Coachsound TourMaster MLA2504 User manual

1
Coachsound
The TourMaster
User Manual
Multichannel Audio Server
Model: MLA2504

2
Contents
1.0 TourMaster System Overview ..........................................................................................................................4
1.1 Head Unit –Electrical Ports and Connections Diagram................................................................................4
1.2 Power Connection ........................................................................................................................................4
1.3 Control Panel Port (CPANEL).........................................................................................................................5
1.4 GPS Aerial Port..............................................................................................................................................6
1.5 USB Port........................................................................................................................................................6
1.6 Main Loom Ports...........................................................................................................................................6
1.7 Auxiliary Audio Channels ..............................................................................................................................7
1.7.1 Audio IN .................................................................................................................................................7
1.7.2 Audio OUT..............................................................................................................................................7
1.7.3 Microphones IN .....................................................................................................................................7
2.0 Getting Started ..........................................................................................................................................8
2.1Routebuilder..................................................................................................................................................8
2.2 System Folders, Files and Formats................................................................................................................8
2.2.1 “$COM” folder .......................................................................................................................................8
2.2.2 “MUSIC” folder ......................................................................................................................................8
2.2.3 “SYSTEM” folder ....................................................................................................................................9
2.2.4 “TOOLS” folder.......................................................................................................................................9
2.2.5 Audio File Format ..................................................................................................................................9
2.3 Headphone Channel Ordering ....................................................................................................................10
3.0 Basic System Operation ..................................................................................................................................11
3.1 Driver/Guide Control Panel ........................................................................................................................11
3.2 Powering the System ..................................................................................................................................11
3.3 GPS Status Messages ..................................................................................................................................12
3.4 Manual vs Autonomous (GPS) Mode..........................................................................................................13
3.5 Selecting Routes .........................................................................................................................................13
3.6 Selecting Audio Segments ..........................................................................................................................13
3.7 Playing, Pausing and Stopping Audio Segments.........................................................................................14

3
4.0 Advanced System Operation ..........................................................................................................................15
4.1 Saving GPS Waypoints ................................................................................................................................15
4.1.1 Saving a Waypoint-Manual Method....................................................................................................15
4.1.2 Error messages when Manually saving GPS Waypoints ......................................................................16
4.2 Modifying System Settings .........................................................................................................................16
4.2.1 Entering the Option Menu...................................................................................................................17
4.2.2 Modify Initial Route and Segment .......................................................................................................17
4.2.3 Set Default Route and Segment...........................................................................................................18
4.2.4 Set GPS On or Off.................................................................................................................................18
4.2.5 Adjust Volumes of Auxiliary Audio Channels.......................................................................................19
4.2.6 Set the Audio Out Channel ..................................................................................................................19
4.2.7 Enable or Disable Microphone Channels.............................................................................................20
4.2.8 Enable or Disable Microphone VOX Overrides ....................................................................................20
4.2.9 Set the Commentary-Idle Function......................................................................................................21

4
1.0 TOURMASTER SYSTEM OVERVIEW
The Coachsound TourMaster is a multichannel tour commentary system that distributes audio to individual seats
providing your passengers choice and control of volume and channels. The Coachsound TourMaster system
consists of a central head-unit to which the GPS antennae, drivers control panel, microphones and other external
audio sources such as DVD players are connected. These connected audio sources, along with the multi-lingual
tour commentary and music storage integrated within the TourMaster, is converted to a high quality digital
audio signal. This digital signal is then transmitted to each seat-based passenger controller.
This enables you to cater to different foreign speaking tourists on the same tour. The pre-recorded commentary
can be manually triggered or set to trigger by GPS.
1.1 HEAD UNIT –ELECTRICAL PORTS AND CONNECTIONS DIAGRAM
The purpose of the TourMaster System Head Unit is to store pre-recorded commentary and audio that can be
triggered via GPS and distributes the audio to individual seat controllers. Audio from additional external devices
can also be distributed to individual seat controllers via the head unit.
Head Unit Port and Connections Diagram
1.2 POWER CONNECTION
This connection is the main power connection for the system. The system can operate from 10V to 30V (12V to
24V nominal) Total current required by the system depends on the supply voltage and the number of connected
hubs and audio controllers.
P POWER GPS USB CPANEL MAIN LOOM

5
•10V-30V, GROUND - POWER SUPPLY:
These are the power supply connections to the system. The system is internally over-current protected
but external fuse protection is recommended:
oConnect power to ignition side of key and after isolating switches;
oRecommended external fuse protection: 10 Amp
oMaximum current (operational –ON via control panel): 5 Amps
oMaximum current (shutdown –OFF via control panel): 100mA
•PCON1, PCON2 - REMOTE POWER CONTROL:
If a control panel is not used with the system, shorting these two connections together via a switch
offer an alternative method of powering up the system remotely.
•RELAY1, RELAY2 - SWITCHED OUTPUT:
These are contacts of an internal normally-open (N/O) relay. This relay can be programmed to perform
different functions when commentary has been manually played or triggered via GPS. Various relay
functions can be set via the “Relay Timer” setting in the Route Builder software tool:
o“ONE-SHOT”: Connection closes once for 1 second at the beginning of each commentary. This
mode will be selected when the “Relay Timer” setting in Route Builder is set to ‘1’. This
function can be used to activate an external chime;
o“FLASH”: Connection alternately opens and closes once per second. Total duration is set by
the “Relay Timer” from ‘2’ seconds to ‘59’ seconds. This mode can be used to flash an external
sign;
o“OFF”: Setting “Relay Timer” to ‘0’seconds deactivates the relay.
Note: Maximum contact rating for this relay is 1 Amp.
1.3 CONTROL PANEL PORT (CPANEL)
This is the connection for the Driver/Guide control panel. The “LINK” indicator will blink when keys are pressed
on the control panel. If the “POWER” indicator goes out when inserting the control panel cable, there is a fault
with the panel or panel cable. Remove and check cable and panel for faults.
•A GREEN cable is typically supplied for use with this connection.

6
1.4 GPS AERIAL PORT
This is the connection for the GPS aerial. The “LINK” indicator will blink once per second when the aerial is
operating correctly. If “LINK” does not blink, then there may be a fault with the aerial or cable. If the “POWER”
indicator goes out when connecting the aerial there is a fault with the aerial. Remove and check aerial cable and
aerial for faults.
•GPS aerials with a yellow boot on the aerial cable will be compatible with this connection.
1.5 USB PORT
This is the USB connection. When the system is connected via USB cable to a PC, the control panel will display
“USB CONNECTED” and the PC will show the system as a disk drive called “TOURMASTER” within Windows
Explorer.
The USB port is used in conjunction with the coachsound “Route Builder” software tool to update and
synchronize audio tour commentary for the system. (See document: “Using the Route Builder Tool”)
1.6 MAIN LOOM PORTS
The “MAIN LOOM” ports are 4 ports that provide power and digital audio to all hubs and audio controllers in an
installation. “POWER” indicators will light when power is present at each loom port. An indicator that goes out
when a cable is connected indicates that the over-current protection has activated and therefore is a fault on
that loom. Disconnect the loom immediately and test for faults (See document: “Coachsound Audio Systems:
Main loom testing and fault finding”)
Four ports are provided to allow easy installation into both single-deck and double-deck vehicles, as well as for
situations when there are more hubs (audio controllers) that can be run from a single port.

7
1.7 AUXILIARY AUDIO CHANNELS
1.7.1 AUDIO IN
Stereo RCA input connections provide the option to connect up to three external audio systems such as DVD
players, CD players etc to the system. Audio on these connections appear on the audio controller channels after
the microphone channels (if enabled) and after any commentary channels and music zones.
SPECIFICATIONS (AUDIO IN):
•Connectors: RCA Stereo
•Audio Level: 0-1V RMS
•Input impedance: 10k Ohms
•Volume control per channel: YES, via control panel. See option: “4.2.5 Adjust Volumes of
Auxiliary Audio Channels”
1.7.2 AUDIO OUT
One stereo RCA output connection provides the ability to output any audio channel available on the system to
an external audio system such as a PA. The audio channel that is assigned to this connection can be changed via
the option menu (See option: “4.2.6 Set the Audio Out Channel”)
SPECIFICATIONS (AUDIO OUT):
•Connectors: RCA Stereo
•Audio Level: 0-1V RMS (Line level)
•Output impedance: 100 Ohms
1.7.3 MICROPHONES IN
Two sets of connectors are present for two independent microphone channels. Each microphone channel (‘MIC-
A’ and ‘MIC-B’) has two connectors to allow either signal pass-through or the connection of multiple
microphones to one input.
•“MIC-A” (when enabled) appears on headphone channel “0”
•“MIC-B” (when enabled) appears on headphone channel “1”

8
•Activation of the systems VOX (voice override) circuit can cause either MIC-A or MIC-B channels to
override all other channels. This can be used (for instance) for live information or alert messages from
the driver or tour guide. See option: “4.2.8 Enable or Disable Microphone VOX Overrides” for
information on this feature.
SPECIFICATIONS (MICROPHONES):
•Connectors: 2 x RCA per microphone input (enables pass-thru or stacking)
•Microphone type: Dynamic (Electret types are not compatible)
•Audio Level: 0-100mV RMS
•Input impedance: 6k Ohms
•Gain control per microphone: YES, via control panel. See option: “4.2.5 Adjust Volumes of
Auxiliary Audio Channels”.
2.0GETTING STARTED
To get started with your TourMaster system, you can create your GPS driven tour routes with pre-recorded
audio commentary and music for your passenger journeys.
2.1ROUTEBUILDER
The Route Builder software tool is used to set GPS waypoints and store pre-recorded tour commentary and
journey information. This can include storage of commentary audio files and music.
Refer to the Routebuilder Guide for step by step instructions for system set up to create/update routes,
segments and for adding audio files.
Note: Changes to route information can be easily updated on the original PC that the route was created on.
Section 4 of this manual covers manually setting GPS waypoints.
2.2 SYSTEM FOLDERS, FILES AND FORMATS
2.2.1 “$COM” FOLDER
This folder holds all route/tour information including GPS information and audio files. Its contents are created
using the “Route Builder” software tool. The windows installer for the tool can be found in the “\TOOLS” folder
on the system.
Note: Do not manually modify any contents of this folder. Any changes or modifications to your route(s) must
be done via the “Route Builder” software tool and exported to the system to maintain synchronization with
your master Route Builder database.
2.2.2 “MUSIC” FOLDER
The “MUSIC” folder is optional and can contain music or any other audio entertainment. This folder allows the
system to also operate as a multi-channel Juke-Box which can be used to enhance the customer experience.

9
Music channels (ZONES) will appear on headphone channels after both the microphone and commentary
channels, but before the external “AUDIO IN” channels.
“ZONE 1”audio can be used as “silence filler”audio between audio commentaries. See option: “4.2.9 Set the
Commentary-Idle Function”for more information on this feature.
•The (optional) “MUSIC” folder must be at the root of the system disk;
•Inside the “MUSIC” folder, there may be several “ZONE” folders. Each “ZONE” represents a separate
headphone channel;
•“ZONE” folder must be in format: “ZONE<space><number>” where <number> is valid from 1 to 10
•Inside each “ZONE” folder, there can be multiple music files. These files random-play within their own
headphone channel;
•Audio files must be in 44.1kHz stereo PCM WAV format (WMA, MP3 etc are not supported)
Figure 1 MUSIC folder structure
2.2.3 “SYSTEM” FOLDER
This is where system files are kept. Do not modify or delete this folder or any of the included files.
2.2.4 “TOOLS” FOLDER
This folder contains useful tools and also a demo database that can be used in conjunction with the “Route
Builder” tool also found in this directory.
2.2.5 AUDIO FILE FORMAT
The recorded audio format is a follows:
•Audio tour commentary: 44.1kHz, 16-bit, PCM (WAV) format in MONO or STEREO
•ZONE (music channels): 44.1kHz, 16-bit, PCM (WAV) format in STEREO only

10
NOTES: Audio tour commentary can be recorded in mono or stereo, but all audio commentary files within the
same route must be of identical format.
When a user changes routes (on the control panel) that have differing channel counts or audio format,
all audio controllers will reset back to CH-0 to re-sync with the new channel count.
2.3 HEADPHONE CHANNEL ORDERING
The coachsound system offers a total of 22 mono or 11 stereo audio channels maximum. This channel ‘stack’
can be a mixture of mono and stereo channels. One stereo channel consumes two of the available 22 channels;
a mono channel consumes one available channel.
The sequence in which the audio channels appear on the headphones depends on system settings, available
channels and audio format, but is ordered as follows:
1. Two microphone channels (if enabled);
2. On-board audio commentary channels;
3. On-board ZONE channels;
4. Auxiliary audio IN channels.
Example 1:
•Microphones enabled: CH-0 and CH-1
•5 x audio commentary channels (stereo): CH-2 thru CH-6
•No ZONES: -
•Audio IN channels: CH-7, CH-8, CH-9
•Unused (silent) channels: CH-10, CH-11
Example 2:
•Microphones disabled: -
•10 x audio commentary channels (mono): CH-0 thru CH-9
•2 x ZONE channels: CH-10, CH-11
•Audio IN channels: CH-12, CH-13, CH-14
•Unused (silent) channels: CH-15
Example 3:
•Microphones disabled: -
•10 x audio commentary channels (stereo): CH-0 thru CH-9
•2 x ZONE channels: CH-10 (second ZONE is unavailable)
•Audio IN channels: unavailable