Wheatstone Corporation AUDIOARTS ENGINEERING DMX Series User manual

1
Networked AoIP Broadcast Console
Manufactured by Wheatstone Corporation

2
Publication Information
©2020 Wheatstone Corporation
Wheatstone considers this document and its contents to be proprietary and confidential. Except for making a reasonable number of copies for your own
internal use, you may not reproduce this publication, or any part thereof, in any form, by any method, for any purpose, or in any language other than English
without the written consent of Wheatstone Corporation. All other uses are illegal.
This publication is designed to assist in the installation and use of the product as it exists on the date of publication of this manual and may not reflect the
product at the current time or an unknown time in the future. This publication does not in any way warrant description accuracy or guarantee the use for the
product to which it refers.
Wheatstone reserves the right, without notice, to make such changes in equipment, design, specifications, components, or documentation, as progress may
warrant, improving the performance of the product.
Trademarks
Product names and other appropriate trademarks, e.g. WheatNet-IP™, VoxPro®, and Vorsis™are registered trademarks of Wheatstone Corporation or its
subsidiaries. Microsoft®and Windows®are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their
respective companies.
Customer Service Contact Information
Wheatstone
600 Industrial Drive
New Bern, NC 28562 USA
For technical support, including on-site service, general product training, repair and parts, contact Wheatstone through our webpage (www.wheatstone.com),
through email at [e-mail], or by phone [phone]).
Manual Revisions
A = Initial release, October 2017
B = technical corrections, IP Navigator additions, operational clarifications, October 2017
C = Appendix A on networking multiple consoles added; some technical corrections; consolidated software app info into chapter 3, July 2018
D = Added info on a new feature: saving/loading EQ Configuration files (DMX Surface Setup, build 1.0.29 and later), September 2018
D.1 = Added info about saving two Studio EXT selections, October 2018
D.2 = Changed exclamation point graphic to display properly in a PDF, October 2018
E = Clarified note on using mono signals on the Razor along with other minor changes and clarifications. January 2019
F = Updated manual with Audioarts Engineering logo and new DMX Setup & support for WNIP Navigator, January 2020

3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
❖Publication Information .......................................................... 2
❖Safety Instructions & Hazard/Warning Labels ..................... 4
❖1 –Introducing the DMX Console .......................................... 5
DMX Overview .............................................................. 6
DMX Specifications ...................................................... 7
Warranty Statement .................................................... 9
FCC Compliance Statement ......................................... 9
❖2 –DMX Hardware Installation .............................................. 10
Locating the DMX Components .................................. 10
Mix Engine Connections .............................................. 12
DMX Power Up .............................................................. 13
Checking Out the DMX Features ................................. 14
Mix Engine Signal Notes .............................................. 16
Additional DMX Features ............................................ 17
Razor Interface Notes .................................................. 19
❖3 –DMX Apps and Console Configuration ............................ 20
DMX Surface Setup App .............................................. 20
The Navigator App ........................................................ 31
Software Updates ......................................................... 44
❖4 –DMX Operation and Applications .................................... 46
Console Operation ........................................................ 46
Using the Advanced Channel Features ...................... 52
DMX Applications ......................................................... 56
Razor I/O Interface ....................................................... 58
❖5 –DMX Service Information ................................................. 59
❖Appendix A –Creating a WNIP Network .............................. 61

4

5
hanks for joining the growing ranks of broadcasters
employing Audioarts products designed, manufactured, and
supported by Wheatstone Corporation. Throughout our long
history we’ve endeavored to provide the finest quality
products, documentation, and support. To obtain the maximum benefit
from the DMX console’s capabilities, please read through the Introduction,
and Chapters 2 and 3, prior to installing the DMX console. For those in a
hurry, a DMX Quick Guide and a Mix Engine Hook-up Diagram (PDF
files on the USB flash drive that ships with the console) summarize the
console’s physical connections, the software, and Surface controls.
The DMX console has these main components:
●DMX-8 or DMX-16 Surface –This part is commonly referred to as
the “console” since it sits on the countertop and has all board operator
controls. Figure 1-1 shows the DMX-8 Surface. Every DMX
Surface has these features:
●Fader Channels –There are eight identical fader channels on the
DMX-8 and sixteen on the DMX-16. Each fader channel has eight
push buttons with LED illumination (channel on, channel off, cue
on/off, talkback (TB), and four PGM bus assigns), a color Organic
Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display to show channel status, a 100
mm fader, and a rotary Channel Encoder to select the channel
source. The Channel Encoders are also used to access three Ad-
vanced Channel Features: audio mode, panning, and EQ & Dynam-
ics, any of which can be locked out from board operator access.
●Monitor Controls –The console supports a Control Room and an
associated Studio with: CR monitor, CR headphone, Cue, and
Studio Monitor level controls; CR and Studio monitor source
selectors; timer controls; and four Console Event buttons.
●Meter Bridge –Three stereo LED meters display the levels for
PGM 1, PGM 2, and a Switched signal: PGM 3, PGM 4, EXT, and
CUE, when enabled. The Meter Bridge also has a four-digit timer,
bus overload indicators, and an On-Air (Hot Mic) indicator.
●Headphone output –A board operator headphone amp is includ-
ed in the DMX Surface with a ¼” TRS jack on the right side of the
chassis, in-line with the OLED displays.
Figure 1-1 DMX-8 Surface
Figure 1-2 Mix Engine, front panel
●Mix Engine –The 1RU Mix Engine (Figure 1-2) has the audio, logic,
and network connections for the DMX console along with the DSP, sig-
nal mixing, and AoIP (Audio over IP) interface functions.
The Mix Engine has these main features:
●5-port Gigabit Ethernet switch, to network the Surface and Engine,
along with three other Ethernet devices, like an admin PC, audio
playback server, VoxPro PC, Razor I/O Interface, or a main AoIP
gigabit switch to network multiple DMX studios together
●Two low-noise mic preamps, with female XLR inputs, each with
switchable phantom power and input trim control
●Eight stereo/dual mono inputs (four analog and four AES)
●Four stereo program outputs (analog and AES on each output)
●Four stereo analog outputs for Control Room, Studio, Cue, and
operator headphone output for use with an outboard amp
●One 6-port GPIO logic connector
●DC power source for the DMX-8 Surface (the DMX-16 Surface has
a separate in-line DC supply)
T

6
●Installation Kit –The DMX ships with a USB flash drive with PDF
documentation files and the installers for Navigator and DMX Surface
Setup, the two software apps used configure the DMX. Navigator is a
licensed application so a license must be purchased to continue using
the app beyond the 30-day demo license which is included with the
DMX. Contact Wheatstone support (page 59) to obtain a demo license.
DMX-8 consoles include an IEC AC power cord for the Mix Engine and a
DC cable for the Surface. DMX-16 consoles include an in-line DC sup-
ply for the Surface and two IEC AC power cords for the Mix Engine and
in-line supply. All consoles include a short CAT5 cable to connect the
Mix Engine’s Ethernet port to Port 5 on the built-in gigabit switch.
DMX OVERVIEW
The DMX console is a compact, self-contained, Audio over Internet
Protocol (AoIP) radio broadcast and production console which uses the
WheatNet-IP (WNIP) networking convention. Designed for 24/7 operation,
the console has two main hardware components: a 1RU rack mount Mix
Engine, which has all of the console’s audio and logic connections along
with a built-in 5-port gigabit Ethernet switch; and a tabletop board
operator controller called the Surface (which most users consider is the
“console”). Both Surface and Mix Engine are fully FCC and CE certified.
DMX consoles ship with a default configuration so they can be powered
up and used right out of the box. The default settings are changed, to
configure the console for use in an on-air studio, production room,
newsroom, or other application, using the two Windows PC apps included
with the console. Using these software apps is covered in Chapter 3.
Razor I/O Interfaces (1RU, FCC and CE certified) are available to add
audio and logic I/O to any DMX console. Razors use RJ45 jacks
(StudioHub-compatible) for their eight inputs and eight outputs. There are
three I/O styles: all analog I/O plus two mic preamps (Razor 16A); all
AES I/O (Razor 16D); or half analog and half-AES (Razor 16AD). Each
Razor also has one RJ45 Logic jack with six GPIO ports. A Razor connects
to a port on the Mix Engine’s gigabit Ethernet switch using a single CAT5e
or CAT6 cable of up to 330 feet (100 meters).
The DMX can also be networked with any WheatNet-IP Blade to
provide additional audio and logic I/O. To network he DMX with a full WNIP
System, the configuration of the Mix Engine’s built-in Ethernet switch,
which is set for stand-alone operation from the factory, must be edited.
See Appendix A on the configuration setting which needs to be changed to
support networking the DMX with a larger WNIP system.
DMX Surface
The Surface has eight or sixteen audio control channel strips or Fader
Channels. Three of these fader channels are shown in Figure 1-3, along
with the Monitor Controls which are in two columns of controls. Each fader
channel has a large-knob rotary encoder so the board operator can select
the audio source for each fader channel. A channel status display, just
above the on and off buttons, shows the name of the audio source that’s
currently “dialed up” on that channel, along with other source and channel
status information.
When the channel is off, the channel source can be changed by rotating
the channel encoder. This channel display change to show alternate source
names available for that channel, with one name highlighted. Rotate the
encoder until the desired name is highlighted then tap once, or “click” the
rotary encoder to connect the highlighted source to that fader channel.
That signal’s name is then shown in green in the normal channel display.
Each fader channel can be assigned to any combination of Program
buses using the four assignment buttons just below the channel encoder.
Each fader channel has a 100 mm fader for bus level control, plus eight
illuminated switches (Off, On, Cue, Talkback (TB), PGM 1–PGM 4). The
fader channel controls
are identified in Figure
4-2 on page 46.
The Monitor Controls
(the two columns of
controls at the right
end of the Surface)
are identified in Figure
4-4 on page 50. The
left column has the
Control Room controls.
The three top buttons
select the source (PGM
3, PGM 4, or External)
feeding the Switched
Meter. A large user-set
Soft button (no default
setting) is just above
the six Control Room
monitor select buttons
(PGM 1–PGM 4, EXT 1,
EXT 2). These control
the audio going to the
Control Room monitors
and the board operator
headphone output. The
Spilt Cue button sets
how cue is fed to the
headphones (whether
cue even goes to the
headphones is set in
the DMX Surface Setup
app).
Figure 1-3 Surface Controls

7
The right column has the four Event buttons; two large Timer control
buttons; a studio monitor source selector (EXT); and a large Talk to Studio
button (TB).
The CUE/SOURCE, CR, STUDIO, and HDPN controls are rotary encoders
used to control the level of the four dedicated monitor outputs on the Mix
Engine. The two Monitor OLED displays show the current levels of those
four outputs and their status (a red X over a bar graph icon indicates that
output is muted). The CUE/SOURCE and STUDIO encoders are also used to
assign sources to the various EXT buttons. They can also be used to select
and take a “wild source” for the CR and Studio monitor outputs,
respectively.
All Surface controls are on a single field-replaceable Control Panel which
connects to an internal host board using one (DMX-8) or two (DMX-16)
plug-in ribbon cables. This allows for rapid field replacement, with minimal
interruption to operations, in case of spills or other damage to the Surface
controls. Because the program audio flows through the Mix Engine and not
the Surface—except for the audio going to the side panel-mounted
headphone jack, the Surface can be separately powered down from the
Mix Engine without affecting program audio.
Meter Bridge
The integrated direct-view Meter Bridge (Figure 1-4) sits above and
behind the control panel. It has three stereo LED level meters, a four-digit
Timer, and an On-Air indicator. The left meter and middle meters show the
Program 1 and Program 2 bus levels, respectively. The right meter is
switchable between showing the other two program buses (PGM 3 or PGM
4) or an External signal (EXT) like an off-air tuner. The switched meter can
be configured to auto-switch to show the cue levels while cue is active.
The meters normally show both the average and peak levels, but
software settings allow them to be changed to show only the average level
or only the peak levels, for special functions.
Figure 1-4 DMX Meter Bridge
The four-digit Timer is controlled manually, using the Monitor section
S/S button (Timer Start/Stop control), or automatically, when the Auto
Timer button is lit and an audio source, set for Timer Reset (assigned to
specific audio signals using the DMX Surface Setup app) is turned on.
Mix Engine
All audio and logic connections are made on the rear of the Mix Engine
(Figure 1-5). This 1RU device has a 5-port Gigabit switch; two high-
quality low-noise Mic Preamps (with gain control and 48-volt phantom
powering); Signal Processing with EQ and dynamics (applied on a fader
channel basis); eight routable audio inputs (four analog and four AES);
four Program audio outputs (four analog and four AES outputting the
same set of signals); four dedicated analog outputs (to feed powered
Control Room and Studio monitors, powered cue speakers, and an
outboard board operator headphone amp); six GPIO logic contacts
(each independently set to function as a logic input or logic output) and an
Ethernet jack to connect the Engine to the built-in 5-Port Gigabit switch.
Figure 1-5 Mix Engine, rear panel
Input and Output Connectors
All audio, logic, and network connections on the Mix Engine and on the
optional Razor I/O Interface (Figure 1-6)—other than microphone preamp
inputs which have female XLR connectors, use RJ45 connectors and
category wiring (CAT5, CAT5e, or CAT6). Figure 2-4 on page 12 has wiring
pin outs for the RJ45 connectors used to connect analog audio, digital
audio, and logic to/from the DMX console.
Analog and AES wiring conforms to the StudioHub+ convention with two
balanced analog, or one AES/EBU (AES3) signal, per RJ45 jack.
The RJ45 Logic jack has six GPIO logic ports plus a +5V and a GND
connection which use the WheatNet-IP logic jack wiring format.
Figure 1-6 Razor 16AD Interface, rear panel RJ45 Connector Detail
DMX SPECIFICATIONS
Test Conditions:
➢FSD = Full Scale Digital, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu analog
➢0 dBu corresponds to 0.775 volts RMS—regardless of the circuit
impedance, as measured using a 600-ohm circuit.
➢Noise specs measured using a 22 Hz –20 kHz bandwidth. A 30k Hz
bandwidth increases the noise measurement by 1.7 dB.
Wheatstone reserves the right to change the specifications on the following
page without notice or obligation.

8
Mic Preamp
Source Impedance: 150 –600 Ω, balanced
Nominal Input Level: -50 dBu
Input Range: -70 to -31 dBu (using trim control to reach nominal level)
Equivalent Input Noise: -131 dBu
Logic GPIO
Six per RJ45 connector: Connection assignments set using Navigator
(type of logic command and whether it is a logic input or logic output)
Logic Input: Current-limited using internal pull-up. Supports +5 to +12
voltage logic. For a logic low, input voltage must fall below +2.5 volts.
Logic Output: Active low logic which supports +5 to +24 VDC logic, 50
mA nominal, 100 mA max
Analog I/O (Inputs & Outputs: +4 dBu, balanced)
Input Impedance: >10 k Ω, bridging
Optimal Source Impedance: <1 k Ω
Analog In > Analog Out Frequency Response:
+0.0, -0.25 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ +4 dBu
Analog In > Analog Out THD & Noise:
<0.0025%, 20 Hz-20 kHz @ +4 dBu
Nominal / Maximum Input Level: +4 dBu / +24 dBu
(±18 dB of level gain/trim control available in Navigator)
Output Source Impedance: <10 Ω balanced
Output Load Impedance: 600 Ω optimal
Nominal / Maximum Output Level: +4 dBu / +24 dBu
(±18 dB of output level gain/trim control in Navigator)
A > D Conversion: 24-bit resolution
D > A Conversion: 24-bit, advanced Delta-Sigma
Digital I/O (AES/EBU Inputs & Outputs)
Reference Level: -20 dB FSD (equivalent to analog +4 dBu)
Nominal / Maximum Input or Output Level: -20 dB FSD / 0 dB FSD
(±18 dB of level gain/trim control available in Navigator)
Digital In > Digital Out Frequency Response:
±0.0 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ -20 dB FSD
Digital Input > Analog Output THD & Noise:
<0.00017%, 20 Hz-20 kHz @ -20 dB FSD
Digital I/O (continued)
Signal Format: AES-3, S/PDIF (inputs only)
AES-3 Input Compliance: 24-bit (uses SRC to support incoming sample
rates of 32 –96 kHz, 16- to 24-bit resolutions)
AES-3 Output Compliance: 24-bit
Output Sample Rate: 44.1 or 48 kHz
Processing Resolution: 24-bit
Surface Dimensions
DMX-08: 4.25" x 17.625" x 17" (H, W, D)
DMX-16: 4.25" x 29.625" x 17" (H, W, D)
Mix Engine Dimensions
A 1RU rack-mounted device:
1.75" x 19.0" x 13.25" (H, W, D)
Razor I/O Interface Dimensions
A 1RU rack-mounted device:
1.75" x 19.0" x 9.25" (H, W, D)
Power Supply
Type: Internal switching supply on the Razor and the Mix Engine, which
also powers the DMX-8 control surface; the DMX-16 Surface uses a
separate in-line DC power supply
AC input: Detachable IEC cord
AC input: 90-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Output: +16 VDC @ 1 amp (PWR OUT jack on Mix Engine)
Output: +16 VDC @ 2.67 amps (DMX-16 Surface in-line supply)
Power Requirements
Mix Engine: <27 watts at 120 VAC / 60 Hz
DMX-08 Surface: <10 watts at 120 VAC / 60 Hz
DMX-16 Surface: <20 watts at 120 VAC / 60 Hz
Razor: <15 watts at 120 VAC / 60 Hz
Environment
Ambient Temperature: Less than 40°C
Cooling: Convection cooled, no fans

9
WARRANTY STATEMENT
LIMITED WARRANTY BY WHEATSTONE CORPORATION
1. All equipment sold and shipped to final destinations within the USA and its
possessions warranted for one (1) full year from the date of purchase against
defects in material and workmanship. All equipment sold and shipped to final
destinations outside the U.S.A. and its possessions warranted for one (1) full
year from the date of purchase against defects in material and workmanship.
All repairs to maintain the unit at original specification will be made at no
charge to the original purchaser, except for shipping and insurance costs to be
prepaid by the owner to the factory in the event the unit cannot be serviced by
an authorized Wheatstone Corporation dealer.
2. This Warranty is subject to the following restrictions and conditions:
a) The owner must have filled out the enclosed Warranty Card and returned
it to Wheatstone Corporation; or at the time of servicing the owner must
provide proof of purchase from an authorized Wheatstone Corporation dis-
tributor or dealer.
b) This Warranty is valid for the original purchaser on the unit. Parts used for
replacement are warranted for the remainder of the original warranty pe-
riod. Repair or replacement is in the discretion of Wheatstone Corporation
and is the exclusive remedy hereunder.
c) This Warranty DOES NOT apply to damage or defects resulting from abuse,
careless use, misuse, improper installation, electrical spikes or surges, or
alteration, repair, or service of the unit or equipment by anyone other than
Wheatstone Corporation or its authorized dealer.
d) This Warranty is void if the serial number has been removed, altered or
defaced.
e) This Warranty DOES NOT cover loss or damage, direct or indirect, arising
out of the use or inability to use this unit or for shipping or transportation
to any dealer.
f) Wheatstone Corporation reserves the right to modify or change any unit in
whole or in part at any time prior to return delivery in order to incorporate
electronic or mechanical improvements deemed appropriate by the
Wheatstone Corporation but without incurring any responsibility for modi-
fications or changes of any unit previously delivered or to supply any new
equipment in accordance with any earlier specifications.
g) THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED, OR STATUTO-
RY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IF FOR ANY REASON, ANY IMPLIED OR
STATUTORY WARRANTY CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED, THEY ARE LIMITED TO
THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE. WHEATSTONE CO-
PORATION IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ELECTRICAL DAMAGE, LOSS OF USE,
INCONVENIENCE, DAMAGE TO OTHER PROPERTY, OR ANY OTHER INCI-
DENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL, WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT, AND
WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE. NO REPRE-
SENTATIVES, DEALERS, OR WHEATSTONE PERSONNEL ARE AUTHORIZED
TO MAKE ANY WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, OR GUARANTIESS OTH-
ER THAN THOSE EXPRESSLY STATED HEREIN.

10
ach DMX Surface is 17” (43.2 cm) deep and 4 1/4" (11 cm)
tall. The DMX-8 Surface is 17 5/8" (45 cm) wide. The DMX-
16 Surface is 29 5/8” (75.3 cm) wide.
The Mix Engine (1RU) mounts within the studio
cabinetry near the Surface location. Install at least one 1RU blank panel
above the Mix Engine to ensure adequate ventilation. DMX components are
convection cooled allowing them to be mounted into any studio, including
ones with active microphones, without adding any environmental noise.
When locating the DMX Surface and Mix Engine, avoid proximity to devices
which may generate electromagnetic fields, such as large power
transformers, motors, and audio amps using switching supplies.
LOCATING THE DMX COMPONENTS
The DMX Surface is intended to set on top of the studio furniture
countertop with its palm rest between six and twelve inches (15 to 30 cm)
from the edge of the countertop (Figure 2-1). This “setback space” allows
keyboards and mice, a VoxPro controller, copy, log sheets, etc. to be set in
front of the console.
The Mix Engine (1RU) is typically rack mounted into a 19” rack located
below the countertop. We recommend adding a 1RU vented panel both
above and below the Mix Engine for ventilation. Mount the Mix Engine so
its rear panel is easily accessible since that’s where the DMX audio, logic,
and network connections are made.
With a DMX-8 Surface, a 16-foot locking DC cable (included) connects
the DMX Surface to the PWR OUT jack on the back of the Mix Engine. This
constrains are far away the Mix Engine can physically be located since the
DC cable must not be under strain when connected between the DMX
Surface and Mix Engine.
Note: The in-line DC supply used with the DMX-16 Surface
(Wheatstone # 980064) can be used to power a DMX-8 Surface if
the Mix Engine must be mounted beyond the reach of the included
16-foot DC cable.
The DMX-16 Surface includes an in-line DC supply with a captive DC
cable and detachable IEC AC cord. An isolated AC outlet must be located
below the countertop to allow the six-foot DC cable to plug into the
Surface and the six-foot AC cord to plug into an AC outlet.
The Surface Ethernet port connects to Port 4 on the Mix Engine’s rear
panel Ethernet switch using a straight-thru category cable (customer
supplied CAT5e or CAT6 cable).
The DMX Surface is typically just set onto the countertop since its weight
(16 lbs. for DMX-8, 26 lbs. for DMX-16) and four large rubber feet should
hold it in place. If the Surface needs to be fastened to the countertop for
security reasons, a step-by-step procedure is listed in the section
Fastening the Surface to the Countertop, on page 11.
Figure 2-1 DMX-8 Surface, Countertop Positioning
For the cleanest installation, we recommend drilling a one- to two-inch
cable access hole through the countertop for the Surface wiring. Only the
customer supplied CAT5e / CAT6 cable and the DC power cable connector
must pass through this hole, so hole size is not critical. The hole could be
sized to match an available hole grommet, or it could be left raw since it’ll
be covered by the Surface.
E