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KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.
USER MANUAL
MODEL:
VA-8xl
8-Channel Balanced Stereo
Audio Amplifier
P/N: 2900-300151 Rev 1
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Contents 1 Introduction 1 2 Getting Started 2 2.1 Achieving the Best Performance 2 3 Overview 3 3.1 Defining the VA-8xl 8-Channel Balanced Stereo Audio Amplifier 3 4 Connecting the VA-8xl 6 5 Operating the VA-8xl 8 5.1 Adjusting the Gain/Attenuation of the Channels 8 5.2 Storing and Recalling Setups 9 6 Controlling the VA-8xl 11 6.1 Controlling a Single VA-8xl Unit 11 6.2 Preparing the RS-232 Port on a Single Unit 11 6.3 Configuring up to a 120 Channel Balanced Stereo Audio Amplif
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1 Introduction Welcome to Kramer Electronics! Since 1981, Kramer Electronics has been providing a world of unique, creative, and affordable solutions to the vast range of problems that confront the video, audio, presentation, and broadcasting professional on a daily basis. In recent years, we have redesigned and upgraded most of our line, making the best even better! Our 1,000-plus different models now appear in 11 groups that are clearly defined by function: GROUP 1: Distribution Ampl
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2 Getting Started We recommend that you: • Unpack the equipment carefully and save the original box and packaging materials for possible future shipment • Review the contents of this user manual Use Kramer high performance high resolution cables Use only the power cord that is supplied with this machine Go to http://www.kramerelectronics.com to check for up-to-date user manuals, application programs, and to check if firmware i upgrades are available (where appropriate). 2.1 Ac
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3 Overview The VA-8xl 8-Channel Balanced Stereo Audio Amplifier is a high−performance 8-channel, balanced stereo input volume controller for balanced audio signals on terminal block connectors. The volume of each L and R stereo channel can be adjusted independently of the other stereo channel. In particular, the VA-8xl features: • A digitally controlled volume control function, with gain from -95dB (attenuation) up to +31dB (amplification) - in increments of 0.5dB • Clean, noise-free t
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4 VA-8xl – Overview Figure 1: VA-8xl 8-Channel Balanced Stereo Audio Amplifier Front Panel # Feature Function 1 POWER Switch Illuminated switch supplying power to the unit 2 CHANNEL SELECTOR Buttons (a). Select/deselect the stereo channel (from 1 to 8) (b). Select a setup number (from 1 to 15) 3 DOWN (a). Decreases the volume in increments of 0.5dB from -95dB to +31dB gain (b). Stores the current setting in the non-volatile memory 4 LEFT Selects/deselects the left channel 5 UP (a
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VA-8xl – Overview 5 Figure 2: VA-8xl 8-Channel Balanced Stereo Audio Amplifier Rear Panel # Feature Function 9 IN Terminal Block Connectors Connect to audio sources (from 1 to 8) 10 OUT Terminal Block Connectors Connect to audio acceptors (from 1 to 8) 11 RS-485 Detachable Terminal Block Port Pin # 1 is for Ground; Pin # 2 is for +; Pin # 3 is for – 12 RS-232 9-pin D-sub Port Connects to the PC or the Remote Controller 13 SETUP DIP-switches DIP-switches for setup of the unit 14
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4 Connecting the VA-8xl Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your VA-8xl. After connecting your VA-8xl, connect its power and then i switch on the power to each device. To connect the VA-8xl as illustrated in the example in Figure 6: 1. Using the appropriate wiring shown in the figures below, connect up to 8 balanced stereo audio sources (for example, a tape deck) to INPUT CHANNEL 1 – 8 via terminal block connectors: You do not have to connect all chann
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Figure 6: Connecting the VA-8xl 8-Channel Balanced Stereo Audio Amplifier VA-8xl - Connecting the VA-8xl 7
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5 Operating the VA-8xl When switching on the VA-8xl (after a previous session), the VA-8xl briefly scans each channel (stored in the non-volatile memory), showing the settings in the LED displays. After that, the VA-8xl goes to channel 1, and shows its gain/attenuation level in dB. During regular work, the VA-8xl shows the status of the last channel you observed and/or changed. To observe the status of a channel: • Press a CHANNEL SELECTOR button. That CHANNEL SELECTOR button illumin
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3. Press the UP or DOWN button once to increase or decrease, as appropriate, in increments of 0.5dB. Press and hold the UP or DOWN button, to increase or decrease the decibel level by a significant amount. 4. Press the LEFT LEVEL or the RIGHT LEVEL button to set the level. The bright LEFT and/or RIGHT LED display becomes dim again, preventing unintentionally altering the settings. 5.2 Storing and Recalling Setups You can store/recall up to 15 settings in the non-volatile memory, via the
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To recall a setting, via the front panel buttons, do the following: 1. When the LED displays are dimmed, press the UP button. The abbreviation “rCL” (recall) appears in the LEFT LED display. 2. Press the appropriate CHANNEL SELECTOR button. The abbreviation “rCL” (recall) appears in the LEFT LED display and the number of that CHANNEL SELECTOR button appears in the RIGHT LED display. 3. Press the same CHANNEL SELECTOR button again. The memory recalls the setup. As confirmation, for a fe
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6 Controlling the VA-8xl You can control a single VA-8xl unit (see Section 6.1) or configure up to a 120 channel balanced stereo audio amplifier, using 15 units via RS-485 or RS-232 (see Section 6. 3). 6.1 Controlling a Single VA-8xl Unit To connect and control a single VA-8xl unit, connect the following to the rear panel: • PC or other controller, see Section 6.2: “Preparing the RS-232 Port on a Single Unit” • Set the DIP-switches, see Section 6.2.1 • Power cord 6.2 Preparing t
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Method B (Figure 8)—Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on the unit via a straight (flat) cable to the null-modem adapter, and connect the null-modem adapter to the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on the PC. The straight cable usually contains all nine wires for a full connection of the D-sub connector. Because the null-modem adapter (which already includes the flow control jumpering described in Method A above) only requires pins 2, 3 and 5 to be connected, you are free to decide whether to con
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For a single, stand alone machine, set as MACHINE # 1. MACHINE # DIP-SWITCH 1 2 3 4 1 ON OFF OFF OFF 2 OFF ON OFF OFF 3 ON ON OFF OFF 4 OFF OFF ON OFF 5 ON OFF ON OFF 6 OFF ON ON OFF 7 ON ON ON OFF 8 OFF OFF OFF ON 9 ON OFF OFF ON 10 OFF ON OFF ON 11 ON ON OFF ON 12 OFF OFF ON ON 13 ON OFF ON ON 14 OFF ON ON ON 15 ON ON ON ON 6.3 Configuring up to a 120 Channel Balanced Stereo Audio Amplifier To connect up to 15 VA-8xl units, do the following: • Connect the balanced/unbala
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Figure 10: Configuring up to 15 VA-8xl Units 6.3.1 Connecting a Control Interface on a Set of Units To connect the control interface on a set of units, do one of the following: • Connect the RS-232 port on the first VA-8xl unit to a PC or other controller, and then connect the RS-232 port on each of the VA-8xl units, using the specially prepared RS-232 cable (see Section 6.3.2) or • Connect a PC or other controller to the “RS-232 in” 9-pin D-sub (F) port on a Kramer Tools VP-43xl In
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2. Attach the RS-232 9-pin D-sub (F) connector (A) to another RS-232 9-pin D-sub (M) connector (B) by connecting PIN 5 to PIN 5, PIN 3 to PIN 2, and PIN 2 to PIN 3. 3. Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub (F) connector (A) to your PC’s RS-232 9-pin D-sub (M) port. 4. Attach the RS-232 9-pin D-sub (M) connector (B) to another RS-232 9-pin D-sub (M) connector (C), by connecting PIN 5 to PIN 5, PIN 8 to PIN 3, PIN 9 to PIN 2. 5. Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub (M) connector (B) to the RS-232 9-p
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6.3.3 Connecting the RS-485 Control Interface To connect an RS-485 connector on one VA-8xl unit to an RS-485 connector on another unit: 1. Connect the “+” PIN on the first VA-8xl unit to the “+” PIN on the second VA-8xl unit 2. Connect the “-” PIN on the first VA-8xl unit to the “-” PIN on the second VA-8xl unit 3. If shielded cable is used for an RS-485 connection, connect the shield to the Ground PIN. Figure 12 illustrates the RS-485 line that connects: • Between each VA-8xl unit
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Figure 12: An RS-485 Control Interface Setup VA-8xl - Controlling the VA-8xl 17
