User Guide InnovaSON ZC du Kenyah 56400 Plougoumelen France Sensoft 8.1 full Sensoft 9 installation (Sensoft 9 Addendum updates sections 3 and 4 of this user guide) April 2005 Headquarters Zone du Kenyah F-56400 Plougoumelen FRANCE tel : +33 (0) 297 24.34.34 fax : +33 (0) 297 24.34.30 www.innovason.com TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Attention: veuillez consulter le chapitre 10 avant toute manutention ou utilisation de la console. Warning: please read carefully section 10 before handling or using the console. Achtung: bitte lesen sie zuerst Kapitell 10 for jedem Verladen oder Verwendung des Pultes. Table of Contents Section Page 1 1.A 1.B 1.C 1.D Digital mixing in Live sound Sensoft 8.1 :a brief history Fader assignment The assignable functions Spread zones 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 2.1 2.1 2.3 2.3 2.6 2.6 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.10 2.12 2.13 2.13 2.13 2.13 2.14 2.14 2.14 2.14 2.15 2.17 2.18 4 4.A 4.A.1 4.A.2 Digital mixing in Live Sound Basic principle of the control surface Control surface layout Fader configuration : The Hardware Configuration window 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.4 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.6 4.10 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.21 4.22 4.25 4.27 4.27 4.28 4.32 4.37 4.41 4.47 4.49 4.58 4.58 4.59 4.60 4.62 4.63 4.64 4.65 4.65 4.66 4.66 2 2.B.1 THE Sy48 CONSOLE Sy48 : Overview of the product Personalization, options L.E.M : Optional External Mix Box 2.A 2.B 2.C 4.B 4.B.1 4.B.2 4.B.3 4.B.4 4.B.5 4.C.1 4.C.2 4.C.3 4.C.4 4.C.5 4.C.6 4.C.7 4.C.8 4.C.9 4.D.1 4.D.2 4.D.3 4.D.4 4.D.5 4.D.6 4.D.7 4.D.8 4.D.9 4.D.10 4.D.11 4.D.12 Audio inputs General characteristics Layout of physical inputs Universal analog inputs Analog line inputs Distant inputs (Stage Box) Description of the Sy48 Dimensions and general information The Quadfad module The CHANNEL CONTROL panel Screen and UTILITIES panel On the front of the console On the back of the console Control layout 2.C.1 2.C.2 2.C.3 2.C.4 2.C.5 2.C.6 2.C.7 4.C Input signal path XFAD : the principles Preamp to fader assignment grid (PATCH IN) Pre-amp settings (Gain, 48V) Delay Phase inversion and the high-pass filter Dynamics Equalizer Inserting an external device MUTE and CUE functions 2.D 2.E 2.F 2.G 2.G.1 2.G.2 2.G.3 2.G.4 2.G.5 2.G.6 2.G.7 2.G.8 Precautionary measures, safety and warnings Manipulation and transport Power supplies and EC standards Connections Audio connections Internal Screen, external Screen Connecting MIDI equipment Connection of an external power supply Connecting an external PC Connecting an optional Stage-Box Digital audio clock sync with external devices Connecting headphones 4.D Mix busses DSP resources: some important points 2.H.1 2.H.2 2.H Powering up Power up sequence First checks 2.19 2.19 2.21 3.1 3.1 3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 3.11 3.13 3.14 3.17 3.18 3 3.A 3.A.1 3.A.2 3.A.3 3.A.4 3.A.5 3.A.6 3.A.7 3.A.8 3.A.9 Sensoft 8.1 Your first mix : a simple step-by step example Console configuration Patching.. Some routing Creating and using a subgroup Spreading inouts Creating and using a VCA Spreading a Master Spreading an Aux Creating a matrix Spreading the outputs Assignment of mix busses to physical outputs (Patch OUT) Basic principles of routing Definition `pre/post fader' and Pan settings on busses A special bus : the Matrix The Monitor bus Master busses Bus processing and inserts Hyperdrive outputs' processing control Principles of fader functions, Fader Mode MUTE and CUE functions 4.E 4.E.1 The MUXIPAIRE bus, the Direct I/O grid The Direct I/O grid 4.F 4.F.1 4.F.2 The VCA function VCA function logic VCA Assignment 4.G Talk-Back User Guide - © InnovaSON ­ February 2005 2 Section TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 5 5.A 5.B.1 5.B.2 5.B.3 5.B.4 Structure of a performance General description Files and pages management File edition Changing a file Saving a file Exporting, Importing, deleting a file 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.4 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.9 5.9 5.11 5.12 5.14 5.16 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.5 6.6 6.6 6.6 6.7 6.7 6.8 6.9 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.12 6.13 6.13 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.20 7.1 7.1 7.2 7.2 5.B 7.B.2 7.B.3 7.B.4 7.B.5 7.B.6 7.B.7 7.B.8 7.B.9 7.B.10 7.B.11 5.C 5.C.1 5.C.2 5.C.3 Pages management Saving a page LOAD and GOTO a page Inserting a page The PATCH IN grid window The PATCH OUT grid window The DIRECT I/O and Insert Grid window The LINK CHANNEL window The LINK I/O window The RELAX, FADER-START and MUTE MIDI MESSAGE windows The PAN window The PASTE and OVERRAM windows The MUXI window The main MIX window 7.3 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 7.13 7.14 7.16 8.1 8.1 8.2 8.2 8.4 8.5 8.8 8.10 8.10 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.16 7.C Summary of function access 5.D 5.E 5.E.1 5.E.2 5.E.3 5.E.4 5.E.5 5.E.6 Navigating in a file Automation (sequencing , calling up pages) Generalities MIDI Program Change OUT MIDI Program Change IN MIDI Time Code Automation Cross-Fade The Cross-Time Fader 8 8.A 8.B.1 8.B.2 8.B.3 INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING SENSOFT 9 Downloading and preparing the installation Installing SENSOFT Re-installation, new version Updating, new `release' Installing the Windows XPE operating system 8.B 6 6.A 6.B 6.C 6.D 6.E 6.F.1 6.F.2 Advanced Functions Generator and oscillator FLAT function for resetting parameters Copy and Paste OverRam - Updating pages in RAM Relax Mode - disconnecting parameters from the automation Link I/O - Input/ Output parameter links What are I/O parameters ? The link I/O grid 8.C 8.D 8.D.1 8.D.2 Configuration Importing files created with earlier versions of Sensoft Grand Live files Sy40 files 8.E 8.E.1 Firmware update for DSP Sy48 and DSP Sy80 Installing Sensoft on an external PC 6.F Launching the « DSP Loader » software 8.F 6.G 6.G.1 6.G.2 Link Channel ­ channel parameter links What are the channel parameters ? The channel link grid 9 9.A 9.B 9.B.1 9.B.2 9.B.3 9.B.4 9.B.5 9.B.6 9.B.7 9.B.8 9.B.8B 9.B.9 9.B.10 9.B.11 9.B.12 9.B.13 9.B.14 9.B.15 Design Features Introduction Audio rack and modules SI-8D Module SI-8D3 Module MO-8D3 Module XO-8D2 Module DI-8S Module DI-8Src Module DO-8A Module DO-8X Module DO-8XES Module DSP Sy80 Module DSP Sy40-8 Module DM-Mk9 Module MC-64 Module SC-64 Module SC-643tx Module Sync-A Module 9.1 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.9 9.10 9.10B 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 9.15 9.16 9.17 9.18 9.18 9.20 9.20 9.21 9.22 9.22 9.23 9.23 6.H 6.I 6.J 6.K.1 6.K.2 6.K Temporary cancellation of a link MUXI window ­ display and modification of outputs Off Line ­ disconnecting the console from the audio racks Processing libraries The BANK Menu and general operation Save and load shortcuts 6.L 6.M 6.N 6.O 6.P 6.Q Request Mode (RQST) The ADJ function ­ automatic adjustment of preamps Sending MIDI messages using the MUTE buttons Sending Fader Start MIDI messages LOCK ­ Password Protection for the console The General Preferences window 9.C 9.C.1 9.C.2 9.C.3 9.C.4 9.D.1 9.D.2 9.D.3 System Configuration and installation Use of Stage Box general rule Modules installation and racks configuration MASTER console definition Powering-up 7 7.A 7.B 7.B.1 Sensoft Offline General operation of the mouse and keyboard Detailed operation and access to the various windows The HARDWARE CONFIGURATION window 9.D Transmission on coaxial cable BNC connections Earth and perturbations Transmission defaults and adjustments User Guide - © InnovaSON - February 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 9.E.1 9.E.2 9.E.3 9.E.4 9.E Appendices Audio rack general Characteristics Audio specifications Signal path EtherSound applications 9.24 9.24 9.24 9.26 9.27 10 10.A 10.A.1 10.A.2 10.A.3 10.A.4 Sécurité . Safety . Wichtige. Précautions, sécurité, avertissements. Important messages - Wichtige Hinweise. Symboles - Symbols - Symbole Dangers ­ Warning ­ Achtung Avertissements ­ Cautions - Vorschit Remarques sur l'utilisation Operating notes ­ Hinweise zum Betrieb 10.1 10.1 10.1 10.2 10.2 10.3 User Guide - © InnovaSON ­ February 2005 INTRODUCTION 1-1 1 DIGITAL MIXING IN LIVE SOUND 1.A Sensoft 8.1: a brief history Several years have passed since InnovaSON introduced the first digital system designed to meet the needs of LIVE SOUND production: artists on-stage, impatient producers (tight budgets), live sound quality identical to studio recordings, complex productions, etc. LIVE, for InnovaSON, is a "keyword" reflected in the products; products that are reliable, sturdy, and capable of working without a problem, show after show. Thought was not only given to limit size and excess weight (as freight in a lorry, car or plane), but also to speed up the installation, and especially to "free the spirit of the sound engineer", an essential condition in the creation of quality live performances. Thanks to the success of the MUXIPAIRE system, InnovaSON was in touch with numerous users, who all wished for a digital mixing desk that would, at last, satisfy all their requirements for live shows in the 21st century: Total memory of the functions necessary for complete audio signal processing Immediate reminder of the state of the whole console Simple to use in spite of sophisticated automation Sound quality without compromise All the advantages of a completely computerised digital system These are the essentials that InnovaSON settled on throughout the design of its range of digital consoles. Designed from standard elements in InnovaSON's modular (or custom) digital audio systems, InnovaSON consoles now benefit from the field experience gained from those previous products. All the team at InnovaSON sincerely thank all those who brought another small stone to the structure, by their suggestions, particular requirements, or sensible comments. Although completely digital, InnovaSON consoles will not upset a user brought up on classic analogue systems; on the contrary, their original three-part concept (mixing desk, local and distant audio system racks), brings more flexibility and quality, without compromise. Our greatest satisfaction will be to learn that each user has found, in Live Sound, a work tool perfectly adapted to their needs. User Guide - © InnovaSON - January 2004 1-2 INTRODUCTION 1.B Fader assignment Sensoft 8.1 brings something new to the world of Live Sound ­ you define the number and position of all the functions necessary for your mix. Naturally this number is determined, on one hand, by the number of faders on your control surface and, on the other hand, by the available DSP resources in your system. The figure below gives the maximum number of resources that Sensoft 8.1 can handle on various InnovaSON consoles. Resources available on InnovaSON consoles Console Sy40 Sensory Live (Upgrade Sy80) Sy80 Sensory Live (for the record) Faders 47+1 DSP module DSP Sy40-8 Mix busses 26 Input channels 48 Monitor circuits 3 71+1 DSP Sy80 48 = 32+16 80 3 80 DSP Sy80 48 = 32+16 80 3 71+1 DMMk-9 23 48 1 Console faders can handle inputs coming from distant and local audio racks, as well as controlling the busses necessary for the different mixes required for these inputs. User Guide - © InnovaSON - January 2004 INTRODUCTION 1-3 1.C The assignable functions Each of the console faders can handle the following functions: User Guide - © InnovaSON - January 2004 1-4 INTRODUCTION Each of the console faders can handle the following functions: The number of faders available in this grid corresponds to that available on the console (shown here is the Sy80). The Grid functions in the same way for any console as long as it supports Sensoft 8.1. Later on in this manual we will show you how to access and use the configuration grid. To give you the time to fully understand and master this feature, preset configurations allow you to quickly set the parameters of your console. Having first inserted the floppy disk "Examples", use the Import function to load these standard configurations. 1.D Spread zones Let's take a few moments to consider the concept used by InnovaSON to exploit more physical inputs and mix busses than there are faders on the console, without having to resort to a system of layers. As you saw previously, InnovaSON designs consoles dedicated to, among other situations, live applications. It was therefore important to establish a design that took note of the following points: A console with a size and weight lower than its analogue counterpart Retention of the user-friendliness inherent in software previous to Sensoft 8.1 To always have a global view of the general state of the console on the monitor screen To have to hand the maximum number of controls, for fast and effective user reaction This last point made InnovaSON decide to implement the XFAD function in the development of Sensoft 8.1. Whether for the management of inputs or the management of busses, the general principle is the same: a full channel can control a single physical I/O or of a set of physical I/O. In the latter case, the channel can be compared to a "fader bank", because every time it is selected, it spreads out all the channels it controls, in a zone defined by the ...