Neve 1081R User manual

1081R
Remote Mic-Line
Rack
User Guide
Issue 7.3
- for -
Pro Tools control
88R control
Standalone control
Remote control
The 1081R is a front end microphone pre-amplifier,
using amp circuitry similar to the classic ‘1081’ design of the early 19 0s.
The PC and Pro Tools options offer the added benefit
of a recall system for all settings.

1081R Full User Manual Issue 7.3
Table of ontents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................................3
Dimensions...........................................................................................................................................4
Power Requirements..............................................................................................................................4
Mains Power.....................................................................................................................................4
Mains Fuse.......................................................................................................................................4
Hot-Plugging....................................................................................................................................4
Unit Specifications.................................................................................................................................5
Microphone Module Spec and Description.............................................................................................5
Optional Mic/Line input Modules Spec and Description............................................................................5
Rack Housing Spec (fully fitted)..........................................................................................................5
Connector Information...........................................................................................................................6
Audio Output Pin-outs............................................................................................................................
RS 485 I/O Connector............................................................................................................................8
RS 232: K2 to 1081R cable pin-outs:...................................................................................................8
Encore to 1081R rack cable pin-outs:..................................................................................................8
USB to RS 485 pin outs......................................................................................................................9
Comms Extension Cables..................................................................................................................10
Installing the Software.........................................................................................................................11
Module Controls...................................................................................................................................13
Encore Control....................................................................................................................................14
88R Channel Strip Control.....................................................................................................................15
Standalone Computer Control................................................................................................................16
Software Setup...............................................................................................................................1
Pro Tools Control.................................................................................................................................18
Windows System Tray......................................................................................................................20
Configuring Pro Tools Session...........................................................................................................20
Head Office:
AMS Neve
Billington Road
Burnley
Lancs
UK
BB11 5UB
[phone]
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ams-neve.com
Support: http://www.ams-neve.info/crm/fault_report.html
© 2008-2010 AMS Neve Ltd own the co yright of all information and drawings contained in this manual which are not to be co ied or
re roduced by any means or disclosed in art or whole to any third arty without written ermission.
As art of our olicy of continual roduct im rovement, we reserve the right to alter s ecifications without notice but with due regard to
all current legislation.
Disclaimer The information in this manual has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate at the time of ublication.
However, no res onsibility is taken by us for inaccuracies, errors or omissions nor any liability assumed for any loss or damage
resulting either directly or indirectly from use of the information contained within it.
Trademarks All trademarks are the ro erty of their res ective owners and are hereby acknowledged.
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1081R Full User Manual Issue 7.3
Introduction
The growing demand for high class 'front end' Mic pre-amplifiers has led to the release of the Neve
1081R standalone Microphone Rack providing the classic Neve microphone amplifier sound.
The microphone amplifiers may be controlled from:
•the front panel of the rack itself,
•an 88R console,
•a computer running AMS Neve’s Remote Control Software, or
•from Pro Tools.
The computer and Pro Tools options offer the added benefit of a recall system for the Mic amp
settings.
The Mic amp circuitry is very close to the classic ‘1081’ design of the early 19 0s using the same
transformer, capacitor types and other components wherever possible.
The modules provide transformer balanced XLR Mic inputs to balanced line outputs via a multi way
Varicon connector on the rear of the rack.
Twelve modules can be fitted into the 4U rack housing.
Each rack is also fitted with an intelligent control processor module and power supply.
In the unlikely even that this unit should malfunction or develop a fault, then please register the
fault details on our website, by clicking the link below.
You will also need to enter the unit's serial number when you do this, so please have this to hand.
http://www.ams-neve.info/crm/fault_report.html
Once the fault details have been registered, one of our technical support team will be in touch via
email.
This link should also be used for further operational or technical help, or any general enquiry about
the unit.
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1081R Full User Manual Issue 7.3
Dimensions
19" Rack Mounting UDepth mm
(inches)
Height mm
(inches)
Approx weight
kg (lbs)
Mic-Line Rack 4 265 (10½) 1 8 ( ) 21m (46) *
* Fully populated rack
Power Requirements
Rated Voltage 100 – 240V AC
Rated Frequency 50 – 60 Hz
Rated urrent 0.5A Max
Earth Leakage urrent Approx 1.2mA
Warning for High Earth Leakage urrent Required NO
Primary Protection Fuse:
Operating Voltage 100 – 240V AC
Fuse Rating & Type
T 2A H 250V
20mm x 5mm Ceramic
(part number 190-04 )
Location IEC Mains connector
Secondary Protection Fuse:
Output Voltage 5V DC
Fuse Rating & Type T 3 15A L 250V
20mm x 5mm Glass
Location FU1 on Processor
Mains Power
The power supply unit is a universal input type therefore no mains operating voltage setting is
required.
The CH (chassis) and 0V Link is permanently connected internally for stability.
Mains Fuse
The mains fuse is located in the IEC mains input connector on the rear of the unit.
Hot-Plugging
AMS Neve are not aware of any instances of hot-plugging modules causing a failure, however this
procedure is not recommended.
The fuse for the 5V rails are located on the processor board, so removing and replacing this module
will automatically force a power-up restart.
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1081R Full User Manual Issue 7.3
Unit Specifications
Microphone Module Spec and Description
Microphone Input XLR inputs, Zin 1Kohm @ 1kHz
Gain +20 to + 0 in 5dB steps.
Maximum Input Level
(with Pad in) +24dB
Outputs Max +26dB into 600 ohms.
Z out 50 ohms +/-5% @ 1kHz, balanced.
Distortion Not more than 0.0 % for 20dBm output from 50Hz to
10kHz@60dB gain.
Microphone EIN > -123dBm 20Hz to 20kHz @ 60dB gain.
Mechanical 35mm x 158mm
Optional Mic/Line input Modules Spec and Description
There are optional variants of the above modules which allow a line input to be switched into the
circuit allowing a complete low impedance, line level feed from the rack to the console.
Line Input: Zin 50k ohm, unity gain, electronically balanced.
Rack Housing Spec
(fully fitted)
Power <40w, 100-240v auto sensing, 4 -63Hz,
2A Anti Surge Fuse (fuse part number 190-04 )
Mechanical 4U x 19", 260mm deep.
Audio Interface 12 balanced circuits on a 56 way panel mounted female
Varicon.
ontrol Interface:
2 x 9 Pin D Type 'Male' input and 'Female' output,
RS485 format.
(adapters required for serial RS232 or USB)
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1081R Full User Manual Issue 7.3
Connector Information
Rear connectors are a 56 way Varicon connector for line outs and a pair of 9 pin D-type connectors for
RS485 and a fused mains IEC socket.
On the front is a standard 3 pin female XLR Mic input per module.
The modules can be controlled locally via the front panel or remotely.
The control software will interrogate the racks and allow the user to specify modules to be controlled
either locally OR from the control software.
By default, all modules power up with all functions controlled locally.
Settings are retained on power down.
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1081R Full User Manual Issue 7.3
Audio Output Connector Pin-outs
Signal Signal Name Pin Number
Hi Lo Scn
1 Output 1 C J D
2 Output 2 P V K
3 Output 3 U Z d
4 Output 4 Y c f
5 Output 5 s m j
6 Output 6 x t n
Output CC y JJ
8 Output 8 MM HH NN
9 Output 9 B F A
10 Output 10 L R E
11 Output 11 S W a
12 Output 12 X b e
13 - - - r L h
14 - - - v p k
15 - - - z u DD
16 - - - LL EE KK
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1081R Full User Manual Issue 7.3
RS 485 I/O Connector
The "remote" functionality is provided either by a PC equipped with a RS232 interface or a USB
port.
RS 232: K2 to 1081R cable pin-outs:
Most PC’s are fitted with RS232 interfaces as standard and will therefore
need to use the RS232 to RS485 converter (such as ones manufactured
by K2 systems, shown left).
This is a female-to-female 9-pin converter that goes between the rack and
the PC.
The K2 to 1081R rack cable is not wired one-to-one, it is wired with a 9
pin D-type male connector at both ends.
It is important that the cable is installed the right way round.
Signal 1081 Rack (male) K2 (male)
Data - 1 3
Data + 6 8
Ground / Screen 1
The switch settings for the K2 converter are:
SW 1 ON RS 485
SW 2 ON Always Receive
SW 3 OFF Transmitter controlled by RTS
SW 4 OFF RTS Control
SW 5 OFF RTS Control
SW 6 OFF RTS Control
Encore to 1081R rack cable pin-outs:
The Encore to 1081R rack cable will be wired with a 9 pin D-type female at the Encore end and a 9 pin
D-type male at the 1081R rack end.
Signal 1081 Rack (male) Encore P (female)
Data - 1 1
Data + 6 6
Ground / Screen
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1081R Full User Manual Issue 7.3
If preferred, a USB to RS485 converter can be used on computers that do not have a 9-pin connector.
A standard USB cable connects the PC and the converter.
USB to RS 485 pin outs
Signal 1081 Rack (male) RS 485 converter (female)
Data - 6 1
Data + 1 2
Ground 5
We recommend the following USB to serial RS 422/485 converter:
http://www.easysync-ltd.com/product/544/es-u-2101.html
AMS Neve has tested this converter and found it to be the most suitable on the market.
We therefore cannot guarantee that similar products by different manufacturers will be as reliable.
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1081R Full User Manual Issue 7.3
omms Extension ables
The 1081R rack RS485 Input and
Output connectors are wired in
parallel with the exception of the
ground.
The Input connector is a 9 pin D-
type female while the Output
connector is a 9 pin D-type male.
This is to allow the connectors to be
joined together in the event of a rack
needing to be removed from the
daisy-chain.
The ground pin on the Input
connector is not a direct connection
to ground to prevent ground loops.
Care should also be taken when
selecting which cable is to be used
for communications, especially for
long (20m+) runs as marginal cable
can cause intermittent problems
which can prove difficult to
troubleshoot.
The RS-422 specification
recommends 24AWG twisted pair
with a shunt capacitance of 16pF per
foot and a 100 ohm characteristic
impedance.
It can be difficult to determine
whether shielding is required until
problems arise, so we recommend
using shielded cable.
A good choice is Ethernet cable, commonly called Category 5 cable.
This is defined by the EIA/TIA/ANSI 568 specification, has a maximum capacitance of 1 pF per foot and a
characteristic impedance of 100 ohms.
It is available as either Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) or Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and generally
exceeds the recommendations for RS-422 protocol.
The racks can be "daisy chained" to provide up to 192 remote controllable Mic amps. This is achieved
using a maximum of 16 racks daisy chained, each with the full 12 module slots populated.
The last rack in the chain should have a terminator fitted, with a 120Ω resistor across pins 1 & 6 of a
9 pin female D-type:
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