Operator`s manual

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PARC

Operator’s Manual

Thank you for purchasing the PARC, Parametric Adaptive Room Compensation, System. As you are already

well aware, high end audio systems and even mid-fi systems have reached a level that exceeds the

performance of the room they are in. All of Rives Audio products and services are designed to compensate

these room anomalies and provide the listener with a more rewarding listening experience.

The PARC was developed by engineers with years of experience in high end professional mixing boards. It is

these parametric compensation systems that are employed in the PARC. All of the components are the finest

available. All of the signal paths are as short as possible. All power supplies are quiet, reliable, and built

beyond the needs of the system. All display and control electronics are isolated as much as possible from the

signal path. The result is a system that can enhance even the finest high end system.

The PARC also uses a software control system. This allows for easy upgrading of the software. Over time we

may find ways of enhancing the product and this architecture will allow the user to upgrade the software very

easily.

Topics: Page

Connections 2

Connections (PARC + only) 4

Basic Function 5

Set-up 6

Memory 9

Troubleshooting 10

Appendix A SPL meter correction 11

Appendix B Q factor and Frequency Comparison 12

Appendix C Chart for Plotting Loudspeaker and Room Response 13

Specifications 14

Contact Information 14

Summary of content (14 pages)

PAGE 1
PARC Operator’s Manual Thank you for purchasing the PARC, Parametric Adaptive Room Compensation, System. As you are already well aware, high end audio systems and even mid-fi systems have reached a level that exceeds the performance of the room they are in. All of Rives Audio products and services are designed to compensate these room anomalies and provide the listener with a more rewarding listening experience.
PAGE 2
PARC Operator’s Manual The connections for the PARC are very simple. We provide both balanced and single ended inputs and outputs. The actual topology of the PARC is a fully balanced design. If you have the capability of using balanced connections, we recommend this method. You can also use the PARC to convert from balanced to single ended and vise versa. However, the power off bypass only works if you are either going from balanced in to balanced out or single ended in to single ended out.
PAGE 3
PARC Operator’s Manual When connecting the PARC via a tape loop, connect the line in on the PARC to the tape record outs on the receiver or pre-amp. Then connect the line out on the PARC to the tape in on the receiver or pre-amp. The example shown below is with single ended inputs, which is the most likely to be used with a tape loop. When using single ended inputs the input switch must be switched to “RCA” on the back panel. It is possible to use the XLR (balanced connections) or a combination of the two.
PAGE 4
PARC Operator’s Manual The PARC + is powered and receives all parametric values via a PARC. The PARC + is supplied with a cable and connector for the Link plug in the back of the PARC. Be sure the PARC is off before plugging a PARC + into a PARC. Once this is plugged in, then turn the PARC on and you will get confirmation on the front panel of the PARC that a PARC + is present. The connections for the PARC + are very simple and work identically to the PARC.
PAGE 5
PARC Operator’s Manual Basic Function The basic function of the PARC is to minimize bass anomalies in the room. The most prominent bass anomalies occur when two parallel walls (or floor and ceiling) excite a particular frequency. The distance between the two walls determines which frequency is excited. The most problematic, or highest amplitude, is generally ½ of a wavelength between two walls.
PAGE 6
PARC Operator’s Manual Set-up There are two methods for set-up. The easiest method is to use the BARE software and microphone. The BARE performs all the calculations and stores the optimum settings in the PARC in a semi-automated method. To use this method please refer to the BARE operators manual. The second method is a manual method and requires more time and diligence on the users part. With this method the user will need an SPL meter and the charts that are provided in the back of this manual.
PAGE 7
PARC Operator’s Manual Next we will determine the peaks and widths of these two frequencies. The peak at 40 Hz is approximate 10 Hz wide at 3 db below the maximum peak. This would yield a Q factor of 40 / 10 = 4. Next we would determine the second peak. The center frequency is 100 Hz. The peak is 7 dB, and the width at –3dB max is approximately 30 Hz. This would yield a Q of 3.3. If a peak is less than 3 dB above the reference level, say 1.5 dB it would not be necessary to use a filter on that frequency.
PAGE 8
PARC Operator’s Manual First the display must be on. If the red light is lit above the display, and there are no lights in the main panel, press the display button. The red light should turn off, and there should be a complete set of readings in the panel. We recommend that you leave the display off unless you are setting up the PARC. When the display is off, all keys, except the bypass, are not functional. You can only change the settings with the display on. Second the bypass must be out.
PAGE 9
PARC Operator’s Manual Save Now that both channels have been set up, it’s time to save this to memory. There are 3 memories. While the PARC is primarily designed to be left in one particular compensation mode, the memory settings allow the user flexibility to tailor the sound for particular situations. We recommend that the flattest response be set to memory 1 and then tailored responses set to memory 2 and 3. Initially there are no memory presets. The unit will therefore initially come up with no memory.
PAGE 10
PARC Operator’s Manual Troubleshooting No sound through the system: Be sure the appropriate switch on the back panel is selected. If you are using RCA inputs, the RCA switch position must be selected, if you are using XLR inputs, the XLR must be selected. This selection is for input only, it does not matter what the output connection is. Are any lights on, there should always be at least one light on or the display should be on.
PAGE 11
PARC Operator’s Manual Appendix A SPL meter correction With a C weighted meter, such as the Radioshack SPL analog meter, the following dB should be added at the corresponding frequency. This corrects for the non-linearity incorporated by C weighting. Hz 10 12.5 16 20 25 31.5 40 50 63 80 100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000 5000 6300 8000 10000 12500 16000 20000 Correction 20.5 16.5 11.5 7.5 5 3 2.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 2 0.5 -0.5 -0.5 0.5 -0.5 0 -0.5 0 0 0 0 -0.5 -1.5 -1.5 -1.
PAGE 12
PARC Operator’s Manual Appendix B Chart for Q Factor Comparison Below is a chart that compares Q Factors to the Width in Hertz, at 3 different center frequencies. The relationship of the Q factor to the octaves remains constant, while the width in Hertz changes with varying center frequencies. The PARC is set up with constant Q factor circuitry. It is for this reason that the width is expressed in terms of Q factors. Q Factor 1 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 2 2.2 2.5 2.9 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.
PAGE 13
PARC Operator’s Manual Appendix C: Frequency Chart for plotting loudspeaker and room response This chart is best used with the Rives Audio Test CD and a Radio Shack SPL analog meter. You may download additional copies of this chart at http://www.rivesaudio.com/files/freqchrt.PDF © Copyright 2002-2004 Rives Audio, Inc.
PAGE 14
PARC Operator’s Manual Specifications: Storage temperature: -40 to 250 degrees F Operating temperature: 32 to 120 degrees F Dimensions (inches): 17 W x 4 H x 12.