Dan Dugan Sound Design E-3A User manual

Dan Dugan Sound Design
Model E-3A Automatic Mixing Controller
User Guide
Release Date: September 2017
Version: 1.5
Author: Rob Wenig

Important Safety Instructions and Warnings
The Model E-3A’s circuitry is made in the USA and meets applicable national safety standards.
Standards Compliance
The third-party power supply provided with this product has been certified to comply with UL
and CE.
Safety Instructions
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. WARNING! To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus
to rain or moisture.
7. Clean only with dry cloth.
8. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.
9. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
10. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized
plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two
blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for
your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.
11. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, conve-
nience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
12. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. WARNING! Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required
when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is
damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus
has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
15. WARNING! To reduce the risk of electric shock, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. No
user serviceable parts inside.

Warranty Statement
Warranty: One year parts and labor
Dan Dugan Sound Design warrants that Model E-3A hardware will be free from defects in
components and workmanship for a period of 12 months from the date of invoice. During the
warranty period, Dan Dugan Sound Design will cover the cost of all parts and labor to remedy
the defect, or replace products which prove to be defective. Dan Dugan Sound Design is
not obliged to honor this warranty if the hardware has failed to be maintained and operated
as specified by Dan Dugan Sound Design, in the accompanying documentation, or other
than in accordance with industry standards. Defects caused by unauthorized modifications,
misuse, negligence, act of God or accident are not covered by this warranty. Software is
provided as a convenience, but due to the wide variety of computer systems, cannot be
guaranteed to work. This Limited Warranty is exclusive and no other warranty is expressed
or implied. Dan Dugan Sound Design does not warrant that Dan Dugan Sound Design soft-
ware, or any third-party software, is error free. Third party branded or manufactured
goods are supplied by Dan Dugan Sound Design with care but without responsibility
and subject only to third party suppliers’ warranties. In all other respects Dan Dugan
Sound Design is not liable for consequential damages.

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5
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................... 9
Chapter 2: Theory of the Speech and Music Systems.............. 11
Dugan Speech System........................................................................ 11
Insert Patching .................................................................................... 12
Dugan Music System ........................................................................... 13
Insert Patching .................................................................................... 14
Chapter 3: Quickstart............................................................................................. 17
Front Panel ............................................................................................... 17
System Reset .......................................................................................... 17
Audio Connections ................................................................................ 18
Patching Console Inserts ................................................................... 18
Setting Console Input Gains ............................................................. 19
Linking......................................................................................................... 20
Chapter 4: Installation ........................................................................................... 21
Rack Mounting ........................................................................................ 21
Back Panel Connectors and Switches ......................................... 21
Model E-3A Modes............................................................................. 23
Linking .................................................................................................. 25
Word Clock .......................................................................................... 25
Power.................................................................................................... 26
Mix Matrix Outputs.............................................................................. 26

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Chapter 5: Connecting to a Computer .................................................... 27
Connecting to a Network .................................................................... 28
Connecting to a Computer Directly................................................ 30
Manually Add Unit ................................................................................. 32
Setting a Specific IP Address ........................................................... 33
Chapter 6: Dugan Control Panel Software........................................... 35
Top Pane ................................................................................................... 36
Adding Units Manually ....................................................................... 37
Setting Controls ...................................................................................... 37
Naming Units and Channels ............................................................. 37
Channel Pane.......................................................................................... 38
Level Indicator..................................................................................... 39
Bypass.................................................................................................. 39
Channel Modes................................................................................... 40
Preset ................................................................................................... 41
Channel Groups.................................................................................. 42
Override................................................................................................ 42
Meters................................................................................................... 43
Weight Controls .................................................................................. 43
Master Pane............................................................................................. 46
Reset .................................................................................................... 47
Meters................................................................................................... 47
Clock Source ....................................................................................... 47
System.................................................................................................. 48
Mix Buses ............................................................................................ 49
Group Master Controls ...................................................................... 51
Master Panels ..................................................................................... 51

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Chapter 7: Pre-fader Insert................................................................................ 55
Workaround to Create Post-fader Insert...................................... 55
Pre-fader Insert....................................................................................... 55
Muting Channels................................................................................. 55
Pre-listening to Muted Channels ...................................................... 56
Chapter 8: Dugan Music System and Gain Limiting ................... 57
Dugan Music System ........................................................................... 57
Meter..................................................................................................... 58
NOM Gain Limit .................................................................................. 58
Music System Threshold Input Channel ......................................... 58
Music System Threshold Input Level .............................................. 58
Auto Mix Depth.................................................................................... 58
Setting up the Music System ............................................................ 58
Completing Setup of the Music System .......................................... 60
Controlling Ambience......................................................................... 61
Gain Limiting ............................................................................................ 61
Gain Limiting and the Music System ............................................... 61
Gain Limiting and the Speech System ............................................ 62
Musical Theater ...................................................................................... 62
Chapter 9: Front Panel.......................................................................................... 63
All Channels Screen............................................................................. 64
Top Row............................................................................................... 64
Channel Block Selection.................................................................... 64
Eight Channels Screen........................................................................ 65
Top Row............................................................................................... 65
Miniature Control Panel ..................................................................... 66
Bottom Row ......................................................................................... 67

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Group Master Screen........................................................................... 67
Top Row............................................................................................... 67
Group Master Controls ...................................................................... 67
Menu Screen............................................................................................ 67
Channels Setup Screen...................................................................... 68
Back Panel Switches.......................................................................... 68
Automix Channels .............................................................................. 68
Reset to Default .................................................................................. 68
Sync Source ........................................................................................ 69
Network Setup Screen......................................................................... 69
Mix Bus Matrix......................................................................................... 70
Mix Bus Matrix Masters Screen........................................................ 70
Mix Bus Matrix Screen....................................................................... 71
Mix Bus Matrix Eight Channel Screen............................................. 71
Scene Memory Screen........................................................................ 72
Chapter 10: Updates .................................................................................................. 75
Appendix A: Connector Pinouts ..................................................................... 77
Appendix B: Specifications ................................................................................. 81

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Chapter 1: Introduction
The Dugan Model E-3A Automatic Mixing Controller helps professional audio mixers
handle multiple live mics without having to continually ride their individual faders.
This signal processor can be patched into the input insert points of an audio mixing
console. Then each mic channel is processed in the Dugan controller and returned
to the console for mixing. Alternatively, internal mix buses in the Model E-3A can be
used to sum channels.
The Dugan detects which mics are being used and makes fast, transparent cross-
fades, freeing the mixer to focus on balance and sound quality instead of being
chained to the faders. The Model E-3A crossfades unscripted dialogue which eliminates
cueing mistakes and late fade-ups. It also reduces comb filtering from adjacent mics
while avoiding the choppy and distracting effects common to noise gates.
The Model E-3A supports a broad spectrum of live mixing applications:
•Conferencereinforcement,videotrucks
•Housesofworship
•TVnewsandsportspanels,realityandgameshows
•Wirelessmicsfortheater
•Boardroomsandcivicmeetingrooms
•Teleconferencinganddistancelearning
The Model E-3A includes three patented automatic mixing algorithms:
• Dugan Speech System™reduces noise and feedback in dialog applications
• Dugan Music System™reduces ambient noise, bleed, and feedback when mixing a
musical group
• Dugan Gain Limiting
™protects against feedback when using the Music System

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The Model E-3A can:
•processupto32channels(16AESand16ADAT);
• be remote controlled from the Dugan Control Panel for Java (included), Dugan
Control Panel for iPad (sold separately), and the Dugan Model K Control Surface;
•bedirectlycontrolledfromitsownfrontpanel;
•linkwithotherDuganautomaticmixingcontrollerstocreatealargersystem;
•partitionchannelsintoonetothreegroupsthatcanspanlinkedunits;
•createseparatesystemsthatdonotinteract(i.e.,forseparatestudios);
•convenientlyconnectmultipledevicesviathreenetworkports;
•bepoweredbyPoE.

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Chapter 2: Theory of the Speech and Music Systems
Dugan Speech System
The Dugan Speech System is a patented and trademarked automatic mixing function.
The Speech System distributes the gain of one open microphone over the entire system,
maintaining a natural ambience. This is nothing like the annoying fluctuation of levels
and uneven ambience in a conventional gating system.
The system automatically manages any number of live mics in unpredictable dialogue
situations. When one person speaks, that mic’s gain fades up instantly, and the others
down. When the speaker pauses, all mics fade to medium gains that sum to equal one
mic at full gain. The result sounds like passing one mic around among the speakers.
When several people talk at once, the gain is shared.
Figure 2-1 Four snapshots of a three-mic system. The bottom row represents the automixer’s virtual faders.
Figure 2-1 shows the Speech System automatic mixing in action with a three-mic
system with no speaker, one, and two speakers:
•No one speaking:Thesoundlevelsatallmicsarelow.Thesystemfadesallchannels
to medium gains that sum to the equivalent of one mic at full gain.
•One person speaking: The system fades their gain to full, while fading down the
other two inputs.
•A different person speaking: The system fades their gain to full, while fading
down the other two inputs.
•Two people speaking: The system shares the gain between them, while fading
down the other input.

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Insert Patching
Figure 2-2 Post-fader insert patching
The Dugan Speech System is best patched post-EQ, post-fader, pre-compressor:
•Post-EQ:Equalizationcanbeappliedtodifferentmictypessotheysoundmorealike,
which benefits both the sound quality and the automixing process.
•Post-fader: This allows muting channels on the console by pulling down the fader
or activating the mute button. Patching the Dugan pre-fader leaves the mic in the
automix even when the fader is down or the console channel is muted.
Most analog consoles only have pre-fader inserts. You can use Dugan automixing
with these consoles but you must be careful to mute channels by muting on the
Dugan, not the console.
•Pre-compressor:TheDuganSpeechSystemworksontheleveldifferencesbetween
channels. Compression reduces level differences between channels, making auto-
mixing less effective. It is OK to patch post-compressor if only occasional peak
limiting occurs. However, if compression is active during normal speech, better
results will be obtained by patching the Dugan pre-compressor.
EQ
MICROPHONE!
INPUT
INSERT!
POINT
INSERT!
POINT
MIX BUS
CONSOLE
INSERT!
POINT
DUGAN CONTROLLER
DCA
WEIGHT
FADER
ALGORITHM

Dugan Model E-3A User Guide Theory of the Speech and Music Systems
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Dugan Music System
Music System
The Music System is a soft-gating ducking system with its threshold set by an audio
signal, typically from a mic measuring the ambient sound level. Each channel has a
2:1 expansion ratio below the floating threshold.
The Music System can also be used to duck an audience mix when the people on
stage talk, attenuating the sound of the PA in the room. Use an aux send of the stage
vocal mix to supply the threshold signal instead of a mic.
The following example (Figure 2-3)showshowtheMusicSystemworkswiththreeback-
ground vocalists.
•No one singing:Thesystemkeepsallchannelsatalowgain.
•One person singing:Thesystemfadestheirgaintofull,whiletheothertwoinputs
stay low.
Figure 2-3 The Dugan Music System; the bottom row represents the automixer’s virtual faders.
•Adifferentpersonsinging:Thesystemfadestheirgaintofull,whiletheprevious
singer’s mic fades down, and the other input stays low.
•Two people singing: The system gives their channels full gain, while the other
input stays low.
Unlike the Speech System, there is no interaction between inputs, so the artistic
mix is preserved.
70
60
50
40
Sound
at mics
(dBSPL)
0
-10
-20
-30
Resulting
automix
gains (dB)
No one singing Mic 2 singing Mic 3 singing Mics 2 & 3 singing Music System!
Threshold Input
Threshold!
follows!
audio level
Depth set to!
-15 dB

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Insert Patching
Figure 2-4 Pre-fader insert patching
The Dugan Music System is best patched post-EQ, pre-fader, pre-compressor:
•Post-EQ: Automixing works better if it operates on the same sound you hear,
therefore it should occur post-EQ.
•Pre-fader: This allows the automix expansion threshold to remain stable while
adjusting the mix with the faders.
•Pre-compressor: The Dugan Music System works better with consistent ambi-
ence caused by bleed from neighboring voices and instruments. It is OK to patch
post-compressor if only occasional peak limiting occurs. However, if compression
is active during normal singing or playing, better results will be obtained by
patching the Dugan pre-compressor.
EQ
MICROPHONE!
INPUT
INSERT!
POINT
INSERT!
POINT
MIX BUS
CONSOLE
INSERT!
POINT
FADER
DUGAN CONTROLLER
DCA
WEIGHT
ALGORITHM

Dugan Model E-3A User Guide Theory of the Speech and Music Systems
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Gain Limiting
Gain Limiting is used along with the Music System—the Speech System doesn’t need
it. It reduces master gain as new mics become active, thus avoiding feedback and
noise. This is commonly called NOM (number of open mics) gain adjustment. Unlike
NOM functions on other systems, Dugan Gain Limiting does not base its gain limiting
calculation on the number of open mics. Instead it sums the gains of all active
channels (including partially attenuated channels), compares them to a gain
threshold, and reduces the gain appropriately.
Figure 2-5 NOM and gain reduction: NOM =1 (left); NOM = 4 (right)
Conventional automatic mixing implementations always assume an NOM of 1. The
Dugan’s unique implementation allows you to set the number of mics that will
operate at full gain before gain limiting occurs. For example, if there is enough gain
before feedback to tolerate four open mics, the gain limit can be set to 4. Gain reduction
begins when the fifth mic turns on.
NOTE: Since the Model E-3A has no master audio channel, Gain Limiting reduces the gain on all
channels in the group for which NOM is active.
Gain
Reduction
(dB)
8
6
4
2
0
Number of Open Mikes
(NOM)
4
2
0
6
8
10
Gain
Reduction
(dB)
8
6
4
2
0
Number of Open Mikes
(NOM)
4
2
0

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Dugan Model E-3A User Guide
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Chapter 3: Quickstart
This section provides step-by-step instructions to help you get started quickly using
the Dugan Speech System to mix up to 16 channels of AES I/O. If you need more than
16 channels of I/O or wish to use the Dugan Music System, skip this chapter.
In this Quickstart you will:
• Execute a system reset.
• Set the audio interface to AES using the back panel switch.
• Patch inserts to the console.
• Set console input gains.
Front Panel
The front panel has a display, navigation arrow buttons, and a dual-function encoder
knob that can be pushed or turned. The cursor is a box around a selected item that
is moved using the navigation arrow buttons.
NOTE: Pressing the ENTER button or the knob performs the same function. We will refer to the
item which is easiest to use in the context.
System Reset
This System Reset command sets all parameters to factory default settings and clears
label text. We recommend executing a System Reset before starting a new installa-
tion. This is just like zeroing a console before a show.
To reset the system:
1. Navigate to MENU on the front panel, and press ENTER.
2. Select Scene Memory and press ENTER.
3. Navigate to Recall, turn the knob to select Factory Defaults, and press ENTER.
4. Set the NORM-SLAVE switch on the back panel to NORM (up) for unlinked operation.

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Audio Connections
Move the AES–ADAT switch on the back panel to the AES (up) position.
The DB-25 connectors (wired with the Tascam convention) are used for digital I/O.
Since digital mixers use a variety of I/O connectors, you must obtain a DB-25 digital
breakout adapter cable to connect to the console.
Figure 3-1 Model E-3A back panel
Patching Console Inserts
To interface the Model E-3A using AES connections:
• In the console’s internal patching system, route each Model E-3A channel as a
post-fader, pre-compressor insert to each mic channel (see figure below).
Figure 3-2 Post-fader, pre-compressor insert patch for the Dugan Speech System on a Yamaha digital mixer.
If compression is needed, on this console patch it in INSERT 2.

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Setting Console Input Gains
Dugan automixers require enough console preamp gain so the algorithm can mea-
sure the ambient noise level on each channel.
To set the console gain level:
1. Navigate up to MENU and press ENTER.
2. Use the navigation arrows to select Channel View and press ENTER.
This displays the status of all channels, and like the Top Pane in the Dugan Control
Panel, allows you to select a block of eight channels to view in detail.
3. Use the navigation arrows or turn the knob to select the desired block.
Figure 3-3 All Channels screen
4. Press the ENTER button or the knob to switch the display to that eight-channel
block.
The Eight Channels screen appears.
Figure 3-4 Eight Channels screen
5. When no one is talking, set each console preamp so there is enough gain in each
channel so the level LED at the top of the Dugan front panel display stays on and
all meters float at about the same gain.
This procedure assures smooth automatic mixing.
level LED

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Linking
Up to eight Dugan units can be linked into a single automatic mixing system. The
audio I/O for each unit must be connected individually. Linking passes only control
information between Dugans, not audio.
One unit must be set to be the master and the others slaves:
1. Designate one unit as the master by setting the NORM–SLAVE switch on the back
panel to NORM (up).
2. Designate any other units as slaves by setting their NORM–SLAVE switches on the
back panel to SLAVE (down).
3. Use ADAT (Toslink) cables to link units in a ring network (see below).
Note that all LINK IN and OUT connectors are used to create the ring.
Figure 3-5 Linking multiple Dugans
LINK IN LINK OUT LINK IN LINK OUT LINK IN LINK OUT
(MASTER)
NORM
SLAVE SLAVE
NORM
SLAVE
NORM