Fairlight SX-48 User manual

SX-48
Service Manual
24 July 2008
Version 1.0

Important Notice
COPYRIGHT
The material in this document is copyright to Fairlight.AU Pty Ltd, and may not be quoted or reproduced
in any form without written permission from the company.
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owners.
LIMITED WARRANTY POLICY
All the software and hardware provided with, or purchased especially for, Fairlight products has been
tested for functionality. FairlightAU Pty Ltd will make its best efforts to correct reported defects for
future releases subject to technical practicalities. FairlightAU will also replace any defective media on
which software has been delivered provided that the item to be replaced is returned to the dealer who
supported the product within 90 days of purchase.
FairlightAU Pty Ltd makes no warranty or representation either expressed or implied with respect to the
system's performance or fitness for a particular purpose.
In no event will FairlightAU Pty Ltd be liable for direct or indirect damages arising from any defect in the
product or its documentation. Further, FairlightAU Pty Ltd will not accept any liability for any programs,
sounds, audio recording or sequences stored in or used with Fairlight products, including the cost of
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Copyright © 2006
FairlightAU Pty Ltd,
Unit 3, 15 Rodborough Rd,
Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086,
AUSTRALIA.
Telephone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Obtaining Technical Support
Users requiring technical support should contact their local distributor.
Information can also be found on the world wide web at:
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Manual Errors and Omission
To help ensure that Fairlight provides the most accurate and comprehensive documentation, please
report any errors or omissions to:
[email protected]

SX-48 Page 5
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................7
SX-48 (Signal Exchange 48 Channels)....................................................................................7
Purpose of this Document.....................................................................................................7
Warning ..............................................................................................................................7
Fitting and Changing Boards..................................................................................................7
Static Precautions...............................................................................................................................7
Orientation – VERY IMPORTANT .........................................................................................................7
SX-48 Basics........................................................................................................................7
Adding a Board ..................................................................................................................................8
CHAPTER 2 - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION ..........................................................................9
Contents of Box ...................................................................................................................9
SX-48 Sub-Systems ..............................................................................................................9
Base Unit...........................................................................................................................................9
System Boards...................................................................................................................................9
CHAPTER 3 - INSTALLATION PROCEDURE ..............................................................11
Installation Step-by-Step..................................................................................................... 11
Physical Installation............................................................................................................11
Environment ....................................................................................................................................11
Cabling............................................................................................................................................12
User Interface....................................................................................................................12
Factory Reset...................................................................................................................................12
Setup ..............................................................................................................................................13
CHAPTER 3 - PINOUTS.................................................................................................15
Analog Inputs ..................................................................................................................................15
Analog Outputs................................................................................................................................16
AES Inputs and Outputs ...................................................................................................................17
RUNNING SX-48 IN A DREAM II SYSTEM ...................................................................18
Sync.................................................................................................................................. 18
Audio Connection...............................................................................................................18
Order of Channels..............................................................................................................19
Naming Channels .............................................................................................................................19
Control via Ethernet............................................................................................................19
SX-48 CONFIGURATOR......................................ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
What this New Firmware offers................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
THE CONFIGURATOR...................................................................................................21
Search for SX-48s...............................................................................................................21
Room and Unit ID ..............................................................................................................22
Setting a new IP address. ...................................................................................................22
Upgrading Firmware...........................................................................................................24
Program Sync ....................................................................................................................26
Front Panel Control.............................................................................................................27
Diagnostics Section ............................................................................................................28
Configure FMC - Required!!.................................................................................................29
Using AES2........................................................................................................................ 30
APPENDIX A - SPECIFICATIONS.................................................................................31

SX-48 Page 6
Analog Inputs and Outputs ...............................................................................................................31
AES/EBU Inputs ...............................................................................................................................31
AES/EBU Outputs.............................................................................................................................31
Synchronization................................................................................................................................31
Dimensions, Weight and Power Requirements....................................................................................32

Service Manual CHAPTER 1-INTRODUCTION July 24, 2008
SX-48 Page 7
Chapter 1 - Introduction
SX-48 (Signal Exchange 48 Channels)
Fairlight’s SX-48 Signal Exchange unit provides flexible I/O management of both analog and digital
audio inputs and outputs and a packing density of up to 48 channels in a single 2U frame. Each
standard SX-48 frame ships with a MADI I/O card to provide a multiplexed bi-directional signal flow
for each 48 channel unit. Digital signals can be referenced to external AES, Word Clock or Video at
any standard frame rate, including tri-level references when used in a Hi Definition production
environment. If AES inputs are present, any AES input can be used as a reference for the system. The
front panel LED’s provide a clear indication as to the reference currently in use.
Central to the SX-48 design is the ability to flexibly configure units with any combination of up to six
audio I/O cards plus one MADI I/O card in each 2U frame. These cards can provide 8 x channels of
AES EBU I/O with Sample rate conversion, 8 channels of high quality analog inputs and 8 x channels
of Analog outputs. Optional relay protected analog outputs are also available if these channels are
required to connect to analog speakers.
Purpose of this Document
This document explains how to install, configure and test a Fairlight SX-48 audio interface box.
Warning
The SX-48 is an electrical device containing dangerous components and high voltages. Only
competent service technicians should open the box, and then only after turning off the power and
making sure that the unit is properly grounded.
Fitting and Changing Boards
Static Precautions
SX-48 installation may involve fitting of electronic circuit boards. Care must be taken when doing this
to avoid danger to oneself and damage to the equipment.
Please take note that all Fairlight manufactured electronic modules are static sensitive and should be
handled under anti-static conditions. When working on a system always ensure that you have an anti-
static lead connected and that the system is connected to ground through an earth lead.
Never work on the system while powered up unless you are authorized by Fairlight to do so. As a
matter of practice always touch the external chassis of the system before opening the front panel. If
cards are not handled under anti-static procedures your machine may sustain damage which could
either cause a complete failure or may cause intermittent crashes and subsequent system failure.
When handling cards please ensure that they are placed in anti-static bags when not in the system.
For shipment purposes electronic modules should be placed in an anti-static bag and then suitably
surrounded with loose packaging materials in a solid card board box. Cards shipped to Fairlight
without the correct anti-static packaging will have their warranty voided. If you have any enquiries on
this matter please feel free to contact your local Fairlight office or distributor.
Orientation – VERY IMPORTANT
WARNING – incorrect orientation of boards when installing can cause severe damage to the SX-48
unit. Make sure you carefully inspect the picture below before placing boards in the unit.
SX-48 Basics
The SX-48 is a synchronized audio conversion box. It converts as follows:

Service Manual CHAPTER 1-INTRODUCTION July 24, 2008
SX-48 Page 8
Analog →MADI
Analog ←MADI
AES/EBU →MADI
AES/EBU ←MADI
Adding a Board
All boards are fitted using connectors that press together. Excessive force is not required. I/O boards
use white Teflon guides to locate easily.
Ensure that the Teflon posts are correctly lined up to the holes in the board, and that the connectors
are correctly lined up. Check orientation against the illustration above.

Service Manual CHAPTER 2-SYSTEM DESCRIPTION July 24, 2008
SX-48 Page 9
Chapter 2 - System Description
Contents of Box
When you receive your SX-48, you should find the following parts in the box:
•One SX-48 chassis, pre-configured with the I/O cards you ordered.
•One IEC power cord
•One SX-48 Quick Start Manual
•One SX-48 Installation Manual (this book)
•One SX-48 CD-ROM containing software and your User Manual.
SX-48 Sub-Systems
The SX-48 consists of a number of sub-systems that are described below.
Base Unit
The Base Unit includes the metalwork chassis, the front panel, the Power Supply Unit, and the
motherboard.
System Boards
Every SX-48 includes the following system boards:
MADI
The MADI board provides an industry standard interface carrying 56* channels of audio at up to 48
kHz, or 28 channels at up to 96 kHz.
*Note that only the first 48 channels can actually be used at 48 kHz, because the unit only supports
that number of analog or AES digital channels.
Sync 1
The Sync 1 board provides interfaces for the following synchronization signals:
Internal (Crystal), AES digital audio, Word Clock , video (PAL or NTSC) and TSCP (Fairlight’s Total
Studio Connectivity Protocol).
I/O Boards
There are four types of I/O boards that can currently be fitted into the SX-48, in a variety of
combinations.
AI1 – Analog Input
The AI1 board provides 8 analog inputs at +4 dBu.
AO1 – Analog Output
The AI1 board provides 8 analog outputs at +4 dBu.
AO1M – Analog Output with Speaker Protection
The AO1M board provides 8 analog outputs at +4 dBu. It also includes circuitry that prevents pops
appearing at the outputs on power up and power down, and is therefore suitable for output to high
power monitoring systems.
AES1 – Digital I/O
The AES1 board provides 8 inputs and 8 outputs in AES/EBU format.

Service Manual CHAPTER 2-SYSTEM DESCRIPTION July 24, 2008
SX-48 Page 10
AES2 – Digital I/O with SRC
The AES2 board provides 8 inputs and 8 outputs in AES/EBU format. It also includes Sample Rate
Conversion circuitry, allowing signals of any sample rate to be fed to the SX-48, regardless of its
nominal sampling frequency.
Board Slots
The SX-48 includes 6 slots for I/O boards. They can be filled with any combination of I/O boards
desired by the owner.
Using combinations of the I/O boards, it is possible to configure the SX-48 in many different ways. For
example, it is possible to have 48 digital I/Os or 48 analog inputs or 48 analog outputs or 24 analog
inputs and outputs etc.
For detailed instructions on fitting boards, see the section Fitting and Changing Boards. In particular,
note the section on orientation of boards, because incorrect orientation can cause severe damage to
the unit.
Order of Boards
Any I/O board can go into any slot.
Each slot has 8 MADI channels associated with it. For example, Slot 1 is connected to MADI channels
1 to 8 (both input and output), while Slot 4 is connected MADI channels 25 to 32.
If an AI1 is installed in Slot 1, its 8 analog inputs will connect to MADI outputs 1 to 8, while MADI
inputs 1 to 8 will not be used.
If an AO1 is installed in Slot 1, its 8 analog outputs will connect to MADI inputs 1 to 8, while MADI
outputs 1 to 8 will not be used.
If an AES2 is installed in Slot 1, its 8 AES/EBU inputs will connect to MADI outputs 1 to 8, and its 8
AES/EBU outputs will connect to MADI inputs 1 to 8.
For use in DREAM II systems, please see Running SX-48 in a DREAM II System, below.

Service Manual CHAPTER 3-INSTALLATION PROCEDURE July 24, 2008
SX-48 Page 11
Chapter 3 - Installation Procedure
Installation Step-by-Step
The following guide is Fairlight’s recommended step-by-step procedure for installation and
commissioning the SX-48.
Step 1 Unpack
Check the contents of the box, as outlined in the section “Contents of Box” above.
Step 2 Install Hardware
See “Physical Installation” below.
Step 3 Factory Reset
See “Factory Reset” below.
Step 4 Check LEDs for correct functioning
See “Check I/O Hardware Indication” below.
Step 5 Set Sample Rate and Sync Source
See “Sample Rate” and “Sync Source” below.
Step 6 Test with audio
Physical Installation
Environment
The system is designed to be operated in a clean air-conditioned environment. Generally, an area
comfortable for people (20°C - 21°C) should be suitable. The unit is intended for rack mounting, and
it is recommended that support be given at the rear of the unit, as it is quite heavy. People installing
the SX-48 should exercise caution in lifting it into place, as back injury can result from incorrect lifting
technique.
The SX-48 uses fans for ventilation. Make sure that the rack unit has access for cool air to flow
through the opening on the front of the SX-48 and warm air to be expelled from the back. There is no
need to leave vertical spaces between SX-48 units in the rack, as long as the flow of air to and from
the fans is good.
As with all computer systems, the SX-48 will operate more reliably if static generating floor coverings
are avoided.
Do not fit the SX-48 into a closed environment except where ducted cool air is forced through the Unit.
Do not run the unit whilst it is on or near the ground as it will accumulate dust, which may eventually
cause a failure.
Please Avoid:
•Fitting the SX-48 where air circulation will be restricted
•Installing close to a heat source
•Installing in dusty or damp area
•Installing in area subject to vibration
•Installing in area with strong magnetic or electric fields

Service Manual CHAPTER 3-INSTALLATION PROCEDURE July 24, 2008
SX-48 Page 12
Cabling
Power
Insert power cable in Standard IEC socket at rear of unit. Its hardware switch must be turned on for
unit to operate.
Audio Boards
Slots are numbered from the RIGHT when viewing the unit from the rear.
SX-48 uses DB-25 connectors for audio. Each type of I/O board uses a different layout of pins for its
audio signals. Please see section Pinouts below for details.
Note that cables for the DigidesignTM 192 interface are suitable for use with SX-48.
Sync
You may connect all the sync sources at the same time, and choose from time to time which one to
use. The following connectors are used:
•Video Sync – BNC
•Word Clock – BNC
•AES sync – XLR
•TSCP – BNC
All connectors are labeled. Pinouts for these connectors can be found in Chapter 4 – Pinouts, page 15.
User Interface
The following guide explains how to get the unit running once it has been mounted in the rack, and
all connections made to it.
Factory Reset
Perform a Factory Reset when FIRST commissioning the SX-48. It is rarely necessary later.
Use a screwdriver or similar tool to press and hold the Setup button while powering up the unit (at the
front left). Hold it pressed for a few seconds, until LEDs on the front panel are lit.
This resets the patching and Ethernet IP address of the unit to factory standard settings.
Multiple voltages are supported: (100V,
110V, 230V or 240V
at 50 or 60 Hz)
Setup button is
behind this hole in
the metal.