Focal FOCAL MANAGER User manual

FOCAL MANAGER
USER MANUAL
Français page 15
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Summary
Introduction
Compatibility
FOCAL MANAGER (VERSION PC/MAC)
• Warning
• Hardware connections
• Installation
• Programme architecture
A - "Manager" menu
• "Initialisation" sub-menu
• "Equalizer" sub-menu
• "Individual levels" sub-menu
• "Master level" sub-menu
• "Delays" sub-menu
• "Sweetspot" sub-menu
• "Preset" sub-menu
B - "Pre erences" sub-menu o the "Edit" menu
• "levels" tab
• "Graph" tab
• "EQ Group tab"
• "Password" tab
• "Last Setting" tab
• "Misc" tab
C - "Utilities" sub-menu o the "Edit" menu
To sum up: the 3 steps or upgrading the DSP irmware o your system
FOCAL MANAGER - PDA (PALM OS)
• Hardware connections
• Compatibility
• So tware installation
• Programme architecture
• Programme limitation
• Using a PDA with computer visualisation
FOCAL MANAGER
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Introduction
The "Focal Manager" software is intended to control the entire set of parameters of your Focal Digital Monitoring System.
efore going through this manual please make sure you are well aware of how your sytem operates and more especially of the
use of the various connectors and switches located on the rear panel of your speakers.
Compatibility
The various versions of this software are compatible with PC and Mac computer platforms, as well as Palm-like Personal Digital
Assistant (PDA). Versions for Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, Windows 98... XP are virtually identical, only the Palm version is somewhat
lighter; it will still allow to control an entire 5.1 system.
This instructions manual has therefore been divided into two sections : "Focal Manager" for PC/Mac and "Focal Manager"
for PDA.
Warning
The screens snapshots that illustrate this manual have been taken out of a Mac OS X computer. They might look slighty different
when the programme is run under Windows or Mac OS 9, but this is only a matter of display or positioning of the various menus
within the programme.
Hardware connections
Communication between your PC/Mac computer and the speaker selected as the "Master" of your stereo or 5.1 system is
achieved through a standard RS232 serial cord. In case your computer is only equipped with a US port, we advise you that
off-the-shelf US -to-serial adaptors are available (i.e. see www.keyspan.com).
Installation
No particular installation procedure is required before running the programme. Simply copy the suitable executable file (i.e. in
accordance with your environment) from the CD-ROM to your hard disk, at an appropriate location.
FOCAL MANAGER
PC/MAC VERSION
3
Figure 1
Figure 2
Programme architecture
"Focal Manager" is built around three main menus:
A - "Manager" menu ( ig. 1)
• "Initialisation" sub-menu ( ig. 2)
The "Initialisation"is first in the "Manager" pull-down menu.
When you install your system, one of the first things to do after having
established the connection between the loudspeakers and the computer
(cf product User Manual) is to initialise the various speakers comprising this
system by indicating the software programme that the left speaker is serial
number "xxxxxx", right speaker is serial number "yyyyyyy" and so on so forth.
This will allow "Focal Manager" to effectively differentiate each speaker and
make sure that only commands intended to it will be executed.
In order to initialise each one of the system’s speaker or channel it is required
to enter the last 6 numerical digits of the serial number displayed at the back
of each loudspeaker. Ticking a channel box will automically make appear a
field where a serial number is to be typed. Only the subwoofer, due to its very
specific nature, does not require initialising.
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Clicking on "Edit" (fig.3) (on the left hand side under the graph) will make appear a new window (fig.4) allowing to enter the
equalisation parameters to be applied, using the appropriate data fields.
The displayed settings will be effective after clicking the "Send" button. The achieved equalisation curve will then appear on the
graph, and the various parameters sent to the speaker be summed up in the table located underneath the graph area (fig. 3).
As soon as a datum is edited, the corresponding field appears with a green background colour, making it easier to spot.
The background turns back to white again after clicking "Send".
A "Bypass" button allows easy A/ comparison, i.e. with or without EQ.
To link together the EQ parameters of several channels, select the "EQ group" within the "Preferences" sub-menu.
The equalisation parameters used in "Focal Manager" for the different channels of the system are pretty much standard.
There are two "shelving" (top and bottom end) filters with adjustable frequency, three parametric EQ with adjustable frequency
and Q, to which can be added either 12d /octave hi-pass and lo-pass filters, or a 24d /octave hi-pass. Switching from 12 to
24d /octave is done by clicking the "24" (or "12") box.
Due to its very nature the subwoofer channel is handled slightly differently.
As opposed to the other channels its equalisation facilities comprise, either a low-pass and a hi-pass filter, both 12 d /octave,
or a single, 24 d /octave low-pass filter.
Polarity can be inverted, if appropriate, by ticking the corresponding box.
In case the digital input of the subwoofer is used, 2 tick boxes allow to choose its operation mode.
When option 5.1 is ticked, the digital input is assumed to be fed from a LFE channel as per the 5.1 mutichannel scheme, and as
such no processing (i.e. crossover or filtering) is necessary.
4
Figure 4
FOCAL MANAGER
PC/MAC VERSION
Figure 3
• "Equalizer "sub-menu ( ig. 3)
This window allows to display graphs of the various equalisation curves that
have been achieved, as well as a table reflecting accurately all parameters
values, for each speaker or channel of the system.
To display the equalisation curve applied to one loudspeaker, tick the
corresponding channel inside the "Channels" box. y default Left and Right
will be selected.
It is possible tu customise the graph by going into the "Preferences" sub-menu
and selecting the "Graph" tab.
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The other option "2.1" is suitable for a stereo system + subwoofer; in that case the subwoofer will be fed by the mono sum of the
left and right input channels, -6d .
Generally in the latter configuration one will use a hi-pass filter (either 12 or 24dB/octave) on the left and right speakers, in
combination with a low-pass on the subwoofer, 12 or 24d /octave, and invert the subwoofer polarity if appropriate.
Underneath is an example (fig. 5) to illustrate the EQ/crossover settings used for a 2.1 situation, with a crossover point set at
100Hz, 24d /octave, normal subwoofer polarity.
• "Individual levels" sub-menu ( ig. 6)
As can be seen this window allows individual level adjustment of each
channel within a system, whether it is 5.1 or 2.1.
Clicking "Send" is required after any change to the faders positions,
for them to become effective.
On the other hand, ticking/unticking the "Mute" and "Solo" boxes available
for each channels will have immediate effect.
The faders range is adjustable (see "Preferences", "Levels" tab, "other levels").
• "Master level" sub-menu ( ig. 7)
This window is for setting the system Master level.
The fader range can be adjusted (see "Preference", "Levels" tab,
"Master level").
A general "Mute" is available.
The "Mono" function is reserved for a stereo or 2.1 system, and operates
only when using the digital inputs. The mono signal is obtained by
summation of both channels (L+R – 6dB).
It is worth bearing in mind that in this window data changes are
immediately passed on to the speakers.
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
FOCAL MANAGER
PC/MAC VERSION
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• "Delays" sub-menu ( ig. 8)
In a 5.1 or 2.1 system, it is essential that the sound radiated by each speaker
reaches the listener at the same time: the "Delays" window can easlily
manage this.
One just has to enter the time delays (in milliseconds) to be applied to the
different loudspeakers. Given the speed of sound, "Focal Manager" will
automatically translate those values into equivalent distances, in metres
and feet.
The picture (fig. 8) shows the example of an 0.85ms delay intended to
compensate for the fact that the "Center" speaker is located 29 centimetres
(0.95 feet) closer than the left and right ones, with respect to the listener.
In a multi-speaker system, one will always have to take the most remote
speaker as reference, then calculate the time delay appropriate for each
one of the other speakers.
• "Sweet spot" sub-menu
The unique "Sweet spot" function allows optimising the sound at the listener
position according to his location relative to the speakers.
This function actually achieves a precise phase alignment between the various
drive units of a loudspeaker according to the listener’s position, therefore
giving the best possible "imaging".
There are 2 different cases:
- The one of a stereo system (fig. 9)
- And that of a 5.1 system (including a Center speaker- fig. 10)
Remark: this software being shared by several models of loudspeakers, the
user must not be puzzled if the "Focal Manager" windows do not show the
correct shape of his cabinets.
In both cases clicking the "Edit" button will call a window including data fields
for various parameters; namely, the distance between the L/R speakers and the
listener, the height of his ears relative to the tweeters, the spacing between the
left and right speakers, the distance between the "Center" speaker and
the listener…
oth pictures are explicit enough in explaining which parameter is expected in
each data field.
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Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
FOCAL MANAGER
PC/MAC VERSION
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In case of SM8’s used landscape and with no inward angle to point in the
listener’s direction, from the "sweet spot" point of view this configuration is
equivalent to swapping horizontal and vertical axis. As a result:
- "distance" is not affected
- the "height" parameter becomes equal to half the distance between
left and right speakers (from tweeter to tweeter)
- “L/R spacing” equals 0.
The larger the inward angle the more the "height" value should be decreased
to compensate for this angle. Eventually, if the speakers were perfectly angled
(equal distance between the 2 transducers relative to the listener), the "height"
parameter should be equal to zero.
In a 5.1 configuration (fig. 11)
For a stereo configuration (fig. 12)
• "Preset"sub-menu ( ig. 13)
The "Preset" sub-menu allows the user to store one or several entire sets of
parameters, including all of them except for the Master level. For instance,
an equalisation curve simulating a typical TV set, a curve mimicking a
particular loudspeaker model, one simulating the sound of a disco system,
different "Sweet spot" settings suitable for various listening positions, various 5.1
setups, and so on...
When a "Preset" is recorded by typing a name in the field "Enter a name to
create a preset" then clicking "Add", the whole set of software parameters is
saved (including "Preferences"). The given name will then appear in the list.
Once a "Preset" has been selected, any of the 3 buttons "Load", "Rename" and
"Delete" (which are self-explanatory) can be activated.
7
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
FOCAL MANAGER
PC/MAC VERSION
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B - "Pre erences" sub-menu o the "Edit" menu ( ig. 14)
Depending on the software variants, it is located either under the "Focal
Manager" menu (Mac OS X), or under the "Edit" menu (Windows, Mac OS 9)…
This screen (fig. 15) allows the user to customise various programme
parameters according to his own preferences.
A tick box enables to systematically display this dialog at start-up.
It includes 6 different tabs: "Levels", "Graph", "Eq Group", "Password", "Last
setting" and "Misc".
• "Levels" tab ( ig. 15)
This tab is intended to set the ranges of the various faders controlling the
system’s various levels: "Individual levels" and "Master level" of the "Manager"
menu (fig. 16, 17).
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Figure 14
Figure 15
Figure 16
Figure 17
FOCAL MANAGER
PC/MAC VERSION
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• "Graph" tab ( ig. 18)
This tab can be used to personalise the graph (fig. 19) of the "Equalizer"
sub-menu from the "Manager" menu.
A tick box is available to turn the background grid on or off, while "Max dB"
and "Min dB" parameters can be edited to change the Y scale with respect to
the desired resolution.
y setting the "Step" parameter to 1, 2 or 3d , horizontal lines will be drawn at
every corresponding value of the Y scale. This value can also be non-decimal
(e.g. 0.2 or 1.5).
• "EQ Group" tab ( ig. 20)
This tab contains three tick boxes enabling to link the various equalisations
applicable to the speakers of the stereo, 2.1 or 5.1 system, by groups of
channels, namely: left and right together, left and right plus center, or left and
right surround.
Ticking any of these boxes will affect the "Edit" window of the "Equalizer"
sub-menu from the "Manager" menu. For instance, the "EQ Group" tab as
shown above (fig. 20) will in turn modify the layout of the "EDIT" window,
as displayed on the picture below (fig. 21).
9
Figure 18
Figure 19
Figure 20
Figure 21
FOCAL MANAGER
PC/MAC VERSION
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10
• "Password" tab ( ig. 22)
Knowing how to use this tab is quite important, as it allows you to password
protect the access to some parts of the programme.
Indeed, the misuse of some of the functions handled by the software can have
some damaging consequences (as an example, from the "Utilities" sub-menu it
is possible to change the content of the speakers internal ROM). One may also
wish not to see anybody being able to edit some previously set parameters or
configurations.
The programme therefore has provision for three accessibility levels; if desired
and provided that during start-up the user has defined the corresponding
passwords, only restricted parts of the programme will become accessible.
Level two (Advanced) and three (Administrator) protections are activated
by entering one password in the "Advanced" field and another in the
"Administrator" field. Please note that it is possible to define only the
"Advanced", or only the "Administrator" password. In the first case levels two and
three will be protected (by the shared "Advanced" password), whereas in the
second case only level three will be protected.
The first level, accessible to anyone, is limited to the "Master Level" sub-menu
of the "Manager" menu and its associated functions, that is Master level, Master
mute and Mono (digital in only).
Level three access only concerns the "Utilities" sub-menu from the "Edit" menu,
which is described a little further on.
Obviously, level two encompasses all the other functions.
• "Last Setting" tab ( ig. 23)
The "Last Setting" is actually a complete record of all parameters comprised in
the software, including levels, equalisation settings as well as parameters of the
"Preferences " menu.
Recording is done automatically when quitting the programme.
The "Ask this question at start-up" tick box enables to instruct the programme,
when starting up, to prompt the user for loading the last setting recorded (fig. 24).
If ticking "Yes" , "Focal Manager" will send the speakers the whole set of
parameters stored during the last programme shut-down. In this case the
speakers need to be switched on and a few seconds will be necessary to allow
for the data transmission to be completed.
For a day-to-day use of the programme, one might find convenient to have
"Yes" ticked and "Ask this question at start up" un-ticked, which would result in
automatic recall of the settings recorded at the end of the last session, without
the question being asked. This is only one possibility among others, obviously.
Figure 22
Figure 23
Figure 24
FOCAL MANAGER
PC/MAC VERSION
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• "Misc" tab ( ig. 25)
As is names suggests this window comprises a number of parameters settings
related to miscelleaneous functionalities.
Correct setting of "Port" is essential as it is a condition for proper
communication between the computer and the loudspeaker designated as
"master" (cf. product User Mahual).
"Units" will tell the software to speak either metric or imperial.
Finally the "Trace mode" option allows to keep a track record of all commands
sent to and received from the speakers. The files created when enabling this
option are only useful in the unlikely event of a malfunction. Do not tick this
box unless being invited to do so by Focal Customer Services, otherwise your
hard disk might end up being cluttered by those increasingly bulky files (named
FMTraceS.txt and FMTraceR.txt).
C - "Utilities" sub-menu o the "Edit" menu ( ig. 26)
In case your system is liable to be used by a number of different people, we
strongly recommend that you protect the access to the "Utilities" sub-menu. To
do so please go to the "Password" sub-menu from the "Preference" menu.
From this sub-menu it is indeed possible to change the content of the speakers
internal ROM.
Two tabs are available: "S/N reset" (fig. 27) and "DSP Upgrade" (fig. 28).
Contrary to normal system operation in which commands are sent by "Focal
Manager" to the master speaker which in turns passes them on to others via
Midi connection, all information sent from the "Utilies" sub-menu must be
individually transmitted to each speaker.
Subsequently, the computer will have to be connected to only one (switched on)
speaker, with its "CONTROL" switch set to "PC" position; please also make sure
that no MIDI link goes to any other speaker.
Ca tion: never power the speaker off d ring any of these operations
otherwise yo might face serio s problems.
The "DSP Upgrade" tab (fig. 28) allows the user to carry out by him/herself an
upgrade of the internal DSP firmware contained in each loudspeaker.
This facility make it possible to take advantage of the lastest improvements
achieved by Focal, regarding "Focal Manager" as well as the loudspeakers
themselves. The lastest versions of both DSP firmware and "Focal Manager"
are made available on the internet (see Focal-JMLab website), or on CD-Roms.
The "S/N reset" tab enables reallocation of a serial number to a particular
speaker by writing this number into the speaker internal memory. This operation
is initially carried out in the factory, at the final production stage. However
when a DSP upgrade takes place the existing serial number is overwritten and
needs resetting.
Figure 25
Figure 26
Figure 27
Figure 28
11 FOCAL MANAGER
PC/MAC VERSION
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To sum up: the 3 steps or upgrading the DSP irmware o
your system
1- Connect the computer to one speaker having its "CONTROL" switch set to
"PC" position and no MIDI links connected.
Run "Focal Manager", go to the "Utilities" sub-menu of the "Edit" menu. Select
"DSP Upgrade", and click "Upgrade".
A new window will appear, asking you for the file you wish to use for the
upgrade. Select the file and click "OK" (fig. 29).
A window will keep you informed on the progress of the upgrade operation.
Once complete, another window will confirm that all is OK and will ask you
to switch your speaker off then back on again (fig. 30).
2- Keeping the same connections as in 1, open the "S/N Reset" tab and enter
the last six figures of the speaker serial number, which can be found at the
back of it. Click "Send". "S/N reset" is now complete.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 above for each of your system loudspeakers, including
the subwoofer.
Once these operations have been completed for each loudspeaker, in the
upper left corner of the "Utilities" window the product ID (SM11, SM8…) will
be displayed, and below it the current version number of the DSP firmware
(fig. 31).
3- You will now have to initialise the various speakers comprising your system.
Pick a speaker to become "Master", which you will connect to your computer
with its "CONTROL" switch set to "PC"; daisy chain the other "slave" speakers
by means of the MIDI connectors, and link the first one of the chain back to
the "Master", still with a MIDI cable (cf. product User Manual).
Now go to the "Initialisation" sub-menu of the "Manager" menu (fig. 1, 2),
enter the various serial numbers relevant to the different speakers of the
system, then click "Send".
Done ! The DSP firmware update is now complete and you are again ready to
proceed.
Figure 30
Figure 29
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Figure 31
FOCAL MANAGER
PC/MAC VERSION
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13
Hardware connections
The main benefit of using a personal digital assistant (e.g. Palm or likewise) lies in the fact
that it makes it possible to control the system via a wireless, infra-red link. Depending on
the actual PDA model the distance range is about 3m; it is recommended to point the PDA
towards the infra-red receiver located on the speaker front panel, beside the green power
on LED. Of course, the "CONTROL" switch of the speaker picked as "master" should be on
the "IR" position.
Compatibility
The PDA version of "Focal Manager" is compatible with Palm OS 4 and later versions.
So tware installation
In order to get your PDA up-and-running, first you must have the PDA software installed on
your computer: it is comprised on the CD-ROM that is provided with the hand-held. Your
computer must be equipped with a US port to communicate with it.
During installation, just follow the step by step procedure as detailed in the PDA
instructions manual.
If you are not yet familiar with the use of the hand-held, we recommend that you spend a
little time practising with it. In particular it is important to understand the role of the "Home"
and "Menu" buttons.
Once your hand-held is up-and-running and its driver files have been installed on your
computer, the next step is to install "Focal Manager" - PDA version, included on the Focal
CD-ROM - on the hand-held itself, allowing it to control your monitoring system.
The process is done through a "HotSync" operation, as is described in the PDA manual.
1- Insert the Focal CD-ROM in your computer and copy its content onto one appropriate
directory on your computer hard disk.
2- Double-click "Focal Manager.prc." (formely named "FocalRemote.prc."). When
prompted, enter your user name (as defined during the Palm installation procedure).
A message will then appear: "the files below will be installed on your hand held during
next HotSync operation". Click "Done" to complete this step.
3- Perform a HotSync operation, as described in the PDA manual.
4- Finally check that the programme has indeed been transferred: it should now appear
with its own icon in the applications list of the "Home" menu.
FOCAL MANAGER
PDA VERSION (PALM OS)
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14
Programme architecture
"Focal Manager" - PDA version – is built around a single main menu quite comparable
with the "Manager" menu of the Mac/PC version.
Programme windows are different but yet inspired by the same purposes as those used in
the PC/Mac software: please refer to the explanations already given in the first section of
the manual.
Some figures are nevertheless presented that illustrate the various windows that exist the in
the PDA version.
Programme limitation
Contrary to the Mac/PC version, the PDA programme does not include a "Utilities" menu.
Therefore it is not possible to perform a DSP firmware upgrade from a hand-held.
Using a PDA with computer visualisation
It is possible to control a system from a PDA while visualising the actual changes on a
computer where "Focal Manager" is being run.
In this case the "master" loudspeaker must still be set for infra-red reception; a serial
RS-232 connection between the speaker will enable the computer to receive the
information and "Focal Manager" to display any changes made on the computer screen.
FOCAL MANAGER
VERSION PDA (PALM OS)
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Sommaire
Introduction
Compatibilité
FOCAL MANAGER (VERSION PC/MAC)
• Avertissement
• Connections Hardware
• Installation
• Architecture du Programme
A - Le Menu "Manager"
• Le sous-menu "Initialisation"
• le sous-menu "Equalizer"
• Le sous-menu "Individual levels"
• le sous-menu "Master level"
• le sous-menu "Delays"
• Le sous-menu "Sweetspot"
• Le sous-menu "Preset"
B - Le sous-menu "Pre erences" du menu "Edit"
• Onglet "Levels"
• Onglet "Graph"
• Onglet "EQ Group"
• Onglet "Password" (mot de passe)
• Onglet "Last Setting" (dernier réglage)
• Onglet "Misc" (Divers)
C - Le sous-menu "Utilities" du menu "Edit"
Les 3 étapes d’un "DSP Upgrade" (mise à jour) de votre système
FOCAL MANAGER - VERSION PDA (PALMOS)
• Connexions hardware
• Compatibilité
• Installation du logiciel
• Architecture du programme
• Limitation du programme
• Utilisation d’un PDA avec visualisation sur ordinateur
FOCAL MANAGER
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Introduction
Le logiciel "Focal Manager" est destiné à contrôler l’intégralité des paramètres de votre Système Numérique de Monitoring Focal.
Avant de lire ce manuel assurez-vous que vous connaissez parfaitement le fonctionnement de votre système et notamment
l’utilisation des différents connecteurs et switchs situés à l’arrière de vos enceintes.
Compatibilité
Les différentes versions de ce logiciel sont compatibles avec les ordinateurs Mac et PC et les Assistants Personnels (PDA) du type
Palm. Les versions Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, Windows 98…XP, sont quasiment identiques, seule la version Palm est quelque peu
allégée ; elle permet néanmoins de contrôler l’intégralité d’un système 5.1.
Ce Manuel d’instruction sera donc composé de 2 parties : "Focal Manager" version PC/Mac et "Focal Manager" version PDA.
Avertissement
Les photos d’écran qui accompagnent ce manuel sont issues de Mac OS X. Les versions Mac OS 9 et Windows 98…XP du
logiciel peuvent être légèrement différentes, mais uniquement pour une question de présentation ou de situation des différents
menus au sein du programme.
Connections Hardware
La communication entre votre ordinateur PC/Mac et l’enceinte désignée comme "Master" de votre système stéréo ou 5.1, se fait
par l’intermédiaire d’un cordon ordinateur RS 232 classique. Si votre ordinateur était équipé d’un port US , nous vous signalons
qu’il existe des adaptateurs US à port série disponibles sur le marché (notamment www.keyspan.com).
Installation
Cette application ne nécessite pas de procèdure d'installation spéciale. Il suffira de recopier du CD-ROM le fichier executable
correspondant à son environnement.
16
Figure 1
Figure 2
Architecture du Programme
Le "Focal Manager" s’articule autour de trois différentes sections :
A - Le Menu "Manager" ( ig. 1)
• Le sous-menu "Initialisation" ( ig. 2)
Le sous-menu "Initialisation" figure en tête du menu déroulant "Manager".
Lorsque vous installerez votre système, une des premières choses à faire après
avoir établi les connexions entre les enceintes et l‘ordinateur (cf le manuel
d’instruction de vos enceintes) est d’initialiser les différentes enceintes
composant ce système en indiquant au logiciel que l’enceinte gauche a le
numéro de série "xxxxxx" l’enceinte droite le numéro "yyyyyy" et ainsi de suite
pour toutes les enceintes du système.
Ceci permettra au "Focal Manager" de bien différencier chaque enceinte et
d’être sûr que seules les commandes qui lui sont destinées seront exécutées.
Pour initialiser chaque enceinte ou canal du système il faudra rentrer les six
derniers chiffres n mériq es du N° de série indiqué sur chaque enceinte.
Le fait de cocher la boîte devant un canal fera apparaître automatiquement
un champ ou l’on pourra inscrire les numéros. Seul le subwoofer, de par sa
fonction très spécifique n’a pas besoin d’être initialisé.
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En cliquant sur "Edit" (fig.3) (à gauche et sous le graphe) apparaît une autre fenêtre (fig. 4) qui permettra d’inscrire dans les
différents champs prévus à cet effet, les paramètres d’égalisation que l’on souhaite effectuer.
C’est en cliquant sur le bouton "Send" que l’on rendra effectif les réglages demandés. La courbe de l’égalisation effectuée
apparaîtra alors sur le graphe et les différents paramètres envoyés à l’enceinte seront récapitulés dans le tableau situé sous le
graphe (fig. 3).
Dés qu’une valeur est saisie dans un champ, le fond devient vert pour visualiser facilement les cellules dans lesquelles vous avez
entré des données. Le fond redevient blanc après avoir cliqué sur le bouton "Send".
Un bouton "Bypass" permet de faire aisément une comparaison A/ , avec ou sans égalisation.
Pour grouper sur plusieurs enceintes les différents paramètres d’égalisation, on ira dans le sous-menu "Preferences",
onglet "Eq Group"
Les paramètres d’égalisation utilisés dans "Focal Manager" pour les différentes enceintes du système sont classiques.
Ils autorisent 2 égalisations de type "shelving" (haut et bas) à "fréquence" réglable, trois égaliseurs paramétriques avec
"fréquence" et "Q" réglables, auxquels on pourra ajouter soit un filtre "passe-haut" et un filtre "passe-bas" à 12 d /Octave ; soit
un filtre "passe-haut" à 24 d /Octave. On passera d’une pente de 12 d /Octave à 24 d /Octave en cliquant sur "12" ou "24".
De par sa vocation le cas du subwoofer est un peu différent.
Contrairement aux autres canaux ses possiblités d’égalisation comportent au choix soit un filtre "passe-bas" et un filtre
"passe-haut" à 12 d /Octave, soit un seul filtre "passe-bas" à 24 d /Octave.
Une boîte à cocher permet d’inverser sa polarité le cas échéant.
Dans le cas d’utilisation de l’entrée digitale du subwoofer, 2 boîtes à cocher permettent de choisir son mode de fonctionnement.
17
Figure 4
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Figure 3
• le sous-menu "Equalizer" ( ig. 3)
Cette fenêtre permet de visualiser sur un graphe les différentes courbes
d’égalisation que l’on aura faites, ainsi qu’un tableau reflétant précisément
la valeur des différents paramètres et ceci pour chaque enceinte ou canal
du système.
On fera apparaître la courbe d’égalisation de l’enceinte souhaitée en cochant
sur les différentes boîtes situées sous "Channels". Par défaut les canaux Left et
Right sont précochés.
Il est possible de personnaliser le graphe, en allant dans le sous-menu
"Preference", onglet "Graph".
notice focal manager 17 19/03/04, 16:32:49

18
Soit on coche la position 5.1 et son entrée digitale correspondra au canal (LFE) prévu à cet effet dans le cas de la reproduction
d’un programme musical 5.1 et à priori aucun filtrage particulier n’est à effectuer.
Soit on utilise la position 2.1, correspondant à un système stéréo + subwoofer ; auquel cas le signal envoyé à son entrée
digitale sera la sommation du canal droit + le canal gauche - 6 d (signal mono).
Dans cette configuration on utilisera en général, 1 filtre passe-haut à 12 ou 24 d /Octave sur les enceintes gauche et droite,
ainsi qu’un passe-bas sur le subwoofer à 12 ou 24 d / Octave et on changera la polarité si besoin était. La pente et la
fréquence de coupure de ces 3 différents filtres sera à priori la même.
Vous trouverez ci-dessous illustration (Fig. 5) d’un exemple de réglage d’égalisation/filtrage correspondant à une version 2.1 et
d’une coupure entre les enceintes gauche/droite et le subwoofer à 100 Hz, 24 d /Octave, polarité normale.
• Le sous-menu "Individual levels" ( ig. 6)
Comme on peut le constater cette fenêtre sert à régler individuellement le
volume de chaque canal d’un système qu’il soit 5.1 ou 2.1.
Il faudra effectuer un "Send" après toute modification faite sur le ou les
faders.
L’action sur les cases à cocher "Mute" et "Solo" disponibles pour tous les
canaux, ne nécessite pas de cliquer sur le bouton "Send".
La course des différents faders est réglable (voir "Preferences", onglet
"Levels", "other levels")
• le sous-menu "Master level" (Fig. 7)
Cette fenêtre sert à régler le volume Master du système.
Sa course est réglable (voir "Preference", onglet "Levels", "Master level").
Un "Mute" général est disponible.
La fonction "Mono" n’est utilisable que pour un sytème stéréo ou 2.1 et
uniquement pour une utilisation des entrées digitales. Le signal mono est
égal à la somme des deux canaux (L+R – 6 dB).
Il est à noter que les données modifiées dans cette fenêtre sont envoyées
immédiatement aux enceintes.
Figure 5
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Figure 6
Figure 7
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• le sous-menu "Delays" ( ig. 8)
Dans un système qu’il soit 5.1 ou 2.1, il est important que le son de chaque
enceinte parvienne en même temps à l’auditeur, la fenêtre "Delays" permet
d’y arriver aisément.
Il suffit de rentrer en millisecondes, le temps dont il faut retarder le ou
les enceintes concernées. Connaissant la vitesse du son, "Focal Manager"
traduira automatiquement le temps rentré en milliseconde, en mètres et
en pieds.
L’illustration ci-dessus (fig. 8) montre l’exemple d’un retard de 0,85 ms destiné
à compenser le fait que l’enceinte "Center" est disposée 29 centimètres ou
0,95 pieds plus près de l’auditeur que les enceintes gauche et droite.
Dans un système à plusieurs enceintes, il faudra toujours prendre l’enceinte
la plus éloignée de l’auditeur et calculer le retard de chacune des autres
enceintes par rapport à celle-ci.
• Le sous-menu "Sweetspot"
La fonction unique "Sweetspot" permet d’optimiser l’écoute de l’auditeur en
fonction du positionnement de celui-ci par rapport aux enceintes.
Cette fonction permet en fait d’optimiser la mise en phase des différents haut-
parleurs d’une enceinte par rapport à la position de l’auditeur et lui donner
ainsi la meilleure "image" possible.
Il existe 2 cas différents :
- Celui d’un système stéréo (fig. 9)
- Et celui d’un système 5.1 (incluant une enceinte Center - fig. 10)
Le logiciel étant commun à plusieurs types d’enceintes
l’utilisateur ne doit pas s’inquiéter si les fenêtres du "Focal Manager" ne
représentent pas exactement le dessin précis de ses enceintes.
Dans les deux cas un bouton "Edit" permet de faire apparaître une fenêtre
comportant plusieurs "champs" autorisant l’inscription de différents paramètre ;
à savoir la distance entre les enceintes G/D et l’auditeur, la hauteur des oreilles
de ce dernier par rapport aux tweeters, la distance entre les enceintes G/D, la
distance entre l’enceinte "Center" et l’auditeur …
Les deux dessins sont suffisamment explicites pour pouvoir rentrer facilement
les bons paramètres.
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Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
notice focal manager 19 19/03/04, 16:32:50

Néanmoins dans le cas précis de la SM 8 utilisée horizontalement sans angle
d’orientation par rapport à l’auditeur : le paramètre "Distance" ne change pas.
Par contre la "Hauteur" devient égale à la moitiée de la distance entre les
enceintes (de tweeter à tweeter) et le "L/R spacing" est égal à zéro.
Plus l’angle d’orientation des enceintes sera important, plus il faudra réduire la
valeur du paramètre "Hauteur". A la limite si les enceintes étaient parfaitement
orientées (distance égale des deux transducteurs par rapport à l’auditeur), le
paramètre "Hauteur" devrait lui aussi être égal à zéro.
En configuration 5.1 (fig. 11)
En configuration stéréo (fig. 12)
• Le sous-menu "Preset" ( ig. 13)
Le sous-menu "Preset" permet à l’utilisateur de garder en mémoire une ou
plusieurs configurations de la totalité des paramètres du logiciel, hormis le
volume Master. Par exemple, une courbe d’égalisation relative à la simulation
de la réponse d’un téléviseur, la courbe simulant la réponse d’une enceinte
spéciale, celle d’une écoute type discothèque, des réglages de "Sweet spot"
différents pour des auditeurs différents, différentes configurations 5.1 etc…
Lorsqu’on enregistre un "Preset" en inscrivant un nom dans le champ "Enter a
name to create a preset" et en cliquant sur "Add", la totalité des paramètres du
logiciel ("Preference" compris) est enregistrée. Le nom donné apparaît alors
dans la liste.
On peut charger un "Preset" en le sélectionnant et en cliquant sur le bouton
"Load", le renommer avec le bouton "Rename" et l’effacer avec "Delete".
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Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
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