C E N T U RY S E R I E S O WNER ’ S M ANUAL
Congratulations on your purchase of a Century Series console. All of us at Crest Audio in Paramus, New Jersey, USA, support your decision, knowing your console contains the finest combination of design and manufacture in the industry. While your new Century Series console is one of the most feature-packed available, great effort has been put into making it simple to operate. This manual explains the functions of your new console, how they operate and how they relate to each other.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Feature Overview 2 A brief description of the Vx design, features and functions. Mixing with VCA's 3 Adapted from “Mixing with VCA's,” by Mark Smith, in LIVE SOUND! Magazine. Wiring Conventions 5 Contains diagrams indicating how connectors for Crest consoles are wired. Rear Connections 6 Details the rear panel input and output connections to be made to the Vx console. Power Supply 8 A brief description of the rack-mountable Century Series consoles power supply.
VX CENTURY SERIES Feature Overview The Century Series has the audio quality, features, and functions demanded by the modern music professional. The Vx is the first Crest Console to use VCA's, includes all of the basic features found in other Century Series consoles and adds an extensive meter bridge and a set of advanced new features to accommodate more demanding applications.
CENTURY SERIES Mixing with VCA's VX (adapted from Live Sound! magazine) An introduction to VCA's A VCA (voltage controlled amplifier) uses a DC control voltage to attenuate or boost an audio signal. The VCA DOES NOT have Audio signal present in the fader. The fader only controls the amount of voltage (level) an input can have to a mix buss or summing amp. To get the input back out of the console, the input needs to be assigned to the Stereo Mix Buss or an Audio Group.
VX One of the major benefits of VCA’s is that any move made on a VCA Subgroup will cause all inputs assigned to that Subgroup to move in direct proportion with it. Inherently, all effects assigned (or turned up) on any input modules that are controlled with VCA’s will “follow” any moves made in the exact proportion also. If a subgroup is moved “3db”; then all effects will move “3db”. The wet/dry blend always remains the same.
CENTURY SERIES VX Wiring Conventions Crest consoles are wired with connectors that are used throughout the professional audio industry.
CENTURY SERIES VX Rear Connections Stereo Input Module The rear connections facilitate the numerous inputs and outputs Insert L / Insert R necessary for successful mixing. Since the console is of little use until it is wired into a whole system, an understanding of what each input and output does is necessary before it can be properly connected. Use the descriptions and diagrams on the next two pages to plan your cabling scheme.
CENTURY SERIES VX Master Module Connections Left/Right Bal Out This male XLR jack delivers a balanced post-fader signal containing all signals assigned to the left and right outputs. Mono Bal Out This male XLR jack delivers a balanced post-fader signal containing all signals assigned to the Mono clean bus. Ext. Talkback Out Aux 1-8 Outputs These eight connections provide the balanced output signals from their respective auxiliary buses.
VX CENTURY SERIES Century Series Console Power Supply Century Series consoles use a separate rack-mountable power supply which provides the specific voltages used by each console. Crest Consoles’ Century Series makes use of two different power supplies. All chassis sizes (32, 44, 52, 64) of the the model Vx console should only be used with the Model XCVA06 Power Supply.
CENTURY SERIES VX Power Connections Before setting up the console, always check to make sure the AC voltage marked on the power supply agrees with the local supply. Always connect the console to the power supply before switching on the power supply. Multiple power supplies can be daisy-chained to provide failsafe protection in the event of a supply failure. When two or more supplies are used, both power supplies run all the time.
VX CENTURY SERIES System Connections The console is the hub of a sound system. Because it controls most of the variables within a system, proper connection and component relationships are vital to assure accurate operation and results. The following diagrams illustrate conventional system connections.
CENTURY SERIES VX 8001 Professional Power Amplifier Clip/Limit Signal Temp/DC Active -6 -10 -6 -10 -3 -15 -3 -15 -1 -30 -80 -1 -30 -80 0dB Ch A 0dB Ch B Local Monitor L Local Monitor R 7001 Professional Power Amplifier Clip/Limit Signal Temp/DC Active -6 -10 -3 -6 -10 -15 -3 -15 -1 -30 -80 0dB Ch A -1 -30 -80 0dB Ch B Center Out From Local Monitor Out Left Out Right Out 8001 Professional Power Amplifier 8001 Professional Power Amplifier C ENTURY Clip/Limit Clip/Limit
VX CENTURY SERIES 2 8 1 4 10 5 7 2 8 1 9 10 0 LINE 4 GAIN 40 30 50 20 70 80 150 40 300 20 5 400 HPF Ø 7 2 A U X 8 1 9 10 0 4 5 6 S E 3 7 N 8 D 2 S 1 9 10 0 P 4 5 6 U 7 S 3 H 2 8 O 1 9 N 10 0 O 4 5 6 F 7 F 3 2 4 8 HF 7 8 9 10 0 4 20K 5 2 2 4 HM 8 9 10 0 DIR OUT 400 PRE 8K PAN Q 4 1K 2 MUTE 100 2K L C R P A N M Q 200 LF 4 100 6 L R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 800 40 PEAK EQ IN 4 5 3 SOLO PK 8 1 9 4 5 3 7 2 -6 8 1 10 SIG 9 10 0 4
CENTURY SERIES AUX SENDS 1- 8 Individual Level Controls These Push-On/Push Off pots adjust signal level sent to respective Aux buses. Pushing the switch down turns the send on or off. An associated two color LED indicates status: OFF indicates an 'off' state; GREEN indicates the Aux send is on, and not muted; RED indicates the Aux send is on, but muted. The signal source for these mixes may be selected (by Aux bus) to be pre or post fader by the GLOBAL switches located in the Vx Master section.
VX CENTURY SERIES 2 8 1 STEREO — 10 5 4 7 2 8 1 9 10 0 LINE 5 4 40 GAIN 30 50 20 80 70 150 40 300 400 20 HPF Ø 7 2 A U X 1 1 5 4 7 8 1 5 3 7 8 1 18 9 10 0 5 4 HF 8 7 1 9 10 16 1K5 STEREO 4 600 5 300 LR BAL MONO IMG WID 8K LCR BAL MID – O + 8 STR 8 REV MUTE 16 16 300 500 L C R S U M M 100 6 L R 1K 40 LF – O + 8 8 16 16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 EQ IN 4 5 8 PK 9 4 SIG 10 0 5 7 2 PK 8 1 SIG 9 5 10 8 1 V C A 9 10 0 S
CENTURY SERIES VX STEREO Switch w/LED L&R PEAK & SIG LEDs Like the AUX 1-6 controls, AUX 7&8 Individual Level Controls normally send a summed (L+R) signal to the AUX outputs. When the STEREO switch is depressed, AUX 7 and 8 become a send ‘left’ and ‘right’ send respectively. This can be used for a stereo effects send. Input level metering for the L and R channels. The green signal LEDs turn on at about -30dB and brighten with increasing level. They show the pre-amp output levels.
VX CENTURY SERIES 2 8 1 MULTI-INPUT 9 0 10 4 5 6 3 MIC 2 +48V 8 1 MIC +48V C PAD A PAD GAIN 40 MIX TRIM 0 30 50 L R 20 GAIN 40 30 50 L R 20 -15 70 70 +6 80 ON 150 ON 40 300 L•ONLY•R MONO HPF MONO SIG Ø SIG 5 S 4 E 3 N D 2 S 1 0 P 4 U S 3 H 2 L PFL R 9 10 7 8 9 10 7 8 9 10 7 8 9 0 10 4 5 6 +48V 16 16 1K5 4 7 8 9 0 10 4 5 6 7 8 +48V 1 9 10 5 B PAD 300 GAIN 40 30 MID 8 R 20 R 20 STR REV 500 6 LF – O + 8 SIG 8 16 L C R L R S U M 1
CENTURY SERIES VX Optional Multi-Input Module The left side of this double-module provides four stereo inputs which are summed together creating a stereo sub-mix. The right side takes that mix and processes it as a stereo source into the Vx. The right side (called Multi Master) is similar to a regular Vx Stereo Input module, except that the Input Gain pot and switches are replaced by a mix trim stereo level control.
VX CENTURY SERIES SOLO GROUP — MATRIX STR PGM 5 4 MUTE L R 6 3 MATRIX OUT 7 1 0 4 4 3 7 9 8 9 7 2 10 0 MONO 6 EXT LCR 8 9 1 0 PAN 10 5 6 4 LEV 6 3 2 1 10 5 5 8 2 G1 3 7 2 8 1 9 MUTE 10 0 5 6 4 G2 3 7 2 8 1 9 10 0 5 6 4 G3 3 7 2 8 1 FADER REV 9 10 0 5 6 4 G4 3 7 2 MATRIX METER 8 1 9 10 0 G5 5 6 4 3 7 2 8 1 9 10 0 5 6 4 LCR G6 3 7 2 8 1 M 9 10 0 5 6 4 G7 3 7 2 L R 8 1 9 0 10 4 5 6 G8 3 7 2 MATRIX
CENTURY SERIES VX Vx Group Modules FADER REV w/LED Each Vx Group module has three sections: Matrix, Audio Group, and VCA Group. Fully loaded Vx consoles have eight group modules. Group number is indicated on Solo switch. Swaps functions between the Matrix level control and the group fader; one becomes the other. Group Meter Assigns the associated Group signal to the Mono bus. Located on the meter bridge, it indicates the post-fader output level of the group.
VX CENTURY SERIES 3 1 RIGHT — AUX LEFT — AUX MONO — ALT 9 0 SOLO SOLO MASTER — 10 EXT TB IN MONO L-R -0+ -0+ HF 8 8 8 EXT TB OUT TB MIC HF 8 4 16 16 16 -0+ 8 4 16 16 5 2 8 1 9 DC POWER IN +48 5 6 7 2 8 1 MUTE MONO L•R L•R 4 5 6 GAIN 7 2 SOLO SOLO GLOBAL PRE STEREO PROGRAM IN AUX OUT 5 AUX OUT 6 SIG/PEAK SOLO SOLO -0+ 4 5 LEV 6 8 ÷5 16 2 8 1 4 9 16 GLOBAL PRE AUX OUT 1 AUX OUT 2 SOLO SOLO 0 4 10 5 4 5 6 7 LEV 1 LEV 7 0 10 4 5 6
CENTURY SERIES VX Vx Master Section L/R/MONO MUTE Switch w/LED Comprises four modules and is the control center for the Vx console. Stereo Aux In, Monitoring, Solo, Talkback, Stereo Program In, Master Aux & Matrix, internal oscillator & Scene Muting functions are controlled here. Mute outputs of Left, Right & Mono signals respectively. LEFT/RIGHT Modules Stereo Aux In HF Level Switches the source of Left, Right and Mono matrix feed signals between pre and post-fader.
VX Stereo w/LED CENTURY SERIES Program SOLO Switch Talkback On/Off Switch Solo monitoring facility for the Stereo Program signal. Choice of PFL or AFL in stereo. Turns the talkback/osc output on and off. Press+hold for short message; press+release to lock on, press+release again to lock off. Controls all routes including TB to Matrix. Alt L/R Output facility Monitor Output system Stereo output with level control and mute. The source is the main L&R output, either pre or post output faders.
CENTURY SERIES VX The SAFE facility allows a channel to be isolated temporarily from the Mute Groups without disturbing the selection. Mute Groups are part of the Vx Expansion system. Refer to the Special Facilities section. Aux Mute Group Switch w/LED The eight Aux Master Output Mutes are connected to the Aux Group Mute system. Individual Aux Output Mutes may be preselected using the local switch next to the Level control. The mute and indicator do not respond directly.
VX CENTURY SERIES Special Facilities Century Vx Console Expansion The Expansion option is available for all Vx models. Two Vx consoles may be linked in a Master-Slave arrangement. Alternatively, a Vx may be linked to a Yamaha PM series model, or other console.
CENTURY SERIES VX Special Facilities (cont'd) LCR PANNING Operation of center-cluster sound systems requires panning channels between the Left and Right sides of the main stereo PA and between the stereo PA and the center system. Conventional panning systems allow for L-R panning but the center feed is either all on, full center, or all off, no center. In practice it is necessary to balance the different sound groups between center and sides. This requires LCR panning.
Appendix A Technical Information
VX CENTURY SERIES General Specifications Vx Console Architect’s & Engineer‘s Specifications - Vx Console Technical specifications for the Century Vx console. The following text should be used when specifying a Century Vx in a bid or proposal. Available (Eight Bus) Configurations 20 inputs (32 Frame) 32 inputs (44 Frame) 40 inputs (52 Frame) 52 inputs (64 Frame) All Century Vx consoles are available with stereo input modules. Frequency Response +0.0, -0.
VX CENTURY SERIES Vx Block Diagram ROTARY POT ± 20V DC 6A + 24V DC 6A + 48V DC 1A + 20V DC 6A + 24V DC 6A + 48V DC 1A 10K PHANTOM POWER ON/OFF 100 1K OSC FREQ x0.
CENTURY SERIES VX Console Side Dimensions All information per Crest Consoles Engineering, May 5, 1997 30.21"/767mm m / 791m 2mm 1.25"/3 31.14" 9mm & /1 T, .75" HEIGH 83 19" / 4 KNOB S CROS ORT A SUPP EA IS R THIS A MENDED M RECO m / 60m 2.375" 35° mm The following diagram illustrates the depth and height dimensions (from the side) for all Century Vx consoles. 4.5625" 116mm 1.30"/ 33mm 4.8125" 122mm 2.25"/57mm 24.75" / 629mm DO NOT APPLY ANY LOADS TO METER BRIDGE ASSEMBLY .
I N R L T A P E EXT TB IN EXT TB OUT O U T R L M N T R 8 6 4 Master O U T R L A L T P G M R O U T P U T S A U X 7 5 3 O U T P U T S AUX IN A A LEFT AUX IN LEFT EXT IN OUT M A T R I X BUS IN A OUT M A T R I X EXT IN BUS IN LEFT AUX IN EXT IN OUT M A T R I X BUS IN 1 2 L S T R BAL RTN BAL RTN BAL RTN BAL RTN BAL RTN BAL RTN GRP BAL OUT INSERT SEND GRP BAL OUT INSERT SEND GRP BAL OUT INSERT SEND A U X LEFT BAL OUT INSERT SEND RIGHT BAL OUT INSERT SEND MON
VX CENTURY SERIES VX User Options VX consoles are shipped having standard configuration unless specified at time of order. These are ways that the console configuration may be varied after manufacture. The items listed are internal options selected by gold jumper links or pcb DIP switches. DIP switch 'ON' position is down when reading the numbers on the switch body. Jumper link default is marked with a line on the board and is usually pins 1&2 of the three pin header.
CENTURY SERIES VX Console Disassembly Though you shouldn’t have to disassemble the console, it is necessary to remove modules to change the jumper and switch settings associated with the internally selectable options. The following steps detail the tasks involved when taking the console apart. ONE • Open the armrest. Opening the Armrest To properly remove one or many modules, the black painted armrest must first be opened.
CENTURY SERIES VX Appendix B - Schematics SCHEMATIC NAME # NOTES STANDARD INPUT CONNECTOR PCB 1 Vx INPUT CONNECTOR PCB STANDARD INPUT MAIN PCB 2 Vx INPUT MAIN PCB LCR SUB PCB 3 LCRSUB01 STEREO INPUT CONNECTOR PCB 4 Vx STEREO INPUT CONNECTOR PCB STEREO INPUT MAIN PCB 5 Vx STEREO INPUT MAIN PCB GROUP CONNECTOR PCB 6 Vx GROUP CONNECTOR PCB GROUP MAIN PCB 7 Vx GROUP MAIN PCB L / R CONNECTOR PCB 8 Vx LEFT/RIGHT CONNECTOR PCB L / R MAIN PCB 9 Vx LEFT/RIGHT MAIN PCB MONO CONNECTOR P
Crest Audio Inc. 100 Eisenhower Dr., Paramus NJ 07652 USA TEL: 201.909.8700 FAX: 201.909.8744 http://www.crestaudio.com Printed in USA Vx Owner's Manual Copyright © 1997 Crest Audio Inc. v 2.
