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

2. Installing the system
MID/link
Your ATARI computer communicates with the S6000 automation via a midi link.
(See 'Cables' in this chapter for details of how to make up the midi leads.)
Connect MIDI OUT on the ATARI to MIDI IN on the PAN, and MIDI IN on the
ATARI to MIDI OUT on the PAN. (See diagram on previous page).
SMPTE time code connections
The SMPTE time code generator/reader is an option in the S6000
Automation System. If your system does not have it then skip this
section.
Connect the 25-way D-type lead from the SMPTE Link connector on the PAN to
the CENTRONICS/PARALLEL port on the back of the ATARI. Note that the
ATARI will not read this port unless the lead is connected and the Automation
System ON when the ATARI is powered up.
Connect the SMPTE IN jack connector at the back of the PAN to the SMPTE OUT
on your peripheral equipment (normally a multi-track tape machine) and the
SMPTE OUT jack connector on the PAN to the SMPTE IN on your equipment.
Your automated console is now ready for use. For switching ON procedures please
continue to the next section.
7

8 2. Installing the system

3. Switching On
3. Switching On 9

3. Switching ON
10
Powering Up
After following the installation intructions in the last section you are ready to
power up.
• Switch on all the power supplies.
Check that the !eds on the front panels of the power supplies are lit.
Check that the +5 V Jedon the back of the PAN is lit.
BYPASS mode
The console should operate normally without the ATARI computer being on,
providing that all the power supplies are connected and switched on. This is
BYPASS mode and is entered by switching the bypass switch on the back of the
PAN. When in BYPASS mode the AUTO led on the back of the PAN should be
OFF.
Switch to BYPASS mode and check that the console is operating normally.
Backing up the software.
Before running any S6000 Automation software you MUST make a
copy of the software disk, so that the original disk can be archived.
The copy will then be your working master disk.
The software consists of three files, MROS, PROO.DAT and S6000.PRG . which
should be copied onto a new disk using the procedures outlined in your ATARI
manual or the instructions in Appendix l. The original should then be stored in a
safe place.
Booting up the software.
First, if the ATARI is switched on, switch it OFF.
Then insert the black software key into the slot on the left hand side of the ATARI.
Note that the software key should already be inserted into the slot
when the ATARI is powered up.
Next, switch on the computer and insert the working master disk which you made
earlier into the disk drive.
The program is stored in the file called S6000.PRG.
Execute it as follows:
Double click with the mouse on a: drive.
Double click with the mouse on S6000.PRG.
3. Switching On

3. Switching On
You will now have to wait up to 2 minutes for the program to load into the ATARI
memory.
When the software has finished loading. a picture of the desk will be displayed. A
window will appear which should say:
NN channels detected
OK Retry
where NN is the number of channels in your console, or the number of channels
plus 4.
If the correct number of channels have been detected then click with the mouse on
OK and the automated console should be displayed on the screen. You are then
ready to run the console in automation mode.
If the wrong number of channels is indicated OR
No Response from S6000
Ignore Retry
is displayed, then the system is not operating correctly. Check that the Midi Synchro
Setup page in the software is setup correctly. This page is accessed via the FILE
menu and the correct settings are shown in Appendix 2 of this manual. If the correct
number of channels are still not detected by the ATARI when exiting from the MIDI
Synchro Setup page, then go back to the section on Installation (Chapter 2) and
check that the instructions have been carried out correctly.
Automation Mode
Switch the system into automation mode by switching the BYPASS switch on the
back of the PAN. When the system is in AUTOMATION mode the AUTO led will
be lit on the back of the PAN. Small discrepancies in fader gain are to be expected
between BYPASS and AUTOMATION modes, and so during normal operation
only one of these modes should be used. It is assumed that normally the console
will be run in automation mode.
You are now ready to use the automation system.
11

12 3. Switching On

4. Using the Automation System
4. Using the Automation
System
13

4. Usingthe automationsystem
Having worked through the installation instructions in Chapter 2 and the switching
on procedure in Chapter 3 you are now ready to use the automation system.
The instructions in this section are intended only to give the user a brief guide on
how to record and playback a mix using the automation. It should only be used as
an initial starting point after which the software manual which is supplied with the
console should always be used.
There are many more features to the software than are mentioned here and these
are described in detail in the software manual.
Setting up the software
Check that your software is set up to match your console by selecting FILE
menu and clicking on Hard/Soft Connections.
Click on YES to confirm that you wish to change the settings.
CONFIRM that your data will be lost (assuming that at this stage you do not
have a mix stored in memory that you wish to keep).
Edit the number of inputs to match the number of inputs on your console
(if necessary).
The masters are NOT automated in this system and the number of groups is
always 16.
• Click OK when ready.
The connection page will now be displayed. This page enables you to define
whether a channel should be controlled from the DESK or from the SCREEN.
• Click on a channel to change between DESK or SCREEN.
Normally all the inputs will be controlledfrom the DESK and all the groups and
masters from the SCREEN.
• Check this is correct then click on the left hand top comer arrow to return to
the main page.
To check that the console is being controlled by the automation press "SHIFT W"
on the ATARI. This switches all the automated channels into WRITE mode. This
means that any fader movement at an automated channel will be detected by the
computer, displayed on the screen, then a VCA value will be calculated and written
back to the console causing the gain of that channel to change.
Move each of the input faders in tum and watch them move on the ATARI
screen.
• Press each of the MUTES and watch them switch on the screen.
14 4. Using the Automation System

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

 










     

  15


 
            

 

   
 

















    





 