Ashly VCM-88E manual

Operating Manual - VCM-88, VCM-88E, RD-8, RW-8 Level Controllers

9.Data Connections and Configurations

9.1 Standard Remote Data Control

To connect the RD-8 or RW-8 remote controller, the VCM-88 uses a rear panel female XLR jack, while the VCM-88E uses a three pin euroblock connector. The con- troller data can be sent through one channel of a standard audio snake without affecting adjacent audio channels. Do not use an isolation transformer in the data line.

The Standard data protocol is compatible with cur- rent RD-8 and RW-8 remote controllers, AMX (VCM-88 and VCM-88E drivers), and Crestron controllers. Both AMX and Crestron provide hardware which interfaces with

Product

RD-8

RW-8

VCM-88

MIDI (1,3)					J6
					1 2
RS-232 (2,3)
					3 4

CRESTRON (1,4)

ASHLY (2,4)

(AMX)

Fig. 9.2

Legacy (old) Prefix	Standard (new) Prefix
708- ****	794-****
709-****	797-****

To set the data protocol on a VCM- 88 for Legacy controllers, set the internal jumpers (J6) to Ashly/AMX. To set the data protocol on a VCM-88E for Legacy controllers, DIP switches on the back panel must be set to the Legacy configuration.

the VCM-88(E) through the XLR or euroblock Data In con- nector. To learn more about their integrated control sys- tems, visit their websites at <www.amx.com> and <www.crestron.com>.

The details of the Standard VCM-88(E) digital for- mat are as follows: Pin 1 is ground, Pin 2 is used for the data input signal to the VCM-88(E), and Pin 3 is used as a +26VDC power supply signal for powering the RD-8 re- mote controller. Do not use pin 3 with 3rd party hardware such as AMX or Crestron.

A valid message consists of two bytes with no break between byte1 and byte 2.

1 Byte = start bit + 8 data bits + stop bit (10 bits total, no parity)

Baud rate: 9600 bps

Start bit: logical 0 (current on)

Stop bit: logical 1 (current off)

Byte 1: Channel ID Character: hex 80 - hex FF = Channels 1 - 128

Byte 2: Channel Level Character: hex 7F = full on = +20.25dB hex 64 = unity gain = 0dB

hex 00 = off = -75dB (step size = 0.75dB)

9.2 AMX and Legacy

Using older RD-8 and RW-8 remote controllers, as well as retired AMX products using the VCX-88 driver, requires the Legacy data protocol. To know whether Ashly hardware controllers require the Legacy or Standard proto- col, look at the first three numbers in the Serial Number sticker affixed to the unit.

9.3 DC Control Voltage Connection

Direct DC voltage control of internal VCA circuits is available on the VCM-88(E). On the VCM-88, a D-Sub 15 pin female connector is used, while the VCM-88E uses a 12 pin euroblock connector. DC control meets the re- mote control objectives with minimal hardware require- ments and allows for custom “low-tech” hardware inter- faces. Two wires are used to supply positive and negative DC voltage to ordinary 10K ohm linear-taper potentiom- eters, and a wire is used to return the wiper of each control to its respective channel (see pinout below). Telephone wire with eleven conductors or more is a good choice for this application, and since only DC voltage is used, control line distance is not a major concern.

Pin 1 Channel 1 DC control input

Pin 2 Channel 2 DC control input

Pin 3 Channel 3 DC control input

Pin 4 Channel 4 DC control input

Pin 5 Channel 5 DC control input

Pin 6 Channel 6 DC control input

Pin 7 Channel 7 DC control input

Pin 8 Channel 8 DC control input

Pin 9 Master DC control input

Pin 10 +15VDC - Connect to pot CCW

Pin 11 (Ground for data input)

Pin 12 -4VDC - Connect to pot CW

Pin 13-15 Not Used

9.4 RS-232 Control and Protea System Software

Protea System Software is Ashly’s custom Win- dows program for controlling the Protea family of digital audio processors, as well as the VCM-88(E). Using the software extends the capabilities of the VCM-88 by allow- ing storage of channel and scene settings to disk. The pro- gram interface has the look and feel of the RD-8 remote control, and can control up to 16 devices for a total of 128 audio channels. (See fig. 9.3)