Studio Technologies 76DBA V.3.00 - Manual (Page 8)

Issue 1, November 2010 Model 76DBA/77B User Guide
Page 8 Studio Technologies, Inc.
for Surround
77B’s configuration mode, each of the six
input choices can be configured from the
system’s two surround (5.1) and three
stereo inputs. The configuration mode also
allows stereo inputs A and B to be used as
either stereo or monaural sources. This is
especially useful in broadcast applications
where a 2-channel AES3id source may
carry two independent monaural signals.
To highlight this powerful feature: the Mod-
el 77B allows independent monitoring of
the two channels associated with a single
AES3id source. Broadcast master control
applications can greatly benefit from this
configuration flexibility.
The post-fader surround digital and analog
monitor output levels can be controlled by
way of a large, easy-to-use rotary control.
The control, actually a digital encoder,
allows level selection in precise 0.5-dB
steps. The auto mute all function causes
the post-fader surround digital and analog
monitor output channels to automatically
mute whenever the output level control
reaches maximum attenuation. Using the
reference level function, the post-fader
surround digital and analog monitor output
levels can be set to a pre-configured value.
This is provided for audio-with-picture ap-
plications that require a specific monitor
output level. The reference level is easily
configured by taking an electronic “snap-
shot” of the desired monitor output level.
For operator confirmation a 4-digit LED
readout can display the level of the post-
fader surround digital and analog monitor
output channels. To match the needs of
a facility, it can be configured to display
either the attenuation level or the sound
pressure level (SPL).
The dim function allows the post-fader
surround digital and analog monitor output
levels to be reduced by a fixed dB amount.
The dim level is configured from among
four available values. A mute all func-
tion allows the post-fader surround digital
and analog monitor output channels to be
simultaneously muted. The channel solo
section provides post-fader surround digi-
tal and analog channel monitoring control,
allowing a single channel to be monitored
while the others are automatically muted.
Multiple channels can also be simultane-
ously selected for “soloing.”
A special solo mode is also provided, called
channel pop solo, which offers a unique
aid in monitoring audio material. Channel
pop solo allows the level of a single post-
fader surround digital and analog monitor
output channel to be raised while the level
of the other channels is reduced. This helps
to emphasize the content on one channel
without fully muting the others. Broadcast
applications can benefit from the channel
pop solo mode by allowing, for example,
the center channel to be highlighted while
still maintaining some level on the other
channels. The amount of level increase—
the “pop”—as well as the amount of attenu-
ation can be configured to meet the needs
of specific applications or users.
Two functions allow the input sources to
be checked for level or phase inconsisten-
cies. The 5.1 to stereo downmix function
is used to create a stereo signal from the
selected surround (5.1) source. The stereo
to mono downmix function allows audio
on the left and right channels to be added
(summed) and monitored on the center
output channel. The two downmix functions
can be simultaneously enabled, allowing
a surround source to be checked for
mono compatibility. The downmix functions
always impact the post-fader surround
digital and analog monitor outputs. A
configuration setting allows the pre-fader