6.1 MASTER VOLUME
The Master Volume control is visible in the lower left corner of the bit Drive main window.
This Master Volume control can be used in the following ways:
◼︎ It can be controlled by an optional DRC AC
◼︎It can be controlled by an optional Maestro AR interface (see below for more information)
◼︎It can be controlled by an optional Audison B-CON in Absolute Volume mode (see the documentation with the B-CON for more information.
◼︎If none of these devices are connected to the amplifier, this setting defaults to 0dB.
Note: If an experienced user requires more gain, this setting can be boosted above 0dB, up to +6dB. To do this, the Volume slider must be highlighted, and the CTRL key must be pressed while moving the slider upwards to the desired level.
Note: If a value above 0dB is selected, make the corresponding change in the Volatile Data window (section 6.6.2).
6.2 ZONES
The listening zones allow to split the output channels in groups, each one with its own level control. This is useful when the speaker distances are long and they be considered part of different listening environments. Each zone can hold one or more channels, to be associated as shown section 5.3.
In the main window there are two different panels for the zone control.
Zone settings panel
Select zone
click on the Zone name to select.
Zone settings
allows to rename the zone.
Help
opens the section's quick guide.
Zone levels panel
Mute: mutes all the channels of the zone selected;
Solo: mutes all the channels not included in the selected zone;
Zone level: change the selected zone level by moving the slider.
6.3 WORKNOTES
The worknotes window allows to save a current setup in the software memory, without the need for saving a file to the laptop.
Snapshot
click to save the current setup.
Select snapshot
shows the time of the setup save. Click once to restore that setup.
Delete snapshot
click to delete the snapshot.
Note: Each snapshot will overwrite the previous one. If the user wants to save a snapshot configuration to the PC:
- Select the snapshot to restore it.
- Save in the PC from the Save As command in the command bar.
Help
open the section inline help.
The snapshot save can be done in two ways:
- Manual: the user press the camera button.
- Automatic: set the automatic snapshot from the software Settings panel (see sec.2.2) to activate the automatic snapshot every 2 minutes.
6.4 STATUS BAR
The status bar is in the right bottom side of the main window and provides some useful informations to the user.
bit Drive software notifications:
◼︎ Warning: notifies that there could be configuration problems leading to poor sound, or no sound. This happens for example if in the mixer one or more inputs are not used, or an output channel does not receive any contribution from the input signals.
◼︎ Info: useful infomations. This messages could show up for example when in the mixer an output channel receives a contribution higher than 100%, or when the delays set for the outputs do not match the speaker distances.
◼︎ OK: there are no potential errors in the setup.
The number close to each symbol shows the number of messages. Click on the bar to open the list with all messages.
Note: the messages in the status bar acts as reminders and can show possible errors or forgetfulnesses. However, It is not strictly mandatory to correct all the warnings to save the setup or finalize the device.
Note: the Notifications in the Status Bar act as reminders to the user, to prevent possible errors. However, Notifications do not prevent operation of the bit device, and it is not required to correct all warnings before saving the Configuration file, or Finalizing the device.
Temperature
dislays the amplifier temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit scales
Battery voltage
displays the amplifier supply voltage.
6.5 TRIGGER
Press the icon the command bar to open the configuration panel of the hardware trigger. These can be activated by the Control 1/Control 2 terminals of the CTRL connector. These special functions are activated when the Trigger Input wire receives a +12V signal.
For each trigger input, it is possible to set:
1. Enable/Disable the input trigger
2. Action: operation to be executed when the the trigger is activated. Source change, memory change, volume change, enable/disable Final Tuning;
3. Parameter: set the parameter according to the chosen Action, as per table below.
|
Action |
Parameter |
|
Source change |
Master/Optical |
|
Memory change |
Mem1/Mem2/Mem3/Mem4/Mem5/Mem6 |
|
Volume change |
-60÷6 dB |
|
Enable/Disable Final Tuning |
Enable/Disable |
4. Release time: time delay from the trigger reception to the activation of the programmed action.
6.6 FEATURES
Press the icon in the command bar to open the programmable functions.
6.6.1 Turn On/Off delay: allows changing the turn on/off time settings of the device.
Note: This allows the installing technician to prevent any possible sonic artifacts due to the different turn-on timing of various devices in the audio system.
6.6.2 Default Volatile Data: set the initial settings for levels and other DSP functions when the device is turned on after that the supply cables were disconnected.
WARNING: If Volatile Data Settings are configured incorrectly, the audio system could stop working after a temporary loss of 12V power. This may cause certain safety systems in the vehicle to lose functionality. See Section 2.4 for more information on PROPERLY configuring Volatile Data Settings.
6.6.3 DRC AC: program the DRC functions. For more informations please read the following chapter.
Note: This function is not available offline.
6.7 DRC AC
The remote controller DRC AC can be used to turn on/off the amplifier or to do a set of functions programmable on the bitDrive software.
The DRC AC remote controller can perform several functions, all of which are configurable in the bit Drive software.
6.7.1 TURN ON/OFF THE AMPLIFIER
Press once the knob to turn on the amplifier.
WARNING
For the amplifier to turn on by DRC AC:
- the amplifier must be connected to power and properly configured;
- the PC Power On must not be active.
A long press on the knob of the DRC AC turns off the amplifier.
WARNING
The DRC AC cannot turn of the amplifier if the amplifier has been turned on by 12V+ on the REM IN input, or by ART detecting DC offset on SPK IN input 1 and 2.
In order to turn off the amplifier by DRC AC:
- there must be no +DC signal on the REM IN pin of the CTRL port
- if the ART switch is Enabled, there cannot be speaker signal present on Input Channel 1 or 2 of the SPK IN input harness.
A long press on the knob of the DRC AC turns off the amplifier.
Note: The DRC AC cannot turn of the amplifier if the amplifier has been turned on by 12V+ on the REM IN input, or by ART detecting DC offset on SPK IN input 1.
In order to turn off the amplifier via the DRC AC:
- There must be no +DC signal on the REM IN lead of the CTRL harness
- If the ART switch is Enabled, there cannot be speaker signal present on Input Channel 1 of the SPK IN input harness.
6.7.2 PROGRAMMABLE FUNCTIONS
When the DRC AC is connected to the AF bit, the bitDrive software detects its presence and makes the panel available to configure its functions. In the Features window (see sect. 6.6) there will be a third option to set the DRC AC as per picture below.
◼︎ Sleep mode: after 5 seconds without using the controller, all LEDs turn off except for one. The sleep mode is disabled as soon as the user comes back using the controller.
◼︎ Set LED brightness
◼︎ Programmable functions: the user can set up to 5 functions among
- Master Volume
- Source change
- Memory change
- Volume ZONE 1
- Volume ZONE 2
- Enable/Disable Final Tuning
- Sub group Volume
Important: at every change of the programmable functions, press the Finalize button to save the new settings into the DRC AC. Otherwise, the settings could be lost, and the system may not operate properly.
Once it has been configured, use the DRC AC as follows:
- Press the central part of the knob to move to the following function (among those that were enabled);
- Rotate the knob to change volumes;
- Press quickly two times the central part of the knob to change source, change memory and enable/disable the Final Tuning.
6.8 AUTOMATIC CHECK FOR UPDATES
In the Settings panel you can enable automatic checking for updates at startup (see section 2.2 INITIAL SETTINGS).
When this function is enabled, bit Drive checks for the latest versions of the software, amplifier firmware and DRC AC firmware on the Audison online portal when it starts.
IMPORTANT: An active Internet connection is required for update checking to work properly.
In case of availability, a notification appears on the right side at the bottom of the main screen.
Click on the popup to close it and, if you want to download the new release found, click on the icon
The following window will appear
Click on the link to access the Support section of the Audison website where all updates are available for download.