Owner’s Manual RCS 2.
WARNING TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
Important Safety Instructions 1. Read these instructions entirely before installing or operating this equipment. 2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Do not use this equipment near water or allow it to become wet. 5. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. CAUTION 6.
Acknowledgments © 2006 Tact Audio Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or other wise, without the prior written consent of the Tact Audio Corporation. The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Registration IMPORTANT! Please record your serial number here for future reference.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Safety instructions 4 Acknowledgments/Registration 5 Unpacking the RCS 2.2X 7 Introduction 6 Tact Audio CAUTION 8 Dynamic Room Correction 10 Automatic Room Correction 12 Connecting the RCS 2.
UNPACKING THE RCS 2.2 XP Carefully remove the RCS 2.2 XP and accessory kit from the carton and visually check for shipping damage. Contact both the shipper and TacT Audio immediately if the unit shows any sign of damage from rough handling. All TacT Audio equipment is carefully inspected before leaving our factory. KEEP SHIPPING CARTON AND PACKING MATERIALS for future use or in the unlikely event that the unit needs servicing.
INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your purchase of your RCS 2.2 XP. You have now acquired the most advanced stereo Preamplifier / Room Correction System ever developed! The RCS 2.2 XP has four times the processing power of the famous TacT RCS 2.0 and even better AD and DA conversion. This now combined with new features and a more user-friendly interface takes TacT Audio’s room correction to new heights. The RCS 2.
Introduction Modular design The internal layout of the RCS 2.2 XP is completely modular. All of the expensive components such as DSP’s, D/A and A/D converters are a plug-in type and are placed on a motherboard. This allows for easy and inexpensive future upgrades. Even the rear-panel, including the sockets, can be exchanged to accommodate future interfaces.
DYNAMIC ROOM CORRECTION Dynamic Room Correction (DRC) ® is new technology developed by Tact Audio Inc. over past two years. This groundbreaking brings the science and art of Room Correction, and specifically Tact room correction products, to yet another level. When we introduced our first RCS system (the Tact-2.2 in the late 90’s) we were fully aware that we were embarking on a long term research process in the new exciting field of room acoustics correction.
Traditional Tact room correction systems use one target curve that allows for full range 20-20,000 Hz room corrections. Once selected, the same target curve (same set of correction filters) was used at all listening levels. This approach did not take in account the fact that our sound perception, as described by FletcherMunson curves, is frequency and level dependent. Many of our customers have realized this fact and they have used the nine correction presets (available on all our RCS products) to program 2.
AUTOMATIC ROOM CORRECTION Tact-2.2 XP can now perform room correction automatically from the 2.2 XP front panel user interface, without the need for an PC software. The automatic room correction feature is designed to perform the entire room correction process without using a PC interface. The Tact-2.2 XP has sufficient DSP processing power to perform room measurement, crossover filter design, target curve generation and correction filter calculation. The entire process is controlled CAUTION from the 2.
2.2 Mode This operating mode assumes a stereo system consisting of two main channels and two subwoofers. To select 2.2 mode from the main screen, click on the MENU button, and then select the MODE menu. In MODE menu, click on the STEREO 2.2 option. This will select 2.2 mode and will display it on top of the screen (1) Fig.1. Fig. 1. Mode menu. 2.2 mode selection is displayed in the upper left corner (1). To perform 2.2 mode automatic room correction go through the following steps: 1. Correction Bypass.
CAUTION Fig. 4. Crossover menu. CRO: OFF indicates that crossover filters are disabled Crossover filters can be turned OFF from the front panel crossover menu (Fig. 4). Place the screen cursor over the CRO: ON menu option and then press the enter button (click) until it displays CRO: OFF, and then click on SET option.. Please note that any change made on this screen does not take effect until you click on the SET option. Click on the MENU button to go back to the DRC-RCS screen, Fig. 3. 3. Measurements.
DELAY. If you do not want to be in the room while measurement is in progress, set this parameter to a few seconds to allow you to exit the room. For example, if DELAY = 10 the system will wait for 10 seconds before it starts pulsing. PULSE. This parameter sets the relative level of the output measurement pulse. Minimum level is 1% and maximum level is 100%. FILE. Use this option to assign a File number to the measurement you are just about to perform.
4. Enable automatic room correction. In the DRC-RCS screen (Fig. 3), select correction preset 1. Make sure that crossover filters are enabled and proper crossover frequency is selected. Crossover filters can be adjusted at any time even after you enable the automatic feature. Click on the AUTO-OFF menu option to enter the Auto Correction screen (Fig. 5). Note that in bypass mode the AUTOOFF(ON) menu option is not displayed. CAUTION Fig. 5 Auto Correction screen.
2.1 Mode This operating mode assumes a stereo system consisting of two main channels and one subwoofer. To select 2.1 mod from the main screen, click on the MENU button to enter the main menu screen and then select the MODE menu. In the MODE menu click on the STEREO 2.1 option. This will select 2.1 mode and display it on top of the screen (1). Fig. 6. Mode menu. 2.1 mode selection is displayed in the upper left corner (1). The rest of the procedure is the same as in 2.2 mode.
2.0 Mode This operating mode assumes a stereo system consisting of two main channels only. To select 2.0 mode from the main screen, click on the MENU button to enter main menu screen and then select the MODE menu. In the MODE menu click on STEREO 2.0 option. This will select 2.0 mode and display it on top of the screen (1). CAUTION Fig. 8. Mode menu. 2.0 mode selection is displayed in the upper left corner (1). The rest of the procedure is the same as in 2.2 mode.
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RCS 2.2 XP CONNECTIONS Digital input The RCS 2.2 XP has 5 digital inputs: • 3 S/PDIF (RCA) • 1 AES/EBU (XLR) (TosLink) • 1 Optical (T CAUTION All of the digital inputs support PCM audio data with sampling rates from 32 kHz to 96 kHz /16-24 bits. However, the AES/EBU and RCA/coaxial input also support 192kHz. Digital output 1 main channels The RCS 2.2 XP has 3 digital outputs for the main channels: • 1 S/PDIF (RCA) • 1 AES/EBU (XLR) (TosLink) • 1 Optical (T All outputs are 24-bits at 44.
RCS 2.2 XP Connections Digital output 2 subwoofers The RCS 2.2XP has three digital outputs for subwoofer(s) : • 1 S/PDIF (RCA) • 1 AES/EBU (XLR) (TosLink) • 1 Optical (T All outputs are 24-bits at 44.1, 48, 88, 96 or 192 kHz sampling rates. The output sampling rate is set in the “DOUT” menu. (TosLink does not support 192kHz) The sub output is for your subwoofer(s) and can be configured for either mono or stereo. Use the “MODE” menu to set the appropriate output mode 2.0, 2.1, or 2.2.
RCS 2.2 XP Connections Analog input (optional ADC module) The RCS 2.2 XP has 4 stereo analog inputs when the optional ADC module is installed: • 3 analog stereo single ended (RCA) • 1 analog stereo balanced (XLR) CAUTION NOTE: The optional ADC module is required for analog inputs. NOTE: A/D conversion is always performed at 24-bits/192 kHz. Analog output main channels (optional DAC module) The RCS 2.
RCS 2.2X Connections Analog output subwoofer(s) (optional DAC module) The RCS 2.2 XP has 2 analog outputs for subwoofer(s) when the optional DACSUB module is installed: • 1 analog stereo single ended (RCA) • 1 analog stereo balanced (XLR) NOTE: The optional DAC module is required for analog outputs. Microphone input Connect the supplied measurement microphone to the “Mic Input” connector when taking a room measurement for dynamic room correction.
RCS 2.2 XP Connections RS232 interface ports The RCS 2.2 XP has two RS232 interface ports: • INPUT • AUX Use the “INPUT” port for communication with your personal computer. CAUTION Use the “AUX” port to connect to TacT digital amplifiers or to daisy chain with multiple RS232 components. AC mains input & mains switch Connect the RCS 2.2 XP to the AC mains wall socket. Use the mains switch to turn power ON or OFF.
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS The front panel controls on the RCS 2.2 XP will allow you to access and control all menu settings. Digital Input Selector Standby Mute Input Display Master Volume Volume Level Menu Navigation/ Analog Input Selector Standby Use the “STANDBY” button to toggle between Standby mode and ON. The display will indicate Standby mode by displaying a small green light in the left side of the display. When the unit is placed in Standby mode all user settings are saved.
REMOTE CONTROL The remote control is used to access the front panel display controls and menus.
Remote Control 1 - STANDBY The STANDBY button will either turn the RCS 2.2 XP on or will place it int standby mode. When in standby mode, the unit is placed into a low power “idling” state. The standby button is also used to save changes that were made in the menu parameters. By placing the unit into standby mode the current menu settings are 2 - DIGITAL The DIGITAL button will scroll sequentially, allowing for selection of one of the 5 digital inputs.
FRONT PANEL DISPLAY The main screen is displayed when the RCS 2.2 XP is powered on. CAUTION To move the cursor indicator use the front panel or remote control navigation buttons. To select an option press the “ENTER” button. 1 Correction preset selection 2 EQ preset selection 3 Master level in dB 4 Correction menu option 5 Parametric EQ menu option 6 Output sampling frequency indicator 7 Input sampling frequency indicator 8 RCS 2.
Front Panel Display Master Level Indicator This field displays the system master level in dB. It is calculated as relative gain (displayed from 0 to 99.9) minus 99.9 plus GAIN (as set in the OPTIONS menu). For example, if the GAIN option is set to 3 dB and the front panel master level display reads 87.5 dB, this field will display 87.5 - 99.9 + 3.0 = -9.4 dB. Correction menu option Move the cursor to the DRC-RCS (4) option and press the “ENTER” button to enter the main dynamic room correction menu.
Front Panel > Main Menu MAIN menu The main menu screen lists all of the RCS 2.2 XP general menus. Access the main menu through the menu button on the front panel or the remote control. CAUTION To highlight a menu option use the navigational buttons. To enter a highlighted option press the “ENTER” button. MODE menu sets operation mode for the 2.2XP - use to specify 2.2, 2.1, 2.0 modes or the MONO option. ADC menu use to set the analog input sensitivity.
Front Panel > Main Menu MODE menu Use this menu to set the RCS 2.2 XP to one of four operating modes. To highlight an option use the navigational buttons. To enter a highlighted option press the “ENTER” button. STEREO 2.2 This mode produces 4 output signals. Left, Right, Left SUB, and Right SUB STEREO 2.1 This mode produces 3 output signals. Left, Right and one SUB signal. In this mode the SUB signal is mono and is output to both the Left SUB and Right SUB outputs. STEREO 2.
Front Panel > Main Menu ADC menu (optional ADC module) The RCS 2.2 XP can be equipped with a state of the art Analog to Digital Converter (ADC module optional) . To further enhance the converter’s performance, the system offers two selectable gain values for the ADC input stage, 0dB or -6dB. These values can be assigned to each input independently.
Front Panel > Main Menu DOUT-FS menu The RCS 2.2 XP is equipped with a sample rate converter on each digital output. Each output can independently be set to 44.1, 48, 88, 96 and 192 KHz sampling frequencies. To set the sampling frequency for digital outputs 1 or 2, use the “LEFT” or “RIGHT” navigational buttons to highlight the desired option (44.1, 48, 88, 96, 192 kHz) and then press the “ENTER” button to make the selection. Output 1 refers to the Left/Right channel output.
Front Panel > Main Menu POL menu Use this screen to set individual channel polarity and absolute channel polarity. CAUTION Each channel can be set to “+” (0) or “-” (inverted). To select an option use the “UP” and “DOWN DOWN Tttt” navigational buttons and to change its value press the “ENTER” button to toggle between a “+” or “-” setting. If all channel options are set to ‘+’ or all channel options are set to ‘-’, all output signals will come out in phase.
Front Panel > Main Menu DISPLAY menu The display menu allows for control over the front panel display appearance. To select an option use the “UP” or “DOWN” navigational buttons and then use the “LEFT” and “RIGHT” buttons to change the value. 1. Timeout This option is used to turn the front panel timer “ON” or “OFF”.
Front Panel > Main Menu COMM menu Use this screen to set the 2.2 XP device address. CAUTION This menu has only one option, Address. Address can be set to any number between 1 and 255. This parameter is used by PC programs to identify the 2.2 XP. This feature allows for multiple Tact units to be controlled by the same RS232 link. The RS232 speed is set to 57.6 Kb.
Front Panel > Main Menu AMP menu The AMP menu is designed to allow the RCS 2.2 XP to interface with the TacT line of digital amplifiers. The RCS 2.2 XP can control multiple digital amplifiers. This setting should be ENABLED only if you have a Tact digital amplifier attached to the RCS 2.2 XP. To change the settings use the “UP” and “DOWN” navigational buttons to highlight the option and then press the “ENTER” button to change the setting.
Front Panel > Main Menu OPTIONS menu The options menu allows for control of the systems maximum signal level, signal detection threshold (SDTH), wheel speed, and remote control. CAUTION To select an option highlight it using the “UP” and “DOWN” navigational buttons. To modify a selected option use the “LEFT” and “RIGHT” buttons. Max Level This option controls the system’s maximum signal level. For example, if this option is set to -3.0 dB, the volume control can not go above -3.0 dB.
Front Panel > Main Menu LOCK menu Use this screen lock certain areas of the front panel user interface. To select an option highlight it using the “UP” and “DOWN” navigational buttons. To modify a selected option use the “LEFT” and “RIGHT” buttons. 1. LOCK MENU When this option is set to YES all Main Menu options except LOCK and INFO are disabled 2. LOCK DRC-RCS When this option is set to YES the user can not change current correction presets and can not enter the DRCRCS screen. 3.
Front Panel > Main Menu INFO menu Use this screen to verify the versin of firmware that is installed on your RCS 2.2 XP. This screen also provides TTact Audio’s web address and phone number.
Front Panel > Correction Menu CORRECTION menu Access the CORRECTION menu by selecting DRC-RCS from the RCS 2.2 XP first screen. To highlight a menu option use the navigational buttons. To enter a highlighted option press the “ENTER” button. LEVELS menu Use to set individual channel level. DELAYS menu Use to set individual channel delay time and the AUTO/ MANUAL delay option. NAMES menu Displays the correction preset symbolic names and allows for name based correction preset selection.
Front Panel > Correction Menu LEVELS menu Use this menu to set individual channel level settings. CAUTION Use the UP and DOWN buttons to place screen cursor on desired option and then use the LEFT and RIGHT buttons to adjust individual channel level settings. Each output signal level is determined by the channel level, as set in this menu, the master level control, and system GAIN as set in OPTIONS menu. DELAYS menu Use this menu to set individual channel delay settings.
Front Panel > Correction Menu NAMES menu Use this screen to view the symbolic names assigned to each preset number. Use the UP and DOWN buttons to place the screen cursor on desired option. Press the enter button to engage the selected correction preset. CRO menu Use this screen to set RCS 2.2 XP crossover parameters. To highlight a menu option use the navigational buttons. To select a highlighted option press the “ENTER” button. 1. Use this option to set low-pass filter order.
Front Panel > Correction Menu MSR menu Use this menu to perform room response measurments directly from the front panel, without an external computer interface. CAUTION Y Your 2.2 XP is factory configured to measurement parameters as displayed above. The MSR MIC CAL option should be turned ON and tjhe MIC FILE field should display the microphone serial number as printed on your microphone. MSR MIC CAL.
Front Panel > Correction Menu In most cases, factory presets are optimum and users can proceed directly with peforming actual measurements. To initiate the room measurement process, click on the START button. The microhpone calibration and measurement screen will be displayed: After the measurements are completed, click on the EXIT option and then click on the MENU button to go back to the DRC-RCS screen (Fig. 3).
Front Panel > Parametric EQ Menu PARAMETRIC EQ menu This menu is used to control the 12 band parametric equalized. This menu is accessed through the PAR EQ option on the RCS 2.2X first screen. If Par Eq preset is set to BP - bypass the following screen will be displayed: CAUTION In this screen only two options are enabled: PRESET and LOCK.
Front Panel > Parametric EQ Menu PARAMETRIC EQ menu When a Par Eq preset other that BP is selected this screen can have two forms: one with the LINK option set to YES and the other with the LINK option set to NO. When the LINK option is set to NO the following screen is displayed. When the LINK option is set to YES the following screen is displayed. To highlight a menu option use the navigational buttons. To select a highlighted option press the “ENTER” button. 1. TABLE menu option.
Front Panel > Parametric EQ Menu PARAMETRIC EQ menu This is an example of the linked parametric EQ filter table. Its display allows for adjustment of all filter parameters: Level, center frequency and filterwidth given in octaves. The filter parameters will be applied globally to both the left and right channels. This scren is accessed through the LINK menu option on the PAR EQ menu screen. CAUTION To change a parameter first highlight it and press ENTER button.
Front Panel > Parametric EQ Menu PARAMETRIC EQ menu The following is an example of an un-linked ParEQ table featuring the left channel parametric EQ filter table. Its display allows for the adjustment of all filter parameters: Level, center frequency and bandwidth and they will be applied independently to the left channel. There is an analogous table for the right channel. You can enter the right channel table from the previous menu, the PAR EQ screen.
TacT Audio, Inc. 201 Gates Road Unit G, Little Ferry – New Jersey 07643, USA Phone: +1 201 440 9300 – Fax: +1 201 440 5580 – Email: info@tactaudio.com www.tactlab.
