Vorsis AP3 User manual

AP3 Digital Signal Processor
TECHNICAL MANUAL
600 Industrial Drive, New Bern, North Carolina, USA 28562
ORSIS
™

Vorsis
600 Industrial Drive
New Bern, North Carolina 28562
tel [phone] / fax [phone]
AP3 Digital Signal Processor Technical Manual - 2nd EditionAP3 Digital Signal Processor Technical Manual - 2nd Edition
AP3 Digital Signal Processor Technical Manual - 2nd EditionAP3 Digital Signal Processor Technical Manual - 2nd Edition
AP3 Digital Signal Processor Technical Manual - 2nd Edition
©2006 Vorsis
AP3/April 2005

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AP3 / Jan 2006
CONTENTS
AP3 Technical Manual
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – General Information
Introduction ...................................................................................1-2
Energizing ................................................................................................................. 1-2
I/O Connections.............................................................................1-3
Inputs ........................................................................................................................ 1-3
Outputs ..................................................................................................................... 1-4
Control Ports............................................................................................................. 1-5
Optional ANP-RJ Announcer Panel ...................................................................... 1-6
Remote ON, OFF, Cough ...................................................................................... 1-5
On and Off Tallies.................................................................................................. 1-6
General Purpose Interface ....................................................................................... 1-6
Ethernet Interface ..................................................................................................... 1-7
Typical Ethernet Cable .......................................................................................... 1-7
Typical Crossover Cable ....................................................................................... 1-7
Digital Audio Connections ........................................................................................ 1-8
Unbalanced Analog Connections ............................................................................. 1-8
Unbalanced Digital Connections (SPDIF) ................................................................ 1-8
XLR/RJ-45 Inputs Pinout Drawing............................................................................ 1-9
DB-25 Inputs/Outputs Pinout Drawing .................................................................... 1-10
XLR/RJ-45 Outputs Pinouts Drawing ...................................................................... 1-11
RJ-45/DB-9 Control/Ethernet/GPI Pinouts Drawing................................................ 1-12
Chapter 2 - Controls and Functions
Selecting a Signal Path.................................................................2-2
Basic Setup............................................................................................................... 2-3
SignalConditioning ......................................................................2-3
Input .......................................................................................................................... 2-3
Output ....................................................................................................................... 2-3
High-Pass Filter ........................................................................................................ 2-3
Notch......................................................................................................................... 2-3
Low-Pass Filter ......................................................................................................... 2-3
De-Esser ................................................................................................................... 2-3
Expander................................................................................................................... 2-4
Equalization ...................................................................................2-5
Parametric Equalizer ................................................................................................ 2-5
Dynamics .......................................................................................2-5
Multiband Compressor - “Production” ...................................................................... 2-5
Multiband Limiter - “Airchain”.................................................................................... 2-5
AGC .......................................................................................................................... 2-6
Limiter ....................................................................................................................... 2-6
Metering .........................................................................................2-6

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AP3 / Jan 2006
CONTENTS
Main Control Group ......................................................................2-7
Presets ...........................................................................................2-7
Presets Button .......................................................................................................... 2-8
Take Button .............................................................................................................. 2-8
Save Button .............................................................................................................. 2-8
Modify ....................................................................................................................... 2-9
System Features and Settings.....................................................2-9
Password .................................................................................................................. 2-9
New Password ......................................................................................................... 2-10
Access ..................................................................................................................... 2-10
Inputs Follow Presets/Input Stay Same .................................................................. 2-10
Sample Rate ............................................................................................................ 2-10
IP Address ............................................................................................................... 2-11
Subnet/Gateway ...................................................................................................... 2-12
AP3 Front Panel Control Functions (Table 1-Table 3) ..............2-13
Chapter 3 - Vorsis AP3 GUI
Getting Started ..............................................................................3-3
Connecting the AP3 and the GUI.................................................3-3
Using the GUI ................................................................................3-4
Dynamic Displays Region......................................................................................... 3-5
Frequency-Domain Graph ................................................................................... 3-5
Bargraph Metering ............................................................................................... 3-6
Signal Path Selection .......................................................................................... 3-6
Control Area Region ................................................................................................. 3-7
Input ..................................................................................................................... 3-8
Symmetry......................................................................................................... 3-8
Phase............................................................................................................... 3-8
Filter ..................................................................................................................... 3-8
High-Pass Filter ............................................................................................... 3-8
Notch ............................................................................................................... 3-8
Low-Pass Filter................................................................................................ 3-8
Expander ............................................................................................................. 3-9
De-Esser............................................................................................................. 3-11
Emphasis and De-Emphasis .............................................................................. 3-12
Transmitter pre-emphasis .............................................................................. 3-13
Transmission path emulation ......................................................................... 3-14
M/S...................................................................................................................... 3-14
M/S microphones............................................................................................ 3-15
Mono Airchain Processing.............................................................................. 3-15
FM Airchain Processing ................................................................................. 3-15
Sum/Difference Processing for fun ................................................................ 3-15
Width............................................................................................................... 3-16
Mono Low Frequencies .................................................................................. 3-16
Output Limiter ..................................................................................................... 3-17
Output Limiter: In depth .................................................................................. 3-19
AP3 Features for AM Broadcast......................................................................... 3-20
Brick-wall Bandwidth ...................................................................................... 3-20
Emphasis ........................................................................................................ 3-20
Asymmetric Output Peak Limiter.................................................................... 3-21
Mono ............................................................................................................... 3-21

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AP3 / Jan 2006
CONTENTS
Parametric Equalizer ....................................................................................... 3-21
Multiband Processing ...................................................................................... 3-22
Multi-Band AGC/Compressor - “Production”.............................................. 3-22
Transparent Compression .......................................................................... 3-25
Compressing for Effect............................................................................... 3-25
AGC ................................................................................................................. 3-27
Multiband Limiter - “Airchain” .......................................................................... 3-28
Loud! ................................................................................................................ 3-30
Creating a “sound”...................................................................................... 3-31
Deep Gain Reduction ................................................................................. 3-31
Setting Up the Output................................................................................. 3-32
System .................................................................................................................. 3-33
Side Bar Region.................................................................................................... 3-34
Take ................................................................................................................. 3-34
Save................................................................................................................. 3-34
Presets............................................................................................................. 3-35
Devices ............................................................................................................ 3-35
Q Save ............................................................................................................. 3-35
Compare .......................................................................................................... 3-35
Bypass ............................................................................................................. 3-35
Title Bar Region .................................................................................................... 3-36
Status............................................................................................................... 3-36
Devices ............................................................................................................ 3-36
Presets............................................................................................................. 3-37
Notes on “Online” and “Offline” working ............................................................... 3-38
Chapter 4 - Schematic and Load Sheet Drawings
Mic Audio Processor (AP3)
Schematic ............................................................................................................... 4-2
Load Sheet.............................................................................................................. 4-5
Processor Switch Card (PSW-1)
Load Sheet.............................................................................................................. 4-6
Appendices
Appendix 1
Using the AP3.............................................................................A-3
Five-MinuteProcessor............................................................................................A-3
About Listening .......................................................................................................A-4
Appendix 2
Parameters, Units and Ranges .................................................A-6
Appendix 3
Replacement Parts List ...........................................................A-11

G E N E R A L I NFORMATION
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AP3 / Apr 2005
General Information
Chapter Contents
Introduction ................................................................................ 1-2
Energizing...............................................................................................................1-2
I/O Connections.......................................................................... 1-3
Inputs ......................................................................................................................1-3
Outputs ...................................................................................................................1-4
Control Ports...........................................................................................................1-5
Optional ANP-RJ Announcer Panel .................................................................... 1-6
Remote ON, OFF, Cough....................................................................................1-5
On and Off Tallies................................................................................................1-6
General Purpose Interface .....................................................................................1-6
Ethernet Interface ...................................................................................................1-7
Typical Ethernet Cable ........................................................................................ 1-7
Typical Crossover Cable .....................................................................................1-7
Digital Audio Connections ...................................................................................... 1-8
Unbalanced Analog Connections........................................................................... 1-8
Unbalanced Digital Connections (SPDIF).............................................................. 1-8
XLR/RJ-45 Inputs Pinout Drawing..........................................................................1-9
DB-25 Inputs/Outputs Pinout Drawing ................................................................. 1-10
XLR/RJ-45 Outputs Pinouts Drawing................................................................... 1-11
RJ-45/DB-9 Control/Ethernet/GPI Pinouts Drawing.............................................1-12

GENERAL INFORMATION
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AP3 / Apr 2005
General Information
Introduction
The Vorsis™ AP3 Digital Signal Processor is a highly complex piece of audio
processing gear, the first product in a new line of a single-rack space audio
processors. This unit occupies one 19” wide rack space (height 1 3/4”), and is 16”
deep. The two-channel/stereo audio processor provides an array of analog/digital
inputs and outputs, four-band parametric EQ, three-band compressor, and tunable
filters along with overall AGC, limiting, and expansion. All settings can be stored
andreplayed as password-protectedpresets. The frontpanel display includesinput,
output, and gain reduction meters. Remote monitoring and operational control is
possible using Ethernet-enabled GUI software.
TheXLR,DB-25,DB-9andCAT5connectorslocatedontherearofchassisgive
you maximum installation versatility.
Energizing
AssumingtheVorsis™ AP3 Digital SignalProcessor is correctly rackmounted,
you may now energize it by connecting the factory supplied power cord to the
rackmount unit and then plugging it into the AC mains.
Note:To de-energizethe Vorsis™AP3, unplugits ACcord fromtheAC mains.
AP3 / Jan 2006

G E N E R A L I NFORMATION
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AP3 / Apr 2005
I/O Connections
All audio input and output, control, Ethernet, and power supply connec-
tions are made via various connectors mounted on AP3’s the rear panel. Six
XLR connectors are provided for analog and digital audio input and output,
and all the audio connections also appear on the DB-25 connector. Two
RJ-45 connectors provide yet a third way to access the digital audio input
and output. Three additional RJ-45 connectors are provided for control and
Ethernet connections. The DB-9 connector provides 8 GPI inputs for the
most used presets. The pinout drawings on pages 1-9 through 1-12
summarize all wiring connections.
Inputs
Both AP3 processor signal paths can be fed from three different types
of inputs: microphone, analog line, and digital line.
When processing mic level (-50dBu nominal) inputs, the input is fed,
either from one of the two female XLR connectors (one each for the two
signal paths) or the appropriate pins on the DB-25 AUDIO I/O connector,
to the internal microphone preamplifiers. The mic preamps have digitally
controlled gain, up to a maximum of 70 dB, and display remarkably high
performance and accuracy. Phantom power (+32VDC) is available.
The same connections can be used for line level analog audio inputs
(nominal +4dBu balanced). When configured for analog line, the inputs
exhibit a bridging impedance and can handle signals up to +20dBu.
A third female XLR connector, along with a paralleled RJ-45 connector,
are available to handle digital line level sources; this AES digital input is
also available on the DB-25 connector. The AP3 will accommodate digital
inputs having sample rates of 44.1kHz or 48kHz. The sample rate of the
AP3 will automatically sync up to the applied input signal’s valid sample
rate, allowing the AP3 to be used in an existing digital system. AES sources
are by design stereo; if the AP3 is not set to be stereo the appropriate Left
or Right signal within the AES stream will be applied to the signal path.
MIC / Line In—XLR-F
Pin 1 XLR1 SH – MIC1 / LINE 1 IN SH
Pin 2 XLR1 HI – MIC1 / LINE 1 IN HI
Pin 3 XLR1 LO – MIC1 / LINE 1 IN LO
Pin 1 XLR2 SH – MIC2 / LINE 2 IN SH
Pin 2 XLR2 HI – MIC2 / LINE 2 IN HI
Pin 3 XLR2 LO – MIC2 / LINE 2 IN LO

G E N E R A L I NFORMATION
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AP3 / Apr 2005
AES I N —XLR-F & RJ-45
RJ-45
Pin 1 – N/C
Pin 2 – N/C
Pin 3 – AES IN HI
Pin 4 – N/C
Pin 5 – N/C
Pin 6 – AES IN LO
Pin 7 – N/C
Pin 8 – N/C
XLR-F
Pin 1 XLR SH – AES IN SH
Pin 2 XLR HI – AES IN HI
Pin 3 XLR LO – AES IN LO
A UDIO I NPUTS —DB-25
Pin 25 – MIC 1 / LINE1 IN SH
Pin 24 – MIC 1 / LINE1 IN HI
Pin 12 – MIC 1 / LINE1 IN LO
Pin 11 – MIC 2 / LINE2 IN SH
Pin 10 – MIC 2 / LINE2 IN HI
Pin 23 – MIC 2 / LINE2 IN LO
Pin 16 – AES IN SH
Pin 15 – AES IN HI
Pin 3 – AES IN LO
Outputs
The AP3’s two output signals are available as individual line level analog (+4dBu,
balanced) on the two male XLR ANALOG OUT connectors, and in digital AES formatted
on a male XLR connector, paralleled by an RJ-45 connector for CAT5 connection. These
analog and digital outputs are available also on the DB-25 connector.
A NALOG O UT —XLR-M
Pin 1 XLR1 SH – LINE 1 OUT SH
Pin 2 XLR1 HI – LINE 1 OUT HI
Pin 3 XLR1 LO – LINE 1 OUT LO
Pin 1 XLR2 SH – LINE 2 OUT SH
Pin 2 XLR2 HI – LINE 2 OUT HI
Pin 3 XLR2 LO – LINE 2 OUT LO
AES O UT —XLR-M & RJ-45
RJ-45
Pin 1 – N/C
Pin 2 – N/C
Pin 3 – AES OUT HI
Pin 4 – N/C
Pin 5 – N/C
Pin 6 – AES OUT LO
Pin 7 – N/C
Pin 8 – N/C

G E N E R A L I NFORMATION
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AP3 / Apr 2005
XLR-M
Pin 1 XLR SH – AES OUT SH
Pin 2 XLR HI – AES OUT HI
Pin 3 XLR LO – AES OUT LO
A UDIO O UTPUTS —DB-25
Pin 8 – LINE 1 OUT SH
Pin 7 – LINE 1 OUT HI
Pin 20 – LINE 1 OUT LO
Pin 19 – LINE 2 OUT SH
Pin 18 – LINE 2 OUT HI
Pin 6 – LINE 2 OUT LO
Pin 2 – AES OUT SH
Pin 1 – AES OUT HI
Pin 14 – AES OUT LO
Control Ports
There are two RJ-45 connectors (one for each signal path) available for the
connections of a talent microphone control panel. Functions include remote on and
off, cough, and tally.
C ONTROL —RJ-45
Pin 1 – DIGITAL GROUND
Pin 2 – COUGH
Pin 3 – N/C
Pin 4 – OFF TALLY
Pin 5 – ON TALLY
Pin 6 – REMOTE OFF
Pin 7 – REMOTE ON
Pin 8 – +5V DIGITAL
Optional ANP-RJ Announcer Panel
The optional ANP-RJ panel connects to the AP3 using a standard straight
CAT5 Ethernet cable. This panel has “ON”, “OFF”, and “COUGH” switches
for remote control of the microphone inputs. (Note that the “TB” button is not
usable for the AP3). The “ON” and “OFF” buttons are LED illuminated. These
panels can be mounted directly into a furniture surface or a turret.
To Turn the Microphone ON & OFF from a Remote Location
NOTE: The remote mic controls are meant to be used when the AP3 is
processing two separate mono signals, typically microphones (see “Selecting a
Signal Path” on pages 2-7 to 2-8). If the AP3 is in “stereo” mode there will be some
non-intuitive interaction between the two sets of remote mic controls.
REMOTE ON — Activates the mic’s channel ON switch. Provide a momen-
tary closure between Remote On (Pin 7) and Digital Ground (Pin 1). This will latch
the mic ON. (User-supplied momentary contact switch required.)