Installation guide
CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN ATTENTION : RISQUE DE CHOCK ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
© 2005 All rights reserved. Merging Technologies and Sphynx 2 are registered Trademarks of Merging Technologies S.A. Product features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Merging Technologies S.A shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors contained herein, nor for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the furnishing, performance or use of this manual. Company Address: Merging Technologies S.A. Le Verny, CH-1070 Puidoux, Swizerland. Fax. +41 (0)21 946 04 45.
Contents 1. INTRODUCTION 7 BEFORE YOU START GENERAL INTRODUCTION WELCOME 7 7 7 2. CONTROL SOFTWARE INSTALLATION 7 2.1 PC RECOMMENDATION 2.2 PROGRAM INSTALLATION 7 8 3. HARDWARE INSTALLATION 9 3.1 REAR PANEL 9 Installing I/O cards Connecting the analog audio cables Connecting the digital audio cables Connecting the digital sync input/output Connecting the Power Cable Connecting the RS422 cable for remote control 9 10 10 10 10 10 3.2 THE FRONT PANEL 11 4. DADMAN CONTROL PROGRAM 12 5.
1. Introduction Welcome Congratulations, and thank you for purchasing the Merging Technologies Sphynx 2 audio converter. The Sphynx 2 is an extremely powerful 8-channel audio converter for independent simultaneous analogto-digital (A/D), and optional digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion. The Sphynx 2 has a modular structure enabling the use of up to 7 I/O modules. For a more detailed description of the Sphynx 2, please look at the Merging website www.merging.com.
2.2 Program installation This section will take you through the installation procedure for the DADman PC software program. The Sphynx 2 is controlled from a PC via RS422. Three solutions for this can be provided by Merging. 1. VScom USB USB I/O adapter with one RS422 break out (one RS422 output). 2. VScom USB USB I/O adapter with four RS422 break out (four RS422 outputs). 3. Antona RS232 to RS422 converter (RS232 from the computer com port) VScom USB to RS422 I/O adapter from Easy Sync Ltd.
3. Hardware Installation This section will take you through installation of your Sphynx 2. We will describe how to connect the analog and digital audio cable, and how to mount additional I/O modules. 3.1 Rear Panel Installing I/O cards If you need to install or change an I/O module the following procedure must be used. Place the Sphynx 2 on a dry, steady, horizontal surface. Turn off the power and remove all cables. On the rear panel of the Sphynx 2 there are 7 slots for I/O card mounting.
Connecting the analog audio cables Turn down the sound system volume, before rigging the Sphynx 2’s analog audio cables. On the right side of the rear panel, you will find 8 balanced XLR input connectors marked 1 to 8. These analog inputs correspond to the 8 channels, and can be used to connect a balanced line input signal (+12 to +30 dBu). The input level can be adjusted using the small adjustment screw next to the XLR input connectors.
The pin-out at the Easy Sync USB to RS422 converter is equivalent to the Sphynx 2 RS422 connector pin-out. In this case simply connect the USB cable between the Easy Sync USB to RS422 converter and a USB port on the computer, and connect the Sphynx 2 RS422 input to the output of the Easy Sync converter using a one-to-one RS422 cable. RS422 can be used for communication between the Sphynx 2 and the computer to a maximum distance of 100 meters. 3.
At the right-hand side of the front panel an alphanumeric display shows a unit ID. Multiple converters with different Unit ID’s can be controlled from the DADman program at the same time. The Unit ID is set in the DADman program. 4. DADman control program Note: The Sphynx 2 is an OEM product manufactured for Merging Technologies by Digital Audio Denmark. Digital Audio Denmark also manufactures a similar Audio Converter under the Digital Audio Denmark brand name. This unit is called Axion.
By right-clicking on the converter icon (or text) it is possible to: 1. Open a remote control window in the DADman program for the corresponding Axion/Sphynx 2. 2. Synchronise the user settings between the DADman program and the corresponding converter. However, this also happens automatically when the connection between the DADman program and the corresponding Sphynx 2 is established, or if the connection is interrupted, and reestablished. 3. Set the Properties for the connected Axion/Sphynx 2. 4.
If more than one converter is controlled from the DADman program, the different windows for each converter can be arranged by moving the windows inside the DADman program window. It is possible to save the DADman program settings and to load previously saved settings. Click on File and choose between Open, Save and Save As in the menu. The Save command will save all settings in DADman program. The Open command will open a previously saved setting.
5. Analog interfaces 5.1 Analog Inputs The input level can be precisely adjusted on the rear panel of the Sphynx 2. Please note that the setting potentiometers are delicate and must be operated with care. Only trained personnel should undertake this work. Note that the warranty of the unit does not cover damage to these controls.
6. Interface specifications 6.1 RS422 control interface In RS422 communication the Sphynx 2 must always be slave and the computer the master. RS422 Pin out Sphynx 2: Baud rate Cable length: Connector Type: Pin 1: RX- (input) Pin 2: RX+ (input) Pin 3: TX+ (output) Pin 4: TX- (output) Pin 5: GND Pin 6: NC Pin 7: NC Pin 8: NC Pin 9: NC 19.
6.3 MADI digital I/O module The MADI digital I/O module is capable of interfacing the 8 AD and DA channels of the Sphynx 2 in blocks of eight to any of the 56 channels available in the MADI format in standard mode or any of the up-to 64 channels when operating in extended mode. The allocation can be set independently for input and output. The interface will pass all unused channels from the input to the output connector, with a latency of a few samples. All module settings are made via DADman.
6.5 8 ch AES3 digital I/O module The 8 channel AES3 I/O module is able to interface all 8 input and output channels of the Sphynx 2 according to the AES3 specification. The connection is made via a 25 pin female D-sub connector. The pin-outs can be set for compliance with 3 different pin allocation formats. AES3 I/O Specifications: Connectors: Formats: Sample Rates: Rear plate The pin-out format of the D25 connector is selected by the position of the internal flat cable connector on the PCB.
7. Specifications: A/D CONVERSION, LINE INPUT PCM resolution PCM sample-rates DSD sample-rates DXD sample-rates Dynamic range (A), PCM Dynamic range (A), DSD, DXD THD+N (A) Cross talk Input impedance Max. input level Connectors Processing delay 24 bit 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz 2.8224 & 5.6448 MHz (64 & 128 fs) 24 bit at 352.8 kHz > 121 dB > 117 dB < -115 dBfs < -120 dB > 15 k Ohm +12 to 30 dBu, adjustable XLR (pin 2 hot) < 1.
