Audiomatica 4 User manual

AMPLIFIER & SWITCH BOX
MODEL 4
USER'S MANUAL
AUDIOMATICA
QCBOX

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© Copyright 1991-2004 by AUDIOMATICA SRL
All Rights Reserved
Edition 5.0, January 2004
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

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CONTENTS
1 - THE QCBOX MODEL 4 AMPLIFIER & SWITCH BOX..............................................3
2 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ...............................................................................3
3 - GENERAL CONDITIONS AND WARRANTY ............................................................4
4 - INTERNAL FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM.......................................................................5
5 - BASIC CONNECTIONS ............................................................................................6
6 - DEFAULT INTERNAL SETTINGS ............................................................................7
7 - PARALLEL PORT CONFIGURATION ......................................................................8
8 - SOFTWARE CONTROL ..........................................................................................10
9 - CALIBRATING SOFTWARE....................................................................................10
10 - CUSTOM CONTROL............................................................................................. 11
11 - CONNECTING A FOOT PEDAL SWITCH ............................................................. 11
12 - RACK MOUNT ASSEMBLY .................................................................................. 11
13 - INTERNAL SETTINGS AND TROUBLESHOOTING............................................12

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1 - THE QCBOX MODEL 4 AMPLIFIER & SWITCH BOX
TheQCBOXModel4amplifierandswitchboxisofinvaluablehelpineverydaylaboratory
use and when configuring an automatic or manual quality control setup.
The QCBOX Model 4 has an ultraslim design, increased power (50W@8Ohm) with
respect to its predecessors Model 1, 2 & 3 and wide range AC (90÷240V) power supply.
Its main feature is the possibility of internal switching, under software control, that
permitsthemeasurementoftheimpedance andfrequencyresponseofthe loudspeaker
(or D.U.T.) connected to its output sockets without changing the loudspeaker (or
D.U.T.) wiring; it is also possible to choose one among four inputs for the response
measurements; the internal switching is controlled via the parallel port of the PC.
A dedicated output, ISENSE, allows impedance measurements in constant voltage
mode as well voice coil current distortion analysis.
A dedicated input, PEDAL IN, permits an external foot pedal switch or TTL signal to be
connected and trigger QC operations.
2 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Inputs: Four line/microphone inputs with
selectable phantom power supply (8.2V)
One TTL input for external trigger
Functions: TTL controlled internal switches for impedance measurements
Output power: 50W (8Ohm) with current sensing
THD (@1 kHz): 0.004 %
Dimensions: 23(w)x23(d)x4(h)cm
Weight: 1.4kg
AC: 90÷240V

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3 - GENERAL CONDITIONS AND WARRANTY
THANKS
Thankyou for purchasing your QCBox Model 4. We hope that your experiences using
QCBox Model 4 will be both productive and satisfying.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Audiomatica is committed to supporting the use of the QCBox Model 4, and to that end,
offers direct support to end users. Our users all around the world can contact us directly
regarding technical problems, bug reports, or suggestions for future software
enhancements. You can call, fax or write to us at:
AUDIOMATICA SRL
VIA MANFREDI 12
50136 FLORENCE, ITALY
PHONE:[phone]
FAX:[phone]
AUDIOMATICAON-LINE
For any inquiry and to know the latest news about the QCBox Model 4 and other
Audiomatica’s products we are on the Internet to help you:
AUDIOMATICA website: www.audiomatica.com
CLIOwin website: www.cliowin.com
E-MAIL: [email protected]
AUDIOMATICA’S WARRANTY
Audiomatica warrants the QCBox Model 4 against physical defects for a period of one
year following the original retail purchase of this product. In the first instance, please
contact your local dealer in case of service needs. You can also contact us directly as
outlined above, or refer to other qualified personnel.
WARNINGS AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY
Audiomaticawillnotassumeliabilityfordamageorinjuryduetouserservicingormisuse
of our product. Audiomatica will not extend warranty coverage for damage of the
QCBox Model 4 caused by misuse or physical damage. Audiomatica will not assume
liability for the recovery of lost programs or data. The user must assume responsibility
for the quality, performance and the fitness of Audiomatica software and hardware for
use in professional production activities.
TheCLIOSYSTEM,CLIOwinandAUDIOMATICAareregisteredtrademarksofAudiomatica
SRL.

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4 - INTERNAL FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM
The first diagram shows us the unit set for impedance measurements (in Internal
Mode referring to CLIOwin software, see chapter 13 of the User's Manual); in this
situation the power amplifier and inputs are disconnected while the speaker load is
presented in parallel with CLIO's input and output; this method of impedance
measurement relies on the precise knowledge of the analyzer's output impedance and
stimulates the D.U.T with signals of small amplitude.
To CLIO
Input 1
Input 2
Speaker
PC
FromCLIO
20 dB
I Sense
Input 4
Input 3
Pedal In
TTL control
Internal connections for impedance measurements (Internal Mode)
The second diagram shows us the unit set for frequency response measurements;
inthissituationCLIO's outputis fedto thepower amplifierthatdrivesthespeaker under
test while one among four inputs is directed to CLIO's input.
To CLIO
Input 1
Input 2
Speaker
PC
FromCLIO
20 dB
I Sense
Input 4
Input 3
Pedal In
TTL control
Internal connections for frequency response measurements
NOTE: when the unit is set for frequency response measurements it is possible to
measure the current flowing in the D.U.T. through the ISENSE output; this permits
impedance measurements stimulating the D.U.T. with signals of variable amplitude up
to the amplifier's maximum power or voltage. Refer to chapter 13 of the CLIOwin User's
Manual.

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5 - BASIC CONNECTIONS
The following diagram shows the basic connections needed to operate the unit.
OUTPUT A
CLIO
LPT PORT
AMPLIFIER&SWITCHBOX
INPUT A
RED
BLACK
INPUT 1
INPUT 2
OUTPUT B
INPUT B
INPUT 4
I SENSE
FROM CLIO
TO CLIO
QCBOXMODEL 4
TTLCONTROL
INPUT 3
AC POWER 90 - 240 VAC
Please connect (referring to the front panel):
1) A pin-to-pin cable from the "From CLIO" RCA plug to CLIO's output.
2) A pin-to-pin cable from the "To CLIO" RCA plug to CLIO's input.
Please connect (referring to the rear panel):
3)A25-poles male-female D cable from the "TTL Control" plug to a free PC parallel port.
4) A standard IEC AC cord in the AC Power receptacle.
There is no mains switch.Now you can plug the AC cord in the wall outlet and
verify the lighting of the front panel LED.

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6 - DEFAULT INTERNAL SETTINGS
TheQCBoxModel4canbeoperatedalsoiftheTTLcontrolcableisnotconnected
to the parallel port of the PC.
In this particular case, when software control doesn't take place, the unit operates in
the following mode:
Internal setting: frequency response.
Input: enabled input 4.
I SENSE: enabled.

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7 - PARALLEL PORT CONFIGURATION
The parallel port you use to control the QCBOX Model 4 must be configured in
STANDARD (or NORMAL or AT) mode.
BesurethattheparallelportisNOTinECPmodeotherwisethesoftwarecontrol
won't take place.
There is a simple way to check if the parallel port is properly configured. Click with the
right mouse button on the 'My Computer' icon on the Windows desktop. Then click
'Properties',selectthe'Hardware'tabandpressthe'DeviceManager'buttonasinfigure.
Then select 'Ports (COM&LPT)'. The situation above is correct, the parallel port is
configured in standard mode.
You may find the following situation:
In this case the parallel port must be reconfigured as outlined before. The only way to

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dothisisfromwithinBIOSsettingsatthecomputerstartup.Thisisusuallyaccomplished
pressing a particular key or sequence of keys while your PC is booting; the correct key
topress normallyshows upduringthe earlybooting ofthecomputer: themostcommon
is the ‘Del’ key but you may need to press ‘F2’ or a different one.
When inside BIOS you should locate a menu like ‘INTEGRATED PERIPHERALS’ or
'PERIPHERALS SETUP' inside which there are listed the peripherals present and their
settings. Locate the parallel port settings and change them from ECP to Normal.