect the powercord and turn the RCS 2.0 ON.

ANALOG OUTPUTS:

The optional DA converter has 2 stereo
outputs: 1 x RCA, 1 x balanced XLR

5. Follow the instructions on page 7 to install the
software.

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

1. Standby

2. Digital

3. Analog

5. Menu

7. Volume6. Mute4. Enter/Cursor

1. STANDBY

Toggles between On and Standby mode. In Standby
power consumption is less than 2 W. The main power
switch is on the back of the unit adjacent to the power
cable.

2. DIGITAL

Toggles between the 5 digital inputs. The selected input is
displayed in the window.

3. ANALOG

Toggles between the 4 optional analog inputs. The se­lected input is displayed in the window.

PLEASE OBSERVE:This button will only function if
the optional Analog-to-Digital module (AD module)
has been installed in the RCS 2.0.

4. CURSOR & ENTER

Four buttons will scroll the display or move the cursor
up/down, left/right. The middle button will enter the se­lection.

5. MENU

Press to access the menu and sub-menu system of the
RCS display.

6. MUTE

Press to mute the digital and analog outputs.

7. VOLUME VOLUME

The upper and lower buttons will adjust the volume in

0.1 dB steps from 0.0 to 99.9. If the RCS 2.0 is com­bined with the TacT Millennium amplifier, it is suggested
to choose a maximum level of 93.9 on the RCS display
scale.

DISPLAY FUNCTIONS

The main screen of the display
will show the name of the chosen
memory position: MEM1, MEM2
etc. The names of the memory po­sitions can be changed using the
computer software.

Change memory position from the
front panel:

Make sure that the cursor (blinking
rectangle) is over the C. Use the
toggle up/down buttons. When the
desired memory position is dis­played, select by pressing enter. The
selection is confirmed by the display
of a star to the right of the memory
position name. If the star is not
shown, the displayed memory posi­tion is not the one in use.

Change memory position from the
Remote control:

Press buttons 1-9 to enter the
memory position directly. Bypass will
bypass the correction.

Sampling frequency:
FS=44, FS=48 or FS=96: This is the

sampling frequency used by the sys­tem. When a digital input is used, the
system will automatically match the
sampling rate of the selected digital
source. When no source is present,
the display will show: FS= — .
When an analog input is used, the
system will use the sampling rate se­lected in the analog input menu.

Attenuation:

This is the attenuation from maxi­mum output level in dB. At max. out­put it will display +6.0 dB. At min.
output it will display -99.9 dB. Con­trolled by the volume control.

POL:

Use the toggle right/left buttons to
place cursor over either L or R to
change polarity (absolute phase) of
the Left or Right channel. The normal
setting should be +L and +R for posi­tive polarity on both channels.

SUB-MENU:

Access the sub-menu by pressing
the menu button. The following
nine functions will be displayed.
Select one of them by moving the
cursor and pressing enter:

1. DELAY:

Displays the delay in milliseconds of
the left and right channels for the
memory position used. Place cursor
on the delay setting for either chan­nel and change the value with the up/
down buttons.

Please note that the values set by
the room correction software are ex­tremely accurate. Under normal op-

eration, it is not desirable to chan­ge the values. Exit the sub-screen
by pressing menu.

2. LEVEL:

Displays the level in dB of the left
and right channels for the memory
position used. Place cursor on the le­vel setting for either channel and
change the value with the up/down
buttons.

Please note that the values set by
the room correction software are ex­tremely accurate. Under normal op-

eration, it is not desirable to
change the values. Exit the sub-
screen by pressing menu.

3. ADC:

This will enable you to change the
sampling rate of the optional AD con­verter. Place the cursor on the de­sired sampling rate and press enter
to change sampling rate.

Please note that the RCS 2.0 will
operate at the selected sampling
rate in the complete digital sys­tem. This means that you can only

us the 96 kHz sampling rate, if the
RCS 2.0 has the optional DA con-

verter or if the external DA converter
supports 96 kHz. Exit the sub-screen
by pressing menu.

4. DISPLAY:

This is a time-out function. Place cur­sor on Off or On and press enter to
disable or enable the time-out func­tion. With time-out engaged the dis­play will turn off after 10 seconds.
Any operation by the remote control
or at the front panel will enable the
display while the unit is being con­trolled. Exit sub-screen by pressing

menu.

5. TEST:

This basic test facility generates a
white noise signal at the selected
channel to check that the correct
channel assignment has been made.
Place cursor on either LEFT or
RIGHT and engage the test signal by
pressing enter. Exit the sub-screen
by pressing menu.

6. ANL:

If the optional TacT DAC (digital-to­analogue) module has been installed
in your RCS unit, you will find an
additional volume control that allows
you to increase the analog output
level up to 6 dB for each channel
separately. You will find this sub­menu in the display by using the right
arrow button.

7. REM:

This feature enables or disables re­mote control reception. When pro­gramming RCS 2.0 it is recom­mended to set this menu to OFF.

8. ADDR:

This is the units device address. It
can be changed if multiple TacT
products are controlled by the same
computer. Default setting is “001”.

SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

Software installation

The RCS 2.0 employs some of the most advanced audio-software ever developed. In order to use the
proprietary TacT Room Correction System, you have to install the supplied software on your computer. This
guide will help you through the software installation process:

System requirements

Your system must meet the following requirements:

· An IBM compatible PC with Pentium 100 MHz, 16 MB Ram & 25 MB free hard disk
space or better

· Microsoft Windows 98, ME or 2000

· Microsoft Windows-compatible graphics-card and monitor with screen
resolution 800x600 or better

· CD-ROM drive

· Microsoft windows compatible 2- or 3- button mouse

· Standard RS-232 serial port with DB-9 connectors

1. Start windows and insert the TacT software CD into your CD-ROM drive.

2. Double-click on the “My Computer” icon on the desktop.

3. Double-click on the CD icon to launch the CD browser.

4. Click on “Install Tact-20” and follow the on screen instructions.

When prompted, select “Launch TacT-20” and the software will start. You should now see the TacT Room Cor­rection System main-screen.

Microphone installation

All TacT measurement microphones are individually calibrated to perform with the highest accuracy and come
with a unique calibration file. This file needs to be installed before the correction process:

- Insert the TacT software disc into the computers CD-rom drive.

- Open the TacT software and select “File” from the main-screen

- Click on “Microphone” and a new window will open

- Select your CD-Rom drive in the “Look-in” menu - you should now see two files in the larger window below

- Double click on the “Micxxxxx” file. The number should match the serial number of the microphone.

- The software will confirm with “Mic installation complete

Tutorial

This tutorial is designed to help first time users to understand the basics of the Tact-2.0 room correction process.
This tutorial will guide you through each step necessary to perform measurement, correction, programming and system
verification using Dual Domain analysis software. This tutorial is composed of four steps:

Step 1 – Hardware check up

Step 2 – Communication test

Step 3 – Project assignment

Step 4 – Correction process

Usually, you would go through step 1 & 2 every time you use the computer to re-adjust or re-calibrate the system. Before
proceeding to anything else, it is good practice to verify that the communication channel is functioning properly.

You would go through step 3 only if you want to change the current project directory.