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FLX-E Operations Manual Rev F 

Page 20 

Table of Contents

 

 

Top

 

 

7.2.4.5

 

Ducker Block 

The Ducker allows prioritization of one audio channel over other channels. Applications include prioritizing 
microphone or paging audio over other audio programs. 

 

Priority Channel

 is a dropdown to select the channel which is given priority and which will activate the 

ducking (attenuation) of other selected channels, when the signal level of the priority channel reaches the 
set threshold. The dropdown menu will display the name set in the channel’s input configuration. 

Duck the Following:  

Select the channel or channels that will be ducked when the priority channel signal 

level reaches the threshold. Only the channels where the checkbox is checked (green) will by attenuated by 
the ducker. 

Threshold

 is a decibel property that can be adjusted using the numeric up-down control. The threshold is 

the level of the priority channel signal at which the ducker will attenuate non-priority channel signals. 
Threshold level could be thought of as the "sensitivity" of the ducker and is expressed as a specific level in 
dB. 

Depth

 is a decibel property that can be adjusted using the numeric up-down control. The depth is the 

amount of attenuation to be applied to non-priority channels once the priority channel signal has reached 
the threshold.  

Attack

 is a time property that is adjusted using the blue dial of the ducker configuration window or by 

entering the time (in seconds) in the textbox. Attack time refers to the time it takes the ducker to start 
attenuating non-priority channels after threshold has been reached on the priority channel.  

Release

 is a time property that is adjusted using the orange dial of the ducker configuration window, or by 

entering the time (in seconds) in the textbox. Release time is the time the ducker uses to return non-

Summary of Contents for FLX-E Series

Page 1: ... with one wider than the other A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong The wide blade and or the third prong are provided for your safety If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet 11 Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs convenience receptacles and the point they e...

Page 2: ... PERSONNEL ONLY Please refer to the following table for AC Line plug information Voltage Line plug according to standard 110 125 V US UL817 and CSA C22 2 no 42 220 230 V EUROPE CEE 7 page VII SR section 107 2 D1 IEC 83 page C4 240 V UK BS 1363 of 1984 Specification for 13 A fused plugs and switched and unswitched socket outlets 3 3 User Responsibility 3 3 1 Mains Connection Grounding Your amplifie...

Page 3: ...e loudspeakers Stewart Audio strongly suggests you use the limiter block in the DSP chain to limit power to the loudspeakers 3 3 5 Maintenance Clean regularly with a soft cloth to remove dust and debris Also check that vent holes and slots are not covered and that there is adequate ventilation for convection cooling If the amplifier is not rack mounted be certain that the feet on the bottom of the...

Page 4: ...ures 6 5 2 Unpacking and Visual Inspection 6 5 3 Installation and Setup 6 5 3 1 Rack Mounting 6 5 3 2 Cooling and Ventilation 7 5 3 3 Operating Voltage 8 6 Rear Panel 9 6 1 Operation 10 6 1 1 Local and Network Audio 10 6 1 2 Remote Volume Control and Mute 10 6 1 3 RS 232 Control 10 6 1 4 IP Control 11 6 1 5 Speaker Connections 11 7 FLX E Application DSP and System Configuration 12 7 1 FLX E System...

Page 5: ...Non warranty Repairs 24 10 Return Procedure 25 10 1 Shipment Instructions 25 10 2 Packaging Instructions 25 11 Appendix A Maximum Speaker Cable Length Tables 26 12 Appendix B FLX E RS 232 Communications Interface API Rev 2 0 28 12 1 Command Structure 28 12 2 Response Structure 28 12 3 Commands 28 13 Appendix C FLX E Ethernet Communications Interface API Rev 2 0 38 ...

Page 6: ...is carefully tested and inspected before leaving the factory and should arrive in perfect condition If any damage is discovered please notify the shipping carrier immediately Save the packing materials for the carrier s inspection and for any future shipping 5 3 Installation and Setup 5 3 1 Rack Mounting The FLX E Series of amplifiers is designed for rack mounting in a standard 19 rack using the o...

Page 7: ...ls 12 12 41 1 8 rated audio power 60 20 68 Power consumption and energy dissipated Ensure that there is sufficient open space around the amplifier to allow for free air flow Please follow the open space requirements on the following page to ensure adequate ventilation when installed in a cabinet When mounted in an equipment rack the amplifier is designed to have air pulled into the amplifier from ...

Page 8: ... Voltage FLX E Series amplifiers use an integral universal power supply that operates on AC mains from 100 240V at 50 or 60 Hz The power receptacle on the rear panel accepts IEC 60320 C13 power cords There is no power switch The amplifier will turn on automatically when AC power is connected to the device 10 4 cm 4 0 min 10 4 cm 4 0 min 10 4 cm 4 0 min 20 8 cm 8 0 min Rear 10 4 cm 4 0 min 10 4 cm ...

Page 9: ...onnectors provided Note the polarity is ground minus plus from left to right for each of the four available analog input channels Single ended inputs may also be used See the diagrams below illustrating proper connections for both balanced and single ended sources Balanced source connections Single ended source connections 4 Remote volume control mute RS 232 connector Connect a 10KΩ potentiometer ...

Page 10: ...s across speaker outputs Bridge mode is not supported 6 Power LED This blue LED illuminates whenever AC power is applied A steady LED indicates normal operation while a flashing LED indicates that the amplifier is in an error condition The identify command will cause this LED to flash for several seconds When new firmware is being installed the power LED also flashes 6 1 Operation 6 1 1 Local and ...

Page 11: ...nsert into connector observing proper polarity With a small flat blade screwdriver tighten the screw until the leads are held securely in place Inspect for possible shorts or broken wires 6 1 5 2 Constant Voltage High Impedance Models CV suffix Constant voltage amplifiers are designed to facilitate paralleling a number of high impedance speakers on a single output channel Ideally the output signal...

Page 12: ...e FLX E application plus IP based controllers can connect to each FLX E amplifier simultaneously however if more than one instance of the application program makes changes to the DSP values the individual device screens will lose synchronization Synchronization is restored when the device screen is closed and reopened 7 1 FLX E System Status Screen When the FLX E Application is launched the applic...

Page 13: ...lish at any time This process takes about 3 seconds To use this function connect all low impedance loads or tap all high impedance speakers to the desired values Since there is some temperature dependence allow the amplifier to temperature stabilize for best results Press the Take Reference Values button on the Load Test tab You will hear several clicks as the channels are cycled through You will ...

Page 14: ...storage location select the file and click open 7 1 2 4 Identify Selected Device This function allows the user to identify the selected device by causing the power LED on the front panel to flash for several seconds 7 2 FLX E Device Screen Double clicking anywhere along a device row on the System Status Screen launches the device screen for that particular model Note that the screens will be somew...

Page 15: ...el DSP 7 2 3 Device DSP Configuration The top of the device DSP configuration window shows the status connected and the PRESET SELECTION Preset 0 for the device There are 10 presets 0 through 9 to be configured as desired All signal processing elements can be customized for each preset Presets can be changed by selecting the preset in the dropdown or via the RS 232 or equivalent IP based command I...

Page 16: ...e for this loss of headroom Phantom Power is a checkbox that is visible for inputs 1 and 2 only Note this checkbox will be automatically un checked if a Line Level pre gain is selected to prevent harm to devices that do not support phantom power It will display a warning if phantom power is selected after it has been unchecked Signal Meter displays the current RMS level in dBV of the audio signal ...

Page 17: ... as the change in output level for a change in input level above the threshold A ratio of 10 1 specifies an increase of 10 dB above the threshold at the input results in a 1dB increase in the output level Ratio is a constant value which is independent of the degree of compression taking place the ratio of the input change to output change is constant Soft Knee is an option selected using the check...

Page 18: ... peak and notch The filter type is selected via the pull down menu below the frequency response graphic Once a filter type is selected it is configured by entering the filter parameters in the text boxes below the filter type box This interface is convenient when accurate configuration of gain or center frequency is required for matching speaker specifications The number and type of parameters wil...

Page 19: ... represented by a thin line color matched to the filter selector in the lower standard filter interface The cascaded output is represented by a thicker yellow line Bypassed filters are displayed with a dotted line and are not included in the cascaded output A filter is selected for editing on the graph by using the Filter Select buttons in the lower left hand portion of the graphical interface Onl...

Page 20: ...n be adjusted using the numeric up down control The threshold is the level of the priority channel signal at which the ducker will attenuate non priority channel signals Threshold level could be thought of as the sensitivity of the ducker and is expressed as a specific level in dB Depth is a decibel property that can be adjusted using the numeric up down control The depth is the amount of attenuat...

Page 21: ...s all alphanumeric characters as well as a limited number of special characters When edited the display name will update on the output label Reset Pressing this button resets the RS 232 settings on all channels to 0 dB attenuation and unmuted 7 2 4 7 Mixer Block The mixer block allows the configuration and monitoring of the matrix mixer which mixes and routes input signals and signal generators to...

Page 22: ...FLX E Operations Manual Rev F Page 22 Table of Contents Top Signal Meter displays the current RMS signal level in dBV of the mixed audio output ...

Page 23: ...el Isolation Crosstalk 60dB FLX E 80 4 85dB FLX E 160 2 Dante Audio Sampling Rates 44 1 48 88 2 96 176 4 192 ksps Remote Volume Control 0 10VDC Input Connectors 3 5mm Euroblock 24V Phantom Power on 2 channels Dante AES67 Network Audio optional and Control Port RJ 45 Output Connectors 5mm Euroblock Amplifier Class D Control and Status RVC RS 232 and Ethernet Power Draw Dissipation Idle 1 8 Rated Au...

Page 24: ...AC plug has been damaged through misuse The amplifier has been exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures The amplifier has been dropped items have been dropped on the amplifier or the enclosure has been damaged The amplifier has been opened by the operator The amplifier was improperly packaged when sending to the factory for repair resulting in damage Any of the precautions or instructions found...

Page 25: ... box Record the RMA number for future reference The RA number can be used to check the repair status 10 2 Packaging Instructions Should Stewart Audio request that you ship your product to their service center these instructions must be followed in order to ensure safe delivery If they are not followed Stewart Audio assumes no responsibility for damaged goods and or accessories that are sent with y...

Page 26: ...level to be delivered to the speakers For 25V 70 7V and 100V systems the tables assume the entire load is located at the maximum distance Scan down the column until you reach the required cable length and scan across to find the appropriate wire gauge This will result in an approximately 0 5dB loss in SPL 4Ω 8Ω and16Ω Speaker Lines length in feet Wire gauge 4Ω Speaker load W 8Ω Speaker load W 16Ω ...

Page 27: ... 960 480 240 150 110 X X X 22 1 200 600 300 150 95 X X X X 100V Speaker Line length in feet Wire gauge 7 5W Load 15W Load 30W Load 60W Load 100W Load 125W Load 250W Load 400W Load 500W Load 10 40 000 20 000 10 000 5 000 3 000 2 200 1 100 730 550 12 24 800 12 400 6 200 3 100 1 880 1 500 750 460 370 14 15 200 7 600 3 800 1 900 1 200 900 450 280 220 16 9 600 4 800 2 400 1 200 740 580 290 180 X 18 6 0...

Page 28: ...h command this is a response to The next byte is a one byte channel number 0x00 Master 0x01 for channel 1 0x02 for channel 2 etc The next byte is a one byte command response that is specific to the command in progress Each response ends with 0x03 labeled ETX in commands below 12 3 Commands 1 DECREASE OUTPUT ATTENUATION 3 dB Command code 0x01 Description command used to decrease system output atten...

Page 29: ...rease system output attenuation by 1 dB Input parameters Parameter 1 8 bit channel number 0 all channels 1 4 is single channel Host sent data Byte 0 0x02 start of message character Byte 1 0x03 command code Byte 2 0xXX channel number Byte 3 0x03 end of message character FLX E Response Byte 0 0x02 start of message character Byte 1 0x03 command code Byte 2 0xXX channel number Byte 3 0xXX current atte...

Page 30: ...g a value of 80 will set the attenuation to 80dB Host sent data Byte 0 0x02 start of message character Byte 1 0x05 command code Byte 2 0xXX channel number Byte 3 0xXX desired attenuation in 1 dB steps e g 0x0A is 10dB attenuation Byte 4 0x03 end of message character FLX E Response Byte 0 0x02 start of message character Byte 1 0x05 command code Byte 2 0xXX channel number Byte 3 0xXX current attenua...

Page 31: ...hannel number Byte 3 0x03 end of message character FLX E Response Byte 0 0x02 start of message character Byte 1 0x07 command code Byte 2 0xXX channel number Byte 3 0xXX current mute state 0 mute off 1 mute on Byte 4 0x03 end of message character 8 OUTPUT CHANNEL MUTE OFF Command code 0x08 Description command used to unmute a specified output channel Input parameters Parameter 1 8 bit channel numbe...

Page 32: ...3 0xXX current attenuation in 1 dB steps e g 0x0A is 10dB attenuation Byte 4 0x03 end of message character 10 GET OUTPUT CHANNEL MUTE Command code 0x0A Description command used to get the output mute status for a specified channel Input parameters Parameter 1 8 bit channel number 0 all channels 1 4 is single channel Host sent data Byte 0 0x02 start of message character Byte 1 0x0A command code Byt...

Page 33: ...nt data Byte 0 0x02 start of message character Byte 1 0x0C command code Byte 2 0xXX dummy channel number value is don t care Byte 3 0xXX desired program number 0 9 Byte 4 0x03 end of message character FLX E Response Byte 0 0x02 start of message character Byte 1 0x0C command code Byte 2 0xXX dummy channel number Byte 3 0xXX current program number 0 9 Byte 4 0x03 end of message character 13 DECREASE...

Page 34: ... command code Byte 2 0xXX channel number Byte 3 0x03 end of message character FLX E Response Byte 0 0x02 start of message character Byte 1 0x0E command code Byte 2 0xXX channel number Byte 3 0xXX current attenuation level Byte 4 0x03 end of message character 15 DECREASE PREMIX ATTENUATION 1 dB Command code 0x0F Description command used to decrease system premix attenuation by 1 dB Input parameters...

Page 35: ...xXX current attenuation level Byte 4 0x03 end of message character 17 SET DISCRETE PREMIX ATTENUATION Command code 0x11 Description command used to set the system premix attenuation to a specified value Input parameters Parameter 1 8 bit channel number 0 all channels 1 8 is single channel Parameter 2 8 bit integer value for desired attenuation 0 100 Sending a value of 80 will set the attenuation t...

Page 36: ...urrent mute state 0 mute off 1 mute on Byte 4 0x03 end of message character 19 PREMIX MUTE ON Command code 0x13 Description command used to mute a specified premix input channel Input parameters Parameter 1 8 bit channel number 0 all channels 1 8 is single channel Host sent data Byte 0 0x02 start of message character Byte 1 0x13 command code Byte 2 0xXX channel number Byte 3 0x03 end of message ch...

Page 37: ...specified channel Input parameters Parameter 1 8 bit channel number 0 all channels 1 8 is single channel Host sent data Byte 0 0x02 start of message character Byte 1 0x15 command code Byte 2 0xXX channel number Byte 3 0x03 end of message character FLX E Response Byte 0 0x02 start of message character Byte 1 0x15 command code Byte 2 0xXX channel number Byte 3 0xXX current attenuation in 1 dB steps ...

Page 38: ...e host side to know which response a received message applies to The next byte is a one byte command code followed by the appropriate number of data bytes for that command The final byte of the packet after any required payload is a one byte checksum This checksum is the 8 bit sum of the bytes starting with the first byte of the payload length field through the end of any payload data Every comman...

Page 39: ... code Byte 5 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 4 3 GET SYSTEM STATUS Command code 0x05 Description command used to get the current system status Host sent data Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x02 low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload length Byte 3 0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x05 command code Byte 5 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 4 FLX E Response Byt...

Page 40: ... SHUTDOWN RECOVERY DELAY 5 AMP OVERLOAD SHUTDOWN 6 CHANNEL RESET DELAY 7 CHANNELS DISABLED 8 CHANNELS RESET TO NORMAL 9 SYSTEM WAKEUP 10 SYSTEM LOAD TEST 11 SYSTEM IN OVERTEMP WARNING 12 SYSTEM IN OVERTEMP SHUTDOWN 13 AMP IN OVERLOAD DISABLE 4 START LOAD TEST Command code 0x2A Description command to start a system load test Host sent data Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x03 low byte...

Page 41: ...ow byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload length Byte 3 0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x2E command code Byte 5 0xXX channel number Byte 6 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 5 FLX E Response Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x03 low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload length Byte 3 0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x2E command code Byte 5 0x...

Page 42: ...eter 1 8 bit channel number 0 all channels 1 4 is single channel Host sent data Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x03 low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload length Byte 3 0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x30 command code Byte 5 0xXX channel number Byte 6 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 5 FLX E Response Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x03 low b...

Page 43: ...UT ATTENUATION Command code 0x32 Description command used to set the system output attenuation to a specified value Input parameters Parameter 1 8 bit channel number 0 all channels 1 4 is single channel Parameter 2 8 bit integer value for desired attenuation 0 80 Sending a value of 80 will set the attenuation to 80dB Host sent data Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x04 low byte of pay...

Page 44: ...xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 5 FLX E Response Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x04 low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload length Byte 3 0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x33 command code Byte 5 0xXX channel number Byte 6 0x32 example attenuation is 50dB 0x32 50 decimal Byte 7 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 6 11 GET CURRENT PROGRAM NUMBER Command code 0x...

Page 45: ...te 5 0xXX desired program number Byte 6 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 5 FLX E Response Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x03 low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload length Byte 3 0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x39 command code Byte 5 0xXX command response 0 error 1 success Byte 6 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 5 13 TOGGLE OUTPUT CHANNEL MUTE Command co...

Page 46: ... message character Byte 1 0x22 low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload length Byte 3 0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x4F command code Byte 5 0xXX 0 load test data not available 1 data available Byte 6 0x02 data is load test data if byte 5 is zero then there is no more data in the message Byte 7 0xXX reference value timestamp seconds Byte 8 0xXX reference value timestamp mi...

Page 47: ... high order 8 bits Byte 33 0xXX channel 4 reference value low order 8 bits Byte 34 0xXX channel 4 reference value high order 8 bits Byte 35 0xXX channel 4 load test value low order 8 bits Byte 36 0xXX channel 4 load test value high order 8 bits Byte 37 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 36 15 OUTPUT CHANNEL MUTE ON Command code 0x50 Description command used to mute a specified output channel Input ...

Page 48: ...low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload length Byte 3 0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x51 command code Byte 5 0xXX command response 0 error 1 success Byte 6 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 5 17 GET OUTPUT CHANNEL MUTE Command code 0x52 Description command used to get the output mute status for a specified channel Input parameters Parameter 1 8 bit channel number 0 all ch...

Page 49: ...0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x54 command code Byte 5 0xXX channel number Byte 6 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 5 FLX E Response Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x03 low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload length Byte 3 0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x54 command code Byte 5 0xXX command response 0 error 1 success Byte 6 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 th...

Page 50: ...nels 1 8 is single channel Host sent data Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x03 low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload length Byte 3 0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x56 command code Byte 5 0xXX channel number Byte 6 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 5 FLX E Response Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x03 low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high...

Page 51: ...used to set the system premix attenuation to a specified value Input parameters Parameter 1 8 bit channel number 0 all channels 1 8 is single channel Parameter 2 8 bit integer value for desired attenuation 0 100 Sending a value of 100 will set the attenuation to 100dB Host sent data Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x04 low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload lengt...

Page 52: ...cter Byte 1 0x03 low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload length Byte 3 0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x59 command code Byte 5 0xXX command response 0 error 1 success Byte 6 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 5 24 PREMIX MUTE ON Command code 0x5A Description command used to mute a specified input channel Input parameters Parameter 1 8 bit channel number 0 all channels 1 8 i...

Page 53: ...yte 4 0x5B command code Byte 5 0xXX channel number Byte 6 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 5 FLX E Response Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x03 low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload length Byte 3 0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x5B command code Byte 5 0xXX command response 0 error 1 success Byte 6 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 5 26 GET PREMIX ATTENUAT...

Page 54: ...t the premix mute status for a specified channel Input parameters Parameter 1 8 bit channel number 0 all channels 1 8 is single channel Host sent data Byte 0 0x1E start of message character Byte 1 0x03 low byte of payload length Byte 2 0x00 high byte of payload length Byte 3 0xXX message sequence number Byte 4 0x5D command code Byte 5 0xXX channel number Byte 6 0xXX 8 bit sum of bytes 1 through 5 ...

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