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iDR-8
Digital Audio Mix Processor
USER GUIDE
Publication AP4530
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Limited One Year Warranty This product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for period of one year from the date of purchase by the original owner. To ensure a high level of performance and reliability for which this equipment has been designed and manufactured, read this User Guide before operating. In the event of a failure, notify and return the defective unit to ALLEN & HEATH Limited or its authorised agent as soon as possible for repair under warranty subj
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Important Safety Instructions – Read First Read instructions: Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference. Heed all warnings printed here and on the equipment. Follow the operating instructions printed in this User Guide. Do not open: There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer any service work to competent technical personnel only. Power sources: Connect the unit to mains power only of the type described in this User Guide and marked on the rear panel
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Introduction This user guide is intended for the technical engineer in charge of the installation and configuration of the audio system. It is not intended for the day-to-day operator who should be provided with operating instructions specific to the application by the installer. The function, application, installation and technical details of the iDR hardware are described. It is kept short and to the point so that you can quickly find the information you need. Th
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Contents Important Safety Instructions .......................................... 3 Welcome to the iDR-8 ..................................................... 6 Main Features.................................................................. 7 Front Panel Overview ...................................................... 8 Rear Panel Overview ....................................................... 9 System Processing Overview ....................................... 10 Getting Started -
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Welcome to the iDR-8 The Allen & Heath iDR system is a set of components whose hardware, control and signal processing flexibility make it well suited to many installed, live sound and special project applications. The 2U rack or desk mount iDR-8 is the main unit in the iDR system having all the DSP (digital signal processing) power needed for 16 input and 16 output channels. It has 8 XLR analogue mic/line inputs and 8 XLR analogue line outputs. You can add a further 8 inputs and/or 8 o
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Main Features • iDR-8 main processing unit 2U, 8 mic/line in, 8 • 16 Front panel soft keys can be assigned by the line out audio mix processor with 16x16 channel installer as level, mute or patch recall with different matrix. The heart of the iDR system, it features 2 types of press action. Similar applies to the iDR- 24bit Motorola DSPs. switch functions. • Daisy chain iDR-8 units Any number may be • 32 Front panel 3-colour soft LEDs can be interconnected via the 8 channel digital
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Front Panel Overview L17 L18 L19 L20 L21 L22 L23 L24 L25L26 L27L28 L29 L30 L31 L32 Allen & Heath Wed 13:44:08 L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8 L9 L10 L11 L12 L13 L14 L15 L16 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 scroll < > audio monitor CODE UPDATE FRONT/REAR ext ESC ENTER MENU patch select sync day & clock LEVEL active slave lock 96k network setup diagnostics TRIM iDR-8 Audio Mix Processor hold for 2 seconds RS232 For connection to PC com port lock link power iDR-in AUDIO INPUT EXPAN
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Rear Panel Overview Use null-modem cable to connect to PC com port MIDI OUT THRU MIDI IN MIC/LINE INPUTS RS232 (MODEM) NETWORK SYSNET PORT IN 8 IN 7 IN 6 IN 5 IN 4 IN 3 IN 2 IN 1 MDI/X active active active active TX LINK PL-ANET DR-LINK AUDIO IN AUDIO OUT Refer to user guide for port selection details LINE OUTPUTS 100 - 240V~ OUT 8 OUT 7 OUT 6 OUT 5 OUT 4 OUT 3 OUT 2 OUT 1 47-63Hz ~ 90W MAX CAUTION 20V DC DIGITAL EXPANDER TO AVOID DAMAGE ONLY CONNECT COMPATIBLE REMOTE CONTROL R MONITOR INLR MON
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System Processing Overview The iDR-8 has 8 analogue inputs and 8 analogue outputs. However, it has the onboard processing for a full 16 input and 16 outputs when operating in normal 48kHz mode. The extra 8 inputs and/or outputs are available when the iDR-in and/or iDR-out audio expanders are added. Only one of each may be added. This means that you can create an 8x8, 16x8, 8x16 or 16x16 system to suit your requirements. The stereo monitor input and output can also be added into the mat
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+ - + - + - The channel architecture illustrating the processing blocks is shown above. For detailed instructions on using these please refer to the Help file which comes with the iDR System Manager software. Physical inputs and outputs These are the Expander input and output 8 Channels of audio hardware audio connections including XLRs, is communicated between iDR units using these digital expanders, headphones and monitor. RJ45 ports. The digital signals are fed to and from the as
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Delay Each input and output channel provides Metering Full metering is provided from all the delay from 0 up to 340ms. It can be adjusted in points marked ‘M’ in the diagram. Sidechain level, ms, metres or feet and has compensation for gain reduction, and stereo monitor meters are temperature. included. PEQ The input channels each provide a 4 band Pager Two independent paging systems are fully parametric equaliser, the output channels an provided. They are fully configurable with
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Getting Started - Check the Contents Keep the product packing in case you need to ship the product in the future. You should find the following components: iDR-8 Audio Mix Processor 1x iDR-8 UNIT. This is packed with its face plate removed and DR-8 AUDIO MIX PROCESSOR rack ears fitted. The ears can be removed for desk mounting. 1x iDR-8 FACE PLATE. Separately packed so that you can start by configuring the unit using its front panel menu system. 4x SCREWS M3x12mm hex dome head. Par
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Installing the iDR-8 The iDR-8 and its expanders are supplied ready for 19” rack mounting. For desk top or shelf Do not obstruct the side ventilation slots. mounting remove the rack ears and fit the 4 press- Ensure adequate air flow around the units. in rubber feet provided. Use Torx (star head) screwdrivers. Do not install the units directly above or below heat or electromagnetic generating Fit the face plate once you have configured the equipment such as power supplies and setti
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Earthing The connection to mains earth (ground) in an audio system is important for two reasons: Safety - To protect the operator from a high voltage shock associated with the AC mains supply feeding the system. Audio Performance - To shield the audio signals from interference pickup and to minimise the effects of ground loops which result in audible hum and buzz. WARNING: For safety it is important that all equipment earths are connected to mains earth so that exposed metal parts are
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Starting Offline with iDR System Manager Software You need to install the iDR System Manager software on your PC. This requires Windows™ 95, 98, NT, ME, 2K or XP. Although the software comes with the resource CD provided we recommend that you check the Allen & Heath web site for the latest version. We are continually updating our software to add new features or make improvements. Download the web version if it is more recent than the CD. IMPORTANT: Do not install this software ove
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Checking the iDR-8 Operating Code Version With the face plate removed, press and hold the ESC key to view the current version of operating code running in the unit. A&H iDR V3.00 Check that this code is the same version as the iDR System Manager software you have installed on your PC. View this by clicking on the software Help menu About item. If it is an older version then carry out the code update procedure described below. If you have several units connected over a network make
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REMOVE THESE SCREWS DR-8 AUDIO MIX PROCESSOR The iDR-8 Setup Menus *1 Patch Select Scroll through the available patches and recall the one you want. This can be useful for recalling test patches for system checking without the need for connecting to a PC. *2 Clock Change the time of the internal clock. *3 Day of Week Change the day held in the PRESS AND HOLD FOR 2 SECONDS internal clock. *4 Unit Name Give the unit a unique name so it can be identified when connected to a PC
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Accessing the iDR-8 Setup Menus Before your PC can take control of the iDR-8 you need to set up its unit name and communication settings. This is done using a simple front panel menu system. Once communication is established between the PC and iDR-8 you use the iDR System Manager software to configure and control the unit. *** Setup *** To access the menus If it is already fitted, first remove the iDR-8 face plate by removing the 4 corner screws using the *1 Patch Select 2mm hex dri
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Getting Started – Checking the Hardware The iDR-8 is supplied with its settings pre-configured so that you can turn it on and immediately get audio passing through it. This can be useful when you are installing a unit on site and need to carry out initial tests on the hardware before the custom configuration software is loaded. This can be done without the need to connect your PC and run the iDR System Manager software. When shipped, the iDR-8 is loaded with the DEFAULT configuration.
