AES I/O Option

The Hx1 and Hx2 hybrid units can be purchased with the optional AES I/O module pre-installed or as a field-installed upgrade kit.

The AES board Upgrade Kit (Part number 2011- 00068) includes the following items:

  • 1701-00149-100 (Qty =1) AES Board assembly

  • 1308-00023-100 (Qty =2) board standoff, M3x10mm, MF

  • 1301-00077-100(Qty =2) screw, M3x6mm Phillips Pan-Head steel zinc

Installation Instructions

The following instructions explain the steps to install the AES I/O module onto the motherboard using the upgrade kit. Chassis cover removal and upgrade kit installation should only be performed by a qualified technician or engineer.

  • Remove the AC power cable from the IEC power outlet on the rear of the unit. AC power must be disconnected prior to removing the chassis cover.

  • Remove the 10 Phillips screws that mount the top cover to the hybrid chassis.

  • Locate the two sets of four jumpers at both JP3 and JP4 on the motherboard, then locate edge connector JP5 on the motherboard as shown in Figure 1 below. Remove the jumpers from both JP3 and JP4 and reserve them for future use. These jumpers must be re-installed if the AES I/O module is removed and the Hx is converted back to analog operation.

  • Locate the two gold-plated mounting holes shown in Figure 1 below. Take one of the board standoffs (1308-00023-100) and screw the male end into the mounting hole located between JP3 and JP4. Take the other standoff and screw the male end into the mounting hole located below capacitor C137.

  • Align connectors JR2 and JR1 on the AES plug-in module with JP4 and JP3 on the motherboard, then align connector JP1 on the plug-in module with JP5 on the motherboard as shown in Figure 2 below. Push firmly to seat the plug-in module onto the motherboard. Visually confirm that connector JR2 fits onto all four sets of pins on JP4 and connector JR1 fits onto all four sets of pins on JP3.

  • Take the two mounting screws from the kit (1301-00077-100) and install them into the female side of the board standoffs to secure the AES I/O module to the hybrid motherboard as shown in Figure 3 below.

  • Reinstall the top cover using the 10 Phillips screws.

  • Plug the AC power cord back into the socket and wait for the unit to power up. The hybrid unit will automatically detect the presence of the AES plug-in module and directly transmit and receive digital data at the clock rate of the AES source plugged into the SEND IN XLR input connector.

  • You can use the built-in diagnostic mode of the hybrid unit to confirm that the AES I/O module is working properly. Refer to <<FUTURE LINK>> of the User’s Manual for instructions on how to enter this mode of operation. Test “T2” is a loopback test that takes audio present at the SEND IN XLR connector and loops it back to the RCV OUT XLR connector unprocessed. The input signal and output signal levels are also displayed on the Front Panel SND and RCV LED bar graph meters.

AES Channel Assignment

Important - Hx1 and Hx2 use AES in mono audio mode. Connecting them to equipment configured for stereo AES audio may have unexpected results.

Hx1

The studio input signal should be on the LEFT AES channel feeding the SEND IN XLR connector. The studio output signal is present on the LEFT AES channel on the RCV OUT XLR connector. The RIGHT AES channel on the RCV OUT XLR will have silence.

Hx2

When the two hybrids are operating independently (that is, when the internal mix-minus mode is disabled) the separate studio input signals should be on the LEFT AES channel being fed into the respective SEND IN #1 and SEND IN #2 XLR connectors.

When the internal mix-minus mode is enabled, only the LEFT AES channel being fed into SEND IN #1 is used as the studio input signal to BOTH hybrids.

The studio output signals are brought out on RCV OUT #1 and RCV OUT #2 XLR connectors so that the user has the option of using either one or two cables.

RCV OUT #1 carries hybrid 1 on the LEFT AES channel and hybrid 2 on the RIGHT AES channel.

RCV OUT #2 carries the two channels, swapped. This way, by using two cables, the two hybrid studio output signals are available on the LEFT AES channel of the respective RCV OUT #1 and RCV OUT #1 connectors. Using one cable, both hybrid studio outputs are available from one RCV OUT connector in the AES LEFT and RIGHT channels.

AES Output Sample Clock Rate

The AES output sample rate clock is automatically taken from the AES input that is first present. If neither AES input is present, the AES output sample rate defaults to the internal 48 kHz rate.

Restoring an AES-Equipped Unit to Analog Operation

  • With power removed, remove the unit cover and the two mounting screws that fasten the AES daughterboard to the mainboard.

  • Remove and store the AES daughterboard.

  • Install 2 sets of four jumpers each on JP3 and JP4 locations on the mainboard (See Figure 1 above). Analog audio will now be present on the rear panel XLR connectors.

  • Replace cover and verify proper operation.

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