Rane ECS RaneWare - Manual (Page 22)

RW Manual-22
TROUBLESHOOTING
No communication between the unit and computer:
Set the DEVICE ADDRESS to a unique small number,
and try polling for units in RaneWare (under Device > Poll).
The unit should be found quickly.
Check that the COM port selected in RaneWare (under
Setup > System Setup) is the one on your computer that is
connected to the unit. Also check that the cable is a standard
RS-232 cable (not a null modem type). If an adaptor is used,
it must not be null modem. The cable must be connected to the
RW 232 INPUT jack on the rear of the unit. See the ECS
Hardware Manual.
Audio hum or noise:
Try Muting the unit. If this helps significantly, the
problem may be with the Input connection, or the equipment
driving the Input. If Muting has little effect, the problem is
likely either the Output connection, or equipment driven by
the Output.
ECS is intended to connect to equipment with balanced
audio I/O and chassis-grounded shield/common. Connecting
equipment with signal grounded shields or unbalanced
connections may result in hum or noise due to induced
currents in the signal path. It may be possible to reduce or
eliminate these problems, although some experimentation
may be required:
Try disconnecting the audio cable shields at one end,
particularly between chassis grounded and signal grounded
equipment.
Try combinations of lifting grounds on units supplied with
ground lift switches (or links).
Verify that all chassis are tied to a good earth ground.
Some units with outboard power supplies do not ground
the chassis through the line cord. Make sure these units are
grounded by tying the Chassis Ground Point to a known earth
ground. A star washer guarantees proper contact.
For more information on balanced interconnection and
grounding, please refer to RaneNote 110, “Sound System
Interconnection”.
MIC THRESHOLD LEVEL SETUP
Once all Mics have been adjusted, the Threshold Levels
need to be set. In most applications operating the Mics with a
Threshold Level of -25 dB is sufficient.
Automatic Threshold uses the first Mic of each Mixer to
adapt to the background noise level. Set Mic Threshold
Levels so they don’t generate a Mic Signal from ambient
room noise.
PORT INPUT SETUP
Ports 2 thru 6 have both a hardware PAD switch and a
software programmable attenuation control.
The ECB 62e is shipped with its Inputs set to –10 dBu,
PADs set to 0 dB and Input Attenuation controls set to 4 dB.
To properly adjust the Port’s Input level:
1. Remove security cover.
2. Turn all
Port Inputs Off.
3. Select the Port under test from the Port tab.
4.
Port Input: On
5. Auto Level: unchecked
6. Input Attenuation: 4 dB typical
7. If a Port is connected to a Codec, the Codec may have an
output test tone. Some Codecs have output transformers
with output levels of -10 dBm. Since the Port Inputs have a
10k ohm impedance, a gain of approximately 6 dB is
realized. (An optional 604 ohm or 620 ohm ¼ watt resistor
may be placed across the + and – Inputs for termination.
See ECS Hardware, page HWManual-17.) If the stereo
module is installed, only use one termination resistor when
connecting the Left and Right Inputs together.
8. If the stereo module is installed, only the Right (bottom)
can be monitored for level.
9. Play an audio source connected to the Port under test. If the
Input Clip OL LED lights, turn on the 10 dB PAD. Then
adjust the
Input Attenuation control for 0 dB peaks.
10. After completing, Auto-Level may be selected.
11. Replace the security cover.
PORT OUTPUT SETUP
The ECB 62e output level is nominally 0 dBu when an
input is at 0 dB VU.
To properly adjust the Port’s Output Attenuation level:
1. If the device is a Codec or the device requires a nominal
level of -10 dBm, set Output Attenuation to -10 dB.
2. Set the Port 1 Output or Program to -6 dB, then adjust the
room’s power amplifier for an adequate listening level.
PROGRAM SIGNAL SETUP
Turn down the power amp, turn on the Noise Source, and
set Port 1's Output (Program) to 0 dB. For most applications
adjust the power amp for an 80 dB SPL. This level is deter-
mined by the mic/speaker placement and room acoustics.
All Mics and Mixers must be set up first. All Mics that are
to operate using speech detection must be set with Active On
and Signal Mode Automatic.
To set the Program Signal Offset and Program Signal
Threshold:
1. Link Prog Signal: unchecked
2. Set Prog Sig Offset: 0 dB
3. Set Port 1 Output Attenuation: 0 dB
4. Play any source audio or use the Noise Source.
5. Set the Prog Sig Threshold to -20 dB. The Program Signal
status LED lights.
6. Increase the Prog Sig Offset until the Mic Signal status
LED extinguishes, typically between 12 and 20 dB.
7. Link Prog Signal: checked
8. Set Port 1 Output Attenuation: -6 dB
9. Program audio should not light the Mic Signal status
indicator. If it does, re-check Port Input Setup and repeat.
The greater the Program Signal Offset, the more difficult
it is to Gate a Mic On when there is program audio.
When the Link Program Signal is On, the Program Signal
Offset and the Program Signal Threshold will change in
proportion to the Port 1 Output Attenuation.