Ward-Beck Systems AMS81 User manual

AMS81
8 CHANNEL AUDIO MONITORING SYSTEM
by Ward-Beck Systems
Rev:Oct.01 2014

AMS81 (version 2.1.1.7 and above)
Carefully unpack your AMS81 and make sure that damage has not occurred during
shipping. The unit should be ready for use as soon as it is plugged in to the AC
power source and a signal is connected to it.
Please note:
The default MODE setting for a unit that includes a Dolby Decoder is MODE 1 in
this mode inputs may be a mix of Dolby E, Dolby AC-3 or PCM and it is
recommended that the unit be operated in this mode only.
The default mode for units without a Dolby Decoder is MODE 2. In this mode
inputs can only be PCM and the unit should only be operated in this mode.
MODE 4 is a task specific application that may be used when the unit is equipped
with a Dolby Decoder. Please refer to the set up for MODE 4 in this manual.
An optional DEMUXER may be installed in your AMS8. This increases the input
capability of your unit. The DEMUXER is capable of extracting all embedded
groups (a maximum of eight AES signal pairs) from each of the two digital video
signals.
FRONT PANEL DISPLAYS AND CONTROLS
Please note that primary functions for controls are designated in white, while
secondary functions are designated in green.
FRONT PANEL DISPLAYS
Eight 22 segment LED bar graph meters display VU and Peak Program information
simultaneously. A reference LED (red) at the zero mark is continuously illuminated.
An eight-character dot-matrix display located above the SELECT and VOLUME
controls display signal parameters and status information. During setup, this
display is used to guide the user in making selections.

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
There are eight illuminated push button switches arranged in two rows of four. The
upper row designated INPUTS selects the input source to be monitored. The lower
row designated PRESETS selects a preset configuration or condition under which
the signal is monitored.
The two control knobs designated SELECT and VOLUME are rotary shaft encoders
with integral push switches. In the simplest mode of operation, the SELECT knob
allows the user to scroll through available options while the VOLUME button adjusts
the listening level of the AMS8's speakers.
All eight push buttons, as well as the two knobs with integral push switches, are
used in conjunction with the eight-segment read out when the unit is configured
during SYSTEM SETUP.

SYSTEM SETUP
To enter system setup, press and hold INPUT buttons 1/2 and 7/8 with one hand
and press the SELECT knob. The readout will display System. Press the SELECT
button again to enter the mode of operation selection. The readout will display
Mode X, where X is 1, 2, or 4.
The VOLUME knob may be rotated, in either direction, to select the appropriate
mode of operation.
Rotate the SELECT knob one step clockwise to enter the reference signal setup.
The readout will display Ref above the SELECT knob and Int, 75Ωor 110Ωabove
the VOLUME knob.
Ref Int - means that the internal 48 kHz reference is used
Ref 75Ω - means that an external unbalanced reference will be used
Ref 110Ω - means that an external balanced reference will be used
Rotating the VOLUME knob in either direction selects the appropriate reference
source.

Rotate the SELECT knob another step clockwise to enter the AES OUTPUT #4
Setup. The readout will display Out4 above the SELECT knob and In4 or Mon
above the VOLUME knob.
Out4 In4- means that AES input #4 will be routed to AES output #4.
Out4 Mon - means that the Monitor Output will be routed to AES output #4.
Rotate the SELECT knob another step clockwise to enter the Dialogue
Normalization setup. The readout will display Dn above the SELECT knob and
Enbd or Dsbd above the VOLUME knob.
Dn Enbd - means that the dialogue normalization level in the metadata will be
applied to the dolby signal.
Dn Dsbd - means that the dialogue normalization level in the metadata will not be
applied to the dolby signal.
Rotate the SELECT knob another step clockwise. The readout will display Vol over
the SELECT knob and a default volume level reading between OFF, -60db and
+15dB above the VOLUME knob.
The VOLUME control is used to set the default volume level, in one dB steps, for
monitoring audio.

Rotate the SELECT knob another step clockwise. The readout will display O/P
above the SELECT knob and either Var or Fix above the VOLUME knob. Rotating
the VOLUME knob in either direction will toggle between Var and Fix.
O/P Var - means that all the outputs of the unit will be level controlled and follow the
action of the VOLUME control
O/P Fix - means that all the outputs will be a fixed line level (-20 dBFs for digital
outputs and +4dBu for analog outputs) the VOLUME control will only affect the level
of the internal speakers and also the two monitor outputs on the back of the unit.
Rotate the SELECT knob another step clockwise. The readout will display Cal over
the SELECT knob and a reference level reading between -22dB and -10dB above
the VOLUME knob.
The VOLUME control is used to set the reference level, in two dB steps, for
monitoring audio.

Rotate the SELECT knob one more step clockwise. The readout will display Spkr
above the SELECT knob and either On or Off above the VOLUME knob. Rotating
the VOLUME knob in either direction will toggle between On and Off.
(In Version 1.x.x.x.)
Spkr On means the internal speakers and headset jack are enabled, and enables
monitor output.
Spkr Off means the internal speakers and headset jack are disabled, and disables
the monitor output.
(In Version 2.x.x.x. and above)
Spkr On means the internal speakers and headset jack are enabled.
Spkr Off means the internal speakers and headset jack are disabled.
Rotate the SELECT knob one more step. The readout now displays Exit.
Push the SELECT knob to return to the System setup screen. To exit system
setup, turn the SELECT knob one step counter clockwise. The readout displays
Exit. Push the SELECT knob once to exit the system setup procedures.

CHECKING THE FIRMWARE
When the system setup mode has been activated and the readout displays
System, rotating the SELECT knob clockwise will cycle through the following:
Inputs  - This configuration setup allows you to select the input sources that will be
enable during monitoring. (See INPUTS SETUP).
Assigns - This configuration setup applies only to units set to operate in Mode 1.
(See ASSIGNMENT SETUP).
Firmware - This allows you to check the version of firmware installed in your unit.
Press the SELECT knob once and a numeric code will be displayed in the readout
window, such as 2.0.0.0. This is the firmware version identifier and is information
that will be helpful if you contact the factory for technical assistance.
To exit the firmware interrogation mode, rotate the SELECT knob one step counter
clockwise and push the SELECT knob once when the readout displays Exit.

INPUTS SETUP (for all modes)
A fully assembled AMS8 has multiple program inputs (75Ω, 110Ω, Analog, SDI 1
(A) Groups 1 and 2, SDI 1 (A) Groups 3 and 4 and SD1 2 (B) Groups 1 and 2 and
SDI 2 (B) Groups 3 and 4. The Inputs setup allows an operator to enable or disable
the input option during monitoring. When the System Setup mode has been
activated and the readout displays System, rotating the SELECT knob clockwise
one step will put the unit in the Inputs mode. Press the SELECT knob once and the
75Ωoption will be displayed in the readout window above the SELECT knob. The
display above the VOLUME knob will indicate whether the Input option is enabled.
If (Y) is displayed then the Input option is enabled. If (N) is displayed then the input
option is disabled. Rotate the SELECT to cycle through the remaining input
options. To save the settings Rotate the SELECT knob until the readout displays
Exit and press the SELECT knob once. This will bring you back to the System
Setup mode.
(In Version 1.x.x.x. and above)
Enable SDI 1/2 for SDI Groups 1 and 2
Enable SDI 3/4 for SDI Groups 3 and 4
(In Version 06VA0001 and above)
Enable SDI 1/2 for SDI 1 (A) Groups 1 and 2
Enable SDI 3/4 for SDI 1 (A) Groups 3 and 4
Enable SDI 5/6 for SDI 2 (B) Groups 1 and 2
Enable SDI 7/8 for SDI 2 (B) Groups 3 and 4

ASSIGNMENT SETUP (for Mode 1 only)
The AMS8 has the ability to monitor multiple inputs, IN1 to IN4 at 75Ω, 110Ωand
Analog, as well as, eight digital programs within one of the two SDI streams. The
Assigns setup allows an operator to assign any one of these inputs to the four
INPUT select pushbutton switches for rapid selection. In the Assigns setup
procedure, A1 is the 1/2 button, A2 is the 3/4 button, A3 is the 5/6 button and A4 is
the 7/8 button.
When the system setup mode has been activated and the readout displays
System, rotating the SELECT knob clockwise one step will put the units in the
Assigns mode. Press the SELECT knob once and the first assignment A1 will be
displayed in the readout window above the SELECT knob. The display above the
VOLUME knob will indicate which source is assigned to A1 or the 1/2 INPUTS
button.
Rotate the VOLUME knob in either direction to select the desired input 75 -1 to 4,
110 -1 to 4, ANL -1 to 4, SD1 -1 to 8and SD2 -1 to 8to assign A1. Rotate the
SELECT knob through A2, A3 and A4 and similarly assign an input source.
NOTE: It is possible to assign the same source to more than one button.
To exit and return to the System Setup mode turn the SELECT knob in either
direction until Exit is displayed in the readout then push the Select knob.