D&R Airlab User manual

AIRLAB
User Manual
Mixing consoles
Version 2.02
D&R ELECTRONICA WEESP BV
Rijnkade 15B
1382 GS Weesp
The Netherlands
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: http://www.d-r.nl
E-mail: [e-mail]

Contents
Airlab from D&R Phone [phone], email: [e-mail] Page 2
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 4
2 PACKAGE CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................. 5
3 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................................ 6
4 TRIPLE INPUT STEREO MODULE................................................................................................................ 9
4.1 SHORT OVERVIEW OF TRIPLE INPUT MODULE FUNCTIONS .......................................................... 11
5 TRIPLE DIG INPUT MODULE ...................................................................................................................... 17
5.1 SHORT OVERVIEW OF TRIPLE DIG INPUT FUNCTIONS................................................................... 19
6 TELCO MODULE.......................................................................................................................................... 25
6.1 COMMUNICATION WITH TELCO MODULE ......................................................................................... 28
7 MODULE CONNECTORS............................................................................................................................. 29
8 MASTER SECTION....................................................................................................................................... 30
9 TIMER AND SYSTEM-SETUP...................................................................................................................... 33
9.1 7.1 CUE RESET..................................................................................................................................... 33
9.2 7.2 AIRLAB METERING......................................................................................................................... 33
10 BACK PANEL CONNECTORS................................................................................................................. 35
11 AIRLAB MASTER BACK PANEL WIRING .............................................................................................. 38
12 AIRLAB JUMPER SETTINGS .................................................................................................................. 40
12.1 TRIPLE INPUT MODULE....................................................................................................................... 40
12.2 TELCO MODULE................................................................................................................................... 43
13 INSTALLING/SERVICING THE AIRLAB.................................................................................................. 44
14 HOW TO PROGRAM THE AIRLAB.......................................................................................................... 48
14.1 MODULE SETTINGS............................................................................................................................. 48
14.2 MASTER SETTINGS ............................................................................................................................. 59
14.3 SYSTEM SETUP ................................................................................................................................... 60
14.4 TIMER.................................................................................................................................................... 62
14.5 MENU DIAGRAM................................................................................................................................... 63
15 WINDOWS SOFTWARE ........................................................................................................................... 64
15.1 INSTALLATION ..................................................................................................................................... 64
15.2 GETTING STARTED ............................................................................................................................. 64
16 SPECIFICATIONS..................................................................................................................................... 67
17 SICO REMOTE UNIT ................................................................................................................................ 68
18 DIRECTOR UNIT (DISCONTINUED) ........................................................................................................ 69
19 LIST OF FIGURES.................................................................................................................................... 70
20 LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................................................... 71
21 AIRLAB USER QUESTIONNAIRE............................................................................................................ 72
22 PRODUCT SAFETY.................................................................................................................................. 73
23 DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY.......................................................................................................... 75
24 DISCLAIMER ............................................................................................................................................ 76

Contents
Airlab from D&R Phone [phone], email: [e-mail] Page 3

Introduction
Airlab from D&R Phone [phone], email: [e-mail] Page 4
1 INTRODUCTION
Dear client,
Thank you for choosing the Airlab console.
The Airlab is designed by specialists in the field of radio broadcast and is intended to be used as an 24
hour "On-Air" console as well as a production console.
We are confident that you will be using the Airlab for many years to come, and wish you much success.
We always value suggestions from our clients, and we would therefore be grateful if you could complete
and return the questionnaire included at the back of this manual, once you have become familiar with your
Airlab. We will certainly learn from your comments, and very much appreciate your time doing this.
With kind regards,
Duco de Rijk
PRESIDENT

Package Contents
Airlab from D&R Phone [phone], email: [e-mail] Page 5
2 PACKAGE CONTENTS
The Airlab package comes with the following parts inside.
•1x Airlab
•1x This manual
•1x Airlab Control Center supporting Win98SE/Win2000/WinXP/WinNT4.0
•1x Chipcard
•1x Power cable

System Description
Airlab from D&R Phone [phone], email: [e-mail] Page 6
3 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
D&R Quality
D&R has been the largest manufacturer of mixing consoles and signal processors in the Netherlands for
26 years. More than 90% of the total production is exported worldwide. This market demands excellent
pricing and quality standards.
D&R products are used in studios and live performances, both of which require 100% reliability, which is
the result of 26 years of research, design and manufacturing.
These high standards of reliability are also to be found imbedded in the new line of broadcast mixers,
which is particularly important for this type of product, required to work around the clock.
Airlab Quality
The high standard of quality of the Airlab is demonstrated by the welded steel RF screening and sturdy
housing, the heavy duty power supply, its modular approach and locking IDC connectors mounted on high
quality double sided, plated through, glass epoxy printed circuit boards.
The signal paths are electronically switched using CMOS logic and 'FET' components, ensuring reliable
and smooth switching.
High quality 100mm faders control the new redesigned "THAT" VCA's. Switching is performed by isolated
encapsulated reed relays guaranteeing many years of trouble free smooth switching.
Airlab flexibility
The Airlab is a specially designed production/ On-Air broadcast console. Although the design has been
carefully budgeted, no compromises have been made in either quality or features, particularly in the areas
of VCA control, switching, signaling, fader start/stop and communication.
The Airlab is fully modular, which means flexibility in the configuration. The Triple input modules as well as
the Telco input modules can be placed anywhere in the chassis. A partially loaded Airlab can be completed
using low cost 'blind modules'.
Digital programmable
Most of the important module functions such as module set-up as well as overall master settings are
programmable and can be saved on a personal memory card or in the internal memory of the Airlab.
The LCD in the master section helps you with the programming. There is also a possibility to do this on
your PC by way of RS232 communication.

System Description
Airlab from D&R Phone [phone], email: [e-mail] Page 7
The Airlab is a complete and self-contained piece of hardware, requiring no additional items in order to be
operated. All relevant functions are built-in, such as fader start/stop (pulse or continuously selectable).
There is also no need for complex mic-on/cough switching to the announcer booth. A stereo jack, a LED
and a simple push-button switch complete this task.
The optional SiCo unit is a nice looking alternative with many extras for Cough switching and monitoring.
Built-in stereo headphone amp
The Airlab contains built-in headphone amps for the Announcer and Guests. No additional amps are
needed. The Studio output needs to be hooked up to a power amp that can handle +6 dBu as nominal
level for full power.
Clear layout
To create a clear layout most of the switches have LED indicators, large CUE/SELECT and ON switches
and the front panels are angled for visibility.
All similar functions in the triple input channels are color-coded with additional fader knobs available for
personalized channel color-coding.
Example: Microphone channels: red fader knobs
Telephone channels: gray fader knobs
Stereo channels: black fader knobs
Radio communication
On the basis that there's no radio without communication, the Airlab has extensive possibilities for
signaling and communications. Every microphone channel has its own signaling and talk back circuitry and
all outputs can also be connected to the talk back circuitry.
The announcer/technician/producer/director can communicate with the announcer booth, guests,
monitoring system, all connected Telco modules and auxiliaries, either individually or in any combination.
A very intelligent CUE system connects every activated CUE switch with each other to create a transparent
and intuitive communication system. It will be explained in detail further in this manual.
Signaling
It is extremely important in broadcast to know whether a microphone channel is active.
Every channel has a red light signaling available on the remote connector.
The Airlab has two external connectors for ON-AIR (mic-on) signaling to control external relays activating
high voltage ON-AIR lamps.
NEVER CONNECT 115-230 VOLT LAMPS DIRECTLY TO THE ON-AIR SIGNALING OUTPUTS IN
THE MASTER SECTION!!

System Description
Airlab from D&R Phone [phone], email: [e-mail] Page 8
Broadcasting Options
In designing the Airlab, D&R decided to make the system as flexible for the operator as possible. Therefore
the Airlab can be used in many ways.
There's a minimum of jumper settings, which can be set to suit your own needs. Most of the settings are
under software control in the master section and can be stored to a chip card.
The Airlab can be used in a traditional manner with separate control and announcer rooms, or in a more
open way, whereby announcing and engineering control are carried out in one room. A self-op setup, or a
combination of several setups is possible.
More than one Broadcast Studio
There are numerous monitor facilities in the Airlab for external sources as well as internal sources. The
control monitors (and meters) can be switched to follow the control room for separate (stereo) sources.
These features mean that the Airlab is specially suited to work in a studio-complex environment, where
there is more than one studio/control room being used for broadcast.
In this situation, the Airlab is capable of being the main On-Air console due to the two main outputs it
contains. These main outputs can be fully transformer balanced as an option.
Special Recording Outputs
The Airlab has a special Tape/Recording output on a 0dBu output level.
Double Stereo VU/Peak Metering
In order to achieve a good balance between spoken words and music, it's important to be able to read the
recording level accurately. The Airlab has a standard 4 VU meters reading per pair the main output and the
CUE output. A PPM version of the VU meter is available as an option.
SUMMARY
Whilst using the Airlab, you'll discover its many hidden features, and will continue to appreciate its
extensive capabilities.

Triple Line Input Stereo Module
Airlab from D&R Phone [phone], email: [e-mail] Page 9
4 TRIPLE LINE INPUT STEREO MODULE
MONO
Every channel has a mono switch with LED to send a mono input signal to both outputs of
the module.
(PHANTOM POWER, not on frontpanel.
48 volt switchable by a jumper setting (see also chapter 12))
MIC-TRIM
The trim control adds an extra 13dB of mic gain to the mic pre-amp. An optimal gain range
can be accomplished in this way.
GAIN
The gain control adjusts the incoming signal level on the MIC and LINE input.
LINE A
The triple module default is in 'LINE A' mode. Operating the 'LINE B' switch or the MIC
switch changes the mode.
LINE B
When line B is selected (with optional RIAA correction amp), the green LED is illuminated.
MIC
MIC input selector switch between MIC-input or Line-A/B input. When the LED is illuminated
the MIC-input is activated.
HIGH
Adjusts high frequencies with +/- 12 dB at 10 kHz shelve.
MID
Adjusts mid frequencies with +/- 12 dB at 1 kHz bell.
LOW
Adjusts the low frequencies with +/- 12 dB at 60 Hz bell.
SUB
The sub switch assigns the signal in stereo to the sub output.
PROG(RAM)
The program switch assigns the signal in stereo to the program output.
STEREO AUX
Transmits a stereo signal to the AUX master post fader. A jumper on the board determines
whether this is pre or post VCA.
The channel 'ON' switch also affects the aux send (only when set to post fader).

Triple Line Input Stereo Module
Airlab from D&R Phone [phone], email: [e-mail] Page 10
PAN
Allows adjustment between the left and right channel outputs.
CUE/SELECT
Stereo pre-fade listening; allows pre-fade listening of the channel with the fader closed.
The CUE function will be automatically TURNED OFF when the channel becomes active.
The CUE switch also generates a start/stop pulse in the line-mode.
The CUE switch also acts as a SELECT switch for the programming of the modules
functions.
ON
Channel on/off switch. The Airlab is capable of sending out a pulse by ON switch as well as
by fader. This is software programmable. In any case the adjacent LED will lit when the ON
switch is activated.
FADER
The linear fader controls a VCA that controls the module's overall level. Electronics sense
when the fader is opened and generates (when programmed) the start for remotely
connected devices.