WAF ORFEUSZ206 User Manual
ORFEUSZ206
Advanced Speaker Management System
for Surround Sound and Effects
User Manual
Software version 1.2
July 2007
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Wrocław Audio Force
ORFEUSZ206
user manual
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Important Safety Instructions
When you install Orfeusz in your equipment rack, make sure maximum operating temperature is
observed. In particular, avoid placing it directly above heat producing equipment such as power
amplifiers.
To prevent shock or fire hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.
For safety reasons, this unit is earthed-grounded. When connecting it to a power outlet, make sure a
ground terminal is available.
Always replace blown fuse with same type fuse and rating.
Unpacking and Inspection
Thoroughly inspect the packing materials and report any damage to the carrier at once. Report
equipment malfunction to your dealer.
In the box you should find the following items: Orfeusz206 hardware unit, power chord, USB cable,
the user manual as well as a CD-ROM with the software and manuals in various languages. Inspect
the contents and report any missing item.
After unpacking the unit, save all packing materials in case you ever need to ship the unit.
Cleaning Instructions
To clean the hardware unit, simply wipe it with a soft cloth. You might use a mild soap and water
solution to help loosen stains and dirt. Do not use any other detergents!
Technical Support
We at Wrocław Audio Force really want you to make the best of your Orfeusz.
We welcome your questions on the phone or by email (support@waf.com.pl). An engineer will do his
best to provide accurate answers and solutions to your possible problem.
If your unit needs to be serviced, contact your dealer or our support service before shipping it back (see
warranty below).
We also welcome your suggestions. Is there a feature that could be improved? Is there a feature that
should be introduced? Please let us know; we will consider the change and get back in touch with you.
Warranty
This product is covered by a warranty of 1 year from the date of original purchase, or accordingly to
your local regulations. Warranty is granted to the original purchaser as well as subsequent owners during
the warranty period.
If you suspect your unit to malfunction although you followed the instructions contained in the user
manual, contact the dealer where you purchased your product or our support service
(support@waf.com.pl).
Please be aware that this warranty does not cover damage occurring during shipment of this product.
Claims for shipping damages must be made with the carrier.
Wrocław Audio Force
ul. Kotlarska 40
50-120 Wrocław (Poland)
Tel +48 (0)71 343 99 44
www.waf.com.pl
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ORFEUSZ206
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Table of Contents
Important Safety Instructions, Unpacking and Inspection, Cleaning Instructions,
Technical Support, Warranty …………………………………………………………….… 1
Section 1: Getting Started ………………………………………………………………. 3
General Overview 3
Hardware Presentation 3
Software Conventions 6
Section 2: Device Installation and Software Removal ………………………………. 7
Software Installation 7
Hardware Installation 9
Software Removal 10
Section 3: Spatial Mode ………………………………………………………………. 12
General Remarks about Loudspeaker Positioning 13
Orfeusz206 Loudspeaker Positioning Tool 13
Orfeusz206 Loudspeaker Calibration Tool 16
Sound Field Models 17
Software Environment 19
Master 19
Virtual Sound Field 19
Equalizer 20
Effects 21
Spatial Effects 21
Automove 24
Trajectory Editor 27
Trajectory Playlist Manager 28
Monitor 29
Joystick Configuration 30
MIDI Control and MTC synchronization 32
Section 4: Stereo Mode ………………………………………………………………. 34
Input Mixer 34
Output Mixer 36
System Configuration 36
Example 1: Three-way stereo Linkwitz-Riley 12dB/oct 39
Example 2: Two-way stereo with subwoofers 41
Example 3: Double stereo with subwoofers 44
Section 5: Preferences, System Update and Stand-Alone Modes ………………. 46
Preferences 46
System update 47
Stand-Alone Modes 47
Specifications ……………………………………………………………………..………… 48
Appendix: List of MIDI controllable parameters …………..……………..…………….. 49
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Section 1: Getting Started
Thank you for choosing the WAF Orfeusz206 Advanced Speaker Management System. Orfeusz206 was
carefully designed, manufactured and tested, and we hope that you will be using it for long years with
total satisfaction.
Orfeusz206 is a spatial sound processing unit, delivered with its companion software running on a
standard PC equipped with a Windows™ operating system. Orfeusz206 will introduce spatial sound
attributes in your show, and allow you to perform real-time surround mixing. Additionally, Orfeusz206
will be helpful in conventional stereo setups. As this kind of device is not common on the market, we
recommend that you read thoroughly the user manual to make the best of your new equipment.
This first section deals with general aspects of the device, including hardware features and some
software conventions.
General Overview
Orfeusz206 can work either in Spatial Mode, or in Stereo Mode, online (host-connected) or stand-alone.
In Spatial Mode, Orfeusz emulates a user-defined acoustic model based on room properties and sound
objects1 positions. In Stereo Mode, Orfeusz206 can route, shape and distribute in various ways the stereo
input to outputs for a stereo sound setup.
Spatial and Stereo modes are mutually exclusive: you run either a spatial sound
setup, or a stereo one, and it is your responsibility to operate Orfeusz206 in the
appropriate mode.
To access the audio processing parameters, you need to launch a remote session (i.e. you need to connect
the hardware unit to a free USB port of your PC and run Orfeusz206 control application). In remote
session, all parameters can be altered, and changes take effect immediately. You need also to be in
remote session in order to store or delete stand-alone modes.
When running stand-alone, the external unit does not try to initiate a connection with the computer, and
instead, processes audio according to parameters stored in memory. Stand-alone modes are appropriate
for static spatial scenery or stereo configuration, and Orfeusz206 provides memory space for 3
independent sets of parameters. Selection of the operating mode is made with the front panel pushbutton.
Hardware Presentation
1
An object in this context is either one of the sources or the 'listener' – see section 3.
1
234
Front Panel
56789
Rear Panel
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1
OVD led: lights on when signals are clipping during processing
2
Mode pushbutton: press to select operating mode
3
Mode leds: indicate in which mode device is running
4
Power rocker
5
Serial number label
6
Power connector with fuse drawer
7
USB type B connector to host PC
8
Balanced output jacks ¼"
9
Balanced input jacks ¼"
Audio inputs (9) and outputs (8) are symmetrical balanced, which means that you can feed here either
symmetrical or asymmetrical signals. Just make sure that your cables conform to the most widely spread
standard illustrated below. In particular, in no case should the ring terminal on a stereo jack be left
unconnected. A safe rule is to always use stereo jacks for symmetrical signals, and mono jacks for
asymmetrical signals.
Symmetrical jack Asymmetrical jack
T (tip): Positive phase (hot)
R (ring): Negative phase (cold)
S (sleeve): Ground
T (tip): Signal
S (sleeve): Ground
Signals to inputs and from outputs are at line level. Never attach audio power amplifier outputs directly
to any of the unit's connectors. If you wish to plug a microphone or an instrument to Orfeusz, you will
need to intercalate a preamplifier.
Orfeusz206 is equipped with a universal power supply and will work with any AC mains voltage
between 100V and 240V. If you travel abroad, you don't need to care about anything except having an
appropriate power chord at destination. Keep in mind that, for safety reasons, Orfeusz must be earthgrounded.
If the fuse blows, replace it with a same type and rating fuse. See below the table for fuse specifications.
Remove the power chord from the unit, and lift out the drawer (6) to access the fuse. If the fuse blows
frequently, this might be a sign of malfunction. Contact your dealer or our support service.
Fuse Type Location
T 630 mA (slow type) Power receptacle on rear panel
When you switch the hardware on, some leds are blinking in order to let you know that the device is
waiting for your input. Indeed, you can choose either to start a host-remote session or a stand-alone
mode if previously stored. The table on next page provides details of the leds' and pushbutton's (2)
behaviour at start-up.
While the unit is running, you can anytime switch to another mode (either to a stored stand-alone mode,
or begin a remote session) pressing accordingly the pushbutton. Be aware that outputs will be muted
when you press the pushbutton, until the device starts again in the selected mode.
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ovd
host
#1
#2
#3
ovd
host
#1
#2
#3
ovd
host
#1
#2
#3
ovd
host
#1
#2
#3
ovd
host
#1
#2
#3
ovd
host
#1
#2
#3
ovd
host
#1
#2
#3
If no stand-alone mode is stored, and the device is not
connected, the red OVD led (1) is blinking.
When this occurs, the only thing you can do is connect
Orfesuz206 to a host computer and start a remote session (see
next case below). Stand-alone modes can be stored or deleted
within the control application while the unit is running a
remote session.
If no stand-alone mode is stored, and Orfeusz is connected to
a powered computer, the green led HOST (3) is blinking to
inform you that the device is ready for a remote session.
To start a remote session, you need to launch Orfeusz
companion application and select the Connect item from the
File submenu. As soon as you start the remote session, HOST
led will light on and stop blinking.
If modes #2 and #3 for example were stored, and the device is
physically connected to a powered computer, green led
HOST, and orange leds MODE #2 and MODE #3 (3) are
blinking. At this point you can either start a remote session, or
select one of the two available stand-alone modes by pressing
the pushbutton (2).
If you press the pushbutton once, led MODE #2 will light on
and stop blinking, meanwhile leds HOST and MODE #3 will
keep on blinking 3 times. When these leds stop blinking,
settings corresponding to stand-alone mode #2 are recalled
from memory, and the device starts operating in this mode.
While the latter leds are still blinking, you can press the
pushbutton again to select stand-alone mode #3.
If you press the pushbutton once again, you will get back to
the original situation, where Orfeusz awaits that you either
connect for a remote session, or select a stand-alone mode
among the ones available.
If the device is not physically connected, or if it is connected
but the PC is not powered, and (for example) stand-alone
modes #1 and #2 are available, orange leds MODE #1 and
MODE #2 are blinking.
Press once to select mode #1, or twice to select mode #2.
After a short while, the led of the selected mode will light on
without blinking, and the other led will turn off. At this
moment, the device starts operating in the selected mode.
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Software Conventions
As already mentioned, Orfeusz will either run a Spatial Mode or a Stereo Mode.
When you start Orfeusz control application for a remote session, the first thing you should do – and
before connecting – is select between these two modes.
If the software is set in Spatial Mode, access the Stereo Mode in the File
submenu.
Conversely, if Orfeusz control application is set in Stereo Mode, click
the Spatial Mode item in the File submenu for the device to operate in
Spatial Mode.
Orfeusz control application will start in the same mode that was run in the preceding remote session.
In order to let you organize your screen space in the way you find it most practical, we provided a
custom type of window, which can be arranged in various ways.
As an example, we describe here the Equalizer window, as available in Spatial Mode.
The pictures below show how the Equalizer window can be displayed. Available controls in the title bar
allow you to show or hide window's features in order to save space on screen. The window can also be
fully closed if not needed, clicking the (X) control. Window appearance has no effect on sound
processing.
For your convenience, screen general layouts may be further saved and recalled, like any preset (Window
→ Custom → Presets in the main menu). Thus you can organize, store and recall custom application
layouts anytime.
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Section 2: Device Installation and Software Removal
This section describes how to install/uninstall the software onto/from your computer, and what to do
when you connect the hardware for the first time.
Depending on your Windows™ operating system version and configuration, the procedure described
below, as well as the dialogue boxes shown, might slightly differ. If you are used to install applications
on your computer, the following instructions will appear quite like a routine. If you are not, it might be a
good idea to get some help from a reliable computer 'freak', or from your dealer.
Software Installation
1. Before you begin, make sure the unit is not powered or not connected to the computer.
2. Start installing the software, either from the CD-ROM supplied with the unit, or after you
downloaded the newest release from our website (http://www.waf.com.pl). A window similar to the
one below will appear. Click 'Next'.
3. The next window will prompt you where files should be copied. By default, a new directory named
Orfeusz206 will be created in Program Files directory. Click 'Next' to validate.
4. The following window will prompt you what name to give to the item that will appear in the Start
Menu after installation. Default name is Orfeusz 206. Click 'Install'.
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5. Depending on your operating system version and configuration, the following warning dialogue box
might popup.
Click 'Continue Anyway'.
6. Files are now being extracted and copied. When this step completes, click 'Next'.
7. Click 'Finish' in the next window. That's it, you're ready now to let your system recognize your new
hardware. See the following paragraph.
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Hardware Installation
When software installation completes, you can let Windows™ detect the hardware unit. This step is to
be performed once only, when you connect Orfeusz206 to your computer for the first time.
1. Connect the hardware unit to a free USB port of your computer, and switch the unit on.
Depending on your operating system version,
a window might ask you to look for drivers
online.
Make sure you checked 'No, not this time'
and click 'Next'.
2. Check 'Install the software automatically (Recommended)' on the following window, and click 'Next'.
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3. Again, depending on your operating system version and configuration, the following warning
window might come on screen. Click 'Continue Anyway'.
4. After a short delay, you should see the last window informing you that the hardware is installed and
ready to use. Click 'Finish'. Congratulations! You're ready now to use your new audio system.
Software Removal
If for any reason you wish to remove Orfeusz206 control application from your computer, a shortcut to
the uninstaller is available in the Start Menu.
1. Make sure Orfeusz206 application is not running, turn the external unit off, and click 'Uninstall'.
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2. The next window will list items removed from your computer. When this step completes, click
'Close'. You can reinstall Orfeusz application anytime.
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Section 3: Spatial Mode
Orfeusz206 is the perfect system to add space dimension to your live show. It not only enables you to
position the sources around the audience, but also lets you at will have sources come near and move
away. Beside smooth movement capability, Orfeusz206 features additional tools to support you in
making of your spatial session a delightful and successful practice.
Because real-time spatial sound is quite uncommon in live setups, we recommend again that you
carefully read this chapter, which encompasses instructions for positioning and calibrating
loudspeakers, description of the various sound field models available, the software environment, as well
as automation, effect coupling, joystick configuration and MIDI setup.
The figure below shows a possible setting for a spatial session over 6 loudspeakers, where source are
fed from a mixer and joystick and/or MIDI controlled. Audience is sitting or standing inside the
perimeter defined by loudspeakers.
ORFEUSZ206
Mixer
USB chord
Joysticks
Audience is here!
PC running Orfeusz206
control application
MIDI Controller
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General Remarks about Loudspeaker positioning
Prior to positioning loudspeakers, there are several issues you should consider:
How many loudspeakers do you plan to use?
In what kind of site are you going to set your equipment for the show? Is it open-air? Or is it in a
hall with strong natural reverberation?
Can you freely position the loudspeakers?
How large is the audience? Where is the audience going to sit or stand?
Is audience supposed to look in a determined direction? (Is there a screen? a stage?)
Proper assessment of the constraints bearing upon your show is a determining factor for a successful
setup.
Number of loudspeakers
For the smoothest source travel in space, we recommend that you use 6 loudspeakers, preferably all
identical. Indeed, with 6 loudspeakers properly positioned, you will be able to place and displace
smoothly your sources wherever in the plan and around the audience. If moreover all loudspeakers are
identical (and properly calibrated – see next paragraph), Orfeusz206 will generate a sound field
homogeneous in all directions.
However, there might be reasons why you don't want to use 6 loudspeakers. An obvious reason might be
that you don't have so many of them available for your setup. Another could be that, for your personal
aesthetics or some other technical imperative, you decided a priori that you would use only 4 of 5 of
them.
What you need to keep in mind:
A number of 4 loudspeakers at least are required for a spatial mixing session with Orfeusz206.
The more loudspeakers, the better your control on sound localization and source movement.
Preferably all loudspeakers are identical.
Performance site
It is worth that you study in detail the performance site before you position your loudspeakers. Have a
walk through it and localize exits, possible bars and obstacles, all these places were you definitely would
not be allowed to put a loudspeaker. Have a tape measure ready and make a dimensioned sketch of the
site. On the same sketch, mark obstacles, stage, audience area and the mixing spot.
If the performance is to be open-air, then you're likely to manage a perfect setup. Otherwise, Orfeusz206
will assist you to achieve the best speaker configuration meeting room constraints.
What you have to remember:
The ideal configuration is attained with loudspeakers placed on a circular perimeter, with same
angle between successive loudspeakers. If this configuration is not feasible, Orfeusz206 will
correct loudspeaker emissions in order to achieve a homogeneous sound field – but keep as close
as possible to the ideal circular setup.
Spatial field is inside the perimeter delimited by loudspeakers. The larger this area, the more
people you can fit in for the show – but don't make this area unnecessarily large.
Whenever possible, place loudspeakers at appropriate listening height i.e. head level.
In most cases, there is no obvious setup. Take your time to consider various speaker
configurations to appreciate and build a satisfactory system setup.
Orfeusz206 Loudspeaker Positioning Tool
This step should be completed each time you take on a new installation. To access the loudspeaker
positioning tool, select Settings → Loudspeaker Setup… in the main menu.
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The Setup Type panel shows three possible options:
Custom. This is our preferred method for positioning loudspeakers, based on an ideal circular
setup that you gradually alter to meet your requirements.
ITU 5.1. This one is for a conventional 5.1 setup, which is suitable if you intend to mix on top of
prerecorded 5.1 materials.
Fixed. This method has to be selected if speaker configuration is fixed and imposed. Do not use
this option in any other context, as Custom option will generally produce better results.
The first time you display Loudspeaker Setup window, it shows one Custom example – which is actually
Wrocław Audio Force developers' room (preset waf office 6spk).
The red region is the room area, and obstacles are represented in black: these are the places where we
don't want to put any loudspeaker.
The yellow circle is the ideal loudspeaker perimeter, and the arrow in the middle shows the 'North': that's
the reference direction (we'll talk about it further again). This setup is based on 6 loudspeakers
symbolized by green circles where numbers are referring to outputs.
Performing the Loudspeaker Setup procedure consists in completing a similar layout, of course adapted
to your situation.
Position at cursor
Zoom
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To build your own Custom setup:
Press New and select Custom in Setup Type panel.
In the black area, draw lines representing the walls of your place. We recommend that you
measure all relevant distances from a common point in the room. Furthermore, assigning to this
point the couple of coordinates (0, 0) should ease the procedure. To draw the room area, click to
mark each vertical edge, and finally double-click to complete (the first and last point will be
automatically connected together). Loudspeakers will pop up on screen, but ignore them at this
stage.
Draw obstacles the same way you drew the room. Obstacles are
all these areas where you cannot or don't want to put a
loudspeaker. By right-clicking access undo and delete
commands.
Now, drag the yellow arrow to the center of the audience.
Speakers are bound to sweet spot and will move accordingly.
Rotate sweet spot in the desired direction (figure). This is the
'North', i.e. the reference direction of sound sources.
If you right-click on a loudspeaker, you access a contextual
menu with special commands. By selecting Withdraw, you
remove a loudspeaker from the spatial setup – this means that
Orfeusz206 output with same number will not participate to the
spatial field. Right-clicking on the same loudspeaker and
selecting Bind allows you to use this output again. Swap
commands allow swapping two loudspeakers. It's at this stage
that you define how many loudspeakers you intend to use.
Position the mouse cursor on the yellow circle, click and drag
to dimension the loudspeaker perimeter, and to orient globally
loudspeakers (figure).
Finally, drag each loudspeaker individually to the most
convenient location. Each loudspeaker may be displaced in a
perimeter defined by the thin yellow lines. Size of this
perimeter depends on the number of loudspeaker used for the setup: the more of them, the larger
the area. When you are finished, consider saving your layout.
To build a ITU 5.1 or Fixed setup:
Drawing the performance hall is not required for these setup types, because by definition they don't offer
any placement freedom. Indeed, ITU 5.1 setup has standardized loudspeaker placement, meanwhile
Fixed setup type should be used only in a hall where loudspeakers are fixed and can't be moved at all.
In the Setup Type panel, select the desired setup type. Loudspeakers pop on screen immediately.
For your convenience, you may draw the room shape, as well as landmarks for reference.
For ITU 5.1 setups, drag sweet spot to the desired location, then rotate and resize loudspeaker
perimeter. Central speaker always designates the 'North'.
For Fixed setups, drag loudspeakers to the appropriate position, or edit their locations in the
Loudspeakers panel. Loudspeaker placement should always enclose audience. Drag the sweet
spot to the appropriate position (or let Orfeusz control application find the best one for you, by
checking the Auto box), and rotate as desired.
Subwoofers
If your spatial setup is based on less than 6 loudspeakers, you may use the remaining outputs to feed
subwoofers. Unused outputs carry the monophonic sum of all spatial signals, low pass filtered according
to your settings in the Subwoofers panel. When subwoofer functionality is switched on, lower
frequencies fed to subwoofers are filtered out from spatial signals.
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