Whirlwind RS-232 Use and maintenance manual

WHIRLWIND
99 LING RD., ROCHESTER, NY 14612
www.whirlwindusa.com
1-800-733-9473
RS-232 And Telnet
Control Manual

Table of Contents
1
Overview
RS-232 Control
Telnet Control
ETP String Components:
Command
Device Number
Attribute
Instance ID Numbers
Index
Value
Responses
Control Dialog
Overview
Levels
Presets
Meters
HyperTerminal
IP Address Commands
Pgs 2 ~ 3
Pg 4
Pg 5
Pgs 6 & 7
Pg 8
Pgs 9 ~ 25
Pg 26
Pg 27
Pg 28
Pg 29
Pg 30
Pg 31
Pg 32
Pg 33
Pg 34
Pg 35

Overview
2
E Desk can be controlled via the control dialogs in the E Desk software, or via
third-party controllers using RS-232 or Telnet.
For control of E Desk, Whirlwind created ETP (E Desk Text Protocol). This
simply means that E Desk will accept strings of ASCII characters to control and
read settings of gain, mute, logic state, frequency, audio levels, and other
parameters of DSP Blocks in E Desk products.
ETP strings can be sent via third-party controllers using RS-232 (see page 4) or
Telnet via TCP/IP (see page 5). A line feed needs to be sent after each
command string sent.
The ETP string is structured in the following order: Command DeviceNumber
Attribute InstanceIDNumber Index1 Index2 Value <LF>
ETP strings require a space between each parameter; the last character in the
string needs to be a line feed <LF>.
For each control string a few components will need to be derived from the E
Desk software: Device Number, InstanceIDNumber, and Index. Command and
Attribute are derived from this document. In a SET command, Value is used to
specify what the DSP block attribute is to be set to. In an increment or
decrement (INC or DEC) commandValue is used to specify how much the DSP
block attribute is to be changed by.
**Note** E Desk software will assign an Instance ID to each DSP block on the
initial compile of the system. Subsequent compiles will not change the Instance
IDs unless the “Reassign Instance IDs” check box is selected in the ‘Compile’ tab
of the ‘Options’ screen (located on the Tools pull-down menu) in the E Desk
software.
Example: A string to control a fader might look like this:
SET 1 FDRLVL 2 1 9 <LF>. The individual components for this string are:
Command Device
Number Attribute Instance
ID
Number
Index1 Index2 Value Line
feed
SET 1FDRLVL 219<LF>
Notice that Index2 is not used since there is nothing entered in this parameter.

Overview
3
Example: A string to mute a standard mixer output might look like this:
SET 3 SMMUTEOUT 5 5 1 <LF> The individual components for this string are:
Command Device
Number Attribute Instance
ID
Number Index1 Index2 Value Line
feed
SET 3SMMUTEOUT 551<LF>
Notice that Index1 is not used since there is nothing entered in this parameter.
Example: A string to turn up a cross point on a matrix mixer might look like this:
INC 2 MMLVLXP 4 3 2 1 <LF> The individual components for this string are:
Command Device
Number Attribute Instance
ID
Number Index1 Index2 Value Line
feed
INC 2MMLVLXP 4321<LF>
In this example Index1 and Index2 are both used, together they specify which
cross point is to be changed.

RS-232 Control
4
The RS-232 port on the back of an E Desk unit is set to a default baud rate of
38400, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and no flow control. (38400:8:None:1). If
multiple E Desks are connected together in a system then only one RS-232 port
needs to be connected to a third-party control system; communication data is
shared via Ethernet through a switch.
When controlling multiple E Desk units that are not part of the same DAP file,
each E Desk unit will need to be addressed via its own RS-232 port from a
control system or PC. E Desk units cannot be linked together via RS-232, like
some other WHIRLWIND Advantage products can.
(The RS-232 baud rate can be set to 9600, 19200, or 38400–default is 38400)
A straight through PC Serial Cable is used to communicate from an RS-232 port
on a third-party controller (or PC*) to the RS-232 port located on the back of an E
Desk unit.
(* A PC can be used with a terminal emulator program, such as HyperTerminal
etc, to send/receive ETP Strings…E Desk software must be connected via
Ethernet in order to communicate.)

Telnet Control
5
E Desk can be controlled using Telnet via TCP/IP. The same command strings
that are used for RS-232 Control are used for Telnet.
When controlling multiple E Desks that are not a part of the same DAP file, each
E Desk device will need to be addressed via its own Telnet session from a
control system or PC.

ETP String Component: Command
6
SET –Tells E Desk that a DSP attribute is to be set to a specific value–may
contain negative numbers and/or decimal points
GET -Tells E Desk that a DSP attribute is to be read–Response may contain a
decimal point and/or a negative number.
INC -Tells E Desk that a DSP attribute is to be incremented by a specific amount
DEC-Tells E Desk that a DSP attribute is to be decremented by a specific
amount
RECALL –Tells E Desk that a preset is to be recalled.
SETL and GETL can be used if negative numbers and/or decimals are not
supported by a control system.
SETL –Tells E Desk that a DSP attribute is to be set to a specific value, no
decimal places or negative numbers –To convert a dB number: add 100 to the
desired level and then multiply by 10.
Example: To set a level to –60.5dB, add 100 (-60.5 +100 = 39.5). Then
multiply by 10 (39.5 X 10 = 395). Instead of Value being–60.5, Value
after this SETL command will equal 395.
GETL -Tells E Desk that a DSP attribute is to be read without negative numbers
or decimals. To convert this number to dB: divide the number by 10, then
subtract 100.
Example: With a returned GETL response of 405, divide by 10 (405 / 10 =
40.5), and then subtract 100 (40.5 –100 = -59.5dB)
For your reference, the SETL/GETL Table on the following page shows .5dB
increments converted into the SETL/GETL format.
Some Attributes do not support all commands. TheAttribute section defines
which commands support SET/SETL, GET/GETL, INC, or DEC functions.
RECALL is only used on preset commands.
*When GET or GETL is used, aValue will not need to be specified since
GET/GETL is a request command. A Value must be specified in order for strings
with SET/SETL, INC, DEC, and RECALL to work.

ETP String Component: Command
7
Level Value Level Value Level Value Level Value Level Value
12 1120 -10.5 895 -33 670 -55.5 445 -78 220
11.5 1115 -11 890 -33.5 665 -56 440 -79.5 215
11 1110 -11.5 885 -34 660 -56.5 435 -79 210
10.5 1105 -12 880 -34.5 655 -57 430 -79.5 205
10 1100 -12.5 875 -35 650 -57.5 425 -80 200
9.5 1095 -13 870 -35.5 645 -58 420 -80.5 195
91090 -13.5 865 -36 640 -58.5 415 -81 190
8.5 1085 -14 860 -36.5 635 -59 410 -81.5 185
81080 -14.5 855 -37 630 -59.5 405 -82.5 175
7.5 1075 -15 850 -37.5 625 -60 400 -83 170
71070 -15.5 845 -38 620 -60.5 395 -83.5 165
6.5 1065 -16 840 -38.5 615 -61 390 -84 160
61060 -16.5 835 -39 610 -61.5 385 -84.5 155
5.5 1055 -17 830 -39.5 605 -62 380 -85 150
51050 -17.5 825 -40 600 -62.5 375 -85.5 145
4.5 1045 -18 820 -40.5 595 -63 370 -86 140
41040 -18.5 815 -41 590 -63.5 365 -86.5 135
3.5 1035 -19 810 -41.5 585 -64 360 -87 130
31030 -19.5 805 -42 580 -64.5 355 -87.5 125
2.5 1025 -20 800 -42.5 575 -65 350 -88 120
21020 -20.5 795 -43 570 -65.5 345 -88.5 115
1.5 1015 -21 790 -43.5 565 -66 340 -89 110
11010 -21.5 785 -44 560 -66.5 335 -89.5 105
.5 1005 -22 780 -44.5 555 -67 330 -90 100
01000 -22.5 775 -45 550 -67.5 325 -90.5 95
-.5 995 -23 770 -45.5 545 -68 320 -91 90
-1990 -23.5 765 -46 540 -68.5 315 -91.5 85
-1.5 985 -24 760 -46.5 535 -69 310 -92 80
-2980 -24.5 755 -47 530 -69.5 305 -92.5 75
-2.5 975 -25 750 -47.5 425 -70 300 -93 70
-3970 -25.5 745 -48 520 -70.5 295 -93.5 65
-3.5 965 -26 740 -48.5 515 -71 290 -94 60
-4960 -26.5 735 -49 510 -71.5 285 -94.5 55
-4.5 955 -27 730 -49.5 505 -72 280 -95 50
-5950 -27.5 725 -50 500 -72.5 275 -95.5 45
-5.5 945 -28 720 -50.5 495 -73 270 -96 40
-6940 -28.5 715 -51 490 -73.5 265 -96.5 35
-6.5 935 -29 710 -51.5 485 -74 260 -97 30
-7930 -2.5 705 -52 480 -74.5 255 -97.5 25
-7.5 925 -30 700 -52.5 475 -75 250 -98 20
-8920 -30.5 695 -53 470 -75.5 245 -98.5 15
-8.5 915 -31 690 -53.5 465 -76 240 -99 10
-9910 -31.5 685 -54 460 -76.5 235 -99.5 5
-9.5 905 -32 680 -54.5 455 -77 230 -100 0
-10 900 -32.5 675 -55 450 -77.5 225
Table of SETL and GETL levels converted from integers.

ETP String Component: Device Number
8
An E Desk Device Number represents the physical E Desk box’s defined
address. The E Desk software automatically sets this number when a system is
Compiled and loaded.
The Device number that a DSP block has been assigned to can be determined in
3 ways:
First Way:
1) Right click on the DSP block and select ‘Properties’.
2) Click on DSP 1 attributes tab and scroll down. The device that the block is assigned to
will be displayed in the ‘Allocated To Unit’ field.
*Note: Each DSP block can be assigned to a device by changing ‘Fixed In to Unit” to ‘Yes’
(this is defaulted to no).
Second Way:
1) In the Display tab of the Options screen select “Display Device Assignment in
DSP Block info field”.
2) This will display the device that each DSP block is assigned to on the main
screen.
Third Way:
1) While connected an E Desk’s RS-232 port, type the string; GET 0 DEVID E
Desk will return the Device Number of the unit you are connected to.
DSP block
without Device
number
DSP block with
Device number

ETP String Component: Attribute
9
The Attribute defines the portion of the DSP block to be controlled (fader level,
crosspoint mute etc). The following tables show whether each ETP Attribute supports
SET/SETL, GET/GETL, INC, and DECCommands, as well as the Value range that the
Attribute will accept. Index1/Index2 determines whether Index1, Index2 or BOTH are
needed for a ETP String to be complete.
ETP Strings can address:
Input/Output Blocks
Mixer Blocks
Equalizer Blocks
Filter Blocks
Crossover Blocks
Dynamic Blocks
Routers
Delays
Meters
Generators

ETP String Component: Attribute
10
Input/Output Blocks
Analog
Inputs Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Input Gain MICGAIN YYYIndex1 0, 6, 12, 18,
24, 30, 36, 42,
48, 54, 60, 66
Input Level INPLVL YYYIndex1 -100 ~ 12 *
Phantom
Power PHPWR YYNIndex1 0 = off 1= on
Input Mute INPMUTE YYNIndex1 0=unmuted
1=muted
Invert
Polarity INPINVRT YYNIndex1 0=normal 1=inverted
* Can contain a decimal number.
Example: In the command: SET 1 INPLVL 6 3–10<LF>
We are telling E Desk device 1 to set an input fader, Instance ID 6, input 3 (index1), to
–10dB. (We set channel 3 input level of instance 6 to–10dB)
Analog
Outputs Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Output
Level OUTLVL YYYIndex2 -100 ~ 0 *
Output Mute OUTMUTE YYNIndex2 0=unmuted
1=muted
Invert
Polarity OUTINVRT YYNIndex2 0=normal 1=inverted
Mic level
pad (FLEX
only)
OUTPAD YYNIndex2 0 = off
1= on
* Can contain a decimal number.
Example: In the command: SET 2 OUTMUTE 3 4 1<LF>
We are telling E Desk device 2 to set the output mute Instance ID 3, output 4 (index1) to
on. (We muted the 4th output of Instance ID 3 of an E Desk)
CobraNet
Input Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
CobraNet
RX bundle CNINBNDL YYNNone 0 ~ 61439
CobraNet
Input Level CNINLVL YYYIndex1 -100 ~ 12 *
CobraNet
Input Mute CNINMUTE YYNIndex1 0=unmuted 1=muted
CobraNet
Input Invert CNININVRT YYNIndex1 0 = off 1= on
•Can contain a decimal number.

ETP String Component: Attribute
11
CobraNet
Output Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
CobraNet
TX Bundle CNOUTBNDL YYNNone 0 ~ 61439
CobraNet
Output
Level
CNOUTLVL YYYIndex1 -100 ~ 0 *
CobraNet
Output Mute
CNOUTMUTE YYNIndex1 0=unmuted
1=muted
CobraNet
Output
Invert
CNOUTINVRT YYNIndex1 0 = off
1= on
•Can contain a decimal number.
.
DCS88Input Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
DCS88 RX
Bundle EXPIBNDL YYNNone 0 ~ 61439
DCS88 Input
Level EXPILVL YYYIndex1 -100 ~ 12 *
DCS88 Input
Mute EXPIMUTE YYNIndex1 0=unmuted 1=muted
DCS88 Input
invert EXPIINVRT YYNIndex1 0 = off 1= on
•Can contain a decimal number.
DCS88
Ouput Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
DCS88 TX
Bundle EXPOBNDL YYNNone 0 ~ 61439
DCS88
Output
Level
EXPOLVL YYYIndex1 -100 ~ 0 *
DCS88
Output Mute
EXPOMUTE YYNIndex1 0=unmuted
1=muted
DCS88
Output
invert
EXPOINVRT YYNIndex1 0 = off
1= on
•Can contain a decimal number

ETP String Component: Attribute
12
MLI Input Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
MLI RX
Bundle EXPIBNDL YYNNone 0 ~ 61439
MLI Input
Level EXPILVL YYYIndex1 -100 ~ 12 *
MLI Input
Mute EXPIMUTE YYNIndex1 0=unmuted 1=muted
MLI Input
invert EXPIINVRT YYNIndex1 0 = off 1= on
•Can contain a decimal number.
MLO Output Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
MLO TX
Bundle EXPOBNDL YYNNone 0 ~ 61439
MLO Output
Level EXPOLVL YYYIndex1 -100 ~ 0 *
MLO Output
Mute EXPOMUTE YYNIndex1 0=unmuted 1=muted
MLO Output
invert EXPOINVRT YYNIndex1 0 = off 1= on
•Can contain a decimal number.

ETP String Component: Attribute
13
Mixer Blocks
Automixer Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Input Level AMLVLIN YYYIndex1 -100 ~ 12 *
Output
Level AMLVLOUT YYYNone -100 ~ 12 *
Input Mute AMMUTEIN YYNIndex1 0=unmuted
1=muted
Output Mute AMMUTEOUT YYNNone 0=unmuted
1=muted
Crosspoint
Mute AMMUTEXP YYNIndex1 1=unmuted 0=muted
Logic
Output AMLOGOUT YYNIndex 2 0=off 1=on
* Can contain a decimal number.
Example: In the command: SET 1 AMMUTEXP 3 1 0<LF>
We are telling E Desk device 1 to set the automixer’s crosspoint (row 1, column 1) on
instance ID 3 to off.
Note: For attributes with 2 Index fields, Index1 is the row, andIndex2 is the column.
Matrix
Mixer Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Input Level MMLVLIN YYYIndex1 -100 ~ 12 *
Output
Level MMLVLOUT YYYIndex2 -100 ~ 12 *
Input Mute MMMUTEIN YYNIndex1 0=unmuted
1=muted
Output Mute MMMUTEOUT YYNIndex2 0=unmuted
1=muted
Crosspoint
Level MMLVLXP YYYIndex1 & Index2 -100 ~ 0 *
Crosspoint
Mute MMMUTEXP YYNIndex1 & Index2 1=unmuted 0=muted
* Can contain a decimal number.
Note: For attributes with 2 Index fields, Index1 is the row, andIndex2 is the column.

ETP String Component: Attribute
14
Standard
Mixer Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Input Level SMLVLIN YYYIndex1 -100 ~ 12 *
Output
Level SMLVLOUT YYYIndex2 -100 ~ 12 *
Input Mute SMMUTEIN YYNIndex1 0=unmuted
1=muted
Output Mute SMMUTEOUT YYNIndex2 0=unmuted
1=muted
Crosspoint
Mute SMMUTEXP YYNIndex1 & Index2 1=unmuted 0=muted
* Can contain a decimal number.
Note: For attributes with 2 Index fields, Index1 is the row, andIndex2 is the column.
Room
Combiner Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Wall State RMCMBWALL YYNIndex1 0 = down
1 = up
Output
Level RMCMBLVL YYYIndex1 -100 ~ 12 *
Output Mute RMCMBMUTE YYNIndex1 0=unmuted
1=muted
Group
State+ RMCMBGROUP
YYNIndex1 0-16
* Can contain a decimal number.
Example: In the string SET 1RMCMBWALL 4 2 1 <LF>
We are telling E Desk to set the 2nd ‘wall’ in the room combiner, InstanceID 4, up
(separate rooms).
Note: For wall state, Index1 represents the wall being opened or closed.
+Note: The behavior of RMCMBGROUP is the same as that of the "Set Selected Group"
commands in the right-click-context menus in the Room Combiner control dialogue in the E
Desk Software: the specified room is isolated, meaning all moveable walls at its borders are put
up. All neighboring rooms maintain their previous group assignments. Index1 represents the
room being addressed. As rooms are combined the room levels will become ganged so only
one output needs to be addressed.

ETP String Component: Attribute
15
Mix-minus
Combiner Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Group State MCMBGROUP YYNBoth 0 = not
grouped
1 = grouped
Note: Index1 is the input number being addressed. Index2 is the group number; this is
represented by a letter in the software, but addressed as a number in ETP commands.
(Example: A=1, B=2, C=3….)

ETP String Component: Attribute
16
Equalizer Blocks
Graphic EQ Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2Value Range
EQ Band
Level GEQLVLBND YYYIndex1 -30 ~ 15 *
Bypass All
Bands GEQBYPALL YYNNone 0 = active 1 = bypassed
Can contain a decimal number.
The Index field represents the filter to be controlled. EQ filter farthest to the left is #1,
next one is #2 and so forth. Upper left hand area of Graphic EQ dialog screen displays,
which numbered filter, is being adjusted, use this number as the Index1 for Graphic EQ
strings.
Example: In the string SET 2 GEQBYPALL 9 1 <LF>
We are telling E Desk to bypass all bands on Graphic EQ Instance ID 9.
Parametric
EQ Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
EQ
Bandwidth PEQBWBND YYNIndex1 0.01 ~ 4.0 *
Bypass EQ
Band PEQBYPBND YYNIndex1 0 = active 1 = bypassed
Center Freq. PEQFCBND YYYIndex1 20 ~ 20000
EQ Band
Level PEQLVLBND YYYIndex1 -30 ~ 15 *
Bypass All
Bands PEQBYPALL YYNNone 0 = active 1 = bypassed
•Can contain a decimal number.
Upper left hand area of Parametric EQ dialog screen displays, which numbered filter, is
being adjusted, use this number as the Index1 for Parametric EQ strings.
Example: In the string INC 1 PEQLVLBND 11 3 2<LF>
We are telling E Desk to increment the second parametric EQ filter on Instance ID 11 by
2dB.
Feedback
Suppressor Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Reset All
Filters FBSRESET YNNNone None
Example: In the string SET 1 FBSRESET 4<LF>
We are telling E Desk to reset all of the filters on the feedback suppressor on Instance
ID 4.

ETP String Component: Attribute
17
Filters Blocks
HPF Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Cut off
freq. HPFLTFC YYNNone 20 ~ 20000 *
Filter
Bypass HPFLTBYP YYNNone 0 = active 1= bypassed
LPF Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Cut off
freq. LPFLTFC YYNNone 20 ~ 20000 *
Filter
Bypass LPFLTBYP YYNNone 0 = active 1 = bypassed
High
Shelf Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Cut off
freq. HSFLTFC YYNNone 20.0 ~ 20000 *
GainHSFLTGAIN YYYNone -27.0 ~ 9.0
Filter
Bypass HSFLTBYP YYNNone 0 = active 1 = bypassed
Low
Shelf Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Cut off
freq. LSFLTFC YYNNone 20.0 ~ 20000 *
Gain LSFLTGAIN YYYNone -27 ~ 9
Filter
Bypass LSFLTBYP YYNNone 0 = active 1 = bypassed
* Can contain a decimal number.
Example: SET 1 HSFTGAIN 100–10<LF>
We are telling E Desk to set the High Shelf filter gain on instance ID 100 to–10dB.
All Pass
Filter Attribute SET /
SETLGET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Bandwidth APFLTBWBND YYNBand
Number 0.01 ~ 4.0 *
Center
Freq. APFLTFCBND YYNBand Number 20.0 ~ 20000 *
Filter
Bypass APFLTBYPBND YYNBand Number 0 = active 1 = bypassed
Bypass
All APFLTBYPALL YYNNone 0 = active 1 = bypassed
* Can contain a decimal number.

ETP String Component: Attribute
18
Crossover blocks
2-Way Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Cutoff
Freq. XOVR2FC YYNIndex1 20 ~ 20000 *
3-Way Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Cutoff
Freq. XOVR3FC YYNIndex1 20 ~ 20000 *
4-Way Attribute SET /
SETL GET / GETL INC /
DEC Index1/ Index2 Value Range
Cutoff
Freq. XOVR4FC YYNIndex1 20 ~ 20000 *
* Can contain a decimal number.
Example: GET 2 XOVR3FC 40 1 <LF>
We are asking E Desk to tell us the 3-way crossover low-pass cutoff frequency on
instance ID 40.
2-way crossover:
Index1 = 1 is the low-pass cutoff frequency
Index1 = 2 is the high-pass cutoff frequency
3-Way crossover:
Index1 = 1 is low-pass cutoff frequency
Index1 = 2 is the lower slope of the mid cutoff frequency
Index1 = 3 is the higher slope of the mid cutoff frequency
Index1 = 4 is the high-pass cutoff frequency
4-way crossover:
Index1 = 1 is the low-pass cutoff frequency
Index1 = 2 is the lower slope of the low-mid cutoff frequency
Index1 = 3 is the higher slope of the low-mid cutoff frequency
Index1 = 4 is the lower slope of the mid-high cutoff frequency
Index1 = 5 is the higher slope of the mid-high cutoff frequency
Index1 = 6 is the high-pass cutoff frequency