Description
CLOUD DIGITALLY CONTROLLED MIXER - 8 Zone - DCM-1
The DCM-1 is an analogue audio multi-zone mixer. A digital control system, using an LCD display and a simple, minimal set of controls, replaces the relatively large number of switch and rotary controls found on conventional units, yet provides 'far greater flexibility of configuration than would be possible with such units'. Designed to provide a simple and elegant method of providing audio in a number of different zones, typically the various areas of shops, bars, hotels, schools, conference centres, offices, factories and even private residences, a single DCM-1can provide a practical multi-zone audio system, but system flexibility and ease of operation will be greatly enhanced by the addition of optional remote controls and local input modules in the various zones, using standard CAT5 cabling with RJ45 connectors, perhaps installed in the building by other infrastructure installers. The DCM-1 has been accredited by Crestron which allows full integration with all Crestron control systems.
This is a highly sophisticated design, and a full description is not possible here. In order to appreciate the full potential of the system, it is recommended that the user manual is downloaded from www.cloud.co.uk. What follows is an overview.
DCM1 - Digitally Controlled Mixer
The DCM-1 is the system 'core' and all the primary audio input sources, zone amplifier inputs, paging microphones and all remote controls are connected directly to it. The DCM-1 mainframe should ideally be rack-mounted along with the audio sources and zone amplifiers, in a central equipment area. Local, per-zone, remote control of music source and level can be simply provided in as many of the zones as necessary.
The mixer has been designed to allow easy integration with microphone and line external inputs, paging microphones and fire alarm systems. Once set up, the DCM-1 allows zones to be combined, and separated, simply, as space utilisation of the building demands. An important aspect of the DCM-1 design is that it is completely self-contained, and requires no computer interface of any kind, either to configure or control it.
Up to eight line-level sources such as CD players, audio jukeboxes, PC sound cards, radio or TV tuners can be connected. Both Cloud CDPM Series paging microphones and third-party paging systems may also be connected directly. Each of the eight outputs is intended to supply audio to a separate zone, two of which are available in stereo. Any one source can be routed to any zone, and the music level in each zone can be adjusted independently.
The DCM-1 has the following inputs: One analogue paging microphone input with contact- closure zone selection. An RJ45 interface for CDPM Series digital paging microphones, four dedicated ports for optional remote line input modules and four for optional remote microphone input modules, eight stereo line inputs, one balanced. There are eight zone line outputs, two stereo and 6 mono, all balanced. Four RJ45 ports are provided for multiple optional CDR-1 remote-control panels, in any wiring configuration, which provide local control of source, level, EQ and group enable.
The front panel has 2x 16-character LCD dot-matrix display, similar to the one used on the CDR-1, which is used, in conjunction with push buttons, to set up and operate the mixer. LEDs indicate remote access. Microphone paging to all zones is provided, with fully programmable override logic. Inputs, zones and groups can be named, four zone groups may be defined and any line input may have priority in any zone; operation is also configurable per-zone. A key-protected 'Installer' mode on both the DCM-1 and CDR-1 remote panels prevents user access to configuration menus.
An external music mute input provides for interfacing with emergency systems; any input, microphone or line, may be assigned as emergency input, overriding music mute. An RS232 interface is available for control by third-party control systems, Bose EQ cards may be fitted, multiple DCM-1s may be cascaded for larger systems.
CDR-1 Remote Control Unit
This is specifically designed for use with the DCM-1. CDR-1s may be fitted to standard electrical back boxes in whatever location is convenient in each zone. Different versions are offered for flush and surface mounting. The CDR-1 provides the user with local source-selection and level-control for the zone in which it is fitted. It additionally allows selection of any zone groups to which the zone has been assigned, which gives simple and complete control over audio in multiple areas which may be split or joined in different ways at different times. Once enabled on the DCM-1 and a local key-code entered, zone EQ is also adjustable from the CDR-1, allowing audio optimisation from within the zone itself. An 'Installer' mode permits zone assignment and adjustment of other installation parameters.
Any zone may have one CDR-1, more than one, or none at all. The DCM-1 can support up to 100 CDR-1s. CDR-1s are interconnected with just one standard Cat5 UTP cable; units may be 'daisy-chained' at will and/or connected individually back to the four CDR ports of the DCM-1, using almost any wiring topology convenient for the installation. Up to eight CDR-1s may be powered directly from a DCM-1, via the Cat5 connections. Systems requiring more than eight will need additional power supplies, whose location and system connection will depend on the topology and cable lengths involved.
ME1 Remote Input Plate - 2x Microphone
This provides two balanced microphone inputs, and is useful in multi-purpose areas where microphones are needed occasionally. There are rotary microphone level and screw-driver operated EQ controls per input. It connects to one of the four dedicated microphone inputs of the DCM-1 with a single, screened, Cat5 cable. The two inputs are mixed together at the plate, and the summed signal applied to the DCM-1. Inputs are 3-pin female XLR connectors. Phantom power at 12V is available, set by a jumper accessible from the rear of the plate.
LE-1 Remote Input Plate - 1x Line level, Stereo
This provides a connection for a unbalanced, stereo line-level audio source, such as a portable music centre, laptop, radiomic receiver or similar, and connects to one of the extension ports of the DCM-1 with a single, screened, Cat5 cable. Multiple LE-1s may be 'daisy-chained' together to provide input points at different locations in the same zone. Signals applied to plates wired in this way will be summed together. An internal gating-circuit on each plate automatically 'disconnects' any chained plates which are not in use, to minimise noise contribution. The inputs are electronically buffered to minimise noise and interference pickup, and input gain is locally adjustable with a preset control. Both dual RCA (phono) sockets and a 3.5mm stereo jack socket are provided; +/-12dB of gain trim adjustment is available on the faceplate. Once connected, any audio connected to an LE-1 is treated as any other source and can be routed to any zone in the same manner.
BE-1 Remote Input Plate - 1x Line level, Stereo
Similar to the LE-1, the BE-1 provides a balanced, stereo line-level input, for use with professional audio equipment such as mixing consoles, or broadcast equipment. Like the LE-1, it connects to one of the DCM-1 extension ports with a single, screened, Cat5 cable. Multiple BE-1s may be 'daisy-chained' in the same way as the LE-1s and the two types of plate may be intermixed. Two 3-pin female XLR connectors are fitted. Once connected, any audio connected to the BE-1 is treated as any other source and can be routed to any zone in the same manner.
PM4, PM8, PM12, PM16 Paging Microphones
These consoles connect, singly or in multiples, directly to the DCM-1, again using Cat5 cable, to provide paging to separate zones. Please see 'Cloud Digital Paging Microphones'.