Operation Manual

50 Appendix F: Setting Up An XL8 System
DL431 Mic Splitter
Operator Manual
Outboard equipment racks
To ensure the correct installation and function of the outboard equipment, such as the
DL4n1 units and DN9696 recorder, the racks must meet the following general
requirements.
• Shock mounting (for non-installation environments): The racks must provide
adequate shock protection of the units they house by incorporating appropriately-
designed shock protection methods, for example, a foam-suspended rack or a frame
suspended on anti-vibration mounts etc.
• Ventilation: The XL8 rack units have been designed such that their internal
ventilation airflow is drawn in through the front of the unit and expelled though the
rear. To facilitate this, rack design must ensure that cool air can flow freely through
the rack in the same direction, that is, in through the front of the rack and out
through the rear. Situations where the air flows in a circular direction around and
through an XL8 unit must be prevented. Midas recommends that racks with fully
opening front and rear doors are used.
Note: Never combine units in the same rack that have been designed for a
ventilation air flow direction other than that for the XL8 units. To avoid this, we
recommend that any non-XL8 units are housed separately.
• Rack mount supports: Always secure the rear of the XL8 units to the rack via their
rear rack mount support brackets. These brackets are fitted to every XL8 unit and
are recommended for use in touring applications. The rack mount support fixing
hole centres are at a depth of approximately 395 mm from the front panel (this
dimension may differ slightly on the DN9696).
• Handles on rack case: You must ensure that there are sufficient external handles
fitted to the rack casing to enable the rack to be manoeuvred easily and safely, and
by the amount of personnel suitable for the task. Also, these handles must be fit for
purpose.
• DSP rack only: Midas strongly recommends that the DSPs and routers are housed
in a single rack, that is, stage rack 2 (see “Stage rack 2” on page 51). This rack can
be either a 16U high (minimum) rack or configured as an 8U double rack.
• Clearance at rear of units: To ensure an adequate clearance at the rear of the
units, we recommend that the rack depth, that is, the distance from the front rack
strip to the rear of the rack, is a minimum of 700 mm. This is to provide sufficient
free space to enable the DSP link cables to achieve their minimum bend radius.
• Securing the cables: We recommend that the
cables at the rear of the units be tidied using
lacing bars and cable ties. This should provide
optimum access to the rear of the units for
connecting other cables, switching the units
on/off etc., and give maximum visibility of the
units’ LEDs for determining communication
status, link status, condition of audio etc. The
picture (right) shows a good example of how
this can be done. For more information on
cabling, refer to “Stage rack 2” on page 51.