Crestron C2N-DAP8 User manual

DAT Software
For C2N-DAP8/RC
Digital Audio Processors
Quick
Start
These instructions provide a quick reference for using the Crestron®Digital Audio Tools (DAT) software to
configure your C2N-DAP8 or C2N-DAP8RC Digital Audio Processors (DAP8/RC) to match the
requirements of the listening/viewing area. For detailed instructions, refer to the Operations Guide for the
DAP8/RC (Doc. 8186 or 8187) and the help file supplied with the DAT software.
Getting Started
All hardware installation and wiring procedures should be completed before attempting to configure the
DAP8/RC unit. The following items are required for room calibration:
• SPL (sound pressure level) meter. Used to measure sound in decibels (dB).
• Tape measure. Used to measure the distance from speakers to primary listening position.
The following items are recommended to optimize the performance of the C2N-DAP8/RC relative to the
listening area, speaker arrangement, and the user’s preferences:
• Audio spectrum analyzer. Used to “see” a speaker’s frequency response in a room. This is used with
equalizers to adjust for a proper room response.
• Avia Guide to Home Theater, from Ovation Software (www.ovationsw.com).
OR
Video Essentials, from DVD International (www.videoessentials.com).
NOTE: The DAP8/RC is designed to be used only with a Crestron 2-Series control system.
NOTE: The DAP8/RC requires 21 Watts of Cresnet®power and may require a dedicated Crestron power
supply.
Toolbar Icons and Drop-Down Menus
The following is a brief explanation of the DAT software non-standard tool bar buttons and drop-down menu
items.
NOTE: When you launch the DAT software, the last project modified is opened. If this is not the file you
want to work on, click New, or Open to work with a different project. Otherwise, you may inadvertantly
overwrite a valid project.
File
This menu has the usual selections. You can also choose to save your current project as a template (Save as
Template) and then use it as a starting point for other projects, where additional adjustments can be made and
then saved by choosing Save As.
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Digital Audio Tools Crestron DAT Software
Edit
This menu includes Restore Factory Default Settings, which will return the unit to its original “out-of-the-
box” configuration. Default settings are noted throughout this document.
View
This is standard for all software applications and allows the choice to display the tool bar.
Options
This menu allows the choice of how many equalizers to display in the Parametric EQ tab. There is a single
EQ view and a view with two EQs.
Tools
This menu allows you to enter Realtime Mode (on the tool bar).Realtime Mode lets you hear all of the
configuration changes immediately as they are made, unless otherwise specified. Once in Realtime Mode, you
can choose Source/Noise Steering (on the tool bar). Selecting the Source/Noise Steering mode allows you
to select the built-in Pink Noise or Dolby Noise noise generators. You can also select an external noise source
or other program material for aid in setup of the DAP8/RC. In the “Source/Noise Steering” window, you can
specify speakers as active or inactive, thus allowing the adjustment of each speaker independently.
NOTE: When using any Source/Noise Steering selection, Bass Management is not active.
Window
This menu allows you to navigate through the tabs.
Mute (located at the bottom of the screen)
This is an emergency mute button that will immediately mute the DAP8/RC and all of its outputs. Pressing
the button again does not turn mute off. To un- mute the DAP8/RC, you must click the mute icon on the
tool bar or select Tools | Mute or press F8. (First, make sure the sound level is back to a reasonable level.)
Back / Next
Use these buttons to navigate back and forward through the tabs, one at a time.
Setup Procedures
Communications
The Communications tab allows you to define the settings for communication with the C2N-DAP8/RC in
order to download existing configuration files and upload new ones. It is important that you set the
communication parameters first before doing any of the other setup procedures.
The Connection Settings area is where you set the parameters for communication with the C2N-DAP8/RC.
Pass To: Checking this box means that the unit being configured is a Cresnet device and will
have its configuration sent to it through a Crestron control processor. If this box is unchecked,
then communication with the device is directly through its own RS-232 port. Refer to the
DAP8/RC manual for assistance with this communication type.
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Crestron DAT Software Digital Audio Tools
Device Type: This drop-down menu lets you specify whether the device is a Cresnet device or
a card that is inserted into an expansion slot (e.g., C2VEQ-4). The C2N-DAP8/RC is a
Cresnet device.
Cresnet ID: Enter in the Cresnet ID of the device. The default ship-with ID for the DAP8/RC
is 50.
Use the Viewport Settings button to display the “Port Settings” window to set the
communications parameters required to communicate to the processor or to the unit.
The Transfer Configuration area is where you choose to transfer the current configuration to the device (Send
to Device)or load it from the device (Retrieve From Device).
The Communication Transcript area contains a window and a Clear button. The window shows all of the
values sent to or retrieved from the device during communications. It is good to review if there are errors
when sending or receiving a configuration. The Clear button clears the current information in the window.
Speaker Sizes / Bass Management
The Speaker Sizes / Bass Management tab lets you specify the room speaker arrangement, and set the
crossover frequency for the subwoofer (bass management).
The Primary Configuration Mode drop-down choices are 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, and Other. These configurations mean
that you have five, six, or seven speakers plus one subwoofer. The Other configuration choice lets you define
any configuration.
NOTE: It is recommended to be in Realtime Mode to confirm the validity of the configuration. Certain
speaker configurations will not be valid and will cause an undesired response.
The available speaker size choices are Large, Small, and Not Present.
A speaker designated as Large can efficiently reproduce a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
A speaker designated as Small cannot efficiently reproduce the lower frequency ranges (80 Hz and below).
With a Small speaker, bass management is used to route the lower frequencies to the subwoofer. Bass
management uses a crossover to determine what frequencies to route to the subwoofer and what frequencies
to route to the speakers. Set the crossover according to what the speaker can efficiently reproduce in the
Crossover Frequency drop-down.
Not Present means that there is no speaker for that particular location.
NOTE: If a speaker cannot efficiently reproduce frequencies below 50 Hz, it is recommended that you set
that speaker to Small. Testing this speaker in Realtime Mode will help reveal the best setting.
The Crossover Frequency choices are 80 Hz, 100 Hz, and 120 Hz. The crossover is 12 dB per Octave. The
crossover is used when bass management is active, i.e., when Small speakers are selected in the Speaker Size
settings.
80 Hz: provides a crossover at 80 Hz. Speakers that cannot efficiently reproduce frequencies
80 Hz and below should use this setting.
100 Hz: provides a crossover at 100 Hz. Speakers that cannot efficiently reproduce
frequencies 100 Hz and below should use this setting.
120 Hz: provides a crossover at 120 Hz. Speakers that cannot efficiently reproduce
frequencies 120 Hz and below should use this setting.
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Digital Audio Tools Crestron DAT Software
Delays
Use this tab to enter the distance or timing of the speakers to the primary listening position. This is important
so that the sound arrives at the listener’s ears at the proper time in reference to the material and the other
speakers in the system. (The seat that will be used the most is considered the primary listening position.)
Feet: Using a tape measure, measure the distance from the front of each speaker to the
primary seat in the theater. Enter the measured distance in each box for its respective speaker.
Meters: Using a tape measure, measure the distance from the front of each speaker to the
primary seat in the theater. Enter the measured distance in each box for its respective speaker.
Milliseconds: Enter the amount of time for the sound from each speaker to reach the primary
seat in the theater. There are analyzers equipped to give a millisecond value from the time the
sound was produced to the time it reaches the listener’s position.
NOTE: Delays are not taken into effect in Realtime Mode until they are sent to the processor using the Send
button.
NOTE: When you retrieve delay values from a processor, the information is accurately displayed in
milliseconds.
NOTE: It is recommended to use distance (feet/meters) calculations for ease of use and a lower chance of
error.
Room Calibration
Use this tab to adjust each speaker to the same reference volume level. Use an SPL meter placed at the
primary listening location to measure the output of each speaker, using Dolby Noise as your reference. Make
sure you are in Realtime Mode for proper adjustment; use Source/Noise Steering to turn on the
Noise/External Source,and select the speaker you wish to use as the reference speaker. A level of 75 dB for
each speaker is desired.
Master Volume: Use this control to set only the “reference” speaker to 75 dB.
Available Speakers: The setting for all available speakers in the project starts at zero and has
a usable trim adjustment of –12 dB to 12 dB. After setting the “reference” speaker level, use
Source/Noise Steering to select each other speaker, in turn, and use the trim controls, not the
Master Volume, to achieve the proper 75 dB level.
LFE: This trim adjustment is for the Low Frequency Effects channel. The usable adjustment
is 0 to –10 dB, and attenuates the LFE portion of the signal while leaving the bass
information from the other channels at their original levels. Adjust this setting to suit your
personal preference and the requirements of your equipment.
NOTE: The zero button to the left of the Front Left trim control resets all speaker trim controls and the LFE
trim control to 0.00 dB; the Master Volume setting is not affected.
Input Settings
Use this tab to select the type of incoming signal and the decoding type for each source. Any analog input
also has an adjustment available for its input level; digital inputs have no adjustment. If so desired, setup of
the source and the decoding type for each signal can be left at their default settings and the user will not have
to make any selections.
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Crestron DAT Software Digital Audio Tools
Input Source: The drop down menu allows for the selection of each input. Clicking the button
to the right allows each input to be renamed.
Input Level Gain: This allows the adjustment of the selected analog input’s incoming signal
level. Use this to adjust each analog input so that as a switch from source to source is made,
the level of each source is consistent.
Signal Type: This lists the types of signals that could be supplied from the particular source.
Decoding Mode: This lists the default decoding mode for each possible input signal type. The
pull-down at the right of each decoding mode lists any available alternate decoding modes
that can be selected. User selection can be made for any of the available modes while
operating the unit. Please refer to the help file for the specifics of each decoding mode.
NOTE: Some decoding modes are not available in all speaker configurations. In such cases, the affected
mode listing will be dimmed.
The following is a brief description of each signal type and decoding mode available. Note that the first
decoding mode listed is the default mode. Any available alternate modes are listed below the default.
2-Channel: This signal type would be a stereo source from a CD player, cable box, etc. It is the only available
signal type for all analog inputs, and provides only a (front) left and right signal.
Decoding Modes Available: Stereo (default)
Dolby Pro Logic II Movie
DolbyProLogicIIMusic
DolbyProLogicIIMatrix
DolbyProLogic
DTS Ne o6: Cinema
DTSNeo6:Music
User-Controlled
Dolby Digital 5.1: This is a digital input signal and provides 5.1 channels of discrete surround sound (left,
center, right, surround left, surround right, and LFE).
Decoding Modes Available: Dolby Digital 5.1 (default)
Dolby Digital EX
User-Controlled
Dolby Digital 2/0: This is a digital input signal that provides only two channels of discrete sound (left and
right). It is different from 2-Channel in that this signal is digital and used in Dolby encoding and decoding.
Decoding Modes Available: Stereo (default)
Dolby Pro Logic II Movie
DolbyProLogicIIMusic
DolbyProLogicIIMatrix
DolbyProLogic
User-Controlled
Dolby Digital 2/0 Pro Logic: This is a digital input signal that provides two channels of sound with a Pro
Logic Flag (left, right, surround left, surround right).
Decoding Modes Available: Stereo (default)
Dolby Pro Logic II Movie
DolbyProLogicIIMusic
DolbyProLogicIIMatrix
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Digital Audio Tools Crestron DAT Software
DolbyProLogic
User-Controlled
Dolby Digital EX: This is a digital input signal that provides 5.1 discrete channels of surround sound and 2
matrix rear speakers. It uses Dolby Surround EX to do all of the decoding.
Decoding Modes Available: Dolby Digital EX
DTS Digital Surround: This is a digital input signal that provides 5.1 discrete channels of surround sound
(left, center, right, surround left, surround right, LFE).
Decoding Modes Available: DTS 5.1 (default)
User-Controlled
DTS ES Matrix 6.1: This is a digital input signal that provides 5.1 discrete channels of surround sound and
one matrix rear center (left, center, right, surround left, surround right, rear center, LFE).
Decoding Modes Available: DTS ES Matrix (default)
DTS ES Discreet 6.1: This is a digital input signal that provides 6.1 discrete channels of surround sound (left,
center, right, surround left, surround right, rear center, LFE).
Decoding Modes Available: DTS ES Discreet (default)
Output Settings
Use this tab to customize the level of all speakers in use to your personal preference. This differs from the
Room Calibration tab in that the levels you set are decoding mode specific. For example, if you would like to
hear more Center when listening to DTS Neo6: Cinema, you would make the adjustment here, so it only
affects this decoding mode.
Decoding Mode: The drop down menu lists all available decoding modes. Select the mode
you wish to adjust.
Dolby Digital 5.1(Default)
Dolby Digital EX
DolbyProLogic
Dolby Pro Logic II Movie
DolbyProLogicIIMusic
DolbyProLogicIIMatrix
DTS5.1
DTSESMatrix
DTS ES Discrete
DTS Neo6: Cinema
DTSNeo6:Music
Stereo
Decoding Mode Volume: This slider adjusts the overall volume of the decoding mode so that
it matches that of the other decoding modes. This helps to make a smooth transition from one
decoding mode to another without an audible difference in volume.
Speaker Adjustments: All available speakers in the project start at 0 dB and have a usable
adjustment of –30 dB to +12 dB. Adjust each speaker for the preferred level per decoding
mode.
LFE: This adjustment is for the Low Frequency Effects channel. The usable adjustment is
–15 dB to 0. Adjust to the preferred level per decoding mode.
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Crestron DAT Software Digital Audio Tools
NOTE: The level adjustments done here are in addition to the values set in the Room Calibration tab. The
total gain or attenuation is represented at the bottom of each slider.
Options: These are available for adjustment for music decoding modes only. The following
describes which options apply to which modes and what changes they cause to the mode.
Panorama, Center Width, and Dimension apply to Dolby Pro Logic II Music.
Panorama:Extends the front stereo image to include the surround speakers for a
wraparound effect with sidewall imaging.
Center Width: Allows variable adjustment of the center image so it may be heard
only from the center speaker, only from the left/right speakers as a “phantom” center
image, or various combinations of all three front speakers. Adjust for your listening
preference. Valid entries are 0 through 7.
Dimension:Allows an adjustment of the sound field either towards the front or
towards the rear. Adjust for your listening preference. Valid entries are 0 through 3.
Center Gain applies to DTS Neo6: Music:
Center Gain: Allows variable adjustment of the center image so it may be heard only
from the center speaker, only from the left/right speakers as a “phantom” center
image, or combinations of all three front speakers. Useable adjustment is 0 to 0.5.
Graphic EQ
Use this tab to select the amount of Graphic/ Parametric EQ’s to be used for each channel. You can also make
adjustments for all speakers among 10 presets. The adjustments made here will affect all active speakers.
EQ Mode: This describes the current Graphic/ Parametric configuration of the EQ’s and
allows the selection of different configurations. The default is 5 Graphic EQ’s/ 1 Parametric
EQ. When choosing to make a change to the default settings, you are prompted to let you
know the effect this will have on the processor. The options available are as follows:
0 Graphic EQ’s/ 6 Parametric EQ’s:
There are no graphic EQ frequencies available.
3 Graphic EQ’s/ 3 Parametric EQ’s:
The graphic EQ frequencies available for adjustment are:
250 Hz.
1000 Hz.
4000 Hz.
5 Graphic EQ’s/ 1 Parametric EQ:
The graphic EQ frequencies available for adjustment are:
63Hz.
250 Hz.
1000 Hz.
4000 Hz.
10000 Hz.
EQ Trim Preset: Use this drop-down to select the preset you would like to adjust. There are
up to 10 presets available for the graphic EQ’s. All presets affect all active speakers in the
system.
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Digital Audio Tools Crestron DAT Software
Adjustments: Use the slider controls at the bottom area of the screen to adjust the frequencies
available for the current configuration. The usable adjustment range for each available
frequency is –10 dB to 5 dB, with the default at 0 dB. You may use the slider or enter a
numeric value for adjustment. Clicking on the 0 button to the left of the first slider will set all
sliders to zero.
Parametric EQ
Use this tab to make all the fine adjustments for the speakers and the way they interact with the room.
Realtime Mode will have to be activated in order to hear the changes in real time and to use any internal or
external noise source for adjustment. The use of a parametric EQ allows a much finer adjustment across the
entire range of frequencies. This screen is designed to aid an experienced audio specialist who knows how to
use and adjust parametric EQ’s to balance a room. If this is your first time, please consult the help file and/ or
the latest version of the Crestron Surround Sound Primer (Doc. 6122) for information on the parametric EQ,
its uses and adjustments.
NOTE: It is recommended to use a Real Time Analyzer (RTA) when tuning a room. It is especially
important to use such a device when using parametric EQ’s, to obtain the best results for the room.
NOTE: If you would like to view two equalizers on one screen, click on Options | Number of Equalizers,
and check 2. This will make copying speakers and filters much easier.
The adjustment window(s) provide a graphic representation of the filters and allow adjustment of the selected
filters by using a mouse. The selected filter will appear in green and will create a green curve. This green
curve applies to the effect of each individual filter. The yellow curve will represent the overall effect of all the
filters for the given speaker. Movement of a filter left or right will change the frequency this filter affects.
Movement up and down will adjust the gain on the filter. Selecting either end of the line and adjusting it in
and out will adjust the bandwidth of the filter. The viewable range on this interface is 25 Hz to 20 KHz and
–12 dB to 12 dB.
NOTE: Right clicking in the adjustment window gives you the option to copy a filter, copy a speaker, paste a
filter, paste a speaker, and copy all filters from preset (#). This can be used to help simplify a system setup by
permitting you to copy and paste values from one speaker, filter, or preset to another.
Preset: Use this drop-down to select up to five available presets per speaker. When a
particular preset is chosen, all EQ settings will be used that were saved to that preset for all
active speakers. Clicking the button to the right will allow the preset to be renamed.
Speaker: Use this drop-down to choose the speaker to be adjusted with the parametric EQ.
Only the speakers activated in the Speaker Sizes/ Bass Management tab will be available.
Filter: Use this drop-down to choose which filter to adjust. A filter can also be chosen by
clicking on it in the adjustment window. A filter that is selected will appear in green. A filter
that is not selected will appear in yellow. When a filter is selected to be adjusted, the Filter
drop-down list shows the number of the filter being adjusted. If there are no filters available
in the window, click the Add Filter button at the bottom. If the desired amount of filters is
not available, check your settings in the Graphic EQ tab. If a filter is selected but does not
appear, refer to Show Filters, which follows.
Show Filters: Checking this box shows all the filters currently applied to the selected speaker.
Un- checking this box will show the curve that was created for the speaker using the filters.
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Fax: [phone] Specifications subject to
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Frequency: The usable range for frequency is 25 Hz to 20 KHz. This window shows any
current value for the filter and allows a new frequency to be entered for the selected filter.
Gain: The usable range for gain is –12 dB to 12 dB. This window shows any current value
for the filter and allows a new gain value to be entered for the selected filter.
Bandwidth: The usable range for bandwidth adjustment is 0.02 Octaves to 2 Octaves. This
shows any current value for the filter and allows a new bandwidth value to be entered for the
selected filter.
Filter Type: This drop down menu allows the selection of one of five different filter types for
adjustment of the selected filter. Refer to the help file for more information and examples of
each of the filters listed. The five filters and how they affect the speaker is explained below.
Low Pass: A low-pass filter passes all frequencies below the specified frequency,
while attenuating all frequencies above this specified frequency.
High Pass: A high-pass filter passes all frequencies above the specified frequency,
while attenuating all frequencies lower than its specified frequency.
EQ Filter: This filter is also known as a Peak/ Notch filter. Equalization (EQ) filters
permit a precise amplitude adjustment of a selectable range of frequencies. The range
can vary from a small slice of the frequency spectrum (0.02 Octave) to a 2 Octave
area. EQ filters allow a fine adjustment to compensate for room acoustics, noise, and
speaker limitations.
Notch filters (also called band-reject filters) are EQ filters used to remove unwanted
frequencies from a signal while affecting all other frequencies as little as possible.
Bass Shelf: A bass shelf filter uniformly affects all low frequencies while not
affecting high frequencies. The bass shelf filter can also be used to uniformly
decrease the bass frequencies to eliminate a booming bass sound.
Treble Shelf: A treble shelf filter affects all high frequencies in a uniform manner
while not affecting all low frequencies. The treble shelf filter can increase the
proportion of treble to bass, enabling the smaller speakers to produce a clearer sound.
Add Filter: This button allows you to add filters when pressed. If there are no additional
filters available, this button will be dimmed.
Remove Filter: This button will remove the selected filter when pressed. If no filter is
selected or available, this button will be dimmed.
Clear All Filters: This button will set all filter gains back to zero while keeping the current
frequency and type of filter at the last setting.
Saving the Configuration
Once you are satisfied with the results of the configuration settings, save the file. If you have not been
working in Realtime Mode, upload the project to the DAP8/RC as specified in “Communications” on page 2.
You may also wish to save the project as a template to be used as a model for other projects.
Crestron Electronics, Inc. Quick Start – DOC. 6238