BSS Audio FPC900r User manual

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FPC900r
User Manual

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This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the following European Standards
for Electromagnetic Compatibility:
Emission Specification: EN55013 (1990) (Associated equipment)
Immunity Specification: EN50082/1 (1992) (RF Immunity, Fast Transients and
ESD)
Mains Disturbance: EN61000/3/2 (1995)
For continued compliance ensure that all input and output cables are wired with cable screen
connected to Pin 1 of the XLR. The input XLR Pin 1 on BSS equipment is generally connected to
chassis via a capacitor to prevent ground loops whilst ensuring good EMC compatibility.
V2.0 DEP 11August1997
We have written this manual with the aim of helping installers, sound engineers and consultants to
get to grips with the FPR-900r and obtain its maximum capability.
If you are new to BSS products, we recommend that you begin at the start of the manual. If, how-
ever, you are already familiar with the intended application, and just want to get the unit installed
without delay, then follow the highlighted sections.
We welcome any comments or questions regarding the FPR-900r or other BSS products, and you
may contact us at the address or World Wide Web site given in the warranty section.

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Quick Start - Quick Reference
1 Check the Mains Voltage setting on the rear of the 900i Interface Unit and
install into a rack. Connect the mains to the 900i and check that the unit
powers up. All the front panel leds will flash on and off momentarily.
Switch off 900i mains power.
Refer to Sections 2.0 thru 2.6 'Installation'
2 Connect the Midi Out of the FPC-900i to the Midi In of the first FCS-926/
920 or FDS-388 device.
3 Connect the Midi Out of each FCS-926/920 or FDS-388 device to the
Midi Input of the next in the chain.
4 Connect the Midi Out of the last FCS-920/926 or FDS-388 device in the
chain to the Midi In of the FPC-900i Interface. This creates a Midi loop
through all of the Varicurve devices.
5 Change the Midi Channels on the devices to different numbers (their
order is unimportant).
6 Change the MIDI XMIT on all FCS-926 and FDS-388 devices to be MIDI
THRU.
7 Connect the FPC-900i Interface to the FPC-900r Remote using the
supplied 5pin XLR to 5pin XLR "umbilical cable".
Refer to Section 2.7 'Installation' - Data Connections and Midi.
8 Power up the FPC-900i Interface again. The Remote should now come on
with a message detailing the version number of the installed software.
9 Press the UTILS key. Select XFER with the speed strip.
10 Select DATA AREA and turn the BOOST/PARAMETER control until the
box reads DUMP.
11 Select SOURCE and turn the BOOST/PARAMETER control until the box
reads ALLDEV. The DEST box should now read REMOTE.
12 Select START. The remote will ask “ARE YOU SURE?” Select YES to
continue. All program data from the FCS-920/926 devices will be copied
into the remote. (The FPC-900r Remote must be connected to the FPC-
900i Interface by the umbilical link for XFER to work.)
Refer to Section 15.0 'Transfer (XFER)'.
13 Exit UTILS by pressing UTILS again.
14 To select a device for editing, press one of the numeric Device keys.
Refer to Section 4.0 'Selecting a Device'
15 To adjust filter parameters press the Speed Strip beneath the frequency of
interest to assign a filter (or select an existing one). You can then use the
three parameter control knobs to adjust the filter.
Refer to Section 5.0 'Selecting and Adjusting Filters'
Quick Reference
Please Read Overleaf...

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Using This Manual
Please Read This! - Using This Manual
This manual has been written to make the understanding and
operation of the FPC-900 Remote as easy as possible. Because the
FPC-900 is a relatively sophisticated software product, we have
included several ways to find the information you require in this
manual, some of which are new. You will have already found a Quick
Reference on the previous page to get the user going from scratch.
These instructions are by no means all there is to know and references
are made to the main body of the manual for extra detail.
The Contents now begins on Page 3, opposite this one. The chapter
and section names are generally those of the important Keys and
Controls on the Remote. This is a good place to find whole sections,
for example Events or Recall.
Once you have found the appropriate chapter there is often a Quick
Reference section. This will give abbreviated instructions for the use of
the key or control. These can remind the user of a control’s operation
if the section has already been read.
Throughout the text there are references to other areas in the following
form.
Refer to Section 3.1 ‘Basic Controls’ - Display.
These will help to tie together different places where the same keys are
used for different purposes. They are also used heavily in Section 3.0
‘Basic Controls’....
Section 3.0 has several drawings of front and rear panels of both the
remote and the Interface. Each are annotated and reference to the
appropriate letter will give a brief description of the item and usually a
reference to the section in the manual where the item is detailed at
greater length.
Finally, when you need to refer to a particular feature quickly, the
Index may be the quickest way. The Index can be found at the end of
the manual, after the appendices.
Please feel free to give us your comments on this manual and any
ideas you may have for further improvement. Although we make every
effort to ensure that this manual is correct, there may have been recent
improvements made in the software which are not reflected in this
release.
Index
"Section 3.0 Basic
Controls"
"
Refer to :"
Quick Reference
Table of Contents

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Contents
Contents Quick Start - Quick Reference 3
Please Read This! - Using This Manual 4
Table of Contents 4
Quick Reference 4
Index 4
"Refer to:" 4
"Section 3.0 Basic Controls" 4
Contents 5
1.0 Introduction 7
2.0 Installation 8
2.1 Unpacking 8
2.2 Mechanical Requirements 8
2.3 Mains Power 9
2.4 Voltage Setting 10
2.5 Safety Earthing 10
2.6 AC Power Fusing 10
2.7 Data Connections and Midi 11
2.8 FSK 13
2.9 Internal Battery 14
3.0 Varicurvecontrols 16
3.1 Varicurve Display 20
3.2 Omnidrive Display 22
3.3 Remote Connections 24
3.4 Interface Controls and Connections 25
4.0 Selecting a Device 27
4.1 Device Keys 27
4.2 INDEX 28
4.3 SOLO 28
5.0 SelectingandAdjustingFilters 29
5.1 Using the Speed Strip. 29
5.2 Status bar boxes. 29
5.3 EQ Display 30
5.4 Speed Strip selection. 30
5.5 Filter adjustment. 30
5.6 Make-up gain 31
5.7 FLAT 31
5.8 EQ Bypass 31
5.9 Examining with VIEW 31
5.10 Scrolling the display 32

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6.0 STORE 33
6.1 Naming Programs 34
6.2 INDEX in Store mode 34
7.0 RECALL 35
7.1 INDEX in Recall mode. 35
7.2 Recalling Between Devices 35
8.0 COMPARE 36
8.1 RECALL in Compare mode 36
8.2 INDEX in Compare mode 37
WARNING! 37
9.0 UtilitiesMenu 38
9.1 UTILS 38
9.2 Action of Utilities 39
9.3 MORE sub-menu 41
10.0 Grouping - GROUP and ALL 42
10.1 GROUP 42
10.2 Group UTILS 43
10.3 Group ALL 44
11.0 RTA(Real Time Analyser) 45
11.1 RTA Menu 45
11.2 RTA memories 47
11.3 Storing an RTA 47
11.4 Recalling An RTA 47
12.0 Room Curve and Add Curve 48
12.1 Room Curves 48
12.2 ROOMCV 48
12.3 ADD Curve 49
13.0 AUTO EQ 50
13.1 A simple AUTO EQ 50
13.2 Mixed RTA Sources. 51
13.3 Target Room Curves 52
14.0 EVENT 53
14.1 Event Edit Screen 53
14.2 Event Select Menu 55
14.3 Triggering Events 55
14.4 INDEX with Events. 56
15.0 Transfer(XFER) 57
15.1 XFER Menu 57
16.0 SmartCard 59
16.1 CARD Menu 59
16.2 Card Types 62
Contents

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Introduction
17.0 ControllingOmnidriveDevices 63
18.0 ControllingDelayDevices 65
19.0 WarrantyInformation 67
20.0 Appendix 68
20.1 Transient Suppressor Replacement 68
20.2 Microphone stand adapter 68
20.3 FPC-900 Midi Implementation 69
20.4 Frequency Weighting Characteristics 70
Index 71
Usernotes 74
1.0 Introduction
The FPC-900 is a portable, wireless remote controller for the FCS-926
and FCS-920 Varicurve Equaliser units and the FDS-388 Omnidrive PA
controller. It offers sound engineers and contractors unparalleled
flexibility and efficiency in the calibration and control of distributed
array systems, and programmable multiband parametric EQ for up to
32 audio channels.
Communicating via a supplied multiway cable, a standard radio-mic
link or an XLR tie line, the FPC-900 allows the operator to address a
network of up to 16 FCS-926/920 Dual VARICURVE Equaliser
Analyser units and FDS-388 Omnidrive PA controller and crossover
units from anywhere in an arena, stadium or installation venue.
The intuitive control surface provides familiar rotary control of EQ and
RTA parameters in real time with instant selection of functions via a
unique Speed Strip touch pad.
The FPC-900 can control all of the features of the VARICURVE units
and, in addition, can Group several VARICURVE units to be controlled
simultaneously.
The FPC-900 can control the gain, mute and delay variables within an
FDS-388 Omnidrive controller.
For show time, an Events system can command user-defined
sequences of Midi program changes mapped to VARICURVE
Equalisers or other non-BSS Midi controlled equipment such as effects
processors and routing matrices.

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2.0 Installation
As part of BSS Audio’s policy of quality control, this product is
carefully checked before packing to ensure flawless appearance and
that it reaches you in first class condition.
After unpacking the two units, please inspect them for any physical
damage. If any damage has occurred, notify your dealer immediately.
A written claim for damages can then be initiated. The Warranty at the
end of the manual gives more information (see section 18.0).
Please retain the shipping carton and all the packing materials for use
should the unit need to be transported or returned for any reason.
The FPC-900i interface requires a vertical rack space of 1U (1.75" or
44mm). The unit should be supported at its rear by additional bracing
or shelving if it is to be used in a transportable system. Failure to do so
will impair the reliability and may possibly invalidate the warranty.
Figure 2.1 details the relevant dimensions and fixing centres for the
FPC-900i.
Adequate ventilation must be provided by allowing sufficient space
around the sides and rear of the FPC-900i to ensure free circulation of
air. Forced cooling is not required.
The FPC-900r remote is intended to be portable and has no particular
mechanical requirements. Care should be taken to ensure that the
remote is properly cushioned in transit. The unit should be kept in the
carry case provided and transported securely to prevent movement and
heavy impacts. Figure 2.2 details the overall size of the FPC-900r.
2.1 Unpacking
2.2 Mechanical
Requirements
Fig 2.1 Overall
dimensions of the
FPC-900i Interface
Installation

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Before connecting the FPC-900i interface to an AC power source,
check that the voltage selector switch on the side panel is correctly set.
If a change is necessary then ensure that the mains fuse is changed for
one of the correct current rating
Refer to Section 2.6 'Installation' - AC Power and Fusing.
2.3 Mains Power
As the colours of the wires in the mains lead may not correspond with
the markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows.
!The wire which is coloured Green and Yellow or Green must be
connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter ‘E’ or by
the Earth signal or which is coloured Green and Yellow or
Green.
"The wire which is coloured Blue must be connected to the terminal
labelled ‘N’ or coloured Black or Blue.
#The wire which is coloured Brown must be connected to the
terminal labelled ‘L’ or coloured Red or Brown.
Those units supplied to the North American market will have an
integral moulded 3 pin connector which is provided to satisfy required
local standards.
Fig 2.2 Overall
dimensions of the
FPC-900r Remote
WARNING! THIS APPLIANCE MUST BE EARTHED.
IMPORTANT: The wires in the mains lead are colour coded in
accordance with the following code.
Green and Yellow......Earth
Blue......Neutral
Brown......Live

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The mains voltage selector switch provides a simple external adjust-
ment to allow operation on all international AC power standards.
Newer units are supplied with 115/230V selector switches. The allow-
able ranges for the supply voltage are:
90VAC up to 132VAC on the 120V or 115V position and
190VAC up to 264VAC on the 240V or 230V position.
Outside these voltages the unit will not work satisfactorily, if at all.
Voltages in excess of the maximum will probably cause damage.
Voltages below the minimum will cause the power supplies to drop out
of regulation, degrading the performance of the system. The battery
pack in the remote will preserve all data in the event of a power failure.
The Green and Yellow wire of the mains cord must always be con-
nected to an installation Safety Earth or Ground. It is essential for per-
sonal safety as well as the correct operation of the system, and is inter-
nally connected to all exposed metal surfaces. Any rack framework into
which this unit may be mounted is assumed to be connected to the
same grounding circuit.
The incoming mains power is fused within the FPC-900i by the fuse
holder mounted on the rear panel. Should it be necessary, the fuse must
be replaced by one of the same size and current rating.
20mm T200mA for the 240V o r 230V setting
20mm T315mA for the 120V or 115V setting
It is most important for continued safety that this specification is strictly
adhered to. Spare fuses of the correct rating are supplied with the unit
from new.
It is unlikely that the AC fuse will fail during normal use and caution
should be exercised if it does. The most likely reason at first power up is
the incorrect setting of the mains voltage switch on the side panel.
Another reason may be the connection of the unit across two lines of a
three phase supply. In both of these cases the internal transient suppres-
sors may have been damaged and will continue to blow replacement
fuses, even if the supply is now correct. The suppressors will have
protected the FPC-900i from damage and need replacing before the
interface can be used again. Refer to section 19.1 for the replacement
procedure.
2.4 Voltage Setting
Voltage Setting
Safety Earthing
AC Power Fusing
2.5 Safety Earthing
2.6 AC Power
Fusing