Wheatstone D-12 Quick start guide

D-12 / D-16 / D-32
Digital Control Surfaces
TECHNICAL GUIDE
600 Industrial Drive, New Bern, North Carolina, USA 28562

Introduction
The Wheatstone D-12, D-16, & D-32 are a family of digital television audio control surfaces that are
compact (64 channels in 50 inches) and fully loaded with all the functions and control capability needed by
most television broadcast facilities: 5.1 digital surround plus three stereo masters, a host of mix-minus clean
feed outputs, individual channel bus-minus outputs, 7-band digital equalization, digital dynamic processing,
and integrated routing that can access literally thousands of sources and feed thousands of destinations. In
addition it can be ordered with paging, allowing you to get 48channels worth of mixing in a 24channel
footprint. The D-12 gives your operators the added convenience of eight stereo subgroups, eight stereo
auxiliary busses, four additional DCM/MUTE busses, and a full event/memory front panel storage and recall
system that doesn’t require an external computer to operate. The D-16 doubles the stereo auxiliary sends to
16, perfect for those variety shows requiring multiple foldback feeds as well as effects sends. The D-32
doubles the mix-minus busses to 16 in addition to the 16 auxiliary sends. Between the 16 mix-minus busses
and direct mix-minus feed from every input channel, there are no limitations for IFB. And because it’s a live
television console, it has extensive communication capability. If there is a mix, you can talk to it. It even has
twelve programmable talkback buttons.
Designed to integrate flawlessly with the Wheatstone BRIDGE digital audio network router, the D-12, D-16,
& D-32 control surfaces allow you to easily create large or small platform-based systems that are
exceptionally user-friendly and flexible. Wheatstone BRIDGE network cages house all I/O ports and engine
cards, and may be wired in tandem within a single equipment room or interconnected to separate remote
locations by means of fiber-optic or CAT-5 cables to provide single wire studio integration schemes.
Once configured, the system operates entirely independently of external computers. Configuration itself is
intuitive and carried out onsite by means of user-friendly graphic interfaces provided by Wheatstone desktop
software. The system also takes full advantage of Wheatstone’s exclusive VDip configuration software, so
that studio functions (like mutes, fader and timer starts, tally, etc.) are easily accomplished right at your
desktop. Once completed, all settings are retained in non-volatile storage, allowing the entire system to run
independently. Ethernet protocol is built in, providing interface with automation, scheduling, and hardware
controllers as you require.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Page 2

GENERAL INFORMATION
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D-12 / July 2006
Control Surface Placement
53.3400
31.2024
D-12 32 INPUT FRAME
1.000 1.000
31.2024
83.6400
D-12 52 INPUT FRAME
1.000 1.000
26.8251
32.6080
7.5281
2.4911
0.9000
3.2410
32 INPUT FRAME - 27.5" x 50.75"
52 INPUT FRAME - 27.5" x 82.00"
CUTOUT DIMENSIONS
The D-12, D-16, & D-32 digital audio control surfaces are designed for simple drop-in installation
in a countertop. Mainframes are available in a variety of sizes, from the compact 32-position up to
the larger 52-position frames shown below. Cutout dimentions (in inches) are shown in the
drawings below for two of the available frame sizes.
Please consult with Wheatstone Sales for other mainframe sizes and dimensional details.

INPUT PANEL
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D-12 / July 2006
Input Panel (IS-D12)
Controls and Functions
Each input panel of the D-12 digital audio control
surface has four identical strips representing four input
channels.
ProgrammableSection
Each input has a programmable encoder, 8 character
display, and switch. The user may map any centrally
located function included in the function “list” to this
rotary knob/display/switch. The function mapped to the
Programmable section is mirrored in the central section
when the input SET button is pressed.
A list of available functions (see table on the page
2-8) is accessed by pressing and holding the Program-
mableEncoderfor3seconds.After3sec,theuserscrolls
throughtheavailablefunctionsuntilthedesiredfunction
isdisplayed,andselectsitbypressingtheProgrammable
switch. The Programmable switch will light if the dis-
played function is already assigned to the channel, or
otherwisewillflash.Tochangetoanewfunction,repeat
the process.
Programming Example: Setting up a Gain control
knob with Phantom Power switch.
1 - Press an input fader SET button.
2-Press andHOLDtheprogrammableencoderfor3
sec.3 - Rotate the encoder through the list until GAIN is
displayed.
4 - Press the Programmable switch.
5 - The current gain setting in dB is displayed.
Rotating the programmable encoder adjusts line or mic
gain depending on the input source. Pressing the pro-
grammable switch turns on/off phantom power if the
source is a mic; otherwise the switch is inactive.

INPUT PANEL
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D-12 / July 2006
StandaloneSwitches
The following switches directly access certain input functions.
DYN-activatesdynamicssettingsstoredfortheinputstrip.Usethe
SET switch on the strip to access the centralized DYN controls on the
EQD-D12 panel.
EQ - activates equalizer settings stored for the input strip. Use the
SET switch on the strip to access the centralized EQ controls on the
EQD-D12 panel.
SET - press an input’s SET switch to access centralized controls
associated with the input channel strip. Central controls include
PAN/BAL, MODE, EQ, Dynamics, Source Select and IFB output
Routing, Delay, Phase Reverse, and Source Gain.
PAGE - Press PAGE to access the second layer of a channel strip
(essentially another full input channel). Each layer is totally indepen-
dent.
ON - turns the input channel ON. All Bus assignments mapped as
POST ON feeds will receive audio from the input channel. Certain
logic signals may be mapped.
PFL - puts the input channel’s signal into the PFL (CUE) mix pre-
fader/pre-on, and post gain, EQ, and DYN.
AFL - puts the input channel’s post fader/post ON signal into the
AFL mix.
NOTE:IfbothAFLandPFLareon,theyaresummedbydefaultto
the PFL output. This summing option can be defeated if desired in the
OPTIONS text file (see sample file in Appendix 2).
IFB (Interruptible Fold-back)
There is one common IFB bus. Users add any or all input channels
tothe bus via theINswitchoneach individual channel. Thechannel’s
IFB encoder adjusts the level of that particular channel’s IFB output
(designated here in as IFBx to indicate the IFB output of channel x).
The IFBx signal may be routed to any physical audio output on the
router by pressing the input channel’s SET switch, then using the
DestinationrouterontheXYE-D12panel.AFLandTBswitchesallow
the surface operator to monitor and interrupt the IFB, respectively.
IN - puts the input channel post fader/post ON audio onto the IFB
bus.
IFB encoder – adjusts the output level of the IFBx feed.
TB - momentary switch interrupts the IFB feed with Talkback
audio. Talkback audio may be any source on the router that is cross-
connected to the D-12’s TB input.
AFL - puts the IFBx audio into the AFL/SOLO/PFL mix.

INPUT PANEL
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D-12 / July 2006
Source Selection
This section allows the user to select any source visible to its
X controller. A Preset memory location stores a single source signal for
recallviathePRESETswitch.TheREVERTswitchcausesthepreviously
selectedinput to berecalled.Sourcesmaybe takenatanytimeregard-
less of the input fader ON status.
SOURCE - this encoder (X controller) scrolls through the available
sources. The source list may be limited through the D-12 Visibility –
X Controller settings in the XPoint GUI.
TAKE - press this switch to assign the source displayed in the lower
source window to this input channel strip.
REVERT - press this switch to go back to the previously selected
source. Acts as an A/B source selector that toggles between the PRESET
and the selected source.
PRESET - used to store a source in PRESET memory. Spin the
SOURCESencoderuntilthedesiredsourceisdisplayedintheCURRENT
PAGE display. Then PRESS and HOLD the PRESET switch until the
PRESETbuttongoesoffandtheCURRENTPAGEdisplay reverts to the
actualcurrentsource.ThePRESETsourcenameisshownonthechannel’s
LCD display.
ALTERNATE PAGE Display - top display shows the source for the
alternate page (see discussion of PAGE button on page 2-3)
CURRENT PAGE Display - lower display shows the channel strip’s
active source.

INPUT PANEL
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D-12 / July 2006
VU and Gain Reduction Metering
Eachinput fader hastwoindependent9-segment LED verticalcolumns
to provide input signal metering. The top column handles pre-fader post/
gaincontrol signal presenceVU metering.Thelower column handles Gain
Reduction as determined by the dynamics settings for the input channel
strip, and follows the state of the channel’s DYN switch.
Motorized Fader
Thefadercontrolsthechannelstrip’ssignalleveltoallpostfaderbusses.
The nominal unity gain level is at the -12dB mark on the scale. Note that
EVENT recall includes the fader setting.
NOTE that input channels configured for 5.1 sources have fader knobs
engraved with “5.1”.
Bus Assign LED’s
Each input strip has four sets of LED indicators which display the state
of the channels bus assignments. An illuminated LED indicates:
GROUPS – shows which Groups the input is assigned to: 1 through 8.
MSTR – shows which Masters the input is assigned to; 5.1, S1, S2, and
S3.DCA– shows whichDCAmastersthe input isassignedto: A, B, C,and
D.Iflit,the DCAassignLED(s)willflashiftheDCAmasteristurnedOFF
oriftheDCAmasterfaderreachesathresholdsettingofapproximately-60.
MXM–showswhichMXMtheinputissubtractedfrom.AnXpointGUI
setting, MXM POLARITY, forces the MXM LED logic to flip. In the
flippedstate,litMXMassignLED’smeanthatthechannelisADDEDtothe
MXM mix.
Channel assignments to these busses are made by first pressing the
channel SET button and then pressing the appropriate ASSIGN button on
the MXM-D12 panel.

INPUT PANEL
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D-12 / July 2006
LCD Displays
Channel Status
Theselectedinputchannel status information shows onone of theLCD
displays in the control surface meterbridge. The display show input level,
selectedsource,channelnumber, preset source, channel status,gain reduc-
tion, and other information.
Input Level
The pre-fader level of the input signal is shown on a different LCD
display by a large vertical bargraph. The level is indicated in dB on a
calibrated scale beside the bargraph. If the channel is stereo, the bargraph
shows the sum of the left and right signals. The bargraph is colored, with
green indicating lower levels and red indicating high levels. The nominal
level position is in the middle of the range at the “0” scale marking, and
shows as a thin blue band in the bargraph. The bargraph itself consists of a
moving “DOT” over a solid “COLUMN” where the “DOT” indicates the
peak value of the signal, and the “COLUMN” indicates the average value.
Channel
Status
EQ Status
Indicator
Dynamics Status Indicator
Gain Reduction
Bargraph
OVER
(Clipping)
Nominal
Level
Channel
Number
Input Level
Bargraph

INPUT PANEL
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D-12 / July 2006
On the D-12 control surface the average value column has been set to VU
timing characteristics. In addition, a bright yellow rectangle will light at
the top of the column if digital “OVER” or clipping is detected.
Nominal Level 0dB = +4dBu analog and -20dBFS digital.
Selected Source
ThecurrentlyselectedsourcenameshowsontheChannelStatusLCD
display underneath the channel description. This name is the 8-character
name as defined in the Wheatstone Bridge Router configuration.
Preset Source
Thecurrently loaded preset source nameshowsontheChannel Status
LCD display underneath the AUX SEND information. Once again, this
8-character name is as defined in the Wheatstone Bridge Router.
Channel Status
VariousindicatorsontheChannelStatusLCDdisplaywillshowstatus
information for the associated channel. Above the level bargraph the
words “ON”, “OFF”, “ON AIR”, or “MUTING” will appear as the
channel status changes. “MUTING” indicates that the channel is turned
ONandhasamuteset.“ONAIR”indicatesthatthechannelisONandthe
fader is up. The letters “EQ” will show in the Input Level display if
equalizer functions are active for the channel, and “GR” will appear if
signal dynamics functions (compression, limiting) are engaged.
Channel Number
A large white number shows under the GR meter on the Input Level
display to indicate the channel number.

INPUT PANEL
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D-12 / July 2006
Available Functions Table
Name
Function Encoder Dobby Switch ON/OFF Display
GAIN Phantom PowerGain Control Gain in dB units
DELAY mS IN/OUTDelay Control Delay in mS units
DELAY Fr IN/OUTDelay Control Delay in frames
Blend / CenteredCross-Fader BLEND IN or BLENDOFFCenter
WIDTH IN/OUTWidth Control Stereo WidthCenter
MODE MODE SelectPAN/BAL Selected MODECenter
AUX1 (to 8) IN/OUTSend Level AUX x
HPF IN/OUTHPF Freq HPF Frequency
NOTCH IN/OUTNotch Freq Notch Frequency
LPF IN/OUTLPF Freq LPF Frequency
LOW F SHELFLow Band Freq Low Band Frequency
LOW Q SHELFLow Band BW Low Band Q or SHELF
LOW L SHELFLow Band +/- Low Band Level
LOMID F Low Mid Band Freq Low Mid Band Frequency
LOWMID Q Low Mid Band BW Low Mid Band Q
BLEND
UNASSIGN UNASSIGN
LOWMID L Low Mid Band +/- Low Mid Band Level
HIMID F High Mid Band Freq High Mid Band Frequency
HIMID Q High Mid Band BW High Mid Band Q
HIMID L High Mid Band +/- High Mid Band Level
HIGH F High Band Freq High Band Frequency
HIGH Q High Band BW High Band Q or SHELF
HIGH L High Band +/- High Band Level
LIM TRSH Limiter THRESH Limiter Threshold
LIM RAT Limiter RATIO Limiter Ratio
LIM ATCK Limiter ATTACK Limiter Attack
LIM REL Limiter RELEASE Limiter Release
LIM GAIN Limiter MAKEUP GAIN Limiter Makeup Gain
GT TRSH Gate THRESH Gate Threshold
GT OPEN Gate OPEN Gate Open
SHELF
SHELF
SHELF
GT HOLD Gate HOLD Gate Hold
GT DPTH Gate DEPTH Gate Depth
TRIM LFE 5.1 LFE Trim 5.1 LFE Trim
TRIM LF 5.1 LT FRONT Trim 5.1 LT FRONT Trim
TRIM CTR 5.1 CENTER Trim 5.1 CENTER Trim
TRIM RF 5.1 RT FRONT Trim 5.1 RT FRONT Trim
TRIM LR 5.1 LT REAR Trim 5.1 LT REAR Trim
TRIM RR 5.1 RT REAR Trim 5.1 RT REAR Trim
LFE LVL 5.1 LFE Level 5.1 LFE Level
LEFT/RGT 5.1 LT/RT 5.1 LT/RT
FNT/REAR 5.1 FRONT/REAR 5.1 FRONT/REAR
SRND/CTR 5.1 SURROUND/CENTER 5.1 SURROUND/CENTER