Biamp Audia Series User manual

(printable Help file)

October 18, 2004

3
Table of Contents
Introduction 5
Overview ..........................................................................................................5
Architect's & Engineer's Specifications ............................................................7
Documentation .................................................................................................9
Software Tools 10
Basic Screen Elements ..................................................................................10
Layout ............................................................................................................11
Bird's Eye View ..............................................................................................12
Processing Library .........................................................................................12
Object Toolbar................................................................................................13
Format Toolbar...............................................................................................13
Layout Toolbar ...............................................................................................16
Network Toolbar.............................................................................................23
Standard Toolbar ...........................................................................................26
Main Menus....................................................................................................28
File Menu .................................................................................................29
Edit Menu.................................................................................................30
View Menu ...............................................................................................31
Processing Library Menu.........................................................................32
Presets Menu ..........................................................................................32
Custom Blocks Menu...............................................................................34
Tools Menu ..............................................................................................36
Layout Menu ............................................................................................43
Window Menu..........................................................................................45
Help Menu ...............................................................................................45
Status Bar ......................................................................................................45
Component Objects 46
Input Output ...................................................................................................46
Mixers.............................................................................................................57
Equalizers ......................................................................................................61
Filters .............................................................................................................65
Crossovers .....................................................................................................68
Dynamics .......................................................................................................71
Routers...........................................................................................................76
Delays ............................................................................................................77
Controls..........................................................................................................78
Meters ............................................................................................................90
Generators .....................................................................................................92
Diagnostics.....................................................................................................93
Specialty.........................................................................................................94

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System Design 97
Placing Component Objects ..........................................................................97
Arranging Component Objects.......................................................................97
Connecting Component Objects ....................................................................97
Component Object Properties........................................................................98
Customizing Component Objects ..................................................................98
Object and Layout Text..................................................................................99
System Compiling Considerations .................................................................99
Channel Number Assignments ....................................................................100
Compile Error Messages .............................................................................101
System Network Considerations..................................................................109
Applications..................................................................................................110
Hardware 110
Hardware Overview......................................................................................110
Input/Output Expanders ...............................................................................113
System Connections ....................................................................................115
System Control 116
Software User Interface ...............................................................................116
Remote Control Bus.....................................................................................117
Third-Party Control.......................................................................................118
RS-232 and Telnet Protocol.........................................................................119

5
Introduction
Overview
Audia®is a Digital Audio Platform, which provides distributed digital audio, signal processing, and control.
Audia is a networkable, decentralized audio system, which is easy to configure & program.
Audia allows the installer to quickly & accurately define the exact sound system required for each job.
Audia is software programmable, easily expandable, and remotely controllable.
Audia utilizes both CobraNet™ and Ethernet for enhanced system networking and control.
Audia is a completely customizable, yet cost-effective, solution for sound system design.
Audia is covered by a five-year warranty.
ALGORITHMS
• Mixers: standard, automatic, matrix, combiners
• Equalizers: graphic & parametric
• Filters: HPF, LPF, high shelving, low shelving, all-pass
• Crossovers: 2-way, 3-way, 4-way
• Dynamics: levelers, comp/limiters, duckers, gates, ambient noise compensators
• Routers: 2x4 to 56x56
• Delays: 0 to 2,000 mS
• Controls: levels, mutes, presets, remotes, logic, command strings
• Meters: signal present, peak reading, RMS reading
• Generators: single tone, sweep, pink-noise, white-noise
• Diagnostics: transfer function

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HARDWARE:
• 24-bit A/D & D/A converters
• Six 60 MHz 32-bit floating point Analog Devices SHARC DSPs (360 MFLOPS)
• 80 MHz 32-bit Motorola Power PC host processor
• 32 Mbytes SDRAM
• 8 Mbytes Flash ROM
• Ethernet communications for software control and configuration
• Support of TCP/IP, UDP and ICMP (ping) networking standards
• Battery backed real-time clock and calendar
• Powered Remote Control Bus for easy addition of AUDIA control devices; touch screens, rotary
encoders, and contact switches
• RS-232 serial port for simple connection to 3rd party control devices
• Internal 80 watt universal switching power supply
• Multiple analog I/O configurations
• Mic/Line inputs with programmable mic preamp (0dB to ~ +66dB gain)
• Optional CobraNet interface supporting 64 channels of digital audio (32 in/32 out) over Fast Ethernet
• Compatible with all other CobraNet compliant devices
• Works with standard Ethernet switches
• Multiple system-wide presets and current settings stored in flash memory
• Layout drawing information stored in flash memory
SOFTWARE:
• Win32 application - Windows 2000/XP operating system required
• Fully dockable Menu and Toolbar support
• Birdseye viewer for easy panning and zooming of large layout files
• Fully customizable Processing Library bar for storing default and custom DSP objects
• Workspace state saved at program shutdown, including current documents, Toolbar, Catalog & Birdseye
viewer states
• User configurable data file and Processing Library catalog
• Simple object attribute control: colors, line widths, hatching, text font, size, style & alignment, border
widths, etc.
• Multiple simultaneous line (wire) drawing with no special editing modes required
• Special text block object to enter freeform text and label information
• Easy-to-use tools for object alignment, sizing, packing, spacing & centering
• Fully supported object drag-and-drop between Catalog and view, and between views
• Fully supported multiple layers within a drawing
• Support of Clipboard operation
• Programmable presets
• Export file types: DXF (drawing interchange format) & EMF (enhanced meta files)

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Architect's & Engineer's Specifications
AUDIA®Digital Audio Platform
ARCHITECT'S & ENGINEER'S SPECIFICATION
The Digital Audio Platform shall be available in three hardware
configurations: 8-in/8-out (8x8); 12-in/4-out (12x4); and 4-in/12-out (4x12).
Inputs and outputs shall be analog, with internal 24-bit A/D & D/A converters
operating at a sample rate of 48kHz. All internal processing shall be digital
(DSP). Electronically balanced inputs and outputs shall be provided on plug-in
barrier-strip connectors. Inputs shall be individually programmable to accept
either microphone or line level signals. The 12x4 configuration shall allow
inputs 11 & 12 to be set for mono summing of unbalanced stereo line level
signals. Outputs shall normally provide line level signals, however, the 4x12
configuration shall allow outputs 1~4 to be individually programmed to provide
microphone level signals.
Each hardware configuration shall include six 60MHz 32-bit floating point
SHARC DSPs, an 80MHz 32-bit Power PC host processor, 32MB SDRAM, and 8MB Flash
ROM. Software shall be provided for creating/connecting DSP system components
within each hardware unit. Available system components shall include (but not
be limited to) various forms of: mixers, equalizers, filters, crossovers,
dynamics/gain controls, routers, delays, level controls, level meters, and tone
generators. Ethernet communications shall be utilized for software control,
configuration, and DSP sharing. CobraNet™ technology shall transport digital
audio over fast Ethernet, allowing multiple units to share digital audio. After
initial programming, systems may be controlled using either TCP/IP or RS-232
serial communication by third party control systems such as AMX®and Crestron®.
Each hardware configuration shall be available with CobraNet™ (for multi-unit
network applications) or without CobraNet™ (for stand-alone applications).
Multi-unit network applications require an external 10/100Base-T Ethernet
switch. All CobraNet™ & Ethernet connections shall be via CAT5 cable or fiber-
optic. Software shall operate on a PC computer, with network card installed,
running Windows®2000/XP.
The Digital Audio Platform shall be AUDIA®.
AudiaSOLO Digital Audio Platform
ARCHITECT'S & ENGINEER'S SPECIFICATION
The Digital Audio Platform shall be available in three hardware
configurations: 8-in/8-out (8x8); 12-in/4-out (12x4); and 4-in/12-out (4x12).
Inputs and outputs shall be analog, with internal 24-bit A/D & D/A converters
operating at a sample rate of 48kHz. All internal processing shall be digital
(DSP). Electronically balanced inputs and outputs shall be provided on plug-in
barrier-strip connectors. Inputs shall be individually programmable to accept
either microphone or line level signals. The 12x4 configuration shall allow
inputs 11 & 12 to be set for mono summing of unbalanced stereo line level
signals. Outputs shall normally provide line level signals, however, the 4x12
configuration shall allow outputs 1~4 to be individually programmed to provide
microphone level signals.
Each hardware configuration shall include six 60MHz 32-bit floating point
DSPs, an 80MHz 32-bit host processor, 32MB SDRAM, and 8MB Flash ROM. Software
shall be provided for creating/connecting DSP system components within each
hardware unit. Available system components shall include (but not be limited
to) various forms of: mixers, equalizers, filters, crossovers, dynamics/gain
controls, routers, delays, remote controls, meters, generators, and diagnostics.
Ethernet communications shall be utilized for software control and
configuration. After initial programming, systems may be controlled using
either TCP/IP or RS-232 serial communication by third party control systems
(such as AMX®and Crestron®), by PC computer, and/or by dedicated remote control
devices. Software shall operate on a PC computer, with network card installed,
running Windows® 2000/XP.
The Digital Audio Platform shall be AudiaSOLO.

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AudiaFLEX Digital Audio Platform
ARCHITECT'S & ENGINEER'S SPECIFICATION
The Digital Audio Platform shall be available in various I/O configurations.
Inputs and outputs shall be specified by pairs, in any combination, up to a
total of 24. Inputs and outputs shall be analog, with internal 24-bit A/D & D/A
converters operating at a sample rate of 48kHz. All internal processing shall
be digital (DSP). Electronically balanced inputs and outputs shall be provided
on plug-in barrier-strip connectors. Inputs and outputs shall be individually
programmable for either microphone or line level signal.
Each hardware configuration shall include six 60MHz 32-bit floating point
DSPs, an 80MHz 32-bit host processor, 32MB SDRAM, and 8MB Flash ROM. Software
shall be provided for creating/connecting DSP system components within each
hardware unit. Available system components shall include (but not be limited
to) various forms of: mixers, equalizers, filters, crossovers, dynamics/gain
controls, routers, delays, remote controls, meters, generators, and diagnostics.
Ethernet communications shall be utilized for software control, configuration,
and DSP distribution. Each hardware configuration shall be available with
CobraNet™ (for multi-unit network applications) or without CobraNet (for stand-
alone applications). CobraNet technology shall transport digital audio over
fast Ethernet, allowing multiple units to share digital audio. Multi-unit
network applications shall require an external 10/100Base-T Ethernet switch.
All CobraNet and Ethernet connections shall be via CAT5 cable or fiber-optic.
After initial programming, systems may be controlled using either TCP/IP or RS-
232 serial communication by third party control systems (such as AMX®and
Crestron®), by PC computer, and/or by dedicated remote control devices.
Software shall operate on a PC computer, with network card installed, running
Windows® 2000/XP.
The Digital Audio Platform shall be AudiaFLEX.
AudiaEXPI Input Expander
ARCHITECT'S & ENGINEER'S SPECIFICATION
The Input Expander shall provide eight mic/line analog audio inputs on rear
panel plug-in barrier strip connectors. Front panel level controls and peak
indicators shall be provided for adjustment of the analog audio input signals.
Internal analog-to-digital signal conversion shall be 24-bit, with a sample rate
of 48kHz. Eight channels of digital audio output shall be provided via
CobraNet, on two rear panel RJ45 connectors. A rotary encoder and LCD screen
shall be provided on the front panel for programming and setup.
The Input Expander shall be represented as a functional block within AUDIA™
software, for easy inclusion into system designs. The Input Expander shall also
be capable of providing additional analog audio inputs to other CobraNet
compliant systems or devices. The Input Expander shall be CE marked, include a
UL listed power source, and carry a five-year warranty.
The Input Expander shall be AudiaEXPI.
AudiaEXPO Output Expander
ARCHITECT'S & ENGINEER'S SPECIFICATION
The Output Expander shall provide eight channels of digital audio input via
CobraNet, on two rear panel RJ45 connectors. Internal digital-to-analog signal
conversion shall be 24-bit, with a sample rate of 48kHz. Eight line-level
analog audio outputs shall be provided on rear panel plug-in barrier strip
connectors. Front panel level controls shall be provided for adjustment of the
analog audio output signals. A rotary encoder and LCD screen shall be provided
on the front panel for programming and setup.
The Output Expander shall be represented as a functional block within AUDIA™
software, for easy inclusion into system designs. The Output Expander shall also
be capable of providing additional analog audio outputs from other CobraNet
compliant systems or devices. The Output Expander shall be CE marked, include a
UL listed power source, and carry a five-year warranty.
The Output Expander shall be AudiaEXPO.

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AudiaEXPI-D Digital Input Expander
ARCHITECT'S & ENGINEER'S SPECIFICATION
The Digital Input Expander shall provide four pairs of AES3 transformer
coupled digital audio inputs on XLR connectors. Two of these pairs shall be
selectable instead as SPDIF inputs on RCA connectors and the other two pairs
shall be selectable instead as TOSLINK inputs. Eight channels of digital audio
output shall be provided via CobraNet, on two rear panel RJ45 connectors. A
word clock output shall be provided on BNC connector. A rotary encoder and LCD
screen shall be provided on the front panel for programming and setup. Logic
Inputs shall be provided for recalling preset configurations.
The Digital Input Expander shall be represented as a functional block within
AUDIA® software, for easy inclusion into system designs. The Digital Input
Expander shall also be capable of providing digital audio inputs to other
CobraNet compliant systems or devices. The Digital Input Expander shall be CE
marked, include a UL listed power source, and carry a five-year warranty.
The Digital Input Expander shall be AudiaEXPI-D.
AudiaEXPO-D Digital Output Expander
ARCHITECT'S & ENGINEER'S SPECIFICATION
The Digital Output Expander shall provide eight channels of digital audio
input via CobraNet, on two rear panel RJ45 connectors. Four pairs of AES3
transformer coupled digital audio outputs shall be provided on XLR connectors.
Two of these pairs shall be available also as SPDIF outputs on RCA connectors,
and the other two pairs shall be available also as TOSLINK outputs. A word
clock output shall be provided on BNC connector. A rotary encoder and LCD
screen shall be provided on the front panel for programming and setup. Logic
Inputs shall be provided for recalling preset configurations.
The Digital Output Expander shall be represented as a functional block within
AUDIA® software, for easy inclusion into system designs. The Digital Output
Expander shall also be capable of providing digital audio outputs from other
CobraNet compliant systems or devices. The Output Expander shall be CE marked,
include a UL listed power source, and carry a five-year warranty.
The Digital Output Expander shall be AudiaEXPO-D.
Documentation
The information contained in this Help file can be printed in manual form (with Table of Contents and Index).
Two PDF documents are provided on the software CD-ROM for this purpose. The file AUDIA.pdf is
intended for printing on Letter (8.5" x 11") size paper. The file AUDIA-A4.pdf is intended for printing on A4
(210mm x 297mm) size paper. These are printable Help files. Similar PDF files are also available on the
software CD-ROM, for the 'RS-232 & Telnet Protocol' and the 'Quick Start Guide & Safety Information'
documents.

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Software Tools
Basic Screen Elements
The main screen of the Audia®software has several sections. The Layout occupies the largest portion of
the main screen, at the lower-right. This is the area where system design actually occurs, with the
placement & connection of Component Objects. Component Objects represent the individual audio
devices (processing blocks) within the system. Other objects include Lines (for connecting components)
and Text (for labeling the system). If a system becomes too big to fit the Layout, a Bird's Eye View is
available to aid navigation. A Processing Library of available Component Objects is displayed, at the
lower-left of the main screen, for drag & drop placement into the Layout. However, the Processing Library
can be closed, increasing the width of the Layout, and Component Object selection can then be
accomplished using the Object Toolbar, located directly above the Layout. The Object Toolbar also
provides the option of either a select or a text cursor. Above the Object Toolbar is the Format Toolbar,
which allows customizing of text & colors used in the Layout and associated objects. Above the Format
Toolbar is the Layout Toolbar, which affects certain aspects of Layout, such as the grid, rulers, zooming, &
alignment of Component Objects. The Layout Toolbar can also open editing/information sheets for
properties, objects, & layers. Above the Layout Toolbar is the Network Toolbar, with functions related to
communications, configuration, maintenance, and testing of the system network. Above the Network
Toolbar is the Standard Toolbar, with file functions such as new, open, & save, plus additional functions
such as cut, copy, paste, print, & help. The Standard Toolbar also includes the Compile function, which
will generate a new configuration file, while checking system layout/connections & determining DSP
resource allocation. Above the Standard Toolbar are the Main Menus, which provides all of the toolbar
functions mentioned above, with several more in-depth editing functions. Along the bottom edge of the
main screen is a Status Bar, which gives indication of object quantity, location, & size, as well as layer
name, visibility, & locking. The location and shape of all toolbars, including the Processing Library, may be
changed to fit the user's preference.