Controls Menu

The Controls menu is used to configure parameters and settings that determine how a delay is built, what happens when the delay is dumped, and what happens when you exit the delay and return to passing real-time audio.

Figure 1 - Controls screen

Dump Size

The Dump Size screen sets the amount of audio deleted when the Dump button is pressed. The up/down arrows set a value between 1.0 and 60.0 seconds in 0.1 second increments.

Figure 2 - Dump size screen

Note - The Dump Size and Delay Size screens are not visible when the Dump Mode is set to "OverKill."

Delay Size

The Delay Size control determines how much delayed audio PDM II will store in its buffer. The up/down arrows set a value between a minimum of 1.0 second and the maximum as determined by the setting of the Max Delay menu below.

Figure 3 - Delay size screen

Note: The Delay Size can also be temporarily set from outside of the menu system any time PDM II is in Delay mode by pressing the left/right arrow keys to decrease/increase the value.

Max Delay

The Max Delay setting determines the upper limit of the Delay Size range described above to help prevent operators from accidentally setting unrealistic delays. The maximum value is 90 seconds.

Figure 4- Max delay screen

Build Speed

The Build Speed screen sets how quickly PDM II can build up to and exit from its delay memory. The default value is 7. Higher values will build the delay more quickly but may cause audible artifacts depending on the type of programming.

As a rule, content with more density (such as highly-produced music) will better tolerate higher speeds without audibly compromising the audio. More sparse material (such as speech) will more easily reveal artifacts.

We recommend starting with the default value, carefully listening to your on-air audio during the build and exit process, and making adjustments that balance the need to build a delay buffer quickly with your tolerance for any variation in the audio quality during that time.

Figure 5 - Build speed screen

Max Speed

The Max Speed screen sets a limit for how quickly PDM II can build or exit a delay. The Build Speed setting cannot be set faster than the value set here.

Figure 6 - Maximum speed screen

Build Mode

Build Mode determines the method PDM II uses to build its delay.

Figure 7 - Build mode screen

• Expand - PDM II will send the incoming audio to the transmitter but at a subtly slowed-down rate, taking more time until the delay memory is filled.

• Insert - PDM II will play a station jingle, ID, or other fill material from its internal memory.

• Pre-roll - PDM II will mute its output while you play material from another source, or while it signals your automation system to play audio.

Build File

The Build File menu allows you to choose which audio file will play out from PDM II's internal memory when building a delay using the "Insert" mode.

Figure 8 - Build file screen

Note: PDM II can store multiple audio files in its internal library. Files can be uploaded and managed on the Audio Files page of the web-based user interface.

Note: The audio files should be stereo (or 2-channel mono) 16-bit WAV files with a 48kHz sample rate to match the sample rate of PDM II's internal clock and ensure proper speed and pitch during playback.

Exit Mode

The Exit Mode determines how PDM II behaves when transitioning between delayed and real-time audio.

Figure 9 - Exit mode screen

• Compress - PDM II will play any remaining audio using time compression, subtly speeding up what's in memory to rejoin real-time faster.

• Roll Out - PDM II will stop adding audio to its buffer and play what's left in memory with no speed changes. This sometimes referred to as the "wait and exit" mode.

Dump Mode

When the Dump button is pressed, PDM II can respond in one of two ways.

Figure 10 - Dump mode screen

• Dump - In this mode, PDM II deletes the objectionable audio and "jumps ahead in time", then immediately begins to rebuild its delay buffer.

• OverKill™ - This mode plays a pre-selected file in place of the objectionable audio. In this mode, the delay buffer is maintained and does not have to be rebuilt.

OverKill File

This menu allows you to select which previously uploaded audio file will play during a dump event when the Dump Mode has been set to "OverKill."

Figure 11 - OverKill file screen

Note - When using OverKill mode, the Delay and Dump times are automatically adjusted to match the length of the selected OverKill file and their corresponding controls will disappear from the Control menu.