Dynaudio Professional AIR Reference manual 2014-08-28
Table of contents Important safety instructions EMC/EMI 1 3 Before you begin Your new Dynaudio Professional AIR monitors About this manual 4 5 5 Operational overview 6 AIR setups Stereo setup – digital or analog Stereo setup with mono subwoofer(s) – digital or analog Stereo setup with two subwoofers – digital or analog 5.1 setup – digital 5.1 setup – analog 5.3 setup – digital 5.3 setup – analog 6.1 setup – analog 5.1 setup with Digital AES/EBU card Stereo setup with chains on left and right 7.
Custom serial to CAT 5 cable USB to COM 9 pin adapter 85 85 Presets 86 Reset procedures 88 Error messages 90 Warranty Exceptions 92 93 Technical specifications AIR 6 & AIR 15 (Master and Slave) AIR 20 & AIR 25 (Master and Slave) AIR-Base-1 & AIR-Base-2 AIR Base 12 AIR Base 24 Room size and typical listening distance General specifications for AIR 6, AIR 15, AIR 20, AIR 25, AIR-Base-1, AIR-Base-2, AIR-Base 12 & AIR Base 24 AIR Remote General specifications for all products Delay in system 94
Important safety instructions Important safety instructions Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 1
The lightning flash with an arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Caution You are cautioned that any change or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment. Service ►► There are no user-serviceable parts inside. ►► All service must be performed by qualified personnel. EMC/EMI This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B Digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules.
Before you begin Before you begin Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 4
Your new Dynaudio Professional AIR monitors Congratulations on your purchase of the Dynaudio Professional AIR active monitor system. With the right care and attention, it will provide many years of excellent and trouble-free audio reproduction. Care Components of the highest quality are used in your Dynaudio Professional AIR speakers. This assures years of trouble-free operation. Following precautions should still be made though. ►► ►► ►► Avoid running the system into severe clipping.
Operational overview Operational overview Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 6
Operational overview This overview shows the AIR parameter structure accessible via the AIR monitor set as System Controller. Default values are highlighted. [Serial No.] [Monitor task] Volume -50.0 dB Home screen – see “Home screen” on page 37.
AIR setups AIR setups Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 8
AIR setups The setups shown in this chapter will only operate correctly if all connections are made exactly as seen in the illustrations! Important: Master monitor setting ►► In each setup, one specific Master monitor must be set as the System Controller. ►► To set a Master monitor as System Controller, the TC LINK button on the rear panel of this monitor must be set to the Out position. ►► The TC LINK button on all other Master monitors must be set to the In position.
AIR setups Understanding and using this setup Stereo setup – digital or analog ►► Stereo setup – digital or analog L+R ►► Digital (AES) or analog audio signals ►► Master Slave Left System Ctrl. Right ►► The left monitor is set as the System Controller by setting the TC Link button on the rear panel to the “out” position. The left monitor receives both the left and right input signals. The right monitor receives audio via the TC-LINK RJ-45 connection.
Stereo setup with mono subwoofer(s) – digital or analog AIR setups Understanding and using this setup ►► Stereo Setup with 1 subwoofer – digital or analog L+R ►► Digital (AES) or analog audio signals ►► Master Slave Left System Ctrl. Right ►► ►► ►► Sub The left monitor is set as the System Controller by setting the TC Link button on the rear panel to the “out” position. The left monitor receives both the left and right input signals.
Stereo setup with two subwoofers – digital or analog AIR setups Understanding and using this setup ►► Stereo setup with 2 subs – digital or analog L+R ►► AES or analog signal ►► Master Slave Left System Ctrl. Right Sub Sub Left subwoofer Right subwoofer ►► ►► ►► The left monitor is set as the System Controller by setting the TC Link button on the rear panel to the “out” position. The left monitor receives both the left and right input signals.
AIR setups Understanding and using this setup 5.1 setup – digital ►► 5.1 setup – digital LS + RS L+R ►► C + LFE ►► Master Master Slave ►► Left System Ctrl. Center Right ►► ►► ►► Sub ►► Subwoofer ►► Master Slave Left Surround Right Surround ►► The left monitor is set as the System Controller by setting the TC Link button on the rear panel to the “out” position. The left monitor receives both the left and right input signals.
AIR setups Understanding and using this setup 5.1 setup – analog ►► 5.1 setup – analog LS RS L R L C R ►► LFE L ►► R Master Master Slave ►► Left Sytem Ctrl. Center Right ►► ►► ►► Sub ►► Subwoofer ►► R L Master Slave Left Surround Right Surround ►► The left monitor is set as the System Controller by setting the TC Link button on the rear panel to the “out” position. The left monitor receives both the left and right input signals.
AIR setups Understanding and using this setup 5.3 setup – digital ►► 5.3 setup – digital ►► L + LS C + LFE R + RS Master Master Slave ►► Left Center System Ctrl. Right ►► ►► ►► Sub Sub Sub ►► Left subwoofer Center subwoofer Right subwoofer ►► ►► Slave Slave Left surround Right surround Fig. 6: This illustration shows how to connect a digital 5.3 setup.
Understanding and using this setup 5.3 setup – analog Please see the description of the digital 5.3 setup regarding bass management, but make analog connections as explained in this section: 5.3 setup – analog L LS L AIR setups C R LFE L R R ►► RS L R Master Master Slave Left Center System Ctrl.
AIR setups Understanding and using this setup 6.1 setup – analog ►► 6.1 setup – analog LS RS CS L R L C R ►► LFE L ►► R Master Master Slave ►► Left Center System Ctrl. Right ►► ►► ►► Sub Subwoofer ►► ►► R L Master Left surround Master Center surround Slave Right surround ►► ►► Fig. 8: This illustration shows how to connect an analog 6.1 setup.
►► ►► ►► ►► AIR setups Center channel to the left input on the center monitor. LFE channel to the right input on the center monitor. Left surround channel to the left input on the left surround monitor. Right surround channel to the right input on the left surround monitor.
Understanding and using this setup 5.1 setup with Digital AES/EBU card 5.1 setup with Digital AES/EBU card LS + RS L+R AIR setups C + LFE Slave Master Slave Left Center System Ctrl. Right This setup requires… ►► one Master monitor with the optional Digital AES/ EBU Input Card installed, ►► four Slave monitors (or Masters set as Slave) and ►► one subwoofer. ►► ►► ►► ►► Sub ►► Subwoofer ►► Master Slave Left surround Right surround Fig. 9: This illustration shows how to connect 5.
Stereo setup with chains on left and right Stereo setup with chains – digital or analog L+R AIR setups Understanding and using this setup The two chained monitors are fed with the same signal as the two front monitors (left and right). This is the kind of setup you would use when you want to alternate between a set of main and nearfield monitors. AES or analog signal ►► Master Slave Left System Ctrl. Right ►► ►► ►► Sub Sub Left Chain Right Chain Fig.
Understanding and using this setup 7.1 setup – analog or digital 7.1 setup – digital L+R C + LFE Master Master Slave Left System Ctrl. Center Right Sub Subwoofer L sur. R sur. L B. + R B. AIR setups Master Slave Left surround Right surround Master Slave Left Back Right Back Digital connections ►► The center monitor is set as the System Controller by setting the TC Link button on the rear panel to the “out” position. ►► The left monitor receives both the left and right input signals.
AIR setups Analog connections ►► The left input of the left monitor receives the left signal. ►► The right input of the left monitor receives the left surround signal. ►► The left input of the center monitor receives the center signal. ►► The right input of the center monitor receives the LFE signal. ►► The left input of the left surround monitor receives the left surround signal. ►► The right input of the left surround monitor receives the right surround signal.
AIR setups Understanding and using this setup 5.1 setup – digital – 192 kHz This is a 5.1 digital setup at 192 kHz with optional bass management. 5.1 setup – digital – 192 kHz LF + RF C + Sub Master Master Slave L System Ctrl. C R This setup requires… ►► three Master monitors with the optional Digital I/O card installed, ►► two Slave monitors and ►► one subwoofer. ►► ►► ►► Sub ►► Sub LS + RS ►► Master Slave ►► LS RS ►► ►► Fig.
AIR setups Understanding and using this setup 6.1 setup – digital – 192 kHz This is a 6.1 digital setup with optional bass management. 6.1 setup – digital – 192 kHz LF + RF C + Sub Master Master Slave L System Ctrl. C R This setup requires… ►► four Master monitors with the optional Digital I/O card installed, ►► two Slave monitors (or Masters set as slaves) and ►► one subwoofer. ►► ►► ►► Sub ►► Sub ►► ►► LS + RS CS ►► Master Master Slave ►► LS CS RS ►► Fig.
The AIR concept The AIR concept Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 25
The AIR concept Introduction Dynaudio and TC Electronic are proud to present the AIR monitor system. Extreme precision The AIR monitor systems take a giant step forward in near-field monitoring. They include switch-mode amplification and power-supply. With the addition of DSP and CPU, new possibilities are opened for easy, convenient and precise central control of both audio and setup.
The master/ slave concept The networking feature allows all monitors in a setup – no matter if it is stereo or surround, digital or analog – to always be aligned. This provides great possibilities in terms of general control of the entire system. Two physically different units exist for each AIR model: a Master unit and a Slave unit.
Option slot Two card types are currently available. ►► An analog input module allowing you to feed a Master unit with two analog input signals. ►► An AES Digital Input card giving you the option of sending all six channels in a 5.1 setup to one single Master monitor. This card will also support inputs at 192 kHz. From there, the signal is distributed to four slave monitors and a subwoofer via the TC LINK RJ-45 connections, creating a fully digital 5.1 setup.
Remote control using AIR Remote or AIR Control software You can set up and control AIR monitor systems … 1. locally via the Master monitor’s user interface (the display and the buttons surrounding it) 2. via the optional AIR Remote or 3. from a computer running the free AIR Control software. AIR Remote AIR Remote is a dedicated hardware remote control that ensures convenient daily operation.
Standby, Power Save mode and powering down your AIR system The amplifier in an AIR monitor can detect whether or not there is a signal on the analog or digital inputs. If no input has been detected for more than half an hour (this is the default value), all monitors in a network will go to Standby mode. They will recover from Standby mode automatically when a signal is received. The power up time from Standby is a few hundred milliseconds. If no input signal is detected for 2.
Rear panel controls and connections Rear panel controls and connections Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 31
Rear panel controls and connections AIR Master unit with analog inputs – rear panel 1 2 3 1. System Controller/Slave switch Out position: The monitor operates as a System Controller. There can be only one System Controller in a setup. In position: The monitor operates as either a regular Master or a Slave unit. 2. RJ45 Link connections for downstream Slave units 3. Option slot with analog I/O card installed (optional) 4. AES/EBU digital Input 5. Word Clock BNC sync input 6.
Slave/Sub – rear panel Rear panel controls and connections Digital I/O card (optional) 1 Fig. 18: Digital I/O card (optional) With this card installed in the option slot of the Master unit, a 5.1 Digital/6 Master setup becomes an option. Three AES/EBU connections (6 channels) can then be fed to one Master monitor and distributed downstream. For more information, see “Setups”. 3 2 Fig. 17: Slave/Sub – rear panel 1. RJ45 Link connections for downstream Slave units 2. Power input – 100 to 240 V 3.
Operating your AIR monitors Operating your AIR monitors Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 34
The AIR display and keys Use the four keys to the left and the right of the display to navigate the menus of your AIR Master unit. Fig. 19: The display and keys of an AIR master unit ENTER key The ENTER key has two main functions: ►► To enter the menus currently displayed. ►► To set the displayed parameter in Edit mode. When a parameter can be edited using the arrow keys to the right of the display, a “*” is set as the first character in front of the parameter.
AIR Menu structure and parameters AIR Menu structure and parameters Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 36
AIR Menu structure and parameters Home screen Fig. 20: AIR monitor home screen, showing the sample rate, the monitor’s task and the volume The home screen of your AIR Master unit will show the role/position of the monitor (once it has been set up) and the set volume for this unit. A “+” in the upper right corner indicates that this specific Master Unit has been set up to act as the System Controller – see “System Controller, Master or Slave” on page 27.
Configuring bass management Bass management is available for the following setups: ►► ►► ►► ►► ►► ►► ►► ►► ►► Standard Stereo with 1 subwoofer Standard Stereo with 2 subwoofer 5.1 Analog 5.3 Analog 6.1 Analog 6.1 Digital – at 192 kHz 5.3 Digital 5.1 Digital/6 Master 5.1 Digital – at 192 kHz Notes on bass management ►► Satellite monitors use 2nd order highpass filters to attenuate frequencies below the set crossover frequency.
AIR Menu structure and parameters Setup menu – Basics Navigating the setup menu ►► From the home screen, press the ENTER key. “Bass Management” is displayed. ►► Press the DOWN key until “Setup menu” is displayed. ►► Press the ENTER key again. ►► Press the UP and DOWN keys to select the desired submenu (for example “Setup” or “Set monitor tasks”). ►► Press the ENTER key to open the desired submenu.
AIR Menu structure and parameters Setup menu ► Setup selection Use the Setup selection menu to specify how your AIR system is set up. Selecting your AIR system setup ►► From the home screen, press the ENTER key. ►► Press the DOWN key until “Setup menu” is displayed. ►► Press the ENTER key. “Setup” is displayed. ►► Press the ENTER key. “*Select setup” is displayed. ►► Press the UP and DOWN keys to select the correct setup. ►► Press the ENTER key to confirm your selection.
Setup menu ► Monitor tasks setup Use the Setup monitor tasks menu to assign tasks to the monitors in your AIR System. Each monitor must be given a task indicating its function and position. The System Controller – Master unit will only be able to identify and control all monitors in your AIR system correctly if these tasks have been assigned correctly. Selecting the task for an AIR monitor ►► From the home screen, press the ENTER key. ►► Press the DOWN key until “Setup menu” is displayed.
AIR Menu structure and parameters Setup menu ► External clock setup Configuring external clock ►► From the home screen, press the ENTER key. ►► Press the DOWN key until “Setup menu” is displayed. ►► Press the ENTER key. ►► Press the DOWN key until “External clock” is displayed. ►► Press the ENTER key. “*Select clock” is displayed. ►► Press the UP and DOWN keys to select the desired mode. ►► Press the ENTER key to confirm your selection. ►► Press the EXIT key repeatedly to return to the home screen.
AIR Menu structure and parameters Setup menu ► Analog input sensitivity Configuring analog input sensitivity ►► From the home screen, press the ENTER key. ►► Press the DOWN key until “Setup menu” is displayed. ►► Press the ENTER key. ►► Press the DOWN key until “Sensitivity” is displayed. ►► Press the ENTER key. “*Sensitivity” is displayed. ►► Press the UP and DOWN keys to select the desired sensitivity. ►► Press the ENTER key to confirm your selection.
Setup menu ► Monitor calibration Use the calibration menu to calibrate each monitor in your AIR System. This section only describes the basic parameters of the monitor calibration submenu. For more information regarding monitor placement and calibration, see “Placing the monitors” on page 49 and “Calibrating the main monitors” on page 58. AIR Menu structure and parameters Parameters available for all AIR monitors Parameter Pink Noise Calibrate Rel.
AIR Menu structure and parameters Notes regarding the LFE channel Please note that in general the LFE channel should be mixed with +10 dB headroom. If you are not able to boost your LFE monitor output from your console, +10 dB gain can be added on your AIR-Base input. Most format encoders / decoders take the LFE boost into account, meaning that you should leave the AIR-Base LFE gain at 0 dB when playing back a DTS or DOLBY encoded material on your AIR system.
AIR Menu structure and parameters Setup menu ► Clear setup for entire network Use this function to clear settings for your entire AIR system. All connected monitors will be reset to default settings. Clearing the setup for the entire network ►► From the home screen, press the ENTER key. ►► Press the DOWN key until “Setup menu” is displayed. ►► Press the ENTER key. ►► Press the DOWN key until “Clear setup for entire network” is displayed. ►► Press the ENTER key.
Recalling and storing presets Recalling and storing presets Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 47
Recalling presets ►► ►► ►► ►► ►► From the home screen, press the ENTER key. Press the DOWN key until “Recall preset” is displayed. Press the ENTER key. “*Current preset” and the name of the currently active preset is displayed. Press the UP and DOWN keys to browse presets. When you have found a preset you want to recall, press the ENTER key. The selected preset is recalled (activated), and the name of the selected preset is displayed. Press the EXIT key repeatedly to return to the home screen.
Placing the monitors Placing the monitors Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 49
This section of the manual is a guide to optimizing your listening facilities to ensure optimal performance of your AIR monitor system. To ensure optimum results, it is essential that you have connected all monitors in your AIR System properly. Please refer to “AIR setups” on page 8. For additional information on optimizing setups, indepth explanations and background information of various acoustic phenomena, see “Appendix: Acoustics” on page 107.
General considerations: symmetry Mo r ito M Basically it is preferred to establish a loudspeaker layout that provides an adequate and equal left/right image. The basis for this is symmetry – meaning that the distance to the left and the right monitor should be identical and that (unless you are monitoring in the near field) the distance from the left and right monitor to the respective sidewall should be identical, and the sidewalls should be identical.
Placing the monitors Front monitors, left and right For proper stereo monitoring, the monitors should be placed at an angle of ±30º in front of the listening position. This goes both for a basic stereo setup and for the left and right front monitors in a four or five channel setup.
Monitor positions Monitor placement and acoustics have a significant influence on monitor sound. AIR series provides powerful tools to compensate for various, less than ideal placements. Below, you will find a description of the most common monitor placements and appropriate compensation. Using material from the Dynaudio Professional AIR test tone sets together with the AIR placement compensation settings will allow you to find a perfect balance between the AIR monitors and the acoustics the studio.
Checking the placement of the monitors Checking the placement of the monitors Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 54
Overview 1. In the Setup menu, select the setup type (e.g. “5.1” or “Stereo”) matching your application. 2. Check the phase using the Dynaudio Professional AIR test tone sets available at www.dynaudioprofessional.com. 3. Check the monitor positions. 4. Equalize each monitor as required using the Bass and Treble parameters. 5. In the Setup menu of the System controller, navigate to the Calibration submenu.
Checking monitor placement When checking the placement of your monitors, you first have to focus on the low frequencies. The signals to be used are the low-frequency sweeps (tracks 31 to 39 from the Dynaudio Professional AIR test tone sets).
Equalizing the monitors The AIR System menu offers a two-band shelving type equalizer. This equalizer can be configured individually for each monitor, and it is implemented for fine-adjustments of the tonal balance. For information on navigating to the Calibration submenu and setting parameters, see “Setup menu ► Monitor calibration” on page 44. Range Adjustment step Equalizer Band I (Bass) Equalizer Band II (Treble) Filter type ±6 dB 0.
Calibrating the main monitors Calibration is required to ensure that all monitors produce the same sound pressure level in the listening position when fed with the same signal. The level of the input signal can be locked to a specific sound pressure produced by the monitors. Inter-channel calibration ►► Navigate to the Calibration submenu as described under “Setup menu ► Monitor calibration” on page 44. ►► Select the “Master L Front” monitor.
Checking the placement of the monitors X-Curves For small rooms (defined as less than 5300 cubic feet or 150 cubic meters), ANSI/SMPTE 222M calls for a modification of the X-curve with flat natural response to 2 kHz and then a 1.5 dB per octave roll off above 2 kHz. This curve is useful when mixing in a small room and be playing back in a large room. Fig. 31: X-Curve 2 – modified magnitude response Fig.
Checking the placement of the monitors Placing the subwoofer Overview Placement on the floor In the corner Adjacent to wall Free standing Advantages Gain of bass response Disadvantages Excitation of most standing waves in the room, hence very uneven sound distribution Gain of bass response Excitation of several standing waves in the room, hence very uneven sound distribution Position can be optimized with regard to stand- It may take up space on the floor ing waves Subwoofer placement on the floor
Checking subwoofer placement Fig. 32: Avoid placing the subwoofer on these lines quarter or halfway between walls.
Calibrating the subwoofers with the main monitors About bass management Bass management is a very important and useful tool – and it is in general an absolute necessity if you want to work with a five channel setup in a small room. For more information, see “Bass management” on page 118. Calibration – overview ►► From the home screen, set the volume to -30 dB. ►► Press the ENTER key. “Bass Management” is displayed. ►► Press the ENTER key again. “Select Mode” is displayed.
Phase parameter (subwoofer parameter) Range: 0 to 180º The integration of the AIR-Base subwoofer with the AIR monitors requires on location tuning. Apart from level calibration and choosing a Bass management crossover frequency, the issue of phase alignment remains. For this purpose, AIR-Base subwoofer have a 0 to 180 degree phase adjustment (in 5 degree steps) and a Polarity parameter.
AIR Remote AIR Remote Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 64
AIR Remote – introduction When you have set up and calibrated your setup as good as possible, optimal performance from your AIR system monitors is achieved by controlling the levels on the monitors themselves as opposed to controlling via the mixing console. Therefore a remote control is a natural extension of your AIR monitor system. Remote Control Features ►► Instant access of three different user defined Reference Level settings. ►► Instant Preset Recall function of up to 4 presets.
L / C / R / Ls / SUB / Rs – Mute/Unmute/Solo keys Use these six keys to mute, unmute and solo channels: ►► ►► ►► ►► ►► ►► L: Left C: Center R: Right Ls: Left surround SUB: Subwoofer Rs: Right surround The LEDs of these keys indicate the current state for a channel as follows: ►► ►► ►► LED on: Speaker on LED off: Speaker muted LED flashing: Speaker solo Muting and unmuting a speaker ►► To mute a speaker/channel, press the respective key.
AIR Control software AIR Control software Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 67
AIR Control software – introduction AIR Control software main features AIR Control software is the installation and configuration software for the Dynaudio Professional AIR series monitors. ►► AIR Control software allows you to carry out advanced calibration and alignment of your AIR monitoring system. The software provides access to advanced tools and features of AIR monitors and subwoofers, including timing and SPL calibration and parametric equalizers for each monitor.
Obtaining AIR Control software Installing AIR Control software You can download AIR Control software from tcelectronic.com/air-control/support/ ►► ►► ►► AIR Control software Run the AIR Control software installer for your operating system. You may need an administrator account name and password to run the installer. Read and accept the Software License Agreement presented by the installer. Finish the installation of the AIR Control software and quit the installer.
Setting up AIR Control software ►► ►► ►► Switch on your AIR monitors. Switch on your computer. Launch AIR Control software. Connecting your computer to your AIR monitor system You need to connect the computer running AIR Control software to an AIR monitor. Depending on your computer’s hardware, this may require ►► only the custom Serial to CAT 5 cable or ►► the custom Serial to CAT 5 cable and the USB to COM 9 pin adapter. Both cables are part of the Air Cable package.
Global and local parameters AIR Control software allows you to access and set two kinds of parameters: ►► Global parameters that apply to all monitors in an AIR system or define general attributes of this system, and ►► Local parameters for individual monitors. Basic editing procedures If a parameter or function in the AIR Control software is represented by a round button, click this button to select/deselect it or execute the respective function. AIR Control software version information Fig.
Global – Main page Use the Main page to see an overview of your AIR system, mute and solo monitors, set and access reference levels. Solo buttons To solo a monitor, click its Solo button. The Solo button will turn orange. You can switch multiple monitors to Solo mode. To remove a monitor from the Solo group, click its Solo button again. AIR Control software File page To remove all monitors from the Solo group at once, click the Clear Solo button on the right side of the window.
Recalling (activating) presets ►► Click the Recall tab on the left side of the window. The name of the currently selected preset is shown in the upper right corner of the window, within the green “Recall Preset” area. ►► Select the preset category you want to access: Factory presets or User presets. For a list and description of factory presets, see “Presets” on page 86.
Bass management page AIR Control software Recalling Bass management presets ►► Click the Preset field in the Bass Management (Preset) section of the bass management page. This will assign Bass management preset selection to the large slider on the right of the window. ►► Drag the slider to select the desired bass management preset. For a description of the bass management presets, their parameters and values, see “Bass management modes and crossover frequencies” on page 38. Fig.
EQ Link page Assigning monitors to EQ Groups Three EQ Groups (shown on the left of the window) are available. ►► ►► ►► Fig. 43: AIR Control software – Global – EQ Link page. Group 1 (containing the left and right front speakers) is active. Use the EQ Link page in the Global section of the AIR Control software to group the EQs of AIR monitors, allowing you to modify their settings more easily.
AIR Control software Lock page Fig. 44: AIR Control software – Global – Lock page Use the Lock page in the Global section of the AIR Control software to lock features of your AIR monitor system, allowing you to restrict a user’s access to a subset of parameters. Instead of a simple, global “Lock” feature that would allow no user control at all, AIR Control software allows for fine-grained control of the features that a user has access to.
Preferences page AIR Control software AIR Setup Use the AIR setup parameter to specify the setup for your AIR system. Clicking this parameter field will show a drop-down menu. BNC Sync Switch BNC Sync on or off. See “Setup menu ► External clock setup” on page 42. Make sure to have your monitors connected exactly as required for the selected setup. For more information, see “AIR setups” on page 8. A. Sensitivity Use the A(nalog) Sensitivity parameter to set the input of the analog input in dB.
Selecting monitors for configuration ►► ►► Please refer to the section “AIR setups” on page 8 of this manual to find the setup you want to use. Position and connect your monitors exactly as described in the section for this setup. After you have done this, you can use AIR Control software to access each connected monitor and configure its settings.
Monitor Setup page Fig. 48: AIR Control software – Monitor setup page Use the Setup page to send test signals and configure basic parameters for the selected monitor. The following setup parameters are available for all AIR monitors. Test Click the Test button to generate a test signal. To stop the test signal, click this button again. Please note that the test signal will be generated at the currently set level. Monitor Task Use the Monitor Task parameter to specify the task (e.g.
AIR Control software Locking parameters for individual monitors The Lock page in the Global section of the AIR Control software allows you to lock certain features for all monitors in your AIR system – see “Lock page” on page 76. In addition, you can lock parameters for individual monitors on the Monitor Setup page.
Monitor EQ page Using EQ Groups While the EQ can be configured for each monitor individually, AIR Control software allows you to combine monitors in up to three groups and control the EQ settings for all monitors in such an EQ Group together. See “EQ Link page” on page 75. If the monitor you have selected is part of an EQ Group, the color of the EQ Group will be indicated by a small dot in that EQ Group’s color (blue, green or brown) in the monitor’s tab. Fig.
Monitor Firmware page Monitor Log page Fig. 52: AIR Control software – Monitor firmware page Fig. 53: AIR Control software – Monitor Log page Use the Firmware page to access firmware information for the currently selected monitor. Use the Monitor Log page to retrieve a log file showing the current settings for the selected monitor. ►► Click the Read Version button to retrieve firmware version information from the selected monitor.
Cables Cables Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 83
Several types of cables are used for connecting the components of your AIR system. TC LINK via standard Cat 5 cables TC LINK connections carry digital audio (24 bit) and network control information between the monitors in your AIR system. Cables AES/EBU cables Standard AES/EBU cables are used to connected audio sources to the inputs of the System controller monitor.
Custom serial to CAT 5 cable USB to COM 9 pin adapter The Serial to Cat-5 cable is part of the Air Cable package, which can be obtained from the TC Electronic Store: ►► store.tcelectronic.com/ The Serial to Cat-5 cable is part of the Air Cable package, which can be obtained from the TC Electronic Store: ►► store.tcelectronic.com/ This is a proprietary cable with built-in electronics for use with AIR Systems only.
Presets Presets Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 86
Preset level in dB Preset no. Preset name Preset description 1-15 Empty / User 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Neutral BassMgt 50Hz BassMgt 80Hz BassMgt Ex50Hz BassMgt Ex80Hz BassMgt THXSim BassMgt SC120 Cinema Flat Cine X-curve Cine X-curve2 Cinema X-50Hz Cinema X-80Hz Cine X-SC120Hz Cinema 80Hz Cinema SC120 OB Van SC120 Neutral Presets 1 to 15 are “empty” until you choose to store something, after which the respective preset name is “User Preset”.
Reset procedures Reset procedures Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 88
Reset procedures Three different Reset “levels” exist. All Reset procedures will affect all monitors connected when they are executed. Clear Monitor Settings The Clear monitor settings reset procedure will reset all global and local parameters for all connected monitors. Preset and network settings are not affected. To access this Reset procedure, hold the ENTER key on the System Controller monitor while powering it up.
Error messages Error messages Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 90
Error message “!” (e.g. as “96 kHz Center!”) “+” (e.g. as “96 kHz L Front+”) >> A-Input Lo << >> A-Input Hi << >> PSU error << Standby >> Power save << Error messages Explanation The “!” indicates that the monitor is not connected to the network. The volume is then automatically set to -50 dB for this monitor. The “+” indicates that this monitor is the System Controller. This message is displayed in analog setups only.
Warranty Warranty Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 92
Dynaudio Professional products are warranted to be free from defects in components and factory workmanship under normal use and service for a period of two (2) years when bought from a reseller within the EU. Dynaudio Professional products are warranted to be free from defects in components and factory workmanship under normal use and service for a period of one (1) year when bought from a reseller outside the EU.
Technical specifications Technical specifications Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 94
Technical specifications AIR 6 & AIR 15 (Master and Slave) Model System Frequency response (±3 dB) Peak SPL 1 m, pair (IEC Short Term) Peak SPL 2 m, 5.
Technical specifications AIR 20 & AIR 25 (Master and Slave) Model System Frequency response (±3 dB) Peak SPL 1 m, pair (IEC Short Term) Peak SPL 2 m, 5.1 (IEC Short Term) Max SPL 1 m, (IEC Long Term) Precision of monitor matching Port tuning frequency Internal cabinet volume Bass principle Crossover frequency Crossover slope Tweeter Midrange Woofer Mains voltage Power consumption Finish Amp Cabinet Dimensions (H x W x D) Depth incl.
Technical specifications AIR-Base-1 & AIR-Base-2 System Total frequency response: Max. SPL 1 m, one (IEC Short Term) Max. SPL 2 m, 5.1 (IEC Short Term) Precision of monitor matching Port tuning frequency Internal cabinet volume Bass principle Woofer Mains voltage Power consumption Finish Amp Cabinet Dimensions (H x W x D) Weight Amplifier Active Subwoofers 25 Hz – bssmng: 120 Hz, LFE: 2.5 kHz / 23 Hz – bssmng: 120 Hz, LFE: 2.
Technical specifications AIR Base 12 System Total frequency response Max. SPL 1 m, one (IEC Short Term) Max. SPL 2 m, 5.1 (IEC Short Term) Precision of monitor matching Port tuning frequency Internal cabinet volume Bass principle Woofer Mains voltage Power consumption Finish Amp Cabinet Dimensions (H x W x D) Weight Amplifier Active Subwoofer 22 Hz to 200 Hz ±3 dB, depending on setting 123 dB peak 117 dB peak ±0.2 dB 24 Hz 41 liters Bass reflex. Down-firing port 1 pcs.
Technical specifications AIR Base 24 System Total frequency response Max. SPL 1 m, one (IEC Short Term) Max. SPL 2 m, 5.1 (IEC Short Term) Precision of monitor matching Port tuning frequency Internal cabinet volume Bass principle Woofer Mains voltage Power consumption Finish Amp Cabinet Dimensions (H x W x D) Weight Amplifier Active Subwoofer 20 Hz to 200 Hz ±3 dB, depending on setting 126 dB peak 120 dB peak ±0.2 dB 22 Hz 77 liters Bass reflex. Down-firing port 2 pcs.
Technical specifications Room size and typical listening distance Typical listening distance AIR 6 1.2 to 2 m / 4 to 7 ft Typical room size AIR 6 50 to 100 m3 / 1600 to 3500 ft AIR-Base-1 30 to 60 m3 / 1000 to 2000 ft3 AIR 15 1.5 to 2.5 m / 5 to 8,5 ft AIR 20 1.5 to 3 m / 5 to 10.
Technical specifications General specifications for AIR 6, AIR 15, AIR 20, AIR 25, AIR-Base-1, AIR-Base-2, AIR-Base 12 & AIR Base 24 System sample rates Internal sample rate AIR Masters only I/O Connectors Formats Word clock input Display Operation Analog input option Input connectors Impedance Selectable full scale input level Dynamic Range THD+N Crosstalk A to D Conversion AIR Slaves only I/O Connectors 192 and 176.4 via Dual Wire (optional Digital Card required) and 96, 88.2, 64, 48, 44.
Technical specifications AIR Remote Finish Dimensions (D x W x H) Weight I/O Connectors EMC Complies with Safety Certified to Environment Operating Temperature Storage Temperature Humidity Warranty Parts and labor Black anodized aluminum and plastic 120 x 70 x 35 mm 250 g 1 x RJ45 proprietary TC LINK EN 55103-1 and EN 55103-2, FCC part 15 class B, CISPR 22 class B IEC 60065, EN 60065, UL 6500 and CSA E60065 CSA FILE #LR108093 32° F to 122° F (0° C to 50° C) -22° F to 167° F (-30° C to 70° C) Max.
Technical specifications General specifications for all products EMC complies with Safety certified to Environment operating temperature Storage temperature Humidity Warranty EN 55103-1 and EN 55103-2, FCC part 15 class B, CISPR 22 class B IEC 60065, EN 60065, UL 6500 and CSA E60065 CSA FILE #LR108093 32° F to 122° F (0° C to 50° C) -22° F to 167° F (-30° C to 70° C) Max.
Technical specifications Delay in system Sample Rate (AES or WC In) kHz 32 44.1 48 64 88.2 96 centimeters milliseconds 39 28 26 39 28 26 1.14 0.83 0.76 1.14 0.83 0.76 Analog Input *) Samples @ Converter Rate 73 73 73 73 73 73 centimeters milliseconds 100 53 29 18 13 12 2.91 1.54 0.83 0.53 0.39 0.35 Digital Input Samples @ Input Rate 93 68 40 34 34 34 Converter kHz 64 88.2 96 64 88.
Certificate of conformity Certificate of conformity Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 105
Certificate of conformity TC Electronic A/S, Sindalsvej 34, 8240 Risskov, Denmark, hereby declares on own responsibility that following products: AIR 6 AIR 15 ►► AIR 20 ►► AIR 25 ►► AIR-Base 1 ►► AIR-Base 2 ►► AIR-Base 12 ►► AIR-Base 24 ►► AIR REMOTE that are covered by this certificate and marked with CE-label conform with following standards: ►► ►► ►► ►► ►► EN 60065 (IEC 60065) – Safety requirements for mains operated electronic and related apparatus for household and similar general use EN 5510
Appendix: Acoustics Appendix: Acoustics Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 107
Introduction Control rooms should normally have a reverb time around 0.2 to 0.3 seconds. When we talk about making a room “sound right”, we are usually dealing with room acoustics. As a science, acoustics has been around for about hundred years. Until then, good acoustics happened by experiment, by experience, or simply by accident. Today, we know a lot about the parameters that influence the “sound” of a room.
Appendix: Acoustics Sabine’s formula Wallace Clement Sabine (1868-1919) is the father of modern acoustics. He found that reverberation time is described by a relationship between the room size and the amount of absorption in the room. Larger rooms will have longer reverberation. More absorption leads to shorter reverberation. This can be expressed in Sabine’s formula: T = 0.161 * V / A where: ►► T: Reverberation time in seconds ►► V: Volume in m3 ►► A: Absorption in m2 Sabine ►► 0.
Appendix: Acoustics Absorbers All materials in a room act acoustically – even if they are not so-called “acoustical materials”. Basically, there are three kinds of absorbers: Membrane absorbers This class of absorber includes wooden floors, windows, doors, etc. These absorbers provide absorption in the low end of the frequency range. Under normal conditions, large areas of a basic room belong to this class.
Appendix: Acoustics Diffusors A diffusor provides diffuse reflection of the sound radiated against it. Diffusers can be very useful in situations where reflections are disturbing the sound image and it is not advisory to add further absorption. So in order to reduce flutter echoes, comb filtering etc., special elements can be placed on the “disturbing” surface. These elements must have dimensions comparable to the frequencies at which diffusion is wanted. Absorption or diffusion? Fig.
Room modes These special frequencies are also called room modes. Standing waves between parallel walls are called axial modes. Other modes exist – for instance, tangential modes and radial modes (see the following illustrations). Normally, the axial modes are the strongest. Standing waves Standing waves exist in all kind of rooms.
In a box-shaped room, the frequencies can be calculated as follows: Appendix: Acoustics Prohibiting standing waves Parallel walls in the room should be prevented. This will suppress the strongest modes. When placing monitors, it is important that as few modes as possible are excited. This is why no monitor should be placed at the maximum of a standing wave. where ►► ►► ►► ►► ►► ►► f = frequency in Hz c = speed of sound (approx.
Appendix: Acoustics Comb filtering The filtering function that arises when a signal is added to itself after having been delayed in time is called a comb filter. Fig. 77: Two typical situations in which comb filtering occurs, either acoustically or electrically The resulting frequency response resembles a comb, hence the name. Fig. 75: Two 500 Hz sinusoidal tones added. The second tone is delayed 1 millisecond, hence the sum is zero. Generally speaking, all digital signal processing takes time.
Appendix: Acoustics Dip frequencies Cancellation occurs for a comb filter at all the frequencies where the two signals are in opposite phase. This occurs when the time delay comprises duration of 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 etc. periods. At 1 kHz, the period is 1 millisecond. Half of the period is 0.5 milliseconds. If a time delay of precisely 0.5 millisecond occurs, this will result in cancellation not only at 1 kHz, but also at 2 kHz, 3 kHz, 4 kHz etc.
Rear wall cancellation When the monitor is set up at some distance in front of a wall, reflections from the wall may occur and influence the perceived frequency response. This could result in comb filtering if all frequencies produced by the monitor were radiated in all directions. But monitors are typically only omnidirectional at low frequencies. The result of the reflection is a single or a few dips in the frequency response perceived in front of the monitor.
Appendix: Acoustics Subwoofers A subwoofer is a monitor that reproduces low frequencies. The purpose is to take over from the main monitor(s) as frequencies approach the lower end of the frequency range – approximately below 120 Hz. For professional monitor systems, it is commonly preferred to use subwoofers below approximately 80 Hz – but of course, the best solution depends on the performance of the main monitors.
Bass management Bass management is a very important and useful tool – and it is in general an absolute necessity if you want to work with a five channel setup in a small room. The bass management system is designed to subtract the bass contents from all main channels and reproduce it using a subwoofer. The AIR series provides a number of possible crossover frequencies that can be selected by the user.
Appendix: Acoustics The LFE Channel LFE is an abbreviation for “Low Frequency Enhancement” or “Low Frequency Effects”. While the first is the original name, the second is more correct with regards to its main applications. LFE is also referred to as the “.1 channel”, which indicates that the frequency range of this channel is only a fraction of the other channels in a multi channel setup. The actual frequency range is 20 Hz to 120 Hz.
Appendix: Acoustics Delaying monitors ITU 775 When using a 5.x setup with monitors arranged on a circle (as with ITU 775), the distance from the listener to each of the main monitors is the same. If space is limited, the three front monitors can be arranged on a straight line instead of a circle. To compensate the center monitor being closer to the listener than the left and right monitor in this setup, the center signal can be delayed.
Line-up and calibration Acoustic summation of audio signals When summing two sound sources (for example, two monitors), the resulting total sound level depends on both the signal and the acoustics. The sound sources can be correlated or uncorrelated. The listening position (or measurement position) can be either in the direct sound field or in the diffuse sound field.
Surround Sound Forum Surround Sound Forum is a German interest group composed of the VDT (Verband Deutscher Tonmeister; Association of German Sound Engineers), the Institut für Rundfunktechnik (IRT) and the Schule für RundSignal (only in one channel) 1 kHz sine Pink noise 20 Hz to 20 kHz Pink noise 200 Hz to 20 kHz PPM level t < 0,1 ms [dB] -18 -9 -11 PPM level t < 10 ms [dB] -18 -13 -15 SMPTE The corresponding SMPTE standard (RP155) uses a standard of -20 dBFS for the reference level.
Measuring sound pressure Using a sound level meter or microphone If you are used to performing acoustic measurements, you probably already own a sound level meter. A sound level meter can be used for the level calibration of the monitors. If you do not have a sound level meter, there still is another possibility: Use an omni-directional microphone (this is also called a pressure microphone). A studio condenser microphone is normally preferred, but the microphone must not be too big.
Links Links Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-08-28 124
Support resources There is a large knowledge base and forum for you to use. Please make sure to search for your particular issue there before submitting a support ticket. It’s likely that someone has already addressed the question and posted an answer. ►► ►► ►► ►► Dynaudio Professional support: dynaudioprofessional.com/support/ Dynaudio Professional warranty information: dynaudioprofessional.com/pages/warranty Dynaudio Professional AIR: dynaudioprofessional.
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