Lynx ARK 20 Series User manual

ARK
Valencia, Spain - www.lynxproaudio.com
USER MANUAL
V.11.02
20 series
ARK
ARK 20xx processor
Loading DSP Program

INDEX
1.-INTRODUCTION.
ARK Description.....................................................5
Description of theARK's frontpanel ..................................6
Description of the ARK's back panel.................................7
2.-SETUPANDCONNECTION
Connectors and connections............................................8
ARK dimensions ..........................................................8
3.-FUNCTIONALDESCRIPTION.
Block diagrams ........................................................9
4.-OPERATINGINSTRUCTIONS.
Operatingprocedures.......................................................11
Displayandencoder .........................................................12
Program menus ............................................................13
- Open Preset .......................................................13
- Input Gain ......................................................14
- Input Polarity ...............................................14
- Input Delay .................................................15
- Output Route ..................................................15
- Output Gain ....................................................16
- Output Polarity ...............................................16
- Output Delay ...............................................17
- Firmware ..................................................17
5.- SPECIFICATIONS. .........................................................................18
6.- TROUBLESHOOTING. ..........................................................19
7.- GUARANTEE. ........................................................................................20

WELCOME
Justcontactthenewgeneration ofdigitalprocessorsARK,designedandmanufacturedbyLynx
ProAudio S.L.
Beforeworking withthe processorwe recommendthat youread thismanual, initspagesyou will
find instructionsfor use,programming examplesand practical advice that will beof greathelp.Also
considerreading theSoftware manual,available separatelyandeasilydownloadablefromtheLYNX
web www.lynxproaudio.com.
Forthe maximumoptimization ofany soundsystemafirst classdigital processorwith different
processing optionsis required.Thus ARK processors become a working tool of greatvalue, providing
theuser withthebestsolutions inthe marketwith thehighest level of accuracyand ahost offeaturesfor
theprofessional.
We hopethatasa user youwillbecompletely satisfied.We aresure thattheARK processorwill
meetyourexpectationsand makeiteasierforyouto get the mostout ofyour system.

4
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS-
The CE mark of theprocessor shows that it is verified and tested to accomplish the
EuropeanNormsandInternationalNormsaboutElectromagneticCompatibilityandElectricalSafety.
RadiatedEmissions : EN55013-1(1996)
RFImmunity: EN55103-2(1996)
ElecticalSafety: EN60065(1993)
IEC65(1985)andemendation1,2and3
Thisproductalsomeetsthespecificationsof the followingsafetydirectives:
LowVoltageDirective 73/23/EEC
EMCDirective89/336/EEC
ProductDevelopedandManufacturedintheEuropeanUnion.
Thesymbolsshown above areinternationally accepted symbols that warn of potential hazardswith
electricalproducts.Thelightningflashwitharrowpointinanequilateraltrianglemeansthattherearedangerous
voltagespresentwithintheunit.Theexclamationpointinanequilateraltriangleindicatesthatisnecessary
forthe user to refer to theowner's manual.
Warning:
Do notexpose theprocessor to humidity and dust.
Do not take off the top cover.
Do not handle internal elements to avoid electrical shock.
Use only power cords in good condition.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
PRECAUCION
RIESGO DE SHOCK ELECTRICO
NO ABRIR
Unpacking the ARK.-
Beforeunpackingyournewprocessor,verifythattheboxdoesnotshowanydamageordeformation.
Ifthishappens,pleaseclaimthedamagetoyourfordwarder.Onceunpackedandverifieditscorrectoperation,
keepthe original box incase you need toship it back to your provider.

5
INTRODUCTION
1.-INTRODUCTION
ARK-20 seriesoffers theuser a perfect tool for processing, with three processor models
available (ARK-2024,ARK-2026,ARK-2048) withtwo or fourinputsandeightoutputs.
ARK-20 seriesprocessors offer a RMScompressor/limiter usedto adjust thesoundlevel of
thetransducer, keepingtheoriginal dynamicswhilerespectingtheoriginal transition, gettingabetter
acoustic result. This Dynamic minimizesdistortion levels and providesprotection for all acoustic and
electronic componentsof the system.
With fixed latency of 0.6 msARK processorsoffer one of the lower latencieson the market.All
ARKmodelsoffer 120 dB dynamicrange andAD-DAconverter CirrusLogic high-performance24-bit
and 96 KHz. Theinternal DSP processor workswith double precision floatingpoint, reaching a56-bit
internal resolution, oneof the highest resolutionsavailabletodayonthe market. This allowsthe useof
high-precisionfilterswith verylowdistortionandprovidinga quality andunsurpassed soundclarity.
In the security section, different levelsof accessrestrictionsareincluded. That canbe
managed by aglobal password and a presetpassword, with the choice to select which processing
functions can be modified ornot. The front panel canalsobe blocked, denyingany access.
For theavailableARKcontrol software,werecommend readingthesoftware manual.The
control softwareforARK processors is designed toprovide theuser with fast andintuitive access to
eachprocessarea, facilitatingtheprogrammingof the processorfroma computer. Thesoftware
manual isadocument availablein thedownloadssectionof thewebsite www.lynxproaudio.com

6
ARK20'sfrontpaneldescription-
1.- POWER SUPPLY INDICATION.
Indicates that the processor is switched on.
2.- LCD DISPLAY.
24 characters LCD Display. Shows the menus, funtion information, and various user editable
parameters.
3.- ENCODER.
Enconder with pushbutton from which we can modify move into the menu
4.- SIGNAL, LIMITATION AND CLIP LEDS.
INTRODUCTION
1452 3
5.- USB.
USB connection from the frontal to set parameters or update the firmware via ARK software.

7
ARK20 Back panel description.-
06.- AUDIO INPUTS.
Analog: Balanced signal via female XLR connectors.
07.- AUDIO OUTPUTS.
Analog: Balanced signal via male XLR connectors.
8.- ETHERNET CONNECTOR (OPTIONAL).
Ethercon RJ45 professional connector for a secure connection.
9.- POWER ON SWITCH.
10.- IEC MAINPOWER CONNECTOR .
The power cord is supplied together with the processor. The ARK includes a precise switching power
supply. It withstands power supply from 85 to 264 volts and is continuously self-regulating providing a
perfect functioning even with poorly regulated voltages.
11.- FUSE HOLDER.
1A fuse. (Always replace with equivalent fuses)
INTRODUCTION
76 8
910
11

8
SETUP
482
45
225
1
3
2
2
3
1
INPUTS
1.- GROUND
2.- SIGNAL (+)
3.- SIGNAL (-)
OUTPUTS
1.- GROUND
2.- SIGNAL (+)
3.- SIGNAL (-)
XLRSOCKETCONECTORES
OVERHEADXLRCONNECTORS
To be conected to the processor input
3 Sig. (-)
1Ground
2 Sig. (+)
To be conected to the processor output
2Sig. (+)
3Sig. (-)
1Ground
ARK dimensions (in mm).
2.-SETUPANDCONNECTION
Connectorsandconnections.

9
GAIN: Gain control. Gain adjusting in inputs to adapt/fit the signal level sent from the mixing
console and in the outputs to adjust the level supplied to each amplifier and to equalize the
sensitivity in each way.
GEQ:ARK-20offersforeachinputa29-bandgraphicequalizerwithtwochoicesofQ,theclassical
andaspecialalgorithm, whichadaptstheQ intermsof howaretheotherfilters,togetasmoother
responseand more optimal acoustics.
GAIN
3.-FUNCTIONALDESCRIPTION
ARK-20 Process Diagram.
FourfloatingpointDSPs(DigitalSignalProcessors)with 56bitsofinternalresolutionareincluded
intheARKprocessor.Allthiscalculatingpowerisusedinthesignalprocessingalgorithmswhichcontrol
all theprocess: input delays,globalequalisation,crossoverfilters,individual equalisationforeachway,
output delays, protections and dynamic control and independent noise gate per output. All of these
algorithms have been developed to provide the best precision and the lowest round-off noise in the
calculations.Thisway,thebestsoundfidelityandtransparencyfreeofnoiseisachieved.Thewideinternal
range(56bit)allowstheuseofhigh-precisionfilterswithverylowdistortion.CirrusLogicconverters24-bit
and120dBdynamicrangeassuresacleansoundwithoutdistortionandbackgroundnoise makestheARK-
20 one of the processors in the market with the best technical characteristics.
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
Oncetheanaloginputsignalisconvertedintoa digitalone,theprocessinginsidetheARKDSPs
is as follows:
OUTPUTS
OUTPUT1
DELAY
INPUT A
CROSSOVER
INPUT D
DELAY
GAIN DELAY
29 Band
GEQ
29 Band
GEQ
A
D
A
:
D
ROUTER
INPUTS
GAIN
GAIN
OUTPUT8
PEQ RMS
DYNAMIC
DELAY
CROSSOVER
A
:
D
ROUTER GAIN
PEQ RMS
DYNAMIC
29 Band
GEQ

10
DELAY: Configurabledelay. IntheinputsA-Bupto54msec, for covering adistanceupto18m It
is mainly useful when working with important PA equipment covering a large distance with
reinforcement blocs. It allows20msec at outputs, whichcorrespondto 7 metersapproximately.
Thanksto that function, it is possible to rectify the cabinet’sposition (alignment) in a multi-way
equipment andavoid cancellingproblemsduetophasecancellationeffects.
PEQ: Output equalisation. There are 9filters completely configurable per output. These filters
can be parametric,6dB/oct. and12dB/oct. lowfrequenciesShelving(with or withoutQ),6dB/oct.
and 12dB/oct. high frequency Shelving (with or without Q), 12 dB/oct. highpass and lowpass,
bandpass, reject band and first and second order Allpass filters. Its aim is to provide a final
equalisation oneachway of the equipment.
CROSSOVER: Bandsseparatingfilters. Different filtersareavailable:Linkwitz-Riley,Butterworth
and Bessel up to 48 dB/oct. It is also possible to put them in By-pass without affecting the
correspondingwayto havefull bandwithoutput.
DYNAMIC: Dynamic section. The ARK-20 offers a sophisticated RMS compressor-limiter on
each output. Limiters and compressors are C.R.I. type (Continuous Increment Ratio) for low
distortion.
Usinga RMSdetector for a high-quality compression. Thesystem will reachitsmaximum
powergraduallyandthesoundisperfectlycrispandclearatalltimes,avoidingtheusualproblems
of normal limiters.Also available is a noise gate that will respond with the same timing as the
RMSdynamicsand youcan select different thresholdsof noise toremove.
On theARK front canseewhen aviaislimiting becauseLIMIT LED lights.
CROSSOVER
DELAY
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
PEQ
RMS
DYNAMIC

11
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
4.-OPERATINGINSTRUCTIONS.
Howtoproceed.-
a.- Before switching onthe processor:
ARK includesa precise switching power supply. That means that it can adapt itself to any input
supplyvoltagefrom84and264voltsandfrequenciesfrom50to400Hz.Thisisthereasonwhytheprocessor
isguaranteedtoworkperfectlyunderanyvoltageandthefinalsoundqualityiscompletelyindependentof
the supply voltage or the kind of generator used. Nevertheless it is recommended to check the supply
voltagebeforeworkingtoavoidanypossibleproblemwhenconnectingat380volts.Afuseholderisincluded
in the ARK processor with a spare fuse (1 A) situated in the IEC connector input of the power supply
connector.
Itisrecommendedtoturnoffthevolumeofallthepoweramplifiersdownto0beforeswitchingon
theprocessor.Wewillthenbeabletocheckwhetheranyofthe4processoroutputsareconnectedtotheir
corresponding power cabinets, avoiding any irretrievable damage in the loudspeakers (specially in
expensivehighfrequenciesdrivers).
In anyinstallation, it is suitableto place audio andlighting systemsin independentpower linesto
protectbothpartsseparatelyandtoavoidinterferencesbetweenthedifferentequipments.
b.– Once the processor is ON:
When switchingon the ARK processor, audio outputsremain short-circuited to ground for a few
secondsin orderto avoid thedangerousstart uptransient timenecessary for theprocessorto receivea
stablevoltageandto checkinternalfunctionssuchas:goodrunningof the converters,workingmemory
checking, DSP processors start-up and current configuration loading. Subsequently, if everything is
correct,alltheoutputswillcommutateatthesametimeintroducingaudioineachoutputwithasoft-start
(Theaudiobeincreaseduntil reachingthevaluesetinthepreset).

12
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Display,buttonsandencoders.-
ARKprocessorcomes,forprogrammingallfunctions,witha24charactersandtwolinesLCDdisplay,
aswell as an encoder to move into the menu. It is recommended to use the ARK software for better
viewing of EQ curves and ease of programming.
ENCODERDESCRIPTION:
Theencoderallowmodificationofmenuitemsandmoveusbymenusandsubmenus.
RIGHT: Increase the number of menu.
LEFT: Decrease the number of menu.
PUSH OK: Provides access to menus and submenus and confirm
their actions

13
Open Preset
The Open Preset menu isthe first to find whenyou pressOK after the welcome menu.
LoadtheDSPprogram.
Calculate and sendpreset datato thepresent DSP.
Initially in the first line shows the memory number and
nameofthecurrentprogram.
PressingthefunctionOKallowsyoutoenterthedetailed
configurationof thefunctionsoftheprocessor.
ProgramMenus.-
ARK Processor hasan LCD Display in which there are variousconfiguration menusto store and
modify the operation of processor optionsandto protect stored data andaccessto them.
Thesemenusare:
- Open Preset
- Input Gain
- Input Polarity
- Input Delay
- Output Route
- Output Polarity
- Output Delay
- Firmware
When switchingthe processor,the startmenusappears:
If we press OK we will select the memory we want to load
usingtheencoder.
Memorynumberwillbedisplayedandthenameofthepreset
selected.
If we accept, the memory will be loaded and the following
screenappears.
Open Preset
Open Preset
Calculating Preset...
Lynx Pro Audio S.L.
ARK-20xx Processor
1. No Name
Press OK to enter
Lynx Pro Audio S.L.
Loading DSP Program
Lynx Pro Audio S.L.
Calculating Preset
Open Preset
1: No Name
MENU OPTIONS

14
Input Gain
Ifweincreasewiththeecoder,wemovetosubmenuInputGain,fromwhichwecanchangethegain
of the input A, B, C and D.
PressingOKweaccessthenextwindow,inwhichwecan
modifywithencoder thegainof eachinput(from-40dBu
to+6dBu).
At thetop-left of thedisplay showsthe Inputin which we
are,initiallyinputA.PressingOKwillconfirmandgotothe
nextinput.Anymovementoftheencoderswillbesentin
real-timetoDSP.
MENU OPTIONS
Input Gain
AInput Gain
Gain:+0.00 dB
DInput Gain
Gain:+0.00 dB
.
.
.
Input Polarity
Ifweincreaseagainwiththeecoder,wemovetosubmenuInputPolarity,fromwhichwecanchange
the polarity of the input A, B, C and D.
PressingOKweaccessthenextwindow,inwhichwecan
modifywithencoder thepolarityof eachinput(Positive
ornegative).
At thetop-left of thedisplay showsthe Inputin which we
are,initiallyinputA.PressingOKwillconfirmandgotothe
nextinput.Anymovementoftheencoderswillbesentin
real-timetoDSP.
Input Polarity
AInput Polarity
Polarity: +
DInput Polarity
Polarity: +
.
.
.

15
Input Delay
Increasing themenu, we move to submenuInput Delay, from whichwecan changethe delays
for inputs A, B, C, D.
PressingOK willaccessthenextscreen,inwhich
we canincreaseor decrease with encoder thedelayof
thecurrentinput.Thiswillincreasefrom0to54ms(18.77
meters at 25ºC) for inputsA-B.
With push we changeto the next input.
Input Delay
AInput Delay 25^C
Delay: 54.17ms 18.77m
Delayin miliseconds
Delay in meters
MENU OPTIONS
AgainweenterthesubmenubypressingOK,inwhichwe
choosethedesiredinputsignalfortheselectedoutput,in
this case OUT 1 takes the signal from input A. We can
choose inputsA, B,C, Daswell asmonoA+B, C+D(for
inputs A+B and C+D the input gain decrease to -6dB
automaticaly,tocompensatethesumofbothchannels).
We will changethe output selectionpressingOK.
The processor will show in brackets the name we have
assigned for such outputs with ARK software.
OutputRoute
Next submenuis Output ROUTE,from herewe canselect from where we taketheinput signal on
everyoutput.
Output Route
Output Route
1 [Out 1]: A

16
OutputGain
IfweincreasethemenuwillpasstotheOutputGainsubmenu, fromwhichwecanmodify thegain
of the selected output 1 to 8.
Pressing OK will access the next screen, in which we can modify with encoder the gain of the
selectedoutput(from-40dButo+6dBu).Thetop-leftofthedisplayshowstheoutputinwhichweare.The
1,inthiscase.Anymovementof theencoderswill besentinreal-timeto theDSP. Tochangetheoutput
just push OK.
Output Gain
MENU OPTIONS
OutputPolarity
IncreasingthemenuwillgotoOutputPolaritysubmenu, from whichwecanmodify the polarity
of the selected output 1 to 8.
PressingOKwill accessthenextscreen,inwhichwecanmodifywithencoderthepolarityofthe
selectedoutput(positiveornegative).Thetop-leftofthedisplayshowstheoutputinwichweare.1,inthis
case.Anymovementoftheencoderswillbesentinreal-timetotheDSP.Tochangetheoutputjustpush
OK.
Output Polarity
1Output Polarity
Polarity: +
1Output Gain
Gain:+0.00 dB 8Output Gain
Gain:+0.00 dB
. . .
8Output Polarity
Polarity: +
. . .

17
OutputDelay
Next submenu tocome is theOutput Delay,from which we can modify delaysin outputs1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
PressingOK wewillaccessanewscreen,inwhich
we can modify Delay for the selected output with the
encoder. This range will be from 0 to 20.83ms (7.22
metersat 25ºC) for eachoutput.
WithencoderPush weconfirmandgotothenext
Output.
Output Delay
1Output Delay 25^C
Delay: 20.83ms 7.22m
Delayin miliseconds
Delay in meters
MENU OPTIONS
Firmware
And the last submenu is the Firmware,from which we can get information about version of the
currentfirmwareandreleasedate.
PressingOK showtheinformation.
Firmware
Lynx Pro Audio S.L.
v4.0 May 10 2010

18
SPECIFICATIONS
5.-TECHNICALSPECIFICATIONS.
Input 2 / 4
Impedance: 20 K Ohm Balanced (10 K Ohm unbalanced)
Connector: Balanced XLR (pin 2 +)
AD converter: 24 bit-192KHz, 512x Oversampling
Dynamic Range: 120 dB
Max. level: +19 dBu (balanced).
Outputs4 / 6 / 8 (ARK-7024 /7044 / 7026 / 7048)
Impedance: 50 Ohm Balanced (25 Ohm unbalanced)
Connector: Balanced XLR (pin 2 +)
DA converter: 24 bit-192KHz, 512x Oversampling
Dynamic Range: 120 dB
Max. level: +18dBu(balanced)
Audio
Frequency Range 10 Hz – 24 KHz
THD(%) <0,0018%
DSP Process Internal resolution with 56 bit double precision in
floating point
Converters 24 bit resolution
Propagation Delay: 0.6 miliseconds
Equalisation
Input GEQ 29 GEQ Bands per input
PEQ output 9 per way
PEQ Type filters Parametric, Shelving High, Shelving Low, Low-Pass,
High-Pass, Low-Pass Q variable, High-Pass Q variable,
BandPass, Reject Band, AllPass order 1, AllPass order 2.
Crossover
Linkwitz Riley with 12, 24, 48 dB/oct.
Butterworth and Bessel with 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 dB/oct.
Delay
Input 54.15 milisec
Output 20.8 milisec for Speaker's alignment
RMS Limiter-Compressor
1 per output.
Threshold: +18dBu to -50dBu
Compression Ratio: 1:1 to 1:10 (1:infinite with limiter)
Powerindication Shows the maximum power applied to the
speaker for the selected threshold.
Noise Gate
1 per Output
Noise Threshold: -79dBu to -37dBu.
Level Control
Gain +6dBu to -40 dBu per input / output
Signal Generator
Level 0dBu to –40dBu
Type: sin tone from 10Hz to 22KHz, Pink noise,
White noise.
Security Options
Password global
Level 0: All controls unlocked.
Level 1: Only permits to change presets.
Level 2: All frontal controls locked.
Restricted Zones:For each Preset it is
possible to disable the access to any
processor function (EQ, crossover, Limiter,
etc) writing a preset password.
Other functions:
Process Integration with RAINBOW – The acoustical prediction software
Speaker data import from main audio measurement systems.
Export & Import EQ files
Etc.
Front Panel
Display: LCD with 24 x 2 characters.
Encoders: 1 with push button.
Level Meter: Input signal, input clip, output signal,output Limiter on
Communication USB
Ethernet (optional).
General
Power supply 85-240 V ~ 40-400 Hz. IEC connector.(Switching power
supply, wide range)
Consumption 30 W
Operating temperature: -5º to 60º C (23º to 140º F)
Storage temperature: -60º to 75º C (-76º to 167º F)
Humidity: Max. 90% non-condensing
Dimensions 482 x 45 x 226 mm
Weight 3 Kg
Warranty 3 years

19
TROUBLESHOOTING
6.-TROUBLESHOOTING
In this sectionwe try to give solutionstopossible problems :
1 – Theprocessor does not startup:
Check thepower supply cord. If it iscorrectly connected andthe red led onthefront panel does
not light on, check the fuse situatedin the input of the power cord.
2 – Theprocessorstarts up butthereis no sound:
Checkthat theprocessor isbeing provided with a signal in the correct input,A, B, C or D. If the
signal doesreachtheprocessor, thegreensignal LEDwill light,otherwisecheck all the connectionsfrom
themixing console to theprocessor.
3 – Theresulting sound is “strange”:
Checkthatthe4 outputsandtheir corresponding cabinets arecorrectlylinked.Alwaysbecareful
inincreasinglittlebylittlethecabinetsvolumechannelbychannelinordertocheckthecorrectconnection
andnot to damage the transducers.
4 – One of the cabinets ( with the same signal ) sounds less than the others:
Check that the joining cable from the processor to the cabinet is well balanced otherwise the
output signal will fall 6dB.
5 –Audio sounds wrong and distorted.
Verify that we are not saturating the input (beyond the 19 dBu input). In this case the LEDs
light up red clip. Sufficient to reduce the input signal to the processor, until no clip LEDs light up. If
this does not work, verify that the signal is not distorted out from the previousgear, for example the
mixer, which could be the gain of that channel very high and saturating the mixer input.
6 – Buttons or encoder do not work.
Verify if there is any keyboard lock activated from the software.
7 – I can not connect by Ethernet.
Check that the USB cable is not connected,it has priority and internally disables the Ethernet
connection. If this is not the case readAnnex Ethernet in the software manual.

20
GUARANTEE
7. LYNX PRO AUDIO GUARANTEE
Lynx productsareguaranteedagainstevery kindof manufacturing fault 2year after the dateof sale. Whenproducts
are under guarantee, therepairingandthefreesupplyingof thedevicepartsinorderto correctanykindof defect are
guaranteedby Lynx ProAudioS.L. Inthe case that theproduct couldnot bereturnedto thefactoryfor checkingand
repairing, Lynx ProAudio S.L. would supply all the necessary parts.
Lynx ProAudio S.L. is not responsible for anydamage ordefect caused duringthe transport or caused by anundue
orimproper handlingy anon-authorizedpersonduringthelife of thisguarantee.
All ourproductsundergorigoroustestsandqualitycontrols.Weguaranteethecharacteristicsdescribedherewithin
andtheirqualityagainstanyfabricationdefect.
Theuserlosesallwarrantyrightsifheincorporatesorcarriesoutanymodificationtotheproduct,ifheusesitoutside
ofthestatedsafeworkingloadsordoesnotsecurethesystemproperlyusingallthepinsintheircorrespondingholes.
For anyquestion regarding theproduct, the user must quotethe model andserial number.