Alcorn Mcbride 8TraXX/E User manual

8 TraXX/E
Eight Independent Stereo MP3 Players
User’s Guide

March 23, 2012 • Alcorn McBride 8TraXX/E User’s Manual • Rev 2.6Page 1
Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information contained in this manual, and the reliability of
the Alcorn McBride 8TraXX/E hardware and software. Errors can sometimes go undetected, however. If you find
one, please bring it to our attention so that we can correct it for others. Alcorn McBride welcomes comments and
suggestions on the content and layout of its documentation.
Applications described herein are for illustrative purposes only. Alcorn McBride Inc. assumes no responsibility or
liability for the use of these products, and makes no representation or warranty that the use of these products for
specific applications will be suitable without further testing or modification. Alcorn McBride products are not
intended for use in applications where a malfunction can reasonably be expected to result in personal injury.
Customers using or selling Alcorn McBride products for use in such applications do so at their own risk, and agree
to fully indemnify Alcorn McBride for any damages resulting from such improper use or sale.
Some or all of the following open source software were used in the development of this product: u-boot, uClinux,
ALSA, Busybox, drivers by Analog Devices Inc, drivers by PLX Technology, Inc., drivers by Alcorn McBride
Inc., and the traxxPlay Mp3 player.
Please contact us at [e-mail] to request a copy of any license or source code for the previously
mentioned open source projects.
Proper steps have been taken to separate proprietary portions of this product in order to satisfy license restrictions.
Proprietary designs include the application logic (TraxxOS), hardware design, and documentation of this product.
The product’s hardware warranty will be voided if, at any time, software that is not released in the form of a
firmware update by Alcorn McBride Inc. is executed on the hardware.
8TraXX/E™ is a trademark of Alcorn McBride Inc., all rights reserved.
Copyright ©2012Alcorn McBride, Inc. All rights reserved.
Artwork Gerry Calixto, Jr.
Hardware Design Jim Carstensen
Mechanical Design Martin Chaney
Software Design Hunter Olson
Firmware Design Adam Rosenberg
Driver Development Phil Wilshire
Part Number: 110-103737.50
Document Revision: 2.6
March 23, 2012
Alcorn McBride Inc.
3300 S. Hiawassee Rd.
Bldg. 105
Orlando, FL 32835
Tel: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
http://www.alcorn.com
[email protected]

Page 2 March 23, 2012 • Alcorn McBride 8TraXX/E User’s Manual • Rev 2.6

March 23, 2012 • Alcorn McBride 8TraXX/E User’s Manual • Rev 2.6Page 3
Table of Contents
Welcome! _________________________________________________________________________ 5
Features __________________________________________________________________________ 5
Technical Support __________________________________________________________________ 6
Getting Started _____________________________________________________________________ 7
In the Box ______________________________________________________________________ 7
Playing a Test Sound _____________________________________________________________ 8
Replacing an Older 8TraXX Model _________________________________________________ 9
Control _______________________________________________________________________ 9
Compact Flash _________________________________________________________________ 9
Front Panel Controls and Indicators ________________________________________________ 9
Test Channel Buttons ____________________________________________________________ 9
Channel Status LEDs ___________________________________________________________ 10
Input LEDs ___________________________________________________________________ 10
Mute All Button _______________________________________________________________ 10
File Access LED_______________________________________________________________ 10
Communication LED ___________________________________________________________ 10
LCD and Menu Knob ___________________________________________________________ 11
Rear Panel Controls and Connectors _______________________________________________ 12
Audio Outputs ________________________________________________________________ 12
Discrete Control Inputs _________________________________________________________ 12
RS-232C Serial Connector _______________________________________________________ 12
MIDI In______________________________________________________________________ 13
Ethernet RJ-45 ________________________________________________________________ 13
Configuration DIP Switches______________________________________________________ 13
Power _______________________________________________________________________ 14
The Compact Flash Card ___________________________________________________________ 15
Recommended Compact Flash Cards ______________________________________________ 15
Supported File Formats __________________________________________________________ 15
File Naming ____________________________________________________________________ 15
Playback ______________________________________________________________________ 16
Transferring Files via FTP _______________________________________________________ 17
Additional Features ________________________________________________________________ 18
LCD Status Display _____________________________________________________________ 18
Control Methods __________________________________________________________________ 19
Serial Control __________________________________________________________________ 19
Ethernet Control________________________________________________________________ 19
Discrete Input Control ___________________________________________________________ 20
Input Groups__________________________________________________________________ 20
TraXX Configuration Software ___________________________________________________ 20
Playlist Control_________________________________________________________________25
Overview ____________________________________________________________________ 25

Page 4 March 23, 2012 • Alcorn McBride 8TraXX/E User’s Manual • Rev 2.6
Special Playlist Commands ______________________________________________________ 26
Example Playlist_______________________________________________________________ 27
Playlist Builder________________________________________________________________ 28
Scheduler Control ______________________________________________________________ 29
Schedule File Format ___________________________________________________________ 29
Schedule Builder ______________________________________________________________ 35
Command Protocol ________________________________________________________________ 39
Playback Commands ____________________________________________________________ 39
Play -PL_____________________________________________________________________ 40
Loop Play -LP ________________________________________________________________ 40
Play Toggle -PT ______________________________________________________________ 41
Search -SE ___________________________________________________________________ 41
Play Directory -PD ____________________________________________________________ 42
Pause -PA ___________________________________________________________________ 42
Stop -RJ _____________________________________________________________________ 43
Add Channel Pairs to Channel Group -GR __________________________________________ 43
Playlists _______________________________________________________________________ 44
Play System Playlist ____________________________________________________________ 44
Play Channel Playlist ___________________________________________________________ 44
Stop Channel Playlist ___________________________________________________________ 44
Control Commands _____________________________________________________________ 45
Keylock Enable _______________________________________________________________ 45
LCD PIN Enable ______________________________________________________________ 45
LCD PIN Set _________________________________________________________________45
Version Request _______________________________________________________________ 46
Soft Reset ____________________________________________________________________ 46
Set Name ____________________________________________________________________ 46
Mute/UnMute/Volume Control ___________________________________________________ 47
Send String ___________________________________________________________________ 47
Playing Status Request __________________________________________________________ 48
Filename Status Request ________________________________________________________ 48
Completion Acknowledge Mode __________________________________________________ 49
MIDI Control Protocol __________________________________________________________ 50
Error codes ___________________________________________________________________ 51
How To Update Firmware __________________________________________________________ 52
Standard Firmware Update ______________________________________________________ 52
Firmware Recovery _____________________________________________________________ 52
Troubleshooting Guide _____________________________________________________________ 53
Specifications_____________________________________________________________________ 54
Index ___________________________________________________________________________ 55

March 23, 2012 • Alcorn McBride 8TraXX/E User’s Manual • Rev 2.6Page 5
Welcome!
Thank you for purchasing The Alcorn McBride 8TraXX/E™. The
8TraXX/E replaces CD and solid state audio players in permanent audio
playback installations, providing hours of high-quality, maintenance-free
digital audio.
The 8TraXX/E lets you play eight independent stereo tracks from a single,
economical rack-mount unit. It’s perfect for museums, interactive displays,
and background music or effects. Each track can be individually triggered by
a number of methods. Discrete inputs –contact closure or voltage –allow
direct connection to proximity sensors or switches. The 8TraXX/E can also
be controlled using Ethernet, RS-232 serial or MIDI. It can even be
programmed to play on a scheduled-basis using its built-in Real Time Clock
or execute a pre-programmed sequence of playback operations using a
playlist.
8TraXX/E offers the latest in Digital Audio Repeater technology, combining
MP3 audio with Compact Flash for a rugged, reliable, maintenance-free
solution to your playback needs. Access time is nearly instantaneous! All
eight tracks are completely independent, and offer superb audio quality.
Sounds are simply copied onto the 8TraXX/E from your laptop computer
using an Ethernet connection, or you can use an external Compact Flash card
reader.
Features
The 8TraXX/E offers a wide range of features including:
•8 Independent Stereo Audio Channels
•Hours of High-quality MP3 Audio
•Compact Flash Media Included
•Voltage or Contact Closure Control
•Ethernet, RS-232 or MIDI Control
•Ethernet File Transfer
•Scheduled Playback using built-in clock
•Playlists for automated operation
•“Boot-and-Loop” playback capability

Page 6 March 23, 2012 • Alcorn McBride 8TraXX/E User’s Manual • Rev 2.6
Technical Support
You can obtain technical support or other information about specifying, installing,
configuring, updating and programming your Alcorn McBride 8TraXX/E from
several sources:
For…
Contact…
When?…
Firmware Updates
http://www.alcorn.com/support
Any Time
Knowledge Base
http://www.alcorn.com/kb
Any Time
E-mail Support
[email protected]
Any Time
Telephone Support
[phone]
M-F 9am-5pm (EST)

March 23, 2012 • Alcorn McBride 8TraXX/E User’s Manual • Rev 2.6Page 7
Getting Started
Throughout this manual you will find detailed discussions on all the features of this
product. However, you’re probably anxious to see your 8TraXX/E play some audio
right away. We’ll start with a few easy steps to show you how to play audio from the
8TraXX/E straight out of the box!
In the Box
•8TraXX/E Multichannel Audio Player (with CF card installed)
•8TraXX/E Manual
•Straight-through DB-9 Female to DB-9 Female serial cable
•Crossover Ethernet Cable
•Power Supply
•(2) Phoenix type connectors for rear control inputs

Page 8 March 23, 2012 • Alcorn McBride 8TraXX/E User’s Manual • Rev 2.6
Playing a Test Sound
Every 8TraXX/E comes with a Compact Flash card preloaded with test sounds
already installed in the unit’s Compact Flash slot. To play test sounds, follow these
step-by-step directions:
•Connect a channel of the 8TraXX/E to a set of powered speakers or
to the input to an amplifier.
•Power the 8TraXX/E using the included power supply. The LCD
display will indicate that the 8TraXX/E is initializing, and then
display its current status when it’s finished.
•When the 8TraXX/E has finished initializing, press the front panel
channel pushbutton corresponding to the channel you connected the
amplifier to. You should hear the test sound playing.
Connect to amplifier or
powered speakers