Top 5 Ways to Quickly Program the D-901 Digital Mixer From the Front Panel

By Sean Barton - TOA Area Systems Engineer for the Western Region

Ever wonder how to program a D-901 mixer quickly without a computer? While you can always program the D-901 Digital Mixer with the TOA GUI software, you can also quickly configure powerful features right from the front panel! Here are the top 5 techniques to program the D-901 without ever turning on your computer:

1. Assigning Inputs to Outputs - Assigning an audio source input to an output is one of the simplest programming features on the D-901 the front panel. To do this, simply hold down the desired Input Channel Selector button, then press the desired Output Channel Selector Buttons that correspond to where you want to send the source signal. As you do this you will see your outputs indicated on the front panel LCD screen.
2. Assign a Source to the Mic Bus - Sources that are assigned to the Mic Bus are routed through a 12-band feedback suppressor with fixed or dynamic frequencies. To assign a source to the Mic Bus, simply hold down the desired Input Channel Selector button and then press the Microphone Bus Selector Key [SEL]. As you do this you will see "M" the front panel LCD screen indicating if the input channel is assigned to the Mic Bus. BONUS TIP: The default mic bus setting for all channel inputs is ON. For a new install, be sure to disengage the mic bus for each input to start from scratch.
3. Change The Mic Bus Output Settings - Out of the box, the D-901 Mic Bus defaults to be routed to all 8 outputs. To change the Mic Bus output assignments, simply press and hold the Mic Bus [SEL] button and rotate the Setting knob to select the output channel bus (1 - 8), then press the function ON/OFF key to enable or disable the assignment. When disabled (OFF), the "-" indication is displayed.
4. Save New Presets - When you write a new preset, always remember to save your work! To do this, simply press the left and right arrow keys to select the desired preset memory number to which you want to save your settings. Then, press the Setting knob to execute the function. You're done!
5. Stereo-Link Input Sources - Do you have a balanced stereo input signal? You can easily link two input channels so Input trim, EQ and other settings are shared between the channels. To do this, simply rotate the Setting Knob to select the channels to be Stereo-Linked. Then, press the function ON/OFF key to enable or disable the Stereo-Link setting.

Our Product Support Department is always here to help should you need any assistance. 888-733-4748

Troubleshooting RS-232 Command Strings to TOA Products

By Rick Escobar - TOA Product Support Assistant Manager
 
One issue we hear from time to time is that “My Brand X” controller cannot control a TOA product by sending RS-232 commands.

For this example, let’s refer to a 9000M2 series Matrix / Mixer Amplifier (for you references download this document “9000M2 RS-232C Protocol Manual” by clicking here).

We’ll skip the low level detail and get to the point on how to make your control surface work for you. The 9000M2 is looking for a hexadecimal string that it will read, then react to the instructions sent.
 
Here is an excerpt from the “9000M2 RS-232C Protocol Manual”:
 
5.5 Power ON/OFF
 
This command performs ON/OFF setting of the power switch of the 9000M2 Series
Amplifier. 9000M2 Series Amplifier responds with the same data as that received.
 
F4H, 01H, <ON/OFF>
 
Example 1: Setting the power switch to OFF
    F4H, 01H, 00H
 
Example 2: Setting the power switch to ON.
    F4H, 01H, 01H
 
A common misconception is that the H is required in the command string. However, in this case it’s just noting that F4 is going to be a hexadecimal number. There is no standard for different control manufactures or terminal programs. So the first step to understand how the device you are working with, is going to want this string formatted.
 
All of these examples could be valid to power the 9000M2 off:
\xF4\x01\x00
#F4#01#00
[F4][01][00]
And so forth. 

The best recommendation would be to have the ability to cross check a string with a Terminal Program. This way if the hardware controller does not work, but the software terminal does, then you have isolated the issue most likely to how the device in question wants the string formatted.
 
A key word search on the internet for “RS-232 terminal emulator” will turn up several programs that provide you the ability to send RS-232 to your TOA product.
 
Good Luck and Happy RS-232 Programming!