TC Electronic DB4 MKII User manual

1
DB8/DB4 OPERATION - CONTENTS
Introduction
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Basic Operation
Accessing a Mainframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Engine Structure and Resources . . . . . . . . . . . .2
General Setup
Basic TC Icon Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Icon Views - Faders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Operating Levels Scene & Engine . . . . . . . . . . .3
Operation
Library Page
Recall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Store & Naming display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Delete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Frame Page
Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Frame System Main
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
SMPTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
GPI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Net - Software Versions, Network Identifier . . .15
Card - handling PCMCIA Cards . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Frame System I/O
Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
DSP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
I/O - Slot A, B & C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Description of I/O card related parameters . . .17
I/O - Slot B with AES-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Engine - Edit Page
General introduction to operate
parameters in algorithms
User Fader Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Bypass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
TC Electronic, Sindalsvej 34, DK-8240 Risskov
[email protected]
Operation DB8/DB4 Rev 1.90
English version
Icon Setup
Icon User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Touch Fader Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Color Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Automation - SMPTE
The Auto Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Modify - Insert/Edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Insert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
SNMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

2
BASIC OPERATION
you run up to 4 Engine presets at the same time using any
available algorithms.
Basic TC Icon operation
Navigation in the Software Editor or TC Icon display is easy
as soon as a few basic elements are explained.
The Icon Link key in the upper left corner allows you to
navigate between the two pages/modes illustrated below.
Generally :
• Press the top-tabs to do primary selections
• Press the side-tabs or elements to do secondary
selections.
Fig 1
Via the “overall” Select & Setup pages you access
overall settings and choices like:
• Selection of which mainframe to operate
• Enable devices to network
• Updates via disk
• TC Icon settings such as display appearance
• SMPTE Automation
Fig 2
The selection of mainframe is done in the Select page
illustrated in “Fig 1”. The page/pages illustrated in Fig. 2
are pages containing parameters on a specific mainframe.
These are the Operating Pages and the page you will be
working in once the system is up and running. Only when
several mainframes are connected you will need to go to
the “overall” Select and Setup pages to switch mainframe.
Introduction
This section of the manual is a general introduction to
operate DB8/DB4 via the Software Editor or the TC Icon.
The basic DB8/DB4 consists of a Mainframe with a DSP
card and up to three I/O cards, plus a PC Editor but the
DB8/DB4 can also be controlled via a TC Icon hardware
remote.
Several mainframes, Mac/PC's with installed Software
Editor and TC Icons can be hooked up at the same time
via a standard Local Area Network (LAN).
Accessing a Mainframe
First time you connect the Mainframe to the PC with
installed PC editor and network adapter:
• Power up your computer and your DB8/DB4.
• Start the Software editor and the following page appears:
• Press Assign
• All connected DB8/DB4 mainframes will be detected and
assigned to one of the 8 locations (see fig. 1).
• Press the oval key with the DB8/DB4 icon to access the
DB8/DB4.
Scanning the system
The scenario described above covers the first time you
boot up your system or when no connected units are
assigned.
To scan the system for all connected units go to the Setup
page and press Detect (see fig 2). The connected
mainframes will the appear in the left side of the display
and you can assign them to any of the 8 location illustrated
in the right side of the display by selecting the frames with
the cursors followed by pressing one of the oval keys.
Engine Structure
The core element of DB8/DB4 is the 4 Engine structure.
This structure enables you to run up to four powerful
algorithms/ presets simultaneously.
Each Engine is capable of utilizing up to 8 Inputs and 8
Outputs, depending on the selected algorithm/preset.
Up to 16 physical Input and 16 physical Output channels
can be routed in the most flexible way.
Engine Resources
The powerful and flexible DSP distribution structure lets

3
BASIC OPERATION
Fader
Group
Selector
Function
Select
Tabs
Library, Frame &
Engine select Tabs
Operating Levels
The Library-Recall page illustrated in Fig.3 leads to
explanation of the “operating levels” in the DB8/DB4. We
differentiate between 2 levels of presets:
Scene and Engine levels.
• SCENE
This is the most extensive selection you can make. It
includes all four Engine algorithms as well as physical
and virtual Engine Routings. A Scene recall can be
compared to a “total recall.”
• ENGINE
Handles the current algorithm in the selected Engine.
A single preset can be loaded to each of the four
Engines.
Parameter Values and Fader Groups
In the bottom of the display, Fader assignments and values
will always reflect the last modified Engine. Most
parameters can be controlled via the 6 Faders. As some
algorithms hold numerous parameters and we operate with
6 Faders the preset parameters are organized in Fader
Groups. To scroll between the Fader Groups use the
Fader Group selectors.
Parameter value - Fine Adjust
Any parameter value can be adjusted in two accuracies.
A Normal and a Fine Adjust - mode. To switch between the
two modes press the Value Fields above the faders.
As shown in the illustration the Fine Adjust mode will be
indicated with two triangles in the value field.
Fader 6
Any parameter can always be assigned to Fader 6 by
pressing the parameter. Detailed explanation will follow in
the next sections.
User Fader Group - Custom Group
A User Fader group where you can assign parameters to
all 6 faders can also be created and saved along with the
preset. The User Fader group is selected by pressing the
Fader Group selectors.
The Icon
LINK key
Bank Select
UI - Icon Views
On the Icon Setup page two sub-pages are available for
controlling the TC Icon appearance.
Fader appearance
Three options are available. Changes will take place next
time you open the TC Icon.
Faders at bottom
Fader at right side
No faders

Fader
Group
Selector
LIBRARY - RECALL
Library Recall
On the Library Recall page the following banks are
available for recall operations.
Scene
Gives access to the following preset banks:
• Factory
• User
• Card (optional)
Engine 1-4
Gives access to the following preset banks:
• Factory
• User
• Card (optional)
Routing
Various standard routings can be selected.
Operation Level Tabs Bank Selectors
Function
Select
Tabs
Library, Frame and Engine selectors
Parameter Fader
values present in
the last modified
Engine.
Press “info” for
preset information
Decade selector
(“tens”)
Recalling a Scene or an Engine preset
• Press the RECALL tab to select the Recall page.
• Now select the level of: Scene or Engine 1-4.
• Select which bank you wish to recall from: Factory or
User. If a DB8/DB4 formatted PCMCIA card is inserted in
the Mainframe card-banks will be available and displayed
below the User banks.
• Select presets pressing: Bank, Decade(tens) and preset
number.
(grayed out numbers indicates that the Decade is empty)
• Press the Recall key to recall/load the preset.
Info
For presets carrying the “info” tag we have added relevant
information for the specific preset. Press Info and a pop-up
display will appear.
Example:

5
LIBRARY - STORE
Library Store
For storing operations the following banks are available.
Scene
Allows you to store in the following banks.
• User
• Card (optional)
Engine 1-4
Allows you to store in the following banks.
• User
• Card (optional)
Storing a Preset
• Press the Store tab and select Scene or Engine level.
• Select bank (user or card) and location using Decade to
select “tens” followed by location 1-9.
(grayed out numbers indicates that the bank is empty)
• Press the Store key to store the preset.
Naming Presets
All user preset types can be renamed.
Basic operation
• Press the Name field. A keyboard will pop up.
• Type in the new name.
• Press Enter.
The preset is not stored when the keyboards Enter
key is pressed. Only the name is entered.
To store you MUST press the red Store key on the
Store page.
The previous accessed display will always be present
beneath the keyboard. Current Fader values will be
displayed and faders can be used to adjust parameter
values.The preset is not stored when the keyboard Enter
key is pressed. Only the name is entered.
To store you MUST press the red Store key.
Fader assignments in the bottom of the display will
always reflect the last modified Engine. The Engine
Fader Group selector in the lower left corner
indicates the Engine in use.
Operation Level Tabs Bank Selectors
Library, Frame and
Engine selectors
Fader
Group
Selector
Function
Select
Tabs Decade selector
(“tens”)
Preset location
selector (“ones”)

6
THE LIBRARY BANK
Library - Bank
From the Library Archive page you can copy Scene,
Routing and Engine banks to and from a 3.5” disk or a
PCMCIA card. If you are using the TC Icon software
editor on an Mac or a PC, preset banks can also be
copied to and from your hard disk.
Basic Operation
Bank copying is handled as a complete User bank
transferal.
• Press Scene, Routing or Engine to select preset bank
type.
• Select “from” and “to” depending on your choice.
• Press Copy Bank.
Scene/Routing/Engine Banks
To/From - Bank/Floppy/File
Scene, Routing or Engine banks can be backed up and
retrieved from a 3.5” disk, a PCMCIA or a file location on a
connected computer (when using the TC Icon software
editor).
Copy Bank
Press to activate copy function between the selected
Banks.
Rename
Press to rename selected bank via the Naming pop-up
display.
Delete
Press to clear the selected Bank. You will be asked to
confirm your choice to avoid unintended deletion.
Using PCMCIA cards
To use a PCMCIA card with DB8-DB4 the card must be
properly formatted. This is done from the
Frame/System/Card page.
A1MB PCMCIA card can hold:
1000 Engine presets in 10 banks of 100 presets
500 Routing presets in 10 banks of 50 presets
500 Scene presets in 10 banks of 50 presets
A512kB PCMCIA card can hold:
500 Engine presets in 5 banks of 100 presets
250 Routing presets in 5 banks of 50 presets
250 Scene presets in 5 banks of 50 presets

7
LIBRARY - DELETE
Library - Delete
For convenience it is possible to “clean up” the User
banks by deleting individual presets.
Deleting a Preset
• Select Delete (side tab) and select level by pressing
Scene or Engine.
• Select the preset to delete by pressing the actual Bank,
Decade(to select tens) and the actual preset.
• Press the Delete key to delete the preset.
Library, Frame and Engine selectors
Fader
Group
Selector
Function
Select
Tabs

8
FRAME - ROUTING
Routing
Introduction
The Routing page is the patch-bay of the DB8/DB4
Mainframe. All routings of physical Inputs/Outputs as well
as internal routing between the Engines are setup here.
The understanding of this page is therefore essential to
operating the DB8/DB4.
To access the Routing Page:
• Press Frame (upper tab)
• Press Routing (side tab)
• Press Route to enable routing facilities
This is the page where you:
• Have the overall view of all I/O’s
• Route physical Inputs to Engine Inputs
• Route Engine Outputs to physical Outputs
• Access Input and Output meters
Routing Inputs
• Press the Route key to select route operation.
• Press ENGINE 1 to 4 to select the Engine you
wish to route
• Select a physical Input or another Engine's Output using
Fader 1
• Select Engine Input using Fader 2
Routing Outputs
• Press the Route key to select Route operation
• Press Engine 1 to 4 to select the Engine you wish to
route
• Select an Engine Output using Fader 5
• Select Physical Output using Fader 6
The I/O possibilities are as follows
• It is possible to connect any physical Input to several
Engine Inputs (up to 32), however, it is not possible to
connect more than one physical Input to the same
Engine Input.
• It is possible to connect all Engine Outputs (up to 32) to
one single physical Output.
• It is possible to connect an Engine Output to the Inputs
of the three other Engines.
Engine Processing Delay
Processing delay between the routed Engines
behaves as if they were external devices.
Labels
The Input/Output fields can show either meters or the
Labels/names on the Input/Output channels. To switch
between the two modes press “Labels”.
Renaming Physical Inputs and Outputs
Input and Output channels can be labeled individually. This
is a global renaming process and is accessed by pressing
System (side tab) followed by I/O and Labels. After that
follow the naming procedure described on page 6.
Meters
Engine I/O Meters
Engine I/O meters are shown at the left and right of the
large E 1-4 buttons in the middle of the display. The
number of meters shown will always reflect the number of
I/O channels in the loaded algorithm.
Frame - E1 to E4/E2 (DB8/DB4)
This page holds the User group parameters for all four
Engines. Selecting User group parameters is done from the
Engine pages. Values can be altered from both the Engine
Edit pages and the page displayed above. Press the
parameter you wish to assign to the Fader located below.

9
FRAME - SYSTEM - MAIN
Clock
Clock Settings
Clock Master
Select the clock source for the complete Mainframe,
including all Engines and all I/O’s.
Select between:
Internal, Wordclock, AES 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 or 7-8.
Locking to an external source will take approx.. 7 sec.
It is not necessary to have the physical Input
routed to an Engine Input to have the clock accepted.
Internal Clock Rate
The internal Clock Rate can be set to 44.1 or 48kHz.
As it is considered “unconventional” to use the DB8 internal
clock in broadcast setups, a yellow indication will appear
on the frame select page when internal is selected.
Auto Revert to Internal
Press to activate. If an external clock source is selected
and this clock is lost, DB8 will automatically switch to the
selected internal clock-rate with this function active.
Notice that “auto revert to internal” will work only if a
valid clock on the selected Clock Master, has be
present at one point and then lost. If DB8 at no point
has been locked to a valid clock on the selected
Clock master input the “Locked Clock Rate” field will be
red. Red means: no output.
Clock Status
Locked Clock Rate
The Clock Rate to which the Mainframe is currently locked.
Color indications
The yellow color indicates that:
- Auto Revert to Internal is selected and...
- the selected Clock Master has been present at one point
but is now lost and...
- the frame has switched to the selected internal clock rate.
The red color indicates “no lock” - check cables and clock
source.
SMPTE
Reader Enabled
On/Off switch for the DB8/DB4 SMPTE Reader.
Frame Rate
Range: 24 FPS, 25 FPS, 29.97 FPS,
30 Drop FPS, 30 FPS.
Running Status
The small field in the top left corner of the numeric display
will state “Running” when SMPTE clock is running.
Detected Sample Rate
This is a read-only parameter indicating the actual
incoming Sample Rate. The tolerance of this detection is
+/- 10Hz.
Example: An incoming Sample Rate of 44.056kHz will be
detected as approx. 44.06kHz and the system indicates the
Locked Clock Rate 44.100kHz.
The system will lock to and reject jitter at any Sample Rate
between:
• 30 - 34kHz
• 42.5 - 45.5kHz
• 46.5 - 48.5kHz

10
FRAME - SYSTEM - MAIN - GPI
DB4 and DB8 GPI Specification
DB4 and DB8 offers a GPI input for remote switching between Scenes (all Engine Presets plus Routing). The input can be
used for daily operation, or for backup and redundancy purposes. It allows change between 2, 4 or 8 presets using just
one connection.
Basic operation
GPI functions are accessed from the System/Main/GPI page in TC Icon.
Enable Recall
Off
2 Presets
3 Presets
4 Presets
7 Presets
8 Presets
Select between Scenes
GPI Recall disabled
User Scene 0-1
User Scene 1-3
User Scene 0-3
User Scene 1-7
User Scene 0-7
Notes
Make sure this state is selected, if GPI recall is not being used.
User Scene 0 or 1 is permanently recalled.
Note: Switching to this mode will instantly perform a Scene Recall,
even if no connections are made to the GPI input.
As long as the GPI input is idle (+5V), GPI recall is inactive. In idle
mode, the machine can be normally controlled from Icon, or using
the serial data input.If active GPI windows 1, 2 or 3 are selected,
the corresponding Scene is recalled, and the serial data control
input is disabled.This GPI mode is suitable for Backup and Alarm
messaging operation.
User Scene 0, 1, 2 or 3 is permanently recalled.OBS: Switching to
this mode will instantly perform a Scene Recall, even if no
connections are made to the GPI input.
As long as the GPI input is idle (+5V), GPI recall is inactive. In idle
mode, the machine can be normally controlled from Icon, or using
the serial data input.If active GPI windows 1-7 are selected, the
corresponding Scene is recalled, and the serial data control input is
disabled.This GPI mode is suitable for Backup and Alarm
messaging operation.
User Scene 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 is permanently recalled.OBS:
Switching to this mode will instantly perform a Scene Recall, even if
no connections are made to the GPI input.
The Enable Recall parameter can be set to Off (GPI
recall disabled), 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 presets.
Presets are selected as a state condition, i.e. presenting
the GPI input a permanent voltage signifying a specific
preset.