QSC Audio S series user manual Introduction Channel Routing

Introduction: Channel Routing

Channel Routing

A RAVE network handles routing in bundles of up to eight audio channels. Each bundle of audio transmitted on the network oc- cupies a unique identifier, or number. In stand-alone mode, each RAVE device handles two bundles—two sent, two received, or one of each. For example, a RAVE 161, with 16 analog audio inputs, supports two bundles for transmission over the network. Therefore, the 161 requires two separate bundle number as- signments to enable both groups of audio to be sent onto the network. In default mode, one bundle comprises audio chan- nels 1 through 8—the second bundle, channels 9 through 16. You can always alter the number and order of audio channels within each bundle via SNMP.

Similarly, a RAVE 80, with eight AES3 digital outputs, supports network reception of two bundles (each AES3 output carries two audio channels). With receivers, each bundle number need not be unique. A receiver may “tune-in” to two specific bundles from two separate transmitters or both receiving bundle as-

signments may be the same. Whether the bundle assignments on a receiver (or multiple receivers) can be duplicated is depen- dent on whether the particular transmitters are setup for unicast or multicast transmission. On network repeaters, all bundles are multicast. On network switches, the value of the bundle assignment determines the addressing of the transmission.

A RAVE device that both sends and receives, such as the RAVE 188 (eight analog inputs and 8 analog outputs) or RAVE 88 (4 AES3 inputs and 4 AES3 outputs), transmits one bundle and can receive another. Note: in software mode, the RAVE 88 and 188 can support two bundles in each direction.

Behind a removable cover on the front panel of each RAVE unit are four hexadecimal rotary switches. In stand-alone (hardware) mode, these switches are used for selecting the assignments for each of RAVE’s two bundles. In software mode, these switches are used to provide a network name for the RAVE.

Removable Cover- RAVE 160s-24 shown

Rotary Switches

Bundle Setup:

The two left-most switches set the assignment of the RAVE’s first bundle. The default mapping for the first bundle is: RAVE 81/ 88/161 and 188- bundle 1 transmitted onto network from audio inputs 1 through 8

RAVE 80 and 160- bundle 1 received from network routes to audio outputs 1 through 8

The two right-most switches set the assignment of the device’s second bundle. The default mapping for the second bundle is: RAVE 81 and 161- bundle 2 transmitted onto network from audio inputs 9 through 16

RAVE 88 and 188- bundle 2 received from network routes to audio outputs 1 through 8

RAVE 80 and 160- bundle 2 received from network routes to audio outputs 9 through 16

NOTE! Detailed instructions on setting network bundle assignments follow later in the Operation chapter.

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