DigiDesign D-Control User manual

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D-Control Desk Module
Installation Guide

Copyright
This guide is copyrighted ©2004 by Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc.
(hereafter “Digidesign”), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide
may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of
Digidesign.
DIGIDESIGN, AVID and PRO TOOLS are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Digidesign and/or Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are
subject to change without notice.
PN 932713897-00 REV A 08/04

Contents iii
Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction and Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
D-Control Desk Module Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Desk Module Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Desk Module Expansion Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Desk Module Optional Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Desk Module Top Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Chapter 2. Installing a Desk Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Attaching Spacer Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installing the Units on the Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installing the Rack Equipment Enclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Desk Module Installation Guide iv

Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview 1
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview
The D-Control™ Desk Module option lets you add a produc-
tion workspace and integrate external gear into your Digide-
sign ICON system. Its distinctive industrial design maintains
the professional look and adds a new dimension of conve-
nience to the D-Control console.
D-Control Desk Module Features
The D-Control Desk Module is the same size as a D-Control
Fader Module, and provides the following features:
• Built-in 19-inch rack unit with a total of 11U available
rack space, for console-mountable audio hardware
• Blank meter bridge and rack panels that match the
D-Control look and feel
• Sub-surface rack equipment enclosure for hiding large
rack-mounted equipment and cabling
• Flat, sturdy workspace for equipment or documents
Desk Module Components
The following components are included in a D-Control Desk
Module:
• D-Control Desk Module
• (1) 3U blank rack panel
• (2) 4U blank rack panels
• (4 pcs) rack equipment enclosure
• Assembly and stand mounting hardware
• Cabling accessories
Desk Module Expansion Options
Any number of Desk Modules can be added to a D-Control
system, up to the maximum possible D-Control stand size,
which is the equivalent of 112 channels of stand space. (Each
Desk Module occupies the equivalent of 16 channels of stand
space.)
For details on Desk Module expansion options, visit the
Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com).
Desk Module Optional Hardware
The following optional hardware is available for D-Control
Desk Modules:
• Blank rack panels (in 1U, 2U, 3U and 4U sizes)
•Set of extra 10-32 x 3/4-inch button head cap screws and
nylon washers for mounting equipment in the Desk
Module rack spaces
• Replacement Lexan covering for Desk Module meter
bridge (for customizing the meter bridge)
For details on Desk Module customization options, visit the
Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com).

Desk Module Installation Guide 2
Desk Module Top Panel
Meter Bridge
The D-Control Desk Module ships with a solid, Lexan-covered
metal panel in the meter bridge area.
If you choose to customize the meter bridge section of your
Desk Module (by adding third-party meter elements or other
hardware), you can order a replacement Lexan covering from
Digidesign and trim it to fit your installed hardware.
Rack Spaces
The 19-inch rack section on the D-Control Desk Module com-
prises a total of 11U rack spaces, and can accommodate the
following:
•Top: 3U of deep rack gear (up to 12 in/30 cm deep)
• Middle: 3U of shallow rack gear (up to 4 in/10 cm deep)
•Bottom: 5U of deep rack gear (up to 15 in/37.5 cm deep)
Work Space
The work space in the front of the Desk Module is suitable for
supporting hardware such as audio equipment remote con-
trols or laptop computers, or work materials such as note-
books or clip boards.
Rack Equipment Enclosure
The rack-equipment enclosure is a four-piece, open-bottom
sheet metal box that can be attached to the bottom of the
Desk Module to protect and hide from view any rack-mounted
gear and cabling under the console.
Figure 1. D-Control Desk Module top panel
Middle Rack Spaces (3U)
Bottom Rack Spaces (5U)
Top Rack Spaces (3U)
Meter Bridge
Work Space

Chapter 2: Installing a Desk Module 3
Chapter 2: Installing a Desk Module
If you are adding a Desk Module to a previously installed sys-
tem, you will first need to rebuild the D-Control stand to ac-
commodate the larger configuration.
After the stand has been assembled, the next step is preparing
the Fader Modules and Desk Modules for installation.
Attaching Spacer Plates
A metal spacer plate goes between each unit on the D-Control
stand.
A spacer plate is pre-installed on the right side of each Fader
Module and Desk Module. Depending on the size and config-
uration of your D-Control system, you may need to remove
the plate from the rightmost Fader Module or Desk Module,
and install it on the previous unit on the stand. Refer to the
section below for example system configurations (16-fader
and 48-fader systems are shown).
16-Fader System Plus Desk Module
If you are building a 16-fader D-Control and a Desk Module,
you can place the Main Unit to the left, to the right, or in
between the Fader Module and the Desk Module.
◆
If you need to move the spacer plate from the rightmost
Fader Module or Desk Module and install it on another unit,
refer to “Moving the Spacer Plate” on page 4.
◆
If you can use the spacer plates as pre-installed on the Fader
Module and Desk Module, proceed to “Installing the Units on
the Stand” on page 5.
For details on assembling the D-Control stand, refer
to the D-Control Guide or the D-Control Expanded
System Guide.
Figure 2. D-Control spacer plate
Figure 3. 16-fader system with Desk Module (possible configurations)
Main
Fader
Main Fader Fader
Main in center
Main on right
Main on left
or
Desk
or
Desk
or
Desk
Fader
or
Desk
Fader
or
Desk
Fader
or
Desk
Main

Desk Module Installation Guide 4
Larger Systems Plus Desk Module
If you are building a D-Control system with more than 16 fad-
ers and a single Desk Module, you can place the Desk Module
anywhere in relation to the Main Unit. The example in
Figure 4 represents the equivalent of 64 channels of stand
space. (This could be a 48-fader system plus one Desk Module,
a 32-fader system plus two Desk Modules, or even a 16-fader
system plus three Desk Modules.)
◆ If you need to move the spacer plate from the rightmost
Fader Module or Desk Module and install it on another unit,
refer to “Moving the Spacer Plate” on page 4.
◆
If you can use the spacer plates as pre-installed on the Fader
Modules or Desk Modules, proceed to “Installing the Units on
the Stand” on page 5.
Moving the Spacer Plate
When installing a Fader Module or Desk Module on the right
side of a D-Control system, you will need to remove the spacer
plate from the module and place it on the right side of previ-
ous D-Control unit.
To move the spacer plate:
1 Remove the screws holding the spacer plate in place. Make
sure to note the location of the longer screws (2 in the front
and 5 in the back) as you remove them.
2 Remove the spacer plate from the right side of the Fader
Module or Desk Module.
3 Replace the screws in the side of the Fader Module or Desk
Module, making sure to replace the long screws in their corre-
sponding holes.
4 Remove the corresponding screws from the right side of the
previous D-Control unit, and attach the spacer plate with the
same screws.
Figure 4. 64-channel configuration
Do not use a power screwdriver or similar high-torque
device to remove and replace the screws for the spacer
plate, as it might strip the threads in the screw housing.
Fader
or
Desk
Fader
or
Desk
Fader
or
Desk
Fader
or
Desk
Main
Figure 5. D-Control spacer plate (removed from a Fader Module)
Figure 6. Removing the spacer plate from a Fader Module
The holes on the spacer plate are countersunk for instal-
lation on the right side of a unit. Do not attach the spacer
plate to the left side of any D-Control unit.
long screws (5)
long screws (2)

Chapter 2: Installing a Desk Module 5
Leveling the Pins on the Rightmost Unit
Each D-Control unit ships with two pins in its right side to an-
chor the units together on the stand. These pins are not
needed on the rightmost unit in your configuration.
To level the roll pins on the rightmost unit:
1 Identify the unit that will occupy the rightmost position in
your configuration.
2 Use a small hammer to tap in the two pins the right side of
until they are flush with the side of the unit. (There is no stop
inside the pin rails, so you will be able to install new pins if
you expand your system later.)
Installing the Units on the Stand
After the D-Control Main Unit, Fader Modules, and Desk
Modules are prepared for installation, the units are placed on
the stand in the appropriate order for your configuration. In-
stall the units from left to right on the stand.
To install the D-Control units on the stand:
1 Lift the first unit into place on the stand so the channels in
the bottom of the unit go over the rear and front rails of the
stand.
2 Slide the unit to the left side of the stand, leaving a gap of
about an inch (2 cm) between the side of the unit and the
flange on the inside of the stand.
Figure 7. Installing the roll pin in the top of a D-Control unit
Figure 8. Installing the roll pin in the front of a D-Control unit
Top roll pin
location
Front roll pin
location
Figure 9. Placing a Desk Module on the stand
Figure 10. Leaving a gap between the unit and stand

Desk Module Installation Guide 6
3 Lift successive units into place on the stand, being careful
not to bend the pins in the units you installed previously.
4 Slide the units together, guiding the pins in each unit into
the corresponding holes in the side of the next unit.
5 Attach the units to the front and rear rails from below with
M6 x 8mm Philips pan head screws, using a total of 6 screws
for the Main Unit (3 each in the front and rear rails) and a to-
tal of 4 screws for each Fader Module or Desk Module (2 each
in the front and rear rails). Make sure to leave these screws
loose enough so that the units can still move side-to-side rel-
ative to the rails.
Installing the Rack Equipment
Enclosure
The rack equipment enclosure consists of four sheet metal
parts, which are installed one piece at a time on the bottom of
the Desk Module after the module is attached to the D-Con-
trol stand. The pieces are then joined together after they in
place under the Desk Module.
To install the rack equipment enclosure on the Desk Module:
1 Lift the Back panel into place on the back of the Desk Mod-
ule and attach it to the bottom of the module with M4 x 8 mm
Philips pan head screws. Leave the screws loose until you have
attached all of the enclosure panels.
Figure 11. Attaching a unit to the rails from below
For details on closing up the stand and installing the
plastic side and leg caps, refer to the D-Control
Guide or the D-Control Expanded System Guide.
Figure 12. Rack equipment enclosure parts
If you assemble the four pieces of the rack equipment
enclosure before attaching them to the Desk Module,
you will not be able to fit the enclosure between the
pan support rail and the stand crossbar.
Figure 13. Attaching the enclosure back panel to the Desk Module
Left side panel
Right side panel
Front panel
Back panel

Chapter 2: Installing a Desk Module 7
2 Lift a side panel into place under the Desk Module and align
it with the back panel. (You will need to tilt the panel at an an-
gle to fit it between the pan support rail and the stand cross-
bar.)
3 Attach the side panel to the bottom of the Desk Module
with M4 x 8 mm Philips pan head screws. Leave the screws
loose until you have attached all of the enclosure panels.
4 Place and attach the other side panel to the bottom of the
Desk Module in the same manner.
5 Attach the front panel to the Desk Module with M4 x 8 mm
Philips pan head screws. Leave the screws loose until you have
attached all of the enclosure panels.
6 With all four panels in place, attach the panels to each other
with M4 x 8 mm Philips pan head screws.
Figure 14. Lifting the enclosure side panel into place
Figure 15. Attaching the enclosure side panel to the Desk Module
Figure 16. Attaching the enclosure front panel to the Desk Module
Figure 17. Attaching the enclosure back panel to the side panel
Figure 18. Attaching the enclosure front panel to the side panel

Desk Module Installation Guide 8
7 Tighten all of the screws that attach the enclosure to the
Desk Module.
When the enclosure is assembled, you are ready to mount
equipment in the rack area of the Desk Module.
Mounting Equipment in the Desk
Module
Equipment Depth
When mounting equipment in the Desk Module, check to
make sure there is sufficient clearance at the stand crossbar
(for the top rack spaces), or at the rear stand rail (for the mid-
dle rack spaces) for the equipment and any associated cabling.
Cable Runs
When running audio and power cables to equipment in the
Desk Module, you can use the provided cable ties to run cables
into the rear stand rail and out the side of the rack equipment
enclosure, protecting cables and hiding them from view.
Figure 19. Assembled rack equipment enclosure