miniDSP PWR-ICE125 User manual

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PWR-ICE125
PWR-ICE250
DSP-CONTROLLED PLATE AMPLIFIER
User Manual

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and speci fi cations subject to change wi thout prior noti ce 2
Revision history
Revision
Description
Date
V1.0
Initial revision
28-06-2013
V1.1
Updated typo on wiring
24-07-2013
V2.0
Merged PWR-ICE125 and PWR-ICE250; completely revised
31 August 2016
V2.1
Added 48k (FIR) plugin, new Master Volume selection
18 November 2016
V2.2
Changed plugin name
25 November 2016

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CONTENTS
Important Information....................................................................................................................................5
System Requirements..................................................................................................................................5
Disclaimer/Warning ....................................................................................................................................6
Warranty Terms..........................................................................................................................................6
Safety Instructions..........................................................................................................................................7
1 Product Overview...................................................................................................................................10
1.1 The miniDSP concept .....................................................................................................................11
1.2 Choosing a plugin...........................................................................................................................11
2 Installation and Setup .............................................................................................................................12
2.1 Installation ― Windows .................................................................................................................13
2.1.1 Possible Windows installation issues........................................................................................13
2.1.2 Plugin installation...................................................................................................................13
2.2 Installation ― Mac OS X .................................................................................................................14
2.2.1 Possible Mac installation issues ...............................................................................................14
2.2.2 Plugin installation...................................................................................................................14
3 Hardware connectivity............................................................................................................................15
3.1 High voltage WARNING..................................................................................................................15
3.2 Main panel ....................................................................................................................................16
3.3 AC Power ......................................................................................................................................17
3.4 Analog audio input.........................................................................................................................18
3.4.1 Input sensitivity jumpers.........................................................................................................18
3.5 Digital audio input and link/passthrough (AES/EBU).........................................................................19
3.6 Ethernet........................................................................................................................................20
3.7 Speaker connections......................................................................................................................21
3.7.1 Output level jumper................................................................................................................21
4 Configuring the PWR-ICE Amplifiers.........................................................................................................22
4.1 Connecting to a PWR-ICE amplifier .................................................................................................23
4.2 Mismatched plugins.......................................................................................................................24
4.3 Renaming an AMPLIFIER.................................................................................................................25
4.4 Configuration preset selection........................................................................................................26
4.5 Master volume and mute ...............................................................................................................26
4.6 Input type selection.......................................................................................................................26
4.7 Channel mode ...............................................................................................................................27
4.8 Amplifier mode..............................................................................................................................28
4.9 Mode combinations.......................................................................................................................29
4.10 Input channel configuration............................................................................................................30
4.10.1 Channel label .........................................................................................................................30
4.10.2 Gain adjustment and level monitoring.....................................................................................30
4.10.3 Parametric EQ ........................................................................................................................30
4.11 Output channel configuration.........................................................................................................31
4.11.1 Channel label .........................................................................................................................31

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4.11.2 Gain adjustment and level monitoring.....................................................................................31
4.11.3 Processing blocks....................................................................................................................31
4.11.4 Mute......................................................................................................................................32
4.11.5 Invert.....................................................................................................................................32
4.11.6 Time delay .............................................................................................................................32
4.12 Working with configurations...........................................................................................................33
4.12.1 Selecting a configuration preset ..............................................................................................33
4.12.2 Synchronization options..........................................................................................................33
4.12.3 Saving and loading configurations............................................................................................34
4.12.4 Restoring to defaults...............................................................................................................35
4.13 Keyboard Shortcuts........................................................................................................................35
5 Signal Processing Functions.....................................................................................................................36
5.1 Parametric EQ ...............................................................................................................................36
5.2 Crossover (96k plugin only) ............................................................................................................38
5.3 FIR filtering and design (FIR plugin only)..........................................................................................39
5.3.1 FIR filtering overview..............................................................................................................40
5.3.2 FIR filter design software.........................................................................................................40
5.3.3 Filter file format .....................................................................................................................41
5.3.4 Loading filter coefficients........................................................................................................41
5.4 Custom biquad programming.........................................................................................................42
5.4.1 What’s a “biquad?..................................................................................................................42
5.4.2 Using custom biquad programming .........................................................................................42
5.4.3 Biquad calculation spreadsheet ...............................................................................................43
5.4.4 Room EQ Wizard (REW) ..........................................................................................................43
5.5 Compressor...................................................................................................................................44
6 Additional Information............................................................................................................................45
6.1 Key Specifications..........................................................................................................................45
6.1.1 General..................................................................................................................................45
6.1.2 PWR-ICE125...........................................................................................................................45
6.1.3 PWR-ICE250...........................................................................................................................45
6.2 Mounting dimensions ....................................................................................................................46
6.2.1 PWR-ICE125...........................................................................................................................46
6.2.2 PWR-ICE250...........................................................................................................................48
6.2.3 Additional mounting considerations ........................................................................................50
6.3 MCU Firmware upgrade .................................................................................................................51
6.3.1 Put the amp into bootloader mode..........................................................................................51
6.3.2 Windows................................................................................................................................51
6.3.3 Mac .......................................................................................................................................52
6.4 Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................................53
6.5 Obtaining Support..........................................................................................................................54

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read the following information before use. In case of any questions, please contact miniDSP via the
support portal at minidsp.desk.com.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
To configure the PWR-ICE amplifiers, you will require a Windows PC or Apple Mac OS X computer with the
following minimum specification:
Windows
PC with 1GHz or higher processor clock speed. Intel® Pentium®/Celeron® family, or AMD K6®/AMD
Athlon®/AMD Duron® family, or compatible processor recommended.
512 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher
Keyboard and mouse or compatible pointing device
Microsoft• ® Windows® Vista® SP1/ XP pro SP2/Win7/Win8.1/Win10
Microsoft• ® .NET framework v3.5 or later
Adobe AIR environment (latest version)
Adobe Flash player (latest version)
Mac OS X
Intel-based Mac with 1 GHz or higher processor clock speed
512 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher
Keyboard and mouse or compatible pointing device
Mac OS X 10.8 or higher
Adobe AIR environment (latest version)
Adobe Flash player (latest version)
Both Platforms
For Ethernet connectivity via LAN:
Ethernet router with spare 100 Mbps port
For direct (ZeroConf) Ethernet connectivity:
Ethernet port on computer with 100 Mbps capability. (Recent Apple Macs: a Thunderbolt port with a
Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter.)

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DISCLAIMER/WARNING
miniDSP cannot be held responsibleforany damage that may result from the improperuse of this product or
incorrect configuration of its settings. As with any otherproduct, we recommend that you carefully read this
manual and other technical notes to ensure that you fully understand how to operate this product. The PWR-ICE
amplifier is a powerful tool, and misuse or mis-configuration, such as incorrectly set gains or excessive boost,
can produce signals that may damage youraudio system.
As a general guideline, you should perform the initial configuration of your PWR-ICE amplifier before enabling
audio through any connected output device or amplification. Doing so will help ensure that the software is
correctly configured.
Finally, note that the PWR-ICEamplifier is a very flexible device, and many of the questions we receive at the
tech support department are already answered in this user manual and in the online application notes on the
miniDSP.com website. So please take the time to carefully read this user manual and the online technical
support. Thanks for your understanding!
WARRANTY TERMS
miniDSP Ltd warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for aperiod of one
year from the invoice date. Our warranty does not cover failure of the product due to incorrect connection or
installation, improperor undocumented use, unauthorized servicing, modification oralteration of the unit in any
way, or any usage outside of that recommended in this manual. If in doubt, contact miniDSP prior to use.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and speci fi cations subject to change wi thout prior noti ce 7
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
• Read the information for use
• Please keep this user manual in a safe place during the lifetimeof the product. The user manual forms an
integral part of the product. Reselling of the product is only possible if the usermanual is available. Any changes
made to the product have to be documented in writing and passed on to the buyerin the event of resale.
• Heed all warnings.
• Follow all instructions.
• Do not use this product near water (for example, in damp rooms or near a swimming pool).
• Clean only with dry cloth.
• Do not cover the heat sink. Install in accordance with the user manual.
• Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce
heat.
• Protect the power cord from being walked on, pinched or damaged in any other way. Pay particular attention
to plugs and the point where they exit from the Amplifier Unit.
• The product may only be used in accordance with the information provided in the user manual. Before and
during the usage of the amplifier pleaseensure that all recommendations, especially the safety
recommendations as detailed in the user manual, are adhered to. The Amplifier Unit is designed for the
amplification of pulsed audio signals and the AmplifierUnit should only be connected to speakers with average
impedance that is not lower than the impedances specified in the User's Manual.
• Do not place the product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The device may fall, causing
serious injury, and serious damage to the device itself.
• The Amplifier Unit can only be disconnected from the power supply by removing the plug, which must be
freely accessible at all times. Unplug this Amplifier Unit during lightning storms orwhen unused forlong periods
of time.
• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Damages that require service
Unplug the Amplifier Unit from the mains supply and refer to your dealer/distributor or other authorized repair
workshop. Servicing is required when
1. The power-supply cord orplug has been damaged,
2. Liquid has been spilled orobjects have fallen into the amplifier,
3. The amplifier has been exposed to rain or moisture,
4. The amplifier has been dropped or suffered damage in any other way,
5. The amplifier exhibits a distinct change from its normal function or performance.

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Servicing
Do not attempt to service this product yourself. As opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous
voltage or other hazards, the amplifier may only be opened by qualified personnel. Please refer to your
dealer/distributor.
Servicing and Replacement Parts
All service and repair work must be carried out by an authorized dealer/distributor. When replacement parts are
required, please ensurethat the dealer/distributor only uses replacement parts specified by the manufacturer.
The use of unauthorized replacement parts may result in injury and/ordamage through fire or electricshock or
other electricity-related hazards.
Safety Check
Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the dealer/distributor to perform safety checks to
determine that the amplifier is in proper operating condition.
Read the information for use (user manual)
When shipping the product, always use the original shipping carton and packing materials. Formaximum
protection, repack the unit as it was originallypacked at the factory.
Environments
Use this product only in E1, E2, E3 or E4 environments according to EN55103-2 “Electromagnetic compatibility –
Product family standard for audio, video and audio-visual and entertainment lighting control apparatus for
professionaluse –Part 2: Immunity”
Ventilation and heat sink
The heat sink is provided to ensure reliable operation of the Amplifier Unit and to protect it from overheating.
The heat sink must not be blocked or covered. This product should not be installed unless proper ventilation is
provided or manufacturer’s instructions have been adhered to.
Water And Moisture
Do not use this product near water (for example, in damp rooms or near a swimming pool).
Cleaning
Unplug the AmplifierUnit from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use l iquid or aerosol cleaners.
Power-cord Protection
Powersupply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on orpinched by items placed
upon them or against them, paying particularattention to cords and plugs, and the point where they exit from
the Amplifier Unit.
Lightning
For added protection of the product duringlightning storms, or when it is left unattended and unused for long
periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and
power-line surges. Disconnection from the mains powersupply can only be achieved by removing the plug from
the mains socket and by external disconnection of all poles from the mains.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and speci fi cations subject to change wi thout prior noti ce 9
Interference of external objects and/or liquids with the appliance
Never push objects of any kind into this product through openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points
or short out parts that could result in a fire or electricshock. Never spillliquid of any kind on the amplifier.
Accessories
Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The product may fall, causing
serious injury, and serious damage to the product. Any mounting of the product should followthe
manufacturer’s instructions, and should use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer.
Connecting
When you connect the Amplifier Unit to other equipment, turn off the power and unplugall of the equipment
from the supply source. Failure to do so may cause an electric shock and serious personal injury. Read the user's
manual of the other equipment carefully and followthe instructions when making the connections..
Sound Volume
Reduce the volume to minimum before you turn on the amplifier to prevent sudden high levels of noise which
may cause hearing or speaker damage.
Output connectors
WARNING: Output connector marked with the lightning flashes indicatehigh voltages that are
potentially life threatening. Wiring to these terminals requires installation by an instructed person and the use
of ready-made leads or cords. Custom wiring should only be carried out by qualified personnel.
To prevent electricshock, do not operate the product with any of the conductor portion of the speaker wire
exposed.
NOTE: For reasons of safety and performance, use only high-quality fully insulated speaker cables of stranded
copperwire. Use the largest wire size that is economically and physically practical, and make sure the cables are
no longer than necessary.
Precautions when connecting to MAINS IN
When mounting or connecting the product always disconnect it from mains. Only connect the product to an
appropriate AC circuit and outlet, according to the requirements indicated on the rating plate.
If a powercut occurs while the amplifieris switched on, it will restart automatically once the power supply has
been restored. All settings prior to the loss of power will be maintained.
IMPORTANT: Always connect the Product to mains through the MAINS IN connector on the Amplifier Unit.
DO NOT REMOVE MAINS CONNECTOR GROUND, IT IS ILLEGAL AND DANGEROUS.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and speci fi cations subject to change wi thout prior noti ce 10
1PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Thank you for choosing a miniDSP PWR-ICE DSP-controlled plate amplifier. This amplifier combines miniDSP’s
audio DSP (digital signalprocessing) expertisewith the renowned ICEpower® amplification modules. It is capable
of high-resolution (24-bit 96kHz
1
) audio processing and is available in two power output versions. Equipped with
both analog and digital inputs, the PWR-ICE amplifiers are a flexible solution for any in-speaker DSP+power
application. Optional “back boxes” can be purchased to convert the plate amplifiers into standalone amplifiers.
PWR-ICE125
This version of the PWR-ICE amplifier uses the ICEpower® 125ASX2 power amplification module,
together with miniDSP’s input and DSP hardware. Delivering up to 125 Watts per channel or a
total of 450W in BTL mode, it is ideal for applications such as medium-powered two-way
loudspeakers and subwoofers.
PWR-ICE250
This version of the PWR-ICE amplifier uses the ICEpower® 250ASX2power amplification module,
together with miniDSP’s input and DSP hardware. Delivering up to 230 Watts per channel, it is
ideal for applications such as high-powered two-way loudspeakers.
1
With the 96 kHz version of the software plugin.