Download Digigram Audio Manager

Networking Your Sound
Networked Audio Management Software
Digigram Audio Manager
Complete remote control of multizone audio
Digigram Audio Manager features a set of software tools designed for A-to-Z
management of multizone audio installations using traditional cabling or Ethernet
networks. It handles system configuration, playlist creation, live anouncements,
sound library management, and signal routing. Thanks to Audio Manager's remote
control capability, all management and monitoring tasks can be performed
from anywhere via TCP/IP.
Meeting the need
The requirement for “computer control” is becoming a
standard in requests for proposals (RFPs) for multizone
audio installations. Digigram Audio Manager is an innovative
and straightforward way to meet these specifications, at the
same time preserving creativity to design the best possible
system. Whether it's a small renovation project with an
analog cabling legacy or a large-scale installation building a
network from scratch with CAT5 cables, Audio Manager lets
you zone, organize, play, record, and route audio with local
or remote system control.
This unique software suite reduces the time needed to
design a system and install it on-site because system
integrators will utilize the same tool for each multizone audio
project and take advantage of their expertise. The network
expertise needed to configure and manage audio
installations using Audio Manager is comparable to the
skills required to install a sound card or connect a computer
to a network. Specific tools allow for customization of the
graphical user interface for each installation project, and for
creation, import/export, and organization of playlists and
sound libraries.
Audio Manager uses Digigram miXart 8 multichannel sound
cards or Digigram NCX Audio Terminals to manage the
audio system’s inputs and outputs.
Digigram Audio Manager
Digigram Audio Manager Components
Overview
Audio Manager Announce
Audio Manager consists of a server module and various
client applications.
This module is used to page live audio via a microphone
or to trigger a prerecorded announcement. When an
announcement is inserted, the ongoing program fades
out smoothly based on your preset parameters and
returns to the standard level once the announcement is
over. An optional, user-defined chime or other sound may
be inserted just before the announcement as an
additional listener alert.
Client applications can be installed on the same PC as
the server module, or they can reside almost anywhere on
a remote computer as long as it is connected via TCP/IP
to the server PC.
Audio Manager Catalogue
Audio Manager Catalogue provides a single tool for all
aspects of content creation and management, including
sound acquisition, sound library management, and
playlist creation. Audio CDs may be converted directly
into MPEG files. In addition, sound libraries and playlists
can be managed locally, on a LAN or via FTP, so they can
be used with remote stand-alone audio appliances like
Digigram's Hitplayer.
Audio Manager View
Audio Manager View is the primary control application
providing an interface that is easy-to-use even for nontechnical operators. Its functions include:
• Creating, importing, exporting, and managing playlists
and libraries
• Playing audio program scripts
• Making live announcements
• Triggering recorded audio segments and
announcements
• Setting audio levels at any location on the network
Audio Manager View's installation routine allows for the
creation of custom graphical user interfaces by simply
selecting one of the provided themes and backgrounds or
importing personal graphics. Furthermore, it provides
tools to create individualized operator controls. In
addition to global graphic parameters, button icons can
be inserted to activate controls for each zone.
Audio Manager View is installed on the computer
managing the audio installation.
Sample of an
individualized
control interface.
Audio Manager Announce can be operated independently
or launched from Audio Manager View on a remote PC.
Audio Manager Schedule
User events or time-triggered events are handled by
Audio Manager Schedule. Command scripts that trigger a
series of audio events can be created offline and
scheduled to play. Script execution may be programmed
to occur just once or daily, weekly, or monthly. Scripts
may also be launched using an input to a logic port (NCX
Audio Terminals).
Audio Manager Schedule can be operated independently
or launched from Audio Manager View on a remote PC.
Audio Manager Remote
This application, which allows for low-level management
of system audio and monitoring of system status, can be
installed on a remote PC connected to the server PC via
TCP/IP (Internet, WAN/LAN). Ongoing system support is
enhanced, because the integrator can connect remotely
for troubleshooting, updating playlists, reconfiguring
zones, and more. This application includes command line
interface, with frequently used commands available via
pushbutton.
Installation
Audio Manager Wizard guides the user through the quick
and easy installation process. Parameters that can be
selected during installation include:
• The number of zones into which you want to group your
audio devices
• Allocation of pipes to each zone; a pipe is a hardware
audio input or output on a hardware device used by
Audio Manager
• Network parameters, such as file paths and IP address
of the server
• Default sampling frequency of mp3 files to be played,
duration of cross fades, and level presets for the audio
files when a live announcement is made
• Definition of the hardware audio input and output pipes
on each device, including the ability to provide each
with a “real-world” name describing the location in
which it is physically installed. These names are then
available for use in various Audio Manager client
applications.
If site requirements change, settings can be modified
rapidly.
Four implementations - One solution
EtherSound networks or mixed networks
with analog audio and Ethernet cabling
Cobranet networks
• Large venues: stadiums, theme parks,
• Ethernet based installations where low latency is critical:
government buildings
stadiums, concert halls, theatres, convention centers
• Enhance existing Cobranet installations
• Enhance existing EtherSound installations with more audio
with more audio management flexibility
• Link Cobranet networks to hard disk-based applications
• Hardware for I/O management:
miXart 8 CN
- Total of 16 I/Os:
8/8 balanced analog mono I/Os (4 mic/line)
8/8 Cobranet I/Os
Remote control PC
• Intuitive GUI
• Announcement
• Content management
• Script and event management
management flexibility
• Link EtherSound networks to hard disk-based applications
• Hardware for I/O management: miXart 8 ES.
Total of 16 I/Os:
8/8 balanced analog mono I/Os (4 mic/line)
8/8 EtherSound I/Os
Remote control PC
IP
Network
Internet
Analog inputs
Analog
outputs
Analog
outputs
Analog inputs
Local database
Audio Manager server
with miXart 8 CN
Audio Manager server
with miXart 8 ES
Local database
CAT5
CAT5
CobraNet
Network
Network
Audio Manager
server
Analog inputs
Local
database
Audio Manager
server with
miXart 8
CAT5
Audio
Power amp
Ethernet
Network
RS232
Analog
outputs
GPIO
Audio +
GPIO management
RS232
Audio on demand
Audio + power
amplifier control
Networks using economical CAT5 cabling for audio transmission
Installations with analog cabling
• Small to mid-size venues
• Renovation projects that need
to preserve the legacy system
• Small hospitality, industrial,
and transportation venues
• Hardware for I/O management:
miXart 8 multichannel sound card
- 8/8 balanced analog mono I/Os (4 mic/line inputs)
- Capability to route every input to every output
• Renovation projects, because CAT5 cables can be pulled nearly everywhere
• Venues with multiple zones: large-scale hospitality and leisure, industrial
• Logging and archiving
• Audio-on-demand: museums, tourism
• All audio channels are carried over a single CAT5 cable.
• Control of external devices (touch screens, bar code scanners, pushbutton
mics, etc.) via RS232 or GPIO ports
• Hardware for I/O management:
NCX Audio Terminals
- Consider them as remote sound cards, liberated from the PC. The Ethernet bus replaces the PCI bus.
- I/Os provided at line level; available with 2 outputs, 2 inputs/2 outputs,
4 outputs, or 4 inputs + 2 low-quality monitoring outputs
- Management of MPEG layers I & II, as well as mp3 (playback only)
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Features linked to hardware
Create multiple audio zones and configure them dynamically
A-to-Z management of multizone audio with one single software –
from system configuration over content management to signal
routing
Create, schedule, and execute playlists locally or on a remote
computer
Play pre-recorded announcements and make live announcements
with automatic cross-fades
Control the system locally or remotely via TCP/IP
Record audio for later playback, hard disk storage, or network
storage
Manage sound libraries locally, on a LAN or via FTP
Interface with other devices, such as pushbutton mics, touch
screens, or bar-code scanners, using RS232 and GPIOs (with
Digigram NCX Audio Terminals)
CD grabbing with real-time format conversion (MPEG Layer I, II,
and III)
M3U playlist management
Real-time mixing of two audio streams per hardware output pipe
Control of cross fade duration and rate
Customizable graphical user interface
Features with miXart 8, miXart 8 ES and miXart 8 CN
I Microphone/line level input with switchable phantom power
I Line level outputs
I EtherSound inputs and outputs (mixart 8 ES only)
I Cobranet inputs and outputs (miXart 8 CN only)
I EQ and compressor/limiter available on inputs and outputs
I Delay available on each output (optional)
I PCM 32, 44.1, 48 kHz sampling frequencies
Features with NCX Audio Terminals
I Remote TTL level GPIO management
I RS232 serial port management
I Support of mp3 and MPEG Audio Layer II
I 32, 44.1, 48 kHz sampling frequencies
System requirements
Application/audio file server with:
I PC with Pentium III 800 or equivalent running Windows 2000 or XP
equipped with 128 MB of RAM
I Standard network card
I Connection to 10/100 Mbps Ethernet switch when NCX Audio
Terminals, miXart 8 ES or miXart 8 CN is used
I Specific information on the miXart 8 sound card range and the NCX
terminal is available on our web site or in separate brochures.
Digigram Audio Manager is available in two editions:
Audio Manager Pro Edition features a system capacity for up to 8 outputs — ideal for small installations. Suitable for
installations using one miXart 8 or a similar NCX Terminals configuration.
Audio Manager Power Pack Edition offers an unlimited number of channels. The real system capacity varies with file type
used and network bandwidth limitations. Best suited for medium and large-scale projects. Pro Edition users may purchase
upgrades to the Power Pack.
Networking Your Sound
Digigram (www.digigram.com) digital audio solutions are key to the success of public address and pro
sound installations, as well as broadcast and media production companies worldwide. We develop
innovative networked audio devices, computer sound cards, and audio management software.
Digigram Powered solutions are installed in thousands of radio and television stations; corporate and
commercial sound installations; and audio recording and video post-production facilities around the globe.
Customers are served from three regional business units: Digigram SA (Digigram Headquarters,
Montbonnot, France), Digigram Inc. (Arlington, VA USA), and Digigram Asia (Singapore). Digigram is publicly
traded on the Paris stock exchange (Code ISIN: FR 00000 35784).
Digigram SA
Digigram Inc.
Digigram Asia Pte Ltd.
(Serving Europe, Africa, Middle East, Latin America)
(Serving North America)
(Serving Asia and Australia/Oceania)
Parc de Pré Milliet
38330 Montbonnot-FRANCE
Tel: +33 (0)4 76 52 55 01
Fax: +33 (0)4 76 52 53 07
E-mail: [email protected]
2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1004,
Arlington, VA 22201-USA
Tel: +1 703 875 9100
Fax: +1 703 875 9161
E-mail: [email protected]
350 Orchard Road
#19-07 Shaw House Singapore
238868-SINGAPORE
Tel: +65 6291 2234 - Fax: +65 6291 3433
E-mail: [email protected]
w w w . d i g i g r a m . c o m
DP160000102 - Digigram, the Digigram logo, NCX, miXart and Audio Manager are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digigram S.A. Other trademarks are property of their respective holders. All contents copyright © July 2005 by
Digigram S. A. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Digigram is not responsible for errors and omissions, and reserves the right to make improvements or changes in the products and programs described without notice.
Key features