SP Controls Hiflex HF-100 User manual

Users Guide
HF-100
UPDATED: September, 2021 • PN: DOC-000032-01a
SP Controls, Inc.
930 Linden Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Toll Free in US: [phone]
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
HYBRID CONFERENCING SOLUTIONS
HiFlex

Page 2 SP Controls, Inc.
Trademark Informaon
Trademark Informaon
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trademarks and/or service marks of SP Controls, Inc., and are registered and/or common-law marks in the
United States and various other countries.
All other trademarks are the property of their respecve owners.
Patent Informaon
Patent Informaon
The accompanying product is protected by one or more U.S. and foreign patents and/or pending patent
applicaons held by SP Controls, Inc.
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
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feedback. Please send email to [e-mail].
© 2021 SP Controls, Inc. All rights reserved.
SP Controls, Inc.
930 Linden Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmied in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, for any purpose, without the express wrien permission of SP Controls, Inc.
Under the law, reproducing includes translang into another language or format. As between the par-
es, SP Controls, Inc., retains tle to and ownership of all proprietary rights with respect to the soware
contained within its products. The soware is protected by United States copyright laws and internaonal
treaty provision. Therefore, you must treat the soware like any other copyrighted material (e.g., a book or
sound recording).
Every effort has been made to ensure that the informaon in this manual is accurate. SP Controls, Inc., is
not responsible for prinng or clerical errors.
Informaon in this document is subject to change without noce.

Page 3HF-100 Users Guide
Contents
Contents............................................................................................3
Introduction.......................................................................................6
Introducing the HiFlex HF-100........................................................................ 6
Back View ....................................................................................................... 6
Front View ....................................................................................................... 6
Connections ..................................................................................................... 7
Installation.........................................................................................8
Microphone Selection ..................................................................................... 8
Microphone Spacing ....................................................................................... 8
General Strategy............................................................................................. 8
Walls ............................................................................................................... 9
Unused Microphone Ports............................................................................... 9
Speaker Configuration .................................................................................... 9
Speaker Placement.......................................................................................... 9
Connecting the Microphones ......................................................................... 9
Pin-Out, Balanced Microphones ..................................................................... 9
Pin-Out, Unbalanced Microphones ............................................................... 10
Phantom Power.............................................................................................. 10
Phantom Power, Dip Switch Settings............................................................ 10
Assisted Listening Devices .......................................................................... 10
Connecting USB Audio to Host Computer .................................................. 11
Selection of Microphone by Operating System............................................. 12
Selection of Microphone by Video Conferencing Software........................... 12
Power .............................................................................................................. 12
Software Configuration..................................................................13
Connecting to the HF-100 Update Port to Host PC .................................... 13
Installing the Software .................................................................................. 13
Application Overview .................................................................................... 14
Microphone Inputs......................................................................................... 14
Audio Processing Blocks............................................................................... 15
Output ........................................................................................................... 15
Real Time Adjustments ................................................................................. 15
Microphone Input Settings ........................................................................... 15
Enabling / Disabling Microphones................................................................. 15
Phantom Power............................................................................................. 15
Microphone Gain........................................................................................... 15

Page 4 SP Controls, Inc.
Contents (continued)
Mixed Microphone Gain ................................................................................ 16
Audio Processing Blocks ............................................................................. 16
Bandpass Filters ........................................................................................... 16
High Bandpass Filter .............................................................................................16
Low Bandpass Filter ..............................................................................................17
Dynamic Range Compression (DRC) Settings ............................................. 17
General Charting Overview ...................................................................................18
Threshold 1 and Threshold 2................................................................................. 18
Compression Ratio 0 .............................................................................................19
Compression Ratio 1 .............................................................................................19
Compression Ratio 2 .............................................................................................19
Offset Region 1...................................................................................................... 19
Offset Region 2...................................................................................................... 19
Energy ...................................................................................................................19
Attack & Decay ...................................................................................................... 19
Presets.......................................................................................................... 20
Output Device Settings ................................................................................. 20
Master Gain................................................................................................... 21
Assisted Listening / Line Output Gain.......................................................... 21

Page 5HF-100 Users Guide
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Page 6 SP Controls, Inc.
Introducing the HiFlex HF-100
Introducing the HiFlex HF-100
Congratulaons and thank you for purchasing this SP Control’s HiFlex HF-100 Audio Bridge!
The HF-100 is a state-of-the-art four (4) microphone mixer with digital signal processing
(DSP) converng the mixed mic inputs to a single USB microphone audio output. Addional
features of the HF-100 include a line level output for assisted listening and an audio engineer’s
headphone output for real-me audio processing and gain adjustments.
Designed specifically for classroom, lecture halls, and conference facilies, the HF-100 is a
valuable and unqiue tool that allows remote parcipants in a conference call to clearly hear
those speaking in the host room.
Getting to Know the HF-100
Getting to Know the HF-100
The graphic below points out key aributes of the HF-100.
Back View
Back View
Front View
Front View
Introduction
Phatom Power
DIP Switch
PHANTOM
+48VDC
MIC1
[]
MIC2
[]
MIC3
[]
MIC4
[]
LINE
OUT
ETHERNET
UPDATE
24 VDC / 1A
OFF
ON
RESET
USB
OUTPUT
HEADPHONE
Microphone
Connection Ports Assisted Listening
Connection
Power &
LED Indicator
Application Connection
& Reset
Ethernet Port
Host Computer
Connector
Headphone +
Headphone Volume

Page 7HF-100 Users Guide
Connections
Connections
Microphones. Analog microphones connect to the HF-100 using 3-pin screw terminals, one
microphone per terminal block. See the secon below entled, “Connecng the Microphones”,
for more details about connecng balanced and unbalanced microphones.
Phantom Power. When phantom power is required for a microphone, depress the DIP switch
corresponding to the necessary microphone. Down means power is enabled for the mic. For
more informaon, see the secon below entled, “Phantom Power”.
Host Computer. Using a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable, connect the HF-100 from the USB
Output port to the Host Computer. No soware is required to be installed on the host computer
to use this product in its default configuraon.
Power. Connect the DC power supply to the locaon, “24VDC”, and the other end to your
110V/VAC power socket. The system LED will illuminate and blink Green when power is applied.
Assisted Listening Connecon. The Assisted Listening Connecon “Line Output” is used to send
combined near side and remote aendee audio to an assisted listening transmier. The gain or
volume level of this port may be adjusted using the HF-1xx Applicaon Sengs soware. See
the secon, “Soware Configuraon”, for more informaon on this gain adjustment.
Applicaon Connecon & Reset. This connecon is used to modify the firmware of the HF-
100 or to modify the HF-100 behavior using the HF-1xx Applicaon Sengs soware. This port
requires a USB Mini-B to USB Type-A cable. The reset buon is used when uploading firmware
soware updates. For more informaon on this applicaon, see the secon entled “Soware
Configuraon”.
Ethernet. The Ethernet port is not being used at this me.
Headphone and Headphone Volume Control. Headphones are used to hear the sound that
would be normally heard by remote parcipants via video conferencing soware. Effects of HF-
100 seng changes using the HF1xx Applicaon Sengs soware can be heard in real-me. For
more informaon on this applicaon, see the secon entled “Soware Configuraon”.

Page 8 SP Controls, Inc.
Installation
Microphone Selection
Microphone Selection
The HF-100 accepts up to four (4) analog microphone inputs. Although the HF-100 will support
both dynamic and condenser types of microphones, condenser style ceiling microphones with a
cardiod pickup paern are most common.
Here is a list of ceiling microphones tested by SP Controls:
Manufacturer Model Pattern
Audix M55 Series Ceiling, Cardioid, High Output, 18-52V Phantom Power
8’ - 10’ Above Surface, 4 per 30’x30’ room.
Microphone Spacing
Microphone Spacing
General Strategy
General Strategy
From a technical standpoint, one must visualize a polar paern as the pickup on a microphone.
However, our Audix representave simplied the design by imagining a 10’ diameter “bubble” on
8-10
Feet
18-20
Feet
18-20
Feet
8-10
Feet
from
Walls
WARNING: Remove/unplug power prior to connecng microphones or when changes to
phantom power sengs.

Page 9HF-100 Users Guide
the end of the microphone that is at a ceiling height of 10’. The beer the acouscs, the larger
the bubble. Space each mic apart such that you have small overlap and no voids at the typical
height of people speaking.
Walls
Walls
To reduce echo from walls it is best to use a direconal mic to steer the pickup paern away
from the wall or provide adequate space to reduce any potenal echo. Some manufacturers,
such as Audix, have hardware which direct the normal down-poinng mic back toward the cen-
ter of the room just for this purpose.
Unused Microphone Ports
Unused Microphone Ports
Disable any microphone ports not being used by the HF-100. See the secon entled, “Soware
Configuraon” for more details.
Speaker Configuration
Speaker Configuration
When configuring an audio system for classroom and conference room remote connecons,
sound from the Host Computer should be routed to the inroom speakers. This is done so remote
parcipants to the video conference can clearly hear remote parcipants. The placement of the
speakers is essenal to reduce any potenal feedback from the microphones.
Speaker Placement
Speaker Placement
Speakers should be installed between microphone placements. Pay parcular aenon to
the pickup paern of the microphone so that speakers do not drive sound directly into the
microphone diaphram. Microphones will pickup some audio from the speakers but great care
should be exercised to limit excessive feedback.
Connecting the Microphones
Connecting the Microphones
For installaon convenience, microphones are connected to four (4) separate screw terminal
blocks as shown in the image below.
Pin-Ou
Pin-Ou
t, Balanced Microphones
t, Balanced Microphones
Be sure to note the balanced audio wiring, (+) on lemost pin 1, (-) on center most pin 2, and
ground on pin 3.
WARNING: Disable phantom power when using dynamic microphones.
Sudden power injected into these types of microphones may cause damage
to the mic.

Page 10 SP Controls, Inc.
Pin-Out, Unbalanced Microphones
Pin-Out, Unbalanced Microphones
For single ended, unbalanced microphones connect the (+) on lemost pin 1 and (-) on the
center most pin 2. Next, create a short jumper between (-) and Ground, pin 3.
Phantom Power
Phantom Power
Phantom Power, Dip Switch Sengs
Phantom Power, Dip Switch Sengs
Condenser microphones require power. Power can be provided by internal baeries or supplied
by the source device via a concept called “Phantom Power”. The HF-100 offers a feature which
allows users to “enable” power for any or all of the microphones connected by means of a DIP
“piano” style switch.
Press down to enable phantom power on the switch which corresponds to the microphone
connecon which needs the power. In the image above, all microphones have phantom power
disabled.
Assisted Listening Devices
Assisted Listening Devices
Oen, schools are required to provide ADA Assisted Listening devices to augment the sound
reinforcement in the room for those students with certain disabilies. The HF-100 provides a
“Line Output” port that meets this requirement. The 3.5mm jack is located on the back of the
unit as shown in the graphic below.
Jumper
+_
WARNING: POWER OFF HF-100 BEFORE TO MAKING PHANTOM POWER CHANGES
WARNING: Disable phantom power when using dynamic microphones.
Power injected into these types of microphones may cause damage
to the mic.

Page 11HF-100 Users Guide
Pin-Out, Unbalanced Microphones
Phantom Power
Phantom Power, Dip Switch Sengs
Assisted Listening Devices
Should you have the need to adjust the volume of the line output audio, use the HF-1xx Applica-
on Sengs soware to adjust the gain level. See the secon in this guide entled, “Soware
Configuraon” for more details.
Headphone and Headphone Volume Control
Headphone and Headphone Volume Control
Our engineers discovered early in this product design that we had no way to adequately hear
what the remote parcipants would hear. In other words, we could not hear the audio that
was being mixed, processed, and coverted into USB for the host computer use. So, we created
a headphone output port that could “listen” to what was being sent to the USB host computer.
Used in conjuncon with the HF-1xx Applicaon Sengs soware, integrators can hear, in
real-me, as modificaons are made to the bandpass, dynamic response compression, and gain
sengs. The control knob to the leof the headphone port is used to adjust the volume.
Connecting USB Audio to Host Computer
Connecting USB Audio to Host Computer
To connect the HF-100 Audio Bridge to a Host Computer, one must first make the hard-wire
connecon. This requires a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable (in most cases). In some cases, the
Host Computer only has a USB Type-C connector. In this case, you will need a USB Type-C to USB
Type-C cable. Be sure to use a SuperSpeed+ cable capable of 10Gbps minimum.
When the HF-100’s USB Output is connected to a Host Computer the microphone is
automacally recognized by the Host. However, you have a few opons how to select the
microphone for use in your applicaons. This can be done by selecng the microphone by the
operang system as a default microphone or by selecng the microphone directly from the
applicaon itself. The next secon explains how to select the microphone for each method.

Page 12 SP Controls, Inc.
Selecon of Microphone by Operang System
Selecon of Microphone by Operang System
MicrosoWindows 10. When an HF-100 is connected to a Host computer Windows will be
offered a “HiFlex HF-100 Audio Bridge”.
Start menu > Sengs > System > Sound, then click Input, then click on the
“HiFlex HF-100 Audio Bridge”.
Apple Mac OS. For Apple Mac, the external microphone selecon happens in the System
Preferences (sengs) applet.
Apple menu > System Preferences, click Sound, then click Input.
Selecon of Microphone by Video Conferencing Soware
Selecon of Microphone by Video Conferencing Soware
Zoom. The microphone can be selected while in a conference call or by changing the default
microphone. Here is how you change the default microphone so you only need to do this once.
Zoom Sengs > Audio, then click on the Microphone selecon pull down.
Google Meet. Here is how you change the default microphone so you only need to do this
once. Look for the Sengs icon on the upper right secon of the screen.
Meet Sengs > Audio , then click on the Microphone selecon pull down.
Power
Power
Using the AC to DC power supply shipped with the HF-100, connect the round connector to the
HF-100. The Power Indicator LED will illuminate above of the 24VDC locaon to indicate that
power is being received.

Page 13HF-100 Users Guide
Software Configuration
Connecting to the HF-100 Update Port to Host PC
Connecting to the HF-100 Update Port to Host PC
Using a USB Mini-B to USB Type-A cable, connect the HF-100 to the Host Computer using the
HF-100’s “Update” port as shown below.
This connecon is only necessary when you want to run the configuraon soware, HF-1xx
Applicaon Sengs, or when you plan to upload new firmware to the HF-100.
Installing the Software
Installing the Software
To install the HF-1xx Applicaon Sengs program, download and run the HF-1xx Applicaon
Sengs setup ulity from the SP Controls HF-100 product page. Once the installaon has fin-
ished, you will see an HiFlex SP icon located on your desktop.
The soware does not require a connuous Internet connecon to operate this applicaon
while on a job site. The Internet connecon is only required at installaon.
Note: The HF-1xx Applicaon Seng soware is designed for use with Windows 10.

Page 14 SP Controls, Inc.
Application Overview
Application Overview
Consider the main screen broken up into three disnct secons, as shown below: a secon
handling the microphone input connecons and the mixing of those microphones, DSP audio
processing effects on the mixed microphone signals, and the output secon that adjusts certain
gain levels as signals leave the HF-100.
Microphone Inputs
Microphone Inputs
In this secon, microphones are enabled or disabled, gain levels are set for individual micro-
phones, and the mixed signal is adjusted as necessary before the audio processing block.
MIC INPUTS AUDIO PROCESSING BLOCKS OUTPUTS

Page 15HF-100 Users Guide
Audio Processing Blocks
Audio Processing Blocks
The HF-100 contains a powerful digital signal processing (DSP) audio chip. “Bandpass filtering”
can be enabled to remove certain unwanted frequencies, such as HVAC fan noise or flourescent
light hum. Volume can be automacally risen or lowered depending upon the incoming sound
levels. For example, the audio might be lowered to dampen someone yelling or increase when
someone is speaking very so. This is called “dynamic range compression (or expansion)”.
Output
Output
The last secon is reserved for the devices which will benefit from or “consume” the processed
audio generated by the HF-100, such as a Host Computer or an assisted listening device.
Real Time Adjustments
Real Time Adjustments
Any adjustments to microphone inputs, audio processing blocks, and output gain sengs can be
heard in real-me in the output devices.
Microphone Input Settings
Microphone Input Settings
Enabling / Disabling Microphones
Enabling / Disabling Microphones
As shown in the graphic above, there is a small checkbox located to the upper leof each
microphone. When the checkbox is checked, the microphone is acƟve and part of the mix.
When the checkbox is not-checked, the microphone is ignored and is not included in the mix.
Phantom Power
Phantom Power
A DIP switch on the back-side of the HF-100 is used to enable and disable phantom power for
each microphone. This must be adjusted by hand, when the HF-100 is powered off. However,
this applicaon “can sense” if the phantom power DIP switch has been set. This checkbox
indicates the DIP seng for this parcular microphone.
Microphone Gain
Microphone Gain
The microphone gain seng for each mic is shown in the graphic above. Click in the gain box or
on the down poinng carat to adjust the gain.
Mic Enable or
Disable Flag Phantom Power
Active Flag
Individual Mic
Gain Setting

Page 16 SP Controls, Inc.
Mixed Microphone Gain
Mixed Microphone Gain
The mixed microphone gain seng is a gain adjustment that is applied aer all the other acve
microphones have been amplified and mixed. Click in the mixed mic gain box or on the down
poinng carat to adjust the gain.
Audio Processing Blocks
Audio Processing Blocks
There are two primary audio processing blocks in the HF-100. One is the Bandpass Filter module
and the second is the Dynamic Range Compression (DRC).
Bandpass Filters
Bandpass Filters
The Bandpass Filter module is comprised of two disnct filters, high and low. A frequency is
specified for each filter. As shown in the graphic above, the high bandpass filter is denoted in
Red and the low bandpass filter in Green.
High Bandpass Filter
For the high bandpass filter, the system will pass only those signals above the high bandpass
Mixed Mic
Gain Setting

Page 17HF-100 Users Guide
frequency. Any frequencies below this frequency will be quickly aenuated unl the sound is
enrely removed. To modify this value, click next to the high bandpass frequency and enter a
new frequency (in Hz). Once entered, click into another field or press the tab key to affect the
change.
Low Bandpass Filter
Similarly, the low bandpass filter will aenuate any frequencies that are higher than the
specified low bandpass filter frequency. To modify this value, click next to the low bandpass
frequency and enter a new frequency (in Hz). Once entered, click into another field or press the
tab key to affect the change.
Dynamic Range Compression (DRC) Seng
Dynamic Range Compression (DRC) Seng
s
Dynamic range compression (DRC) is very different than a bandpass filter. Instead of reacng to
frequencies, the DRC reacts to the sound levels or averaged amplitude of sound. Think of DRC
like an automac volume control knob that adjusts based upon the sound level the device is
hearing. A common example is a family member staying up late to watch an acon movie. If an
explosion happens during the movie you would not want to wake the kids. Loud sounds over
a certain threshold are reduced while lower volume sounds are unchanged or increased (e.g.
expansion or upward compression).
In a classroom environment, the HF-100 can be instructed to quickly lower the output volume

Page 18 SP Controls, Inc.
when someone is talking excessively loud into a microphone. Or, the HF-100 can be instructed
to increase the volume when people are speaking soly.
The DRC sengs change the behavior of the DRC processing block.
General Charng Overview
The x-axis of the graph shows the input sound (volume) level in decibels. The y-axis shows
the output sound level in decibels. In the example above, when the processing block hears an
average sampliing of audio at a -50 dB sound level or less, the system will increase the output
volume by a fixed 8.875 dB. Beyond -50 dB the gain level will decrease to a point that at -20 dB
the incoming audio will actually be aenuated by as much as -6 dB. Finally, if a much louder
sound above -20 dB is observed the DRC block will aenuate all frequencies an addional
amount to limit possible clipping. The aack me tells how quick this will happen and the decay
value explains how long the sound level will remain aenuated before resampling the audio and
returning to a new audio level.
Colors. The black line is an indicator of unity gain. That is, if the system were set such that
whatever comes into the DRC block is simply passed on to the output block. Based upon the
DRC sengs, the blue line displays the audio level as it would leave the DRC block. Red regions
are “satuaon” areas. Keep the blue line out of these areas. Vercal magenta lines represent
the threshold marks.
Threshold 1 and Threshold 2
A threshold is a key inflecon point. It’s a key audio level in which some change needs to
happen to the incoming sound. In the example graphic above, when the incoming sound is
}
}
Offset 1
(Calculated)
Offset 2
Threshold 2Threshold 1
Identity Line
(Input = Output)
New Output
After
DRC Block Red Saturation
“Stay Out”
Zones

Page 19HF-100 Users Guide
louder than -50dB the output audio will begin to be compressed or lowered. For this example,
there is a second threshold at -20dB in which the output audio will be compressed even more.
This second threshold is oen used to reduce clipping.
Compression Rao 0
Compression Rao 0 is the slope of the line to the leof Threshold 1. This rao defines what is
to happen to the audio gain when the audio levels are lower than Threshold 1. A rao of 1 will
be parallel to the Ideny Line.
Compression Rao 1
Compression Rao 1 is the slope of the line between the Threshold 1 and Threshold 2 range.
This rao defines what is to happen to the gain when the audio levels are within this range.
Compression Rao 2
Compression Rao 2 is the slope of the line aer Threshold 2. This rao defines what is to
happen to the gain when the audio levels exceed Threshold 2. Oen Threshold 2 and this rao
seng act as a limiter to remove the chance of clipping or overdriving an amp and/or speaker.
Offset Region 1
This value is calculated as a funcon of other sengs.
Offset Region 2
This seng is actually very important. This value is the dB offset along the Threshold 2 vercal
line from the black identy line. In the example above, at the Threshold 2 audio level, the
output will be the equal to the input dB minus this offset. From a graphical standpoint, the
Threshold 2 inflecon point will occur exactly -16dB.
Offset Region 2 modifies the output gain for the enre range of possible audio input levels.
Saturaon Zones. Keep the blue line out of these areas. This is a visual representaon of where
you will be exceeding the capabilies of the DSP audio chip. Clipping and other unwanted
arfacts will occur.
Energy
The DRC processing block is constantly sampling the incoming audio stream to determine its
amplitude. Energy is the effecve look-back me “window” over which the average amplitude
is calculated. The value of that average amplitude is used to trigger the DRC compression or
expansion acvity.
Aack & Decay
Aack and Decay define the transion me of changes in the audio gain. See above graphic.
If the incoming audio levels are intended to be compressed or lowered, the aack me
determines how much me will pass before the incoming gain is lowered. Conversely, if the
incoming audio levels are to be expanded or raised, the decay me determines the me it will
take to increase the gain and the aack me determines how fast it will take for the audio levels
to return to nominal levels.
WARNING: Keep blue lines out of Saturaon areas. Audio at these amplitudes could damage
this product.

Page 20 SP Controls, Inc.
Preset
Preset
s
Presets are pre-defined sengs for each of the audio processing blocks. Each block has a “Fac-
tory Default” preset to return sengs to a known configuraon. Other presets are sengs that
solve specific problems or define a parcular set for a classroom or conference room configura-
on.
Click in the Preset box or on the appropriate down poinng carat to select the preset.
Attack
Time
Decay
Time
time
Decay
Time
time
Attack
Time
During Compression
During Expansion
Gain
Increase
Gain
Decrease