Amate Audio NITID N18W User manual

User’s manual
October 2017

NITID N18W_N218W Oct 2017
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Safety Instructions
1. All safety instructions must be read before using this device.
2. Keep and follow these instructions
3. Heed all warnings
4. The exclamation mark in the triangle indicates internal components which if
replaced can affect safety.
5. The lightning symbol within the triangle indicates the presence of dangerous
uninsulated voltages.
6. Only clean the device with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install the device near heat sources such as radiators, heaters or other
heat-emitting elements.
9. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus
10. The equipment must be repaired by qualified technical service personnel when:
A. The mains supply cable is damaged, or
B. Any object or liquid has damaged the device; or
C. The equipment does not function normally or correctly; or
D. The equipment has been exposed to the rain; or
E. The chassis is damaged
11. Disconnect the device in the case of electric storms or during long periods of
disuse.
12. WARNING – To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this
device to rain or moisture
13. The equipment shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and no objects filled
with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the device.
14. For hanging and installation, use manufacturer recommended accessories only.

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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. General
Amate Audio would like to thank you for your confidence in our NITID Series. We
suggest you to carefully read the following instructions in order to obtain the best
results in performance.
1.2. Features and presentation
N18W
- Self-powered subwoofer
- XLR electronically balanced input & XLR parallel output
- AC PowerCon input and link
- 2500 W Class-D amplifier
- 24-bit AD/DA converters, 48 kHz sampling rate
- Self amplifier diagnostics: output power, temperature, clipping
- DSP Controls (delay, volume, PEQ, presets, polarity and limiter)
- 18” woofer with 4” voice coil
N218W
- Self-powered subwoofer
- XLR electronically balanced input & XLR parallel output
- AC PowerCon input and link
- 2500 W Class-D amplifier
- 24-bit AD/DA converters, 48 kHz sampling rate
- Self amplifier diagnostics: output power, temperature, clipping
- DSP Controls (delay, volume, PEQ, presets, polarity and limiter)
- 2 x 18” woofers with 4” voice coil
1.3. Presets on N18W, N218W
The N18W and N218W include several manufacturer presets for different types of
applications.
ATTENTION: When the N18W or N218W are used in conjunction with the Full-range
NITID systems in SPEECH or XOVER presets, the N18W and N218W must operate
in positive polarity.
When the N18W or N218W are used in conjunction with the Full-range NITID
systems in FLAT, NEARFIELD, LONGTHROW, SMOOTH, MONITOR presets, the
N18W and N218W must operate in negative polarity.
LPF80
80 Hz low pass filter

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LPF80+3
80 Hz low pass filter
A) +3dB boost
at 50Hz (N18W)
B) +3dB boost
at 44Hz (N218W)
LPF90
90 Hz low pass filter
LPF90+3
90 Hz low pass filter
a 90Hz
A) +3dB boost
at 50Hz (N18W)
B) +3dB boost
at 44Hz (N218W)
LPF100
100 Hz low pass filter
LPF100+3
100 Hz low pass filter
A) +3dB boost
at 50Hz (N18W)
B) +3dB boost
at 44Hz (N218W)

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LPF110
110 Hz low pass filter
LPF110+3
110 Hz low pass filter
A) +3dB boost
at 50Hz (N18W)
B) +3dB boost
at 44Hz (N218W)
LPF120
(only for N18W)
120 Hz low pass filter
LPF120+3
(only for N18W)
120Hz low pass filter
with +3dB boost
at 50Hz
CARD80/90/100/110/120*
(*120 only for N18W)
Cardioid polar pattern, with processing, delay
and inverse polarity
Fig. 1. PRESETS for N18W and N218W

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2. CONNECTIONS
2.1. Connection Panel
The power and audio connections are located on the unique panel, shown in 2. The
different parts of the panel are explained in detail in the following sections of the
manual.
Control:
A) LCD: Displays information about the system status. The main screen shows the
following information.
Current preset
Input Level
Output Level LF Channel
Output Level HF Channel
Amplifier temperature
ALC mode enabled/disabled
ECO mode enabled/disabled
Keypad locked/unlocked
B) KEYPAD: Allows the user to perform basic operations on the DSP such as Preset
selection, audio settings and user preferences. There are three keys available:
MENU key: OK key: Circular key:
To enter the menu the keypad must be unlocked by pressing simultaneously the
MENU and OK keys.
The central circle of the circular key will light up in blue when this key is active.
C) PROTECTION LED: This led lights up when the amplifier is in a protection
situation (such as temperature excess, overcurrent, or other situations that can
compromise the amplifier’s integrity). It will also light up when the amplifier is in
standby mode. This happens for a couple of seconds at start-up.
The Protection led will light off when the amplifier recovers from the abnormal
situation. Shall the Protection led keep up lighted on even after a system restart,
please contact an authorized service.
D) LIMITER ON LED: The limiter led lights up to indicate that the amplifier is
delivering the maximum power set by the limiter circuit. The limiter prevents the
loudspeaker from receiving excessive or distorted signal. Continuous lightning of this
led indicates that the signal is being massively compressed. In this case, the input
level should be reduced in order to get a proper dynamic headroom.
Model Specifications:
E) MODEL DATA: The basic data of the model is found here:
- Model reference
- Amplifier program power (Watts)
FLAT

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- Maximum Sound Pressure Level Continuous delivered by the system (dB SPL)
Fig. 2. N18W, N218W control and connection panel
A
B
C
D
E
F
H
G
I
A
E
C
F
B
H
G
I
D

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F) AUTHENTICATION QR CODE: This QR code is a smart label that ensures that
the product is an original Amate Audio product. To verify the authenticity, please
follow the instructions in the following link:
http://www.amateaudio.com/en/product-authentication/
Connections:
G) AC MAINS INPUT: Mains supply connection via PowerCon. Use the blue
connector for AC input.
Always use mains power cable supplied by manufacturer.
Never connect the NITID cabinets to an unearthed mains supply or by
using an unearthed mains cable.
H) AC LINK: Grey connector to feed other units in parallel. Linking up to 2 units is
possible, provided that a quality cable of a minimum section of 3x2.5mm2is used.
Connecting more than 2 units in parallel may lead to a voltage drop in the cable that
will reduce the equipment performance.
I) BALANCED INPUT/LINK:
XLR-3 Female balanced signal connector for signal input and XLR-3 Male connector
for parallel connection of various cabinets with the same input signal.
Please always use balanced microphone cable with the following pin
assignment:
1. Shield 2. (+) Live 3. (-) Return
2.2. Configurations
2.2.1. Parallel connection
Connect the signal (mixing desk output) to INPUT on the first unit. Use the LINK
output to transfer the INPUT signal to the second unit and thus sequentially for
further units. All of
the units in this chain
must be switched on.
For the mains
connection use the
cable with the blue
PowerCon.
You can use the
mains connection in
parallel by using a
cable with grey
PowerCon at one
end and the blue
PowerCon at the
other end.
Fig. 3. Parallel connection for N18W and N218W cabinets (signal and mains)

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Do not connect NITID series units using PowerCon without earth.
Do not connect more than ten units using the AC output link connector.
2.2.2. Parallel connection with other equipment
You can connect other NITID full-range loudspeakers in parallel with N18W or
N218W. Please, follow the same parameters as explained in Fig. 3.
Fig. 4. Parallel connection of full-range NITID cabinets and N18W or N218W (signal
and mains)
3. MOUNTING AND PLACEMENT
For a proper installation of the acoustic cabinet systems, it is
strongly recommended to carefully read the following advices.
3.1. N18W and N218W with full-range systems
The N18W incorporates a M20 base-plate on its upper side for the
attachment of a standard 35mm diameter bar.
.
Fig. 5. N18W socket

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The N218W incorporates a M10 base-plate on their upper side for the attachment of
a stacking frame (FR-X208)
Fig. 6. N218W socket
The PA-2010 is an optional accessory to adapt an M20 thread distance rod bar to
the N218W subwoofers.
Fig. 7. PA-2010

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3.2. N18W + N208 Flying
Flying a NITID system is easy, fast and secure. To perform any operations related to
flying the systems, read the present document, and act on the warnings and advice
given.
Only experienced installers with adequate knowledge of the system and local safety
regulations should fly speaker cabinets.
It is the user's responsibility to ensure that
the systems to be flown and the flying
accessories (such as chains, eyebolts, lock
pins...) comply with state and local
regulations. They should be regularly
inspected and replaced if in doubt.
When flying enclosures from ceiling support
structures, extreme care should be taken to
assure the load bearing capabilities of the
structures. Do not fly systems from
unsafe structures.
All flying accessories that are not supplied
by Amate Audio are the user's
responsibility. Use at your own risk.
It is useful to fly low frequency
reinforcement units on the top of the
system, as they are the heaviest enclosures. Place the subwoofers and cabinets as
has been explained in KR-18T user’s manual.
Fig. 8. N18W + N208 flying with KR-18T accessory

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4. DSP SYSTEM SETUP
Thanks to their internal microcontroller and DSP System, the NITID Active cabinets
can be configured for different applications. This section explains all the possible
configurations.
The LCD and keypad on the cabinet’s back panel are used for the setup. The
available keys are:
MENU key: OK key: Circular key:
To enter the Menu, the keypad must be unlocked
Press and simultaneously to unlock the Keypad
4.1. Start-up and Main Screen
At start-up the LCD screen will show the Amate Audio and NITID logo. After a few
seconds, the main screen shown in Fig. 9 will be displayed:
The following information is displayed on the screen:
A) Current preset. An asterisk (*) is shown when the preset has been modified
using the Audio Settings menu.
B) Input and Output levels
C) Gain level
D) Temperature of the power stage
E) Special features
Eco: when ECO Mode is enabled
Pol: shows whether the Polarity of the subwoofer is positive (+) or
negative (-)
Lock: shows when the keypad is locked
When they keypad is unlocked, you can use the circular key (sliding your
finger along the white circle area) to directly access the Main Gain Control
*LPF90
30
0.00dB
Lock
Eco
A
B
C
D
E
Pol+
Fig. 9. Main screen display

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4.2. Browsing the menus
To browse the menus, the MENU and OK keys
are used. Always remember to unlock the
keypad to perform an action.
Press the MENU key once to access the main
menus. The first option displayed will be
“PRESETS”. Press MENU again to browse the
different available menus, as following:
PRESETS: To change the factory preset of the DSP
AUDIO: To change different settings related to audio performance, such as
Gain, Limiter and Delay
SETUP: To change the interface settings, such as the Eco Mode, keypad
lock, etc.
INFO: Displays all the system information. In this menu is possible to change
the language and restore the settings to the factory default.
BACK: Return to main screen
To enter one of the above listed sub-menus, press OK.
To return to the main screen from any menu screen, press MENU
continuously for more than two seconds.
Additionally, after 30 seconds of inactivity, the system will go automatically
back to the main screen, saving all the values that have been changed.
4.3. PRESETS Menu
When the word PRESETS is displayed, press
OK. The current preset will be displayed.
Press MENU to browse the available presets.
Each time a Preset is displayed, it will be
loaded to the DSP. When the desired Preset is
on screen, press OK to leave the menu.
4.4. AUDIO Menu
When the word AUDIO is displayed, press OK. The Gain screen will show up. At this
point, use the MENU key to browse all the audio options: Gain, Limiter and Delay.
Press OK or slide your finger on the Circular key to start editing.
At this point, the Circular Key will be highlighted (blue ring in its center) to show that
is active. To use the Circular Key, slide your finger over the white surface: clockwise
to increment the value of the displayed parameter and counter-clockwise to reduce
the value.
Slide finger clockwise to increment the value
Circular key: Center blue ring is illuminated when they key is active
Counter clockwise to decrement the value
LPF90
Fig. 11. Preset selection
Fig. 10. Presets option in Main Menu

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Limiter
THRESH.
0.0 dB
Limiter
THRESH.
-12.0dB
An asterisk (*) beneath the preset name means that the preset has been
modified using the audio settings. When a new preset is loaded, all the
changes made in the AUDIO Menu will be reverted.
4.4.1. Gain Menu
Inside the Gain menu, the Main input gain may be modified. Press OK to start editing
the Main Gain. The cursor will blink to show that the value is being edited. Use the
Circular key to modify the value.
The gain can be adjusted between +3dB and -6dB. The current values is displayed
on the right side of the display (in dB).
When changing the Main Gain settings, the actual sensitivity of the system
is being changed too. When setting the value to +3dB, the input sensitivity
will be reduced by 3dB (from nominal +8dBu to +5dBu).
4.4.2. Limiter Menu
In the Limiter Menu, it is possible to modify the Threshold setting of the internal DSP
peak limiter. Press OK to start editing the THRESH value (left bar). The cursor will
blink to show that the value is being edited. Use the Circular key to modify the value,
and press OK to finish editing.
The level bars TH, GR and OUT provide additional information when an input signal
is connected to the device.
TH (Threshold): Shows the actual value of the limiter threshold (cursor).
Additionally, the bar will display the input level. The level of the threshold in
dB is also displayed next to the bar in figures.
GR (Gain Reduction): This bar shows when the limiter is active (the threshold
value is being exceeded by the input level). The gain reduction level will
display as an inverted VU bar (see Fig. 13, right).
M:0.00
Gain
M:1.00
Gain Main
Fig. 12. Gain display (left) and Gain Main while editing (right)
Fig. 13. Limiter display (left) and Limiter Threshold while editing (right)

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Delay
0.0ms
0.0m
Delay
35.3ms
12.0m
OUT: output level after the limiter. This is the actual signal level after the
signal goes through the limiter. If the threshold is not reached, it will be the
same as the input level. If the threshold is exceeded, there will be a reduction.
The limiter acts over the Peak limiter value. The system has also an
internal RMS limiter that is fixed (see Section 4.7.1).
4.4.3. Delay Menu
In the Delay Menu, it is possible to add a Delay to the signal in the internal DSP.
Press OK to start editing the Delay value. The cursor will blink to show that the value
is being edited. Use the Circular key to modify the value, and press OK to finish
editing.
The value of the Delay is displayed in milliseconds (ms) and meters (m). The value
of the delay ranges from 0 to 40 meters (0 to 117.6ms).
The delay value is applied short after a value has been selected with the
Circular key. When the delay is applied a short fade in / fade out of the
output signal will be performed.
The center led of the circular key will light off while this process is performed, and will
light on again when the new value has been loaded.
4.5. SETUP Menu
When the word SETUP is displayed, press OK. The ECO Mode on/off selection will
show up as in Fig. 15.
Here, use the MENU key to browse all the setup options: ECO Mode, Mute, LCD
Backlight, Keypad Lock and Polarity Reverse.
Press OK to change the value for the displayed selection (switch between ON/OFF).
ECO Mode
ECO Mode
Fig. 14. Delay display (left) and Delay while editing (right)
Fig. 15. ECO Mode option inactive (left) and active (right).

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The options available under the SETUP Menu are summarised in the following table.
For further information on each option, please read the following sections in this
chapter.
OFF
ON
ECO Mode
System will never go in
low power mode
System will go in low power mode
after 1 minute without input signal
Mute
Normal operation
Amplifier is MUTED
LCD Backlight
Backlight dims
after 30 seconds
Backlight is always ON
Keypad Lock
Keypad will never lock
Keypad will lock after
30 seconds of inactivity
Polarity REV
Polarity is normal (+)
Polarity is reversed (-)
4.5.1. ECO Mode
When the ECO Mode is ON, the system will continuously analyse the input signal.
When no input signal is present after 1 minute, the system will go in a low power
consumption mode (standby). This condition will be indicated by a message in the
LCD. When the audio signal is present again, the system will wake up and continue
playing.
When the ECO Mode is active, the word Eco will be displayed in the main screen.
The system needs about 2 seconds to wake up from the low power
consumption mode. It is not recommended to use it for time-critical
applications.
4.5.2. Mute
Select ON to Mute the amplifier. The MUTE condition will be shown in the main
screen.
4.5.3. LCD Backlight
Select how the backlight of the LCD in the back panel will behave. When set to ON,
the backlight is always active. When set to OFF, works in automatic mode: the
backlight lights up after a key press, and light off after 30 seconds of the last key
press.
4.5.4. Keypad Lock
When set to ON, the Keypad automatically locks after 60 seconds of inactivity. When
set to OFF, Keypad remains always active.
Remember that to unlock the Keypad, the keys MENU and OK must be pressed
simultaneously.
4.6. INFO Menu
This option provides a quick overview of all the current settings of the system. Press
MENU to browse the different information pages, or OK to leave.

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After the information screens, the Language selection Menu will appear. Press OK if
you want to change the language of the interface, or MENU to leave.
If you press OK, the menu will be active. Use MENU to select the desired option and
OK to confirm.
Further languages will be available in future firmware releases.
On the last screen (System), it is also possible to reset the system to the factory
values by clicking OK. In the Factory Setting Menu, press MENU to highlight the
option Restore. Then press OK to confirm.
Audio Settings 1
Preset : LPF90
Gain : 0.00dB
Polarity : Pol+
Audio Settings 2
Mute : OFF
Delay : 0.0m
Limiter : 0.00dB
User Settings 1
ECO Mode : OFF
Language
English
Espanol
Back
User Settings 2
Keypad Lock : Auto
LCD Backlight : Auto
Language :English
System
Model: N18WM
Version: 1.0
Firmware : 1.3
Press OK to restore
Factory Settings
Factory Settings
Back
Restore
Fig. 16. Information screen for AUDIO and SETUP settings
Fig. 17. Language setting Menu
Fig. 18. System information (left) and Factory Settings Restore Menu (right)

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4.7. Special DSP Features
4.7.1. RMS Limiter
NITID systems combine a carefully designed dual limiter system to independently
protect each transducer against power overload: a peak Limiter and a RMS Limiter.
The RMS Limiter prevents long term exposition of the transducer to high RMS levels
(abnormal when the music has a correct dynamic headroom). When the limiter led
lights up continuously, it means that the RMS limiter is active. On the other hand, the
Peak Limiter has an ultrafast attack to control the highest peaks of the music and
only makes the Led blink.
Thanks to the large experience of Amate Audio on DSP algorithms and limiters,
these limiters are highly effective but yet unnoticeable for the listener.
4.7.2. Automatic Temperature Limiter
Under normal operation, NITID amplifiers are able to perform during many hours at
full power. However, should the temperature in the amplifier rise abnormally, the
system will automatically adjust the limiter threshold to try to compensate for the
temperature raise. The system will progressively lower the output gain.
When the temperature lowers again, the system will recover its normal operation.
Should the temperature continue rising and reach 90ºC at the amplifier’s heatsink,
the system will shut down in Protection mode.
4.7.3. Input Dynamic Compressor
NITID systems have a nominal input voltage of +8dBu / 2V (+2dBu / 1V in
subwoofers) for full power performance; nevertheless, in order to respect the highest
dynamics of the music, the input is capable to hold a high input voltage (+20dBu /
8V). This avoids undesirable effects from sound sources and mixers capable of
delivering a higher output voltage.
It must be noticed that driving a system continuously over its nominal input
level may drastically decrease the sound quality, normally because of the lack of
headroom (dynamic response). In the long term, it might also produce unnecessary
damaging of the transducers and reduce their reliability. The maximum power of
the system is obtained at its nominal input level. Under this condition, the limiter
LED may blink occasionally. Working continuously above this level is never
translated into better results.
To avoid loudspeaker damage because of input overload issues, NITID systems
build in an input monitoring system that prevents the cabinet from being
continuously operated at excessive input signal levels.
After a period of exposure to high average input levels (over +2.5Vrms), a dynamic
compressor will progressively reduce the output power, to protect the
transducers.
The higher the voltage at the input is, the higher the reduction of the output power,
being maximum reduction 18dB. While the dynamic compressor is active, the
LIMITER ON LED will blink constantly.

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To get back to the normal operation mode, the input level should be reduced to
below 2 Vrms. After the level reduction, the system needs about 5 seconds to
recover the normal operation mode.
5. CARDIOID SUBWOOFERS
N18W and N218W enable the combination of three or multiple of three subwoofer
cabinets in an array to provide exceptional directivity at low frequencies. High
directivity at low frequencies has two main effects on the sound field: firstly, the low
frequency level behind the subwoofer cabinets is greatly reduced; secondly, in
closed venues the diffuse sound field at low frequencies is reduced so the low
frequency reproduction is much more precise.
The typical operating range of a traditional subwoofer tends
to be like a monopole, i.e. tends to radiate with the same
energy in all directions. This behaviour implies that the
control of radiation at low frequencies is very difficult
because the wavelengths are very large compared to the
size of the source (8.5 m at 40Hz).
Fig. 19. Traditional polar pattern of a subwoofer at 40Hz
To increase the directivity at low frequencies we must transform the omnidirectional
performance into a cardioid performance. This can only be achieved by various
sources, arranged in a certain position, to which we apply a specific phase, filtering
and delay. That is, we need to reproduce two signals with the same frequency and
similar amplitude which will have a difference in phase of
approximately 180º at a certain point of the sound field.
If the phases and delays are well calculated the result is a
system in which we cancel the energy of the back and not
the one of the front.
This can only be achieved with cabinets that incorporate
independent delay units on their DSP, as N18W and
N218W.
Fig. 20. Cardioid pattern
5.1. The CARDIOID preset
N18W and N218W can generate an uncompromised cardioid behaviour, which
means that there is no need for special cabinets, enabling the use of the system’s full
efficiency with just “one finger”.
n its minimum and standard configuration a Cardioid setup consists of a stack of
three subwoofer cabinets (for N18W) and of a horizontal line of three subwoofer
cabinets (for N218W).
Only one subwoofer is needed to compensate for the energy of the other two
radiating to the front. Then, the cabinet facing to the back (to the stage) should be
located in the centre of the column.

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Fig. 21. Cardioid configuration for N218W subwoofer
Fig. 22. Cardioid configuration for N18W subwoofer
When using N218W choose one of the following options:
a) The front facing subwoofers must be driven with [LPF80] preset and the back
facing subwoofer must be driven with [CARD80] preset.
b) The front facing subwoofers must be driven with [LPF90] preset and the back
facing subwoofer must be driven with [CARD90] preset.
c) The front facing subwoofers must be driven with [LPF100] preset and the back
facing subwoofer must be driven with [CARD100] preset.
d) The front facing subwoofers must be driven with [LPF110] preset and the back
facing subwoofer must be driven with [CARD110] preset.
IMPORTANT NOTE:Due to the internal set-up of the cardioid presets, the
threshold level (limiter) of the front facing subwoofers must be reduced by -
3dB.
This manual suits for next models
2
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