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.

Ark - Owner’s Manual - Revision 3 - page 6
Audio Connections
So as to provide complete exibility and provide greater access to the many inputs and outputs available, the Ark
uses the Tascam standard 25 way D-Sub connector system.
Because of this, when used without a patchbay certain functions in the console will not work unless they are
“normalled” through.
These functions are (as marked on the rear panel):
‘Channel Insert Sends’ to ‘Channel Insert Returns’,
‘Group Insert Sends 1-8’ to ‘Group Insert Returns 1-8’
‘Mas Ins Send/Ret’
Basic connection of Ark 500 and Ark 900,
without patchbay and without any 500 modules installed
To use the Ark without any modules installed, you need to make a couple of connections to enable continuity of signal
through the console:
- Connect ‘Channel Insert Sends 1-8’ to ‘Channel Insert Returns 1-8’
- Do the same for the other ‘Channel Insert Sends’ and ‘Channel Insert Returns’ connectors (9-16, 17-24, 25-32, etc)
- Connect ‘Group Insert Sends 1-8’ to ‘Group Insert Returns 1-8’
All these connectors are in the same vertical rows so only short male to male 25 way D-Sub cables are needed.
- Connect the supplied factory assembled plug to the 'Mas Ins Send/Ret' connector.
As the ‘Mas Ins Send/Ret’ linking is slightly more complicated due to the fact that the D-Sub connector on which these
functions are located also provides the Master left/right outputs, a factory assembled plug is provided as a ‘get you
started’ facility. This plug is located within the power supply packaging.
Example what (part of) the back panel of your Ark may look like.

Ark - Owner’s Manual - Revision 3 - page 7
Basic connection of Ark 500 input channels,
without patchbay but with modules installed.
For this example we’ll install 16x Mic Pres in the Top Rack slots of the Ark 500 channels and 16x EQs in the Lower
Rack slots. This way, we create a standard analogue console and signal path.
We need to make sure that we once again enable continuity of signal through the console.
The connections are a bit different now.
Connect ‘Top Rack Outputs 1-8’ to ‘Channel Ext I/P 1-8’
Connect ‘Channel Insert Sends 1-8’ to ‘Lower Rack Inputs 1-8’
Connect ‘Lower Rack Outputs 1-8’ to ‘Channel Insert Returns 1-8’
Do the same for channels 9-16
Connections on the master section are the same as in the previous example.
In this example, connect your microphones to the Top Rack Inputs.
The outputs of the Mic Pres will go to the Channel External Inputs.
You’ll of course need to select Ext Input on every channel to get signal from your Mic Pres.
The input and output of the EQs are on the insert point of each channel.
This allows you to also use the EQs if you switch to the Line input.
Example what (part of) the back panel of your Ark may look like.

Ark - Owner’s Manual - Revision 3 - page 8
Basic connections of Ark Extended Master,
without patchbay but with modules installed
For this example we’ll install 8x compressors in the Monitor Rack slots of the Extended Master section.
We need to make sure that we once again enable continuity of signal through the console.
The connections are a bit different now.
Connect ‘Group Insert Sends’ to ‘Monitor Rack Inputs’
Connect ‘Monitor Rack Outputs’ to ‘Group Insert Returns’
- Connect the supplied factory assembled plug to the 'Mas Ins Send/Ret' connector.
As the ‘Mas Ins Send/Ret’ linking is slightly more complicated due to the fact that the D-Sub connector on which these
functions are located also provides the Master left/right outputs, a factory assembled plug is provided as a ‘get you
started’ facility. This plug is located within the power supply packaging.
In our example, the compressors are connected to the group inserts.
By routing the input channels to the group(s) we can use a compressor on any input channel or combination of chan-
nels.
This way, we can also use parallel compression, if we want.
Remember that the group output (after the insert return) is send to the master L/R bus if the [replay] switch on the
lower section of the submaster module is undepressed (out).
Please check the section on the Ark subgroup module for details.
Example what (part of) the back panel of your Ark may look like.

Ark - Owner’s Manual - Revision 3 - page 9
Using the console with a patchbay
The previous examples showed basic ways to use the Ark.
But the Ark offers much more. And as with so many things in audio, there are not much rules.
We would like to invite you to customise the connections so the Ark really suits your workow.
But when using the Ark with a patchbay, you need to make sure that similar connections as described above are
made. Ideally, you would use a "normalled" patchbay, to make it easy on yourself.
A possible way to do this on the Ark 500 could be as follows :
Use a patch bay which normals insert sends to lower rack inputs, and another patch bay which normals lower rack
outputs to insert returns. So, the lower rack 500 series modules (most likely EQ or compressor) are connected to the
insert points.
If you want to bypass the lower rack modules, you simply connect insert send and return on the patch bay. Or if you
want to use any of the modules (or chain of modules) on another channel, you can do that.
On the Ark 900, the channel insert sends and returns are after the 4-band EQ.
Using a normalled patchbay which connects sends and returns, give you the option to patch any outboard equipment
to any channel.
On the Extended master section, you can have a patch bay which normals the group insert sends to the monitor rack
inputs; and another patch bay which normals the monitor rack outputs to the group insert returns (the monitor racks
can for example hold compressor modules).
This way, you’ll have a standard set up, but you still have the possibility to patch any module to any channel or group.
Please see Appendix A for correct wiring instructions of all D-Sub connectors.
Important Notes :
* The D-Sub connectors on the Ark are analogue audio connectors.
DO NOT connect them to digital D-Sub connectors (such as can be found on some DAW interfaces)
or bad things can happen.
* D-Sub connectors are - by design - per 8 channels.
If you have only a couple of 500 modules installed (less than 8), you need to make sure that you
pass signal through the “empty” slots of the console.
If you don’t use a patchbay, you can use D-Sub to XLR cables to make all connections.
You can also use the Ocean Audio 500 I/O connect.
The 500 I/O connect is a 500 series module without any components. It just links the input to the
output, and is inserted in the unused slot.

Ark - Owner’s Manual - Revision 3 - page 10
Audio connections
The console uses 25 way ‘D-Sub’ connectors which follow the Tascam standard for audio wiring.
This universal standard makes it compatible with any other piece of professional analogue audio equipment (such
as patchbays, audio interfaces etc.) that follow this standard.
It is also possible to construct cables using the IDC (insulation displacement connector) technique using .05” ribbon
cable. This makes it very quick and simple to manufacture interface cabling for the console.
All cables to the console require male D-Sub connectors.
As the connections follow the Tascam wiring convention and the majority of connectors provide 8 balanced audio
signals, wiring for these connectors is identical.
There are only four exceptions to this:
1) the master left/right inserts and master outputs connector
2) the control room, alternate monitors and studio playback connector
3) the 2 track returns connector
4) the auxiliary sends connector
They still follow the standard wiring convention but either do not have all 8 signal pairs wired or require detail for
left/right signals. Consequently these have their own wiring sheets which are shown individually.
Each of the detailed wiring sheets can be found in Appendix A of this manual.
Male Connector
Female Connector