Ecler DP400 User manual

USER MANUAL

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User Manual Contents
1.IMPORTANTREMARK 04
2. INSTALLATION 05
3. INTRODUCTION 06
4.FRONTPANEL 07
5.REARPANEL 09
6.THEMAINMENU 10
7.INPUTS 12
8.OUTPUTS 13
9.SOFTWARE 15
10. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS 24
All numbers subject to variation due to production tolerances. ECLER S.A. reserves the right to make changes or
improvements in manufacturing or design which may affect specifications.

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1. IMPORTANT REMARK
Congratulations! You are the owner of a carefully designed and manufactured equipment. We
thank you for trusting in us and choosing our DP400 processor.
In order to get the optimum operation and efficiency from this unit, it is VERY IMPORTANT
- before you plug anything - to read this manual very carefully and bear in mind all considerations
specified within it.
We strongly recommend that its maintenance be carried out by our Authorised Technical
services.
Precautions
This apparatus must be earthed through its mains cable.
Do not expose the unit to rain or water splashes, and do not place liquid containers or
incandescent objects like candles on top of the unit.
Should any connection / disconnection task be done, always disconnect the unit from the
mains supply.
There are no user serviceable parts inside the unit.
Ground Loops
Care should be taken, so that the different mechanical and electrical grounds, as well as the
chassis and ground connections arriving to the device, to be independent from each other.
Ground loops can be easily detected through a low frequency hum noise (50Hz). Depending on
the level of this noise, it can interfere on the music quality.
Audio connections
Usually, many people do not care enough about the quality of cables. Many times, because of a
bad connection or bad quality cables, there can be important problems during the music reproduction.
Cleaning
The control panel must not be cleaned with any dissolvent, abrasive or petroleum derived
substance else paint and silk-printing could be damaged. Whenever cleaning should be necessary use a
soft cloth slightly wet with water and neutral liquid soap. Be careful that no liquid gets into the unit
through its orifices. Never use sharp or erosive objects to scratch the control panel.

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2. INSTALLATION
The DP400 can be mounted in a standard 19” rack (482.6 mm) taking up one height unit
(44 mm).
For professional use it is recommended to place the processor in the same rack as the power
amplifiers.
Given the small power consumption of the unit, no ventilation is required. Nevertheless, it is
advisable not to expose the unit to extreme temperatures as well as ensure a dry and dust-free operating
environment.
It is important not to place the processor next to electrical noise sources such as transformers,
voltage dimmers, motors, etc. or their mains supply cables. The metal cover of the device should never
be removed under any circumstance for that same reason.
The DP400 operates with alternate current (AC) between 90 and 264V at 47 to 63Hz. This device
features an oversized power supply which adapts itself to any mains voltage around the world, without
the need of manual adjustment.
Even though the noise produced by powering up is minimum, it is always advisable to follow this
power up sequence: signal sources, mixing unit, processor and, finally, power amplifiers. The power
down sequence must follow exactly a reverse order. By closely following this sequences, all peaks or
transients produced by switching on and off devices do not affect the next devices in the chain and, of
course, never reach the loudspeakers, which are extremely sensitive about this.

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3. INTRODUCTION
DIGITAL LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM PROCESSOR DP400
The ultimate solution for comprehensive adjustment and control of complex loudspeaker systems
with remote control using the DP:lab2 software. Excellent audio quality and dynamics. The DP400 uses
high quality Σ-Δtype AD/DA converters.
Main features:
 Superb audio quality thanks to its 24-bit DSP and its 48kHz sampling rate.
 2 inputs and 6 outputs. Includes the following operating modes:
o x-over 2x2 way + 1 extra output
o 2x3 way stereo
o x-over 4 way + 2 extra outputs
o x-over 5 way + 1 extra output
o x-over 6 way
o All inputs and outputs muted
 Selectable Crossover slopes of 6,12,18,24 or 48dB per octave and filter types: Butterworth,
Linkwitz-Riley or Bessel.
 Parametric or shelving equalizer for a smooth system frequency response.
 Input and channel gain adjustment range from -40 dB to +12 dB.
 Limiter and compressor. Limiter/compressor output, attack and release times with adjustable
threshold.
 Phase invert option per channel.
 Electronically balanced inputs and outputs.
 Up to 682 ms signal delay per input.
 Up to 21 ms signal delay per channel.
 30 memory bank locations for user programs.
 Password-controlled safety lock and data protection system.
 2x20 character blue backlit LCD.
 DP:lab2 control software to configure and programme all parameters of the DP400 unit over a
USB port.

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4. FRONT PANEL
Input VU-meter
The input VU-meter lets you visually monitor the input signal level, having
indications for –30dB, -24dB, -12dB, -6dB and –3dB.
Furthermore, LIMIT and CLIP indicators are provided. Apart from normal
operation for input level monitoring, digital clipping is also shown here.
If the CLIP led lights up but the LEDs below do not, this means that the
digital audio signal is clipping (DSP) and not the analogue input stage. This may
happen if inadequate EQ or excessive gain is applied to any of the outputs.
Output VU-meter
The output VU-meter lets you visually monitor the output signal level relative to a
trigger threshold adjustment. If a +4dB signal is sent to an output with a trigger threshold of
0dB, the –6dB led will light up.
MUTE Buttons
By pressing these buttons (one for each output channel) the selected channel is
muted. If the output is muted, the associated led next to the button is lit.
Rotary encoder wheel
By turning the encoder wheel clockwise or counter-clockwise,
parameters and values shown on the display can be incremented or
decremented. The encoder wheel also features a push-button function. At
each press, the parameters for the next input or output channel are
accessed cyclically. By pressing and simultaneously turning the wheel,
inputs and outputs can be accessed more quickly.
USB Connector
The system comes with a USB B-type connector that is used to communication the
DP400 up to the PC and establish a connection between the DP400 and the DP:lab2 software,
allowing you to fully manage the processor from your computer.

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PREVIOUS and NEXT keys
By pressing these keys, individual settings of a certain menu item chosen by pressing the
encoder can be accessed. Example: If you are in the PROGRAM screen, PREVIOUS and NEXT will
lead you to the individual adjustable parameters inside the PROGRAM menu.
◄and ►keys
These buttons are used to set the selected parameter shown
on the screen reached by pressing PREVIOUS or NEXT. Once you
have selected the adjustment, use the ENCODER to perform
numeric adjustments on the parameter in question.
SAVE/ENTER key
This key is used to store new programs to the internal memory of the device. The ENTER key is
also used to confirm certain actions.
RECALL Key
Press this button whenever you wish to recall a previously saved program from the internal
memory of the DP400. To recall a program stored in memory, first press RECALL and then select the
desired program using the ENCODER. Once selected, press ENTER.
LCD Display
The blue backlit LCD features two rows of
20 characters.
 The upper left part shows the input (IN) or
output (OUT) channel currently being
edited.
 The upper right part and lower part shows the value associated with the parameter selected in
the input or output currently being edited.
 Also, when any modification to the current program has been made, an asterisk will appear on
the LCD screen.
ON-OFF switch
Simply turns on or off the unit. Please ensure the correct electrical installation before
switching ON the system.

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5. REAR PANEL
The rear panel features following connections:
Mains socket
The DP400 features a 3-pin IEC socket for mains supply. The fact of having a switched mode
power supply, allows the use of a wide range of mains specifications: from 90 to 264 VAC at frequencies
between 47 and 63 Hz. Before switching on the unit, please ensure that the DP400 is connected to earth
and that the electrical installation fulfils the local safety regulations.
Input Connectors (CH1, CH2) and Output Connectors (Output 1-6)
The DP400 has two inputs (CH1 and CH2) on three-pin female XLR sockets. The pin layout is
following: Pin 1 is Ground, Pin 2 is +signal (hot) and Pin 3 is –signal (cold). The six outputs of the DP400
(OUTPUT 1-6) are on three-pin male XLR sockets. As in the input connectors, Pin 1 is Ground, Pin 2 is
+signal (hot) and Pin 3 is –signal (cold).

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6. THE MAIN MENU
From the MAIN MENU, you can manage functions and parameters like:
 Selecting the preset or operating mode (PROGRAM submenu)
 Loading, storing and deleting configurations stored in the processor’s internal memory
(PROGRAM submenu)
 Security options (use a password to block the processor) (SECURITY submenu)
To call up the main menu, press the ENCODER several times until MAIN MENU appears.
The following diagram shows the main menu and each of its submenus:
6.1. LOAD PRESET MENU: CONFIGURING THE OPERATING MODE
The DP400 allows the following operating modes:
1. x-over 2x2 way + 1 extra output
2. 2x3 way stereo
3. x-over 4 way + 2 extra outputs
4. x-over 5 way + 1 extra output
5. x-over 6 way
6. All inputs and outputs muted
Once installed and switched on, the unit should be configured in order to
choose the operating mode (preset). For this, you must:
 Press the ENCODER several times until MAIN MENU –
PROGRAM appears on the screen.
 Press ENTER. The preset selection submenu, LOAD PRESET,
will appear.
 Press ENTER again to display the 6 operating modes, which are
easy to choose by turning the ENCODER. Press ENTER to load
the desired operating mode. The processor is now ready for you
to configure its inputs and outputs (see the INPUTS and
OUTPUTS sections below).