ALLEN & HEATH iDR Series User manual

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iDR training. iDR training CP/LP 29/01/08
Start 09.30. End 16.00. 6 ½ hrs
Requirements
To be supplied by trainee
•Laptop or PC running Windows 98, 2000, XP with Ethernet card. The trainee must have admin
rights in order to manipulate IP addresses and add/remove software.
•Allen & Heath iDR System Manager software. The latest version can be downloaded from the
Allen & Heath website at: http://www.idrseries.com/system_manager.asp
To be supplied by training host
•iDR hardware
The trainer will require the following to demonstrate how the various parts of the system interconnect:
oiDR-8 x2
oiDR-IN expander
oiDR-OUT expander
oiDR-Switch
o2x PL-4
oCat 5 network cables (2m) x6

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The following will be required for each trainee:
oiDR-8 x1
oPL-4 x2
oPL-5 x2
oCat 5 network cables (2m) x3
•Audio
The following will be required for each trainee:
oStereo source x2. CD player (each with a different CD) with cabling to XLR i/p on iDR
oPowered loudspeakers x3 (x2 will suffice) with cabling from XLR o/p on iDR
•Documentation and software
oAllen & Heath iDR System manager software
oiDR training .pdf
oiDR sales guide .pdf
oiDR sales guide Power Point slide show
oGetting Started
oTrouble shooting .pdf
oQuick Tips
•Other hardware
oProjector and screen. To show the iDR Training .pdf and Sales Guide Power Point slide
show.

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10 min 09.30
1. Introduction
•Matrix
The heart of an iDR-8 and iDR-4 is a 16x16 matrix.
•Fixed Architecture DSP
All 16 i/p and all 16 o/p channels have full processing racks permanently loaded. The three big
advantages of this are:
1. Eliminates the need for the programmer to have to assign processing.
2. Eliminates variance in latency between channels.
3. System never runs out of processing power.
•Expandable system
Combinations of iDR-4 / iDR-8, input expanders and output expanders can be chained and looped.
An existing system can be added to or even subtracted from.
•Remote control
There are many ways of controlling the system remotely. We offer a wide range of wall plates, infra
red controllers, fader panels, switch units, rotary panels, LCD displays and custom GUIs (for use on
the client’s PC), in our PL range of controllers.

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•External control
The iDR system can also be controlled by MIDI, AMX, Crestron and RS232 serial commands as
well as connections from third party switches and relays.
This remote control is two way as the iDR can transmit control data.
•System Manager programming software
The system is programmed using our System Manager software. The latest version is always
available from our website as are older versions.
The software runs on a PC or laptop (not MAC compatible) and contains virtual simulations of the
hardware components in the system. The software can be run offline and an entire system can be
programmed and demonstrated without the need to purchase any hardware.

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15 min
2. iDR-4 / iDR-8 Hardware
2.1. iDR-8
•Front panel
:Removable cover
:Softkeys
:Soft LEDs
:Label area
:LCD
:Headphone socket with level trim
:Rack ears

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Remove cover
:Code Update button
:Front RS232. Code update and serial control. Front/Rear button. Indicator LED. This port
needs to be activated from within the System Manager software.
:LEDs Slave, Ext Sync Lock, 96k*
:LCD navigation buttons and Menu button
*NOTE: 96kHz is not available due to lack of customer demand.

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•Rear panel
:AC 100 – 240V ~
:RS232 (Modem)
:MDI/X switch. If Link LED does not light, operate this switch. It allows use of straight or
crossover cable.
:TX, Link LEDs
:Network port
:MIDI. This port needs to be activated from within the System manager software.
:Rear RS232 Sysnet port. Indicator LED. This port needs to be activated from within the
System manager software.
:PL-ANET. This port needs to be activated from within the System manager software.
:DR-LINK
:AUDIO IN
:AUDIO OUT
:Analog audio. 8x balanced XLR in/out 2x balanced ¼” jack in/out
Total i/o = 10 IN, 10 OUT

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2.2. iDR-4
•Front panel
:Removable cover
:Softkeys
:Soft LEDs
:Label area
:LCD
No headphone socket with level trim
:Rack ears

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Remove cover
:Code Update slide switch
No front RS232.
No LEDs for Slave, Ext Sync Lock, 96k*
:LCD navigation buttons and Menu button
*NOTE: 96kHz is not available due to lack of customer demand.

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•Rear panel
:AC 100 – 240V ~
:RS232 (Modem). This port needs to be activated from within the System manager software.
:MDI/X switch
:TX, Link LEDs
:Network port
No MIDI
:Rear RS232 Sysnet port. Indicator LED. This port needs to be activated from within the
System manager software.
:PL-ANET. This port needs to be activated from within the System manager software.
:DR-LINK
:AUDIO IN
:AUDIO OUT
:Analog audio. 2x balanced XLR in, 4x balanced ¼” jack in
4x balanced XLR out, 2x balanced ¼” jack out
Total i/o = 6 IN, OUT

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•Monitor system
Both the iDR-4 & iDR-8 have two balanced ¼” jack sockets for Monitor L & R IN and Monitor L & R
OUT.
The signal path can be monitored from:
Input channel
oPre/post Delay
oPre/post Parametric EQ
oSide Chain Filter
oPre/post Gate/Comp
oPre/post Fader
Output channel
oPre/post Delay
oPre/post Parametric EQ
oPre/post Fader
oPre/post Limiter
The monitor source can be selected in the System manager software or mapped to your computer
mouse. When mapped to the mouse, you can hold the mouse cursor over the part of the signal chain
that you want to listen to.
The monitor jack outputs can either feed local monitor amplifiers or connect to the monitor input jacks
on another iDR. This allows the monitor buses of several iDRs to ripple through.
The monitor jacks can be patched into the matrix giving a total i/o count of 10 x 10 for the iDR-8 and 6
x 6 for the iDR-4.

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30 min
3. Plugging up
3.1. Single unit
An iDR-8 or iDR-4 can operate as a single stand alone unit.
3.2. Daisy chain
The audio from the first iDR unit in the chain is transferred to the following units via the A&H digital
audio buss in a unidirectional stream. This CAT5 connection carries a maximum of 8 channels at any
moment. There can be a different combination of 8
channels in each of 250 available presets.
Many iDR units can be chained and iDR-8 can be
mixed with iDR-4 in a combined system.
Each iDR unit runs its own separate System
manager software session and each unit is
programmed individually.
In a chain, the first unit
automatically becomes
the sync master.

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3.3. Loopback
If the digital audio output of the last unit in a chain is connected to the digital audio input of the first unit
in the chain, any input in the system can be routed to any output in the system.
When looping the
audio, you need to
designate one unit to
be the master.

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3.4. iDR-IN & iDR-OUT Expanders
An input expander has 8 XLR inputs.
An output expander has 8 XLR outputs.
Expander units terminate the system – it is only possible to have 1x input expander and 1x output
expander in any system.
It is not possible to loop audio when using
expanders.
iDR Link gives
metering data for the
expander LEDs and
control over the
input expander
preamps.

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3.5. DR-switch
An iDR-switch, connects to DR-Link. If expanders are used in the system, these connect after the DR-
switch.
Up to three DR-switch units can be connected to any iDR-8 or iDR-4. Each DR-switch has 24 switch
connections and 16 DC outputs supplying +10V 500mA or +24V 200mA.
A total of 72 switches and 48 logic outputs are available to each iDR unit.
PL-2 Remote wall-plate is designed & packaged specifically for use with iDR Switch – uses two logic
DC outputs from iDR-Switch for tri-colour LED operation, or a single output for simple LED on/off.

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15 min
4. PL-Anet
4.1. PL-family
PL-1, 2, 3
PL-6
8x fader
16 button
24 LED
PL-10
8x rotary
16 button
24 LED
PL-4 with
PL-5 IR
remote

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PL-7 on left.
PL-7 on right shown
with PL-4 fitted
PL-8
4x switch
4x DC o/p
PL-9 7 way hub
Custom GUI for user PC

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4.2. Constantly scanned Cat 5
The PL-Anet port has to be activated in the System manager software Communication Options. Once
it is selected, the port is constantly scanned for PL devices. PL devices, when connected, are
automatically detected and addressed. As an example: if you have four PL-3 connected, the iDR will
address them as PL-3 01, PL-3 02, PL-3 03, PL-3 04. If PL-3 03 is removed from the system (the
cable run needs to be made good), the iDR will re-address PL-3 04 as PL-3 03.
4.3. Wiring topographies
PL devices are daisy chained. Each unit has an IN and OUT RJ45 socket.
The Root is the direct connection to the iDR unit Pl-Anet port. Simulators are shown on screen.
PL-4
PL-4iDR -8 / 4
Root

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The PL-9 hub allows for 7x branches. This allows for star configurations. It is not possible to loop.
Each Branch has its own re-settable fuse.
PL-9 Outputs can be used to provide dedicated plug-in points for a PL remotes which may be removed
when not in use
The PL-9 offers x7 branches and simulators are shown on Root and their branches.
The PL-9 hub connects to the iDR Root. Other PL devices can also be connected to the Root if
desired.
Root
PL-6 PL-10
PL-4 PL-9
Branch
A B C D E F G
PL-8PL-4
iDR -8 / 4

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4.4. PL-Calculator
The maximum number of PL devices on any Root or branch depends on the combined current
requirement of the PL devices and the voltage drop over the cable run.
The number and type of PL devices on each cable run are entered into the calculator and a result is
obtained.
Enter number
and type of PL
devices
Enter cable
length
This example
gives a negative
result