ADVANTAGE® VRAM Variable Resource Automixer Operation Manual ® Biamp Systems, 10074 S.W. Arctic Drive, Beaverton, Oregon 97005 U.S.A. (503) 641-7287 http://www.biamp.com an affiliate of Rauland Borg Corp.
blank print update Sept 11/00
VRAM INTRODUCTION TABLE OF CONTENTS Front & Rear Panel Features Setup pgs. 2 & 3 pgs. 4~9 Logic Inputs pgs. 10 & 11 Logic Outputs pgs. 12 & 13 RS-232 Control pgs. 14 & 15 Applications pgs. 16 & 17 ® The ADVANTAGE VRAM Variable Resource Automixer is a 10-in / 2-out programmable automatic mixer, which is completely user tamper proof, providing no external controls. All mixer parameters are under microprocessor ® control, and are easily programmed via Windows 95/98/NT software.
FRONT & REAR PANEL FEATURES ADVANTAGE VRAM Variable Resource Automixer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 o on FRONT PANEL FEATURES REAR PANEL FEATURES Channel Gate Indicators: These red LEDs normally indicate when Channels 1~8 are active to Main Out (‘on’ or ‘auto’ gating). NOTE: When a channel is assigned as ‘off’ to Main Out, but is assigned as ‘auto’ to Aux Out, this indicator will light when the channel is active (gated on) to Aux Out (see Setup on pg. 5).
FRONT & REAR PANEL FEATURES input input input input input d. out input d. out input d. out input d. out aux 1 d. out aux 2 d. out aux d. out main serial port d.
SETUP ® VRAM & VRAMeq parameters are all adjustable using the Windows 95/98/NT ’PC Control Software’ and serial cable provided with the ® unit. The PC Control Software provides programs for various ADVANTAGE products, including the VRAM(eq). The VRAM program includes seven control screens, which are described on the following pages. Once the software is started (and Comm Port Configuration is set), the control screens are accessed via the drop-down menus at the top of the opening screen.
SETUP CHANNEL SETTINGS SCREEN The Channel Settings screen appears as an overlay of the Mix screen, and is used to adjust individual input parameters. It is accessed via the Configure VRAM menu, or from the Mix screen. Individual tabs are provided for Channels 1~8 and the Aux Inputs. Right-clicking the blank area at the upper-left of a tab allows that input to be given a custom name. Gain adjusts the input to compensate for different signal levels.
SETUP AUTOMIXER SETTINGS SCREEN The Automixer Settings screen is used to adjust automatic mixing functions, which affect the entire mixer. It is accessed via the Configure VRAM menu, or from the Mix screen. Channel Off Attenuation selects the amount of attenuation applied to ‘auto’ channels when they are inactive (gated off). NOTE: Channel Off Attenuation is set separately for Main Out & Aux Out.
SETUP BUTTON DEFINITIONS SCREEN The Button Definitions screen is used to assign specific ‘actions’ to remote control buttons. Although the VRAM does not accept infrared or ® wall-mount remote controls itself, it can still receive ‘echo’ characters (via RS-232) from other ADVANTAGE products which are utilizing these types of remote controls. From the factory, Remote Control Buttons have equivalent ASCII characters permanently assigned to them (see RS-232 Control on pg. 14).
SETUP LOGIC INPUT DEFINITIONS SCREEN The Logic Input Definitions screen is used to assign specific ‘actions’ to the Logic Inputs (and remote control buttons). Logic Inputs allow remote control of the VRAM via external circuits, such as switches, contact-closures, active driver circuits, and/or ‘open-collector’ logic outputs (see Logic Inputs on pg. 10). From the factory, Logic Inputs 1~8 have no pre-programmed functions.
SETUP LOGIC OUTPUT POLARITY SCREEN Normally, when a Logic Output turns ‘on’ it provides a DC path to ground, which is then used to control ‘active-low’ type circuits. The Logic Outputs Polarity screen simply allows this operation of the individual Logic Outputs to be reversed, for driving ‘active-high’ type circuits. CONFIGURATION OPTIONS SCREEN The Configuration Options screen is used to select options which customize the operation of the VRAM.
LOGIC INPUTS Eight Logic Inputs are available on a rear panel 9-pin Sub-D (female) connector. Logic Inputs allow remote control of the VRAM via external circuits, such as switches, contact-closures, active driver circuits, and/or ‘open-collector’ logic outputs. From the factory, Logic Inputs 1~8 have no pre-programmed function. However, each Logic Input may be assigned different ‘actions’ using the PC Control Software and serial cable provided with the VRAM (see Setup on pg. 8).
LOGIC INPUTS Multiple contact-closures or ‘open-collector’ logic outputs may be wired in parallel to a single Logic Input (see diagram below). Logic Outputs and contact-closures should be rated for at least 5 Volts / 1mA operation. Low-current / dry-contact closures are recommended for reliability. Active output driver circuits should not exceed a signal range of 0~5 Volts DC, and should have a minimum pulse width of 100 milli-seconds. Logic Input impedances are approximately 10k ohms.
LOGIC OUTPUTS The VRAM provides eight logic outputs on a rear panel 9-pin Subminiature D (male) connector. Logic Outputs can be used to control external switching circuits (such as relays) for speakers, cameras, indicators, etc. The VRAM Logic Outputs are most often used, in conjunction with external relays, to turn off specific speakers when nearby microphones are active (reducing feedback problems).
LOGIC OUTPUTS Logic/Relay circuit VRAM +12 Volts DC Power Supply − + Pin #1 12V Relay Contacts normally closed common normally open Logic Output #1 1N4004 Diode Coil Pin #9 Logic Outputs controlling indicators VRAM +12 Volts DC Power Supply − + Pin #1 Indicator Panel 1.
RS-232 CONTROL The VRAM has an RS-232 Serial Port, which allows it to be controlled by a computer (see Front & Rear Panel Features on pg. 2). In addition to the PC Control Software, the VRAM offers two other methods of computer control. Control Button Emulation: This method allows the computer to imitate the operation of an infrared transmitter or wall-mount control panel.
RS-232 CONTROL Serial Port: The 9-pin Sub-D (male) connector on the VRAM rear panel provides the RS-232 compatible serial interface signals used for computer control. The VRAM Serial Port transmits serial data on pin 3 (TxD), receives serial data on pin 2 (RxD), and provides a ground on Pin 5. The Data Terminal Ready (DTR) & Request To Send (RTS) output signals are connected to the +12 Volt power supply (through a resistor) and are always asserted when the VRAM power is on.
APPLICATIONS COURTROOM MADE IN U.S.A. common + input 4Ω - input autoformer input gnd 115V: 2A SB fuse 230V: 1A SB fuse 115/230 VAC h nc Be s ey orn Att ry Ju ADVANTAGE D60EQ 115V m roo urt Co D60EQ 8Ω U SE * F * FUS 70V E * F 100V SE 50/60 Hz 160 Watts VSX41 BIAMP SYSTEMS ADVANTAGE VSX41 Portland, Oregon Video Switcher remote translator remote output remote 2 output remote 1 input 4 input 3 input 2 input 1 an affiliate of Rauland-Borg Corp.
APPLICATIONS BOARDROOM VOICECRAFTER plus trim aux in phone lines RS-232 control trim +10 codec out codec in VOICECRAFTER +10 mic 2 mic 1 video codec board VRAM table mics out main out ~ 27V 50/60 Hz teleconferencing feeds serial port aux out aux 2 aux 1 input input input input input input input input logic outputs in 15 watts class 2 wiring link port link logic inputs expansion outputs auxiliary inputs channel 8 channel 7 channel 6 channel 5 board channel 4 tabl
SPECIFICATIONS & BLOCK DIAGRAM Frequency Response (20Hz~20kHz @ +4dBu): +0/-0.3dB Phantom Power: +36VDC (7mA/channel) THD + Noise (20Hz~20kHz @ +4dBu): < 0.
WARRANTY BIAMP SYSTEMS IS PLEASED TO EXTEND THE FOLLOWING 5-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF THE PROFESSIONAL SOUND EQUIPMENT DESCRIBED IN THIS MANUAL. BIAMP Systems expressly warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 5 YEARS from the date of purchase as a new product from an authorized BIAMP Systems dealer under the following conditions. 1.