Optimal Audio Zone 8 User manual

Controllers
Zone 8
8 zone audio controller with DSP and WebApp
USER GUIDE
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The Optimal Audio range of
compatible audio zoners, ampliers
and loudspeakers are designed to
work together simply and effectively.
Our quick start guides will take you
through the simple connection and
set up procedure.
Zone 8 is a powerful and exible
audio signal router and processor
that is the heart of your system. It
has been designed to be easy to set
up and operate, even if you have
very little previous experience of
similar equipment.
With Zone 8 it is possible to combine
audio sources such as streaming
services, radio, computer audio
or anything with an audio output
and create separate mixes in up to
eight separate zones. Zones can
be thought of as different rooms
or areas where you would want
to establish a different musical
ambience. For ideas on how this
might work for you, be sure to check
out our Optimal Audio Application
examples on optimal-audio.co.uk
This quick start guide will help you
get up and running as quickly as
possible, with minimum fuss, and
ensure you get the best results from
your system.
Congratulations on your choice of Optimal Audio
for your latest sound system installation.
Helpful Tip
Prior to installation of Zone, please check for latest
firmware update.
https://optimal-audio.co.uk/support/software
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USER GUIDE
© 2021. Optimal Audio Group Ltd. (v1.2)
Introduction
Overview
Front panel
Rear panel
Microphone
inputs
Line inputs
Safety
information
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All Zone products have the same input capacity across the range:
Four stereo line inputs allow the connection of sound sources such as streamers,
CD players, laptops or anything that has a stereo analogue audio output.
Two standard HDMI connectors to provide simple connectivity with whichever
audio-visual equipment you use.
Two microphone inputs with 48V phantom power.
Two inputs for future Optimal Audio paging stations, or to connect additional
ZonePad 4 wall controllers.
Zone 8 has eight mono line outputs – these can be congured as four stereos.
The Zone 8P also has eight integral channels of amplication.
Both models have the ability to accept connections with up to eight ZonePad 1
or ZonePad 4 wall-mounted controllers.
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USER GUIDE
© 2021. Optimal Audio Group Ltd. (v1.2)
Introduction
Overview
Front panel
Rear panel
Microphone
inputs
Line inputs
Safety
information
>
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The zone selector buttons allow you to choose which zone of your system you
wish to adjust. There’s plenty of space for a label to make sure you know exactly
which part of the system you are controlling.
Once you have selected your zone, the bar perhaps, you can then choose which
music source you want to adjust. Again, space is there for clear labelling.
The music level control will then allow you to adjust the level of your chosen
source, in your chosen zone.
In addition, the two microphone inputs have individual level controls to enable
your message to be heard at just the right volume in each zone. Just select the
zone and adjust the relevant mic level control.
Should you wish to control the levels of all zones at once, hit the button above
the knob for either Mic 1 or 2.
And nally, there is a volume control for the paging stations.
System status indicators give you an easy visual read out of how the Zone 8
is behaving, with a power indicator, protect, temperature warning and signal
overload, or clip indicators.
Front panel
Zone selectors Music source
selectors
Mics to all zones
selectors
System status
indicators
Music level control
for selected zone Mic level controls Paging level control
Power light status colours
Green: Unit operational, no network or static IP address
White: Unit operational with DHCP IP address
Steady orange: Alarm mute active
Flashing orange: rmware update in progress. Zone selection light(s) will also ash if Wall control-
ler rmware is being updated
Red: An error has occurred. Refer to support for details.
For a full list of colours and meanings, please visit optimal-audio.co.uk
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8 zone audio controller with DSP and WebApp
Controllers
USER GUIDE
© 2021. Optimal Audio Group Ltd. (v1.2)
Introduction
Overview
Front panel
Rear panel
Microphone
inputs
Line inputs
Safety
information
>
<

A standard IEC mains connector supplies the unit with AC power between 100
and 240 volts.
The ethernet socket allows you to connect Zone 8 to a router to give you wired or
wireless control via the Optimal Audio WebApp.
An alarm override ensures that any alarm system will mute all outputs via contact
closure.
Up to eight Optimal Audio ZonePad wall controllers are connected via standard
RJ45 connectors, using a proprietary Optimal Audio protocol to provide power,
data and audio over CAT 5 cable.
Zone 8 delivers audio to eight separate outputs – your zones. These can also be
congured as four stereo outputs in WebApp if you wish.
Zone 8P differs from Zone 8 with the addition of eight loudspeaker outputs,
allowing you to run one 4 ohm, two 8 ohm or four 16 ohm loudspeakers on each
output. The Zone 8P will deliver a total of 100W of power into the loudspeakers
on each output.
The SD card slot can be accessed to transfer your settings to another Zone 8 via
a standard SD card. This is useful for those installations that require a number of
devices to perform very similar functions or repeat system congurations across
several venues.
Zone 8 has two inputs for future paging stations, again using Optimal Audio
proprietary protocol over standard CAT5 cable. These inputs can also be used for
additional ZonePad 4 units.
Two microphone inputs are provided, four stereo line inputs and two stereo
HDMI inputs thru sockets carrying the Audio Return Channel (ARC) signal.
Rear panel
AC Power
In
Alarm Override
input
Microphone
input section
Ethernet
for LAN SD card Line input section
Paging
station
inputs
8 speaker
outputs
(Zone 4P only)
8 zone
line outputs
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USER GUIDE
© 2021. Optimal Audio Group Ltd. (v1.2)
Introduction
Overview
Front panel
Rear panel
Microphone
inputs
Line inputs
Safety
information
>
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The two inputs are identical apart from the fact that the controls are laid out as a
mirror of each other.
Immediately adjacent to the input connectors are the mic input gain controls.
Correct gain adjustment for your microphone is essential to ensure good signal
control throughout your system. Generally speaking, dynamic microphones will
require more gain that condenser microphones.
The 48V Phantom Power button will allow you to use high-quality condenser
mics with Zone 8. If you are using a condenser mic, engage Phantom Power for
your mic to function.
The next three controls are for setting a basic equalization for your mic input.
They are independent of any equalization in WebApp. These are useful for
tailoring your sound to a particular voice/microphone combination. Use the
High frequency control for increasing or decreasing sibilance, which can help
with intelligibility. The mid-range controls allow you to choose the frequency
around which you can boost or cut, between 200Hz and 5kHz. The lower mid
frequencies will affect warmth and muddy sounding voices, the middle range will
help to stop ‘boxiness’, and the higher frequencies will assist with intelligibility or
harshness. Experiment to nd out what suits your requirement.
Microphone inputs
Mic 1 EQ
Mid level High Frequency
Level
Microphone 1
input gain
Input section detail – mic inputs –
Input 1 only shown for clarity
(controls are repeated for mic input 2)
Mic 2 EQ
Mid Frequency 48v Phantom
Power
Microphone input
connector
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USER GUIDE
© 2021. Optimal Audio Group Ltd. (v1.2)
Introduction
Overview
Front panel
Rear panel
Microphone
inputs
Line inputs
Safety
information
>
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Below the mic inputs are the connections for line inputs 1 – 4
These are where the outputs of your music sources will be plugged in to Zone 8.
They are all identical except for Line Input 1. All are stereo analogue inputs,
however Input 1 also has the option to use a standard SPDIF digital audio
connection, which will give you full stereo reproduction on a single cable when
connected with compatible equipment. This is clearly labelled and features an
orange phono socket.
Each input has a standard red and white coloured pair of RCA phono sockets for
connecting units which are placed locally to the Zone 8, such as a streamer in the
same equipment rack. These inputs are not suitable for connection of equipment
located remotely from the Zone 8. For this purpose, use the four stereo balanced
line inputs on the euroblock connectors.
For the connection of more remote sound sources there are four stereo balanced
line inputs on Euroblock connectors. In all cases you should decide which you are
going to use before hooking up, and never use two different types of connection
at the same time on the same input!
It is possible to have more than one source connected to each input via the
different connections. Obviously, you would not want to have more than one
source running simultaneously, as you would end up with a jumbled noise. If you
do use this facility, care will need to be taken about the input gain setting, as this
is common for all connections on each input.
To the right of the HDMI inputs are four gain trim controls for inputs 1 – 4. These
give you the ability to adjust the inputs to accept a signal from consumer level at
-10dBV maximum to pro level +20dBu maximum.
Line inputs
Stereo line inputs 2-4
L/R analogue unbalanced RCA phono
Stereo line input 1
SPDIF digital or L/R analogue
unbalanced RCA phono
Stereo line inputs 1-4
L/R analogue balanced Euroblock
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8 zone audio controller with DSP and WebApp
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USER GUIDE
© 2021. Optimal Audio Group Ltd. (v1.2)
Introduction
Overview
Front panel
Rear panel
Microphone
inputs
Line inputs
Safety
information
>
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Below the Euroblock inputs are two HDMI sockets for line inputs 5 and 6, and
two associated THRU sockets.
The HDMI inputs give you the ability to plug directly in to Zone from the HDMI
output of a cable or satellite box, a projector or laptop.
The HDMI input can take a standard HDMI signal (audio and video) and it strips
off the audio for processing in Zone.
The THRU signal can then send the video signal only (no audio) through to a
display.
All the Euroblock connectors you will need to connect up Zone 8 are supplied
with the unit, as is the relevant mains power cable for your location. The RCA
phono and HDMI connections are all standard and readily available to purchase.
For wiring guides for balanced and unbalanced audio connections please refer to
our Connectors and Cables, Lights and Labels manual on optimal-audio.co.uk
Line inputs
Stereo line inputs 5&6
HDMI in THRU
Input level for stereo line inputs 1-4
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8 zone audio controller with DSP and WebApp
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USER GUIDE
© 2021. Optimal Audio Group Ltd. (v1.2)
Introduction
Overview
Front panel
Rear panel
Microphone
inputs
Line inputs
Safety
information
>
<

This symbol is intended to alert the user to
the presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.
WARNING!
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT
TO RAIN OR MOISTURE
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage”
within the product’s enclosure that may be of
sufcient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE EARTHED
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation opening. Install in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other apparatus (including ampliers) that produce heat.
9. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, the power cord shall be
connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective earthing
connection.
10. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding type
plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other.
A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.
The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the
provided plug does not t into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.
11. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly
at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from
the apparatus.
12. Do not unplug the unit by pulling on the cord, use the plug.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for
long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel. Servicing is required
when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power
supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have
fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
15. The appliance coupler, or the AC Mains plug, is the AC mains
disconnect device and shall remain readily accessible after installation.
16. The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and
no objects lled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the
apparatus.
17. Do not remove any covers, loosen any xings or allow items to enter
any aperture.
Important Safety Instructions FCC Compliance
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications.
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Zone 8
8 zone audio controller with DSP and WebApp
Controllers
USER GUIDE
© 2021. Optimal Audio Group Ltd. (v1.2)
Introduction
Overview
Front panel
Rear panel
Microphone
inputs
Line inputs
Safety
information
>
<

Relax, It’s Optimal Audio.
Optimal Audio Group Ltd.
Century Point, Halifax Road,
Cressex Business Park,
High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire,
HP12 3SL
optimal-audio.co.uk