Rane RPM 2m User Manual

Page 6

Manual-4

Remote Level Control Using Potentiometers

The VIP inherently prefers linear taper 20 kΩ potentiometers

(Rane VR 2), which provide a nice audio taper “feel” for the

end user. When used with suitable twisted pair wiring, the 10

kΩ value also offers acceptable noise immunity and long cable

lengths.

AMX and Crestron Control
There are two ways to control a Drag Net device from an AMX

or Crestron system. Use either Ethernet connectivity or use the

rear panel Versatile Input Port (VIP). Each of the eight VIP pins

supports either switch closure Preset recall or 0-5 volt control of

Level.

Many AMX/Crestron applications require simple Level con-

trol and/or Preset recall. This is most easily accomplished using

the VIP (Versatile Input Port) found on all Drag Net devices.

There are always more Drag Net products coming — both hard-

ware and software, so check our home page for the most recent.

VIP Preset Recall

Connect a switch closure or relay to a VIP pin and short it to

the ground (GND) pin to recall the corresponding Preset. For

example, shorting VIP pin 1 to the GND terminal recalls Preset

1; pin 2 recalls Preset 2, etc. There are more details about this

functionality in the Drag Net Help file and on our Drag Net Ap-

plications page. Be certain to appropriately set the VIP Alloca-

tion in Drag Net's Parameter Window.

If GND contention of two or more pins simultaneously

occurs, the highest-numbered VIP pin takes precedence. For

example, if pin 3 is shorted to GND and pin 6 is then shorted

to GND, Preset 6 is recalled. If pin 3 is closed and then pin 2,

nothing happens -- Preset 2 is not recalled. This permits a hier-

archy of Presets when using VIP pin closures for tiered priority

paging. Since there are only eight VIP pins, you can only recall

up to eight Presets using switch closures.

There are two ways to recall more than eight presets. Either

use the Drag Net software Recall button which is only intended

for the system installer/designer, or use an Ethernet command

from an AMX or Crestron Ethernet-equipped product.

When using Drag Net's Auto Mixer/Ducker block, you have the

ability to link a VIP pin closure to a push-to-talk switch in a paging

or boardroom application. When using the Ducker block in these

applications, the VIP pins act independently provided you Group

the appropriate VIP pin with the Auto Mixer/Ducker's Input in

Drag Net's Remote Map. Again, see our Drag Net Applications for

examples.

VIP Level control

Connect a 0-5 VDC source to a VIP pin from an AMX or

Crestron card to adjust any or all Level blocks placed in the

Processing Map. Use Groups in Drag Net's Remote Map to link

one or more Level blocks so they track each other when using a

VIP pin. Be certain to appropriately set the VIP Allocation in

Drag Net's Parameter Window. When using VIP pins with Level

blocks, set the minimum and maximum for each Level block by

double-clicking it while it's in a Remote Map Group. This keeps

the max and min burdens within the Drag Net device — but

only when using the VIP pin to control Levels, not when adjust-

ing Levels from Ethernet commands.

You can use up to eight voltage control inputs linked to

Level(s) using the rear panel VIP pins. Combinations of Preset

switches & voltage Level “pots” are possible as long as combined,

they do not exceed the eight pins provided.

Since you can Group any or all Level blocks in Drag Net's

Remote Map, it's much easier to implement a stereo level control

since the Drag Net device is burdened with the task of tracking

many Levels. You can use this to your advantage when using VIP

pins to adjust multiple zones or levels. Since you can place the

Level block anywhere within the Drag Net Processing Map, you

can Group Level blocks at the input, at the output or anywhere

in-between — just place the Level block where you want it.

Ethernet control

To download the AMX or Crestron control code and documen-

tation, visit the Drag Net web page: www.rane.com/dragnet

Ethernet Port
The Ethernet port is used to configure, monitor, and control the

RPM 2m via standard 10Base-T Ethernet communication. Use

an Ethernet crossover cable (one is included with each unit) to

connect the RPM 2m directly to a computer. Use a standard

(non-crossover) Ethernet cable if the RPM 2m and computer are

connected indirectly using an Ethernet switch.

All devices connected to the Ethernet port, including

switches and the computer’s Network Interface Card (NIC) must

support 10Base-T communication.

pin 1

GND

Contact

Closure

20 kΩ (linear)

Level Control

Potentiometer

VIP CONNECTION

(examples for VIP pin 1)

GND

REF

pin 1

111218