Command Set Document

AudioBox USER'S MANUAL

Model AB1616

"USJ" version

updated 12 December 2002

Contents

Operation

The AudioBox model AB1616 Disk Playback Matrix Mixer is a sophisticated multi-channel dynamic audio controller. The 16-channel fully digital matrix provides flexible live and preprogrammed control of audio gain, delay and equalization. The 16-channel disk drive playback unit integrates CD-quality prerecorded sound into the matrix mixer, for precise control.

Operation of the AudioBox is straightforward. The unit is designed for mounting in a standard 19" rack, requiring a two "U" rack space. All connections are made at the back panel of the unit. The AudioBox will operate reliably under conditions normal for audio equipment: temperature no more than about 20 degrees centigrade above or below room temperature, not exposed to rain or excessive moisture, etc.

The AudioBox Model AB1616 "USJ" version operates from an external 12 volt power supply. Power is applied through the AMP 6 connector on the back power labeled POWER. Pin 1 is 12 VDC, and pin 2 is ground return. The 12 volt supply must be clean and within the range 10 VDC - 15 VDC. The AudioBox Model AB1616 draws approximately 2.2 amps at 12 VDC.

Startup

When the unit is powered on, the STATUS indicator blinks rapidly during the initialization period, which lasts approximately 12 seconds. After initialization, a steady one-second 50% duty cycle flashing of the STATUS light indicates the unit is operating normally. Other patterns indicate an abnormal condition; see the AudioBox Service Manual for more information.

Control Interface

The AudioBox AB1616 USJ model provides a parallel contact closure interface for triggering cues. There are seven address control inputs and two trigger inputs. Each of these inputs is a two-wire current loop, a signal line and a current return line. The inputs can be activated by providing a voltage of 5 to 25 volts DC on the signal line, with 0 volts connected to the current return line. The current loop has an impedance of approximately 2000 ohms.

When the cue trigger input is activated, the number encoded on the address lines is read, and the cue with that number as its major cue number (with all subsection numbers set to zero) is activated. When the playback trigger input is activated, a null playback GO is generated (which will start playback within 1 millisecond on all enabled playback channels), the number encoded on the address lines is read, and the cue with that number + 128 as its major cue number (with all subsection numbers set to zero) is activated. Any command may be programmed into a cue. A null GO is also available by sending all zeros on the control lines. See the Show Control section of the command set for more details.

The trigger inputs to the AudioBox are locked out for 1 second following a valid trigger, preventing false retriggering due to contact bounce or noise. The lockout period can be modified; see the command set document for details.

The pinouts for the control connectors are tabulated below.

Test Mode Switch

A test mode is provided to verify audio connections and mixer operation without requiring that valid commands be sent via MIDI or SCSI to the AudioBox. When the AudioBox is powered up with the test mode switch ON, all input, output, and diagonal crosspoint levels are set to the maximum, resulting in unity gain channels from input 1 to output 1, input 2 to output 2, etc. With the test mode switch OFF, all levels are initialized to zero on power-up. The test mode switch is one of four DIP switches on the main circuit board of the unit. To change the setting of the test mode switch, unplug the power cable, open the cabinet, and locate the DIP switches on the edge of the circuit board closest to the front panel. The test mode switch is switch number 4 (switches 1 - 3 are used to set the SCSI ID).

MIDI

The three DIN-5 connectors on the rear panel provide a standard MIDI interface. The "MIDI-IN" connection accepts incoming MIDI data, and "MIDI THRU" provides a copy of this data, delayed by not more than 50 ns. The "MIDI OUT" connection carries data generated by the AudioBox in response to commands received on the "MIDI IN" connection. See the Command Set Document for details of the MIDI input and output data streams.

See the AudioBox PC Hardware page on the Richmond Sound Design web site for information on PC hardware requirements. See the Software Download page for the latest Windows drivers and software.

USB and Fireware to SCSI adaptors can be used with the AudioBox, in addition to plug-in SCSI cards and built-in SCSI ports. The Richmond Sound Design web site has information on using SCSI adaptors with the AudioBox.

See the Command Set Document for software details of the SCSI implementation.

There are two Centronics-50 connectors on the back panel to connect the AudioBox to a SCSI bus. The two connectors are equivalent. A SCSI bus is established by daisy-chaining up to eight SCSI devices, and putting a SCSI bus terminator at the last device on each end of the chain. If the AudioBox is the last device on the bus, a SCSI bus terminator must be installed in one of the two SCSI connectors. There are two types of SCSI bus terminators available, active and passive. Active terminators are generally recommended, but both ends of the SCSI bus should be terminated with the same type of terminator.

SCSI bus parity is generated, but not checked by the AudioBox. It is therefore optional whether the SCSI adaptor in the host computer checks or generates SCSI bus parity.

Each device on a SCSI bus must have a unique ID, a number between 0 and 7, set in hardware. Many computers are hardwired to ID 7, and most SCSI controller cards have default jumpers setting the card to ID 7. The AudioBox comes from the factory with the SCSI ID set to 4. The ID may be changed via DIP switches on the main circuit board. To change the ID, remove power cable, open the cabinet, and locate the DIP switches on the edge of the circuit board closest to the front panel. The ID is set using switches 1, 2, and 3 (switch 4 is the test mode switch). The switches are binary coded:

switch

1

2

3

ID

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

2

0

1

0

3

0

1

1

4

1

0

0

5

1

0

1

6

1

1

0

7

1

1

1

Audio / Control Connections

The rear panel of the AudioBox has 4 subD connectors for the six balanced analog audio inputs and 16 balanced analog audio outputs. There are two connectors for the contact closure control signals. All connectors are female except the 'Control' connector.

Pinout of the audio and control connectors:

pin

Audio Out A (DB25 female)

Audio Out B (DB25 female)

Audio In (DB25 female)

Audex (DB9 female)

Control (DB25 male)

Trigger (DB9 female)

1

output 1 +

output 9 +

input 1 +

output 16 +

address 0

cue trigger return

2

output 1 -

output 9 -

input 1 -

output 16 -

address 1

cue trigger

3

ground 1

ground 9

ground 1

ground 16

address 2

not used

4

output 2 +

output 10 +

input 2 +

not used

address 3

not used

5

output 2 -

output 10 -

input 2 -

not used

address 4

not used

6

ground 2

ground 10

ground 2

not used

address 5

not used

7

output 3 +

output 11 +

input 3 +

not used

address 6

not used

8

output 3 -

output 11 -

input 3 -

not used

plbk trigger

not used

9

ground 3

ground 11

ground 3

not used

not used

not used

10

output 4 +

output 12 +

input 4 +

not used

11

output 4 -

output 12 -

input 4 -

not used

12

ground 4

ground 12

ground 4

not used

13

not used

not used

not used

not used

14

output 5 +

output 13 +

input 5 +

address 0 return

15

output 5 -

output 13 -

input 5 -

address 1 return

16

ground 5

ground 13

ground 5

address 2 return

17

output 6 +

output 14 +

input 6 +

address 3 return

18

output 6 -

output 14 -

input 6 -

address 4 return

19

ground 6

ground 14

ground 6

address 5 return

20

output 7 +

output 15 +

not used

address 6 return

21

output 7 -

output 15 -

not used

plbk trigger return

22

ground 7

ground 15

not used

not used

23

output 8 +

output 8 +

not used

not used

24

output 8 -

output 8 -

not used

not used

25

ground 8

ground 8

not used

not used

Internal Disk Drive

An internal TARGA disk drive provides sixteen-channel playback of prerecorded audio material.

The TARGA disk drive is warranted by its manufacturer, not Harmonic Functions.

The TARGA disk drive may be installed as follows:

  1. Ensure that the jumper for "SCSI Termination" is in place.
  2. Any SCSI ID other than 7 can be used.
  3. Plug the power and data cables into the disk drive.
  4. Install the four disk drive mounting screws with lockwashers into the disk drive through the bottom of the cabinet, carefully holding the disk drive as it is installed.

Warranty / Service

Harmonic Functions Inc., Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, warrants to the original purchaser that the AudioBox Disk Playback Matrix Mixer (the product), not including the internal disk drive (which is warranted separately by its manufacturer), will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of five years from the date of original purchase. Harmonic Functions agrees, as its sole responsibility under this limited warranty, at its sole option, either to repair, replace, or refund the purchase price of any product discovered to be defective within the warranty period, upon receipt by Harmonic Functions. Any such replacement product may be, at the sole option of Harmonic Functions, a new product or a remanufactured product.

This limited warranty is not applicable to normal wear and tear, abuse, unreasonable use, mistreatment, neglect, damage caused by the equipment or system with which the product is used, or damage caused by modification or repair not carried out by Harmonic Functions.

This warranty and the remedies set forth herein are exclusive and in lieu of all other express or implied warranties (including any implies warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose) which are disclaimed and no other representations or claims of any nature shall be binding or oblige Harmonic Functions. In no event will Harmonic Functions be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages, including, but not limited to, damages resulting from use or malfunction of this product or the equipment or system with which it is used, loss of profits or revenue, or cost of replacement goods.

If you suspect a malfunction in a AudioBox Disk Playback Matrix Mixer, contact your AudioBox dealer for further instructions.