Alto Total recall User manual

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TOTAL RECALL
User's Manual
Version 1.0
---English---

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TM Introduction
Dear Customer,
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Thank you for choosing the ALTO Mobile TOTAL RECALL digital multichannel sound processor. We hope you will enjoy
using this product as much as we enjoyed developing it. The Alto Mobile range is the result of considerable research and
development in our R&D centers in Europe and the Far East. It is a very close cousin of ALTO's professional digital signal
processors. We've been designing products for musicians and recording studios for a long time, so the car audio product
you now have in your hands has an unusually fine pedigree.
The passenger cabin of a vehicle is worlds away from the controlled listening environment of the recording studio, and
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yet many of the same sound processing techniques can be applied with spectacular success. ALTO Mobile is a specialist
division of audio and computer software engineers, but above all we are car audio enthusiasts who love the challenge
of trying to reproduce studio quality sound inside a moving vehicle. Products such as the one you now own help to make
this possible.
If you've not yet had TOTAL RECALL installed in your vehicle, that is obviously the first thing you will need to do. We
strongly recommend that you have the unit professionally installed and set-up by a specialist company authorized by
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the ALTO Mobile distributor in your country. The installation instructions in this manual are not intended to be a thorough
explanation of all the steps involved in correctly fitting and setting up this unit. The instructions assume that the person
installing the equipment has been trained to carry out such work.
You are an important member of our team. We listen to what our customers say and take on board their suggestions. It
is this feedback that helps us create the products you want. So if you have any comments, please let us know via email
to "[email protected]".
TM
THE ALTO MOBILE TEAM

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Care & Safety Instructions
All the safety and operating instructions should be read before this product is installed and operated. We
recommend that installation be carried out by an authorized mobile electronics installation company. Please
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contact your local ALTO Mobile distributor for a list of authorized installers in your area.
DO NOT DISASSEMBLE:
No user serviceable parts inside; refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
WATER & MOISTURE:
The equipment should be protected from moisture and rain, especially if mounted in the vehicle's trunk area or any location
that may be susceptible to water ingress.
PRODUCT LOCATION:
The equipment should be situated so that its location does not interfere with safe driving of the vehicle. Avoid locations
close to safety air bags. Ensure proper ventilation. The product should not be situated under carpeting or in a totally
sealed enclosure. Partly enclosed equipment racks should be well ventilated, using forced air cooling fans if necessary.
Locate away from heat sources such as engine exhaust systems and coolant radiators.
POWER SOURCE & GROUNDING:
This product is designed only for vehicles with a 12 VOLT NEGATIVE GROUND electrical circuit. This product may be
damaged if used in vehicles with a 24 Volt supply or a positive ground electrical circuit.
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION:
undertaken by a qualified automotive electrician, preferably MECP qualified or local equivalent.
Improper electrical wiring may invalidate the product warranty and/or the vehicle warranty. Installation should only be
CARE & CLEANING:
Clean only with a dry cloth. Avoid sharp objects from making contact with the casing.
SERVICING:
If a malfunction occurs, the equipment should be serviced only by qualified personnel. Return to the dealer who supplied
you with the unit.
Critical components should only be replaced with factory parts or recommended equivalents.
IMPORTANTIMPORTANT

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TM Block Diagram
TOTAL RECALL is a 4 input, 6 output device offering several forms of signal processing, as outlined in the above block
diagram.
TOTAL RECALL - BLOCK DIAGRAM
FRONT LEFT IN 1 ADC DELAY
HPF 10GEQ 3PEQ MULTI
COMP GAIN
POLARITY
COMP/LIMT
METER
MUTE DAC FRONT LEFT
OUT 1
IN 2 ADC DELAY
HPF 10GEQ 3PEQ MULTI
COMP GAIN
POLARITY
COMP/LIMT
METER
MUTE DAC FRONT RIGHT
OUT 2
IN 3 ADC DELAY
HPF 10GEQ 3PEQ MULTI
COMP GAIN
POLARITY
COMP/LIMT
METER
MUTE DAC REAR LEFT
OUT 3
IN 4 ADC DELAY
HPF 10GEQ 3PEQ MULTI
COMP GAIN
POLARITY
COMP/LIMT
METER
MUTE DAC REAR RIGHT
OUT 4
DELAY
LPF 3PEQ GAIN
POLARITY
COMP/LIMT
METER
MUTE DAC SUB-WOOFER
OUT 5
OUT 6 SUB-WOOFER
FRONT RIGHT
REAR LEFT
REAR RIGHT
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The Front Left & Right Channels are summed (i.e. mixed together) to provide an additional mono Subwoofer channel
with its own independent set of editable parameters. This is then split at the output to provide two identical mono
bass outs (5 & 6).
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Opening Screen (PC Editor)
22334466 557788 11
A Windows compatible PC Editor is available for free download from our web site.
To get a copy, go to http://www.altomobile.com/html/support_forum.html and click on the link "Data Resources /
Downloads" and then "Software Downloads".
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When you launch the software editor on your PC, you will see the opening screen above (later software
versions may differ). Each of the numbered sections is explained in the following pages - just look for the
number icons within the text.
USEFULUSEFUL
TIPTIP

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TM Parameter Menus & System Set-up
There are no controls on TOTAL RECALL itself. The various parameters are adjusted by attaching the unit to a suitable
Personal Computer running our dedicated Windows compatible PC Editor software (available as a free download from
our website at www.altomobile.com).
Hook-up to the computer is achieved with TOTAL RECALL's 9-pin RS232 serial interface port, which is located on the same
side as the audio input/output terminals.
The large 25-pin socket on TOTAL RECALL is ready for the optional hardware Programmer. Do not
attempt to connect your PC to the 25-pin port - damage may result if you do.
IMPORTANTIMPORTANT
If you have had your TOTAL RECALL professionally installed and set-up for you, there should be no need to alter any set-
tings. The unit features a password access system that your installer may have set in Lock mode to safeguard the settings.
Connection to the PC (RS232, 9-pin socket)
The RS232 port allows incoming and outgoing communication between TOTAL RECALL and a PC.Real-time control
and set-up is possible. Set-ups made using the PC EDITOR can be saved as a PRESET configuration and downloaded
to the TOTAL RECALL, where it is then stored in the unit's internal non-volatile memory. Settings stored in TOTAL RECALL
can also be uploaded to the PC for editing.
1] Ensure that power to TOTAL RECALL and the computer is switched OFF.
cable is known as a 'null modem' (also data transfer) type serial interface cable (this is normally supplied with the TOTAL
RECALL). Attach the other end to the socket situated next to the signal Output terminals of TOTAL RECALL.
2] Connect TOTAL RECALL to the PC's RS232 serial port using a data cable with 9-pin female plugs. The required data
"First Steps with the PC EDITOR").
3] Turn on your audio system, including TOTAL RECALL. Now boot-up your computer and run the PC EDITOR (see
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For commands that allow set-up of the RS232 interface, look under OPTIONS in the FILE menu. Select
the Rs232 tab.
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Parameter Menus & System Set-up
Rs232 > Port: Shows the current Rs232 port (COM) used by the PC EDITOR and allows other choices to be selected,
if available on your computer.
Rs232 > BAUD RATE: Provides options to select the communication speed.
IMPORTANTIMPORTANT
Reliable data transmission can usually be expected as long as the cable length is not more than 5 meters.
ADVANCEDADVANCED
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The RS232 serial port default speed is 9600 bits per second. In the OPTIONS menu it is possible to set a
speed of up to 115200 bits per second. If you experience transmission problems or disconnection, reduce
the speed of the serial data transmission.
First Steps with the PC EDITOR
To avoid accidentally overwriting an existing PRESET, it is important that you follow the correct routine when initiating a
session between TOTAL RECALL and your computer.
1] With TOTAL RECALL powered up and connected to your PC's serial port as described, Run the PC EDITOR program
by selecting the Tr EDITOR icon in the Windows PROGRAMS menu.
2] The PC EDITOR should now be loaded. A welcome screen will appear. This closes after 5 seconds (or click on it). Select
NEW from the FILE menu.
You will be presented with 2 options - NEW UNIT and NETWORK SCAN.
If your TOTAL RECALL has already been installed and set-up and you now wish to view and/or modify some para-
meters, do the following:
Select NETWORK SCAN. The program will scan your PC's serial ports. When Done, it will present a list of IDs. The ID
number of TOTAL RECALL is 1(this cannot be changed). The ID list will show if TOTAL RECALL (ID 1) is correctly
connected or not. Pressing OK will prompt the system to retrieve (UPLOAD) all the parameters and all previously saved
USER PRESETS from TOTAL RECALL to your computer. Awindow will automatically open on your computer screen.
You can now view the settings and edit them (depending on the Lock mode).
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If your TOTAL RECALL has not been set-up yet, or if you want to replace the existing set-up, you can create a new
named profile (NEW UNIT) within the PC EDITOR. Here's how:
GANGING* option should generally be left at its default setting (unchecked).
Select NEW UNIT. In the window that appears, type a new name for the unit you are creating (this is optional). The
Press OK and a window corresponding to the unit you have just named will open up with the DEFAULT configuration and
the block diagram.
Parameter Menus & System Set-up
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changes are simultaneously applied to both channels. This is achieved via the MODIFY UNIT option in the
ACTIONS menu of the PC EDITOR. However, if you intend to use the channel delay function for speaker
'time alignment' then you should NOT gang the channels.
*Ganging: The stereo outputs may be "ganged" (linked together) as Front and Rear stereo pairs, so that
IMPORTANTIMPORTANT
Every time a DOWNLOAD is made to the TOTAL RECALL, the USER PRESETS in the internal memory are
overwritten. Selecting OFFLINE from the ACTIONS menu will cause the PC to be disconnected from the TOTAL
RECALL. Be aware that selecting ONLINE again will prompt the program to perform a new scan of the network
happen, then you must initiate a new session by Closing the current window and then selecting NETWORK
SCAN (File > New > Network Scan) so that TOTAL RECALL UPLOADS to the PC.
Every time an UPLOAD is made, all the USER PRESETS stored in TOTAL RECALL are transferred tothe correspon-
ding positions within the PC EDITOR.
Choose ONLINE from the ACTIONS menu and the PC will scan the serial port to verify that TOTAL RECALL is correctly
connected. The NETWORK SCAN window should show the system status (UNIT CONNECTED or NOT CONNECTED).
Pressing OK will cause all the parameters set in the PC to be downloaded to the TOTAL RECALL. TheONLINE icon
will appear.
and automatically DOWNLOAD the settings from the PC to TOTAL RECALL. If you do not wish this to

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Edit Mode (Password Protection)
are not altered. In this case you will NOT be able to alter parameters via the PC EDITOR.
In the PC EDITOR, select FILE > OPTIONS and then the LOCK tab. This will present you with a menu.
TOTAL RECALL incorporates a password system and your installer may have set a password to ensure that vital settings
Full Edit: This is the DEFAULT mode. No password is set at the factory. From here you can lock the unit by clicking within
the empty Total Lock button. A text box will open, allowing you to enter a password of your own choice. Click OK.
It is important that you remember this password.
the lock, click within the empty Full Edit button. A text box will open. Type the password used to set lock mode. Press OK.
Total Lock: In this mode, no editing is allowed. To enable Total Lock, a password must be entered as above. To disable
Parameter Menus & System Set-up
Help File
The HELP FILE accessible from within the PC EDITOR will be updated as necessary. Since software updates after the printing
of this manual may affect the instructions provided here, please check the Help File for any later remarks.
Introduction to the PC EDITOR
Click on one of the icons on the welcome screen (system block diagram) of the PC EDITOR. A window will appear showing
one of several 'pages' where you can set the parameters using virtual knobs and sliders or by typing the values. Here is a
brief overview of the various 'pages' that make up the TOTAL RECALL PC EDITOR. Each is explained in more detail in the
next section.
Allows a delay to be applied in order to "time align" each output channel. Includes a graphical interface of 5 virtual speakers.
CHANNEL DELAY:
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HIGH PASS/LOW PASS FILTERS (HPF & LPF):
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A High-Pass filter may be applied independently to each of the Front and Rear channels. A Low-Pass filter may be applied to
the Subwoofer channel.

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TM Parameter Menus & System Set-up
GLOBAL: this window shows the response curves of all channel outputs and provides a convenient overview of your
settings.
GRAPHIC EQUALIZATION (GEQ):
Each of the Front and Rear channels has a digital 10-band graphic equalizer.
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Each of the Front and Rear channels has a function we call Dynamic EQ. This allows the full audio band to be digitally
split into three separate high, mid and low bands. The level in the high and low bands can then be set to change inde-
pendently as the overall input level (determined by the position of your CD player's volume control) is adjusted.
DYNAMIC EQUALIZATION (MULTI COMP):
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PARAMETRIC EQUALIZATION (PEQ):
Each of the channels (including the Subwoofer channel) has a fully variable 3-band parametric equalizer.
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GAIN CONTROL SECTION:
Allows the output LEVEL and channel signal PHASE (polarity) to be adjusted. Also allows channels to be MUTED (i.e.
switched out).
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DYNAMIC GAIN CONTROL (LIMITER):
Each channel has its own independent COMPRESSOR/LIMITER. Careful setting of the parameters will help to maintain
a more consistent and pleasurable listening level and extend the performance of your speakers.
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PRINT: Not a 'page' like those above, but an important function worth highlighting here. From the FILE menu, selecting
PRINT provides a print-out of all the parameters of the TOTAL RECALL, together with the GLOBAL graph. View it before
printing by selecting PRINT PREVIEW.