Quantec Zombies 12xx Series User manual

©1994 - 2003 Quantec® Tonstudiotechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany
ZOMBIES 12xx
Operation Guide

Operation Guide Revision 3.7c
©1994 - 2003 Quantec® Tonstudiotechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany
2
Revision History
Version 1.0 to 2.4 internal release only N.N.
Version 2.5 04.05.94 Alexander Mikas
Version 2.6 13.05.94 bb/wolf
Version 3.2 18.08.97 bb
Version 3.7 (preliminary) 25.10.99 ss/bb
Version 3.7a 11.11.99 ss/bb
Version 3.7c 13.01.03 bb
Copyright Notes
QUANTEC® is a registered trademark of
Wolfgang Schwarz / Wolf Buchleitner
QUANCO® is a registered trademark of
QUANTEC Tonstudiotechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany
Distribution and copying of this manuscript, commercial exploitation,
and disclosure of the contents are forbidden, unless explicitly permitted.
Violation implies liability for damages.
All rights for the granting of patents or registration of designs reserved.
The merchandise described herein is an EC product.
Country of origin: Federal Republic of Germany
Manufacturer
QUANTEC Tonstudiotechnik GmbH Leopoldstr.18 D-80802 Munich
PO Box 440253 D-80751 Munich
Tel. 089 / 333034 Fax. 089 / 33079323
Sales [e-mail]
Technical documentation [e-mail]
Development SW + HW [e-mail]
Discussion forums [e-mail]
(English) [e-mail]
Web-Documentation http://www.quantec.de
Download: data sheets, Software http://www.quantec.de/download/

ZOMBIEs 12xx
3
ZOMBIEs in the Recording Studio?
ZOMBIEs are not »universal interface converters«
for providing mobile solutions.
ZOMBIEs are »highly qualified specialists«, which remain
attached to a specific problematic device, where they solve all interface-related
problems and also help out with some additional features.
This means that a ZOMBIE is normally configured only once,
- when installing the non-compatible or troublesome device.
To provide a fully functional individual front panel for each and every ZOMBIE
would be highly uneconomical
- in terms of both resources and space available in the studio.
So all configuration is done by remote control.
To configure all ZOMBIEs in a recording studio
one of the following devices is required additionally:
ABACUS 1201
COMMANDER 1220
PC (in preparation)
Such an »operating console« lends the ZOMBIEs the necessary operating elements
- toggle switch, keys, pulsar, and, last but not least, a display for the message readouts.
The following connection options are possible:
Direct connection via an RS-232 cable
Distribution of the remote control (R/C) signals over one or more
1-to-8 multiplexers RS-232 OCTOPUS 1226. These may be hierarchically ordered.
Distribution of the R/C signals via the AES18 User Bit Channel
of a star-type clock distribution (»House-Sync«).
A remote control according to AES18 does not require any additional wiring.
As a prerequisite, however, the studio distribution matrix (»patchbay«) must be AES18-compatible.
(For more information, refer to »Technical Comment 2«)

Operation Guide Revision 3.7c
©1994 - 2003 Quantec® Tonstudiotechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany
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Contents
ZOMBIEs 12xx
5
Contents
Contents....................................................................................................5
1. Introduction..........................................................................................9
General...............................................................................................................9
General Operation ............................................................................................10
Hardware Hint..................................................................................................12
LED Readouts ..................................................................................................13
2. Menu Structure..................................................................................15
2.1 System Setup..................................................................................................19
Delay Resolution (1212 only)...........................................................................20
Clock Change (/MX option only) .....................................................................22
Test PLL (/MX option only).............................................................................23
User Entry........................................................................................................25
Device Number.................................................................................................26
About................................................................................................................28
2.2 Preset Handling ..............................................................................................29
Load Preset.......................................................................................................30
Save Preset.......................................................................................................31
Accessing the presets via the RS-232 port........................................................32
2.3 Clock Config (/MX option only).....................................................................35
Clock Mode - some general notes...................................................................36
Clock Mode - Selecting the Clock Source ........................................................39
Error-to-Mute ...................................................................................................40
2.4 CS Data symbolic............................................................................................43
View Input........................................................................................................44
View Source.....................................................................................................46
Edit Source.......................................................................................................48
Edit Force.........................................................................................................49
»AES/EBU« Selection......................................................................................50
»SPDIF« Selection (local loop only) ................................................................52
»SDIF-2« Selection (local loop only) ...............................................................53
Timecode..........................................................................................................55
UD/AES18 (not 1218)......................................................................................57
2.5 Freq. Counter..................................................................................................61

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©1994 - 2003 Quantec® Tonstudiotechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany
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2.6 Config SRC(ZOMBIEs with SRCs only)........................................................63
SRC Mode........................................................................................................64
Bypass SRC (1209 only) ..................................................................................66
2.7 Config Delay(1212 only)................................................................................69
View Delay.......................................................................................................70
Select Display Mode.........................................................................................71
Set Delay..........................................................................................................74
2.8 SDIF-2 Interface (1202 only) ............................................................................75
TX WC Position...............................................................................................76
RX Sync Mode.................................................................................................78
2.9 YAMAHA Interface (1213 only)....................................................................85
TX Audio phase................................................................................................86
TX Channel......................................................................................................87
RX Audio phase ...............................................................................................88
RX Channel......................................................................................................89
2.10 Config Audio DSP (/DSP option only) .........................................................91
De-Emphasis ....................................................................................................92
DC Filter ..........................................................................................................94
Head Extension.................................................................................................96
NS mode...........................................................................................................98
LL Length (ZOMBIEs >16bit only)................................................................101
2.11 Config Sine DSP (/SIN option only)...........................................................103
Sine Level.......................................................................................................104
Sine Frequency...............................................................................................105
GL Output Audio............................................................................................106
LL Output Audio............................................................................................107
Sine Mode ......................................................................................................108
2.12 AES18 Config (1218 only).........................................................................109
UD Source......................................................................................................110
UD Channel....................................................................................................112
Serial..............................................................................................................113
RX Address....................................................................................................114
TX Parameter .................................................................................................116
Terminate CR.................................................................................................117
Local Loop Protocol.......................................................................................118
TX Address ....................................................................................................121
Priority ...........................................................................................................123
Repetition.......................................................................................................124

Contents
ZOMBIEs 12xx
7
Index.....................................................................................................127
COMMANDER 1220................................................................................I
Device Control ..................................................................................................II
LCD Contrast ...................................................................................................III
Cursor Mode.....................................................................................................IV
About.................................................................................................................V
PC Software.......................................................................................... VII
XSOFT Firmware Update System.................................................................. VII
Preset Archiving System....................................................................................X
QUANCOseries12xx ...................................................................................XIII

Operation Guide Revision 3.7c
©1994 - 2003 Quantec® Tonstudiotechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany
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1. Introduction
ZOMBIEs 12xx
9
1. Introduction
General
The ZOMBIE models described here feature global loop (GL) and local loop (LL)
interfaces.
The GL interface is generally orientated towards the studio and consists of an
AES/EBU input and the corresponding output. Equipment with the extra /MX option
also features an AES-EBU clock signal input (REF) and a 75


-BNC input which
can be utilized as a Video, WCLK or TTL clock input. The /MX option also features
an internal » Grade 2 « master clock generator.
The LL interface is normally focused on a single piece of equipment, which should
be integrated fully into the studio. It also features one input and one output, which
may be of varying types: AES/EBU-XLR, AES/EBU fiber, SPDIF-CINCH,
SPDIF fiber, SDIF-2 or Yamaha.
Depending on the model of Zombie, there are delay lines or sample rate converters
(SRC) between the global and local loop. ZOMBIEs with the option /DSP also
feature low cut filters, de-emphasis filters and various sorts of noise shapers.
ZOMBIEs with the option /SIN also feature a sine generator.
There are serial ports of the type RS-232 on both front and back of each ZOMBIE for
connecting the ZOMBIE to an operating console.
The selected configuration can be saved onto a PC via the serial ports for archive
purposes, and reinstalled into the same ZOMBIE or another of the same type at a
later stage.
The physical construction of the ZOMBIEs means that they can be mounted in the
normal front rack position, or close to the back of the equipment with which they
should be used. They can also simply be screwed into the studio wall.

Operation Guide Revision 3.7c
©1994 - 2003 Quantec® Tonstudiotechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany
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General Operation
For navigating through the menus, there are three key functions
ENTER, EXIT and TOGGLE, plus turning the pulsar.
Operation from the ABACUS 1201:
Pulsar

turn dial (pulsar) to the right (clockwise)
Pulsar

turn pulsar to the left (counterclockwise)
Exit pull the key EXIT up
Enter push the key ENTER down
Toggle push pulsar axially (pulsar click) PUSH
Operation from the COMMANDER 1220:
Pulsar

turn pulsar to the right (clockwise)
Pulsar

turn pulsar to the left (counterclockwise)
Exit hit upper key XIT
Enter hit lower key ENT
Toggle press one of the keys and hold it down
while clicking the other TOG

1. Introduction
ZOMBIEs 12xx
11



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©1994 - 2003 Quantec® Tonstudiotechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany
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Hardware Hint
The following cable can be used to connect the ABACUS 1201 to
any ZOMBIE.
»null modem cable«, 9-way female to 9-way female, data wires cross-linked, no handshake lines
required
To connect COMMANDER 1220 to any ZOMBIE the following
cable will be necessary:
»null modem cable« 9-way female to 9-way female, data wires and handshake lines crossed (with
the exception of »RI«). The handshake lines are needed as power lines to power the
COMMANDER 1220. The cable connections are: 1-7/8, 2-3, 3-2, 4-6, 5-5, 6-4, 7/8-1, 9-9
Note: This cable type applies even when the ZOMBIE and the COMMANDER are separated by one
or more RS-232 OCTOPUS 1226 devices. The optocouplers in the ZOMBIE's eight floating input
circuits act as virtual COMMANDERs, as they are powered by the attached devices

1. Introduction
ZOMBIEs 12xx
13
LED Readouts
An overview of the operation status is provided by the three 3
status LEDs on the front and back of the ZOMBIE respectively.
Normally all three, back and front, are green: everything OK. In
some special cases, orange is used.
However, if you see a red signal – constant, blinking or flashing -
then there is a problem.
Power LEDs
The front LED is on the right hand side of the Zombie, close to the network circuitry. The rear LED
is next to the /MX ports.
off The ZOMBIE is not switched on. The voltage is too low,
possibly due to a hardware problem.
Green The ZOMBIE is turned on and voltage is correct.
red The ZOMBIE is powered from STANDBY OCTOPUS 1228,
an external backup power source, as the network voltage or the
internal power supply have failed.
Lock LEDs
The LEDs are situated approximately 15 cm from the right hand edge, one pair for both the global
loop and the local loop. The LEDs can be green, red or orange.
GL LED flashing red The GL input is configured as clock master subject to external
synchronization, but is not receiving an incoming clock signal.
Operation is not possible.
GL LED orange The internal master clock generator is operating, the GL input is
not connected.
If the LL LED is also orange and no connection with the
COMMANDER can be established, there is a fault with the
equipment.

Operation Guide Revision 3.7c
©1994 - 2003 Quantec® Tonstudiotechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany
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GL LED Green The GL input is connected and is accepted
GL LED Green, flashing red The GL input is connected, with every flash an error is
registered. Either the selected and incoming sample rates do not
match, or they are nominally the same, but not locked to each
other.
GL LED red The GL is receiving a clock signal but there is a permanent
error. In equipment with the /MX option, this can signal that the
separate clock input is receiving a correct signal but the GL
input is not connected
LL LED off The LL is not receiving a clock signal
LL LED green The LL is connected and functioning normally
LL LED blinking green This signal is used in the SDIF-2 ZOMBIE 1202 and indicates
that only one SDIF-2 Channel is carrying a correct signal
LL LED green, flashing red The LL input is connected, with every flash an error is
registered. Either the selected and incoming sample rates do not
match, or they are nominally the same, but not locked to each
other.
LL LED blinking red The LL input is configured as clock master subject to external
synchronization, but is not receiving an incoming clock signal.
Operation is not possible.
LL LED red The LL input is connected, but a permanent error has been
detected.
LL LED orange This signal is specific to the SDIF-2 ZOMBIE 1202 and
indicates that the RX Sync Mode has been set to MAN Prbl
Bad.
If the GL LED is also orange and no connection with the
COMMANDER can be established, the equipment is faulty.
Note: The color orange is generated by the LEDs switching rapidly from red to green. The
changeover takes place so fast that the eye cannot follow the individual phases.

2. Menu Structure
ZOMBIEs 12xx
15
2. Menu Structure
General Note – valid for all ZOMBIE models
The structure of the main menu items is essentially defined through the technical
possibilities of the local loop interface. It is further defined by the installed options,
which determine which menu elements should be shown and which suppressed. In
the following description the full range of possibilities is generally shown, although
the actual range varies from ZOMBIE to ZOMBIE.
In Setup all settings of the main menu item System Setup are described. Only
one setup configuration is possible at any given time.
In Preset the settings of all other main menu items are bundled together so that a
complete configuration can be saved for use. It is possible to call up several different
individually configurable presets. Presets can be copied onto a PC using the serial
port, and archived and reinstalled into the ZOMBIE from there. The necessary
software is available from the manufacturer.
All ZOMBIE settings are automatically saved as soon as they are confirmed with
ENTER. After about every 15 entries a longer save cycle is necessary, as the storage
space in the FLASH memory must be reformatted. During this 2-3 second period,
every entry is ignored.

Operation Guide Revision 3.7c
©1994 - 2003 Quantec® Tonstudiotechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany
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All main menu items have the same basic structure:
SYNCRO ZOMBIE P0
Preset Handling
Pulsar

to the next main menu item Clock Config
Pulsar

back to the previous main menu item System Setup
Exit terminates connection to ZOMBIE
Enter to the first submenu item
Toggle no operation
The ZOMBIE model (here: SYNCHRO ZOMBIE) is always displayed in the first line of the
display, followed by the currently active preset (P0 to P4 ).
P0 is the SCRATCH-Preset in which all adjustments are made. P1 to P4 are user defined
presets, which can only be altered in the main menu Preset Handling.
On the second line the name of the current main menu item is displayed (here:
Preset Handling).

2. Menu Structure
ZOMBIEs 12xx
17
Disconnecting ZOMBIE Communication
From every main menu item, EXIT calls the abort menu. The following safety warning will be
displayed:
SYNCRO ZOMBIE P0
ABORT ZOMBIE ?
Pulsar

back to the previous main menu item (»undo«)
Pulsar

back to the previous main menu item (»undo«)
Exit back to the previous main menu item (»undo«)
Enter disconnect ZOMBIE
Toggle no operation
Hitting ENTER disconnects the ZOMBIE from the corresponding operating console, i.e. ABACUS
or COMMANDER.
EXIT returns the user to the last menu item. The connection to the ZOMBIE remains
intact. Repeated EXITs do nothing but toggle between the last main menu item and
the safety warning. Disconnecting inadvertently is unlikely.

Operation Guide Revision 3.7c
©1994 - 2003 Quantec® Tonstudiotechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany
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2. Menu Structure - 2.1 System Setup
ZOMBIEs 12xx
19
2.1 System Setup
The main menu item System Setup allows the user to
initialize the various basic parameters which guide the behavior of
the ZOMBIE in typical situations.
It has the following structure:
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| System Setup |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
v| | | | | |
+----------+ +------------+ +-------+ +-----+ +----------+ +--------+
|View |->|View |->|Test |->|User |->|View |->|About |
|Delay Res.|<-|Clock Change|<-|PLL |<-|Entry|<-|Device No.|<-| |
+----------+ +------------+ +-------+ +-----+ +----------+ +--------+
|^ |^ |^ |^ |^ |^
v| v| v| v| v| v|
+----------+ +------------+ +-------+ +-----+ +----------+ +--------+
|Set | |Set | |Display| |Set | |Set | |Display |
|Delay Res.| |Clock Change| |PLL | |Entry| |Device No.| |Revision|
+----------+ +------------+ +-------+ +-----+ +----------+ +--------+
|^
v|
+--------+
|Display |
|#PID |
+--------+
All adjustments made in the System Setup menu are automatically saved permanently
following confirmation with the ENTER key. An assignment to a particular user defined preset is
not provided for here.
The menu item Delay Resolution is only found on the DELAY ZOMBIE 1212.
The menu items Clock Change and TEST PLL are only featured on
ZOMBIEs with the /MX option.

Operation Guide Revision 3.7c
©1994 - 2003 Quantec® Tonstudiotechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany
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Delay Resolution (1212 only)
The delayline resolution is displayed and can be adjusted in this sub menu item.
System Setup
SDR/IDR: ON
Pulsar
 to the sub menu item View Bypass SRC
Pulsar
 no operation (stop)
Exit back to the main menu item System Setup
Enter select display resolution
Toggle no operation
ENTER
takes the user to the menu item Set Delay Resolution, and an arrow appears after
the colon. The high resolution delayline (FINE DELAY) can now be switched on or off.
A second ENTER saves the chosen setting and returns the user to the submenu item View
Delay Resolution.
Exit discards the modification. The previously selected value remains valid, and the user is returned
to the sub menu item View Delay Resolution.
In contrast to normal digital delaylines, the high resolution delayline facilitates a more accurate
definition of the delay scale than a delay in which only whole frames from one sample to the next
are considered. However, the interpolation process involved leads to an increase of the inherent
processing delay from normally 6 to 21 samples, and this delay must be considered.
The high resolution delayline is featured only on the equipment with the extra options (/MX, /DSP
or /SIN). On ZOMBIEs without any of these options, the following readout appears:
System Setup No
SDR/IDR Avail
This readout disappears when ENTER or EXIT is pressed.