User Manual

Welcome

NetworkAmp Manager—Owner’s Manual

What is CobraNet?

Developed by Peak Audio, CobraNet technology allows real-time uncompressed digital

audio distribution over industry standard 100Base-T Ethernet networks. Up to 128 chan-

nels, 64 in each direction, can be carried simultaneously over a switched 100Base-T network

(64 channels on repeater networks). Fiber-optic cables allow distances of two kilometers.

CobraNet supports a 48 kHz sampling rate with 16, 20, or 24-bit resolution. CobraNet

devices can happily coexist with networked computers, printers, etc., on a switched

100Base-T Ethernet network, however, a dedicated network infrastructure is strongly rec-

ommended.

CobraNet distributes digital audio data in bundles, with one bundle per Ethernet data

packet. A single bundle can carry eight channels of 20-bit/48 kHz digital audio, or seven

channels of 24-bit/48 kHz digital audio. Bundles are numbered from 0 through 65,279.

Bundles 1 through 255 are transmitted one-to-many (multicast). Bundles 256 through

65,279 are transmitted one-to-one (unicast). NetworkAmp Manager supports bundles 0

through 16,383 (multicast and unicast).

CobraNet’s Serial Bridge feature allows serial data to be transmitted over the network. Nor-

mally, the ACU16-C and NHB32-C use the Serial Bridge to transmit amp control data.

However, it can be used to transmit MIDI data (Program Change and Control Change) or

AD824 head amp control data between any two NHB32-Cs on the network.

A glossary of CobraNet, NetworkAmp Manager, ACU16-C, and NHB32-C related terms is

provided in this manual (see

page 38). A wealth of information about CobraNet, with sec-

tions especially for designers and installers, is available on the Peak Audio Web site at

http://www.peakaudio.com. If you are designing a CobraNet network, we strongly recom-

mend that you visit this Web site and study the information available in order to take full

advantage of the CobraNet technology. Peak Audio also provide a list of Ethernet devices

that have been tested with CobraNet, including switching hubs and media converters.

Using Multiple PCs

Several PCs running NetworkAmp Manager can be connected to the CobraNet network,

offering simultaneous control and monitoring from several locations within a venue.

Up to 16 channels of real-time data (e.g., level meter information) can be transmitted across

the network simultaneously. When operating NetworkAmp Manager on several PCs simul-

taneously, operation of the meter displays on the following pages may be interrupted:

•Amp pages

•Channel Detail page

•Group View page

When one of the above pages is selected, any other PCs displaying one of these pages will

automatically switch to its Network page and display the same information. For example, if

PC #1 is displaying the Amp 00–07 page, and PC #2 is displaying the Amp 24–31 page, if the

Amp 08–15 page is selected on PC #1, PC #2 will switch to its Network page and display the

same information. PCs that are not displaying one of the above pages do nothing.