Crown Audio I-Tech Series - Manual (Page 29)

I-Tech Series Power Amplifiers
Operation Manual page 29
control. When the memory backup is disabled, the amplifier stops storing
changes made to its settings. When the next power-up occurs the amplifier
uses the settings that were active when the backup feature was disabled.
CAUTION: Care should be taken to backup “safe” levels for the input
attenuator controls. It is possible for the memory backup feature to be dis-
abled with “unsafe” levels stored. This may result in significantly greater
system gain the next time power is reapplied to the amplifier.
4.6.21 Input Signal Router
Each channel of the I-Tech’s signal processing has an Input Signal Router
that allows the choice of audio signal that will be used by the channel. The
user may choose one of the following configurations:
• Analog Audio: This is the audio input from the audio connector on the
back panel of the amp. Choices for the Analog Audio input are Channel 1,
Channel 2, or a sum of Channels 1 and 2.
• Digital Audio: This is the audio input from the AES/EBU connector on
the back panel of the amp.
4.6.22 Filters
Each audio channel has five separate places where filters can be placed in
the system. Up to 64 filters can be placed anywhere within the system. In
addition to filtering, each possesses up to +/-24dB of gain. The following
filters are available:
• Lowpass: Bessel 2-4, Butterworth1-4, and Linkwitz-Riley 4
• Highpass: Bessel 2-4, Butterworth1-4, and Linkwitz-Riley 4
• Lowshelf: Low-frequency shelving EQ
• Highshelf: High-frequency shelving EQ
• Lowpass EQ: Variable Q from 0.1 to 35
• Highpass EQ: Variable Q from 0.1 to 35
• Parametric EQ: Variable Q from 0.1 to 35
• All Pass: 1st and 2nd order
All Pass filters provide no gain change to the output, but provide a phase
change at the selected frequency. This corrects the phase relationship of
the output without a gain reduction, such as is found in other filters.
4.6.23 Delay (Latency)
Due to the nature of DSP processing, there is some inherent delay or
latency within the I-Tech’s DSP. These delays are:
• 1.13mS analog
• 2.36mS digital (44.1 kHz)
4.6.24 Noise Generator
Each channel has an independent uncorrected noise generator that allows
noise to be mixed into the audio signal. This is useful for noise masking
applications and testing. Each channel has the following controls:
• Noise On/Off: The channel’s noise generator can be independently
turned on.
• Noise Type: Full spectrum white noise or pink noise.
• Noise Level: A fader to allow the noise level to be controlled.
4.6.25 Sine-wave Generator
A sine-wave signal generator allows the mixing of a single tone into the
audio signal. Typical applications can be for the injection of a high fre-
quency tone (19kHz) into the signal in paging type system to continually
drive the speaker, allowing continuous monitoring of the speaker load. The
following controls exist:
• Sine On/Off: The sine-wave signal generator’s function.
• Sine Frequency: Controllable from 20Hz to 20kHz.
• Sine Level: Each channel’s sine-wave signal level can be indepen-
dently controlled.
4.7 CobraNet Functions
The Network connector in I-Tech CN models accepts a CobraNet signal:
digital audio and IQ control/monitor signals on a single cable.
CobraNet* is a licensed technology developed by Peak Audio, Inc. con-
sisting of proprietary communications protocol, firmware and hardware. It
allows reliable, deterministic transmission of digital audio over a 100Base-
T Fast Ethernet network. The I-Tech models mentioned above operate as
networked devices on a CobraNet network, and interface digital audio from
the network to the amplifier.
This section describes the CobraNet control and monitoring features.
These features are accessed via IQwic software. Please refer to the IQwic
help files if you are unfamiliar with IQ software.
4.7.1 Input Signal Router
Each channel of the I-Tech’s signal processing has an Input Signal Router
that allows the choice of audio signal that will be used by the channel. The
user may choose one of the following configurations:
• CobraNet Audio: This is the assigned CobraNet audio as setup in the
CobraNet Input section of the software. See Section 9.2 for more details.
Choices for the CobraNet Input are Channel 1, Channel 2, or a sum of
Channels 1 and 2.
• CobraNet with Analog Backup: This allows the use of the Balanced
Audio Inputs to be used as backup to the CobraNet audio should the net-
work's audio be lost for any reason. In this mode, the amplifier will sense
the loss of the CobraNet audio and will automatically switch to the chosen
Balanced Audio Input until CobraNet network audio returns.
• CobraNet with Analog Override: If an external emergency override
of the CobraNet audio is required, this mode will allow the automatic
switching of the Balanced Audio Input over the CobraNet audio input if a
signal is noticed on the Analog Input. When the Emergency Override is
completed, the CobraNet audio will be routed to the channel after 10 sec-
onds.
4.7.2 CobraNet Interface Parameters
The internal CobraNet Network Interface contains several parameters for
control and monitor of status of the CobraNet network, and do not directly
affect the IQ network. These variables can also be controlled and moni-
tored through the CobraNet network using Calibrated** or other industry-
standard SNMP-enabled network management software.
Conductor
Any CobraNet device can be configured to operate either as Network Con-
ductor or a Performer:
• Active Indicator: This indicator, viewable in IQ software, reports the
present Conductor status of the device. If the indicator is ON, the unit is
operating as the network Conductor. When OFF, the unit is operating as a
Performer.
• Priority: This parameter adjusts the priority level for becoming the Con-
ductor. When set to zero, the I-Tech amplifier will never function as the
Conductor, and when set to 255 it will always function as the Conductor.
The higher the priority number, the more likely unit will act as the Conduc-
tor. The Priority object is stored in presets.
System Name
This parameter is user-settable to any alpha-numeric string of 30 charac-
ters or less. The intended use is to communicate a unique name for the
particular device to a network. The System Name object is stored in pre-
sets.
System Description
This parameter is configured at the factory and is read-only. The intended
use is to communicate a unique device description to a network.
4 Advanced Operation
*For the most comprehensive information available on CobraNet technology, visit Peak Audio’s CobraNet website at www.peakaudio.com.