9000M2 Software Part 11 - Paging Settings

In this tutorial you will learn how to adjust Paging settings  with the TOA 9000m2 GUI Software application. 

Click the PAGING Button to open the PAGING Setting View. Here you will find priority input sources, trigger functions and output assignments. All settings are stored independent of scene memory.

Here You can program up to 32 Paging presets.

To program a Paging Preset, first select the priority input Source.

Then, Select the Trigger that will activate the paging preset--this may be a contact closure, a button press from a remote controller keypad, or Vox threshold.

Then, indicate which outputs the page will be assigned.

Also, a page can be used to synchronize a contact output relay, this may be useful to trigger an external piece of equipment. You may sync up to 12 contact outputs when using the C-001 Expansion Card.

Finally, you can assign the priority mode to indicate what happens when multiple sources with the same priority are fed through an output at the same time: Last in First out, First in First out, or all sources mixed at the same time.

Tech Tip: D-901 EQ Settings for TOA Speakers Made Easy

By Jim McGuinness, Product Support Specialist

As we all have heard before time is money, and no one understands that better than the custom integrator or installer.  For many jobs, much time and effort goes into the design and deployment of a new sound system.  Since many electronic products are programmable these days, time spent on setting up a unit, or group of units to finish a system, is always a concern.  Realistically hours can be spent which can burn up your profit ratio on a job.  Even if the setup goes perfectly, time just tweaking a new system is costly.  Ultimately, you’re trying to hit that sweat spot of profitable job and happy client for future business.

So in comes the question of how can we save time when installing TOA speakers in conjunction with the D-901 mixer.  Well we’ve just made it a little easier by taking advantage of some of the flexibility of the D-901’s multi-iteration capable software.  We now have several files which contain the EQ curves for many of our popular speakers which can be used like a template.  These files can be found at the following link.  Having these two files independently opened along with your project file allow you to copy paste the filters from the template EQ files to your project file for the output filters needed.

The first thing you will need to do is download the template zip file from our website to your
Windows compatible computer.  You will then need to unzip the file to obtain the two .d9t files which can be saved to your 'My Documents' folder or any folder you decide to place them in.

The second step you should do is to open your project file and have it ready on your computer.  The screenshot below is a general example to go to a file location and open a file.

The next step is to open two more iterations of the D-901 software on your PC.  Then for each iteration, use the 'Open File' icon again on your tool bar to locate your .d9t template files and open one file in each of your two additional iterations of the software.  
TIP:  If the type or types of TOA speakers that need to be used all reside on one of these template files, then only the template file of interest needs to be open.

Below you will find the screenshots of these steps.  Note that once you open the template files with the software, the speaker names will appear as preset memory names.

Open file example.

Speaker EQs shown as presets once the file is loaded.

To select a particular EQ curve, let’s say the HX-5 in this example, click on the HX-5 Output Filter preset and click on 'Change'.

Then click on the output filter button for any of the output channels to reveal the stored EQ curve.

The output EQ curve will be displayed as shown.

Now that you have the EQ curve of interest loaded, right hand click the same output filter button to reveal additional options and select 'Copy'.

The last step will be to switch over to your project D-901 software, click on the output filter button for the channel that has the HX-5 speaker on it and select 'Paste'.  If you have more than one channel with the HX-5 speaker on it, you will need to past the EQ settings for each channel separately.

You will be able to verify the EQ curve in the graphical display at the bottom portion of the software each time you paste an EQ curve into your project.

Lastly when you go to close the template files it will ask you if you want to save the changes as the software has detected a functional change.  Say NO to Save file for your Template files and YES to your project file as you don’t want to lose your work.

That’s it, simple and easy, especially if you have several models of speakers you are working with.

Happy programming!

TOA 9000M2 Software Part 2 - Overview Main Settings Window

By Sean Barton - TOA Area Systems Engineer West

In this tutorial you will become familiar with the Main Settings Window in the TOA 9000M2 GUI Software application.

The Scene Memory View displays the list of 32 SCENE memories, as well as the currently selected scene. A SCENE is a memory preset containing all of the channel and routing settings associated with a given application. Each scene may be named and also assigned to be a power-on default.

The Main I/O Configuration View - This window provides an overview of the entire unit’s Input / Output configuration. It will show all channel names, available DSP & signal routing. Clicking on any “block” will call up that parameter in the edit window below.

The Active Edit View displays the currently selected parameter. When editing a parameter in the main view window, that channel & the specific parameter will be highlighted in both windows.

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!

TOA Introduces New M-864D Digital Mixer

TOA will debut its new M-864D Digital Rack-mount Mixer at InfoComm13. The M-864D is housed in a 4U rack chassis and is based on a next-generation 24bit/96k DSP. It has a compliment of 8 Balanced Mic/Line Inputs (using removable balanced Euro-block connectors), plus 2 Stereo channels, each of which may be assigned any (or all) of three Stereo Line inputs (on RCA connectors) plus an additional 1/8” stereo input on the front panel. These may all be selected remote. The front panel features easy access controls for most basic functions, including  linear fader volume controls for each channel, and up to 16 of TOA’s ZM-remote wall controllers may be directly connected and programmed for volume, scene select and various other functions. The M-864D can be programmed and controlled from the supplied GUI software via Ethernet connection to a Windows PC. The units DSP compliment includes a 3-band EQ for each inputs channel, Input Trim, Phantom Power and a Mute/Duck circuit allowing the mic/line channels to override the stereo inputs to allow for paging over BGM functions. Each mic channel also includes an independently selectable and adjustable Feedback Suppressor to provide optimal gain before feedback when using microphones. The 4-bus output section includes a 10-band parametric EQ and ARC (Automatic Resonance control) processor. The patented, exclusive TOA DSP (originally introduced in the TOA DP-K1) quickly and effectively reduces the worst effects of reverberant spaces, maximizing speech intelligibility. The M-864D is ideal for use in multipurpose meeting rooms, gymatoriums and other large spaces.. Its cost-effective, feature-packed design and easy-to-use interface will make it an easy choice for schools, conference centers and houses of worship. The M-864D carries TOAs 5-year Audio Product Warranty and will be available for sale in the Spring of 2013.

TOA at InfoComm13

TOA Electronics invites you to visit booth #1343 in the Audio Pavilion at InfoComm in Orlando, FL, from June 12-14th, 2013. TOA will be displaying its Paging, Sound Reinforcement and Intercom system solutions focusing primarily on HOW, Educational, Corporate Boardroom & Mass Notification, with live demonstrations of its systems in an applications-based environment.

Featured products on display will include:

• M-864D Digital Rack-Mount Mixer
• DP-SP3 Digital Speaker System Processor
• SR-D8 Digitally Steerable Line Array Speakers
• WT-5100 Portable UHF Tuner
• IR-802  Wireless Infrared Classroom Sound System
• VM-3000 Emergency Voice Evacuation System
• PC-580RU UL-rated Ceiling Speaker
• AV-20D Plenum-rated Class D Micro Amplifier
• D-2000 Digital Mixing System
• N-8000 IP Intercom. New Video & ADA Compliant Stations
• Much more….

TOA will also be hosting a training session entitled “Understanding Mass Notification vs. Voice Evacuation”, Friday June 14th at 10:30am. The course is $25, which you can pay for with InfoComm credits.  You can register for this course by clicking here. Don’t delay, as space is limited!