BMC MK III bass management controller MK III bass management controller Remote BLUE SKY INT REV 3.00 SOLO c L BM GAIN + MENU REF MUTE R LFE LFE +10 LS SELECT -3dB RS CANCEL Blue Sky International 70 Sea Lane, Farmingdale, New York, 11735 USA • T: +1 516 249 1399 • F +1 516 249 8870 www.abluesky.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • CONTENTS Important 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Page 2 • User Manual - Contents Safety Instructions _ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Page 3 BMC MK III Introduction _ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Page 4 Important Notes About This Manual _ __ __ __ __ _ Page 4 The Blue Sky BMC MK III - What is included? _ __ _ Page 4 A Tour of the BMC MK III I/O Unit_ __ __ __ __ __ __ Page 5 A Tour of the BMC MK III Remote _ __ __ __ __ __ _ Page 5 System Gain, Sub Offset and Level
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1 READ INSTRUCTIONS - Read all safety and operating instructions before operating this product. 2. RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS - Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference. 3. HEED WARNINGS - Follow all warnings on this product and in the operating instructions. 4.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • 1 - 3 • INTRODUCTION & IMPORTANT NOTES 1. BMC MK III Introduction Blue Sky is a philosophy. We design each product to represent the highest ratio possible of performance to cost, providing the highest value added to our customers. We will continually seek out opportunities to utilize the talent of the Blue Sky team to realize this philosophy.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • A TOUR OF THE I/O UNIT & REMOTE 4. A tour of the I/O Unit 1. Power Switch - This switch controls the power to the BMC remote and all internal electronics. 2. 5.1 Channel Inputs - These XLR inputs should be connected to the 5.1 channel outputs of your console or digital workstation. The inputs are electronically balanced (Max input +24dBu). Do not connect more than one source to these inputs. Refer to the wiring table on page 11 for wiring custom cables and connectors. 3.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • 5 • A TOUR OF THE REMOTE (CONTINUED) MK III Continued from page 5. bass management controller 8 4. C(enter) / Up Arrow Button and LED: OPERATOR MODE: The “C” button activates the solo function for the center input on the BMC I/O unit. When a second I/O unit (AUX) is connected, the solo function for the center input #2 can be activated by holding this button down for 5 seconds. The LED above this button indicates an ‘active’ channel.
BMC MK III 6. USER MANUAL • SYSTEM GAIN, SUB OFFSET & LEVEL OVERVIEW. • POWER UP SEQUENCE System Gain, Sub Offset & Level Overview System Electrical Gain: The input stage of BMC MK III is designed for a maximum input level of +24dBu (balanced or unbalanced) before clipping. The output stage will also drive a balanced 10K Ohm load to a maximum of +24dBu. However, because the BMC can add up to +6dB of gain to a channel to balance the system, there are situations where the BMC MK III will clip.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • 8 • SOFTWARE FEATURES As mentioned in previous sections in this manual, the BMC MK III has two distinct operating modes - “OPERATOR” mode and “MENU” / SETUP mode. Below is a quick overview of some of the basic guidelines for the operation of the BMC in these modes. On the opposite / next page you will find a software flowchart detailing the operation of all the “MENU” / SETUP mode functions.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • 8 • SOFTWARE FEATURES (CONTINUED) PRESET MENU: The BMC MK III has a total of 4 presets available. The presets store all level and calibration settings for the BMC, along with preset name, SUB level offset, bass-management IN / OUT and LFE GAIN / TRIM. The main display will always display what PRESET is in current menu when in USER MODE and when not in MUTE, REF or SOLO mode, as shown below (in this case “BLUE SKY LFE +10”). BLUE SKY LFE +10 GAIN = -10.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • 9 • 5.1 SPEAKER PLACEMENT Satellite Speaker Placement - MUSIC FIGURE 1 The recommended monitoring angle for proper stereo imaging with music is 60 degrees between the left and right speakers. The center channel speaker should be located on axis with the reference monitoring position and both the left and right surround channel speakers should be at an angle of 110 degrees from the center line.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • 10 • SYSTEM WIRING INFORMATION & DIAGRAM Use high-quality, shielded cables to connect your console, workstation or other sources to your BMC MK III and monitoring system. Foil-shielded cables, such as Belden 8451, 8761, or 9501 should do quite well. Other high quality cables are available and those that incorporate better shielding will yield an overall higher noise rejection, lowering your systems susceptibility to external interference.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • 11 • 5.1 SYSTEM CALIBRATION The following system calibration instructions are for a bass-managed speaker system, such as Blue Sky’s ProDesk, Sky System One, SAT 265, SAT 8, SUB 212, or Big Blue system. There are three steps to the calibration procedure: 1 - Setting the electrical / digital signal level 2 - Setting the reference level (REF) 3 - Setting the acoustic playback level The instructions included within this manual detail two separate ways to do step 3.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • 11 • 5.1 SYSTEM CALIBRATION (CONTINUED) SETTING THE REFERENCE LEVEL Step 1 TURN THE MASTER GAIN ON THE REMOTE TO -50dB AND THEN TURN ON THE MONITORING SYSTEM Step 2 Press the MENU button two times or until the display reads “CAL CHANNELS”. Now press the up arrow button and confirm that the LEFT, CENTER, RIGHT, RIGHT SUR (right surround), LEFT SUR (left surround) and SUBWOOFER GAIN are set to +0.0 dB, as shown below. Use the “+” (R) and “-” (L) buttons to adjust levels if necessary.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • 11 • 5.1 SYSTEM CALIBRATION (CONTINUED) SYSTEM ACOUSTIC LEVEL SETTING - INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING FULL -BANDWIDTH PINK NOISE (using MOVIE / DVD RELEASE level settings for this example) FIGURE 3 FIGURE 3 85 5.1 Channel Calibrated System Response 80 PLEASE NOTE: These instructions are designed for those users that have a real time analyser (minimum resolution 1/3 octave).
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • 12 • ADDITIONAL SURROUND & SETUP INFORMATION Using the Blue Sky BMC MK III as a multi-channel volume control There may be applications where the user wants to use the Blue Sky BMC MK III only as a multi-channel volume control. The “6 CH VOLUME” preset can be used for the this purpose. To active that preset go to the PRESET MENU, by pressing the MENU button, press the up arrow (C) button until the display reads “6 CH VOLUME” and then press the “+” (R) button.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • 13 • DUAL BMC MK III I/O UNIT SETUP Important notes for this type of setup: The BMC MK III allows for two BMC MK III I/O units to be controlled by a single remote. This allows for up to 10.2 calibrated & bass-managed channels, to be controlled from a single master gain control. 1. SUBWOOFER MAIN GAIN should be set to 0dB, in the CAL CHANNELS menu. 2. Overall system subwoofer level should be set on the BMC I/O unit connected to the AUX connector on the remote.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • 13 • DUAL BMC MK III I/O UNIT SETUP (CONTINUED) MAIN BMC Unit (1): Wire the main channels to this BMC. Subwoofer level trim, should be set to 0dB. Overall system subwoofer level should be adjusted on the AUX BMC (via remote). LFE gain can be set to either +10dB or 0dB, depending on the format. Always document all settings. Main LFE Input: +10dB or 0dB Aux MAIN AUX to LFE IN to sub Bass-Managed + LFE summed input from main BMC unit. * LFE should be set to 0dB of gain.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • TECHNICAL INFORMATION & PRODUCT DIMENSIONS 14.
BMC MK III USER MANUAL • FACTORY SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS, GENERAL CONTACT DETAILS & RECYCLING INFORMATION 16. Factory Service Instructions 17. General Contact Details Service for the U.S. versions of Blue Sky products is available only from our authorized distributor, Group One Ltd., located in Farmingdale, New York. (Service for Blue Sky products outside the United States can be obtained through local dealers or distributors.
Blue Sky International 70 Sea Lane, Farmingdale, New York, 11735 USA • T: +1 516 249 1399 • F +1 516 249 8870 www.abluesky.
