DIGITAL SPEAKER PROCESSOR DS48 •User Guide •Reference Manual professional products
® i IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
CONTENTS Jump ahead to quick start DS48 Features ……………………………………………………………………iv 1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………v 2 What is a Speaker Management System? ……………………………………1 2.1 Crossover ……………………………………………………………………1 2.2 Equalization …………………………………………………………………1 2.3 Delay ………………………………………………………………………1 2.4 High Pass and Low Pass Filters …………………………………………1 2.5 Limiting ………………………………………………………………………1 2.
CONTENTS ® 8.2 INSTALLING SYSOMAX ON YOUR COMPUTER ………………………19 8.3 STARTING UP SYSOMAX …………………………………………………20 8.3.1 From the Start menu ……………………………………………20 8.3.2 From Windows Explorer or My Computer ……………………20 8.4 Navigating SYSOMAX ……………………………………………………20 8.4.1 Top Line Menu……………………………………………………21 8.5 Device Program Manage/Memory ………………………………………22 8.6 Lock Unit ……………………………………………………………………23 8.7 Help ……………………………………………………………………23 9 Creating a Program ………………………………………………………………24 9.
DS48 FEATURES Crossovers • 4 inputs 8 outputs and includes 10 configurations Parametric Equalizers • Choice of Operating and Crossover Modes: 4 X 2-way, 2 X 3-way + 2 Aux, 2 X 4-way, 1 X 5-way + 3 Aux, Mono Dist., Stereo Dist.
® INTRODUCTION Thank you for choosing the BBE DS48 Speaker Management System. This product will enable you to obtain the best possible performance from your loudspeaker system. You can also reduce the amount of outboard gear that is required to transport, set-up and operate as part of the sound system. The DS48 offers many powerful functions. It is highly recommended that you read through this manual before you begin connection and operation.
WHAT IS A SPEAKER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM? A Speaker Management System uses digital signal processing to accomplish multiple functions that affect the audio signal between the mixer and the power amplifiers. These functions include crossover, equalization, delay, limiting, high-pass and low-pass filtering as well as signal distribution. Programs may be created, selected and edited with the DS48's front panel controls.
FRONT PANEL ® 1. LCD Display The 2x20 backlit LCD displays the program and programming choices of the unit. 2. Buttons These buttons allow navigation for selection of sub-menus and some parameter values. 3. Menu This is one of two buttons that will access the front panel programming. This one is used primarily to select which program to call up, edit or save. 4. Gain This is one of two buttons that will access the front panel programming.
FRONT PANEL 11. Output Meters These display the levels of the eight output channels. The seven LED lamps per display are in 6 dB steps from –30dbV to –6dBV, then -3dBV, then Limit (0dBV), then Clip (+8 dBV) 12. Output Mute Buttons Pressing one of these buttons will mute the respective Output channel and the LED will illuminate. All outputs will mute automatically during certain program selection and editing processes, to protect the loudspeakers REAR PANEL 1.
QUICK START ® NOTE: This section will describe navigation of the front panel controls as follows: The button to press will be shown in ALL CAPITALS. For QUICK START, a number following in parentheses (#) will also be included. These refer to the same names and numbers as shown in Figure 1, Front Panel Controls and Indicators. The expected display text is shown in "quotation marks". If you press a button and the display does not change, it means that the button has no effect for that particular menu item.
QUICK START Depending on the mode selected, other options will appear for this level of the menu, primarily concerned with input and output assignments. Some assignments are fixed with the crossover type selected. Only those assignments that can be selected will show on the display. Either the BACK/NEXT (2) buttons or the Parameter dial will work for stepping through the selections. 10. Press GAIN (4). Set the gain for Input A with gain knob (9).
INSTALLATION ® Your DS48 was carefully packed at the factory and the packaging was designed to protect the unit from rough handling. Nevertheless, we recommend that you carefully examine the packaging and its contents for any signs of physical damage that may have occurred in transit. 6.1 RACK MOUNTING The DS48 fits into one standard 19” rack unit of space. Please allow at least an additional 4” depth for the connectors on the back panel.
OPERATION There are two methods of creating and selecting programs on the DS48. 1.The first method uses the front panel controls of the unit and requires stepping through menus to access the proper parameters that need adjusting. Once programs have been saved to the onboard memory, calling up a program is quite simple. See QUICKSTART for an example of navigating and creating a program. 2.The second method uses the included Graphical User Interface (GUI) software run on a Windows PC.
OPERATION ® BACK button will not step you back, simply hit EXIT and start again. Where an additional "ENTER" press is required to write the selection to memory, the screen will prompt you with "[ENTER] to Confirm". The LED display also offers some navigation help. Left or right arrows on the top line indicate the BACK/NEXT buttons will step to other choices. 7.2 SUBMENUS 7.2.1.
OPERATION Press MENU, NEXT and ENTER. Then use the NEXT/BACK and ENTER buttons to adjust the Security Submenu. The various locking modes are as follows: 1. LOCK: Changes only: Parameters can be viewed, but cannot be adjusted. MUTE buttons are valid. 2. LOCK: Changes + View: Parameters cannot be viewed or adjusted. MUTE buttons are valid. 3. LOCK: Changes + Mutes: Parameters can be viewed, but cannot be adjusted. MUTE buttons are not valid. 4. LOCK: Everything: Parameters cannot be viewed or adjusted.
OPERATION ® A. Determines whether the outputs will stay muted on power up until manually switched off (Mute Hold) or the level will gradually fade up to the operating level (Fade In). The fade-in time is fixed. Wake up 1 Fade-in: Mutes are off, but Output channels rise to programmed levels gradually. Wake up 2 Mute Hold: All Output channels are muted until the mutes are manually disabled either on the front panel or through the GUI. 7.
OPERATION (The GAIN button will now select only the Output channels; the gain adjustment screens for the Inputs will not be displayed unless you use the BACK/NEXT buttons or exit the menu and start again.) Each Output will have both a number and name displayed. The names are taken from a default list with labels such as Low, Mid, Highs, Sub, etc.
OPERATION ® filter type and slope. Rotate the FREQ knob to select the frequency and the Q knob to select the filter type. HiPass: frequency range 10Hz~16.0KHz LoPass: frequency range 35Hz~22.0KHz Use HPF and LPF together to define the frequency band for this channel of the crossover. 7.6.1.7 PEQ: NOTE: when using Hi shelf or Lo shelf, set Gain=0.0dB, change Q-value to Hishelf/Loshelf. ✧ } { = Set the parameters for the five available bands of parametric EQ.
OPERATION 2. Attack. This is the amount of time that elapses before the limiter reduces the gain to the program level after the threshold point has been exceeded by the incoming signal. Generally, set shorter attack times on outputs that are feeding mids and highs and longer attack times for lows and subs. The time should be chosen carefully as the danger of dynamics distortion usually increases with shorter attack times. The attack time of the DS48 can be set within a range of 1 to 100 milliseconds. 3.
BLOCK DIAGRAMS ® INPUT A INPUT B INPUT C INPUT D HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HIGH OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW OUTPUT 2 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HIGH OUTPUT 2 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW OUTPUT 3 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HIGH OUTPUT 3 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW OUTPUT 4 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HIGH OUTPUT 4 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PE
BLOCK DIAGRAMS INPUT A HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE MID OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HIGH OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW OUTPUT 2 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE MID OUTPUT 2 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HIGH OUTPUT 2 GAIN HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE MONO SUB OUTPUT 1 GAIN HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE MONO SUB OUTPUT 2 GAIN HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS
BLOCK DIAGRAMS ® INPUT A INPUT B INPUT C INPUT D GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW MID OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HIGH MID OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HIGH OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE SUB OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE AUX OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE AUX OUTPUT 2 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE AUX OUTPUT 3 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MU
BLOCK DIAGRAMS INPUT A HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW OUTPUT 2 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW MID OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE LOW MID OUTPUT 2 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HIGH MID OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HIGH MID OUTPUT 2 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HIGH OUTPUT 1 GAIN HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HIGH OUTPUT 2 GAIN HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN
BLOCK DIAGRAMS ® INPUT A INPUT B INPUT C INPUT D GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE OUTPUT 2 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE OUTPUT 3 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE OUTPUT 4 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE MUTED OUTPUT 5 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE MUTED OUTPUT 6 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE MUTED OUTPUT 7 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE MUTED OUTPUT 8 HPF LPF PEQS Delay GAIN MUTE MUTE OUTPUT 1 HPF LPF
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI) The BBE SYSOMAX software provides a graphical method of creating and editing programs on the DS48. It can also be used to make changes in real time, if adjustments are required during live operation. Full metering and control of all settings is available on the PC. Because it provides a more graphic and overall view, this method will allow you to program settings more efficiently than using the front panel navigation method on the DS48.
® GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI) 3. Click on BBE (D) (CD-ROM drive is usually drive D) 4. Double click on the file that then displays: DS48Setup_v13.exe 5. The Setup Wizard screen will appear. 6. Follow the prompts displayed on the screen to install the program. 7. When the installation is complete, eject the CD-ROM 8.3 STARTING UP SYSOMAX To create a preset program on a DS48 unit , first connect it to the computer with the serial cable.
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI) 8.4.1 Top Line Menu Exit This section provides an overview of the menu and screen choices. Those that require a more detailed description are covered in subsequent sections. 1. Exit lets you select EXIT to exit the program. 2. Config provides six choices: A. Online, which will open the RS-232 connection to the DS48 when it’s properly connected. B. Offline, which will close the connection to the unit. C. RS-232 lets you select the Com port for your particular computer. D.
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI) ® 8.5 Device Program Manage/Memory Clicking the Memory icon or selecting Device Program Manage form the Program Menu will open a dialog box with a table displaying 30 memory locations and spaces for names as well as 10 buttons. To Store a program as a memory location, click on the desired Prog line in the table for the desired save location. Then click either Store to Device or Store to PC. Write a new name in text box if desired and click OK.
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI) Erase All will erase all programs in the memory table and in the device. There is a confirm screen before this command executes. Exit will close the window. 8.6 Lock Unit Found under config dropdown menu Provides four options for security lockouts in the pull-down menu. Make your selection and enter your password in the text box. You will then need to confirm the password and OK the lockout. To unlock the unit, under the Config menu, click on Lock/ Unlock Unit.
® CREATING A PROGRAM Once the device type and crossover type have been selected, the main screen will show blocks for each programmable section. This is referred to as the “Flow Chart”. The term “program” is used here as an equivalent to “preset” or “configuration” as used on other programmable devices. Clicking on any box in the “flow chart” other than the Input Gain or Source will display the Device Window.
CREATING A PROGRAM Whenever any screen windows, other than the main one, are displayed, the top-level menu will be disabled until the window is closed. To close a window, hit the escape key (esc) or Exit in the window. When entering values into text boxes you can use your pointing device such as a mouse or touchpad. You can also use the up/down/left/right cursor arrows for certain functions such as Gain sliders and up/down incremental value arrows.
® CREATING A PROGRAM 9.2 DELAYS: Clicking the Delays tab will open the Delays window. There is a text box for each output and a display Units selector. The Units selector gives you a choice of whether the delay is expressed in milliseconds, feet or meters. Use the up/down arrows to select the incremental values for each output and click OK when finished. 9.3 LIMITERS: Set the desired value for each of the four parameters per Output channel. Note that Hold Time and Decay select is in 10 ms increments.
CREATING A PROGRAM 9.4 OUT 1, OUT 2, etc. Each tab selects an output channel. Use this screen to program crossover frequencies, filter type, and up to five parametric EQ’s. In addition, the same programming choices as on the GAIN screen are duplicated here, but just for the selected output channel. 9.5 Crossover Filters: The Low and High frequencies set the frequency bandwidth for the selected channel of the crossover.
® CREATING A PROGRAM Most analog crossovers use 24 dB/octave, so this is a good place to start. The window also includes a graphic display that shows the response curve of the currently selected filters and equalizers in a Level vs. Frequency graph. Clicking on any of the filter text boxes (lower left of the window) opens a new window called XOVER. Use the sliders to browse the available filter types and click on the desired one. Use the horizontal slider to select the corner or “knee” frequency.
CREATING A PROGRAM 9.6 Parametric Equalizers: The next set of text boxes provides Frequency, Gain and Q setting choices for five bands of parametric equalization (PEQ) per output channel. There is also a check box for Flat, which will bypass the settings for that particular filter. In a similar manner to the Crossover filters above, clicking on any text box will open the PEQ filter settings window. Use the sliders to select values for Frequency Q and Gain (cut/boost).
SPECIFICATIONS ® BALANCED INPUTS As standard, the DS48 comes with electronically servo-balanced inputs. This circuit design features automatic hum and noise reduction for balanced signals and thus allows for trouble-free operation even at high operating levels. Externally induced mains hum etc. will be effectively suppressed.
SERVICE • WARRANTY • MAINTENANCE 11 SERVICE We recommend that if at all possible, a BBE DS48 that requires service be sent to our facility in Huntington Beach, California. We request that a “RETURN AUTHORIZATION” be issued by the dealer from whom you purchased the unit. If this is not possible, call BBE Sound, Inc. directly at (714) 897-6766, extension 116 to obtain a “RETURN AUTHORIZATION”. Include a copy of the bill of sale with the unit when it is shipped to BBE Sound, Inc.
® SERVICE • WARRANTY • MAINTENANCE is not within the warranty period. All non-warranty repairs are warranted for a period of 90 days from the date of service. BBE Sound, Inc. is NOT LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. Should the unit fail to operate for any reason, our sole obligation is to repair it as described above. DO NOT RETURN ANY PRODUCT TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS AND AUTHORIZATION ISSUED BY THE ABOVE LOCATION.
® 5381 Production Drive Huntington Beach, CA 92649 714-897-6766 • FAX 714-896-0736 www.bbesound .com BBE is the registered trademark of BBE Sound, Inc. rev.
