Active Audio StepArray User manual

L'acoustique active
Technical manual
StepArray
Digitally steerable column loudspeakers

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Table of contents
1. Introduction...............................................................................4
2. Installation of the columns..........................................................5
3. Wiring .......................................................................................6
3.1. NUT processor to MPA8200 amplier ......................................6
3.2. MPA8200 amplier setup .......................................................6
3.3. Wiring ampliers to columns ..................................................7
4. Test before powering up .............................................................8
5. NUT control software..................................................................8
6. Troubleshooting .........................................................................9
7. Hardware specications ............................................................ 10
7.1..NUT processor ....................................................................10
7.2..MPA8200 amplier ..............................................................11
7.3..Columns characteristics .......................................................12
8. Acoustical data......................................................................... 14
8.1. Common data .....................................................................14
8.2. SA100P : acoustical data1............................................................................................. 15
8.3. SA180P : acoustical data1............................................................................................. 16
8.4. SA250P : acoustical data1............................................................................................. 17
8.5. SA400P : acoustical data1............................................................................................. 18
8.6. SA180S : acoustical data1............................................................................................. 19
8.7. .SA250S : acoustical data1............................................................................................. 20
9. Déclaration de conformité .........................................................21

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1. Introduction
StepArray column speakers ensure perfect speech intelligibility and optimal
acoustic comfort, even in noisy and reverberant venues. They are based on
the DGRC (Digital & Geometric Radiation Control) principle patented by Active
Audio.
Compared with a classic sound system in which each loudspeaker is controlled
independently, the DGRC method makes it possible to decrease the number of
channels to be controlled, thereby enhancing economic efciency.
The StepArray range includes 6 models of column speakers, from 1m to 4m
high.
SA100P
1m high
at area, 21m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA180P
1.80m high
at area, 40m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA180S
1.80m high
10° area, 29m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA250P
2.50m high
at area, 45m
6 channels
4Ω min.
SA250S
2.50m high
12° area, 36m
6 channels
4Ω min.
SA400P
4m high
at area, 90m
6 channels
8Ω min.
2. Installation of the columns
StepArray columns are mounted verticaly, usually on a wall, using the supplied
brackets. Figure 1 illustrates the steps to follow for column mounting. See also
gure 8 on page 13 for technical drawings of the brackets.
Place
the 2 brackets
on the wall
using 8mm
diameter screws
x3
x3
1
Column height
+ 5mm
2
Ensure
verticality
3
Mount the column
using the supplied
nut and screw
4
Figure 1 : Column mounting on a wall (Important : to ensure vertically
when mounting StepArray columns)

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3. Wiring
3.1. NUT processor to MPA8200 amplier
A NUT processor can be connected to one or several StepArray columns via
ampliers (see gure 2). When a NUT is used with several ampliers (to feed
several columns with the same signal), the inputs are simply daisy chained (see
gure 2b).
Figure 2 : NUT to MPA8200 wiring
3.2. MPA8200 amplier setup
MPA8200 ampliers should be tuned with all gains to max, and microswitches
set for independent channels, as described in gure 3.
Figure 3 : MPA8200 amplier set-up
3.3. Wiring ampliers to columns
Wiring ampliers to columns is straightforward: simply connect each channel of
the MPA8200 amplier to the corresponding channel of the column and provide
a common ground, as illustrated by gure 4.
Figure 4 : MPA8200 to column wiring
NUT
MPA8200
NUT
MPA8200
MPA8200
SA100P
SA180P
2+
3+
1+
2-
3-
1-
CH1 CH3 CH4
CH2
+- +
-+-
+
-
2+ 3+
1+
Column output
on channels 1, 2, 3
GND
CH3 CH4
+- +
-
CH5 CH6
+- +
-
1+
2+ 3+
Column output
on channels 4, 5, 6
GND
3 channels
Insertion bridge
for common
mass
2+
3+
1+
5+
6+
4+
2-
3-
1-
5-
6-
4-
SA250P
CH1 CH3 CH4
CH2
CH5 CH6
+- +
-
+- +
-+-
+
-
1+
2+ 3+ 4+
5+ 6+
GND
8 channels column cabling
on MPA8200 amplifier
8 channels
Set all microswitches for 8 independent channels
BGRSTE
BGR
PAL
STE
MODEL
BGRSTE
BGR
PAL
STE
MODEL

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4. Test before powering up
Before powering up an installation, it is good practice to ensure that the column
cable is properly connected to the column. Therefore, the electrical resistance
of each channel of the column must be controlled at the end of the cable
connected to the amplier side. The measured electrical resistances values
must correspond to the values below.
Channel 123456
SA100P 6,6Ω 6,6Ω 6,6Ω - - -
SA180P 6,6Ω 6,6Ω 6,6Ω - - -
SA250P 6,6Ω 6,6Ω 6,6Ω 4,4Ω 4,4Ω 4,4Ω
SA400P 6,6Ω 6,6Ω 6,6Ω 6,6Ω 6,6Ω 6,6Ω
SA180S 6,6Ω 6,6Ω 6,6Ω - - -
SA250S 3,3Ω 6,6Ω 6,6Ω 4,4Ω 4,4Ω 3,3Ω
Warning : When measuring the electrical resistance, the cable re-
sistance must be taken into account (about 1,3Ω for 100 meters of
1,5mm² ; 0,7Ω for 100 meters of 2,5mm² )
5. NUT control software
The NUT control software is used to tune the ltering and directivity parameters
of StepArray columns, it is available as free download on Active Audio’s web
site:
http://www.activeaudio.fr/en/public-address-sound-reinforcement/digital-si-
gnal-processor-nut
6. Troubleshooting
Symptom Possible cause Solution
The power LED of the
NUT processor is not ON
A fuse burned Replace inside the NUT
processor (1A delayed
fuse)
The sound is not ho-
mogeneous or distorted
Amplier to column
connection is incorrect
Make sure columns are
properly connected, as
described in section 3.3
Input signal level is too
high
Reduce input signal level
(Max signal input is ±8V
rms as described in 7.1
on the following page).
Filtering parameters are
wrong
Reduce the gain (Mixer
Block). Correct the
equalization.
There is a wiring pro-
blem.
Make sure the wiring is
correct (see 3.3 on the
preceding page).
The parameters of the
StepArray block are
wrong
Check that the parame-
ters in the StepArray
block of NUT control are
correct.
The column model of
the StepArray block in
NUT control doesn’t
match the real column
model.
Correct the column mo-
del in the StepArray
block.

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7. Hardware specications
7.1. NUT processor
Audio data
Inputs 8 symetrical analog inputs, Euroblock
connectors
Max input voltage: 8V rms (+20dBU)
Phantom power ON/OFF on each
input
Selectable line/mic level for each
input
Outputs 8 symetrical analog outputs, Euro-
block connectors
Max output voltage: 8V rms (+20dBU)
Dynamic range 114dB
Processing 28bits / 48kHz to 192kHz
General data
Communication Ethernet 10/100MB
USB (no driver needed)
RS232 for remote control
Mains 24V DC. 230V / 50Hz power supply
included.
power consumption < 10W
Dimensions 480 x 44 x 251mm (Rack 19’’ - 1U)
Color Black
Weight 3.5 kg
7.2. MPA8200 amplier
Audio data
Operating modes 8 channels independent
4 channels independent bridged
Power 8 x 200W under 8Ω
8 x 300W under 4Ω
4 x 600W under 8Ω (bridged)
Power consumption Typical : 100W ; Max 1kW.
Analog inputs Phoenix connectors MC1,5/12-ST-3,81
Outputs Phoenix connectors DFK-PC 4/8-G-7,62
Freuency response 20Hz - 20kHz @ 1W ±0,85dB
Input Impedance 10kΩ unbalanced / 20kΩ balanced
Sensitivity 1Veff
Signal-to-noise ratio 94dB
Damping factor > 300
Gain Adjustable with 8 knobs on face panel.
Max voltage gain : 37dB.
Harmonic Distortion THD : 0,1 % @ 1kHz
General data
Cooling Variable speed fan
Protection Protection against overload and overheat
Indicators Clip and Protect LEDs
Dimensions 483 x 88 x 315mm (Rack 19’’ – 2U)
Weight 9kg
For further information, see the MPA8200 owner’s manual.

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7.3. Columns characteristics
7.3.1 Electrical characteristics of StepArray columns
Channel 123456
SA100P 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω
SA180P 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω
SA250P 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 4.4Ω 4.4Ω 4.4Ω
SA400P 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω
SA180S 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω
SA250S 3.3Ω 6.6Ω 6.6Ω 4.4Ω 4.4Ω 3.3Ω
Figure 5 :
DC resistance of StepArray columns.
7.3.2 Mechanical characteristics of StepArray columns
Figure 6 : StepArray column dimensions
Model Dimensions (L x
W x D mm)
Weight (net/ship-
ping)
Cable
SA100P 1024 x 124 x 131 9kg / 12kg 4G
SA180P 1840 x 124 x 135 17kg / 21kg 4G
SA180S 1840 x 124 x 135 17kg / 21kg 4G
SA250P 2505 x 124 x 159 24kg / 29kg 7G
SA250S 2505 x 124 x 159 24kg / 29kg 7G
SA400P 4096 x 124 x 135 39kg / 46kg 7G
Figure 7 :
Mechanical and electrical characteristics of StepArray columns
7.3.3 Fixing brackets
Figure 8 : Fixing brackets for wall mounting of StepArray columns.
W
L
D
34mm to 55mm
121.51
5
ϕ11
2 52 5
96.51
35.65
82.89
34.42
11
ϕ8.5
11 11
11
71.22
M4
Red is bottom bracket only

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8. Acoustical data
All data presented below is obtained with columns in their nominal position and
using nominal DSP ltering param- eters (at EQ, etc).
8.1. Common data
102103104
−30
−25
−20
−15
−10
−5
0
5
10
frequency (Hz)
amplitude (dB)
Figure 9 : Frequency response (column SA250P). Average of the mesure-
ments at 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30m. In red: with bass high-pass on position
«100Hz», in blue: with bass high-pass on position «200Hz».
90
60
30
0
330
300
270
-20dB
-10dB
500Hz
1kHz
2kHz
4kHz
8kHz
Figure 10 : Horizontal directivity (column SA250P)
8.2. SA100P : acoustical data1
20m10m0m
10m
h=2,55m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10d
B
-15d
B
-20dB
Figure 11 : SA100P vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves
(500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane.
0m 10m 20m
10m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10d
B
-15d
B
-20d
B
Figure 12 : SA100P horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves
(500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the listening plane.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
−15
−10
−5
0
5
10
15
SPL(dist) SA100P
250Hz
500Hz
1000Hz
2000Hz
4000Hz
8000Hz
Figure 13 : Sound level by octave in the axis of the listening plane in front of
the column with respect to the distance from the column.

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8.4. SA250P : acoustical data1
20m10m0m 40m30m
10m
50m
h=2,55m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10d
B
-15d
B
-20dB
Figure 17 : SA250P vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves
(500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane.
0m 10m 20m 30m 40m
10m
20m
50m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10d
B
-15d
B
-20d
B
Figure 18 : SA250P horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves
(500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the listening plane.
0510 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
−15
−10
−5
0
5
10
15
SPL(dist) SA250P
250Hz
500Hz
1000Hz
2000Hz
4000Hz
8000Hz
Figure 19 : Sound level by octave in the axis of the listening plane in front of
the column with respect to the distance from the column.
8.3. SA180P : acoustical data1
20m10m0m 40m30m
10m
h=2,55m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10d
B
-15d
B
-20dB
Figure 14 : SA180P vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves
(500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane.
0m 10m 20m 30m 40m
10m
20m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10d
B
-15d
B
-20d
B
Figure 15 : SA180P horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves
(500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the listening plane.
0510 15 20 25 30 35
−15
−10
−5
0
5
10
15
SPL(dist) SA180P
250Hz
500Hz
1000Hz
2000Hz
4000Hz
8000Hz
Figure 16 : Sound level by octave in the axis of the listening plane in front of
the column with respect to the distance from the column.

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8.6. SA180S : acoustical data1
0m 10
m
20
m
10m
SA180S
h=2,65m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10dB
-15dB
-20dB
Figure 22 : SA180S vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves
(500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane.
0
m
10
m
20
m
10
m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5d
B
-10d
B
-15d
B
-20d
B
Figure 23 : SA180S horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves
(500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the listening plane.
0510 15 20 25
−15
−10
−5
0
5
10
15
SPL(dist) SA180S
250Hz
500Hz
1000Hz
2000Hz
4000Hz
8000Hz
Figure 24 : Sound level by octave in the axis of the listening plane in front of
the column with respect to the distance from the column.
8.5. SA400P : acoustical data1
20m10m0m 40m30m
10m
50m 60m 70m
h=3,05m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10d
B
-15d
B
-20dB
SA400P vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves
(500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane.
0m 10m 20m 30m 40m
10m
20m
50m 60m 70m
30m
40m 10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10d
B
-15d
B
-20d
B
Figure 20 : SA400P horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves
(500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the listening plane.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
−15
−10
−5
0
5
10
15
SPL(dist) SA400P
250Hz
500Hz
1000Hz
2000Hz
4000Hz
8000Hz
Figure 21 : Sound level by octave in the axis of the listening plane in front of
the column with respect to the distance from the column.

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9. Déclaration de conformité
We,
ACTIVE AUDIO SAS,
8 Rue Johannes Gutenberg 44340 Bouguenais, France,
Declares under our sole responsability,
that the following products:
SA100P, SA180P, SA250P, SA400P,
SA180S, SA250S
complie with the council directive 2004/108/CE
Assessment of compliance is based on the following standards:
EN50081-1, EN61000, EN60065
Established on the 6th of January 2016
by Régis CAZIN, CEO.
8.7. SA250S : acoustical data1
0m 10
m
20m
10m
SA250S
h=3,85
m
10dB
5d
B
0d
B
-5d
B
-10d
B
-15d
B
-20d
B
SA250S vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves
(500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane.
0m 10m 20
m
10
m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10dB
-15dB
-20dB
Figure 25 : SA250S horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves
(500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the listening plane.
0510 15 20 25 30
−15
−10
−5
0
5
10
15
SPL(dist) SA250S
250Hz
500Hz
1000Hz
2000Hz
4000Hz
8000Hz
Figure 26 : Sound level by octave in the axis of the listening plane in front of
the column with respect to the distance from the column.

www.activeaudio.fr
[email protected]
Active Audio
8 Rue Johannes Gutenberg
44340 Bouguenais - France
Phone: [phone]
Contact