Nagra ARES-C User manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
AND
REFERENCE MANUAL
NAGRA ARES-C
(PN 2019 001 150)

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Chapter I Issue: 26.08.96 Page 2
GUARANTEE
NAGRA/KUDELSKI certifies that this instrument was thoroughly inspected and tested prior to leaving our
factory and is in accordance with the data given in the accompanying test sheet.
We guarantee the products of our own manufacture against any defect arising from faulty manufacture for a
period of one year from the date of delivery.
This guarantee covers the repair of confirmed defects or, if necessary, the replacement of the faulty parts,
excluding all other indemnities.
All freight costs, as well as customs duty and other possible charges, are at the customer's expense.
Our guarantee remains valid in the event of emergency repairs or modification being made by the user.
However we reserve the right to invoice the customer for any damage caused by an unqualified person or a
false manoeuver by the operator.
We decline any responsibility for any and all damages resulting, directly or indirectly, from the use of our
products.
Other products sold by KUDELSKI S.A. are covered by the guarantee clauses of their respective
manufacturers.
We decline any responsibility for damages resulting from the use of these products.
We reserve the right to modify the product, and / or the specifications without notice.

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Chapter I Issue: 26.08.96 Page 3
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
This instruction manual is broken down into several sections. The first section is a general explanation of the
switches, buttons, connectors of the machine along with the "getting started" section which covers topics
such as formatting of the cards and powering of the machine. The second section covers the actual "in the
field" operation of the machine for making recordings. The third section is dedicated to the editing of the
audio once it has been collected, and the fourth section covers the transmission of the edited audio either by
ISDN or telephone, AES or straight analog. The final section of the manual is basically an appendice with
some additional information such as the basic theory of different microphones and their selection, the theory
of operation of an ALC and an introduction to ISDN.

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Chapter I Issue: 26.08.96 Page 4
CHAPTER I GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION 5
2.0 EXPLANATION OF THE PARTS OF THE MACHINE 6
2.1 Left side panel 6
2.1.1 Extension connector 6
2.1.2 RS422 connector 7
2.1.3 Microphone input connectors 7
2.1.4 Microphone powering selectors 7
2.2 Front panel 8
2.2.1 Light / battery switch 8
2.2.2 Meter 9
2.2.3 Meter selection switch 8
2.2.4 Mem. / norm. / reset switch 9
2.2.5 Mike level potentiometers 9
2.2.6 Sensitivity selectors 9
2.2.7 Rotary lock (clutch) 9
2.2.8 LFA / speech / flat selector 10
2.2.9 Reference switch 11
2.2.10 Aux. IN and line OUT potentiometer 11
2.2.11 EE / tape / auto selector 11
2.2.12 Main function selector 11
2.2.13 Shift key (front panel) 12
2.2.14 LCD display (front panel) 13
2.3 Right side panel 14
2.3.1 Banana output connectors 14
2.3.2 Line output connectors 14
2.3.3 AES output connector 14
2.3.4 Headphone output jack 15
2.3.5 Headphone level control 15
2.3.6 ISDN connector 15
2.4 Top deck 16
2.4.1 Double PCMCIA card slot 16
2.4.2 Internal speaker 16
2.4.3 Jog wheel 16
2.4.4 Shift key (deck plate) 17
2.4.5 Arrow keys (deck plate) 17
2.4.6 Function keys (deck plate) 18
2.4.7 LCD display (deck plate) 18
2.4.8 Numerical keys 18
2.4.9 Read and write leds 18
3.0 PREPARATION OF THE MACHINE 19
3.1 Formatt ing of the PCMCIA card 19
4.0 POWERING OF THE MACHINE 20
5.0 WRITE PROTECTION OF THE PCMCIA CARDS 21

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Chapter I Issue: 26.08.96 Page 5
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The ARES-C is a 16 bit solid state audio recorder / player using PCMCIA cards as its storage medium. The
information is stored using the MPEG layer II, G722, µ-law, A-law compression standards and can be
optionally equipped with an on-board ISDN circuit allowing direct connection to the ISDN network. Also
equipped with a transformer on the output permitting connection to a standard switched telephone line
(PSTN) as well as a built-in editor and weighing less than 3 kg, makes the ARES-C the most versatile
reporters tool available.
The front panel, metallic chassis and features were all designed using the experience of previous NAGRA
recorders which render the ARES-C easy to operate even in harsh environmental conditions. It is powered by
four standard "D" cells available worldwide which will give up to 2½ hours of uninterrupted recording on a
single set of four alkaline "D" cells. Using NiCd "D" cells it will operate up to 5 Hours and if the double battery
box is used, then standard dry cells will give more than 10 hours of operation.
A set of software menus allows simple configuration of the machine for selections such as Mono or Stereo
(depending on the compression method selected), ALC programming, machine configuration etc. Equipped
with switchable microphone pre-amplifiers and built-in monitoring speaker and headphone output the ARES-
C resembles a conventional NAGRA.
The ARES-C automatically generates a directory in the form of an EDL file and has, under its plastic cover, a
complete editing keyboard and display so that cut, paste, copy and even hard copy functions are available
down to a word length / frame of 24ms. Editing is entirely "virtual" and the edit files are also saved in the
card. Different templates will allow you to edit the same recording with several different edit files for different
applications (such as a news flash or the evening news or even the late evening discussion).
In addition to the classic analog telephone output, the internal ISDN option gives the ARES-C the opportunity
to dial directly to the final destination and to transmit and receive an audio file automatically. ISDN
communication data (number called, caller number and tariffs etc) can also displayed on the editor screen
(depending on the system employed in the specific country where the ISDN is being used). A full RS 422
communication port gives access to not only diagnostics but also complete remote control possibilities (end
'96).

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Chapter I Issue: 13.01.97 Page 6
2.0 EXPLANATION OF THE PARTS OF THE MACHINE
2.1 Left side panel
Dyn.
"T"12
Ph.+12
Ph.+48
1
5
1
5
15 11 96
EXTENSION RS 422
7 R. IN
9 R. OUT
13 L. IN
15 L. OUT
EXT. NRS
8 R. aux. IN i.
10 R. aux. IN Lo.
12 L. aux. IN Lo.
14 L. aux. IN i.
5 Start/ Stop
1 GND
6 word sync.
11 GND
LEFT RIGHT
AUX. IN
i. GND
Lo.
12
3
4
1 2 3
2.1.1 EXTENSION CONNECTOR
This 15 pin "D" type connector serves several purposes. It has a symmetrical transformerless line
input (AUX), an external digital word clock input, left and right IN / OUT connections for the use of an
external noise reduction system and is wired for start stop option. The connection details printed on
the side panel are not entirely accurate the correct pinning of the connector is as follows:
Pin # Connection
1 Ground
2 Not presently used
3 Not presently used
4 Not presently used
5 Start / Stop - connect this pin to ground to stop
6 External word clock in (square wave 48kHz ~75ppm always,+5V)
7 External NRS Right channel IN
8 AUX IN right channel High
9 External NRS right channel OUT
10 AUX IN right channel Low
11 Ground
12 AUX IN left channel Low
13 External NRS left channel OUT
14 AUX IN left channel High
15 External NRS left channel IN
NOTE: If an external noise reduction system is connected to the ARES-C then two switches inside the
machine need to be moved. If they are moved then the inputs will not be operational if the external
NRS is not connected. These two switches S1 and S2 are on either side of the unused connector
J12 on the box mother board behind the modulometer. The normal operating position of these
switches is that both are towards the exterior of the machine. That is to say S1 to the left and S2 to
the right.
External word clock. No additional settings are needed to use the ext. word clock. The word clock
needs to be a 48kHz square wave ~75ppm independent on the kind of compression rate used.

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Chapter I Issue: 26.08.96 Page 7
2.1.2 RS 422 CONNECTOR
This is a standard 9-pin RS 422 symmetrical serial communication port for connection to the external
world. This connector is for the moment only be used by the manufactory production for test
purposes.
NOTE: A "lap-top" style PC is not always fitted with an RS 422 port. A converter RS 232 /
RS 422 must in this case be fitted to the cable to allow the communication. (ND-
PCA # 10540)
2.1.3 MICROPHONE INPUT CONNECTORS
Any type of microphone can be connected to these XLR female input connectors. The sensitivity of
the microphone inputs is selected by the switches # 6 on the front panel and the levels can be
controlled by the two potentiometers # 5. They are wired according to DIN standard.
Pin # Connection
1 Ground
2 Audio signal High
3 Audio signal Low
2.1.4 MICROPHONE POWERING SELECTORS
Each of the microphone inputs can be switched using the selectors #4 on the left side panel of the
machine, according to the type of microphone to be used. The possible selections are Dynamic,
+12V "T" power or Phantom +12V and +48V. These selectors have a slotted head to avoid
accidental changes during operation and must be turned using a screwdriver.
Note: The powering requirements of any particular microphone can be found in their respective
documentation.

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Chapter I Issue: 19.02.01 Page 8
2.2 FRONT PANEL
2.2.1 LIGHT / BATTERY SWITCH
This three position switch allows the back lights of the modulometer and displays to be turned on/off
(cloud / sun positions respectively). In the lowest position the meter will indicate the state of the
batteries in the battery box. The indication is given in volts per cell on the meter. The microprocessor
of the machine will automatically detect if a single four cell battery compartment or an eight cell
battery box is being used, thus the indication is always correct irrespective of the powering in use. All
three displays of the machine will light when in the batt. test position. When the cloud position is
selected then the display on the editor of the ARES-C will be illuminated for 15 seconds only. If the
editor is switched on then it will remain illuminated. This feature allows the operator to have a quick
look at the amount of space left in the PCMCIA cards. Pressing to the BATT position will also cause
the menus to scroll through their present settings on the front panel display. When the BAT position
is selected then the front display will scroll through the presently selected menu settings, the default
settings are:
G722 Compression mode selected
ALC OFF ALC operating mode
AUX OFF Auxiliary input mode
IN MIX Input selection
POT OUT Aux IN / Line pot selection
LEV AUTO Modulometer Selection
SPK AUTO Loudspeaker mode selection
More detailed explanations of the possible setting is covered in the MENU section of this manual.
2.2.2 METER
This is a microprocessor controlled moving coil meter which has the ballistics very similar to a
modulometer. In normal operation this meter will indicate either input or output levels depending on
the menu selection. It can also be used to indicate the state of the batteries in the battery box by
means of switch # 1. As the meter is only a single needle meter, it is fitted with two leds, which will
indicate the peak values of their corresponding channels when in the stereo mode. The meter scale
is calibrated from -∞to +9 in dB however, if the meter is selected to monitor the input signal and
there is an indication above the +9dB point, this means that the A/D converter will be overloaded.
The channel being indicated depends on the position of the meter selection switch #3.
PLAY
STOP
TEST

NO A.L.C./ LIM.
STD.
BY
RECORD
1 3 4 6 8 9 11 13
2 5 7 10 14 12

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Chapter I Issue: 26.08.96 Page 9
2.2.3 METER SELECTION SWITCH
The meter selection switch allows the operator to decide which channel, Left, Right or MAX, will be
displayed on the meter. The MAX position is for stereo operation of the machine and the meter will
indicate the highest level obtained between the two channels and the leds will indicate which channel
this corresponds to. The absence of a second needle, initially thought to have been forgotten, rapidly
became accepted as very effective for stereo level adjustment thanks to the two green leds which
clearly indicate which of the two channels (Left or Right) is the strongest. This switch is inoperative in
mono operation.
2.2.4 MEM / NORM / RESET SWITCH
This is a three position switch. In the NORM position the meter will indicate in the normal manner
according to the signal on the input or output (depending on the selection). In the MEM position the
highest obtained level (since the last reset) will be indicated. The reset position is a snap-switch
position and is used to reset the MEM mode. This switch can be moved freely at any time without
affecting the recording. In stereo operation of the machine the operation of this switch is linked to
switch #3.
2.2.5 MIKE LEVEL POTENTIOMETERS
These two potentiometers are used to finely control the sensitivity of the microphone inputs. A
detailed explanation of the calibration of the scales and their affect on levels and the meter is
covered in the appendice to this manual.
2.2.6 SENSITIVITY SELECTORS
These two switches are used to select the desired sensitivity of the microphones connected to the
microphone inputs. The possible selections are 1 mV/hPa, 4 mV/hPa and 0.2 mV/hPa. A more
detailed explanation is covered under "Sensitivity" in the appendices to this manual. These switches
are especially short to avoid accidental modification and need to be operated with a small screw
driver or pen.
2.2.7 ROTARY LOCK
Used to lock the two mike pots mechanically together. When the button is in the horizontal position
"∞" then the two potentiometers are mechanically blocked together irrespective of their individual
positions. In the vertical position " °° " the potentiometers are totally independent. In order for the
button to be moved to the horizontal position it must be depressed slightly.

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Chapter I Issue: 27.05.02 Page 10
2.2.8 LFA / SPEECH / FLAT
This is the filter selection switch. The filters available are the same as those on other NAGRA
models and act on both the microphone and line inputs. The corresponding curves for the filters are
shown:
FLAT filter response curve (Measurement at AES bus output)
LFA filter curve (Measurement at AES bus output)
Speech filter curve (Measurement at AES bus output)
-30
+5
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
+0
d
B
F
S
20 30k50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k
Hz
-30
+5
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
+0
d
B
F
S
20 30k50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k
Hz
-30
+5
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
+0
d
B
F
S
20 30k50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k
Hz