Kramer FC-404NET User manual

P/N: 2900-300477 Rev 3 www.kramerAV.com
USER MANUAL
MODEL:
FC‑404NET
4X4 Dante Interface

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Contents
i
Contents
Introduction 1
Getting Started 1
Firmware Upgrade 2
Overview 3
Defining the FC‑404NET 4X4 Dante Interface 4
Connecting the FC‑404NET 5
Connecting the Inputs 6
Connecting the Outputs 7
Operating the FC-404NET 8
Setting the DIP-Switches 8
Using the Web-based Dante Controller 8
Viewing the Unit MAC Address 9
Technical Specifications 11
Protocol 3000 Syntax 12
Host Message Format 12
Device Message Format 12
Command Terms 13
Entering Commands 13
Bidirectional Definition 13
Command Chaining 14
Maximum String Length 14
Practical Command Examples 14
Protocol 3000 Commands 17
System Commands - Mandatory 17
System Commands 20
Audio Commands 21

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Introduction
1
Introduction
Welcome to Kramer Electronics! Since 1981, Kramer Electronics has been providing a world
of unique, creative, and affordable solutions to the vast range of problems that confront the
video, audio, presentation, and broadcasting professional on a daily basis. In recent years, we
have redesigned and upgraded most of our line, making the best even better!
Congratulations on purchasing your Kramer FC‑404NET 4X4 Dante Interface, which is ideal
for the following typical applications:
•Boardrooms
•Education
•Hospitality
•Airline and rail transportation
•Retail
•Entertainment
•Houses of worship
Getting Started
We recommend that you:
•Unpack the equipment carefully and save the original box and packaging materials for
possible future shipment.
•Review the contents of this user manual.
Go to www.kramerav.com/downloads/FC-404NET to check for up-to-date user manuals,
application programs, and to check if firmware upgrades are available (where appropriate).
Achieving the Best Performance
•Use only good quality connection cables (we recommend Kramer high-performance,
high-resolution cables) to avoid interference, deterioration in signal quality due to poor
matching, and elevated noise levels (often associated with low quality cables).
•Do not secure the cables in tight bundles or roll the slack into tight coils.
•Avoid interference from neighboring electrical appliances that may adversely influence
signal quality.
•Position your Kramer FC‑404NET away from moisture, excessive sunlight and dust.
This equipment is to be used only inside a building. It may only be connected to other
equipment that is installed inside a building.

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Introduction
2
Safety Instructions
Caution: There are no operator serviceable parts inside the unit
Warning: Use only the Kramer Electronics power supply that is provided with the unit
Warning: Disconnect the power and unplug the unit from the wall before installing
Recycling Kramer Products
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC aims to reduce
the amount of WEEE sent for disposal to landfill or incineration by requiring it to be collected
and recycled. To comply with the WEEE Directive, Kramer Electronics has made
arrangements with the European Advanced Recycling Network (EARN) and will cover any
costs of treatment, recycling and recovery of waste Kramer Electronics branded equipment on
arrival at the EARN facility. For details of Kramer’s recycling arrangements in your particular
country go to our recycling pages at www.kramerav.com/support/recycling.
Firmware Upgrade
The firmware upgrade of the FC‑404NET includes two components:
•Kramer firmware upgrade
•Dante firmware upgrade
For further details contact your Kramer dealer.

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Overview
3
Overview
The Kramer FC‑404NET is a four−input/four−output Dante™ interface with line or microphone
level inputs and line level outputs. It connects analog inputs to a digital Dante network or
outputs four channels from a Dante network.
The FC‑404NET 4X4 Dante Interface features:
•A Dante network interface
•Four balanced, line-level/mic inputs
•Four balanced, line-level outputs from the network
•Independent input gain/output volume settings per channel
•DIP-switch controlled input settings –line level (0db) or mic level (+20dB) with phantom
+48 volts
•Control via the Dante IP control matrix or Kramer Protocol 3000 via RS-232 connection
•Compact MegaTOOLS®housing where 2 units can be rack mounted side-by-side in a
1U rack space with the optional RK-T2B rack adapter.

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Overview
4
Defining the FC‑404NET 4X4 Dante Interface
This section defines the FC‑404NET.
Figure 1: FC‑404NET 4X4 Dante Interface
#
Feature
Function
1
CLIPPING 1-4, IN-OUT LEDs
Lights when in/out signal is clipped
2
SYS LEDs
Lights green when Dante network is available or red if an error
occurred
3
SYNC LEDs
Lights green for digital audio normal operation.
Flashes green when this unit is the Master clock.
Lights red if an error has occurred.
4
ON LED
Lights green when the unit is powered on
5
LINE LEVEL/MIC + PHANTOM
DIP-Switches (1 to 4)
Set up (OFF) for line level input, set down (ON) for mic level
input and +48v phantom supply to the microphones
6
INPUTS Terminal Block
Connectors (1 to 4)
Connect to balanced line-level audio sources 1-4, (+, –, G) (line
or mic levels)
7
OUTPUTS Terminal Block
Connectors (1 to 4)
Connect to balanced line-level audio acceptors 1-4, (+, –, G)
8
DANTE NET RJ-45 Connector
Connects to the IP network
9
DEF Push Button
To reset/reboot the device, press and release the button
To reset to factory settings, press and hold the button for 30
secs
10
CONTROL RS-232 3-pin
Terminal Block Connector
Connects to a control unit or PC running Protocol 3000
11
CONTROL Mini USB Connector
N/A
12
5V DC Power Connector
Connects to the power supply

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Connecting the FC‑404NET
5
Connecting the FC‑404NET
Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your FC‑404NET. After
connecting your FC‑404NET, connect its power and then switch on the power to each
device.
You do not have to connect all the inputs and outputs, connect only those that are required.
To connect the FC‑404NET, as illustrated in the example in Figure 2, do the following:
1. Connect up to four balanced audio sources, (for example, a multimedia player, a
microphone) to the INPUT 3-pin (+, -, G) terminal blocks (1 to 4).
2. Set the MIC Phantom DIP-switches according to the input type: up (OFF) for line level
inputs or down (ON) for microphone inputs.
3. Connect the OUTPUT 3-pin terminal blocks (+, -, G) to up to four balanced audio
acceptors, (for example, an amplifier with speaker, an audio recording device).
4. Connect the Dante RJ-45 connector to the available IP network.
5. If needed, connect a PC or controller to the FC‑404NET via the RS-232 connection (PC
only).
6. Connect the power adapter to the FC‑404NET and plug the power adapter into the
mains power supply.
Figure 2: Connecting the FC‑404NET 4X4 Dante Interface

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Connecting the FC‑404NET
6
Connecting the Inputs
Each input channel has a 3-pin terminal block connector that can accept either a balanced or
an unbalanced connection; however, an unbalanced connection requires some modifications.
The next two sections explain how to connect the FC‑404NET to its input source.
Connecting Balanced Inputs
When using a balanced input source and connector, you must ensure that the hot, cold, and
ground pins of the connector are matched up to the +, –, and ground pins of the FC‑404NET
terminal block connector respectively. The following diagrams illustrate how to connect
standard XLR and 6.5mm phone jack.
Figure 3: Connecting a Balanced XLR Input
Figure 4: Connecting a Balanced 6.5mm Phone Jack
Connecting Unbalanced Inputs
When using an unbalanced input source, a jumper must be added between the negative (–)
and ground terminals. The unbalanced source is connected to the positive (+) and ground
terminals.
Note: A jumper is required for connecting an unbalanced input.
Figure 5: Connecting an Unbalanced RCA Input
Figure 6: Connecting an Unbalanced 6.5mm Phone Jack

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Connecting the FC‑404NET
7
Connecting the Outputs
Your FC‑404NET is provided with a 3-pin terminal block for each output channel. This
connector offers a balanced output to interface with the input of another device.
Connection methods for balanced and unbalanced outputs are identical as the methods for
inputs as referenced in Connecting the Inputs on page 6.
For any microphone that needs +48 volts of power, set the DIP-switch for that channel ON
(down).

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Operating the FC-404NET
8
Operating the FC-404NET
Setting the DIP-Switches
The 4-way DIP-switch on the rear panel sets the gain and enables/disables the phantom
power to each channel according to the DIP-switch settings shown in the following table.
DIP-switch Number
Switch Setting
State
1
On
Mic level + Phantom
Off
Line level
2
On
Mic level + Phantom
Off
Line level
3
On
Mic level + Phantom
Off
Line level
4
On
Mic level + Phantom
Off
Line level
Using the Web-based Dante Controller
The FC-404NET is operated using Dante Controller, a Web-based software controller
application from Audinate. Use the controller to route audio and configure devices on a Dante
network. It features automatic device discovery, one-click signal routing and user-editable
device and channel labels as well as providing essential device status information and
powerful real-time network monitoring.
Download the Dante Web-based Controller from:
https://www.audinate.com/products/software/dante-controller
Download the Dante Web-based controller User Guide from:
http://dev.audinate.com/GA/dante-controller/userguide/pdf/latest/AUD-MAN-DanteController-
3.6.x-v1.1.pdf
The Initial or factory default input gain is set according to the position of the DIP-switch/per
channel: UP / OFF - 0 dB, DOWN / ON –+20dB.
The initial or factory default output volume is always set to 0 dB
The following values can be changed by Protocol 3000 commands (over RS-232):
•Input gain can be set from -12 dB to +60 dB
•Output volume can be set from +9 dB to -80 dB, or Mute.
Recycling the power doesn’t change the latest values of input gain and output volume.

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Operating the FC-404NET
9
Factory Reset
To reset FC‑404NET to its factory default values, press and hold the DEF pushbutton for
about 30 seconds.
Following reset, the LEDs appear as follows:
•SYS: Lights green when Dante network is available or red if an error occurred
•SYNC: Lights green for digital audio normal operation; flashes green when this unit is
the Master clock; lights red if an error has occurred
•CLIPPING: all IN/OUT LEDs are OFF
Viewing the Unit MAC Address
The MAC address of the unit is supplied by the Dante network. To view the MAC address,
perform the following:
1. In the Dante controller, double-click the device name (in this example, Ult4-0a1b46).
Figure 7: Dante Controller –FC‑404NET

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Operating the FC-404NET
10
2. Select the Status tab.
Figure 8: Dante Controller –Selecting the Status Tab
3. In Interfaces, view the MAC address.
Figure 9: Dante Controller –Viewing MAC Address

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Technical Specifications
11
Technical Specifications
INPUTS
4 balanced mono audio on terminal blocks
OUTPUTS
4 balanced mono audio on terminal blocks
PORTS
1 Dante Net on RJ-45 connector
1 RS-232 on a three-pin terminal block
1 USB mini connector (not used)
INDICATOR LEDS
On, In/Out Clipping, Sys, Sync
CONTROLS
Line/mic+phantom DIP-switches, factory reset button
BALANCED INPUT LEVEL MAX
3.2Vpp @ 0dB in/out gain and 0dB output volume
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
20Hz to 20kHz @1dB
THD+N
<0.008% @1kHz at maximum level
S/N RATIO
>85dB
CROSSTALK
<80dB
INPUT GAIN ADJUSTMENT
-12dB to +60dB
OUTPUT GAIN ADJUSTMENT
-78dB to +9dB
INPUT IMPEDANCE
10kΩ balanced
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
50Ω balanced
MIC PHANTOM POWER
+48V DC =/- 10%
OPERATING TEMPERATURE
0° to +40°C (32° to 104°F)
STORAGE TEMPERATURE
-40° to +70°C (-40° to 158°F)
HUMIDITY
10% to 90%, RHL non-condensing
POWER CONSUMPTION
5V DC, 850mA max.
DIMENSIONS
18.8cm x 12cm x 2.6cm (7.4” x 4.7” x 1.0”) W, D, H, ½ 19” 1U
WEIGHT
0.41kg (0.9lbs) approx.
SHIPPING DIMENSIONS
35.1cm x 21.2cm x 7.2cm (12.4” x 8.4” x 2.8”) W, D, H
SHIPPING WEIGHT
0.95kg (2.1lbs) approx.
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
Power supply
OPTIONS
RK-T2B 19” rack adapter
All Audio specification are from Analog In to Analog Out.
Specifications are subject to change without notice at www.kramerav.com

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Protocol 3000 Syntax
12
Protocol 3000 Syntax
With Kramer Protocol 3000 you can control a device from any standard terminal software (for
example, the Windows® HyperTerminal Application) or from UDP clients connected to the
default TCP port 5000 (port numbers can be changed by the user). RS-232/RS-485
communications protocol uses a data rate of 115200 bps, no parity, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit.
Host Message Format
Start
Address (opt)
Body
Delimiter
#
Destination_id@
Message
CR
Simple Command
Command string with only one command without addressing:
Start
Body
Delimiter
#
Command SP Parameter_1,Parameter_2,…
CR
Command String
Formal syntax with commands concatenation and addressing:
Start
Address
Body
Delimiter
#
Destination_id@
Command_1 Parameter1_1,Parameter1_2,…|
Command_2 Parameter2_1,Parameter2_2,…|
Command_3 Parameter3_1,Parameter3_2,…|
CR
Device Message Format
Start
Address (opt)
Body
Delimiter
~
Sender_id@
Message
CR LF
Device Long Response
Echoing command:
Start
Address (opt)
Body
Delimiter
~
Sender_id@
Command SP [Param1,Param2 …] result
CR LF
CR = Carriage return (ASCII 13 = 0x0D)
LF = Line feed (ASCII 10 = 0x0A)
SP = Space (ASCII 32 = 0x20)

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Protocol 3000 Syntax
13
Command Terms
Command
A sequence of ASCII letters ('A'-'Z', 'a'-'z' and '-').
Command and parameters must be separated by at least one space.
Parameters
A sequence of alphamerical ASCII characters ('0'-'9','A'-'Z','a'-'z' and some
special characters for specific commands). Parameters are separated by
commas.
Message string
Every command entered as part of a message string begins with a message
starting character and ends with a message closing character.
Note: A string can contain more than one command. Multiple commands are
separated by a pipe ('|') character.
Message starting
character
'#' - For host command/query
'~' - For machine response or machine command performed by keystroke
operation on the front panel or IR remote controller.
Device address
(Optional when directly connected to the device)
K-Net Device ID or MACHINE NUMBER followed by '@'
(ex. #02@CR LF )
Query sign
'?' follows some commands to define a query request.
All outputs sign
'*' defines all outputs.
Message closing
character
CR - For host messages; carriage return (ASCII 13)
CR LF - For machine messages; carriage return (ASCII 13) + line-feed
(ASCII 10)
Command chain
separator character
When a message string contains more than one command, a pipe ('|')
character separates each command.
Spaces between parameters or command terms are ignore
Entering Commands
You can directly enter all commands using a terminal with ASCII communication software,
such as HyperTerminal, Hercules, etc. Connect the terminal to the serial or Ethernet port on
the Kramer device. To enter CR, press the Enter key. (LF is also sent but is ignored by the
command parser).
For commands sent from some non-Kramer controllers such as Crestron, some characters
require special coding (such as, /X##). Refer to the controller manual.
Bidirectional Definition
All commands are bidirectional. That is, if the device receives the code, it performs the
instruction. If the instruction is performed (due to a keystroke operation on the front panel or IR
controller) these codes are sent to the PC or other RS-232 / Ethernet controller.

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Protocol 3000 Syntax
14
Command Chaining
Multiple commands can be chained in the same string. Each command is delimited by a pipe
character ('|'). When chaining commands, enter the message starting character and the
message closing character once only, at the beginning of the string and at the end.
Commands in the string do not execute until the closing character is entered. A separate
response is sent for every command in the chain.
Maximum String Length
64 characters (except for special commands that are defined in the command syntax
description).
Practical Command Examples
Ask all level status
#AUD-LVL? 1,1
#AUD-LVL? 1,2
#AUD-LVL? 1,3
#AUD-LVL? 1,4
#AUD-LVL? 2,1
#AUD-LVL? 2,2
#AUD-LVL? 2,3
#AUD-LVL? 2,4
Set volume output to -70 dB (very low output)
#AUD-LVL? 2,2
#AUD-LVL 2,2,-70
#AUD-LVL 2,1,-70
#AUD-LVL 2,3,-70
#AUD-LVL 2,4,-70
Set volume output to -6 dB (normal output)
#AUD-LVL 2,1,-6
#AUD-LVL 2,2,-6
#AUD-LVL 2,3,-6
#AUD-LVL 2,4,-6
Set volume output to 0 dB (normal output)
#AUD-LVL 2,1,0
#AUD-LVL 2,2,0
#AUD-LVL 2,3,0
#AUD-LVL 2,4,0

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Protocol 3000 Syntax
15
Set gain input to -6 dB (normal input)
#AUD-LVL 1,1,-6
#AUD-LVL 1,2,-6
#AUD-LVL 1,3,-6
#AUD-LVL 1,4,-6
Reduce the gain input to -9 dB (lower input)
#AUD-LVL 1,1,-9
#AUD-LVL 1,2,-9
#AUD-LVL 1,3,-9
#AUD-LVL 1,4,-9
Increase the gain input to 0 dB (better level input)
#
#AUD-LVL 1,1,0
#AUD-LVL 1,2,0
#AUD-LVL 1,3,0
#AUD-LVL 1,4,0
Increase the gain input to max 59 dB (very high level input)
#AUD-LVL 1,1,59
#AUD-LVL 1,2,59
#AUD-LVL 1,3,59
#AUD-LVL 1,4,59
Ask Mute status on all channels
#MUTE? 1
#MUTE? 2
#MUTE? 3
#MUTE? 4
Set Mute On to all channels
#MUTE 1,1
#MUTE 2,1
#MUTE 3,1
#MUTE 4,1
Check Mute status on all channels
#MUTE? 1
#MUTE? 2
#MUTE? 3
#MUTE? 4
Set Mute Off to all channels
#MUTE 1,0
#MUTE 2,0
#MUTE 3,0
#MUTE 4,0

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Protocol 3000 Syntax
16
Check Mute status on all channels
#MUTE? 1
#MUTE? 2
#MUTE? 3
#MUTE? 4
#MUTE? 1
#MUTE? 2
#MUTE? 3
#MUTE? 4

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Protocol 3000 Commands
17
Protocol 3000 Commands
System Commands - Mandatory
All devices running Protocol 3000 use these commands.
Command
Description
Type
Permission
#
Protocol handshaking
System-mandatory
End User
BUILD-DATE?
Get device build date
System-mandatory
End User
FACTORY
Reset to factory default configuration
System-mandatory
End User
MODEL?
Get device model
System-mandatory
End User
PROT-VER?
Get device protocol version
System-mandatory
End User
RESET
Reset device
System-mandatory
Administrator
SN?
Get device serial number
System-mandatory
End User
VERSION?
Get device firmware version
System-mandatory
End User
#
Functions
Permission
Transparency
Set:
#
End User
Public
Get:
-
-
-
Description
Syntax
Set:
Protocol handshaking
#CR
Get:
-
-
Response
~nn @SP OKCR LF
Parameters
Response Triggers
Notes
Validates the Protocol 3000 connection and gets the machine number
Step-in master products use this command to identify the availability of a device
BUILD-DATE?
Functions
Permission
Transparency
Set:
-
-
-
Get:
BUILD-DATE?
End User
Public
Description
Syntax
Set:
-
-
Get:
Get device build date
#BUILD-DATE? CR
Response
~nn @BUILD-DATE SP date SP time CR LF
Parameters
date –Format: YYYY/MM/DD where YYYY = Year, MM = Month, DD = Day
time –Format: hh:mm:ss where hh = hours, mm = minutes, ss = seconds
Response Triggers
Notes

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
FC‑404NET –Protocol 3000 Commands
18
FACTORY
Functions
Permission
Transparency
Set:
FACTORY
End User
Public
Get:
-
-
-
Description
Syntax
Set:
Reset device to factory default configuration
#FACTORY CR
Get:
-
-
Response
~nn @FACTORY SP OK CR LF
Parameters
Response Triggers
Notes
This command deletes all user data from the device. The deletion can take some time.
Your device may require powering off and powering on for the changes to take effect.
MODEL?
Functions
Permission
Transparency
Set:
-
-
-
Get:
MODEL?
End User
Public
Description
Syntax
Set:
-
-
Get:
Get device model
#MODEL? CR
Response
~nn @MODEL SP model_name CR LF
Parameters
model_name –string of up to 19 printable ASCII chars
Response Triggers
Notes
This command identifies equipment connected to Step-in master products and notifies of identity changes to the connected
equipment. The Matrix saves this data in memory to answer REMOTE-INFO requests
PROT-VER?
Functions
Permission
Transparency
Set:
-
-
-
Get:
PROT-VER?
End User
Public
Description
Syntax
Set:
-
-
Get:
Get device protocol version
#PROT-VER? CR
Response
~nn @PROT-VER SP 3000:version CR LF
Parameters
version –XX.XX where X is a decimal digit
Response Triggers
Notes