OceanAudio The Ark 500 Series User manual

Owner’s Manual
The Ark
www.oceanaudio.co.uk

Ark - Owner’s Manual - Revision 3 - page 2
Contents
Introduction 3
Features 4
Quick start
Power Connections 5
Audio Connections 6
Basic connection without patchbay and without modules installed (Ark 500 and 900) 6
Basic connection without patchbay but with modules installed (Ark 500) 7
Basic connection without patchbay but with modules installed (Ark Extended Master) 8
Using the console with a patchbay 9
Audio Connections 10
Ark Input Channels 11
Ark 900 input channel - upper section 12
Ark 500 input channel - upper section 14
Ark 500 and Ark 900 input channel - lower section 15
Ark Master Section 18
Ark LX and Ark Extended Master Module 19
Ark Extended Submaster Module 22
Ark LX Group Master Module 25
Ark LX Auxilary Master Module 26
More on Metering 28
More on levels when using Digital Audio Interfaces 29
More on speakers 30
More on grounding 31
Appendix A
Standard D-Sub pin connections 32
Master Insert Sends, Returns & Master Outputs D-Sub pin connections 33
Control Room, Alt Mon & Studio Playback D-Sub pin connections 34
2-Track Returns D-Sub pin connections 35
Auxiliary Sends D-Sub pin connections 36
Appendix B
Ark 900 input channel flow diagram (upper section) 37
Ark 500 and Ark 900 input channel flow diagram (lower section) 38
Ark LX and Ark Extended Master Module flow diagram 39
Ark Extended Submaster module flow diagram 40

Ark - Owner’s Manual - Revision 3 - page 3
Thank you for your purchase of the Ark.
This manual is for all models of the Ark.
We hope you’ll have as much pleasure using your console as we had designing and building it.
The Ark is designed by Malcolm Toft, who was the founder of console manufacturer Trident Audio
Developments in 1972. Prior to that he was a recording engineer whose credits include the David
Bowie ‘Space Oddity’ album, three albums with T-Rex and James Taylor’s rst album. He was
also involved with the mixing of the Beatles ‘Hey Jude’ single at Trident Recording Studios in
1968.
Malcolm has been designing recording consoles for over forty years and some of the artists
who have recorded hits on his consoles include: Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Rod Stewart,
Queen, David Bowie and Elton John. More recently, Radiohead, Muse, Dire Straits, Coldplay and
Oasis have added their name to the list. And now you !!
Malcolm was made a visiting professor by Leeds College of music in 2008 in recognition of his
unique combination of experience as a recording engineer and console designer. It is this wealth
of experience and pedigree that is brought to the design of the Ark consoles.
Enjoy working with the Ark
Best Wishes
and the Ocean Audio team
Introduction
Here are just a few artists, studios and bands whose names may sound familiar to you, and who have
used, or are still using, consoles designed by Malcolm Toft.
Elton John - David Bowie - Queen - Lou Reed - Harry Nilsson - James Taylor - Carly Simon
The Eagles - The Beatles - T-Rex - Dire Straits - Bachman Turner Overdrive - Linda Rondstat
Supertramp - Thin Lizzy - George Harrison - Jeff Beck - Radiohead - Tony Visconti
Ringo Star - Paul McCartney - Brian Eno - Supertramp - Chris De Burgh - Ian Anderson
Amy Winehouse - The Manic Street Preachers - Ricky Nelson - Paul Weller - Oasis - Muse
The Chemical Brothers - Hard-Fi - The Nice - Rick Wakeman - Joe Cocker - The Move
Aphrodite’s Child - Blood Sweat and Tears - The Nice - Phil Manzanera - The Record Plant LA
The Record Plant San Francisco - Chipping Norton Studios - Sarm Recording Studios
Trident Studios - Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts - Leeds College of Music - Sound 80 Minneapolis
Armin van Buuren - Lenny Kravitz - Dennis Ferrer - Vienna University of Performing Arts - Frank Sinatra
- Genesis - Cherokee Studios Hollywood - Esplanade Studio New Orleans - Uga Uga Studio Mexico -
Soundmind Studio Puerto Rico - and much, much more

Ark - Owner’s Manual - Revision 3 - page 4
Features
Each version of the Ark has been assembled using a combination of building blocks.
By combining a master section with a number of input channel blocks and producer desk / patchbay, almost any con-
guration is possible.
There are two different master sections available:
The Ark LX master section
The Ark Extended master section
There are two different input channel blocks available:
The Ark 500 input channels (block of 8 channels)
The Ark 900 input channels (block of 8 channels)
The Ark building blocks can be combined in any way you want.
This gives you a huge number of inputs, 500 series slots and possibilities.
The console electronics have deliberately been designed to be as transparent and with as much headroom as pos-
sible. The Ark can be used without the addition of any 500 series modules as a stand alone line level console. In a
multi-track studio environment the console will perform both tracking and remix functions equally well. All inputs and
outputs are electronically balanced and ground sensing outputs are used to make sure that interfacing to external
equipment is never compromised.
Because of the channel monitor and direct output facilities, recording instruments to a DAW or tape is simple and of
very high quality. When mixing down, there is a large number of inputs to the stereo buss available.
The console has been designed with ease of servicing in mind.
Its fully modular construction makes it a simple matter to remove any module should a component need replacing.
All active circuitry (IC's etc) are socketed, again to aid servicing. All passive components (resistors, capacitors etc.)
are of conventional types and are not surface mount (because surface mount components are difcult to remove and
replace). The modules connect to each other via motherboards, which ensure maximum reliability and freedom from
wiring errors.
Construction of the frame itself is a combination of aluminium and steel to ensure that the console is rigid yet as light
as possible.
Connections to the console are via Tascam standard 25 way D-Sub connectors. This allows for easy connection to a
patchbay which greatly increases the exibility of the system.
The metering system accommodates either recording directly from the channel direct outputs or via the separate sub
group section.
By carefully following the installation procedures detailed in the following pages, your Ark console will give you years
of professional audio quality and reliable service.
This manual lists and explains all different building blocks.
You of course only need to refer to the sections which are valid for your conguration.
The Ark 500 input channels have been designed to fully support 500 series modules and to be as exible as possi-
ble. It can be used as a traditional analogue console, or you can congure it with 500 series modules to really suit your
workow.
The Ark 900 input channels have MicPre and EQ, which replace the 500-series slots on the input channels. It’s a
traditional analogue console with both split and inline functionality.

Ark - Owner’s Manual - Revision 3 - page 5
Quick Start
Power Connections
All models of the Ark are supplied with a high quality power supply.
Make sure to use an earthed cable when connecting the AC power source to the 3-pin euro socket at the back of the
power supply.
The supply uses the latest ‘switch mode’ power techniques which negate the need for heavy and inefcient power
transformers. They are also extremely efcient which means that despite their high current load capacity, they do not
run hot. As a consequence cooling fans are not required and therefore the power supply is completely silent in oper-
ation. As they still generate a small amount of heat it is however always good practice to make sure that they operate
in a well ventilated area, preferably with at least 1U rack space between the supply and other equipment.
Another advantage of switch mode power supplies is that they will operate on a wide
AC input voltage range (100v to 260v AC). Consequently they can be operated virtually anywhere in the world without
the need for adjustment.
The supplies are provided with short-circuit and over-voltage protection.
Low voltage DC is supplied to the console via a circular locking connector.
- Push the connector rmly into the mating socket on the rear of the console.
- Use the locking ring to make sure that the cable cannot be accidentally pulled from the console.
- Make sure you make all connections before switching on the power supply.
The DC power connections are as follows:
Pin 1 Ground
Pin 2 +16V
Pin 3 -16V
Pin 4 +8V
Pin 5 +48V
The power supply is tted with four red LED's which indicate that the +16, -16, +8V and +48 voltages are functioning.
If for any reason any of the LED's fail to illuminate, do not operate the console. Turn the power supply off immedi-
ately and check that the appropriate front panel fuse(s) are not blown. If any fuse has blown, replace with one of the
same rating and try again. If the fuse has not blown or a replacement fails subsequently, seek qualied help.