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.

©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc. 5
Rear View
Figure 3 –Rear View
Select internal or external operation of the opto-isolators.
Choose “INT” when simple dry-contact closures like buttons, relay contacts, etc. are needed. In this
mode, the inputs share power with the Poly-DAR and the “-“ terminal on the input connector is used to
activate the inputs.
By selecting “EXT”, the inputs are completely isolated from the Poly-DAR and are configured as sinking
or sourcing voltage inputs triggered by an externally-powered system such as a show controller or PLC.
The external system provide a common of the correct polarity via the “C” terminal on the input
connector. Always leave the “-“ terminal on the input terminal block disconnected when the inputs are
configured for external operation.
Left View
Figure 4–Left View
Inputs terminal block connector
Eight non-polarized, optically isolated inputs sharing a single common are available for triggering audio
playback. The inputs can accept 12-24VDC and draw a maximum of 10mA each. Please refer to figures
7, 8 & 9 for wiring examples.
Terminal
Function
-
Power supply ground used for internal mode only
1
Input 1
2
Input 2
3
Input 3
4
Input 4
5
Input 5
6
Input 6
7
Input 7
8
Input 8
C
Input opto-isolator common used for external mode only
INT / EXT Switch

6 ©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc.
Left View continued
DMX-512 / RS-485 Terminate switch
Enables / disables the internal 120ohm terminating resistor. Typically, not enabled with DMX-512
DMX-512 / RS-485, RS-232 connector
Figure 5
Port 1 Pin
Function
Port 2 Pin
Function
1
DMX-512 / RS-485 + in
1
DMX-512 / RS-485 + through
2
DMX-512 / RS-485 - in
2
DMX-512 / RS-485 –through
3
3
4
4
5
5
RS-232 Rx
6
6
RS-232 Tx
7
Ground
7
Ground
8
Ground
8
Ground

©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc. 7
Right View
Figure 6 –Right View
Amplifier Out terminal block connector
A built in 100-Watt stereo amplifier that can drive a 4 to 8-ohm speaker load per channel (see figure 5.)
Terminal
Function
L-
Left channel negative terminal
L+
Left channel positive terminal
R-
Right channel negative terminal
R+
Right channel positive terminal
24VDC In –2.5mm barrel connector
Terminal
Function
Tip
Power supply positive
Barrel
Power supply ground
24VDC In - terminal block connector
Terminal
Function
+
Power supply positive
-
Power supply ground
• Note that the terminal block is internally connected to the barrel jack. See figure 4 for a wiring
example.
• A 24VDC 120W switching power supply will provide enough overhead when running the amplifier at
full volume.

8 ©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc.
Power Wiring
24VDC power may be applied to the Poly-DAR using either the 2.5mm jack or terminal block
(figure 7 below.) Unused power connectors should not be used to supply other devices.
Figure 7 –Power wiring example

©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc. 9
Amplifier Wiring
Speakers
Speakers should be connected to the Poly-DAR as shown in figure 8 below. Multiple speakers may
be connected in series / parallel as long as the 4-ohm load limit is not exceeded.
Figure 8 –Stereo speaker wiring example
Line Level Out
A special line level mode allows for the amplifier outputs to be connected to the balanced inputs of
an external audio system. Refer to figure 9 below for an example of how to connect using either an
XLR or ¼” TRS phone jack. Do not connect the “-“speaker terminals to ground. Ground pins on
balanced connectors should be left floating.
•Line-out mode can ONLY be used with balanced audio inputs.
•Operate ONLY with line out mode enabled.
Figure 9 –Stereo line-out wiring example
Incorrect wiring or usage can damage the Poly-DAR and other equipment. Use at your own risk!

10 ©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc.
Input Wiring
Internal Mode
Internal mode should be used when simple dry-contact closures are needed for input triggers. The INT/EXT
switch on the back of the Poly-DAR must be set to INT. In this configuration, the “-“ negative terminal on the
input connector is used to trigger the inputs. The “C”terminal is not used. Please refer to figure 10 below for a
wiring example.
External Mode
External mode should be used when the Poly-DAR will be triggered from an externally powered system such as a
show controller or PLC. The INT/EXT switch on the back of the Poly-DAR must be set to EXT which completely
isolates the Poly-DAR from the input connector. In this configuration, the inputs are available as sinking or
sourcing voltage inputs with the external system providing a common of the correct polarity via the “C” terminal
on the input connector. Always leave the “-“ terminal on the input terminal block disconnected when
the inputs are configured for external operation.
Figure 11 –Sinking voltage input wiring example in external
mode (INT/EXT switch set to EXT)
Figure 12 –Sourcing voltage input wiring example in external
mode (INT/EXT switch set to EXT)
Figure 10 –Dry-contact Input wiring example in internal mode (INT/EXT
switch set to INT)

©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc. 11
Audio Files
Formatting
All audio files must be formatted as uncompressed, signed-16-bit stereo WAV files at 44.1KHz sample rate. Any
audio file not formatted properly will not be played.
Audio files for dual-zone mode must be prepared by panning left for zone 1 and right for zone 2. To quickly
handle this, we provide Audacity macros that mix the stereo channels of your files to the correct zone.
If tracks are extremely loud, there is a possibility of clipping when mixed with other tracks. This is controlled by
reducing the playback volume of the source track in your sound-editing software or reducing the trigger
playback volume for the affected sounds.
Audio files must be placed in the root directory of the SD card.
Naming
All audio files are referenced numerically by the Poly-DAR and files must be assigned a number so that they can
be found and played. This is done by simply adding a three-digit number from 001 to 500 to the front of the file
name. No characters are allowed in front of this number.
For example, to make a file track 1:
This is the most awesome song ever.wav
You will simply add 001 to the front of the name :
001This is the most awesome song ever.wav
The Poly-DAR ignores everything after the three-digit number, so the following are also valid:
001 This is the most awesome song ever.wav
001_This is the most awesome song ever.wav

12 ©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc.
Configuration File
The DAR configuration file specifies all operating parameters for the player. A simple text format allows for editing
from any computer or operating system.
This file must be named “config.txt”so that the player can find it on startup. The file must be in the root directory
of the card.
The configuration file for the DAR is based on the standard INI file format.
Each operating parameter of the DAR consists of a name and value separated by an equal sign (=).
name = value
Parameters are grouped by section. The section name appears on its own line in square brackets.
[section]
Comments may be added and are preceded with a semicolon. Comments are for documentation purposes only and
are ignored by the DAR.
; comment text
Default values are assumed on all parameters if the parameter is not defined or defined incorrectly.

©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc. 13
[Config] section
Configure the operating mode of the Poly-DAR
Example 1:
; Configure for standard mode with 8 voices and 8 inputs
[Config]
Mode = Standard
Voices = 8
Inputs = 1-8
Example 2:
; Configure for DualZone Mode with 4 voices and 4 inputs per zone
[Config]
Mode = DualZone
Zone1NumVoices = 4
Zone2NumVoices = 4
Zone1Inputs = 1,2,3,4
Zone2Inputs = 5,6,7,8
Parameter
Value
Default
Description
Mode
Standard
*
Single stereo zone with up to eight voices and inputs available
DualZone
Two mono zones each with definable input and voice counts
These settings are
only used in
Standard mode
Voices
1-8
8
Sets the number of voices
Inputs
1-8
8
Sets the number of inputs
These settings are
only used in
DualZone mode
Zone1NumVoices
1-7
4
Sets the number of voices assigned to Zone 1
Zone2NumVoices
1-7
4
Sets the number voices assigned to Zone 2
Zone1Inputs
1-7
1-4
Sets the inputs assigned to zone 1
Zone2Inputs
1-7
5-8
Sets the inputs assigned to zone 2
Note: Inputs may be specified as either a list (1,2,3,4…) or range (1-4)

14 ©2022, Marilyn Systems, llc.
[Amplifier] Section
Poly-DAR amplifier configuration
Example 1:
; Full-range volume control
[Amplifier]
MinVolume = 0
MaxVolume = 100
Example 2:
; Fixed volume disables volume buttons
[Amplifier]
FixedVolume = 60
Example 3:
; Line out mode disables volume buttons
[Amplifier]
LineOutMode = Yes
Parameter
Value
Default
Description
MinVolume
0-100
0
Sets the minimum volume for the amplifier
MaxVolume
0-100
100
Sets the maximum volume for the amplifier
FixedVolume
0-100
100
Sets the amplifier to a fixed volume level that cannot be
changed using the volume control buttons. This overrides
MinVolume and MaxVolume. Only takes effect when present in
this section
LineOutMode
No
*
Line out mode disabled
Yes
Amplifier is fixed at 2VRMS output level
• Line-out mode can ONLY be used with
balanced audio inputs. Grounds should be left
floating.
• Operate ONLY with line out mode enabled.
• Incorrect wiring or usage can damage the
Poly-DAR and other equipment. Use at your
own risk!