Api-audio 1608 Automation Manual do Utilizador

1608 Automation Operator’s Manual Revised 5-18-12 Written for Automated Processes Incorporated by Daniel Pfeifer 2012

The image on the previous page illustrates the location of each control grouping of the Automation Controller. Each of these components will be explai

13.2.5 Project: Import Snapshot Once the snapshot file name has been entered, use the Jog-Wheel to highlight “OK.” Press the SEL (Sele

13.2.6 VSS File: Load Snapshot 13.2.7 VSS File: New Snapshot The “VSS File: Load Snapshot” menu item facilitates the loading of .VSS snap

13.3 Default Positions A set of fader, mute, and insert positions can be stored in the console as the “Default Positions.” This is a convenience

The automation package will reboot. When the reboot process is complete, the Default Positions will be loaded in the ACM. All channels will be in MAN

13.4.4 Export a Snapshot (Project) To export a snapshot, perform the following procedure: 1. Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to op

13.4.7 Create a New Snapshot (VSS File) To make a new snapshot and save it directly to a VSS file, perform the following procedure: 1. Press the

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14.0 DAW Control A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) can be controlled from the 1608 automation package using the Human User Interface (HUI) protocol o

Choosing “No” for Bypass means that the audio signal level will continue to be affected by the movements of the faders in conjunction with the DAW s

14.2 DAW Enable A project does not need to be open to enable DAW control. DAW control can be enabled on up to four (4) control modules at a time i

2.1.4 Memory Card Slot 2.1.5 Reset Button 2.1.6 Group Master Faders The 1608 Automation Package employs standard, commonly availabl

14.4 Shift Channels Even with 1608 EX expanders installed, since the 1608 is a small format console it is common to have more DAW audio tracks reco

It is recommended that the “Shift Channels” function not be used while Bypass (in the DAW Config) is set to “No,” as fader and mute controls will

4. Use the pull-down menus to set the Bypass to either “Yes” or “No” for each fader module. 5. Highlight the “OK” button to and press the SEL (Sele

15.0 Ancillary Fader Functions The 1608 automation package provides two (2) ancillary fader functions:  Position Faders: Sets all faders to a speci

In each of these functions, the all faders will perform a different pattern of pre-programmed motion for a total of 100 fader cycles. After 100 fader

Once the needed waveform is highlighted, press the SEL (Select) button. The selected waveform will be applied and that demo will start over. The cycle

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16.0 System Configuration, Calibration, and Firmware The System Menu provides access to several functions that support system configuration, calibrat

16.1.2 MIDI Interfacing A MIDI breakout cable is supplied with the automation package. This cable has a male DB-25 on one end, and ten (10) male 5

16.2 System Menu 16.2.1 Software Versions Highlight “OK” and press SEL (Select) to exit the Software Versions dialog box. 16.2.2 Load Firm

2.1.7 Program Master Fader 2.1.8 DAW Worksurface Enable Button The Automation Controller includes the Program Master Fader (PGM)

The most current software file will be available to 1608 automation owners from api. The included card reader should be used to transfer the software

Highlight “Cancel” and press SEL (Select) to cancel. The loading progress of each component will be displayed with a percentage counter. Loading

Use the Jog-Wheel to scroll to and highlight the needed day. Press the SEL (Select) button to select the highlighted day and deactivate the fi

Once the date and time are entered, highlight “OK” and press SEL (Select) to set the system time. Highlight “Cancel” and press SEL (Select) to cancel

When the calibration routine starts, the selected fader(s) will move up and down and then each fader within each set of eight will move to the bottom

Choosing “No” for Bypass means that the audio signal level will continue to be affected by the movements of the faders in conjunction with the DAW s

This number will determine the number of channels to be controlled and displayed in software pages and lists. To set the number of installed c

To set the number of freewheel frames, highlight the “Freewheel” pull-down menu and press the SEL (Select) button to activate the menu. Use the J

16.3.1 Format Memory Card Before a memory card can be used with the 1608 automation package, it must be formatted. To format a memory card, use the

16.3.2.2 Enable FCM Programming To enable Fader Controls Modules (FCM) to load firmware, use the following procedure: 1. Press the RESET button o

2.2 948B Fader Modules The 1608 Automation Package includes a 948B Fader Module (also known as Fader Control Module or FCM) for every eight (8) In

To specify the number of channels to be controlled, use the following procedure: 1. Press the STATUS PAGE button to open the Status Page. 2. Press

3. Highlight “System Menu” using the Jog-Wheel and press the SEL (Select) button. The System Menu will open. 4. Highlight “General Config” and pr

4. Highlight “Set Clock” and press the SEL (Select) button. The Set Clock dialog box will open. 5. Highlight the month pull-down menu and press the

several minutes and should not be canceled or interrupted. After the routine is finished, normal operation will resume. IMPORTANT NOTE: Faders SHOUL

When the software reload has been completed, the system will boot-up normally. 6. Press the RESET button to reboot the system from the newl

17.0 Software Revision History This section details changes made and features added in each release of the automation software. Each feature lists a

Version 0.40 Timecode rate is now set correctly for new projects Timecode rate is now set correctly when opening a project The timecode rate dropd

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I n a c o n s t a n t e f f o r t t o i m p r o v e t h e s u b t l e d e t a i l s o f o u r p r o d u c t s , s o m e a m

The image below illustrates the location of each automation/DAW control and indicator. Each of these components will be explained in detail in subse

2.4 548B Input Modules 2.5 Rear Panel Interface The rear panel of the 1608 supports the interfacing of the Automation Package with a DAW,

2.6 System Architecture The hardware and processing for the automation package is distributed among four subsystems:  940B Automation Controller (A

3.0 Software Overview 3.1 Starting the Automation Package The Automation Package will boot up when the Automation Power Supply is switched on.

3.3 Software Navigation To facilitate navigation of software pages, menus, and dialogs the Automation Controller employs a jog-wheel and button syst

3.3.2 Jog-Wheel 3.3.3 Navigation Procedures Page Navigation: Use the following procedures to navigate software pages: 1. Open the page with

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7. For lists and pull-down menus, use the following procedure i. Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the list or pull-down menu and press SEL (Select) t

4. Press the MENU button repeatedly to “back-space” through the existing text, deleting the last character with each press. 5. Press the SEL (Sel

NOTE: Only upper-case letters and numbers can be entered in the “Filename” text-entry field in the New Project dialog box. 3.3.5 Screen Capture At

 Channel Status and Selection Grid: o Indicates the current automation mode and sub-mode for each fader o Works with the navigation tools to all

The Main Menu facilitates the following operations:  File Management: Creation, storage, and recall of Project files o Open Project: Opens existin

The Mix Menu facilitates the following operations:  Mix Management: Apply the selected operation to the mix selected in the Mix Tree o Make Cur

 Coalesce Groups: Coalesce the group selected on the Groups Page o Coalesce & Delete: Writes the relative automation data for all Group Members

4.0 File Management The 1608 automation software is designed for easy management of the various files generated by the system during use. The Main

1608 files and folders are organized as follows:  The project file contains the Mix Tree and snapshots  Mix files are generated automatically and

4.3.1 Format A Memory Card Before a memory card can be used, it must first be formatted. Highlight “Yes” and press SEL (Select) to format the

Table of Contents 1.0 Overview 1.1 Introduction and Features 2.0 Automation System Components 2.1 940B Automation Controller (ACM) 2.1.1 LCD

Enter the name of the new project folder in the “Title:” text-entry field. Enter the name of the new project file in the “Filename:” text-en

The dialog box will close and the display will return to the Status Page. A new project folder with the entered name will be created in the PROJECTS f

The dialog box will close and the display will return to the Status Page. 4.6 Mix Export & Import Mixes can be “exported” from an open pr

4.6.2 Import Mix Once the needed location is selected, use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the “File:” text-entry field. Press SEL (Select) to

4.7 Snapshot Export & Import Snapshots can be “exported” from an open project for use in other projects. Accordingly, exported snapshots can

4.7.2 Import Snapshot Snapshots can be imported to the Snapshots Page of an open project. Once the snapshot file name has been entered,

4.8 Card Reader A card reader is included with the 1608 Automation Package to provide an easy means of backing up the project folders and f

NOTE: Deleting the “PROJECTS” folder will delete all the projects within it. 4.8.4 Firmware File The most current software file will be available to

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5.0 Automation Concepts To operate the automation system and make full use of its features, the engineer must first understand some basic automation

5.0 Automation Concepts 5.1 Mix Pass and Mix Tree Concepts 5.1.1 Mix Passes 5.2 Manual Mixing 5.3 Initial Positions 5.3.1 Setting Initial Positi

5.2 Manual Mixing When tracking, overdubbing, and/or rough mixing, the program mix is often created without automation. When working in this manner

A new project will be needed for the new mix, so at a convenient time, create a new project. This new project can be created before starting the preli

5.5 End-Of-Pass Processes When any changes are written, “end-of-pass” processes are performed when timecode playback is stopped. These processes in

5.6 Timecode and Synchronization The recorded media to be mixed (typically on DAW) must be synchronized with the 1608 automation package. SMPTE Tim

chasing timecode. More precisely, it sets the number of frames the system will “freewheel” if the timecode source briefly drops out or has other minor

“Leave Write” is useful for editing fader moves when it’s desired to change a recorded move and match seamlessly ba

5.8 Low Memory Warning The Automation Controller (ACM) has a limited amount of memory for the current mix. If a mix is loaded that exceeds 350,000

6.0 Automation Modes Automation “modes” and “sub-modes” determine how the automation system records and plays back control moves. Modes dictate b

6.3 UPDATE UPDATE: Recorded moves are played back until a change is made. When a change is made, any moves will be recorded, but playbac

Use UPDATE to record changes over a short period of time or to touch-up existing moves. UPDATE can also be used as a “Record Ready” mode to prepare s

11.0 Automation Safe Modes 11.1 Safe Fader 11.2 Safe Mute 11.3 Safe Insert 12.0 Groups 12.1 Groups Page 12.2 Enable Groups 12.3 Group Masters 12.3

It is occasionally useful to go directly from MANUAL or READ directly to WRITE mode, without being in UPDATE. This can be accomplished on individual

The grid below shows all channels in MANUAL mode and channel 1 selected. A subset of channels can be selected by highlighting and selecting mult

The associated buttons on the faders will also illuminate to indicate the mode they are in. MUTE WRITE cannot be assigned from the Status Page. 6.5.

7.0 Automation Sub-modes Automation sub-modes further defines the behavior of the automation system in specific ways. The mode continues to govern wh

Use STATIC in WRITE mode to create initial positions at the start of a mix or when it is desirable to clear all recorded moves and start over with new

Use LATCH to apply the position of faders, mutes, and/or inserts from the point timecode was stopped all the way to the end. For example, the level o

7.5 MUTE WRITE The “MUTE WRITE” mode allows mutes and inserts to be changed without affecting the fader. The MUTE WRITE provides a quick w

8.0 Mix Tree Page The Mix Tree Page displays and manages the mix files for the current project. This includes the mixes created using console hardw

The Mix Tree will “branch” as many times as needed, each time indicating the previous mix that was current when the mix was created. These “origin lin

NOTE: A mix does not have to be the current mix to be selected for Mix Menu functions. 8.3.1 Make Current 8.3.2 Delete Mix

15.0 Ancillary Fader Functions 15.1 Position Faders 15.2 Demo Functions 16.0 System Configuration, Calibration, and Firmware 16.1 Automation In

8.3.3 Mix Properties 8.3.3.1 Change Mix Name Highlight “OK” and press SEL (Select) to assign the edited name to the highlighted mix. Highlight

Press the SEL (Select) button once the needed glide rate has been selected. Highlight “OK” and press SEL (Select) to assign the selected

8.3.4 Copy/Swap These pull-down menus will contain the number of installed input channels (1-16, 1-32, 1-48), the Group Master Faders (G1,

To select the swap function, highlight the “Swap:” check box and press the SEL (Select) button. An “X” will appear in the check box when the swap f

8.3.5 Clear Data These pull-down menus will contain the number of installed input channels (1-16, 1-32, 1-48), the Group Master Faders (G1,

Timecode has four fields to enter:  Hours: 00-23  Minutes: 00-59  Seconds: 00-59  Frames: 00-2X (X depends on frame rate) To select al

From TC (From Timecode): The starting timecode address for the Offline Trim function To TC (To Timecode): The ending timecode address for t

Highlight “OK” and press SEL (Select) to apply the trim and fade values to the selected channels during the selected timecode window. This will crea

8.3.8 Import Mix If a different location is needed (such as another project folder), press the SEL (Select) button while the directory li

8.4 Low Memory Warning The Automation Controller (ACM) has a limited amount of memory for the current mix. If a mix is loaded that exceeds 350,

1.0 Overview Leveraging our prior experience with console automation in combination with extensive customer input, API has developed a proprietary, ea

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9.0 Automation Procedures This section is intended to provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to start an automated mix on the 1608. It assumes the en

5. After you have a good starting mix for automation, enable timecode by selecting “Timecode” on the Status Page. 6. Play back your recording to s

3. Press the SEL (Select) button to select the highlighted mix. 4. Highlight “OK” and press the SEL (Select) button to make the highlighted mix cur

9.5 Import a Mix To import a mix, perform the following procedure: 1. Press the PROJECT PAGES button to open the Mix Tree Page. 2. Press the MEN

10.0 Global Functions There are four (4) automation functions that apply to the automation system on a global basis and are not channel oriented. Co

Designed as a safety feature, “Auto Safe” automatically resets all channels in WRITE to UPDATE whenever timecode is stopped. It helps prevent acciden

“Bridge Gaps” can be used to perform complicated edits incrementally, starting and stopping playback without having your faders jump back to their pre

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11.0 Automation Safe Modes After automation moves have been recorded, faders, mutes, and inserts can be put in a “safe” mode on a global basis. Cha

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12.0 Groups “Groups” can be set up to control the following:  Faders  Mutes  Inserts Groups are set up with a “Master” fader or input channel

The diagram below indicates each area of the Groups Page. NOTE: Only the groups for the current mix will be displayed on the Groups Page. 12.2

12.3 Group Masters A “group master” must be designated in order to control the faders, mutes, and inserts on other channels. Any fader on the cons

Program Master IMPORTANT NOTE: If the Program Master Fader (PGM) is used as a Group Master in addition to carrying the program audio (mix), the le

12.4 Groups Menu Groups can be created, named, edited, and deleted using the Groups Menu. 12.4.1 New Group The New Group dialog box

The fader automation mode buttons are used to select the group master and members. The New Group dialog box indicates the function of each butto

Care should be taken when setting the null level of the Group Master in order to provide adequate group gain and attenuation with detailed control. S

12.4.3 Delete Group Highlight “YES” and press SEL (Select) to delete the highlighted group. A new mix will be created in the Mix Tree that does not

12.4.5 Coalesce & Delete Group Highlight “YES” and press SEL (Select) to apply the relative Group Master automation moves to the data of ea

2.0 Automation System Components The 1608 Automation Package is made up of a series of components that work together to form an integrated system. Th

12.4.7 Coalesce w/ Audio Master In such a case, it would be inappropriate to delete the moves made to the Group Master (bass drum) since its audio

12.5.2 Reloading Default Groups To reload the Default Groups, carefully press the RESET button on the Automation Controller. It is the recessed

5. Enter a name for the new group in the “Name” text entry field. 6. Highlight the check box for each group “Type” (fader, mute, and/or insert) nee

12.6.4 Delete a Group To delete a group, perform the following procedure: 1. Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Groups Pa

6. The Group Master’s moves will be applied to the Group Members, the Group Master’s moves will be deleted, and the group will be deleted. The group

13.0 Snapshots A “snapshot” is a captured static image of the positions of the faders, mutes, and inserts on a selected set of channels. The items i

13.2 Snapshots Menu Snapshots can be created, loaded, deleted, imported, and exported using the Snapshots Menu. 13.2.1 Project: Lo

Highlight “Cancel” and press SEL (Select) to cancel. 13.2.2 Project: New Snapshot NOTE: The snapshot name cannot be edited after the snapsh

When the New Project Snapshot dialog box opens, all channels will be selected for inclusion in the snapsho

Highlight “YES” and press SEL (Select) to delete the highlighted snapshot. The snapshot will disappear from the Snapshots Page. IMPORTANT NOTE: A del