DirectOut Technologies MA2CHBOX.XT User manual

D.O.TEC®MA2CHBOX.XT
Version 1.2
Manual
DirectOut Technologies®

DirectOut Technologies
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page 3 of 58
© 2012
DirectOut GmbH D.O.TEC®MA2CHBOX.XT Manual Version 1.2
Copyright Note
Copyright
All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or electroni-
cally reproduce any document or graphic in whole or in part
for any reason is expressly prohibited, unless prior writ-
ten consent is obtained from the DirectOut GmbH.
All trademarks and registered trademarks belong to their respective
owners. It cannot be guaranteed that all product names, products,
trademarks, requisitions, regulations, guidelines, specifications
and norms are free from trademark rights of third parties.
All entries in this document have been thoroughly checked;
however no guarantee for correctness can be given.
DirectOut GmbH cannot be held responsible for any mislead-
ing or incorrect information provided throughout this manual.
DirectOut GmbH reserves the right to change
specifications at any time without notice.
DirectOut Technologies®andD.O.TEC®are a
registered trademarks of the DirectOut GmbH.
© DirectOut GmbH, 2012

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Table of Contents
Table of contents
ABOUT THIS MANUAL 7
How to Use This Manual 7
Conventions 7
CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW 8
Introduction 8
Applications 9
How it works 9
Feature Summary 10
CHAPTER 2: LEGAL ISSUES & FACTS 11
Before Installing This Device 11
Defective Parts/Modules 12
First Aid
(in case of electric shock) 13
Contents 14
Updates 14
Intended Operation 15
Conditions of Warranty 16
Conformity & Certificates 17
Contact 18
CHAPTER 3: INSTALLATION 19
Installing the Device 19
CHAPTER 4: OPERATION 25
Introduction 25
Global Controls 26
Input / Sync 27
Display / Menu 30
Menu Map 36
Output Headphones 38

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Table of Contents
The Rear Panel (AC version) 39
The Rear Panel (DC version) 41
CHAPTER 5: OPERATING MODES 43
Introduction 43
Normal Mode 44
EC Mode 45
Extended Routing 46
Serial Embedder / Deembedder 47
CHAPTER 6: APPLICATION EXAMPLES 48
Introduction 48
Example 1: External Monitors 48
Example 2: Signal conversion + Observing 49
Example 3: Mobile Line Check 50
CHAPTER 7: TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTE-
NANCE 51
Troubleshooting 51
Maintenance 52
TECHNICAL DATA 53
INDEX 55
APPENDIX A - WIRING SKETCHES 58
DSUB-9 (AES Port) 58
Hirose HR10 (DC PSU) 58

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DirectOut Technologies
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© 2012
DirectOut GmbH D.O.TEC®MA2CHBOX.XT Manual Version 1.2
About This Manual
About This Manual
How to Use This Manual
This manual guides you through the installation and
operation of the MA2CHBOX.XT.
Use the Table of Contents at the beginning of the man-
ual or Index Directory (see page 55) to locate help
on a particular topic.
You can access more information and latest
news by visiting on the DirectOut website at
www.directout.eu.
Conventions
The following symbols are used to draw your attention
to:
Tips – indicate useful tips and short cuts.
Notes – are used for important points of clarification or
cross references.
Warning
Warnings – alert you when an action should always be
observed.

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Chapter 1: Overview
Chapter 1: Overview
Introduction
Welcome to the MA2CHBOX.XT, D.O.TEC’s head-
phone amplifier for monitoring MADI and AES signals:
The MA2CHBOX.XT can monitor any mono channel
or any stereo pair of 64 audio channels from a MADI
stream or the incoming AES signal. The signal is fed
to the headphone and AES output in parallel. The
MA2CHBOX.XT provides the following interfaces:
• Standard MADI I/O (coaxial, BNC and optical,
SC)
• two ExpressCard I/Os for use with RME MADI-
face
• AES I/O (adaptor DSUB-9 to XLR male / female)
• USB Port for transmission of RS 232 data (virtual
serial port) and firmware updates.
• Headphone output (stereo)

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Chapter 1: Overview
Applications
The MA2CHBOX.XT can be used for monitoring one
or two channels out of 258 channels (4 x 64 channels
MADI + 1 x 2 channels AES3).
Typical applications include:
• external monitors - the selected channel pair for
monitoring is copied to the AES output feeding
e.g. external digital monitors.
• recording with redundant systems - the incoming
MADI signal (main input) is mirrored to both Ex-
pressCard outputs feeding two RME MADIfaces.
• playback from an ExpressCard to the MADI
chain, thus allowing a virtual soundcheck (EC
Mode).
• signal control of MADI signals within a signal
chain; e.g. on stage for line check.
How it works
The input is selected in the menu. By turning the en-
coder knob, the desired channel pair is accessed or
the volume adjustment is done. Two modes (normal
mode / EC mode) allow different signal routing. The
USB port for RS 232 data transmission is switchable.
Thus allowing a transparent signalow through the
MA2CHBOX.XT.

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Chapter 1: Overview
MADI Ports 2 x MADI input and output
(Coaxial BNC connection and optical SC port)
ExpressCard Ports 2 x IEEE 1394a connector, proprietary
protocol (no Firewire), compatible with
RME MADIface ExpressCard
AES 1 x AES3 input and output
(adaptor DSUB-9 to XLR male/female)
MADI Formats 56/64 channel, 48k/96k Frame, S/MUX 2/4
Sample Rates 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz +/-12.5%
Headphone Output 6.3 mm TRS jack, stereo
Serial
Communication
RS-232 via USB (virtual COM Port
for Windows XP, Vista, 7)
Power Supply 1 x internal, C13 connector (safety class 1)
or
2 x external, Hirose connector (HR 10)
Feature Summary

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Chapter 2: Legal issues & facts
Chapter 2: Legal issues & facts
Before Installing This Device
Warning
Please read and observe ALL of the following notes
before installing this product:
• Check the hardware device for transport dam-
age.
• Any devices showing signs of mechanical dam-
age or damage from the spillage of liquids MUST
NOT be connected to the mains supply, or dis-
connected from the mains immediately by pulling
out the power lead.
• All devices MUST be grounded. The device is
grounded through its IEC power connections.
• All devices MUST be connected to the mains us-
ing the three-cord power leads supplied with the
system. Only supply electrical interfaces with the
voltages and signals described in these instruc-
tions.
• Do NOT use the device at extreme tempera-
tures. Proper operation can only be guaranteed
between temperatures of 5º C and 45º C and a
maximum relative humidity of 80 %, non-con-
densing.
• The cabinet of the device will heat up. Do NOT
place the device close to heat sources (e.g. heat-
ers). Observe the environmental conditions.

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Chapter 2: Legal issues & facts
Defective Parts/Modules
Warning
This device contains no user-serviceable parts. There-
fore do NOT open the device.
In the event of a hardware defect, please send the de-
vice to your local service representative together with
a detailed description of the fault.
We would like to remind you to please check care-
fully whether the failure is caused by erroneous
configuration, operation or connection before sending
parts in for repair. See „Chapter 7: Troubleshooting and
Maintenance“ on page 51 for assistance with trou-
bleshooting.

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Chapter 2: Legal issues & facts
First Aid
(in case of electric shock)
Warning
• DO NOT touch the person or his/her clothing be-
fore power is turned off, otherwise you risk sus-
taining an electric shock yourself.
• Separate the person as quickly as possible from
the electric power source as follows:
Switch off the equipment.
Unplug or disconnect the mains cable.
• Move the person away from the power source
by using dry insulating material (such as wood
or plastic).
• If the person is unconscious:
Check their pulse and reanimate if their res-
piration is poor.
Lay the body down and turn it to one side.
Call for a doctor immediately.
• Having sustained an electric shock,
ALWAYS consult a doctor.

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Chapter 2: Legal issues & facts
Contents
The contents of your MA2CHBOX.XT package should
include:
• 1 x MA2CHBOX.XT
• 1 x Power chord (AC-Version)
• 1 x external PSU (DC-Version)
• 1 x Adaptor DSUB-9 to XLR
• 1 x Manual
Updates
D.O.TEC®products are continually under develop-
ment, and therefore the information in this manual may
be superseded by new releases. To access the latest
documentation, please visit the DirectOut website:
www.directout.eu.
This guide refers to firmware version 1.9.

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Chapter 2: Legal issues & facts
Intended Operation
The MA2CHBOX.XT is designed for monitoring MADI
signals (AES10) or AES signals (AES3) via head-
phones or AES.
Warning
No compensation can be claimed for damages caused
by operation of this unit other than for the intended use
described above. Consecutive damages are also ex-
cluded explicitly. The general terms and conditions of
business of DirectOut GmbH are applied.
Warning
The use of headphones at high volumes may damage
your hearing.

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Chapter 2: Legal issues & facts
Conditions of Warranty
This unit has been designed and examined carefully by
the manufacturer and complies with actual norms and
directives.
Warranty is granted by DirectOut GmbH over the pe-
riod of two years for all components that are essential
for proper and intended operation of the device. The
date of purchase is applied for this period.
Warning
All claims of warranty will expire once the device has
been opened or modified, or if instructions and warn-
ings were ignored.
For warranty claims please contact the dealer where
your device was acquired.

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Chapter 2: Legal issues & facts
Conformity&Certicates
CE
This device complies with the basic requests of appli-
cable EU guidelines. The appropriate procedure for ap-
proval has been carried out.
RoHS
(Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substanc-
es)
This device was constructed fulfilling the directive on
the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substanc-
es in electrical and electronic equipment 2002/95/EC.
WEEE
(Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equip-
ment)
Due to the directive 2002/96/EC for waste disposal this
device must be recycled.
For correct recycling please dispatch the device to:
IMM Elektronik GmbH,
Leipziger Strasse 32
09648 Mittweida, Germany
Only stamped parcels will be accepted!
WEEE-Reg.-No. DE 93924963

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Chapter 2: Legal issues & facts
Contact
Sales:
DirectOut GmbH, Leipziger Strasse 32,
09648 Mittweida, Germany
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.directout.eu
Manufacturer:
IMM Elektronik GmbH, Leipziger Strasse 32,
09648 Mittweida, Germany
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.imm-gruppe.de

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DirectOut GmbH D.O.TEC®MA2CHBOX.XT Manual Version 1.2
Chapter 3: Installation
Chapter 3: Installation
Installing the Device
1. Open the packaging and check that the con-
tents have been delivered complete and undam-
aged.
2. Place the device on a non-slip horizontal sur-
face.
The delivered pads may be affi xed to the bottom of the
cabinet. Watch a clean and dry surface before affi xing
the pads.
Warning
The synthetics of the delivered pads might cause stains
on damageable surfaces. To avoid staining of furniture
surfaces it is recommended to place a protective plate
under the device.
Warning
Avoid damage from condensation by waiting for the de-
vice to adapt to the environmental temperature. Proper
operation can only be guaranteed between tempera-
tures of 5º C and 45º C and a maximum relative humid-
ity of 80%, non-condensing.
Ensure that the unit has sufficient air circulation for
cooling.

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Chapter 3: Installation
AC-Version (a)
3a. Using the power cord provided connect the de-
vice to a matching power supply:
Warning
This device MUST be connected to the mains using
the three-cord power leads supplied with the system.
Only supply the voltages and signals indicated (84 V –
264 V).
DC-Version (b)
3b. Connect the external PSU to a matching
power supply and plug in the Hirose connector
(HR 10) to the device:
This device may operate with only one power supply.
To provide power supply redundancy, it is recommend-
ed to connect both PSU 1 and PSU 2 to independent
power supplies with separate fuses.