EM21D User’s Manual
Page 2 of 4
Operation Mode #1 - TRG
TRG Operation Mode uses the TRG input for trigger. It is the default
mode of operation. It supports up to 10 groups, numbered from #0 to
#9, of separate configuration files and audio files. For easier system
configutaion, use group #0 if only one group is needed.
System Configuration
The system can be configured for different modes of operation with a
configuration file named MOD0.txt for group #0, MOD1.txt for group
#1, and etc. If the configuration file is missing then the ‘catch-all’
MODE.txt is used. If MODE.txt is also missing then the default configu-
ration ‘DNC’ is used.
Create a plain text file of the proper name and put three letters in it:
First Letter: Operation Mode
D = Default
Second Letter: Playback Mode
N = Non-interruptible
Playback is not interruptible. The file always plays to the end.
I = Interruptible
Playback is interruptible by a new trigger
H = Holdable
Playback continues for as long as the trigger is applied, moving to the
next file when the current one finishes.
Third Letter: Contact Mode
C = Closed
Triggering starts as soon as contact is closed, for as long as contact
stays closed. This is often done by pressing a push button connected
between TRG and GND. When contact is subsequently open, triggering
stops immediately.
O = Open
Triggering starts as soon as contact is open, for as long as contact stays
open. This is often done by opening a switch connected between TRG
and GND. When contact is subsequently closed, triggering stops imme-
diately.
M = Make
Triggering occurs only once at the moment when contact closes, such
as when a push button connected between TRG and GND is pressed.
B = Break
Triggering occurs only once at the moment when contact opens, such
as when a push button connected between TRG and GND is released.
Configuration Examples
DNC
- Playback starts as soon as contact closes, and is uninterruptible.
If contact is still closed at the end, restart the same file.
DNM
- Playback starts as soon as contact closes, and is uninterruptible.
File does not repeat even if contact is still closed at the end of playback.
DHO
- Playback starts as soon as contact opens, and continues until
contact closes, moving to the next file when the current one ends.
Audio File Naming
The name of an audio file must start with the file number which is a
unique, 3-digit number. The rest of the filename does not matter. Group
#0 uses files 001~099, group #1 uses files 101~199, and etc. These files
are played sequentially, one file per trigger.
File numbering within a group must be consecutive, or the ones after a
break will not be used. For example, if 005 is missing then 004 is con-
sidered the last file of group #0. Files 006 and up, even if they exist on
the memory card, will not be used.
After the last file of the group is played, the next trigger will restart the
sequence and play the first file of the group.
Group Selection
Group selection can only be made via a keypad. The selection will be
memorized by the system even during power outages.
To make/change the selection, connect a compatible keypad to the
KEYPAD port and press the group number key (e.g. ‘2’ for group #2)
followed by the ‘#’ or ‘ENTER’ key. Afterwards the keypad may stay
connected or be removed.
Group selection must be done when the power is on, and it can be
done for as many times as needed. The new group becomes effective
immediately - no power cycle is required.
Group selection cannot be done when the system is playing audio,
including the background music if applicable.
The system will automatically reset to group #0 if an invalid group is
selected. A group is invalid if its first audio file is missing. For example,
group 7 is invalid if file 701 is missing.
Random Play
Random Play can be achieved by using either the DIC mode (for normally
open input) or the DIO mode (for normally closed input.) The randomness
is actually created by the variation in the duration of the momentary
opening or closure of the contacts. For example, pressing a normally open
push button in the DIC mode will apply a continuous trigger to the unit,
causing it to start playing. But as soon as the file starts to play, it gets
interrupted by the continuous trigger so the next file starts to play. This
process goes on and on until the push button is released. At that mo-
ment, the unit starts to play whichever file it happens to land on.
Additional Configurations
Pause Mode: DPM or DPB
Playback starts as soon as contact closes (DPM) or opens (DPB). Subse-
quent contact closures (DPM) or openings (DPB) cause playback to pause
and resume, till the file is finished.
Terminate Mode: DTM or DTB
Playback starts as soon as contact closes (DPM) or opens (DPB). A sec-
ond contact closure (DTM) or opening (DTB) causes playback to end
immediately - the file is considered to be finished.
