QSC Audio ISIS 215PCM manual

1 User Manual TD-000105-00 rev .A *TD-000105-00* ISIS 215SB ISIS 215PCM 2 x 15” W eather-Resistant Subwoofer Cabinet with Speakon™ Input C onnec tor Integra ted, Self-Po wered—Self-Processed, Industrial S ystems 3000 W att P ow ered S ubwoofer and 3600 Wa t t , 2-channel “ T op Box ” amplifier , Computer Configurable DSP f or each Amplifi[...]

2 © Copyright 2002, QSC Audio Products, Inc. QSC® is a registered trademark of QSC Audio Products, Inc. “QSC” and the QSC logo are registered with the U.S. Patent and T rademark Office All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Speakon™ is a registered trademark of Neutrik Inc., Lakewood, NJ IMPORT ANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS &a[...]

3 INTRODUCTION General Overview ...........................................................................................4 T echnical Overview ........................................................................................6 Block Diagram.................................................................................................7 UNP[...]

4 INTRODUCTION- General Overview Introduction Thank you and congratulations on your purchase of the ISIS 215PCM Powered-System Control Module or 215SB Subwoofer . This product represents the state-of-the-art in all-weather , lightweight SR (sound reinforcement) loudspeaker systems. The “215” marks the introduction of QSC’ s ISIS loudspeaker s[...]

5 INTRODUCTION- General Overview T ransporting the 215PCM using integral wheels and handles. 215PCM Front A 16” length of “L-track” flying hardware is featured on all four corners of the cabinet. Pole cups are featured for either cabinet orientation. One, shown, on the shorter side, and two on the longer . 215PCM Rear Rubber feet are featured[...]

6 INTRODUCTION- T echnical Overview T echnical Overview: CH1 and CH2 Inputs are connected to the T op Box Processor and to the Mode Switch. In Combination Mode, the Mode Switch connects CH1 and CH2 Inputs to the Subwoofer Processor as well. In Discrete Mode, CH1 and CH2 Inputs are disconnected from the Subwoofer Processor , and Input 3 is used to f[...]

7 INTRODUCTION- Block Diagram[...]

8 The 215PCM is highly durable and is carefully packaged and crated. We recommend you inspect the unit carefully after removing it from the packaging, as occasionally there may be damage due to some unfortunate incident during shipment. Report any damage to the shipping carrier . W e recommend saving the carton and packing material. It is always a [...]

9 Install the Signal Manager software on the PC that will be used to configure the 215PCMs processors. See page 20. Put the 215PCM in a location that: • ....is close enough to the PC to connect the serial cable. •....has 120V , 30A service to power the 215PCM. •....has enough room to make connections or adjustments. Plug in the 215PCM. See pa[...]

10 Adjusting the Gain Settings of the Amplifiers PREP ARA TION FOR FIRST USE- Amplifier Gain Controls Ordinarily , the Gain controls of the amplifiers are left set at full gain. This is not recommended for first-time users of freely- configurable DSP . Freely configurable DSP , while being the most flexible and desirable, will do precisely what the[...]

11 The 215PCM requires 120 V olt, 30 Amp AC service. Attempting full power operation on lower rated circuits may overheat wirirng and cause breakers to switch off. Use only heavy-duty 12 or 10 ga. extension cords. The 215PCM requires a 120 V olt, 30 Amp connection to the AC mains. The power connectors used are to be NEMA L5-30, or equivalent. The s[...]

12 T o Configure a Processor (215PCM only) Each Processor has a 9-pin “D-sub” connector labeled RS-232. The RS-232 connection is used to configure the Processor by connecting to the PC’ s COM port. Important points: – The 215PCM must be ON (powered up) in order to configure the Processors. – Each Processor is configured individually . –[...]

13 CONNECTIONS- Mode Switch and Signal Routing The position of the Mode Switch determines how the input signals are routed. Select your operating mode before making connections. If you are using the DataPorts for audio input, the Mode Switch has no effect. Refer to the diagram, below . COMBINA TION MODE– Use CH1 and CH2 Inputs OR Input 3 (mono). [...]

14 Audio Connections Audio inputs can be connected to the XLR inputs OR the DataPort connections (QSControl users). This section provides information on using the XLR Inputs, For DataPort information see page 17. CONNECTIONS- Audio Connections: XLR Inputs CH1 and CH2 INPUT - In Combination Mode, use these for 2-channel inputs. For mono input, use I[...]

15 XLR Connections The XLR inputs are electronically balanced. T o maintain the benefits of balanced, pro-audio connections, make all connections to the 215PCM using balanced, high-quality cable and connectors. If balanced inputs are not available, use a unbalanced-to-balanced converter , such as a “DI” box or proper audio transformer . Unbalan[...]

16 CONNECTIONS- Post Processor Outputs Post Processor Outputs Each processor has two post-processor outputs. They are labeled CH1 OUTPUT and CH2 OUTPUT . The audio present at these outputs is processed and the signal is the same as at the OUT1 and OUT2 blocks in the Signal Manager software. See Block Diagram, page 7, for details. These are electron[...]

17 CONNECTIONS- DataPort (QSControl users only) When using the DataPort connections for audio inputs, do not use the XLR audio inputs. Any signals present on both connections will be summed, producing unexpected results. It is OK to use the XLRs for audio input if the DataPort connection is used only for control and monitoring. Use only QSC Audio D[...]

18 CONNECTIONS- Output to T op Boxes (Speakons™) Output to T op Boxes At the right side of the rear panel are the output connections to the top box speakers. Note the color coding scheme of the text labels for each Speakon connector . The color coding corresponds with the colors of the Mode Switch labels (Combination Mode or Discrete Mode). The u[...]

19 USE- Cooling Air Inlet and Exhaust V ents The 215PCM contains two forced-air cooled QSC Powerlight 2-series amplifiers. They are mounted within the back portion of the enclosure. The amplifi- ers rely upon an unobstructed air flow in and out of the respective vents, shown below . Keep these air vents free of obstructions and dust buildup. Be cer[...]

20 USE- AC Power Switch and LED Indicators LED Indicators Each Processor has two LED indicators, PWR and SIGNAL. The indicators are located on the rear panel of the 215PCM. PWR- When the 215PCM is connected to a properly rated and working AC supply circuit and is turned on, the blue PWR LED on each of the Processors will illuminate. When the system[...]

21 IMPORT ANT USER CAUTION USE- LED Indicators (continued) and Important User Caution The 215PCM has been equipped with a very powerful internal amplifier . The amplifier power is several times greater than the long-term power capacity of the drivers. This allows the full capacity of the speakers to be used without reaching the clipping point of th[...]

22 PROCESSOR USE- Software Installation and System Requirements 1. Insert the QSC Signal Manager CD into your drive (typically drive “D:”). If your computer has AUTORUN enabled, the installation will start automatically after several seconds. If it does not, then proceed to step 2, below . Otherwise, skip to step 3. 2. Select Run from the Windo[...]

23 PROCESSOR USE: General Guidelines and Preset Description NOTE! The factory setting for all eight Preset memories is wire- through. Signals are passed from input to output without any processing. Each Processor must be configured as desired by the user . Y ou may select configurations from the sample files (*.cfg) within Signal Manager or create [...]

24 Each Processor must be loaded with your desired signal processing configu- ration using the Signal Manager program before use. T est all new configura- tions for expected behavior at low power levels to avoid inadvertently damaging speaker systems. Each Processor has eight Preset memories numbered 1 through 8. Presets are DSP configurations save[...]

25 Processor Use: Configuring the Processors (Discrete 2.1) How the Processors are configured is dependant on the system setup and desired results. For example, a discrete 2.1 system requires a different signal chain than a mono 3-way stack. Decide how your system will be set up before starting to configure the Processors. The following are example[...]

26 Example 1- Discrete 2.1 (continued) The Subwoofer Processor is next. In Discrete Mode, the Subwoofer Processor’ s input signal comes from the Input 3 XLR. Input 3 is routed to the Subwoofer Processor’ s IN1 block (see example, below). The IN2 block is not placed when operating in Discrete Mode. An example of a typical Subwoofer configuration[...]

27 Processor Use: Configuring the Processors (3-way Mono Stack) Example 2- Active 3-way Mono Stack In a 3-way configuration, the T op Box amplifier’ s two channels are used for low- and high-frequencies and the subwoofer handles bass. The Processors perform the required crossover and time delay functions. This T op Box configuration has time dela[...]

28 TROUBLESHOOTING The 215PCM “cuts-out” when I really crank it up (intermittent operation)- • Make sure the AC power source is rated for 120V , 30 Amps. Do not use 20 or 15 Amp AC supply circuits for the 215PCM! Use only 12 or 10 gauge heavy-duty extension cords. • If the AC power source is “sagging” (or drooping) under heavy load, the[...]

29 TROUBLESHOOTING Unable to “talk” to processor from Signal Manager software (OFFLINE status indicated)- • Check that the serial cable is a normal serial data cable. Null-modem type cables will not work. • Make sure that the serial cable is properly connected on both ends and that the retaining screws are snug (finger tight). • V erify A[...]

30 TROUBLESHOOTING I am using the 215PCM setup for biamp operation, but my mid- and high-frequency sound seems to be gone- • Make sure the Mode Switch is in the correct position for your intended application. • Be sure you are using only the upper Speakon for 4-wire biamp connection. • If using 2-wire Speakon cables to connect to your biamp c[...]

31 Specifications- ISIS 215SB SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE Dimensions[...]

32 Specifications- ISIS 215SB Acoustic Performance SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE[...]

33 Specifications- ISIS 215SB 215SB Specifications Frequency Range Recommended Bandpass: 35- 150 Hz (±3 dB) Frequency Response: 36- 360 Hz (-3dB) Usable Frequency Range: 29- 440 Hz (-10 dB) Maximum Output Calculated Peak Output 1 : 141 dB SPL Measured Continuous Output 2 : 131 dB SPL Continuous Noise Exposure Level 3 : 122 dBA Impedance: 4 ohms (n[...]

34 Specifications- ISIS 215PCM SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE Self-Powered Dimensions[...]

35 Specifications- ISIS 215PCM 215PCM System Specification Description 215 PCM: Comprised of the 215SB Subwoofer Cabinet with a “backpack” containing two QSC DSP-3 24-bit Signal Processors, 1 ruggedized QSC PL230 3000 Watt amplifier and 1 ruggedized QSC PL236 3600 Watt amplifier. All interconnections for the audio signals and AC power are compl[...]

36 A mplifier Specifications Output Power in watts Subwoofer Amplifier (PL230 type) 4 Ohms, 1 kHz, 1% THD 3000 Watts Top Box Amplifier (PL236 type) FTC: 8 Ohms per channel (20- 20 kHz., 0.03% THD) 725 Watts 4 Ohms per channel (20- 20 kHz., 0.05% THD) 1100 Watts EIA: 1 kHz @ 1% THD 8 Ohms per channel 800 Watts 4 Ohms per channel 1300 Watts 2 Ohms pe[...]

37 Specifications- ISIS 215PCM Processors Note: Specifications are subject to change without notice. Digital Signal Processor Specifications Type Freely configurable, custom DSP with software for PC. Computer connection needed only for set up. Signal Processing Two QSC DSP-3 Processors, 24 bit, 48 kHz., one for each amplifier Frequency response at [...]

38 APPENDIX- Contact Closure Wiring Details Contact Closure Feature The contact closure feature is used to trigger gain changes in the DSP . Any configuration that uses one or more switched gain objects (see Signal Manager software Help file ) can take advantage of this feature. The contact closure will trigger all switched gain objects at once. Al[...]

39 Pin Signal Description 1 DCD 2 T D 3 R D 4 DTR 5 GND 6 DSR 7 RTS 8 CTS 9 Contact Closure RS-232 Pinout: The diagram below shows the pin assignments for the female RS-232 connector on the DSP-3 Processors featured in the 215PCM. *Note! Pin 9 is used for contact closure input. This pin is not normally used by RS-232 devices. Some laptop and deskto[...]

40 Disclaimer QSC Audio Products, Inc. is not liable for any damage to amplifiers, or any other equipment that is caused by negligence or improper installation and/or use of this speaker product. Product Warranty QSC Audio Products, Inc. (“QSC”) guarantees its products to be free from defective material and / or workmanship for a period o f thr[...]

42 QSC Audio Products, Inc. 1675 MacArthur Boulevard Costa Mesa, California 92626 USA “QSC” and the QSC logo are registered with the U.S. Patent and T rademark Office. ©2001 QSC Audio Products, Inc.[...]