Outline GENIUS SERIES User manual

INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL
GENIUS SERIES
CONTROLLERS
PROFESSIONAL AUDIO
PROFESSIONAL AUDIOPROFESSIONAL AUDIO

PROFESSIONAL AUDIO
 !"#"$%"&%'"#"$&"%
( ( ( )*!*+,)*!*
-.
User Guide
Outline Genius series (DSP)
Version 1.4
May 11
th
, 2005

PROFESSIONAL AUDIO
 !"#"$%"&%'"#"$&"%
( ( ( )*!*+,)*!*
-."
Quick Reference Guide
Display
               


Channel Select Buttons
 
          !   " 
#$%&'()&(
Edit Select Buttons
 

Parameter Knobs
*)
         #   
+    +       " " 
       ,"      "  
$)
Mute Buttons
- 

Store Button
   ./                
 "              
" 
Recall Button
           " 0    + 
   1  "    
&



PROFESSIONAL AUDIO
 !"#"$%"&%'"#"$&"%
( ( ( )*!*+,)*!*
-.&

2"345
5
6(5
-6(5
75
8(5
6(5
3(5
!6!/
3 /
"*"/
!7#9
!9
*49
# 9
!6!:
63:
6(:
-6(:
:
":
;:
8-:
6(<=>
3 >
!>
?">
&!>
;>
>
;@
6@
6# @
@
?A @
?BC
 63BC
 3BC
 6 BB
6  BD
!6"BD
;6 " BD
6E8#BD
6 B5
!B5
;B/
*B@
# DC
-2#34DB
6DD
4DD
DD
DD


PROFESSIONAL AUDIO
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Important Safety Information
Please read carefully and keep the following instructions and safety information. Heed all warnings and follow all
instructions.
•Do not remove covers. There are no user serviceable parts inside, please refer servicing to
qualified service personnel.
•This equipment must be earthed.
•Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
•Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
•Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as the power supply
cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into he apparatus, the apparatus
has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
Regulatory Compliance
This product complies with both the EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) and the Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC) as
issued by the Commission of the European Community.
Compliance with these directives imply conformity with the following European standards:
•EN60065 Product safety
•EN55103-1 Electromagnetic Interference (Emission)
•EN55103-2 Electromagnetic Susceptibility (Immunity)
This product is intended for operation in the E2 (commercial & light industrial) and E3 (urban outdoors)
Electromagnetic Environments.
Thanks and Unpacking
Thank you for choosing an OUTLINE Genius series digital loudspeaker management system for your
application. Please spare a little time to study the contents of this manual, so that you obtain the best possible
performance from this unit.
All OUTLINE products are carefully engineered for world-class performance and reliability. If you would like
further information about this or any other OUTLINE product, please contact us to [e-mail]. We look
forward to helping you in the near future.
Unpacking the OUTLINE Genius series processor
After unpacking the unit please check carefully for damage. If damage is found, please notify the carrier
concerned at once. You, the consignee, must instigate any claim. Please retain all packaging in case of future
re-shipment.

PROFESSIONAL AUDIO
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Introduction and Key Features
Introduction
The OUTLINE Genius series of loudspeaker management systems represent the current state-of-the-art.
Taking advantages of the latest advances in analogue to digital conversion and digital signal processing
technologies the units achieve performance levels that have only recently been made possible.
This modern design is combined with OUTLINE Factory Presets to deliver the optimal match for OUTLINE
cabinets and systems. These presets allow the user to simply achieve the best possible performance from any
OUTLINE loudspeaker.
Key Features
•Outline minimal signal path design
•Sonically superb ADC / DAC combination; a carefully matched pairing of the best devices from Burr
Brown and Wolfson
•Newly released family of Analogue Devices SHARC DSP
•Extended bandwidth; 96kHz sampling frequency provides for a nominally flat response to 40kHz.
•Parameter knob and LCD provide a rapid, user-friendly control interface
These key features should be focused on the OUTLINE unit – these are examples / ideas really.
The User Guide
This user manual gives a progressively more detailed description of the functions of the OUTLINE Genius
series loudspeaker management systems. A single page quick reference guide is provided for those users who
are experienced with this type of equipment and just need to know how to ‘drive’ the front panel.
A detailed explanation of the front and rear panel controls and indicators is contained in the next section. The
final section describes each individual function or feature with annotated images explaining its’ use. Where
appropriate, the LCD is shown to further elaborate on the units’ operation.
To complete the manual a reference section is included, describing the technical performance of the device
complete with graphs of filter responses and details of the Factory Presets and their configuration.
Front Panel

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Input Signal Indicators
A set of three pairs of LEDs indicate signal present, +4dBu and input clip for each channel. The signal present
LEDs operate at approximately –40 dBu, giving a useful indication of even relatively low input signal levels. The
+4 dBu LEDs are intended to show nominal operating level and can also be useful for setting system gain
structure. Clip LEDs warn the user of input overload and operate at +19 dBu.
Preset Store and Recall
These controls provide access to the 45 presets stored within the device. Pressing the store button allows the
user to name a preset and choose which memory location it will be held in. Pressing store button again
completes the process. The Recall function operates in a similar way, pressing the recall button allows the user
to select which preset they require, pressing the button for a second time, then confirming, recalls the new DSP
settings.
Note that presets cannot be stored or recalled when Secure mode is activated.
Channel Select Buttons
The currently selected channel is displayed on the top left hand corner of the LCD. Pressing the channel
buttons scrolls through the available input and output channels and finally through the utility functions and back
to the default screen. If operating a stereo linked preset, the channel name will indicate the channel pairing. For
example ‘A+B’ means both input A and B parameters. The name of the output will be shown briefly at the top of
the display when stepping onto an output.
Edit Select Buttons
The currently selected edit parameter page is displayed on the bottom left corner of the LCD. Pressing the edit
select buttons moves through the available parameters for the current input or output.
Text Display
Preset, channel, parameter and status information is shown on the 2x 24-character text display. In most screens
the currently selected channel is displayed on the upper line and the edit parameter on the lower line. To
simplify the display and enhance security, some parameters or parameter pages are omitted when not relevant.
Parameter Knobs
Three velocity sensitive parameter knobs are used to adjust parameters shown on the display. Up to three
parameters at a time are displayed on the screen. The parameter name is shown above the parameter value in
each of the three screen sections. The parameter knobs have a fixed association with the screen sections; the
rightmost parameter knob adjusts the rightmost parameter and so on.
Output Signal / Limiter Indication
Two LEDs are provided for each output channel. These show the signal level relative to the limiter threshold.
The yellow LED will light when the signal is 6dB below the threshold and the red warning LED will light when the
limiter threshold is reached.
Mute Buttons and Status LEDs
Each output has a mute button and associated mute status LED. Pressing the button toggles the mute on and
off. Note that the mute buttons do not function when the Secure mode is activated.

PROFESSIONAL AUDIO
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Secure Button (on the rear)
A momentary button is fitted behind the rear panel, between the output XLRs and the RS232 port. When
activated, this will disable all the front panel controls so they cannot affect the signal path, making the unit
secure against tampering. When in secure mode, the indicators still operate normally. Note that the
communications port is still active in secure mode.
Rear Panel
Power Inlet
The OUTLINE Genius series unit should be connected to a suitable mains electricity supply using the cable
supplied. The processor has a switch mode power supply that is capable of operating with a nominal mains
voltage of 85V to 240V, 50/60Hz without re-configuration.
Network Expansion Port
Where a future network card can be fitted.
Audio Input Connectors
All audio connections are fully balanced and wired pin-1 ground, pin-2 hot & pin-3 cold. The two inputs have pin-
1 connected directly to the chassis and feed the signal processing chains. If an unbalanced source is used, a
connection should be made between the pin-3 ‘cold’ signal and the ground connection of the unbalanced
source.
Audio Output Connectors
The processed outputs are impedance balanced, and wired pin-1 ground, pin-2 hot and pin-3 cold. An
unbalanced input may be driven by connecting pin-3 ‘cold’ signal to the ground connection of the unbalanced
destination input. Note that output pin-1’s are ground lifted at audio frequencies but connected to ground at RF
for good EMC performance. The intention being that the amplifiers the processor is driving should be
responsible for the grounding of their input cable shields.
Communications Port Connector
A Genius series processor may be controlled entirely from another controller, typically a Personal Computer,
running an application that is compliant with the ObCom standard. Connection will normally be made to the
controller via this serial port connector. This port is also used for updating the firmware in the unit.
Note that the communications port is NOT disabled when the front panel is made secure using the secure
button.

PROFESSIONAL AUDIO
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Operation
Starting up
The unit will energise as soon as power is applied to the IEC inlet; there is no power switch. During the start up
process the firmware application model number and version numbers are displayed and the outputs are muted
until the unit has completed its internal checks. Once the start-up routines are complete and the unit is ready to
pass audio. The DSP signal path will be restored to the current settings when it was last powered down and the
audio signal is gradually ramped up to its correct level.
Selecting a Factory Preset
The Genius series processors have a library of Factory Presets designed to suit a range of OUTLINE
enclosures.
Factory Presets contain some parameters that are fixed and hidden from view; the remainder of the DSP
parameters are available for user manipulation. The number and type of hidden parameters is dependant on the
Factory Preset, typically crossover frequencies, output delay and some EQ’s are hidden; those settings that are
a function of the loudspeaker cabinet design and should not require adjustment for different applications.
To recall a Factory Preset for a particular cabinet or system, press Recall and use the left hand parameter knob
X to scroll through the available factory preset locations (as indicated bu a box symbol after the preset number).
Once the appropriate preset has been selected press recall again, at which point you will be asked to confirm
the action by pressing recall for a third time. This is to guard against accidental recall of Presets.
Factory Presets are locked so they cannot be over-written. The user can, however, store an edited version of a
Factory Preset in any free preset location.
Details of all the Factory Presets including output designations can be found in Appendix A.
Creating a Crossover
In addition to the Factory Presets the unit has two further ‘Base Presets’; mono and stereo. These Base Presets
are stored in locations 1 and 2 respectively, they can be used to develop settings for any loudspeaker
combination and are recalled in the same way as the Factory Presets described above. These Presets are also
locked but the user can name and store their own edited versions in any free preset location.
Navigation and Viewing Parameters
Many of the processing elements in each input and output path have features that may be controlled by the
user, such as gain, frequency or limiter threshold. We call these adjustable features parameters.
In A Freq Width Gain
EQ1 100Hz 1.4Q 0.0dB
XYZ
X Y Z

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A parameter may be adjusted when it is displayed by turning one of the three-parameter knobs. Each of the
three-parameter knobs is associated with a zone on the display. Adjusting the leftmost parameter knob will
change the value of the parameter showing in the leftmost zone of the display and so on. Turn a knob clockwise
to increase the value of a parameter, or anti-clockwise to decrease it. The knobs are velocity-sensitive so
turning a knob rapidly will cause the action to ‘accelerate’, so the value changes more rapidly.
Navigation
The DSP parameters are organised by channel. The currently selected channel is shown in the top left hand
corner of the display. You can navigate between the channels by pressing the channel buttons. Pressing the
channel buttons will scroll through the channels, utilities and back to the default screen. When using a Preset
that is stereo linked, the channel selection will reflect this. For example ‘1&4’ indicates outputs 1 and 4. When
navigating onto an output channel, the usage of the output, as define in the factory preset, will be shown briefly
at the top of the screen.
X Y Z
Out1 Freq Width Gain
EQ1 100Hz 1.4Q 0.0dB
CHANNEL
PARAMETER
Pressing the edit navigation buttons gives access to the various pages of parameters available for each
channel. The currently selected page is shown in the bottom left hand corner of the display, this is omitted on
some pages where the function is obvious. The screen shows up to three (normally related) parameters for a
given part of the processing functions on a given channel.
The edit buttons allow you to scroll, in either direction, through the different processing pages for a given
Channel. When you go past the last page, you will be returned to the default page.
The channel buttons allow you to scroll, in either direction, through the input and output channels, whilst trying to
maintain the currently viewed processing block. If the channel you scroll to does not have the currently viewed
processing block, the next one will be shown instead.
NB. When the unit powers-up, the settings will be the same as those when the unit was last switched off.
Presets
The device contains a total of forty-five user and Factory Presets. The user cannot overwrite the basic mono,
basic stereo or Factory Preset programs.
Preset Recall
To select an existing Preset, press the Recall Button so the indicator above it illuminates. Turn parameter knob
X until the required Preset number is shown on the display. Factory presets are indicated by a box symbol
appearing after the preset number. Press the Recall Button again to activate the Preset. Pressing any other
button will cancel the operation.