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RecordistMAX
Recorder
Monitor System
 RecordistMAX 2u master and slave |
 Overview
Learn the benefits and features from the text
version below or download
a PDF identical to our glossy printed
version with additional graphics and block diagram. |
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Monitor And
Align Multiple Audio Sources
Powerful
Monitoring And Alignment Controls For The Machine Room
RecordistMAX is the elegant, off-the-shelf alternative to
a costly in-house machine room monitoring controller.
RecordistMAX is a versatile multi-input monitor matrix
that provides programmable headphone, loudspeaker and VU
meter monitoring of recorder inputs, sync outputs and
repro outputs of multiple 8-channel audio sources.
Controls up to 16 machines or 128 tracks.
RecordistMAX
Description
RecordistMAX is a versatile multi-input monitor matrix
that provides programmable headphone, loudspeaker and VU
meter monitoring of recorder inputs, sync outputs and
repro outputs of multiple 8-channel audio sources. The
monitoring paths provide Left/Center/Right placement of
each track, separate volume, mute and dim controls for
headphone and speaker; and single track solo. The
metering path consists of 8 meter buses with auxiliary
balanced output drivers on each bus. This path permits
metering of one recorder at a time or the summed outputs
of several recorders/stems. A Tone Injection option
provides a versatile programmable sine wave oscillator
and pink noise source that can be routed to the recorder
inputs via hard relay contacts.
RecordistMAX consists of a 2U primary control panel for 4
eight-track recorders with master functions for
monitoring/metering, mode selection and tone injection.
Up to 3 additional 2U expander panels can be used, each
adding up to 4 additional recorders. All panels
communicate via serial lines, permitting distributed
placement and/or multiple paralleled panels for control
from the studio, machine room and projection booth.
The serial control protocol also permits the use of a
roving control panel in the machine room so that the
technician can have complete oscillator and monitor
control at his fingertips while he is tweaking recorder
adjustments.
The versatility of the monitoring and metering paths
permit a broad range of applications for the product
including recordist's monitor panels, change-over
switching, QC monitoring of multiple audio formats (DTS,
SR*D, SDDS, etc.) master and distribution prints, and
track combining for copies and transfers.
Functional
Description
The following description of the operation of the system
is explained below by starting with the display, then
working backward through the system from outputs to
inputs.
A 4-digit alphanumeric display provides status and level
indications for several system parameters. The DISPLAY
button to the upper right controls the current mode of
the display. The selected mode is indicated by the LEDs
above and to the right of the display. Pressing the
DISPLAY button steps through these modes:
Oscillator Frequency
Oscillator Level (in dBu)
Speaker monitor level
Headphone monitor level
Oscillator frequency and level are for units equipped
with the Tone Option. The OSC LED indicates that the
display value is the oscillator level in dBu, if not lit
the display shows the frequency of the tone. The lower
right hand 'kHz' LED indicates that frequency displayed
has more than 3 digits.
Monitoring
Outputs:
The stereo pair can be driven by any combination of the
96 inputs feeding each switcher box. The selection
software allows switching three exclusive banks
(Direct/Sync/Play) of eight inputs for the four
recorders. Selecting both Left and Right provides a
phantom Center feed, but no level compensation for center
channel buildup is provided.
This stereo pair is fed to three stereo outputs:
A Speaker output with level control, mute and dim driven
by a line driver.
A Headphone output with level control, mute and dim
driven by a headphone amplifier.
A test instrument port, tapped off prior to the level
controls, for external test instruments.
The level controls on the Speaker and Headphone outputs
are implemented using rotary pulse generators (RPGs) and
MDAC volume controls. The display indicates the relative
gain of the speaker and headphone monitoring channels.
Turning either RPG causes the display to indicate the
relative gain of that output over the range of -20 dB to
+24 dB.
MUTE/DIM buttons on both the Speaker and Headphone
outputs sequence through Normal, Mute and Dim. The MUTE
mode is indicated by constant illumination of the
Mute/Dim LED and the word "MUTE" on the
display, indicating maximum attenuation.
Pressing the MUTE button again causes the Mute/Dim LED to
blink, while the display shows the Dim level in dB and a
downward pointed arrow. The Dim level can be preset by
sequencing the desired MUTE/DIM button to the Dim mode
and turning the associated level control to the desired
Dim level. The Dim range is -20 dB to +24 dB.
Metering
outputs:
Eight meter feeds for driving VU meters
Eight optional auxiliary balanced line outputs for
driving external monitoring or recording buses in
change-over or transfer/copy applications.
Each of the eight meter buses receives a summed signal
from any combination of the like-numbered inputs from the
recorders. Thus, Meter #1 can be fed by any combination
of track #1 outputs from the recorders. (The system does
not provide cross routing capability to send a signal
from a track #N to any meter other than meter #N.)
ROUTING
FUNCTIONS:
The monitoring and metering routings for each track are
assigned by a 32-button matrix. Each button has 2 LEDs to
indicate the L/C/R placement of each track. An additional
column of 4 mode buttons (STORE, RECALL, PLACE, SOLO)
enable several different functions using the 32-button
array.
When no mode buttons are depressed, the matrix shows
which channels are selected. If a channel is OFF, no LEDs
are lit; if the channel is ON, the LEDs will indicate
routing to the Left, Right, or both monitoring channels.
Pressing the PLACE button (latching), the 32 buttons
permit changes to the LCR routing, and the LEDs indicate
LCR placement. Pressing the button of a given track will
advance through the sequence of R/L/C. A second press of
the PLACE button exits the assignment mode.
The 4 METER buttons normally toggle on/off when pressing
the button momentarily. To display the meter matrix,
press and hold any of the 4 METER buttons (the display
will read 'Mtr'). While a button is held the 32 LEDs will
display the meter matrix, and the meter on/off assignment
can be changed by pressing the desired button. Thus, the
meter matrix can be examined without changing the
operating mode.
SOLO
FUNCTION:
While the SOLO button is selected, the 32-button matrix
will respond as a momentary SOLO actuation on the
selected tracks, permitting any combination of tracks to
be soloed. This permits rapid scanning of the 32-button
matrix. If the SOLO button is pressed and released before
a matrix button is depressed the SOLO function becomes
latching, to facilitate extended troubleshooting of one
or a few troublesome tracks. The first press of a matrix
button will lock the respective track into SOLO; the next
press will release the SOLO. The second press of the SOLO
mode button will clear all SOLO states and return the
monitor array to the previous state.
STORE/RECALL
FUNCTION:
To store a snapshot of the monitor array, press the STORE
button, then the desired snapshot using the 32-button
matrix. A snapshot refers to the state of SOURCE, METER,
SPKR (including L/C/R placement) and REV MUTE
enable/disable. There are 32 available snapshots of the
monitor array (which includes up to 3 expander panels, if
used). In addition, the STORE button can be used to store
oscillator frequencies and levels (discussed in the TONE
option section). To recall snapshots, press the RECALL
button, then the desired snapshot. Note that the snaphots
will be saved even if power is lost.
RECORDER
MONITOR FUNCTIONS:
The switches in the columns labeled SPKRS and METERS
enable the monitoring of the individual 8-track recorders
through the monitor and meter matrices, respectively. Any
combination of (up to 16) recorders can be active.
The switches in the column labeled SOURCE are global,
affecting the primary control panel and the expander
panels. DIRECT, SYNC and PLAY select the DIRECT input
signal to the recorder, the SYNC signal (from the sync
head) or the PLAY signal (from the reproduce head). The
REV MUTE switch enables muting during rollback.
TONE
OPTION:
The switches in the column labeled TONE enable the
injection of test signals directly into the inputs of the
respective recorders. The TONE switching uses relay
contacts to disconnect the record buses and inject the
test signals.
The test signals include:
An internal programmable sinewave oscillator
An internal pink noise source
Provisions for injecting an external balanced oscillator
The programmable sinewave oscillator has digitally
controlled frequencies and levels. Three oscillator
preset buttons, HIGH, MID and LOW, store and recall three
operator-selected frequencies and levels. These three
buttons and the PINK button are a latching interlocked
group.
The sinewave
frequencies include the ISO preferred frequencies from 20
Hz to 20 kHz, including 20, 25, 31.5, 40, 50, 63, 80,
100, 125, 160, 200 etc. The oscillator level range is
from –20 to +24 dBu in 1dB steps, with .2 dB high
resolution steps in the range from +2 dBu to +6 dBu. A
separate tone buffer amplifier for each recorder provides
a low-impedance source capable of driving 8 balanced
inputs of 10 K per input (1200 total).
The PINK noise
oscillator utilizes a digitally generated white noise
source and an analog pinking filter. Note that due to the
high crest factor of pink noise, the oscillator's output
amplifier may clip some of the peaks at high output
levels. Pressing any of these buttons (HIGH, MID, LOW,
PINK) that is already ON will toggle the oscillator
function to EXTERNAL. The display will read 'EXT'. The
external oscillator is buffered and routed through the
TONE level controls and buffer amplifiers.
The three tone
frequencies and their levels, and also the level of the
external oscillator and the pink noise are all retained
while switching between them. This facilitates setting
tone at +4 and pink noise at -10 dBu. To save these
settings press STORE, then either HIGH, MID or LOW. To
recall these settings press RECALL, then either HIGH, MID
or LOW. Note that there is one snapshot for these; so
that HIGH, MID and LOW may be considered to be one and
the same button while using STORE or RECALL.
Note: the leftmost
column of PANEL buttons provide for a future enhancement
that will allow any panel to assume control of another
bank of recorders. The buttons are currently inactive,
with the MASTER LED illuminated on the Master panel, and
the EXPANDER 1 LED illuminated on the Expansion panel.
Options
MAX
Cables are professional molded Tascam format analog interface cables make installation of MAX
products a snap.
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