FAR AV6.D User manual

PROFESSIONAL AUDIO MONITORING
AV6.D - AV6.D+ - AV8.D
USER MANUAL
ATD
2
(Audio Technology Design & Distribution)
6 Rue Bois de Sclessin, B-410 Ougrée, Belgium
Web: www.atd .com Email: info@atd .com

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TABLE OF CONTENT
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 6
1.1 This Manual............................................................................................. 6
1. The Product Concept................................................................................. 6
1.3 Digital Precision ....................................................................................... 6
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................... 7
3 SPEAKER SETUP .............................................................................................. 8
3.1 Connectivity ............................................................................................ 8
3.1.1 Analogue Input..................................................................................... 8
3.1. AES/EBU Input ..................................................................................... 9
3.1.3 AES/EBU Output ................................................................................... 9
3.1.4 FAR Link Network ................................................................................. 9
3. Operation Overview.................................................................................. 9
3.3 Parameter definition ................................................................................10
3.3.1 Speaker Volume ..................................................................................10
3.3. Digital Channel Selection ......................................................................10
3.3.3 Signal Input Selection ..........................................................................11
3.3.4 Digital Output Selection ........................................................................11
3.3.5 Analogue Full scale selection .................................................................1
3.3.6 Curve selection....................................................................................1
3.3.7 EQ Set selection ..................................................................................13
3.3.8 Speaker relative level ...........................................................................14
3.3.9 Relative speaker delay..........................................................................14
3.3.10 Shelves and Tilts ..............................................................................14
3.3.11 Speaker ID ......................................................................................17
3.3.1 Network mode .................................................................................17
3.4 Network Operation ..................................................................................19
3.4.1 Control chaining constraints ..................................................................19
3.4. Digital audio chaining constraints...........................................................19
4 SYSTEM SETUP ............................................................................................... 0
4.1 Analogue Setup ...................................................................................... 0
4.1.1 Stereo System..................................................................................... 0
4.1. Multi-channel 5.1 System ..................................................................... 0
4. Digital setup ........................................................................................... 1
4. .1 Stereo .0 System ............................................................................... 1
4. . Stereo .1 System ...............................................................................
4. .3 Multi-channel 5.1 System ..................................................................... 3
4. .4 Multi-channel 6.1 System ..................................................................... 5
5 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................... 7

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REVISION HISTORY
Date Version Author Change
2010-12-12 1.0 X. Lambrecht Initial revision
PRODUCT COMPLIANCE
The AV , AV6 and AV8 monitors comply with the following specifications:
-EN 55103-1: Product family standard for audio, video, audio-visual and
entertainment apparatus for professional use – Part 1: Emission
-EN 55103-2: Product family standard for audio, video, audio-visual and
entertainment apparatus for professional use – Part : Immunity
-EN 55022: Information technology equipment. Radio disturbance characteristics.
Limits and methods of measurement (Class B)
-EN 60065: Safety requirements for main operated electronics and related
apparatus for household and similar general use.
-8 /336/EEC European Directive on electromagnetic compatibility (harmonized
standard)

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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus
(including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
10. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
11. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with
the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to
avoid injury from tip-over.
12. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
13. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has
been damaged in any way, such as power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled
or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture,
does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
..Warning!..
•To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this equipment to dripping or splashing
and ensure that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, are placed on the equipment.
•Use a three wire grounding type line cord like the one supplied with the product.
•This equipment should be installed near the socket outlet and disconnection of the device should
be easily accessible.
•To completely disconnect from AC mains, disconnect the power supply cord from the AC
receptacle.
•The mains plug of the power supply shall remain readily operable.
•Do not install in a confined space.
•Do not open the unit - risk of electric shock inside.
..Service..
There are no user-serviceable parts inside. All service must be performed by qualified personnel.

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1INTRODUCTION
1.1 This Manual
The latest manual revision is always available for download from www.atd .com. Please
compare to the revision number of the manual (see page 4) available for download from
our web-site and download if newer. The present document will describe how to connect
and setup a speaker system.
1.2 The Product Concept
The FAR Active monitor systems take a quantum leap forward in near-field / mid-field
monitoring and ATD
2
is very proud to present these systems. The AV series include high
quality analogue amplification with the addition of powerful DSPs and CPU. New
possibilities are opened for easy, convenient and central control of both audio and setup-
info via dedicated PC software and remote control. The networking possibilities will fit
nicely into today's applications and can be taken far into the future studio.
The AV monitors are Pro Audio near-field / mid-field monitors and are excellent for stereo
and surround setups in applications such as Music Recording/Mixing, Post production,
Film, Broadcast, Video-editing etc.
Unlike many rear-ported monitors that can be very unpractical to set up, the ways AV
monitors feature a front-ported bass reflex that allows flush mounting and easy
placement in the room.
1.3 Digital Precision
The frequency response and timing of the woofer, medium and tweeter signals (gain and
delay) of the AV monitors is controlled to a level of precision only practically obtainable
with DSP.
All the filters available in the speaker are implemented in the digital domain. This
guarantees a perfect repeatability from speaker to speaker. They will never vary with
temperature, humidity and aging. It cannot be made more accurate and stable.
The monitor impulse response has been optimized to guarantee the best possible
dynamics and accuracy.
As most productions do end up in a digital format these days, the FAR Active monitors
allow direct monitoring of the digital signal. Simply feed the monitors directly with an
AES/EBU signal (IEC60958 compliant).
However, as many studios are today still working with analogue signals for monitoring,
all the FAR Active monitors have, as standard feature, a very high quality analogue input.

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2PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The AV monitors are multi-amplified ( amplifiers in total). There is one amplifier per
driver unit. Refer to chapter 5 [Technical Specifications] for details.
All FAR Active monitors have the same capabilities and features. There are also no
special requirements on power ON and OFF sequences of the monitors. The speakers
were designed to be “clicks and plops” free, in any conditions.
The following figure describes the speaker synoptic.
Figure 1: Monitor Synoptic
The signal processing can be subdivided in multiple functional blocks, as described in the
next figure.
SPEAKER
EQUALIZATION
10 BAND
EQUALIZER
CURVE
FILTERS
SPEAKER
DELAY
2 WAY
XOVER
DRIVER TIME
ALIGNMENT
DRIVER TIME
ALIGNMENT
DRCGAIN
GAIN
SPEAKER
LEVEL
DRC
Figure 2: Monitor DSP Functional blocks

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3SPEAKER SETUP
All controls, display and connectors are located at the rear of the monitor with the
exception of a front LED that indicates when the speaker is powered ON and that also
signals with various types of blinking the network activity, amplifier limiter in service and
hardware faults.
PUSH PUSH
NETWORK
DIGITAL OUT DIGITAL IN ANALOG IN
OUT IN
POWER
Figure 3: Monitor rear
3.1 Connectivity
The speaker provides the following connectors:
-XLR Analogue balanced input
-RJ45 FAR Link Network input
-RJ45 FAR Link Network output
-XLR AES/EBU digital input
-XLR AES/EBU digital output
The power input is an IEC connector.
3.1.1 Analogue Input
The monitor has a balanced analogue input on a XLR combo plug. The full scale
sensitivity of the analogue input is selectable via the monitor control menu. It can be set
to +3 dBu, +9 dBu, +15 dBu, + 1 dBu and + 4 dBu.
The standard broadcast full scale input level is +6 dBu with 9 dB headroom. In this case,
the full scale input shall be set to +15 dBu.
The analogue signal is converted to the digital domain by a very high-end converter
(96kHz – 4 bits). It is then treated as the other digital audio streams that can be fed to
the monitor.

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3.1.2 AES/EBU Input
The monitor has a balanced AES/EBU input on a XLR combo plug. The AES/EBU input is
selectable via the monitor control menu. The AES/EBU input complies with the IEC
60958 standard. audio channels are carried over an IEC60958 stream. The desired
channel is selectable via the monitor control menu.
3.1.3 AES/EBU Output
The monitor has a balanced AES/EBU output on a XLR plug. The AES/EBU output
content is selectable via the monitor control menu. The AES/EBU output complies with
the IEC 60958 standard.
The typical use of the AES/EBU output is a signal loop-through to feed other monitors
with the same signal.
3.1.4 FAR Link Network
The FAR Link network allows for streaming of monitor control messages and a pair of
digital audio channels compliant with IEC60958 (AES/EBU like but on another medium).
3.1.4.1 Control Channel
The control channel allows the exchange of messages and data between the monitors
and/or the remote control devices (PC or dedicated remote control).
3.1.4.2 Digital audio input
The monitor can use a CAT5 cable on RJ45 FAR Link
TM
network plug to receive a digital
audio stream compliant with IEC60958. The Network digital audio input is selectable via
the monitor control menu. audio channels are carried over IEC60958. The desired
channel is selectable via the monitor control menu.
The Network digital audio stream and the AES/EBU stream can run concurrently, making
4 digital audio channels simultaneously available to each monitor.
3.1.4.3 Digital audio output
The monitor can use a CTA5 cable on the RJ45 FAR Link
TM
network plug to transmit a
digital audio stream compliant with IEC60958. The Network digital audio output content
is selectable via the monitor control menu.
3.2 Operation Overview
The control panel at the speaker rear gives access to the basic configuration parameters
of the monitor. The menu items can be selected (displayed on the alphanumerical
screen) using the left and right keys (PREVIOUS / NEXT) while the parameter value is
changed using the up and down keys (+ / -).
The alphanumerical LCD displays the information on lines. The first line shows the
selected parameter and its value. The second line gives the speaker status.
Figure 4: Display layout
The input signal field indicates the signal currently used by the monitor. When the
central button is pushed, the monitor is muted and the field shows “Mut”. In nominal
operation, the field can get the following values:
-ANA to indicate that the analogue input is active
-AES to indicate that the AES/EBU input is selected

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-NET to indicate that the FAR Link network is the signal source
The following picture shows the various speaker parameters accessible via the control
panel and their associated value range.
Figure 5: Monitor Setup Parameter Overview
3.3 Parameter definition
3.3.1 Speaker Volume
The speaker volume is the first menu item. It can range from -40dB to + 0 dB by steps
of 0.5 dB.
Figure 6: Volume parameter and values
3.3.2 Digital Channel Selection
The digital channel selector is the second menu item. It allows the user to select the first
channel (A) or second channel (B) of an IEC60958 digital audio stream. In stereo
applications, the left channel is mapped on the A channel and the right channel is

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mapped on the B channel. In multi-channel applications, three AES/EBU links are
necessary. The channel mapping is usually defined as follow:
AES/EBU Link Channel A Channel B
Cable 1 Left Right
Cable Center LFE
Cable 3 Surround left Surround right
It is also possible to select the sum of the A and B channels (A+B). This is especially
useful when having a stereo .1 configuration ( speakers plus 1 subwoofer).
Figure 7: Digital channel selection parameter and possible values
3.3.3 Signal Input Selection
The input signal selector is the third menu item. It allows the user to select the input
signal that the monitor will render. As the FAR Active monitor works with both analogue
and digital signals, the user must set a preference. The “Auto Sel” option let the monitor
decide on what to select by default. In this case, the monitor will look for a digital
stream on the AES/EBU input or on the FAR Link network input. While scanning the
digital inputs, the monitor render by default the analogue input. Once a digital stream
compliant with IEC60958 is detected, the monitor switches to the active digital input and
stays locked to it till the stream disappears.
The monitor input can also be forced to one of the three inputs.
Figure 8: Input signal selection parameter and possible values
When the selected digital input does not receive a valid digital audio stream, the
separation symbol of the second display line changes its form to an empty square frame
instead of a plain square.
Figure : AES input with valid IEC60 58 stream
Figure 10: AES input with invalid stream or not present signal
3.3.4 Digital Output Selection
The digital output signal selector is the forth menu item. It allows the user to select the
digital output signal that the monitor will send on the AES/EBU output and the FAR Link

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network output. The monitor can route the digital input signals to the digital outputs in
multiple ways (see section 3.4 for additional details).
Digital output AES/EBU output FAR Link network output
Copy I/O AES/EBU input FAR Link network input
AES/EBU AES/EBU input AES/EBU input
NETwork FAR Link network input FAR Link network input
Auto Sel Active digital input Active digital input
Figure 11: Digital output signal selection parameter and possible values
3.3.5 Analogue Full scale IS LOCKED ON + 21 Db
When the analogue input level exceeds the selected full scale level, the separation
symbol of the second display line changes its form to an empty square frame instead of a
plain square.

Figure 13: Display behavior when the analogue input level exceeds the selected full scale level
3.3.6 Curve selection
The Curve selector is the 6
th
menu item. The user can select a preset curve which will
modify the frequency response of the monitor to emulate a given acoustical environment.
There are 7 presets plus the FLAT reference. Each preset filters and name can be
modified by the PC Speaker Control Software (SCS). The Curve selector does only recall
the stored preset.
The factory settings of the monitor provide 4 defined curves by default (Academy, Car,
TV, Club). The “Custom1”, “Custom ” and “Custom3” curves are equivalent to the FLAT
reference curve.
The 4 first letters of the name of the selected curve are permanently displayed on the
second field of the bottom line of the LCD.
Figure 14: Curve selection parameter and possible values (factory default shown)

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The curve “Academy” has a low pass filter of the first order (6 dB/Oct) at 8 kHz. It is
meant to emulate the effect of a perforated cinema screen placed in front of the
speakers.
The curve CAR simulates the listening in a car environment. A 4 dB boost at 50 Hz and a
dB boost at 3 kHz.
The curve “TV” simulates the frequency response of a standard TV set.
The curve CLUB simulates the listening in a night club environment. A dB boost at 60
Hz and a 5 dB boost at 3 kHz.
3.3.7 EQ Set selection
The EQ Set selector is the 7
th
menu item. The user can select an EQ Set which will
modify the frequency response of the monitor to compensate for room acoustics effects.

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There are 7 QE Sets plus the FLAT reference. Each EQ set filters and name can be
modified by the PC Speaker Control Software (SCS). The EQ Set selector does only
recall the stored preset. The factory default for all the 7 EQ Sets is FLAT. The 4 first
letters of the name of the selected EQ set are permanently displayed on the third field of
the bottom line of the LCD.
Figure 15: EQ Set selection parameter and possible values (factory default shown)
3.3.8 Speaker relative level
The speaker volume is the 8
th
menu item. It can range from -10dB to 0 dB by steps of
0.5 dB. The speaker relative level is meant to balance the acoustic power between
multiple speakers in a multi-channel system.
Figure 16: Relative speaker level parameter and values
3.3. Relative speaker delay
The speaker volume is the 9
th
menu item. It can range from 0 cm to 150 cm by steps of
5 cm. Speakers relative delay is meant to time align the speakers in a multi-channel
system.
Figure 17: Relative speaker delay parameter and values
3.3.10 Shelves and Tilts
The speaker features a low shelf filter, a high shelf filter and 3 tilt filters (parametric EQ
filters). The gain of these filters can be set from -3 dB to +3 dB by steps of 0.5 dB. The
corner frequency and Q or S factor can be modified by the SCS.

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Figure 18: Low Shelf gain parameter and possible value
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
10 100 1000 10000 100000
Frequency (Hz)
Gain (dB)
Figure 1 : Low Shelf frequency response -3dB, -2dB, -1dB, 0dB, +1dB, +2dB and +3 dB gain
(Frequency = 300 Hz and S = 1 are factory default)
Figure 20: Low Tilt gain parameter and possible value
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
10 100 1000 10000 100000
Frequency (Hz)
Gain (dB)

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Figure 21: Low tilt frequency response for -3dB, -2dB, -1dB, 0dB, +1dB, +2dB and +3 dB gain
(Frequency = 60 Hz and Q = 1.5 are factory default)
Figure 22: Mid Tilt gain parameter and possible value
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
10 100 1000 10000 100000
Frequency (Hz)
Gain (dB)
Figure 23: Mid tilt frequency response for -3dB, -2dB, -1dB, 0dB, +1dB, +2dB and +3 dB gain
(Frequency = 800 Hz and Q = 0.4 are factory default)
Figure 24: Mid Tilt gain parameter and possible value
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
10 100 1000 10000 100000
Frequency (Hz)
Gain (dB)

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Figure 25: High tilt frequency response for -3dB, -2dB, -1dB, 0dB, +1dB, +2dB and +3 dB gain
values (Frequency = 500 Hz and Q = 1.2 are factory default)
Figure 26: High Shelf gain parameter and possible value
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
10 100 1000 10000 100000
Frequency (Hz)
Gain (dB)
Figure 27: High Shelf frequency response for -3dB, -2dB, -1dB, 0dB, +1dB, +2dB and +3 dB gain
values (Frequency = 4000 Hz and S = 1 are factory default)
3.3.11 Speaker ID
The speaker ID is the 15
th
menu item. It sets the network address and defines the
speaker role in the system. Up to 7 speakers and subwoofers can be used concurrently
in a network. The speaker ID is permanently displayed in the last field (right end) of the
bottom line of the speaker LCD screen.
Figure 28: Speaker ID parameter and possible value
3.3.12 Network mode
The network mode is the 16
th
and last menu item. It defines the behavior of the speaker
on the network.

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In Slave mode, a change made on the speaker parameter via the speaker control panel
is reflected on the network to allow the remote control or the SCS to keep updated on
the speaker configuration. The other speakers on the network will ignore these changes.
In Master mode, a change on a speaker parameter will be propagated on all the speakers
present on the network. This mode allows one speaker to be used as a remote control.
For instance, muting a speaker set in network master will mute all the speakers in the
network. When a parameter shall be changed on only one speaker, make sure that the
speaker is in network slave mode.
There can be multiple masters in a network. The network mode status is displayed on
the bottom line of the screen. It is concatenated with the speaker ID. For instance, the
speaker ID 1 in network slave mode will display a
S1 . The speaker ID in network
master mode will display M2 .
Figure 2 : Network mode parameter and possible value
Not all the speaker parameters are allowed to be broadcasted. The following list gives
the parameters that are affected by the network mode.
•Mute
•Speaker Volume
•Signal Input
•Digital output
•Analogue full scale
•Curve
•EQ set
•Low Shelf gain
•Low Tilt gain
•Mid Tilt gain
•High Tilt gain
•High Shelf gain

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3.4 Network Operation
The FAR Active Monitors can be connected together via the FAR Link
TM
network, using
standard CAT5 cables (like the ones used in Ethernet PATCH connections).
WARNING: DO NOT USE ETHERNET CROSS CABLE. They will not work properly.
The network is optional in the use of the monitors. Its primary purpose is to control the
speakers remotely, by using a dedicated remote control or the SCS
TM
(Speaker Control
Software) running on a Windows PC.
3.4.1 Control chaining constraints
When the network is used for control only, there are no constraints in the sequence of
the speaker connection. The only important thing to verify is that the NETWORK OUT of
a speaker is always connected to the NETWORK IN of another speaker.
WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT NETWORK OUT TO NETWORK OUT.
WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT NETWORK IN TO NETWORK IN.
3.4.2 Digital audio chaining constraints
Due to the signal bridging capabilities of the speakers, the digital audio stream does only
propagate from the INPUT connector (whatever it is) to the OUTPUT connector (whatever
it is). As a consequence, some sequences in the speaker network chaining will not allow
the digital stream to reach its target. Careful attention shall be given to the system
setup (see chapter 4 for more information).
The “Output” speaker parameter defines the signal routing. There are 3 possible
configurations.
Figure 30: Digital signal routing
-“Copy I/O” does replicate on their respective digital outputs the content of the
digital inputs
-“AES/EBU” does copy on the DIGITAL OUT and the NETWORK OUT the content of
the DIGITAL IN
-“NETwork” does copy on the DIGITAL OUT and the NETWORK OUT the content of
the NETWORK IN.
When the system is set to “Auto Sel”, it selects either the “AES/EBU” mode or the
“NETwork” mode, depending on the active input. If the active digital input is
“AES/EBU”, then the output will be “AES/EBU”. If the active digital input is “NETwork”,
then the output will be “NETwork”.

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4SYSTEM SETUP
In this chapter, the speaker will be represented by a box showing the speaker function
with the required speaker parameter values and a box showing, for the same speaker,
the digital signal routing.
For instance, the following speaker representation is the .LEFT. one in the system. It
has its speaker ID configured with the value “1.FRONT LEFT”, its input set to “AES/EBU”,
its digital output set to “AES/EBU” and its digital channel selection set to “A(L)” – left
channel.
PUSH PUSH
NETWORK
DIGITAL OUT DIGITAL IN ANALOG IN
OUT IN
Figure 31: Speaker connectivity and cabling representation
4.1 Analogue Setup
4.1.1 Stereo System
This is the easiest setup. The two speakers are fed with balanced analogue signals. Only
the speaker analogue input is used. The network cable is optional and is only used for
speaker control. If no remote control of the speakers is desired, the network inputs and
outputs can be left unconnected.
ID:
Input:
Output:
Digital Ch.:
LEFT
ANALOGUE (LEFT) ANALOGUE (RIGHT)
1. FRONT LEFT
Auto Sel
Auto Sel
A(L)
ID:
Input:
Output:
Digital Ch.:
RIGHT
2. FRONT RIG T
Auto Sel
Auto Sel
B(R)
ANALOGUE IN ANALOGUE IN
NETWORK IN NETWORK OUT
NETWORK IN
4.1.2 Multi-channel 5.1 System
As for the stereo setup, an analogue 5.1 system is quite simple to install. The six
speakers are fed with balanced analogue signals. Only the speaker analogue input is