SoundCraft S6000 User manual

USER GUIDE
Soundcraft
L~•I•I•J
AUTOMATION

© Soundcraft Electronics Ltd. 1990
All rights reserved
Issue l
Part No. ZZ2657
Infonnation in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not
represent a commitment on the part of the vendor. Soundcraft Electronics Ltd.
shall not beliable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from the use of
information or any error contained in this manual.
No part of this manual may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, mechanical,
optical, chemical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose
without the express written permission of Soundcraft Electronics Ltd.
It is recommended that all maintenance and service on the product should be
carried out by Soundcraft Electronics Ltd. or its authorised agents. Soundcraft
Electronics Ltd. cannot accept any liability whatsoever for any loss or damage
caused by service, maintenance or repair by unauthorised personnel.
Soundcraft Electronics Ltd.
Cranborne House,
Cranborne Road,
Cranborne Industrial Estate,
Potters Bar,
Herts.,
England.
EN63JN.
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Soundcraft
S6000 AUTOMATION
USER GUIDE

Contents
Introduction 1
----·------------ ---------
Installing the system 3
Items supplied_by Soundcraft __________ 4_~-
ltems you will need
Installing the console
Installing the Automation
Power supplies
MIDI link
SMPTE time code connections
Switching ON
Powering up
BYPASS mode
__ B_a_ck_in~g~up_th_e_s_o_ftw_ar,_e_ _______
Booting up the software
AUTOMATION mode
4
6
6
6
7
7
9
10
10
10
11
Using the Automation System 13
Setting up the software --~·-------14_~
Setting up a title 15__
Recording a timecode track ----~---15 __ ~
Recording a mix __________ _
Saving and loading a mix
Appendices
Copying disks on the ATARI
Copying a disk from a Master
Recommended settings for the
MIDI Synchro/Setup page
15
16
17
18
18
19

1. Introduction
1. Introduction 1

Introduction
2
The Series 6000 Integrated Automation system is a factory fitted option which
provides computer control of mutes and fader levels on up to 64 channels. (The
largest 6000 console at present is 52 channels).
Fader levels and mute information are read from the desk. while all other control is
carried out on an ATARI ST computer.
The system may be used in several different ways:
• as a VCA subgrouping system, with up to 16groups.
by using each VCA as a noise gate .
• as a "snapshot" system, capable of recalling fader and mute settings either under
manual control, or against time-code.
as a full real-time automation system, storing and replaying mute and fader
movements to 1/4 frame (approx. 1/IOOthsecond) accuracy.
In addition, the system allows the generation of MIDI information (note on/off,
patch and song changes, etc.) against time-code with 1/4frame accuracy, under
control of a "Cue List" (a series of user defined events which occur atspecific times).
Note: Tape returns and groups cannot beautomated at present.
The hardware comes in four parts:-
a VCA card mounted on each automated input channel.
the "PAN", mounted below the console base panel, containing the fader reader
card, a number of "AUTO" interface cards and optional SMPTE reader card.
an APS 150power supply providing automation power.
• a CPS 150power supply providing automation power.
An ATARI Computer is required, which supports the main user interface, handling
disk filing, record/write status switching, noise gate parameter adjustment, CUE list
manipulation, VCA subgroup set-up etc. The system cannot be used without the
ATARI in the automated mode.
All communication with the desk automation is via a MIDI link. However, if the
SMPTE card is fitted in the "PAN", it communicates with the ATARI via the
computer's printer port.
1. Introduction

2. Installing the System
2. Installing the system 3

4
Installing the System
Items supplied by Soundcraft
Before installing the system, please check that all the components have been
supplied in satisfactory condition.
I. One Soundcraft Series 6000 Automation console.
2. One CPS450 power supply.
3. One extra CPS450 power supply if the console has 44 input channels or more.
4. One CPS150 power supply.
5. One APS150 power supply.
6. Rack Mount Kits for CPS and APS power supplies.
7. One S6000A program disk.
8. One software key (dongle).
9. One (standard) S6000 manual.
IO. One Series 6000 Automation Software Manual.
1I. This User Manual.
Items you willneed
You will need to provide the following equipment to use the system:
1. An ATARI ST computer with at least 1 MB of memory, e.g.
• 520ST
1040ST
MEGAST2
• MEGAST4
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT AN ATARI MEGA ST 2 OR 4 BE USED
TOGETHER WITH A HARD DISK.
This will enable much longer mixes to be created. The actual mix length available
is dependent on the amount of fader activity. but as a rough guideline, an ATARI
1040ST will allow a mix of approximately 20 minutes, while a MEGA 2 would
have enough memory for approximately an hour-long mix.
2. Installing the system

2. Installing the system
2. Cables
a) Two 5 way DIN to DIN cables. for the MIDI interface.
(See diagram below)
Twin plus screen cable
5 Pin DIN, 100·
Cable mount plugs
Connections
Pin 5 to Pin 5 - RED
Pin 4 to Pin 4 - BLACK
Pin 2 to Pin 2 - SCREEN
MIDI CABLE WIREFORM
The following parts are required to make these two cables:-
4 x DIN 5 way 180degree cable mount plugs, (two per cable).
• 2 appropriate lengths of twin plus screen cable, (one per cable).
The connections for each cable are as follows:-
Pin 2 to pin 2 - (screen)
Pin 4 to pin 4 - (black)
Pin 5 to pin 5 - (red)
b) If SMPTE timecode is to be used, then three cables are required.
Two stereo 6.3mm jack plugs will beneeded on two twin plus screen cables,
and the connectors at the other end of these cables will depend on the audio
equipment carrying the timecode information.
The third cable should be a 25 way ribbon cable with a 25 way male D-type
connector at one end, and a 25 way female D-type connector at the other, for
the SMPTE reader interface to the ATARI.
c) One 3 power outlets on a switched distribution panel for CPS and APS power
supplies, plus two outlets for the ATARI and monitor. For consoles with 44 input
channels or more one additional power outlet will beneeded for the extra CPS450
power supply.
5

6
SAC
po,.yer
connector
CPS
450
CONSOLE
Rear view
SAC
Installing the S6000 console.
Install the Soundcraft Series 6000 Automated console as per the instructions in the
Series 6000 user manual. The console will not operate without the automation
power supplies, therefore when you have made the necessary connections do not
switch on. but continue with the automation installation instructions.
Installing the automation
Power Supplies
All the power supplies which power the console and the automation should be
powered from a common point as shown in the diagram below.
PAN
Automation
bypass
swttch
8 9-u,o
MIDI Leads
MIDI
MIDI
00
IN OUT
D 0
On
Off
IMonitorI
01
ATARI
Power ON indicator
Automation ON indicator
SMPTE
SMPTE
0 0
IN OUT
SMPTE Out (lo peripheral)
SMPTE In (from peripheral)
/oo ooc==Jo
Parallel
Po<t
Software Disc
Software Key
~
) □□
S6000 AUTOMATION - INTERCONNECTION DIAGRAM
The CPS450 power supplies (one for consoles with less than 44 input channels, and
two for consoles with 44 input channels or more) are connected to the console as
normal.
The CPS 150 power supply connects to the right-hand SRC connector on the back
of the PAN and powers the VCA circuits inside the console.
The APS 150power supply connects to the left-hand SRC connector on the back of
the PAN and provides +5 Volts and +/-12 Volts for the digital automation and fader
readercircuits.
2. Installing the system