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BMA Config channel properties deep dive

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This article covers the full scope of the Channel Properties screen in the Biamp BMA configuration software.

 

 

The Channel Properties screen

BMA360DChannelPropertiesScreen.png

This is the landing page of the Channel Properties window.  You gain access to this after discovering the BMA 360D mic array in the software and establishing a connection via Ethernet.  from here you can gain access to advanced features.  You can, drag and direct the beams, recall presets add or remove beams, check for active signals, and mute the mics and speakers.  Further settings are covered below.

 

 

Changing the IP or name of your BMA 360D

To Change the control IP address of your BMA 360D, use the top ribbon across the software and the icon for devices. Note that this icon is visible on every screen in the software.

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Clicking this icon opens up the devices window in the software. Clicking on the gear icon will open a dialog for the control IP, both to review the setting and edit it if needed.

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Enabling the locate feature

Within the same Devices window use the light bulb icon to enable a locate feature, this will make the LEDs on the microphone blink so a specific mic can be physically located.

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Selecting presets

Located above the Beam map is a list of pre-selectable presets for a BMA 360D microphone.  

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Using the GUI to edit beams

Adding/removing beams

Even if building from a preset, you may want to add or edit beams. To add a beam, click the "Add Beam" button (available when fewer than 12 beams are in use). To disable a beam, double-click on any existing beam in the Console software. You can also remove beams, but the software requires a minimum of 6 beams in your layout. Note that you can disable beams beyond this minimum if needed. These controls are located on the left side of the Channel Properties window.

BMA360DAddingRemovingBeams.png

 

Directing your beams.

Within the BMA Console interface you can drag and move a Beam as needed.  As you move beams in the software take note that the LEDs of the mic are at the top of the mic array in the software so you can orient yourself.

BMA360DCenterMicFocus.png

Beams can be moved around the virtual space, and a mouse scroll wheel can zoom in or out. There is an icon in the lower left corner to reset the beams back to the last recalled preset

BMA360DBeamsMovedAndReset.png

Saving your layout

Backups are always a good idea within the Channel properties window of the BMA Console application there is a save Icon.  You can save a layout in case you must recall it at a later date or restore to a previous setting.

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Project files by default are saved to C:\Users\*Your Username*\Documents\Biamp\BMA Config

 

 

Changing Speaker mode and LED

Select the icon near the SmartMix signal present meter to access these settings.

 BMAMicSettingsIcon.png

Which will take you to this screen

BMA360DBMASmartMixGeneralConfig.png

Changes in LED settings take effect immediately.

 

 

Changing Beam settings under advanced settings

Under the Config window in the BMA configuration software there is also an advanced tab showing a smaller GUI for beam aiming and some extra settings.  These are settings all applied to the SmartMix.

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The options available are:

  • Beam silencing - Allowing a user to silence beams in the system.
  • Off attenuation- How much the audio signal from a beam will be attenuated if not the active beam in the SmartMix.
  • Sensitivity - How quickly and readily a beam will switch to a new active beam. A higher number makes the BMA more likely to switch beams.
  • Hold time - How long a beam stays open even after audio signal goes quiet.
  • Beam Filtering options - These filters can be enabled before the Mic AEC processing and have several preset options.
  • Max Active beams - How many active beams can pass audio to the SmartMix at one time.
  • Default button - Returns the setting to their default values (pictured above).

 

 

Changing beam position via text and converting measurements

Clicking on more controls within the SmartMix configuration screen opens up a text based beam editor and the opportunity to switch between Imperial and metric measurements.

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Accessing SmartMix Filters and processing.

Within the SmartMix area of Channel Properties there are several processing options located within.

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These processing option are applied to the SmartMix of the microphones, not on a per beam basis.  The settings here do not distinguish between the various beams and for that kind of application Biamp suggest Per-Beam flows of Dante audio into a compatible Tesira DSP. 

AEC processing:

the BMA 360D can apply its AEC to its own Smart mix audio signal. Within that there are several options:

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  • Enable Acoustic Echo Canceler - required to be enabled if you want to make use of this setting.  
  • Non-Linear Processing (NLP) - is a stage of the Acoustic Echo Cancelation (AEC) process designed to eliminate residual echo in reverberant rooms with high RT60 times. While setting NLP 'high' may reduce echo in these rooms, it has a negative effect on double talk. Typically, using the lowest possible NLP setting to eliminate echo achieves the best system performance. A good practice is to start with a low setting and work upwards until echo can be no longer heard.
  • Meters are available as well to help diagnose health of AEC 
    • Echo return Loss (ERL)
    • Echo return loss Enhancement (ERLE)
    • Total Echo echo reduction (ERL+ERLE)

Note: Aim for 0db on the meters

AEC Processing for the SmartMix also requires a reference signal.  This can be its own Dante flow back to the microphone or tied to one of the Dante flows that feeds the amp channels:

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Noise Canceller

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Can be enabled or disabled and the severity of the processing can be increased by manipulating the slider.  In general, aim for as low as is needed until the desired audio is achieved.

ALC

This setting can only be enabled or disabled.  ALC automatically keeps an input signal at a constant level, and is generally used to keep speech levels constant on Mic Input channels.

Filtering

Up to 4 filters can be applied to the SmartMix signal for signal processing.

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Options for output stage filters are:

  • High Pass
  • Low Pass 
  • PEQ

 

Speaker Processing options

Much like the SmartMix filters, we can apply signal processing to the output stage of the BMA 360D.

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Options for filters are

  • High Pass
  • Low Pass 
  • PEQ

 

 

Disconnecting from a device

To disconnect from the microphone and return to the initial screen on the BMA configuration console, simply click this icon, which is present in all screens of the software.
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  2. Tags
    1. BMA
    2. BMA360D