Violet Audio UPM88 User Manual

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User Guide

Hardware and

Windows Client Software

Violet Audio UPM88

Document Control

Author Danny Olesh
Last Print Date 12/8/2005
Version 1.1
File Name UPM 88 Software User Guide.doc

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When it comes to studio applicati ons, ther e is one piece of gear that you just cannot do
without... the patch bay! Over time as you develop your formidable arsenal of equipment,
you will find yourself relying on your audio patchbay more and more. Si m ple p atchbays,
althou gh mess y a nd more difficult to configure quickly than they shoul d be , have pr ovided a
soluti on up until now... but w ith today's tech no lo g y there is a better way.

The UPM 8 8 goes that st ep fu rt he r. .. pure analog signal switching... and digital stream
patching...

The UPM88 is a new breed of patch matrix hardware that represents a very innovative
approach to the marriage of the latest technology and audio signal integrity. It feat ures a
powerful combination of state-of-the-art software and hardware designed to revolutionize the
implementation of small, medium and large-scale audio routing environments by handling
both pure analog signal patching & digital patch routing simultaneously.

Analog patching... pure audio path...
With an absolutely pure audio signal path, remote controlled (USB) routing configuration
features, easy fro nt panel o peration, the UPM88 represents the latest technology in patchbay
design. Whether for complex studio matrix design or a modest patching solution for smaller
setups, the UPM88 is an investment which provides a new level of freedom and flexibility.
Your pure analog audio patching system can be built and controlled from either a simple
front panel switch matrix , or vi a the onscreen compu ter soft ware m atrix GUI (graphical user
interface) via USB connection.

All audio routing through the UPM88 is handled using the latest high-quality analog devices
multiplexer chips available. The audio signal never leaves the analog domain, is not
amplified, or driven in any way, and as such there is no loss of quality as there can be in
som e DSP and AD /DA matrix processing devices. Similar DSP based devices on the market
use digital sampling technology which can degrade signal quality in many ways. The UPM88
has true whisper quiet 'all analog circuitry', and carries the full analog signal between
patchi ng destinations unadulterated. It is the digit a l switching techn o logy in the UPM88 that
is the key.

Digital patch routing...
What about digital? Well... the UPM88 handles digital patching of SPDIF or AES/EBU format
signals perfectly and simultaneously side by side with your pure analog signals! That's
right... not only is the UPM a virtually unmeasurably pure analog patch matr ix, but it is an
astonishingly powerful pro fessional digital patch bay. The best of both worlds in a simple to
operate remotely controlled unit.

Application... operatio n...
Those inevitable momentary design changes which occur in the studio can be solved quickly
and easily with the UPM88. You no longer have to worry about physical patching once your
gear i s c onnected to the rear of t he unit. Y ou can route your audio th r ough a particular pie c e
of outboard gear by simply changing the matrix configuration! No messy cables, rearranging
equip ment in y o ur rack, rewiring. The UP M88 is easily expanded, m o d ified, and upda ted to
accommodate your needs.

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The number of inputs and des tinations starts from 8 x 8 for a single unit, wi th the option to
link 2 units for a 8 x 16 solution. You can keep stacking unit for as many output destinations
as required! The hardware itself is all housed in a purpose built standard 2U sturdy rack­mountable chassis. Balanced XLR audio cable connectors are positioned on the rear of the
unit, and thus keep your studio environm e nt super tidy with cabl es out of sight. The fron t
panel features an easy to view led matrix grid indicator with input and destination selector
buttons.

Manually changing the UPM88's matrix configuration is a breeze. The matrix selector buttons
on the front pane l is w here all of the signal routing is confi g ured. Simply select i nput and
destination and o utput destination.. and you are set to go. You can quic kly recognize y our
routin g m a trix by viewing the scrolling configu ration led ' s o n the front of the unit.

With the built in USB port on the rear of the unit, the UPM88 software graphical user
interface can be run within your Windows (av a i l a ble now - 98SE,ME ,2000,XP) or Mac O SX
(expected - 2nd 1/4 2004) operating system. Simply select the inputs on screen and connect
them together with graphical wires to the desired destination output. The UPM88 will
automatically create the desired configuration - actually implementing the system that has
just been designed. You can immediately audi tion the results. Your design can be saved as a
Windows file and you can save and recall as many different designs as required.

As exciting as all of the features of UPM88 are, the most important feature is its sound
quality. Violet Audio is dedicated to providi n g the highest level of sound quality possi ble. The
UPM88 ne eds to be he ard t o be truly appreci ated, as it is t h e sound quality th at we are most
proud of. All audio paths are extremely transparent. The system is unbeliev ably quiet , and
there are no artefacts added to your signal. The UPM88 is purpose built for the demands of
true critical listening

UPM88 Key features

• remotely controlled patch b ay ma trix (USB requir ed)

• passes analog and digital data streams simultaneously

• analog dynamic range greater than 130db

• analog multiplexer technology

• pure analog signal path

• digital switching via front panel or USB

• 8 inp uts, 8 detinations

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multip le routing sup port (8c h)

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multiple routin g ou tputs pe r de stination

• pristine audio transparency

• syste m link connector pins (max 2 x units)

• XLR balanced Neutrik connectors (for analog & AES/EBU)

• 2RU rack-mountable chassis