Alto Professional StageDrive+ User manual

STAGEDRIVE+
QUICKSTART GUIDE
ENGLISH ( 1 - 26 )

QUICKSTART GUIDE (ENGLISH)
BOX CONTENTS
STAGEDRIVE+
Power cable
Software CD
Quickstart Guide
Safety & Warranty Information Booklet
QUICK SETUP
1. Make sure all items listed in the BOX CONTENTS section are included in the box.
2. READ SAFETY & WARRANTY INFORMATION BOOKLET BEFORE USING THE PRODUCT.
3. Study the connection diagram in this guide.
4. Place all devices in an appropriate position for operation.
5. Make sure all devices are turned off and all faders and gain knobs are set to "zero."
6. Connect all sound sources' outputs to amplifier inputs as indicated in the diagram.
7. Connect the amplifier outputs to speakers.
8. Plug all devices into an appropriate power source.
9. Switch everything on in the following order:
•Sound sources (i.e. microphones, turntables, CD players, etc.)
•Mixer
•Amplifier
•Speakers
10. When turning powering down, turn everything off in the following order:
•Speakers
•Amplifier
•Mixer
•Sound sources
FRONT PANEL DIAGRAM
1. MODE BUTTON-Selecting one of four modes: PRESET, DELAY, EDIT and UTILITY.
2. DISPLAY- Shows the pages of the various menus and their parameters.
3. DIAL KNOB-Edits the value of the selected parameter.
4. PREV/NEXT BUTTON-Accesses menu pages and/or parameters.
5. NAVIGATION CURSOR KEYS-Selects various parameters.
6. MEMORY CARD SLOT- MMC card slot to store PRESETS.
7. ENTER KEY- Confirms editing of parameters.
8. ESC KEY-Exits the selected editing page or cancels an editing operation.
9. INPUT LEVEL LEDs-Shows the level of input A/B.
10. MUTE SWITCHES-Mutes the signal from any of the six respective outputs.
11. OUTPUT LEVEL LEDS-Shows the output level.
Note: The LIMITER will change the way in which the output level is displayed on the corresponding LED. The
level shown on the meter is no longer the "absolute" output level, but the level of the signal at -24dB, -12dB,
-6dB compared to the limiter threshold (indicated by the orange LIMIT LED).
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REAR PANEL DIAGRAM
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1. AC INPUT AND FUSE HOLDER-Connect the included power cable here.
CAUTION: If the fuse needs to be replaced, please refer to a qualified technician. If the fuse continues
to blow after replacing, discontinue use of this unit and seek repair.
2. POWER SWITCH-Turns the main POWER on and off.
3. DIGITAL IN-Connect a balanced XLR-F cable here.
4. RS485 OUT- Allows outgoing communication between a STAGEDRIVE+ and other STAGEDRIVE+
units.
5. RS485 IN-Allows incoming communication between a STAGEDRIVE+ and other STAGEDRIVE+
units.
6. USB PORT-Allows communication via PC.
7. OUTPUTS- Use Balanced XLR-M cables on these outputs.
8. INPUTS- Balanced XLR - ¼” combo jacks.
GETTING STARTED
Adjusting the input signal
1. Keep the STAGEDRIVE+ outputs in MUTE status (LEDs on) by pressing each respective Mute button
on the front panel.
2. Feed a signal into the STAGEDRIVE+ input and watch the INPUT LEVEL A-B LED meter.
3. Keep the signal high, but without triggering the CLIP LED continually, adjusting the input gain if
necessary.
4. Press the MODE key until the EDIT menu LED lights up. Use the PREV and NEXT keys to go to the
Input Gain page and then press ENTER.
5. Use the DIAL to change the gain value and watch the level of the signal on the LED meter until ideal
values are reached.
6. Use the PREV and NEXT keys to access to the INB Gain page.
MENUS
PRESET Menu
Types of PRESETS
There are 3 categories of PRESETS:
•F = Factory PRESETS which cannot be permanently changed. These are the starting points for
creating User PRESETS and card PRESETS from scratch.
•U = User PRESETS can be programmed by users.
•C = Card PRESETS can be programmed by users and stored on a Multimedia Memory Card.

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To Load a PRESET:
•Use the DIAL to select a Factory PRESET (indicated by the letter F) and press ENTER to load the preset
into memory.
Adjusting the input gain
1. Keep the STAGEDRIVE+ outputs in MUTE status (LEDs light on).
2. Feed a signal in on the STAGEDRIVE+'s input and watch the LED meter.
3. To obtain a good signal level, make certain the red INPUT LEVEL A-B CLIP LED does not light up
continually.
4. Find out the output level setting for your mixer (or other unit) and connect it to the input of the
STAGEDRIVE+.
5. Adjust the STAGEDRIVE+ input gain by pressing the MODE key until the EDIT menu LED lights up.
6. Use the PREV and NEXT keys to go to the Input Gain page:
7. Press ENTER. The display will show the IN A Gain or IN A&B Gain page (according to the
configuration and other utilities loaded in the memory):
8. Use the DIAL to change the gain value and watch the level of the signal on the LED meter until ideal
values are reached. Then use the PREV and NEXT keys to access the IN B Gain page (if there is one,
which will depend on the configuration and the other utilities loaded in the memory).
To save a PRESET:
1. Use the DIAL to select an area in which the PRESET is to be saved and press ENTER.
2. Use the and keys to position the cursor on a character and use the DIAL to enter the
alphanumeric value.
3. Edit the PRESET name if desired and press ENTER to save the changes or press ESC to abort.
COMM. SETUP SUBMENU- This submenu allows access to the setting of communication with other units
via the USB port. Note: The ‘Dump Out Preset’ and ‘Incoming Dump’ functions are an exception, as they're
controlled directly in the PRESET menu.
Transmit PRESETS- Use this menu page to transmit PRESETS via the RS485 ports to copy PRESETS to
another STAGEDRIVE+.

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To download a PRESET- Select a PRESET using the DIAL and press ENTER.
Note: The menu page remains unchanged to allow other PRESETS to be dumped.
All the Presets data (name, configuration, parameter values, etc.) are immediately transmitted to the
units connected to the RS485 port.
Note: In order for the transfer to work, the receiving units must be able to identify and accept Incoming Dump
operations. When two or more STAGEDRIVE+ are connected, the PRESET sent by the transmitting
STAGEDRIVE+ overwrites the existing PRESET in the same memory position of the receiving STAGEDRIVE
+.
Incoming Dump
Accepts or ignores the Dump of a PRESET sent from another STAGEDRIVE+ via the RS485 port or from a
computer via USB. Ports settings can be:
•Ignore the data that is being sent
•Accept the data that is being sent
System Protection
These indications appear when the LOCK function is enabled, (when the LOCK UTILITY system is totally (T)
or partially (P) protected against accidental or unauthorized changes). Protection is set by using a password,
without which editing cannot be achieved.

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DELAY MENU
Input Delay: Delays the signal of an input (or the sum of the inputs) before sending it to the routing system.
All outputs will be delayed by the same length of time. This is commonly used to compensate for distances
between speaker enclosures or large venues.
The Input Delay values can be set in the following ranges:

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The measurement unit can be chosen with the function Delay Unit (UTILITY menu-Units submenu).
•Output Delay: Delays the signal only from a specific output. This is used to compensate for the distance
between different speakers in the same sound system (ie. speaker clusters) or to correct internal
alignment of speaker enclosure components.
The Output Delay values can be set in the following ranges:

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The Output Delay values can be set in the following ranges:
EDIT MENU
Input Noise Gate- Allows reduction of background noise generated by a unit connected to the processor's
inputs (a mixer, for example). The filter is active when the input signal is below a certain threshold and
reduces its level, cutting undesired background noises.

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The following editable parameters are available, in two different pages:
a. Noise Gate ON/OFF
b. Reaction times- Sets the Noise Gate attack and
release times.
- ATTACK (AT): The time needed by the filter to bring back the signal to its normal level when
it goes above the threshold.
- RELEASE (RL): The time needed by the filter to cut the signal once it goes below the
threshold.
Threshold- If the signal goes below the set threshold level, the Noise Gate reduces the signal. The editing
values are within the following ranges: +8dBu -60dBu, with 2dBu steps.
Range- Sets the amount of the signal level reduction.
The editing values are within the following ranges: 0dBu -80dBu, with variable steps.
Input/Output EQ: Five band parametric EQ filters. Allows you to alter the overall tone of the signal.
The following editable parameters are available for each filter:
•Type of filter- Select the filter to be Peaking, Low or High Shelving with a slope of 6 or 12 dB per octave
and Notch filter.

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•Center/Cutoff Frequency- Selects the center frequency of the Peaking curve and Notch filter, or the
cutoff frequency of Shelving curves.
•Bandwidth-Sets the width of the Peaking or Notch type curve. This does not apply to Shelving curves
•Gain- Allows boost or cut of the selected frequencies. This does not apply when using the Notch Filter

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The filter values can be set in the following ranges:
•Xover- Low-pass and high-pass filters.
Each Xover has 2 slightly different pages (one for each filter), where the name of the output it affects and the
type of filter shown:
•Low pass Filter - Allows all the frequencies below a specific range to pass and cuts all other frequencies
above it.
•High Pass Filter- The high-pass filter allows all the frequencies above a specific range to pass, and cuts
all other frequencies below it.
•Crossover frequency -Adjusts the filter cutoff frequency.
5-BAND FULL PARAMETRIC EQ

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•Phase - Allows control of the signal's phase.
Note: This control is only available in the Low-Pass Filter window.
The Xover values can be set in the following ranges:
Output Pol- Controls the output's polarity. Allows you to invert the phase of the signal on individual outputs.
The effect operates with 5 steps in a range of between 0 and 180. In this way it's possible to set the phase of
each individual output with 5 steps within a complete 360 revolution. This function is useful when assembling
arrays of speaker enclosures, in the control of the interpolation between various enclosures or between
sections of the same system.
Output Limiter- Keeps the signal of each individual output within a set level.
•Reaction times- Adjusts between 3 types of Limiter reaction speeds:
Fast- Suited for rapid Limiter operation, normally for signals dedicated to high frequencies.
Normal- Suited for the majority of applications with signals dedicated to mid frequencies or full-range
systems.
Slow- Suited to avoid jumps in the level and for signals dedicated to low frequencies.

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•Threshold- Sets the level above which the Limiter activates.
IMPORTANT! Enabling the LIMITER on a specific output also changes the way in which the level is
displayed on the corresponding LED. The level will no longer be the "absolute" output level, but the level of
the signal at -24dB, -12dB, -6dB compared to the LIMITER's threshold (orange LIMIT LED), no matter what
the threshold value is.
UTILITY MENU- Allows access to system options such as the control of the Multimedia Memory Card or
protection against accidental or unauthorized changes.

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GANGING SUBMENU- Allows you to group together inputs and/or outputs. For example, this can be used to
adjust the right and left sections of a stereo signal to the same Delay value or equalization on both inputs
with just one operation; or set identical Xover parameters for the various outputs fed to a stereo sound
system. The Ganging function can be enabled separately for both groups of input and groups of outputs.
Input Ganging- Enables/disables the Ganging function on the inputs.
The settings are:
Output Ganging- Enables/disables the Ganging function on the outputs.

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The settings are:
IMPORTANT:
As soon as Inputs and/or Outputs are ganged, the various menu pages only show the values that can
actually be used.
UNITS SUBMENU
Choose the measurement units to be used with certain functions.
•Delay Unit- Sets the measurement in which Delays are expressed.
The options include: m = meters - mm = millimeters - ms = milliseconds - ms = microseconds
•Lim. Thresh. Unit- Sets the measurement units for the threshold of the Limiter (EDIT menu - Output
Limiter).
The options include: dBu = decibel (0 dBu = 0.775 V rms) - V = volt
•Temperature Unit-Sets the measurement units for the Temperature function (UTILITY menu - Misc.
Setup submenu). The options include: C = degrees Centigrade - F = degrees Fahrenheit

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MISC. SETUP SUBMENU- Sets a series of system options.
•Input Select-Choose the inputs which STAGEDRIVE+ should use, digital or analog.
•Output Meters-Choose whether to display the output signal before or after MUTE.
The options include:
PreMute- the signal is always shown no matter what the MUTE status
PostMute- the signal is only shown if the output is not in MUTE
•Temperature-Sets the value of the environmental temperature at the place of installation to compensate
for differentials due to the varying speed of sound transmission due to the air temperature. The editing
values are in the following ranges: +60 C ~ -30 C with 1 C steps 140.0 F ~ -22.0 F with 1.8 F steps
Note: The measurement units can be chosen between C (degrees Centigrade) and F (degrees
Fahrenheit) by means of the Temperature Unit function (UTILITY menu - Units submenu).
•Wake Up-Sets the mode in which MUTE functions are restored when the STAGEDRIVE+ is switched on.
The options include:
Normal-When switched on, the system restores the last MUTE configuration before switching off
Mute- When switched on, the system automatically sets all the outputs in MUTE

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LCD Contrast-Adjusts the Display contrast.
LOCK SUBMENU- Used to enable or disable the protection of the system against accidental or unauthorized
changes.
How to enable protection
1. Choose a protection mode (Partial or Total).
2. Use the and keys to access the area in which the password is entered.
3. The password can be made up of four alphanumerical characters, obtainable using the and keys
and editable with the DIAL.
4. After entering the password, press ENTER.
Note: Confirmation is only accepted if the cursor is positioned on one of the four password characters. This
prevents the accidental enabling of protection without having seen the password.
How to disable protection
1. Access the LOCK submenu.
2. The display shows the prompt for entering the password to unlock the protection.
3. Enter in the password using the combination of the <and > keys and the DIAL, then press ENTER.
Note: in the event of an incorrect password, the display prompts again, encrypting all the characters.
IMPORTANT! If you cannot remember the password, turn the unit on while pressing the "PREV" and " "
keys. Now the protection is unlocked.

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Note: Alongside the symbol of Total or Partial protection, the letter ‘M’ may also appear. This means that the
system is protected, but the PRESET in question has undergone one or more changes that have not yet
been stored. You can however switch the system on and off without any problems, as the current settings are
kept in the buffer memory. Nevertheless, if this is your primary setup, it's advisable to store it in a PRESET.
MEMORY CARD SUBMENU- Allows formatting (erasing) of the Multimedia Memory Card. A card cannot be
properly used by the system unless it is first formatted in the unit.
How to format the Card
1. Insert a Multimedia Memory Card in the slot.
2. In the Memory Card submenu, press ENTER
3. Press ENTER again to start formatting.
4. The system formats the card until it communicates that it has completed.
Note: in the event of an error or a Card fault, if there is no Card in the slot or if the Card is removed during
formatting, the display shows the following message:
During formatting, the system automatically stores the *Default* PRESET in all the 128 CARD memory
areas.
Note: since the system must always be configured, there are no empty memory areas. All the User and Card
areas not yet used by stored user data are automatically occupied by the *Default* PRESET, which contains
a standard start configuration with all the values of the various parameters at zero.
COMM. SETUP SUBMENU
This submenu allows access to the setting of communication with other units via the RS485 ports.
Note: Dump Out Preset the and Incoming Dump functions are an exception, as they're controlled directly in
the PRESET menu.
PRESET Change RX
Allows you to accept or ignore the PRESET Change command sent via a computer’s USB port or another
STAGEDRIVE+ when it loads a PRESET. The settings can be:
•Ignore PRESET Change commands received.

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•Accept and execute PRESET Change commands.
SOFTWARE DRIVER SETUP
1. Insert the included software CD into your computer’s disc drive.
2. Navigate to the MaxiDrive3.4 DPA software/USB Driver folder to locate and install the PL-2303 Driver
Installer.exe associated with your version of Windows.
3. Once the driver is installed, power on the STAGEDRIVE+ and connect the USB cable from the
STAGEDRIVE +’s USB port to your PC's USB port.
4. Right click on MY COMPUTER then click PROPERTIES.
5. Click the HARDWARE tab, then select DEVICE MANAGER.
6. Double click PORTS (COM & LPT), and look for PROLIFIC USB-to-SERIAL Com Port
7. Double click PROLIFIC USB-to-SERIAL Com Port, then click PORT SETTINGS, then click
ADVANCED.
8. Change the COM PORT NUMBER to COM1 (or any other com port not in use) and click Ok.
SOFTWARE SETUP
The software editor can be setup as seen below:
1. Once the software driver has been installed (with the STAGEDRIVE+ powered on and connected to the
computer via USB), launch the software editor program.
2. Select New
3. Select your interface from the list.

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4. Select Network Scan
5. If the Network Scan fails, check the Device ID number. Select New Unit, selecting the Interface. Make
sure the STAGEDRIVE+ ID number is 1 or matches the Device ID number.
6. Select OK, entering the next interface:
7. Select the Options icon, entering the next interface: