OPERATION MANUAL REV. 0.1

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. GENERAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................31.1. WELCOME! ..............................................................................................................................41.2. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS* .....................................................................................................51.3. INSTALLATION .........................................................................................................................6

2. A CONTROLS OVERLOOK ..................................................................................................72.1. MAIN MENU BUTTON ............................................................................................................92.2. TOOLBAR ...............................................................................................................................122.3. CONTROL WHEEL ..................................................................................................................162.4. USING THE ZOOM ................................................................................................................26

3. CONNECT AND GO ONLINE ...........................................................................................273.1. SETTING YOUR NETWORK ...................................................................................................283.2. IDENTIFY, DISCOVERY, GO ONLINE .....................................................................................30

4. ITEMS AND GROUPS PARAMETERS ...............................................................................334.1. ITEMS PARAMETERS .............................................................................................................344.2. GROUPS PARAMETERS .........................................................................................................39

5. COLORS AND WARNINGS ................................................................................................43

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1. GENERAL INFORMATION DISCLAIMER

The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

The software described by this manual is subject to a License Agreement.

All right reserved.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM VERSION AND THIS MANUAL

•   This manual is about the "beta" release of this software, so it is assumed that the software

    could contain known or unkown bugs

•   The screenshots are taken from a Windows operating system

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1.1. WELCOME! Thank you for your choice!AURORA NET is the flagship software application designed to configure and manage thedBTechnologies professional sound systems. It is a cross-platform, touch-oriented tool. It allowsthe user to operate with a mouse or a touch-screen device. In particular the user can:

•   work on-line, configuring immediately a RDnet control 2 or control 8 based    audio network•   work off-line, save a project, and recall the project in a second moment in    live scenarios

The AURORA NET philosophy creates a user-friendly graphic environment, in which the audio orcontrol devices are ITEMS.  The user can deeply configurate and control ITEMS and can receivereal-time information about their status.  The user can group ITEMS into GROUPS according to oneor more logical or physical parameter.

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1.2. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS* AURORA NET is a cross-platform software. The minimum system requirements show the minimal specification your computer must have to beable to use the software. A more powerful system may be required for certain tasks or largerprojects.  - MAC OS X version 10.10 (YOSEMITE) or higher (64 bit only) Intel dual core CPU or higher

   4 GB RAM   - WINDOWS 7 (64 bit only) SP1 or higher    Intel or AMD dual core CPU or higher   4 GB RAM - USB/ETHERNET CONNECTIONS REQUIRED (FOR CONTROL 2 / CONTROL 8 LINKS) * Beta version of this software could not work with all products displayed.

   It also could not display all the features presented in this manual.

Mac, Mac OS and OS X are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in  the U.S. and other countries. Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation

in the U.S. and other countries. AMD is a registered trademark of Advanced Micro Devices. All other product and company names are

trademarks and  registered  trademarks  of  their  respective  holders.  All  specifications  are  subject  to  change  without notice.

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1.3. INSTALLATION

Register an accountThe installers are available for registered users only. Check the site:http://www.dbtechnologies.com/en/support/register.aspx

Download installation for PC or MACThe installers are available as a download from:http://www.dbtechnologies.com/en/downloads.aspxOr alternatively, once the user is logged in, can check the MY DOWNLOAD section to see theavailable download.. Windows PCAfter the download double-click the archive for self- extraction. After extraction, open the resultingfolder and double-click the .exe setup file.OS XAfter the download open the disc image. Drag AURORA NET in your application folder.

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2. A CONTROLS OVERLOOK

The project window of AURORA NET allows you to manage settings and operation.

MAIN MENU BUTTON

Allows the user to access the main file and preferences functions.

TOOLBAR

Allows the user to use the main tools for the projects control.

CONTROL WHEEL

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Allows the user to manage ITEMS and GROUPS (beta version*).

WORKSPACE

Allows the user to view the projects, its parameters and its changes. To shift the view, hold the mouseright-click button and move it in the preferred direction.

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2.1. MAIN MENU BUTTON

The MAIN MENU BUTTON allows the user to access the main file and preferences functions:

In particular you can:

Label and save your project in your preferred computer location.

Find and load your existing project.

Save your new or modified project, label it and choose your preferred computer location. 

Select and modify your preferences. These preferences are:

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This preference defines the point of view of the objects in the project workspace. 

Automatic: the details of items is shown in a dynamic way. Themouse scroll in and out allows the user to see a more or lessdetailed view.Compact: the details of items are shown in a compact fixed way.Intermediate: the details of items are shown in an intermediatefixed way.Extended: the details of items are shown in the most detailedfixed way.

This preference allows the user to choose the port in case of  Ethernetconnection (Control 8 setup only). Please note that for the initial configurationof an Ethernet link, a USB connection is required. The discovery port number isnormally assigned to "1027" default value. 

The user can choose between Light or Dark visualization,dependingon the light conditions in which the screen is used.

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By flagging MULTI SELECTION STATUS the multiple selection of more than oneobject (items, groups) is enabled. This function is useful in particular for the useof touch screen devices (think it as the function of CTRL in Windows or CMD inOS X).

 

By flagging DETAIL TOOLBAR AUTO CLOSURE the user can enable the auto

closure of the    VIEW MODE. Please see the next section "TOOLBAR" forfurther information.

This preference allows the user to choose if the temperature valueshave to be displayed in Celsius or Fahrenheit scale.

                                                              This preference allows the user to choose if the distance values have to

be displayed in Meter or Feet measure unit.

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2.2. TOOLBAR

The TOOLBAR allows the user to use the main tools for the projects control.

In particular:

FIT TO ZOOM

This function allows the user to view all the items of the project in one sight. It adjust the icons dimensions,depending on the screen size. It ensure you can view all items of your project.

VIEW MODE

This function allows the user to choose the main parameter which is displayed to identify an item.

MODEL: the items are displayed showing the model of the speaker / subwoofer usedNAME: the user can label an item with a preferred name. As default label, the nameof the device is used and a progressive number is assigned by the software.FIRMWARE: the items are displayed showing the number of the firmware revision ofthe devices.TEMPERATURE: the items show the detected temperature of the devicesIN METER: the items show the real-time VU meter of the input of speaker / subwoofer.

(RANGE: -60 ÷ +20 dB)OUT METER: the items show the real-time VU meter of the output of speaker / subwoofer.

               (RANGE: -60 ÷ 0 dB)BUTTONS: the items show the MUTE/SOLO buttons of each speaker / subwooferTEST/IDENTIFY: the items are displayed showing the result of a real-time identification of thedevices connected

 

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INSPECTOR

This function allows the user to select and modify some parameters in common between two or more items.The number of parameters which can be modified depends on the type of speaker / subwoofer.

In the example shown above the parameters are:

MUTE/SOLO/NONE selection

ATTENUATION/DELAY/CARDIOID parameters

FILTERS AND PROCESSING parameters

USER PRESET storing/reset

MUTE ALL

This function instantly mute all the connected devices.Once selected a confirm screen is displayed.

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To disable this function, you must click on the icon which appears in the center of the screen.

SHOW MODE

SHOW MODE lock all the input settings. This function is particularly useful for a user who want to preventaccidental changes in a project, for example during a live set. 

DISCOVER ETHERNET CONTROL

This function allows the user to find and check all the connected ethernet controls.

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After a few seconds, the software show the connected ethernet controls.

For further information about configuring an ethernet network, please see the chapter"Setting your Network"

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2.3. CONTROL WHEEL

The CONTROL WHEEL allows the user to manage ITEMS and GROUPS (beta version*).

ITEMS

ITEMS are the basic blocks of your projects.

Please note that once you display an item, by double clicking on it you can access to its mainparameters window. If you want to return to the compact view, simply click in an empty

place on the screen outside this window (or click onto the icon on the right side). See the chapter ITEMS AND GROUPS PARAMETERS for more information. 

           

            See the chapter ITEMS AND GROUPS PARAMETERS for more information.

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The allowed operations are:

ADD ITEMS

This function allows the user to add one or more items in your project.Once you pressed the button, the following windows appear.

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The user can:

•  select the ITEM type•  label it•  choose the number of ITEMS to add•  see the main technical specifications of the ITEM

If you want to group immediately your ITEMS, simply press the relatedbutton, label the group, and choose the group color.

REMOVE

This function allows the user to remove one or more selected items in your project.

REMOVE ALL

This function allows the user to remove all the items in your project.The dialog box ask the confirmation of the operation.

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      ADD GROUP

This function allows the user to group one or more selected items in your project.A dialog box ask the user to label the group and choose the preferred color.

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AUTO GROUPING

This function enables an automatic grouping of items.In particular, a dialog box displays the suggested automatic group matching.The user can validate this suggestion or modify it. By clicking onthe colors, the "Change Group Color" page is shown. In this windowthe user can also add custom colors.

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IN GROUP

It allows the user to insert one or more selected items in an existing group.

      OUT GROUP

It allows the user to remove one or more items from a group.

 

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GROUPS

ADD GROUP

It allows the user to create a group.The groupable items are shown in a dialogue box (the user can label and choose thecolor).

Once the group is created, it is displayed as shown below.

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The user can immediately control

•  MUTE/SOLO/INVERT PHASE•  GAIN•  DELAY

The user can modify the VIEW and the PARAMETERS of a group.

INTERMEDIATE VIEW

It enables an intermediate view of a group, showing its ITEMS.

EXTENDED VIEW

It allows the user to see and set all the parameters applied to a group.In particular the main parameters are:

•  FILTERS (with "compare" A/B function, bypass and reset     functions)

•  GAIN/DELAY•  MUTE/SOLO/INVERT PHASE

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For further information please see the related chapter "GROUPS PARAMETERS" AUTO GROUPING

This function is the same yet presented in ITEMS section.

REMOVE GROUP

This function allows the user to remove one selected group in your project.A confirmation dialog box appears.

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IN GROUP

This function is the same yet presented in ITEMS section.

OUT GROUP

This function is the same yet presented in ITEMS section.

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2.4. USING THE ZOOM If the ITEM VISUALIZATION STATUS MODE (in preferences) is set to "Automatic", the zoom functionallows the user to see more or less details in ITEMs in a dynamic way.

The zoom function can be controlled by:

•  the scroll wheel of a mouse•  a gesture in a touchpad•  a gesture in the screen in a touch screen device

The result of an increasing zoom is here represented in one example:

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3. CONNECT AND GO ONLINE

The projects in AURORA NET can be created by the user off-line.Then the user can set up a network, see the recognized items and go online exporting hisproject in the real-world. Alternatively, the user can set his network with the existing devices,importing their parameters and working on them in real-time.The matching policy is illustrated in IDENTIFY, DISCOVERY, GO ONLINE chapter. To access on-line full features of your software you need to configure first your network.Please note that off-line and on-line visualizations could use different colors and that not all thepresented features are available off-line.

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3.1. SETTING YOUR NETWORK

AURORA NET allows you to create and control an RDNET network in installation or live use.If you use one RDNET CONTROL 2 controller (USB connection) you can control up to 2 subnets ofup to 32 items (speakers, line-array elements, subwoofers) each.If you use one RDNET CONTROL 8 controller (USB connection), you can control up to 8 subnets ofup to 32 items  (speakers, line-array elements, subwoofers) each. In this case, after a first USBconfiguration, you can also configure a more complex ETHERNET network.

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A.  USB connection: PLUG AND PLAYB.  ETHERNET connection (CONTROL 8 only):

B.1.  Connect via USB your CONTROL 8 device.B.2.  Double click on CONTROL 8 ITEMB.3.  In the next window select "ETHERNET" page

B.3.i STATIC IP case

Choose one IP address in the field "Ip", and a different Ip number inthe Network Properties page of your MAC or PC system (static IPoptions, in TCP/IPv4 protocol).For example, in this case (see also the picture above) you can usethat parameters: 

Please note that this is only one example and that you can use allyour preferred parameters. B.3.ii DHCP case (recommended in a configuration with an         optional router)

 Enable the DHCP option and set this function                                                                also in your router options.

B.4. Press "SEND" button (the software sends to CONTROL 8        the selected parameters for further configuration).B.5. Disconnect the USB connection.B.6. Connect CONTROL 8 to your computer or router via Ethernet        cable.B.7. Restart the CONTROL 8 device (switch off --> turn on).

B.8. Press the "Discovery Ethernet Control" to check all the                                                          Ethernet network devices.

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3.2. IDENTIFY, DISCOVERY, GO ONLINE

Once your network is set the CONTROL 2 or 8 tab page appears.Here are presented only the function in common for USB connection (RDNET CONTROL 2 / RDNETCONTROL 8). The Ethernet tab page (CONTROL 8 only) has been yet presented in theprevious chapter.

MODALITY

This window allows the user to see the main parameters which identify the network connection.

LOG

This window allows the user to see the log parameters and all the warnings of the devices of thecreated network. These warnings can be filtered for type.

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IDENTIFY

This function allows you to identify your RDNET CONTROL 2 / CONTROL 8 device.It turns on the related LEDs, so you can see it on its front panel.

DISCOVERY

The DISCOVERY function allows the user to recognize all the devices connected to the CONTROL2 or CONTROL 8 which are used in the created network.

GO ONLINE

The GO ONLINE function allows the user to a real-time network dialogue with the devices connectedto CONTROL 2 or CONTROL 8.It allows the user to send commands and configure devices.It scans all their existing devices and their parameters, showing them to the user. In particular theuser can choose the MATCHING POLICY in a following window:

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FROM DETECTED TO SOFTWARE: the user can import the parameters of connected

       device into the projectFROM SOFTWARE TO DETECTED: the user can export the AURORA NET parameters

       of a project to the connected devices.

IN UNA VERSIONE SUCCESSIVA CI SARA' UNA POLITICA DI MATCHING CHE CONFRONTA GLI ITEMOFF-LINE E GLI ITEM COLLEGATI AL CONTROL.

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4. ITEMS AND GROUPS PARAMETERS The parameters of the devices of a project can be deeply set by the user. Some of these parameters areread-only data (think for example to temperature data). Some of these can be chosen and changed inreal-timeby the software. They can also be viewed by the user at an ITEM level or at a GROUP level.

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4.1. ITEMS PARAMETERS

With a double-click on an ITEM, the user can access to all the parameters:

MONITORING SECTION

It is the main control window for ITEMs.It displays:

•  input level•  output level•  info about the ITEM•  amplifier temperature•  MUTE/SOLO buttons•  frequency levels and controls (low-medium-high* MUTE/SOLO) 

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* where available

PRESECT SECTION

It is the window of applied filters to an ITEM.It displays:

•  input level•  output level•  MUTE/SOLO buttons•  available FILTER options, depending on the device

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GROUP SECTION

It allows the user to display the GROUPS management of an ITEM.It displays:

•  input level•  output level•  MUTE/SOLO buttons•  available group options (add or remove an ITEM from a group)

LOAD/SAVE SECTION

It allows the user to load/save the ITEM parameters.It displays:

•  input level•  output level•  MUTE/SOLO buttons•  STORE/RESET options

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LOG SECTION

It allows the user to see in-depth network dialog with the devices.It is very useful to see what happened in case of warnings and errors.It displays:

•  input level•  output level•  MUTE/SOLO buttons•  LOG history•  warnings/errors sort options

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Please note that in case of warnings (orange color) or errors (red color) some part of thescreen (item, groups, control wheel, etc.) change the color displayed. The only way to seewhat kind of warning or error occurred is to see LOG dialog box.

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4.2. GROUPS PARAMETERS

GROUPS PARAMETER are shown in the Extended view.This window allows the user to manage gain, delay and filters in a GROUP. The available filters are:

•  PEQ•  Shelving HI•  Shelving LOW•  Butterworth HI•  Butterworth LOW•  Linkwitz-riley HI•  Linkwitz-riley LOW

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FILTERS BLACKBOARD

This blackboard has been design for a user-friendly and touch-oriented control of filters.You can select and move various type of filters and modify their shape, where available.The red line is the resulting frequency profile applied to your output sound (for that group).

LEVEL/DELAY WINDOW

The GAIN/DELAY WINDOW allows the user to immediately view and control levels, gain anddelay of a group.

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EQ COMPARE BUTTONS

As a "Compare" function, you can switch between A and B filter shape. For example if youkeep the"B" shape flat (without filters) you can easily compare the sound with (A) or without(B) eq. for that group.

MUTE/SOLO/POLARITY

These buttons give to the user the ability to apply MUTE/SOLO or INVERT PHASE to an entiregroup.

RESOURCE MONITOR

Allows to monitor the delay and filter used resources out of the total. It depends on the most limited itemused in a group and on the number of groups involved in that parameter.

ADD FILTER BUTTON

This button allows the user to add a filter. One Filter Control Window appears.

REMOVE FILTER BUTTON

This button allows the user to remove a selected filter.

BYPASS ALL BUTTON

This button allows the user to bypass all the filters immediately.

RESET EQ BUTTON

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This button allows the user to reset all equalization preset added to a group.

FILTER CONTROL WINDOW

The filter control window allows the user to set the filters parameters.

FILTER CONTROL POINT

Allows the user to control with a user-friendly interface the position and, where allowed, theshapeof an added filter. If you see lateral brackets, than you can move the shape of the filter:

•  by clicking on one of them and by moving it with the mouse•  by touching one of them and by moving it with touch control device

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5. COLORS AND WARNINGS The colors displayed in the screen gives to the user some important information.Please take account of it in your projects. •  GREY/NO COLOR:

The project is generally OFF-LINE •  GREEN HIGHLIGHTS:

The project is generally ON-LINE •  ORANGE HIGHLIGHTS:

There are warnings in the project which are shown in LOG section in ITEMS •  RED HIGHLIGHTS

There are errors (generally hardware issues) which are shown in LOG section in ITEMS

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Features, specification and appearance of products are subject to change without notice. dBTechnologies reserves the right to make changes

or improvements in design or manufacturing without assuming any obligation to change or improve products previously manufactured.

A.E.B. Industriale Srl Via Brodolini, 8 Località Crespellano 40053 VALSAMOGGIA BOLOGNA (ITALIA)

Tel +39 051 969870 Fax +39 051 969725 www.dbtechnologies.com info@dbtechnologies-aeb.com