PULSEEIGHT ProAudio16RS User manual

V1.1

b
CONTENTS
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Inside The Box (Kit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Specications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Safety Precaution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Audio Extender Transmitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Overview - Audio Routing Capabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Wiring Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Control Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Paging And Doorbell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Audio Output Zone Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Lock Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Setting Up A Subwoofer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Setting Minimum/Maximum Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Manual Version History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Warranty Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Warranty Terms & Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

3
The ProAudio16RS is a new version of our popular ProAudio16 audio matrix switch that allows audio extension
from a remote source up to 200m over a Cat 5e/6/7 cable (656ft).
The ProAudio16RS DSP Pre-Amp Audio Matrix features 48 audio inputs (16x Stereo L/R, 8x Cat 5e (Remote
Source), 8x Optical, 16x Digital Coax) alongside 16 zone outputs (16x Stereo L/R and 16x Digital Coax), enabling
simultaneous audio distribution to multiple zones. Each output zone can be enhanced with built-in features
including 5 band equalizer per zone, adjustable volume and gain settings, subwoofer control, serial and TCP/IP
control, lip sync delay and much more.
Pulse-Eight’s ProAudio™ series oers a range of versatile DSP preamp audio matrix switches with innovative
features and unmatched capabilities designed for the custom install AV market. It provides a world class audio
experience with maximum exibility and capability, plus the largest selection of DSP preamp model congurations.
INTRODUCTION
FEATURES
INSIDE THE BOX (KIT)
• 48 Audio Inputs: 16x Stereo L/R, 8x Cat 5e (Remote Source), 8x Optical, 16x Digital Coax
• 16 Zone Outputs: 16x Stereo L/R, 16x Digital Coax
• Ability to extend digital audio from a source in a remote location (zone), up to 200 m (656 ft) over a Cat 5e/6/7
cable.
• Volume, Balance, Bass, Treble and 5 Band Equalizer control of analog and digital audio.
• Volume range: +24dB to -99.5dB, and full mute (-115dB), with 0.5dB step resolution.
• Master volume to control all zones simultaneously (+24dB to -99.5dB), and full mute.
• Tone / EQ ranges: +20dB to -20dB, with 0.5dB step resolution.
• Gain settings (+/-24dB) for all analog and digital inputs.
• Zone gain settings (+/-24dB) for each zone.
• Lip sync delay from 0 to 170ms, per zone and/or per input.
• Audio format conversion: Digital inputs (2-Channel PCM) are automatically converted to analog audio. (Does
not downmix Dolby5.1 or DTS to analog audio, but does pass multichannel audio to the S/PDIF digital outputs)
• Both analog and digital audio is available simultaneously on the outputs.
• Controlled through TCP/IP and/or Bi directional RS 232.
• Drivers available for all major control systems.
• 1 x ProAudio16RS Chassis
• 1 x Quick Start Guide
• 1 x Power Cord
• 1 x Rack Mounting Kit
• 8 x Audio Extender Transmitters
ProAudio16RS Quick Start GuidePower CordRack Mounting Kit
8 x Audio Extender
Transmitters

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Inputs 16x Stereo L/R, 8x Cat 5e (Remote Source), 8x Optical, 16x Digital Coax
Outputs 16x Stereo L/R, 16x Digital Coax
12V Trigger No
Doorbell/ Paging 2x Inputs
Lip-sync Up to 170ms per zone and/or per input
Audio Outputs Settings • Volume Range: +24dB to -99.5dB, and full mute (-115dB), with 0.5dB step
resolution. Individual zone and master (all zones) control.
• Bass Range: -20db to +20db, 0.5db steps
• Treble Range: -20db to +20db, 0.5db steps
• Equalizer: 5 Band EQ per zone
Control Settings • Subwoofer Control: Yes
• Input Gain: -24dB to +24dB
• Output Gain: -24dB to +24dB
Power Handling • Coax Input Levels: 200mV - 7.0V (PC card compatible)
• Coax Output Level: 500mV nominal into 75 ohms
Frequency Response 5Hz - 20kHz @+/-0.1dB S.N.
Signal to Noise Ratio > 85dB, 5Hz-20kHz
Analog Input Voltage 2.0 Vrms
Input Impedance 10K Ohms
Audio Modes PCM, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS. (multi-channel modes are pass thru only, the
switches do not downmix).
Format conversion Yes - Digital-to-Analog and Analog-to-Digital are supported.
• Limited to 2 channel audio conversions only.
• Analog-to-Digital is only supported when coax output is mirroring the stereo
outputs.
Analog Output Voltage 2.0 Vrms
Ethernet Ports 1 x RJ45 (TCP/IP control only)
RS-232 Ports 1x DB9 (control only)
Operating Humidity 5 to 90% RH (no condensation)
Operating Temperature 0 to +35°C (32 to +95°F)
Storage Temperature -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
Power Input IEC C14 socket
Power Rating 110-240V, 1.0A, 50/60Hz
Rack Spacing 2U
Certications UKCA, CE, FCC (SDoC), RoHS
Included Accessories 8x Audio Transmitters, Rack mounting accessories, Power cable
Driver Control 4, Elan, Savant.
Dimensions (W x H x D) 17.5” x 3.20”(2U) x 8.70” (44cm x 8cm x 22cm)
Weight 8.97 lb (4.1 Kg)
Box Dimensions 21.65” x 11.81” x 5.51” (55cm x 30cm x 14cm)
SPECIFICATIONS

5
SAFETY PRECAUTION
Please read the instructions before attempting to install or operate this equipment.
Please keep the following in mind as you unpack and install this equipment:
• Always follow basic safety precautions to reduce the risk of re, electrical shock, and injury.
• To prevent re or shock hazards, do not expose the unit to rain, or moisture or install this product near water.
• Never spill liquid of any kind on or into this product.
• Where possible, install the ProAudio towards the top of the rack to avoid the unit overheating.
• Only use the supplied IEC cable.
• Never push any objects into this product through any openings or empty slots in the unit as you may damage
parts inside and/or cause an electrical shock.
• Do not allow anything to rest on the power cabling and avoid putting the weight of any kind on it.
• To protect the unit from overheating do not block any vents or openings in the unit housing that provides
ventilation. Allow sufficient space for air to circulate around the unit.
• This product is intended for use in a clean (dust-free) residential environment.
Ventilation
It’s important to keep the product well ventilated when installing this Pulse-Eight ProAudio.
Any electronic equipment will generate heat. A well-ventilated area helps to disperse the heat. If placed in a poorly
ventilated area, your equipment may heat up and cause irreparable damage to the circuitries.
Allowing systems to run for prolonged periods under high temperatures will break down circuitry and electrical
component. It also applies if the device is left in the path of direct sunlight or near any heat source.
Dust tends to accumulate and will disrupt the fan and electronics system. Dust particles contain various
compositions like water, oil, and other minerals or chemicals. Having them in your electronic device can sometimes
cause a signal error or degradation to the internal chips and circuitries. Because we cannot accurately predict
how or when they can aect your device, we highly recommend that you keep Pulse-Eight products not only in a
well-ventilated area but also as clean as possible.
In some cases, insects or reptiles can make nests near or inside the electronic casing. Whilst we design our
products to maximize the protection of internal electronics, please be aware that insects and reptiles can be
drawn to these types of habitats. In the unlikely event, this does happen, this will lead to poor ventilation inside
the unit, and it will be unable to disperse heat eectively.
Finally, whenever possible, do not stack audio and video matrixes together. Leave enough space in between each
unit in order to provide good airow.
FCC Warning
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. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment
o and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

6
PANEL DESCRIPTIONS
AB C
EFGJ
KLM N
DH I
System Health LED: indicates ProAudio health.
RED - It is powering on or fault found.
GREEN - The system is healthy.
Network LED: indicates the ProAudio network connection.
OFF - The network LED is o when it rst powers on. It remains o if no Ethernet cable is plugged in.
RED - When an Ethernet cable is plugged in, the light turns red. This indicates that a physical connection exists
but there is no software connection.
YELLOW - Indicates that it is connected, but it fails to negotiate an IP through DHCP.
GREEN - Indicates that an IP address is acquired or a static IP address is assigned.
ID/DB LED: indicates the data status, also used for doorbell feature.
RED - When the ID button, Doorbell1 or Doorbell2 switches are being pressed.
GREEN (Flashing) - Anytime a command is received through the Serial or Ethernet port.
A
B
C

7
Power Connector: is used with the supplied power cord to connect directly to the main AC power (110V -
240V).
ID Button: For identication when using Control4 control systems.
Phoenix Ports: Connect to trigger/relays for doorbell chimes or Public Announcement (PA) system.
Analog Inputs Port: Connect analog audio source devices.
8x Cat 5e (Remote Source) Inputs: Connect the appropriate Cat 5e or higher grade cable to each RJ45 input.
These cables should then be connected to an Audio Transmitter (CAT-EXSET-TX) attached to a remote audio
source device (e.g. audio player, TV, etc).
Optical Inputs Port: Connect optical SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) digital audio source devices.
Digital Coax Input Ports: Connect digital coax SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) digital audio source
devices.
TCP/IP: Ethernet Port option to connect to third-party control systems.
RS-232: Port Serial option to connect to third-party control systems.
Analog Output Ports: Connect the analog outputs to the corresponding audio sink devices (e.g. amp/AVR).
Digital Coax Output Ports: Connect the digital outputs to the corresponding audio sink devices (e.g. amp/
AVR).
D
F
E
J
K
G
I
H
M
N
L
S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format) - Connect to Toslink optical S/PDIF audio output of source
device (e.g. DVD player, TV).
SELECTOR - Adjust to select either Coax or S/PDIF (Optical).
COAX - Connect to coaxial S/PDIF audio output of source device (e.g. DVD player, TV).
DC 5V - Connect the supplied barrel-to-USB cable to a compliant 5V USB power supply.
CAT 5e OUT Port - To link the transmitter to the Cat 5e (Remote Source) input on the ProAudio16RS with a Cat
5e cable.
A
B
C
D
E
AUDIO EXTENDER TRANSMITTERS
B CA
ED

8
The ProAudio16RS DSP Pre-Amp Audio Matrix features 48 audio inputs (16x Stereo L/R, 8x Cat 5e (Remote Source),
8x Optical, 16x Digital Coax) and 16 audio zone outputs (16 Stereo L/R and 16 Digital Coax). Any audio input can
be routed to any audio output, including digital to analog conversion. Audio downmix (multi-channel to stereo
conversion) is not supported.
Note that Analog to Digital conversion is only supported when the digital output port is set to mirror its respective
analog output port.
The diagram below described the basic audio routing capabilities of the ProAudio16RS.
OVERVIEW - AUDIO ROUTING CAPABILITIES
48 x 32 Crosspoint Switch*
(with digital-to-analog conversion)
S S S L R L R L R
Optical
Digital Inputs
RJ45 (RS)
Inputs
Coax
Digital Inputs Analog Inputs
Digital Outputs Analog Outputs
DSP1 DSP2 DSP16
L R L R L R
Coax Mirror
Select 1
Coax Mirror
Select 2
Coax Mirror
Select 16
SSS
With analog-to-digital
conversion
IN-41 IN-42 IN-48 IN-17 IN-18 IN-32 IN-1 IN-2 IN-16
OUT-1 OUT-2 OUT-16 OUT-1 OUT-2 OUT-16
IMPORTANT: Outputs can be treated separately or paired together. When paired, analog output 1 is paired
with digital output 1, 2 to 2, 3 to 3, etc. By default, analog outputs will be mirrored on the digital coax sides.
SL R = Analog Stereo Connection = Coax SPDIF Connection = Optical SPDIF Connection
* Only digital 2-channel PCM -to- analog (stereo) conversion is supported. Multichannel downmix is not supported.
IN-33 IN-34 IN-40

9
INSTALLATION
1. The ProAudio16RS features up to 48 independent audio inputs. Connect your local audio source devices
directly to the stereo (L/R), coax and optical inputs accordingly.
2. Connect your remote audio source devices to the Cat 5e (Remote Source) input.
a. Connect the appropriate category cable (Cat 5e or higher) to each Remote Source (RJ45) input that you
require.
b. Complete the connection by attaching the other end of the Cat cable to a supplied AUD-EXT Transmitter
‘CAT 5e OUT’ port. The AUD-EXT Transmitter should be situated in the remote zone (e.g. next to the TV).
c. Connect COAX or OPTICAL port on the AUD-EXT transmitter to the audio source device (e.g. TV) using the
relevant cable.
d. Plug the barrel-to-USB cable to a 5V USB power supply (100mA min).
Note: The 5V power supply is not included. Please ensure to use a power supply capable of providing a stable 5.0V
DC /100mA (min). Failure to use a compliant 5V USB power supply may result in AUD-EXT Transmitter damage.

10
4. Connect either the Serial (RS232) or Ethernet connection to your controller.
Ethernet Connection (recommended): Connect to the local Ethernet using the ProAudio’s TCP/IP port.
Serial Connection: Connect a serial cable between the controller and the ProAudio’s RS232 port.
3. The ProAudio16RS can have between 16 to 32 audio output zones, depending on your conguration. Connect
your audio outputs to the relevant AVR or Audio ampliers.
IMPORTANT: If your installation required certain analog input to be converted and routed to digital (coax
output), then you will need to mirror the corresponding analog stereo output to do so. Please refer to
OVERVIEW - AUDIO ROUTING CAPABILITIES section for more information.

11
5. Connect the power using the included IEC cable.
The unit will take 15-30 seconds to boot up and get an IP address, if using the Ethernet port.
Note: After boot up, please check the LEDs on the front of the system, as described on the PANEL DESCRIPTIONS
section.
Note: If you do not already have an Installer ID, you’ll need to create one. Please contact our customer service
team at [e-mail] or go to monitoring.pulse-eight.com/Account/Register.
6. Link to third-party control system.
Access the Pulse-Eight Cloud Monitoring site to download the necessary drivers. Follow the installation
instructions in the driver documentation for that control system.
Alternatively, if you do not have a third-party control system (or driver is not available), please refer to the
Control Setup section.
To access the monitoring portal please visit monitoring.pulse-eight.com, click ‘Login’ in the top left corner, and
sign in with your registered details.
Once logged in, the dashboard will display your details including your Installer ID.

12
WIRING DIAGRAM
Example of a ProAudio16RS wiring with an amplier (e.g. ProAmp8).

13
CONTROL SETUP
ProAudio can be congured using third-party controllers such as Control4, ELAN, and Savant. On the back of
the unit, there is an ID button that allows you to congure it directly with Control4. For more information please
download the relevant driver and documentation from the Pulse-Eight Cloud Monitoring.
Alternatively, ProAudio also provides a direct conguration method via Command Line Interface (CLI). To use
CLI, connect directly to the RS232 port OR use an Ethernet cable with the other end connected to a computer,
preferably one running Windows and with access to its communication ports.
Conguring Using Command Line Interface
If you are not using a third-party control system, you can control the ProAudio product with your favourite
terminal programme.
PuTTY, for example, is a well-known open source terminal programme. You may already have a copy of this
programme on your PC; if not, it can be downloaded at: https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/
latest.html
Please refer to the ProAudio Universal Protocol Guide.
Using The Serial Port
To use a serial port, you must have a USB to Serial port straight through cable. The ProAudio has a female RS-232
connector, but the USB cable connector must have male pins. When a USB cable is plugged in, Windows will assign
a COM port. Determine the COM port of the USB cable using Windows’ Device Manager. It’s usually between COM3
and COM6, but it can be any number Windows chooses. Then follow these steps:
1. Choose ‘Serial’ as the Connection type.
2. Then, enter the COM port at the Serial line.
3. The baud rate is 19200. Enter the baud rate at the Speed.
4. After setting up the COM port and baud rate click on ‘Terminal’.
5. Go to the “Setting Up The Line Control Option” section, as this is required.

14
Using TCP/IP
To use TCP/IP, you must rst search the network for the IP address of the ProAudio. Depending
on when the ProAudio was made, the MAC address will be listed under Zektor or Pulse-Eight.
The MAC address will either begin with 5C.D4.AB.xx.xx.xx or 00-15-82-xx-xx-xx.
Once the IP address is known. Then follow these steps:
1. Choose ‘Raw’ as the Connection type.
2. Then, enter the IP address/MAC address at the Host Name.
3. Enter the 50005 at the Port.
4. After entering the IP address and port number click on “Terminal”. Then, go to the “Setting Up The Line Control
Option” section, as this is required.

15
Setting Up The Line Control Options
5. Set them to “Force on” this allows you to see what you are typing, and to edit it before sending.
6. After the two options are selected, press the “open” button, and the command window should open up.
Testing The Connection
7. To see if a connection has been established, enter the version command: ^V$ and then press enter. The
terminal program being used (e.g. PuTTY), will then send the response showing the model switch that is
connected as shown in the image. The unit should report back the following:
<Model of ProAudio> , <Software version>, <internal serial number>
Please note that the internal serial number should not be used for support queries.
For more information, including list of API commands, please refer to the ProAudio Universal Protocol Guide.

16
PAGING AND DOORBELL
The back panel can be wired to accept dry contact closures (for push buttons or relay triggers), or voltage triggers.
You can mix connection types and setup one connection for dry closures, and the other for voltage triggers.
To use dry contact closures, add a jumper between the SE and dB connections, and connect the switch to other
dB input and the SW input. Note that the SW-1 and SW-2 connections are also connected to the chassis ground.
If you are using a shielded cable to the switch, connect the SW side to the shield. If one side of your button is
grounded, the side that is grounded should use the SW connection.
The voltage trigger inputs can be wired directly to the doorbell transformer, so that when the doorbell rings,
paging will also occur. When used in this manner, the doorbell system can be setup to mute or lower the volume
of the audio during a doorbell press, to allow the doorbell to be heard.
When a page or doorbell is triggered (from now on just referred to as a “page”), all the zones switch to a
predetermined source, and a predetermined volume. When the page is nished, all the zones are restored to
their normal operation.
There are two page settings, with their own setups. For instance ‘page 1’ could be used for the front door, and
‘page 2’ for the back door. If you have two dierent sound generators, then you could have a dierent sound
for the two doorbells, and setup the pages to be connected to two dierent sources.
To make all this work, the installers need to set up, in advance, all the things each zone should do when a page
is triggered. This can be done by sending the correct commands over the serial or TCP/IP port.
Please refer to your control driver documentation or please refer to the ProAudio Universal Protocol Guide,
depending on your control setup.
HOW DO I SETUP THE PAGING SYSTEM?

17
AUDIO OUTPUT ZONE SETTINGS
The ProAudio16RS oers several parameters that can be individually set for each output port (zone).
The following parameters can be adjusted per output port:
• Volume: Range from +24dB to -99.5dB, and full mute (-115dB), in 0.5dB step resolutions.
• Balance: Range from -200 (full left) to +200 (full right) in 0.5 dB steps.
• Treble: Range from -20dB to +20dB, in 0.5dB steps
• 5-Band Equalizer: Set at 100Hz, 330Hz, 1,000Hz, 3,300Hz and 10,000Hz. Each EQ band setting can range
from -20dB to +20db, in 0.5dB steps.
• Stereo to Mono Mix: If required, the stereo inputs can be mixed in a number of ways.
• Lock Zone: It can be set so that the selected audio output to be locked to another zone.
• Subwoofer Settings (Filter/Frequency): When using a subwoofer, you can set the sub lter to 12dB or
24dB, and the sub crossover frequency to be anything between 50-300Hz.
• Lip Sync: Can set a delay to the output. Range between 0-170.65 ms, in 1/48 ms steps.
• Coax Port: Enable the Coax port to mirror the stereo (analog) port, or to be independent.
• Paging Settings: Set actions that each zone should take when a page.
For more information, please refer to “CONFIGURE PROAUDIO OUTPUTS” section on your control driver
documentation. Alternatively, refer to the ProAudio Universal Protocol Guide when not using a third-party control
system.

18
The ProAudio16RS has “Zone Lock” capabilities for all of its audio outputs.
The Zone Lock feature allows you to:
• Make an audio output zone always switch to the same source as a dierent output zone
• Send volume to one output zone and have another zone go to the same volume
• Or, when using a subwoofer, it can make the subwoofer (connected to the audio output zone) switch to the
same source as the smaller speakers
Every audio output has a “Lock Zone” parameter that can be set to follow another zone.
For instance, if you have a set of stereo speakers connected to output 1 (zone 1), and a subwoofer connected to
output 2 (zone 2), then you would set zone 2 to use “Lock Zone’ parameter to lock it to output 1. Now each time
zone 1 changes sources, zone 2 will also change sources. When the volume is raised on zone 1, zone 2’s volume
will also be raised.
More than one zone can be locked onto the same zone. For instance, after the above zone is setup (i.e. zone 2
is locked to zone 1), then Audio Output 3 (zone 3) can be set to lock to zone 1. Now each time zone 1 changes
sources, both zones 2 and 3 will also change sources. When the volume is raised on zone 1, then the volume for
zones 2 & 3 will also be raised.
Please note that not all things are locked between the outputs, here’s the list of locked parameters:
• Volume (including other volume related parameters like Mute)
• Bass and Treble (but not the equalizers)
• Source changes
Anything not listed above, is not locked. Notable things are that are not locked are:
• Equalizers, this allows using dierent setting for a subwoofer than for the stereo set.
• Output Level, this allows adjusting the level of a subwoofer independent of the stereo speakers.
• Lip Sync Delay, this allows a delay to be set to compensate for distances between the subwoofer and speakers.
Caveats:
Care must be taken to avoid a zone following itself; for example, if zone 2 and zone 3 follow zone 1, but zone 1
follows zone 3, this will not work because zone 1 is following itself. Zone 1 in this example cannot be followed by
any other zone.
If you accidentally set a zone to follow itself, all zones that follow it will revert to the unlock mode.
For more information, please refer to your control driver documentation.
LOCK ZONE

19
Each zone has a crossover lter that can allow only high frequencies, or only low frequencies to pass, or be
disabled (and allow all frequencies to pass).
Both the crossover type and the crossover frequency has to be set before the crossover lter is enabled. This
can be done by selecting the correct “crossover lter” parameter for both the subwoofer and main speaker zone
outputs.
Then the “crossover frequency” parameter are to be set for both the subwoofer and main speaker zone outputs.
Again, experimenting with this setting and listening for what sounds best is encouraged.
For more information, please refer to your control driver documentation.
SETTING UP A SUBWOOFER
Note: The default is to set “24dB/oct Low Pass Filter” for the subwoofer zone and “24dB/oct High Pass Filter” for the
main stereo speakers zone.
The 12dB / 24dB is the sharpness of the lter, how fast it cuts o high or low frequencies. Experimenting with this
setting and listening for what sounds best is encouraged.
Note: Both the main speakers and the subwoofer should be set to the same frequency. When going up in frequency,
this setting indicates the frequency the subwoofer stops working and the main speakers take over. This value is
usually between 100Hz and 150Hz, but we allow values between 50 and 300Hz.

20
The output’s “min volume” and “max volume” settings are the absolute volume levels. A volume level of 0 means
that the signal level coming into the switch is the same as the signal level going out. Each step of one of the
settings is a 0.5dB change. So a setting of 1 = +0.5dB gain, and -1 = -0.5dB loss.
So the default values are 24 = 12.0dB gain, and -120 = -60dB loss.
The gain command is given in 0.5dB steps and uses an oset of 200 to indicate a gain of 0.0dB. Values above 200
raise gain, and values below 200 lower gain.
The minimum and maximum volume settings must have at least a 49.5dB (99 steps) dierence between them.
Any attempt to set the maximum volume closer than 99 steps of the minimum, will result in a setting of exactly 99
steps above the minimum volume setting.
The use of the Max Volume is pretty straight forward. Any user of the switch cannot set the level above Max
Volume, this can be used to limit volumes at specic zones.
The Min Volume use is more subtle. If you are in a quiet room, you can turn down the volume and still hear audio
way down into whisper levels. In a case like this you would set the Min Volume to a large negative value, since this
will allow you to turn the volume way down.
If you have speakers in the backyard, you might not hear much once you turn the speakers below 50% because of
all the background noise, this is irritating because now half the volume is wasted, once you get below 50% nothing
happens. And if the volume level starts all the way down at 1%, it can feel like it’s not working as you hold the
volume button down between 1% and 49%, waiting to hear something. In this case like this, you can turn the Min
Volume up until you can actually start to hear something at around 5% or so. Now you have the complete range
of the volume control from 1% to 100%, and the sound fades out below 5% like it should.
For more information, please refer to your control driver documentation.
SETTING MINIMUM/MAXIMUM VOLUME
There might be occasions when the volume control on the switch needs to be disabled, such as when using an
AVR as an amplier.
To do so, select the Audio Output of the zone you’re interested in setting up, then set the volume to 84%.
Note that 84% is the pass through level (if the Min and Max default volume settings have not been changed). It
sets the volume so that the level going out is the same as the level coming in.
To keep the volume from changing, make sure you don’t use the audio switch as the volume endpoint for the
zone being setup. In the AVR example, the AVR should be the volume endpoint, not the audio switch.
FIXED AUDIO OUTPUT