Configuring audio outputs is done via the Altus Control Center which is accessible by launching your preferred web browser on a computer connected to your studio network and entering the IP address of the Altus in the address bar. When prompted for authentication, enter the user name “user”. The password field is left blank.
Outputs Menu
To begin setting up Audio Outputs, click Outputs in the I/O Manager portion of the Altus Control Center. Up to 24 outputs can be configured.
The Output dropdown (5-1A) for each output offers the following options:
Program 1 – Program 4 – The four standard output mixes.
Record – A special mix accessed by the Program 4 button. This is a Pre-ON and Post-Fader mix so that the operator can control the output level.
Phone – Another special mix accessed by the Program 4 button. This is a Pre-ON and Pre-Fader mix, useful where no operator level control is needed.
CR Monitor – The control room monitor driven by the CR Monitor section of the surface.
CR Monitor Direct – The control room monitor, but a pre-volume knob source which is not impacted by mute states.
CR Headphone – The operator headphone feed driven by the Headphone section of the surface
Preview – The preview (“cue”) mix driven by the PFL state of any fader channel
Talk to CR – The audio of any profile that initiates a talkback to the Control Room. This is mixed in with the Preview mix, but if there is an application for only the talkback audio to be sent, this is the source to utilize.
Talk to External – Audio content from the designated Talk source when the CR Monitor logic “Talk to External” is triggered. As mentioned in the Show Profiles section, the designated Talk source is either the Operator Microphone assigned to a fader channel or the Show Profile’s “Ext Talk” designation.
Studio Guest HP – This feed follows the Studio Monitor assignment but is not muted, and is used to feed headphones other than the operator’s.
Studio Talent HP – Similar to the Studio Guest HP, but received talkback audio when the “Talk to Studio” button is pressed.
VMix X – The output of the VMixers
V-Mode – The output of the V-Mode stage
Sine 1kHz -20dBfs – A DSP-generated 1kHz tone at a level of -20dBfs.
Auto Backfeed – This is the default setting for unused outputs. When a source is loaded that calls for a backfeed, one of the outputs from the pool of available Auto Backfeeds will be assigned and configured. If no outputs from the pool is available, the channel with the calling profile will show an error condition. To reclaim an assigned Auto Backfeed output, the profile would need to be unloaded.
The Name Overwrite field (5-1B) is a useful option if you have multiple consoles in the same facility that use a common default name, such as “Program 1.” Entering a more specific name (such as “Studio A Prog 1” for example) makes it easier to select the correct source from all available network sources.
The AoIP Type dropdown (5-1C) selects between the multicast, unicast, or other licensable formats for transmission.
When using Multicast (the default selection) a multicast address must be entered into the Channel/IP field (5-1D). A Livewire channel number (1 – 32767) may also be entered. When using a Livewire channel number, the device is advertised through the Livewire advertisement protocol; multicast addresses are not.
When Unicast is selected, a SIP URI will be generated which will carry through to the other end of the link. The intended configuration for unicast dictates that the receiving end will issue a SIP request to the transmitting device.
The Payload Type dropdown (5-1E) defines the stream packenging, which more specifically defines the packet time or “ptime”, which is the value that determines the amount of audio contained within the packet. AES67 Standard packets are 1ms. Standard Stereo packets are 5ms, represent a more efficient option, and may be required when interfacing with legacy Livewire equipment.
Clicking on the SDP link (5-1F) downloads the SDP file, a method of exchanging AES67 stream information between devices, which may be required when interfacing with other AoIP products. Clicking on the Up Arrow next to it will open a pop-up window to view the file copy/paste it into other products.
The Backfeed Mode dropdown at the bottom defines the payload type for backfeeds. The options are the same as those in the Payload Type, AES67 Standard (1ms) and Standard Stereo (5ms). Some equipment, such as particular versions of a Telos VX system for example, should be configured to Standard Stereo (5ms) for compatibility.
Clicking the Apply button applies any changes you have made to the configuration.
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Figure 5-1 - Audio outputs
V-Mixer and V-Mode
V-Mixer and V-Mode are small routing utilities that are useful for handling some of those unusual situations every studio runs into now and then. They are accessible through the V-Mixer & V-Mode section of the Configuration in the Altus Control Center.
V-Mixer
The V-Mixers are 5-input utility mixers. Available input sources are defined through Source Profiles are selected in the Source dropdown (5-2A).
Each input also has a Status indicator, "On" checkbox (5-2F), and individual Gain setting (5-2E). The master output of the V-Mixer is set in the Gain field (5-2D).
The “On” state of each input can be controlled through GPIO by entering the appropriate Livewire number in the Logic Port field (5-2C).
The Control Type dropdown (5-2B) includes four different modes:
Disabled – Disables the V-Mixer GPIO control feature
Normal – An active GPI triggers an “On” state
Toggle – A momentary GPI will toggle “On” and “Off” states
Radio – The most recent GPI will be the active “On” channel
Clicking on the V-Mixer Apply button saves and applies any changes.
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V-Mode
V-Mode feature is found below the 8 V-mixers. V-Mode accepts one of the main mixes (Programs 1-4 or the V-Mixer) through the Input dropdown and produces an output as defined in the Mode dropdown.
Clicking the V-Mode Apply button saves and applies any changes.
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Figure 5-2 - V-Mixer and V-Mode
Stream Status
Click on Stream Status (5-3A) to view the status of current network streams.
The Minimum buffer (5-3A) is shown along the Synchronization mode with the RTP timestamp position (5-3B). Stream resets are shown in the 3rd column (5-3C). The location of the stream on the surface is shown in the Where Used field.
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Figure 5-3 - Stream status