Studio Technologies StudioComm for Surround Model 780-03 Central Controller and Model 790 Control Console

A StudioComm for Surround system starts with the Model 790 Control Console. It's the system's "command centre" and is designed to reside at a user's location, allowing fingertip selection of all monitoring functions. Numerous LEDs provide complete status information. A 4-digit numeric display indicates the level of the post-fader digital and analog monitor outputs. A major strength of the Model 790 is its ability to configure, under software control, many important operating parametres. Intended for secondary monitoring locations that don't require all of the Model 790's features, the Model 71 Control Console is a compact user control surface. It provides three of the most basic functions: a rotary level control, dim on/off button, and reference level on/off button.

Most installations will use only one Model 790 Control Console. However, up to three additional Model 790 or Model 71 Control Consoles can also be connected. This provides multiple users with control over a facility's monitor system. And to make installation simple, the Model 780-03 provides power for all connected Model 790 or Model 71 units.

The core of this StudioComm for Surround system is the Model 780-03 Central Controller. The one-rack-space unit contains circuitry that supports balanced digital audio inputs, balanced digital and analog monitor outputs, digital audio and control processing, and interfacing for the user control surface(s). The Model 780-03 provides two surround (7.1) and one stereo digital audio inputs. These balanced digital inputs are AES3-compliant; sources of this type are ubiquitous in many post-production and audio facility environments. The inputs allow a sample rate of 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96 kHz and a bit depth of up to 24 to be supported. Circuitry associated with the stereo input provides sample rate conversion (SRC) capability, allowing a wide range of digital audio sources to be monitored. To compensate with processing delays (latency) associated with associated video displays up to 340 milliseconds of input delay can be selected. For flexibility, two delay values can be configured, allowing real-time selection as desired. A number of different signals can serve as the Model 780-03's digital audio timing reference. For synchronization with a master timing reference a dedicated source of word clock, DARS (AES11), bi-level video, or tri-level video can be connected. Alternately, the L/R connection of the actively selected surround or stereo input source can serve as the timing reference.

A range of digital and analog surround (7.1) monitor outputs are provided. The post-fader digital and analog monitor outputs are intended for connection to monitor loudspeaker systems. The pre-fader digital monitor output can be used with metreing systems that require signals that aren't impacted by level control or other monitoring functions. The digital monitor outputs are compatible with equipment that requires balanced AES3 digital audio signals with an output impedance of 110 ohms and a signal level of 5 volts peak-to-peak (Vpp).

A sophisticated bass management function is integral to the Model 780-03's design and can be enabled if desired. It can apply to both the post-fader digital and analog monitor output channels. The overall goal of bass management is very simple: ensure that the entire audio bandwidth of all channels can be accurately monitored. Many loudspeaker systems have inherent low-frequency limitations, preventing a true sonic "picture" of the source material from being presented. To overcome this, the low-frequency energy from the seven channels associated with the surround inputs and the two channels associated with the stereo input can be separated and routed to the subwoofer (SUB) channel of the monitor outputs. Several of the bass management functions can be configured to match the requirements of specific installations.

Great care was taken in designing the system's architecture, ensuring that the character of the audio input signals was preserved. All audio processing, including bass management, is performed in 32-bit logic using a high-speed field-programmable gate array (FPGA) integrated circuit. High-performance integrated circuits are used to perform input, output, and clocking tasks.

The Model 780-03 occupies one space (1U) in a standard 19-inch rack.

For further information please view the attached Datasheet.