Setting up Audia expanders
Audia expanders allow you to increase the number of inputs and/or outputs of our Audia system, and they also allow you to locate those inputs/outputs remotely. To make them work correctly, both the Bundle Number and Latency of each expander must be set up correctly.
Audia expanders can be used independently of Audia Flex to set up a simple point-to-point CobraNet hop or to add analog inputs or outputs on a CobraNet based system. For a point-to-point connection the CobraNet latency and the transmit / receive bundle numbers must be matched on each device, no Audia programming is involved.
Bundle number
The bundle number is the unique identifier used for a set of CobraNet channels. A bundle can have up to 8 channels depending on the hardware being used.
Bundles can be multicast (one to many) or unicast (one to one), the type is defined by the bundle nuumber. Bundle numbers from 1 to 255 are used for Multicast transmission and 256 to 65279 are used for Unicast transmission.
The bundle number must be unique for each path between the actual expander hardware unit and the input or output block that represents it in the Audia software (you can’t duplicate bundle numbers).
For expander to expander routing the bundle number on the transmit and receive devices must match.
Setting bundle numbers in Audia
In Audia software, follow these steps for each EXPI, EXPO and CobraNet block:
- Double-click on the block to open the control dialog.
- Set the desired Bundle number (use numbers from 1 to 255 for Multicast transmission or 256 to 65279 for Unicast transmission).
- Make certain the block is enabled by ensuring that the "Enable" button is lit up as shown in the screenshot to the right.
Setting bundle numbers on expanders
Each EXPI and EXPO has a front-panel display where the bundle number can be configured. Follow these steps for each expander:
- Use the front-panel control knob to navigate to "Bundle Number". (For the EXPI/O-2 mini-expander, you'll find two settings, one for the transmit (TX) bundle and another for the receive (RX) bundle. Both need to be set up independently.)
- Push the control knob to display the current bundle number. Display will show "Cur Bndl" and the bundle number.
- Push the control knob to enter edit mode.
- Rotate the control knob to select the digit to be modified and push the control knob to edit. Note that bundle numbers can have up to 5 digits. If the bundle number number requires less than 5 digits, use leading zeroes. Push the control knob to select and edit another digit.
- Once done, scroll to the ">" icon and push the control knob. A verification screen will appear allowing you to OK or Cancel changes.
NOTE: Third party CobraNet devices might have other means to set up the Bundle number. Check the product documentation for instructions.
Latency
Latency is a global setting that must be the same for all CobraNet devices on the network. The latency setting will determine how long it takes for a CobraNet signal to be transmitted from one device to another. The default setting is 5-1/3 milliseconds, but it can be lowered to 2-2/3 milliseconds or 1-1/3 milliseconds.
Decreasing the latency value will also decrease the maximum number of channels and bundles that can be sent/received by each AudiaFlex. This can, in some cases, cause your Audia file to fail compilation if it is using more channels/bundles than the current latency setting can support.
Setting latency in Audia
To set the CobraNet latency in your Audia file, you must be disconnected from the system. Follow these steps to set the latency:
- In the Audia software, go to the Tools menu and select Equipment Table.
- CobraNet latency is set by default to 5 1/3 ms as can be seen in the upper right corner of the dialog under "CN Latency". To change, simply click on the down arrow and select the desired latency.
Setting latency in expander units
- For each expander, use the front panel control knob to navigate to "CobraNet Latency".
- Push the control knob to display the current latency setting.
- Push the control knob to enter edit mode.
- Rotate the control knob to select the appropriate latency.
- Push the control knob. A verification screen will appear allowing you to OK or Cancel changes.
NOTE: Third party CobraNet devices might have other means to set up the latency. Check the product documentation for instructions.