Wheatstone Corporation VP-8IP User manual

TECHNICAL MANUAL
Digital MultiMoDe auDio Processor
VP-8iP
600 Industrial Drive, New Bern, North Carolina, USA 28562

VP-8 IP Digital Multimode Audio Processor Technical Manual - VP8IP GUI version 4.X.X.exe
©2013 Wheatstone Corporation
VP-8 IP / Sep 2013
600 Industrial Drive
New Bern, North Carolina 28562
tel [phone] / fax [phone]
Ultra-HigH resolUtion Processing
ORSIS

Re ad Me!
VP-8IP / Sep 2013
Attention!
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Compliance
Notice:
Radio Frequency Notice
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful inter-
ference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment
in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment,
this product may cause radio interference, in which case,
the user may be required to take appropriate measures.
This equipment must be installed and wired properly in order to assure
compliance with FCC regulations.
Caution! Any modications not expressly approved in writing by
Wheatstone could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.

Read Me!
VP-8ip / Apr 2016
* In previous Navigator GUI versions this was the System 3rd Party Devices tab.
Adding VP-8ip To The Peripheral Devices* Tab
In order to utilize all the features of the VP‑8iP Digital Audio
Processor the device must be added to the System Peripheral
Devices tab in the Wheatstone WheatNet-IP Navigator program
(aka the Navigator GUI). This sheet shows you the basics of that
procedure. Refer to the WheatNet‑IP BLADE3 Audio Over IP
Network Technical Manual for additional details.
You will need to know the IP address of the device being
added, so you will want to nd that out before you start.
Launch the Navigator GUI and make sure that System 0 is
selected in the System pane. You will see something like this:
Now select the Peripheral Devices tab.
Click the Add button to bring up the Add Peripheral
Device dialog:
Type in a convenient Name and insert the IP Address
of the device being added. Leave the TCP Port at the
default setting of 60021. From the Host BLADE drop
down select the BLADE that you want to associate the
Peripheral device with. Click Ok.
This completes the process of adding the device to
the Peripheral Devices tab. The added device should
show up in the System pane under the BLADE you
added it to. If it does not show up, or if it shows up but
has a yellow question mark on it, then there is either a
network issue that needs attention, or the device is not
connected to the network at all, or one or more steps have been omitted or done incorrectly
in the conguration process.
ORSIS
Ultra-HigH resolUtion Processing

page Contents – 1
VP-8IP / Sep 2013
CONTENTS
VP‑8iP Technical Manual
Chapter 1 - General Information
Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................................1-2
Overview.........................................................................................1-4
Rack Mounting...............................................................................1-5
Installation Tips ..........................................................................................................1-5
Where to Install the VP-8iP.........................................................................................1-6
Analog STL.............................................................................................................1-6
Analog Phone Lines ...............................................................................................1-6
Digital STL ..............................................................................................................1-7
Energizing ......................................................................................1-7
I/O Connections.............................................................................1-8
Audio Inputs ...............................................................................................................1-8
Analog In .................................................................................................................1-8
AES In......................................................................................................................1-8
SCA In .....................................................................................................................1-9
Audio Outputs ............................................................................................................1-9
Analog Out ..............................................................................................................1-9
AES / baseband192 Out..........................................................................................1-9
TX Out .....................................................................................................................1-9
Headphones ...............................................................................................................1-9
Network Connection .................................................................................................1-10
Ethernet RJ-45 .......................................................................................................1-10
Typical Ethernet Cable ...........................................................................................1-10
Typical Crossover Cable.........................................................................................1-10
General Purpose Interface (GPI/GPO).......................................................................1-11
GPI..........................................................................................................................1-11
Example Schematic of General Purpose Inputs ....................................................1-12
User Presets...........................................................................................................1-13
GPO........................................................................................................................1-13
Analog XLR Connections Pinouts Drawing ...............................................................1-15
Digital XLR Connections Pinouts Drawing ................................................................1-16
BNC Connections Pinouts Drawing ..........................................................................1-17
Ethernet RJ-45/GPI DB-9 Pinouts Drawing .............................................................1-18

page Contents – 2
VP-8IP / Sep 2013
CONTENTS
VP-8iP Quick Start Setup Guide...................................................2-2
Steps to Success .......................................................................................................2-3
Introducing the VP-8iP ..............................................................................................2-4
Adjusting the Headphone Level .................................................................................2-4
Conguring the IP Address ........................................................................................2-5
Operating the VP-8iP Remotely—Installing The GUI Software..................................2-6
Conguring the VP-8iP TCP/IP Address ...............................................................2-6
Telling the GUI How to Find the VP-8 iP.................................................................2-7
Additional Notes on VP-8iP GUI Connectivity.......................................................2-9
Installation and Setup Using the Front Panel............................................................2-10
PRESETS..............................................................................................................2-10
MODE(S)...............................................................................................................2-11
INPUT ...................................................................................................................2-11
OUTPUT ...............................................................................................................2-13
FM Mode .........................................................................................................2-13
AM Mode.........................................................................................................2-14
FM-HD Mode...................................................................................................2-15
AM-HD Mode ..................................................................................................2-15
MP3/AAC>48kHz Mode ..................................................................................2-16
MP3/AAC<48kHz Mode ..................................................................................2-16
NETWORK............................................................................................................2-17
VERSION ..............................................................................................................2-17
ACCESS ...............................................................................................................2-17
Adding VP-8IP to a WheatNet-IP System ...................................2-18
Achieving the Desired Sound......................................................2-20
First a Few Words About Our Factory Presets..........................................................2-20
What Sound Are You Trying to Achieve?...................................................................2-20
About Bass................................................................................................................2-20
Is There a Caveat? ....................................................................................................2-20
What Is Your Short Term Goal? .................................................................................2-21
How Do I Make It Louder? ........................................................................................2-21
What Is Your Long Term Goal?..................................................................................2-21
Clean and Loud .........................................................................................................2-22
Can I Generate That “Sixties” Compression Sound?................................................2-22
VP-8IP Front Panel Menu.............................................................2-24
VP-8IP Signal Flow Diagram........................................................2-25
Introduction....................................................................................3-2
Installing the Guru Software.......................................................................................3-4
Conguring the VP-8iP TCP/IP Address ....................................................................3-4
Device Conguration-Connecting to the VP-8iP ........................................................3-5
Setting the Input Audio Levels ...................................................................................3-6
Setting the Output Audio Levels ................................................................................3-7
Taking Presets ............................................................................................................3-7
Tuning Audio Processing - An Introduction................................................................3-8
Six Controls! Why Not Just One?...............................................................................3-9
Chapter 3 - VP-8iP Audio Processing Guru®
Chapter 2 - VP-8iP Features

page Contents – 3
VP-8IP / Sep 2013
CONTENTS
How Do the Tweakers Work? .....................................................................................3-9
What Causes a Guru Control To Stop Before Reaching 0 or 10? ..............................3-9
The Six Tweakers ......................................................................................................3-11
AGC Depth .............................................................................................................3-11
Compression ..........................................................................................................3-11
Density....................................................................................................................3-11
Loudness................................................................................................................3-12
HF EQ.....................................................................................................................3-12
LF EQ......................................................................................................................3-12
Guru Caveats ............................................................................................................3-13
Understanding the Difference Between Factory, Legacy, and Guru Presets ............3-13
The Other Two Pages of Guru... ................................................................................3-14
Additional Notes On VP-8iP Network to GUI Connectivity........................................3-17
Unlocking the Front Panel...........................................................3-17
Contacting Wheatstone Technical Support... ............................3-18
Pro GUI – What It Is And How to Obtain It..................................3-18
Architecture of the VP‑8iP Pro GUI ..............................................4-4
Network Configuration..................................................................4-4
Getting Started...............................................................................4-4
Connecting the VP‑8iP and the Pro GUI ......................................4-5
Using a LAN Connection............................................................................................4-5
Conguring the VP-8iP IP Address.........................................................................4-5
Adding Devices ......................................................................................................4-7
Connecting Directly Without a LAN............................................................................4-9
PC System Requirements ..........................................................................................4-9
Wireless Connection ..................................................................................................4-9
The Really Remote Connection!................................................................................4-10
VPN ...........................................................................................................................4-10
The VP-8iP and Internet Security Concerns..............................................................4-10
About DHCP and the VP-8iP .....................................................................................4-10
About Ports and the VP-8iP.......................................................................................4-11
Using the VP‑8iP Pro GUI.............................................................4-12
Dynamic Displays Region..........................................................................................4-13
Frequency-Domain Graph....................................................................................4-13
VP-8iP Graphical Interface Operation ..................................................................4-14
First, a short tutorial .........................................................................................4-15
Bargraph Metering................................................................................................4-16
Selectable Meter ..............................................................................................4-16
AES And TX Output Meters..............................................................................4-17
60dB Range......................................................................................................4-17
Display Signal Selection.......................................................................................4-17
Input .................................................................................................................4-17
PreDelay ...........................................................................................................4-17
Audio ................................................................................................................4-18
Gain Reduction.................................................................................................4-18
Controls............................................................................................................4-18
Chapter 4 - VP‑8iP Pro GUI

page Contents – 4
VP-8IP / Sep 2013
CONTENTS
L/R (Left/Right) .................................................................................................4-18
O-Scope ...........................................................................................................4-18
Control Area Region ..................................................................................................4-19
Input Menu ...........................................................................................................4-20
Input Settings ...................................................................................................4-20
Input Source.....................................................................................................4-20
Input Signal Presence ......................................................................................4-20
Automatic Input Failover ..................................................................................4-20
Analog Gain......................................................................................................4-21
AES Gain ..........................................................................................................4-21
L/R Balance......................................................................................................4-21
Phase Rotator...................................................................................................4-21
HPF - High Pass Filter......................................................................................4-22
Why the Sum and Difference Option?...........................................................4-22
Parametric Equalizer Menu ..................................................................................4-23
EQ Master Enable ............................................................................................4-24
Automatic Gain Control and Compressor Menu ..................................................4-25
AGC Drive........................................................................................................4-25
AGC Output.....................................................................................................4-25
Stereo Enhancement.......................................................................................4-26
AGC Enable/Comp. Enable Buttons ...............................................................4-26
Gating and AGC Backoff.................................................................................4-27
Gating Threshold........................................................................................4-27
Gating Delay...............................................................................................4-27
Gain Freeze ................................................................................................4-27
Slow Recovery ...........................................................................................4-27
InterBand Coupling ....................................................................................4-28
AGC Backoff...............................................................................................4-28
Crossover Frequencies ...................................................................................4-29
Selecting Crossover Frequencies...............................................................4-29
AGC/Compressor Gain Reduction..................................................................4-30
System Menu .......................................................................................................4-31
Input/Output Settings Change With Presets....................................................4-31
Metering Data Over TCP/IP..............................................................................4-32
Headphone Source ..........................................................................................4-33
Headphone Control ..........................................................................................4-33
Process Modes ................................................................................................4-33
Remote Login ...................................................................................................4-34
Front Panel .......................................................................................................4-34
Pro GUI Access ................................................................................................4-35
Pro GUI Lock....................................................................................................4-35
Status Indicators ..............................................................................................4-36
Events...............................................................................................................4-37
Creating a Weekly Rotation Event..............................................................4-37
Creating a Long Term Rotation Event ........................................................4-38
Deleting a Scheduled Event .......................................................................4-38
Set Time ...........................................................................................................4-39
Side Bar Region ........................................................................................................4-40
Preset ...................................................................................................................4-40
Save......................................................................................................................4-40
Library ..................................................................................................................4-41
Devices.................................................................................................................4-41
Quick Save (QSave)..............................................................................................4-42

page Contents – 5
VP-8IP / Sep 2013
CONTENTS
Title Bar Region.........................................................................................................4-43
Status ...................................................................................................................4-43
Devices.................................................................................................................4-43
Presets .................................................................................................................4-44
Notes on Online and Ofine Working ...................................................................4-45
Accessing Menu Options ..........................................................................................4-46
File Menu Items ....................................................................................................4-46
Hardware Menu Items ..........................................................................................4-46
VP-8iP Hardware Update .................................................................................4-47
Presets Menu Items..............................................................................................4-49
Introduction....................................................................................5-7
Mode Behavior Overview ...........................................................................................5-7
FM Mode Summary....................................................................................................5-8
AM Mode Summary ...................................................................................................5-8
FM-HD Mode Summary .............................................................................................5-8
AM-HD Mode Summary.............................................................................................5-8
MP3/AAC>48k & MP3/AAC<48k Mode Summary.....................................................5-8
Audio Processor Tuning for CODECS ........................................................................5-9
CODEC Overview ..................................................................................................5-9
Processing Common to All Modes............................................................................5-10
VP‑8iP FM Process Mode.............................................................5-11
Limiters Menu............................................................................................................5-11
Multiband Limiter..................................................................................................5-11
Multiband Enable .................................................................................................5-12
Multiband Drive ....................................................................................................5-12
Multiband Knee ....................................................................................................5-12
Bass Tools ............................................................................................................5-13
Drive .................................................................................................................5-14
Style..................................................................................................................5-14
Frequency.........................................................................................................5-14
Output ..............................................................................................................5-15
Pre-Emphasis Selection .......................................................................................5-15
Type ..................................................................................................................5-15
Location............................................................................................................5-15
Multiband Limiter Adjustments ............................................................................5-16
Threshold Screen .............................................................................................5-16
Attack Time Screen ..........................................................................................5-17
Release Time Screen........................................................................................5-18
Final Equalization Screen .................................................................................5-19
FM Look Ahead Limiter ........................................................................................5-20
FM Look Ahead Limiter Controls .........................................................................5-20
Look Ahead Limiter Enable ..............................................................................5-20
L/R Linked ........................................................................................................5-20
Lim/Clip (Limiter/Clipper) Drive ........................................................................5-20
Attack ...............................................................................................................5-21
Release.............................................................................................................5-21
Delayed Release...............................................................................................5-21
Clip Style (Main Clipper)...................................................................................5-21
Diversity Delay......................................................................................................5-22
FM
Chapter 5 - VP‑8iP Process Modes

page Contents – 6
VP-8IP / Sep 2013
CONTENTS
Manually Entering Delay Value .........................................................................5-22
FM Stereo Encoder Menu .........................................................................................5-23
Multipath Limiter...................................................................................................5-23
Operating the BS-412 MPX Power Controller......................................................5-24
Turning the BS-412 Controller On....................................................................5-24
Turning the BS-412 Controller Off....................................................................5-24
MPX Lim/Clip (Limiter/Clipper) Drive....................................................................5-25
Digital Output .......................................................................................................5-25
De-Emphasis....................................................................................................5-25
PreDelay ...........................................................................................................5-25
Test Oscillator.......................................................................................................5-25
Multiplex Process.................................................................................................5-26
Stereo Encoder.....................................................................................................5-27
Pilot Level.........................................................................................................5-27
Pilot Phase .......................................................................................................5-27
Mode ................................................................................................................5-27
SCA 1 ...............................................................................................................5-27
SCA 2 ...............................................................................................................5-27
Analog Output ..................................................................................................5-27
TX 1 ..................................................................................................................5-28
TX 2 ..................................................................................................................5-28
Pilot Only ..........................................................................................................5-28
Analog Output and MPX Modes ..........................................................................5-28
VP‑8iP AM Process Mode ............................................................5-30
Limiters Menu............................................................................................................5-31
Multiband Limiter..................................................................................................5-31
Multiband Enable .................................................................................................5-31
Multiband Drive ....................................................................................................5-31
Multiband Knee ....................................................................................................5-32
Bass Tools ............................................................................................................5-33
Drive .................................................................................................................5-33
Style..................................................................................................................5-33
Frequency.........................................................................................................5-34
Output ..............................................................................................................5-34
Pre-Emphasis Selection .......................................................................................5-34
Type ..................................................................................................................5-34
Location............................................................................................................5-34
Multiband Limiter Adjustments ............................................................................5-35
Threshold Screen .............................................................................................5-35
Attack Time Screen ..........................................................................................5-36
Release Time Screen........................................................................................5-37
Final Equalization Screen .................................................................................5-38
AM Look Ahead Limiter........................................................................................5-39
AM Look Ahead Limiter Controls .........................................................................5-39
Look Ahead Limiter Enable ..............................................................................5-39
L/R Linked ........................................................................................................5-39
Final Lim/Clip (Limiter/Clipper) Drive................................................................5-40
Attack ...............................................................................................................5-40
Release.............................................................................................................5-40
Delayed Release...............................................................................................5-40
FM
AM

page Contents – 7
VP-8IP / Sep 2013
CONTENTS
Clip Style (Main Clipper)...................................................................................5-40
Diversity Delay......................................................................................................5-41
Manually Entering Delay Value .........................................................................5-41
AM Transmission Menu.............................................................................................5-43
Test Oscillator.......................................................................................................5-43
Tilt Test .................................................................................................................5-43
Bandwidth ............................................................................................................5-43
Output Mode ........................................................................................................5-44
Positive Modulation..............................................................................................5-44
Peak Polarity ....................................................................................................5-44
Output Level Setting.............................................................................................5-45
Analog Output #1 .................................................................................................5-45
Analog Output #2 .................................................................................................5-45
LF Tilt Correct.......................................................................................................5-45
Adjusting the Tilt Corrector ..................................................................................5-46
Digital Output .......................................................................................................5-47
De-Emphasis....................................................................................................5-47
PreDelay ...........................................................................................................5-47
VP‑8iP FM-HD Process Mode ......................................................5-48
Limiters Menu............................................................................................................5-48
Multiband Limiter..................................................................................................5-48
Multiband Enable .................................................................................................5-49
Multiband Drive ....................................................................................................5-49
Multiband Knee ....................................................................................................5-49
Bass Tools ............................................................................................................5-50
Drive .................................................................................................................5-51
Style..................................................................................................................5-51
Frequency.........................................................................................................5-51
Output ..............................................................................................................5-52
Multiband Limiter Adjustments ............................................................................5-53
Threshold Screen .............................................................................................5-53
Attack Time Screen ..........................................................................................5-54
Release Time Screen........................................................................................5-55
Final Equalization Screen .................................................................................5-56
FM-HD Menu.............................................................................................................5-57
FM-HD Look Ahead Limiter..................................................................................5-57
FM-HD Look Ahead Limiter Controls...................................................................5-58
Look-ahead Limiter Enable ..............................................................................5-58
Left/Right Linked ..............................................................................................5-58
Lim (Limiter) Drive.............................................................................................5-58
Attack Time ......................................................................................................5-58
Release Time....................................................................................................5-58
Delayed Release...............................................................................................5-59
Phase Reverse .....................................................................................................5-59
Left Right Reverse................................................................................................5-59
Analog Output ......................................................................................................5-59
Digital Output .......................................................................................................5-59
VP‑8iP AM-HD Process Mode ......................................................5-60
Limiters Menu............................................................................................................5-60
Multiband Limiter..................................................................................................5-60
Multiband Enable .................................................................................................5-61
Multiband Drive ....................................................................................................5-61
AM
FM‑HD
AM‑HD

page Contents – 8
VP-8IP / Sep 2013
CONTENTS
Multiband Knee ....................................................................................................5-61
Bass Tools ............................................................................................................5-62
Drive .................................................................................................................5-63
Style..................................................................................................................5-63
Frequency.........................................................................................................5-63
Output ..............................................................................................................5-64
Multiband Limiter Adjustments ............................................................................5-65
Threshold Screen .............................................................................................5-65
Attack Time Screen ..........................................................................................5-66
Release Time Screen........................................................................................5-67
Final Equalization Screen .................................................................................5-68
AM-HD Menu ............................................................................................................5-69
Codec Bandwidth.................................................................................................5-69
Enable...................................................................................................................5-69
HF Protect Freq. ...................................................................................................5-69
HF Ceiling.............................................................................................................5-69
A Note About Attack Time....................................................................................5-69
HF Recovery.........................................................................................................5-70
Hyper Mono..........................................................................................................5-70
AM-HD Look Ahead Limiter .................................................................................5-71
AM-HD Look Ahead Limiter Controls...................................................................5-71
Look-ahead Limiter Enable ..............................................................................5-71
L/R Linked ........................................................................................................5-71
Lim (Limiter) Drive.............................................................................................5-71
Attack ...............................................................................................................5-71
Release.............................................................................................................5-72
Delayed Release...............................................................................................5-72
Phase Reverse .....................................................................................................5-73
Left Right Reverse................................................................................................5-73
Analog ..................................................................................................................5-73
Digital Output .......................................................................................................5-73
VP‑8iP MP3/AAC>48K Process Mode .........................................5-74
Limiters Menu............................................................................................................5-74
Multiband Limiter..................................................................................................5-74
Multiband Enable .................................................................................................5-75
Multiband Drive ....................................................................................................5-75
Multiband Knee ....................................................................................................5-75
Bass Tools ............................................................................................................5-76
Drive .................................................................................................................5-77
Style..................................................................................................................5-77
Frequency.........................................................................................................5-77
Output ..............................................................................................................5-78
Multiband Limiter Adjustments ............................................................................5-79
Threshold Screen .............................................................................................5-79
Attack Time Screen ..........................................................................................5-80
Release Time Screen........................................................................................5-81
Final Equalization Screen .................................................................................5-82
The Vorsis Spectral Energy Gate™ ......................................................................5-83
MP3/AAC>48K Menu ................................................................................................5-84
Multiband Drive ....................................................................................................5-84
MP3/AAC>48K Look Ahead Limiter.....................................................................5-84
MP3/AAC>48K Look Ahead Limiter Controls ......................................................5-85
Look-ahead Limiter Enable ..............................................................................5-85
AM‑HD
MP3/ACC
>48k

page Contents – 9
VP-8IP / Sep 2013
CONTENTS
Lim (Limiter) Drive.............................................................................................5-85
Attack ...............................................................................................................5-85
Release.............................................................................................................5-87
Delayed Release...............................................................................................5-87
Mono Output ........................................................................................................5-87
Phase....................................................................................................................5-87
Left Right Reverse................................................................................................5-88
Analog ..................................................................................................................5-88
Digital Output .......................................................................................................5-88
VP‑8iP MP3/AAC<48K Process Mode .........................................5-89
Limiters Menu............................................................................................................5-89
Multiband Limiter..................................................................................................5-89
Multiband Enable .................................................................................................5-90
Multiband Drive ....................................................................................................5-90
Multiband Knee ....................................................................................................5-90
Bass Tools ............................................................................................................5-91
Drive .................................................................................................................5-92
Style..................................................................................................................5-92
Frequency.........................................................................................................5-92
Output ..............................................................................................................5-93
Multiband Limiter Adjustments ............................................................................5-94
Threshold Screen .............................................................................................5-94
Attack Time Screen ..........................................................................................5-95
Release Time Screen........................................................................................5-96
Final Equalization Screen .................................................................................5-97
MP3/AAC<48K Menu ................................................................................................5-98
Multiband Drive ....................................................................................................5-98
The Vorsis Spectral Energy Gate™ ......................................................................5-98
Adaptive Bandwidth Controller™ Controls ..........................................................5-99
Codec Sample Rate .........................................................................................5-99
Low Pass Filter .................................................................................................5-99
Codec Bitrate ..................................................................................................5-100
Mask Thresh and Mask Recovery...................................................................5-100
Achieving the Proper Settings.........................................................................5-100
MP3/AAC<48K Look Ahead Limiter....................................................................5-102
MP3/AAC<48K Look Ahead Limiter Controls .....................................................5-102
Look-ahead Limiter Enable .............................................................................5-102
Lim (Limiter) Drive............................................................................................5-102
Attack ..............................................................................................................5-103
Release............................................................................................................5-104
Delayed Release..............................................................................................5-105
Mono Output .......................................................................................................5-105
Phase...................................................................................................................5-105
Left Right Reverse...............................................................................................5-105
Analog .................................................................................................................5-106
Digital Output ......................................................................................................5-106
Parameters, Units and Ranges.....................................................A-2
MP3/ACC
>48k
MP3/ACC
<48k
Appendix

page 1 – 1
VP-8IP / Sep 2013
GENERAL INFORMATION
General Information
Introduction....................................................................................1-2
Overview.........................................................................................1-4
Rack Mounting...............................................................................1-5
Installation Tips ..........................................................................................................1-5
Where to Install the VP-8iP.........................................................................................1-6
Analog STL.............................................................................................................1-6
Analog Phone Lines ...............................................................................................1-6
Digital STL ..............................................................................................................1-7
Energizing ......................................................................................1-7
I/O Connections.............................................................................1-8
Audio Inputs ...............................................................................................................1-8
Analog In .................................................................................................................1-8
AES In......................................................................................................................1-8
SCA In .....................................................................................................................1-9
Audio Outputs ............................................................................................................1-9
Analog Out ..............................................................................................................1-9
AES / baseband192 Out..........................................................................................1-9
TX Out .....................................................................................................................1-9
Headphones ...............................................................................................................1-9
Network Connection .................................................................................................1-10
Ethernet RJ-45 .......................................................................................................1-10
Typical Ethernet Cable ...........................................................................................1-10
Typical Crossover Cable.........................................................................................1-10
General Purpose Interface (GPI/GPO).......................................................................1-11
GPI..........................................................................................................................1-11
Example Schematic of General Purpose Inputs ....................................................1-12
User Presets...........................................................................................................1-13
GPO........................................................................................................................1-13
Analog XLR Connections Pinouts Drawing ...............................................................1-15
Digital XLR Connections Pinouts Drawing ................................................................1-16
BNC Connections Pinouts Drawing ..........................................................................1-17
Ethernet RJ-45/GPI DB-9 Pinouts Drawing .............................................................1-18
Chapter Contents

page 1 – 2
VP-8IP / Sep 2013
GENERAL INFORMATION
General Information
Introduction
The Wheatstone VP‑8iP takes a completely new approach to broadcast audio
processing through new and surgically accurate audio processing algorithms created
by Wheatstone’s Vorsis product design team. The result is far more audio processing
power as well as complete user control over that power.
Our new “Audio Processing Guru®” software is included with each VP‑8iP and
its six simple controls intuitively and intelligently adjust the over 200 controls that
are available in the full control “Pro” version of the GUI. No PhD in audio process-
ing is required when using the Guru – just move a few sliders until you achieve your
perfect sound.
Speaking of a Pro GUI version, we make a full control GUI available that is intended
for the audio processing experts. In that version there are no hidden controls and no
secret “back door” to hide things from the end user. Every control is available and
labeled for exactly what they do so prior experience with audio processing adjustment
is denitely recommended. Obtaining the full control Pro GUI is simple and it’s free.
Simply register for it at our website http://wheatstone-processing.com.
Regardless of which GUI version you choose to use, if you can think of the on-air
sound you want your station to have, the VP-8iP can create it for you. This extreme
exibility is made possible by our entirely new approach to the user interface and clever
new DSP audio processing algorithms. The VP-8iP has clarity, power, and accuracy
of sound not found in any other broadcast audio processor in its price range.
The VP-8iP can be remotely controlled from anywhere via a TCP/IP network
connection and Windows-based GUI (Graphical User Interface) software applications.
VP-8ip Digital Audio Processor
ORSIS
Ultra-HigH resolUtion Processing

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VP-8IP / Sep 2013
GENERAL INFORMATION
Wheatstone Corporation is a world-leader in broadcast audio equipment design
and manufacturing. Our products include audio consoles for the radio and television
industries, audio control surfaces and digital audio networks, and our award win-
ning digital audio processors.
Originally founded in 1975 as the Audioarts Company, Wheatstone is known
worldwide for broadcast audio equipment of the highest precision. Every facet of our
products from concept to customer support is accomplished at our state-of-the-art
facility in New Bern, North Carolina, USA. To ensure that Wheatstone products
always meet our extremely demanding quality standards we never rely on offshore
or contract manufacturing.
As audio professionals and audio perfectionists we believe that our cus-
tomers should have not only the right, but also the power, to shape their OWN
sound – one with a completely unique sonic signature that’s theirs, not the one created
by a processor manufacturer. To get there, it required our team to take a completely
fresh approach to audio processor design. To achieve that goal we developed Vorsis
Ultra-High Resolution Processing technology to provide a completely clean, high
quality “draw you in” sound that even the best ears in the business love to hear.
Wheatstone’s proven and award winning Vorsis Ultra-High Resolution Processing
technology is embedded in every audio processor we make, allowing you to create
the cleanest possible sound – as loud as you want it – if ultimate loudness and great
sound is your goal.
Wheatstone Corporate Headquarters
New Bern, North Carolina, USA

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VP-8IP / Sep 2013
GENERAL INFORMATION
Overview
The VP-8iP is the industry’s rst true multi-mode audio processor, having six
built-in operating modes for: FM, AM, FM-HD, AM-HD, MP3/AAC>48k, and
MP3/AAC<48k. In each mode, special processing algorithms designed by Vorsis
condition the audio appropriately for the selected transport medium.
Audio is rst preprocessed by a phase-linear four-band AGC, then by an eight
band limiter and nal limiter or clipper. The eight band and nal limiter section
operation is entirely different in each of the operating modes due to special signal
conditioning algorithms that have been specically designed and tuned for the
particular needs of the operating mode. Changing operating modes is as simple as
selecting a new mode from within the PC-based Windows Graphical User Interface;
no reboot of the unit is required.
Feature Highlights
- Selectable phase rotator for making voice energy more symmetrical.
- Adjustable input high-pass lter may operate in Stereo or M/S modes.
- Separate audio input gains for analog and digital inputs.
- Four band parametric EQ may be placed before or after multiband section.
- Four band linear phase crossover with adjustable crossover points.
- Exclusive Wheatstone Multiband Dynamics Processing.
- Precision eight-band multiband limiter.
- Specialized codec preconditioning tailored for each of the four CODEC modes.
- Advanced Distortion Masked Clipper for absolute FM and AM peak control.
- Reference-grade stereo encoder available in FM mode.
- Adjustable positive asymmetry, LF tilt correction, and dual transmitter outputs
in AM mode.
- 4.5kHz, 5kHz, 5.5kHz, 6kHz CCIR, and 6.5kHz, 7.5kHz, 10kHz NRSC
low-pass lters supported in AM mode.
At the heart of the VP-8iP is a specialized DSP farm containing both oating and
xed-point processors. Advanced signal routing capability allows restructuring of the
processing chain as desired and on-the-y. Condence monitoring via headphones
can be patched to any processing section at will. The exibility of the headphone
monitoring also allows a backup audio source that is attached to the VP-8iP but not
even on the air to be monitored!
The most salient feature of the VP-8iP is its eight band nal processing section,
which is completely recongured for each of the six possible operating modes. This
innovative design allows for far more exible peak control and audio tailoring for
each of the specialized six modes than the antiquated limiters having fewer bands
found in other audio processors on the market today.

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VP-8IP / Sep 2013
GENERAL INFORMATION
The eight-band limiters are equipped with fully adjustable thresholds and attack and
release times for each of the bands. Because the VP-8iP limiters operate with preci-
sion, time-aligned bandpass lters, its dynamic operation is nearly invisible to the ear.
The resulting on-air sound can be carefully tailored to create exactly that desired. The
eight bands of peak limiting utilized in the VP-8iP allows tuning exibility previously
unheard of in any broadcast audio processor. The eight-band limiter section is followed
by its own four-band parametric equalization stage that can be used to further ne tune
the sound of each signal path.
The FM signal path is equipped with an adjustable diversity delay of up to ten sec-
onds, corresponding to the requirements of the North American (iBiquity®) HD Radio
system. A reference-grade stereo encoder is also available in FM mode to provide the
highest possible quality on-air signal.
Rack Mounting
The VP-8iP is designed to t into an industry standard 19" equipment rack, and
requires one rack unit (1.75 inches) of vertical space. The VP-8iP has a depth of 14"
behind the rack rails (including chassis connectors). An additional ve inches of space
is required for wiring cables to pass through. The chassis has a width of 17-3/8". Space
needed in front of rack rails is 3/4". Ideally, four screws should be used to mount the
unit. If only two screws are being used they must be used in the bottom holes in order
to provide proper support.
The VP-8iP does not have top or bottom cover vent holes. Latent heat is vented
out of the enclosure by natural convection through slots in the top of the rear panel.
Cooler air is drawn into the unit through vertical slots positioned lower in the side
panels. There is no fan inside the VP-8iP because its power consumption is low enough
to not require one.
The VP-8iP may be mounted between other devices in the equipment rack and
in accordance with good engineering practice should not be mounted directly above
devices that generate signicant amounts of heat. If such a location is unavoidable
then it is advisable to utilize an extra 1RU blank rack panel between the VP-8iP and
devices immediately above and/or below it.
WARNING! Under no circumstances should the VP‑8ip unit be opened! The
unit contains high voltage circuits that are hazardous and potentially harmful.
The unit has no user‑serviceable parts inside! If you have a problem the unit must
be returned to Wheatstone Corporation for repair.
Installation Tips:
• Place any surge protection circuits as close as possible to the VP-8iP or other
device being protected.
• Establish a low impedance common ground in your facility and try to route all
grounds to that point.
• Choose the best power conditioning / UPS units that you can afford and suitable
for your equipment – focus on the features and options you need. The better UPS
products can prevent thousands of dollars in equipment damage – some even come
with an external equipment damage warranty.

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VP-8IP / Sep 2013
GENERAL INFORMATION
• Unbalanced audio connections to the VP-8iP should be made with shielded two
conductor cable such as Belden 8451 or 9451 as if connecting a balanced source.
At the unbalanced source’s output connect the + Output to the HI input wire and
connect the source GND wire to the LO wire. Connect the shield at the VP-8iP
end only.
• For digital audio connections always use a good quality digital audio cable with
a characteristic impedance of 110 ohms.
The AES/EBU specication, with its broad impedance tolerance, allows for cables with
impedances from 88 ohms to 132 ohms – 110 ohms is ideal. Twisted pair cable should be shielded,
and in the case of multi-pair cable, each pair should be individually shielded. Foil shielding is
recommended for permanent installations and foil shield plus overall braid should be used in
applications where frequent exing of the cable will occur. One cable pair is capable of carrying
two channels of digital audio.
Generic “audio” cable such as Belden 8451 may be used for interconnecting
AES3 digital audio devices but only for distances of less than about 25 feet. The
actual cable length that will work satisfactorily in an installation is primarily
determined by the error correction and jitter tolerance of the AES3 receiver
device and the cable used.
The impedance of most “analog” cables ranges from 40 ohms to 70 ohms and represents a large
impedance mismatch from the nominal 110 ohms required in the AES3 standard. Such mismatch
will result in signal reections causing bit errors at the AES3 receiver. The higher capacitance
of generic analog cables also slows down the rise time of the digital data signals, impairing the
ability of the AES3 receiver to accurately detect digital signal transitions. This may result in
increased jitter.
Where to Install the VP-8ip
The recommended location for the VP-8iP is at the transmitter site when it is in its
FM or AM processing mode. A transmitter site installation will always ensure a more
faithfully modulated signal on the air because there is better control of intervening
devices passing the peak-controlled output of the VP-8iP.
Additional notes regarding FM and AM mode when the unit cannot be installed at
the transmitter site:
Analog STL
Older analog STL’s can suffer from an inability to control high frequency audio
peaks because of inadequate bandwidth in their IF circuits, or inadequate low frequency
performance which will result in tilt. Also, some STL designs suffer from bounce in
their AFC loops when handling processed low frequency material, which can rob
modulation capability.
Analog Phone Lines:
We cannot recommend any form of discrete (left/right) analog “phone line” type
STL because of the inability of many service providers to guarantee at frequency
response and proper phase matching between circuits. Furthermore, in many countries
analog circuits such as these are being discontinued or the cost has been raised to
prohibitive points.

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VP-8IP / Sep 2013
GENERAL INFORMATION
Digital STL:
If using a Digital STL that employs audio compression, then it is highly recom-
mended that the VP-8iP be placed at the transmitter site. This is primarily because the
encoding schemes used in such STL’s will not accurately pass the well-dened peak
levels created by the VP-8iP.
The VP-8iP can be placed at the studio end of a compressed STL with at least two
caveats:
- You will not be able to use the composite clipper in the VP-8iP when it is operating
in FM mode. While most digital exciters offer a composite clipper function, they
are typically quite crude in their operation by comparison to what is inside the
VP-8iP and are never the optimum choice when sound quality is important.
- Compressed (data reduced) STL’s do not perform well when competitively pro-
cessed audio is presented to their inputs. This is primarily because when dense
audio is presented to these codecs they have fewer “opportunities” to remove
redundant audio information and mask that removal. Therefore, codec operation
may be much more obvious – potentially more so than what might occur with
the processing located after the codec where the masked artifacts are simply
unmasked by the increased “gain” due to processing.
Energizing
Assuming the VP-8iP Digital Audio Processor is correctly rackmounted, you may
now energize it. There is no power switch. The AC line input voltage is permitted to
be between 90 and 260 VAC, 50 or 60Hz. Power consumption is under 100VA.
Aggressive AC input ltering is utilized at the AC input of the VP-8iP; however it
is always advisable to use external surge protection and/or an uninterruptible power
supply (UPS), especially where AC power quality is questionable, such as at a remote
transmitter site.
Power conditioning, surge suppression, and even power backup devices are wise
investments when using sensitive modern electronic devices that use an internal
computer.
Use of a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is a good idea and will protect the
VP-8iP from short duration power interruptions which may cause it to reboot. During
boot up, audio is interrupted for approximately 20 seconds.