Marilyn Poly-DAR User manual

Poly-DAR
Polyphonic Digital Audio Repeater
User’s Manual
Release date 04/06/2022
Document version 1.0

Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................ 1
Disclaimer................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Warranty..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Customer Support ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Operation ....................................................................................................................................................................2
Standard Mode .......................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Dual Zone Mode......................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Unit Layout ..................................................................................................................................................................3
Top View .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................3
Front View ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................3
SD Card slot ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Serial Activity Indicator ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Input Activity Indicator.......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Status indicator...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Error Indicator ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Volume Up/Down Buttons .................................................................................................................................................... 6
Rear View ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................5
INT/EXT switch......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
INT/EXT switch......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Left View......................................................................................................................................................................................................................5
Inputs terminal block connector .......................................................................................................................................... 5
DMX-512 / RS-485 Terminate switch ..................................................................................................................................... 6
DMX-512 / RS-485, RS-232 connector ................................................................................................................................... 6
Right View .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Amplifier Out terminal block connector.............................................................................................................................. 7
24VDC in –2.5mm barrel connector.................................................................................................................................... 7
24VDC in –terminal block connector.................................................................................................................................. 7
Power Wiring.............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Amplifier Wiring.........................................................................................................................................................9
Speakers......................................................................................................................................................................................................................9
Line Level Out............................................................................................................................................................................................................9
Input Wiring .............................................................................................................................................................. 10
Internal Mode......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
External Mode......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Audio Files .................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Formatting..................................................................................................................................................................................................................11
Naming.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................11
Configuration File .................................................................................................................................................... 12
[Config] section.....................................................................................................................................................................................................13
[Amplifier] section.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 14
[Startup] section.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
[Zone1Startup] section..................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
[Zone2Startup] section.....................................................................................................................................................................................17
[InputxMake] section ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 18
[InputxBreak] section........................................................................................................................................................................................ 19
Configuration File Example.......................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Firmware Upgrade...................................................................................................................................................22
Technical Specifications ........................................................................................................................................23
Mechanical Drawing .............................................................................................................................................. 24

©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc. 1
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Poly-DAR polyphonic audio repeater. Capable of playing and mixing up to 8 audio
tracks simultaneously through a built-in 100W amplifier, it can create interactive soundscapes that react to an
environment rather than just simply playing in the background. The Poly-DAR replaces numerous pieces of
equipment with a single, small box freeing you up to focus on your vision.
This rugged, versatile player was designed to make your attraction or exhibit that much more awesome for years
to come and we think you’re going to love it!
Disclaimer
Marilyn Systems equipment is neither designed nor intended for use in safety critical applications where the
potential for personal injury or property damage is present. The customer assumes full responsibility and liability
for any consequences arising from such use. Marilyn Systems, LLC. makes no assertion that this product is
suitable for any specific application and will not be held responsible or liable in any way for improper use.
Marilyn Systems strives to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this manual. Should you find an
error, please bring it to our attention so that we may correct it in a future revision.
Warranty
Unless stated otherwise, all products manufactured by Marilyn Systems are warranted to be free from defects in
material and workmanship for a period of three (3) years from date of purchase. Products that fail during the
warranty period will be repaired or replaced at the discretion of Marilyn Systems.
The warranty does not cover return shipping charges to Marilyn Systems or physical product damage due to
improper configuration or application, abuse, accidents, or shipping. Marilyn Systems will cover ground return
shipping charges for products repaired or replaced under the conditions of this warranty.
All products manufactured by others and sold as such by Marilyn Systems shall be governed by the terms of said
manufacturer’s warranty.
Customer support
Marilyn Systems is available for technical or service support by phone or email:
Phone: [phone] between the hours of 9am-6pm Central Standard Time
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
www.marilynsystems.com
Marilyn Systems, LLC.
2935 Thousand Oaks Dr., STE 6, #260
San Antonio, Texas 78247

2 ©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc.
Operation
The Poly-DAR has 8-voices of polyphony. Polyphony describes how many sounds a device can play
simultaneously. Each “sound player” within that device is referred to as a voice.
Behind the scenes, the voice manager is responsible for finding an available voice to play the next requested
track on. When a track is triggered, the manager will first look for any unused voices and if none are available, it
will “steal”the oldest-playing voice that can be taken. Triggered sounds configured as DoNotDisturb cannon be
stolen by the voice manager.
All eight voices are mixed down to a single stereo pair which is fed to the internal amplifier.
Dual Zone Mode
Dual zone operating mode allows for one Poly-DAR to provide independent audio for two zones. Each speaker
output feeds a zone and the 8 trigger inputs and voices can be divided between them as needed. Each zone has
its own startup or triggered ambient track set and triggered sounds can only duck the ambient level in the zone
that they are assigned to. There can only be one ambient track playing in each zone at any time. The above
polyphony rules apply per-zone and neither zone can steal voices from the other.
In this mode, the Poly-DAR is still playing stereo files which must first be panned hard left for zone 1 and right
for zone 2. We provide Audacity macros that automate the process by mixing both channels of a stereo track
down to a single channel for either zone.
Using stereo tracks in dual zone mode allows for creative solutions such as playing common ambient sounds or
announcements across both zones simultaneously using only a single voice.
Standard Mode
In standard operating mode, up to eight voices
and triggers interact in one single group with
the above polyphony rules applied across all. A
startup or triggered ambient track set can be
configured, with any of the eight inputs triggers
able to duck the ambient content as needed.
Note that only one ambient track can play at a
time in this mode.

©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc. 3
Unit layout
Top View
Figure 1 –Top view
Front View
Figure 2 –Front view
SD Card slot
All sound files and configuration information are stored on a class 4 or class 10 SD card up to 32GB in
size.
Serial activity indicator
Lights to indicate serial port activity.

4 ©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc.
Front View continued
Input activity indicator
Lights to indicate a change on the inputs.
Status indicator
Indication
Function
Slow blink
No flash memory card inserted or no usable configuration
file/media found on the card
Fast blink
Reading the configuration file and analyzing any media
present on the flash card
short flash every second
Unit is idle and operating normally
On
Audio is playing
Error indicator
Indication
Function
Off
No errors
On
SD card not detected in socket
Volume Down / Up buttons
Controls the volume of the built-in amplifier. The set value is retained even with the power removed.
Optionally, the upper and lower volume limits can be specified to ensure that the audio is never turned
too high or low. You can also specify a preset level with the buttons disabled altogether.