This file contains the latest information on Crossmax and on the latest firmware for the DSP 244 !

 

(last update: 21.07.2004, Release V3.00)

 

Table of contents

 

1.      System Requirements

2.      Installation

3.      Connection PC <-> Unit

4.      Sending a new firmware to the unit

5.      Updates

6.      Important Notes

7.      Crossmax Revision History

8.      DSP 244 firmware Revision History

9.      Contact

 

 

1. System Requirements

 

·        PC computer system with Pentium (at least) 166 MHz

·        Microsoft Windows 98 / Me / 2000 / XP or Windows NT 4.x or higher

·        128 MB RAM

·        Hard disk with at least 5 MB of free space available

·        CD-ROM drive

·        Mouse

·        VGA-monitor screen (1024 x 768)

·        Graphic card, 256 colours

·        COM-port or USB-port for RS-232 or RS-485 Communication

·        MIDI-Port for MIDI Communication

 

 

2. Installation

 

If you are running Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP you have to be the PC’s administrator to install Crossmax.

Installation from DC-ROM drive:

·        Insert the CD into CD-ROM drive

·        Run the setup program ( “xmax_300.exe” )

·        Follow the setup notes

 

3. Connection PC <-> Unit

 

Generally, the editor software runs without the need of a DSP 244 being connected. For remote controlling a DSP 244 via PC please observe the following steps when establishing the connection:

 

RS-232-Communication:

 

·        Examine which of your computer's COM-ports is accessible and not assigned to another application or external device. Crossmax allows to select COM1 to COM8.

·        Use the supplied serial cable to connect the chosen COM-port and the RS-232 port on the DSP 244. In case the COM-port of your computer is not carried out as a 9-pole D-sub connector, please consult your local supplier for computer accessories to get a fitting adapter.

·        If you have not COM port on your computer, it is possible to use USB to RS-232 converter to communicate with the device. In that case, you need to examine on which COM-port is converter installed and select that port for communication. Use the serial cable to connect the device and converter, and another cable to connect the converter and PC.

 

RS-485-Communication:

 

·        Make sure your units have installed a firmware version 2.01 or higher. If not, you have to update the firmware using RS-232, first !

·        Make sure that you have installed the RS-485 board in your DSP 244 unit(s).

·        Examine which of your computer's USB- or COM-ports is accessible and not assigned to another application or external device. Crossmax allows to select COM1 to COM8.

·        If you use a USB / RS-485 Converter connect it to the USB-port. In Crossmax choose RS-485-Setup in the Remote-Menu and select the COM-port assigned to the USB / RS-485 Converter. (Read more about USB / RS-485 Converters in chapter 6)

·        If you use a RS-232 / RS-485 Converter connect it to the COM-port. In Crossmax choose RS-485-Setup in the Remote-Menu and configure the COM-port due to the converter’s manual.

·        Connect the RS-485 converter with the RS-485 port of the unit(s). If you have the DCN 485 you can use a standard twisted-pair Microphone-Cable. The DCN 485 is powered from a PC’s standard PS/2 port. Connect the converter’s PS/2 plug to a free PS/2 socket of your PC. If all your PS/2 ports are in use already (e.g. for the keyboard or mouse) you can then plug the keyboard or mouse to the DCN 485.

·        Make sure, that the units’ RS-485 IDs matches with the software’s RS-485 IDs. Otherwise the communication won’t work.

 

MIDI-Communication:

 

·        Connect the PC's MIDI-Out port with the unit's MIDI-In port and vice versa. Be aware that both cables have to be connected, otherwise you'll get a "Communication Error".

·        Make sure, that the unit’s MIDI Rx channel matches with the software’s MIDI Tx channel. Otherwise the communication won’t work.

           

 

4. Sending a new firmware to the unit

 

Crossmax comes with the latest firmware. After installation, the firmware can be found in the folder “Crossmax\OS”. Generally, it is strongly recommended, always to use the latest version of the firmware. This chapter describes, how to send a firmware to the unit. Your User Presets will not be erased !

 

·        Check out our homepage for the latest firmware and store it in the "OS"-directory that has been created, when the Editor was installed.

·        Unzip that file, also into that "OS"-directory.

·        Connect your PC with a single unit via RS-232 or to several units via RS-485 as described in chapter 3.

·        Start Crossmax

·        In the "Remote"-Menu, select "Send firmware to unit" and choose "RS-232" or “RS-485” in the additional menu, that will pop up.

·        Choose the appropriate firmware-file by double-clicking it and follow the messages that will appear on the screen, now. The display of the unit keeps clear while data-transfer.

 

When sending a new firmware to the unit and this process fails or has been interrupted, the unit may not work anymore. In that condition, the unit starts up in a so called Bootload-Mode. The Display stays clear in that mode! Please check all connections to be done. Then turn the unit off and on again and try again to send the firmware. If even that doesn't help, please contact EVI Audio.

 

           

5. Updates

 

To get the latest version of Crossmax or of the unit's firmware, check out our homepage:

 

www.dynacord.de

 

 

6. Important Notes

 

6.1 USB-Interface to Serial Port Converter’s

There are two serial ports available for the units – a RS-232 port as standard interface and a RS-485 port as optional interface. The RS-232 interface should be used when controlling just one unit and for short cable runs. The RS-485 interface should be used when controlling more units (up to 31) and for long cable runs as it is a balanced interface.

To accommodate the possibilities on current computers, we support both USB-to-RS-232 and USB-to-RS485 interfaces. For USB-to-RS485 converters a PC software version V2.10 or higher is needed.

 

A) USB to Serial RS-232 Interface

This interface provides a RS-232 port from a USB laptop. The following converters have been tested successfully with PC software versions V2.06 and higher:

 

VISION SYSTEMS Vscom USB-COM, USB Serial Adapter

VISION SYSTEMS Vscom USB-2COM, USB Dual Serial Adapter

VISION SYSTEMS Vscom 232 PCMCIA, PCMCIA Card with 2 RS232 ports

More information can be found at:

http://www.visionsystems.de

 

SPECTRA PCA-70119, USB to RS232 Serial Bridge cable

More information can be found at:

http://www.spectra.de/newsdata/Bestellblatt-PCA-70119A-neu.pdf

 

DIGITUS DA 70119, USB-RS232 Adapter

More information can be found at:

http://www.digitus.de/international/index.htm

 

LASCAR ELECTRONICS USB2serial Converter

More information can be found at:

http://www.lascar.com

 

 

B) USB to Serial RS-485 Interface

This interfaces provide a RS-485 port from a USB laptop. The following converters have been tested successfully with PC software versions V2.10 and higher:

 

ICPCON I-7561  USB to RS-232/485 Converter

This is a converter for transferring serial data over USB. It allows you to connect your serial devices to a PC USB interface and it provides a RS-232 port and a RS-485 port within one converter. The output ports are provided on barrier strip terminals on the box. The wiring diagram below shows the pin assignments for RS-485 and for RS-232 interface cables.

 

           

More ICPCON information can be found at:

http://www.spectra.de/

http://www.icpdas.com/products/7000/i-7561.htm

 

 

VISION SYSTEMS USB-COMi-SI  USB to RS-485 Converter

This is a converter for transferring serial data over USB with optical isolation. Connecting to a USB port on your computer it provides a serial RS-485 port on a DB9 male connector. The following drawing shows the interface cable from DB9 to XLR.

 

          

More USB-COMi-SI information can be found at:

http://www.visionsystems.de/produkte/623.html

 

The solutions outlined above have been tested with PC software version V2.10 on Windows 98, 2000 and XP. Other interfaces may work also, but these are the ones we have tested and would recommend. If you wish to use a different interface, or are a manufacturer who would like to supply a unit for evaluation, please contact us.

 

 

6.2 Disabling the FIFO-Buffer ( when using DCN 485 Converter ):

 

For the RS-485 communication to work proper with the DCN 485 Converter it is necessary to disable the COM-Port’s FIFO-Buffer

 

Win 95/98/Me:

 

 

Win NT:

 

 

Win 2000:

 

 

Win XP:

 

 

 

6.3 Encoder Type

 

In some cases, a problem due to the encoder may occur when upgrading the firmware to a version newer than 1.02. If the encoder behaves wrong and needs two steps for one value increment or decrement, you can get rid of that problem by stepping through the service procedure as described in the following:

 

·        Press the right SELECT button and the EDIT button simultaneously while switching power on. The unit will start in the SERVICE MODE.

·        Step through the test menu using the SELECT button until you get to "ENCODER TYPE".

·        Push RECALL, the unit will show "STEPS/DETENT 1" or STEPS/DETENT 2".

·        Change with encoder to the different selection "STEPS/DETENT 1" or STEPS/DETENT 2", respectively.

·        Press RECALL again and turn off the unit.

 

When turning the unit on again, the encoder should work the way it is supposed to.

 

 

6.4 Appearance

 

If Crossmax does not look the way it is supposed to, you may have old windows system files in your PC. Please launch the "40comupd.exe" file located in your Windows-System-Directory.

 

 

7. Crossmax Revision History

 

Version 3.00

 

·        In order to protect equipment , synchronization between PC and Device is now under the following rules :

1.      Remote control of an existing PA system:

Open Crossmax and select “RS-232 Remote” or “RS-485 Remote from the File menu. When going online with RS-232 or RS-485, data will always be sent FROM DEVICE(s) to PC.

2.      Configure a PA system with existing project data from PC:

Start Crossmax and open an existing project file in the File menu. When going online the first time, data will be sent FROM PC to DEVICE(s) and stored in User Memory 30 by default. The User can select another memory location in the online dialogue. After that, if the user goes offline and then online again, data will be sent from DEVICE(s) to PC. If user wants to send data one more time to device(s), the opened project must be saved and closed, then opened again. Then, by going online, user can send data to unit(s) again.

3.      Create a new project file:

If the User creates a new project, then is not possible to go online immediately. The new project must be saved, and then it will be treated as existing project. In this case, synchronization is like in previous case, of course.

·        New Firmware Version V3.21 included: When PC communicates with device via RS-232, device’s front panel operation (buttons, rotary encoder) is locked (like with RS-485). This means that it is not possible to operate the device from the front panel when online.

·        New remote features added – just select “RS-232 Remote” or “RS-485 Remote” to get information on device(s) and firmware version(s) on the network.

 

 

Version 2.10

 

·        New Factory Presets are included

·        New Firmware Version included

·        USB Interface implemented

·        Firmware Upload improved (connection checking, information about current firmware version provided, selecting devices when sending Firmware via RS-485)

·        RS-232 Remote improved (when going online, it is possible to synchronize data between PC and Device)

·        Mute (channel mute and master mute) improved, working faster and more reliable.

·        Bug fix: Program Names stored correctly now

·        Bug fix: Going Offline with Save now works properly

 

Version 2.07

 

·        In the Big Bode Window the Channel Names do not overwrite themselves anymore

·        Choosing “close” from the File Menu works proper now

 

Version 2.06

 

·        New Presets for the COBRA -Systems are included

·        The terms “upload” and “download” are used correctly, now

·        Several superflous messages do not appear anymore

·        Bug fix: Crossmax can now be closed properly in any situation

·        Bug fix: When deleting single devices from a multi device project no wrong data gets lost

·        Bug fix: When storing a User Preset into the unit, the program change menu is updated now

·        Bug fix: Saving a preset using right-click on a device, the speaker data are also appended to the preset data

·        Bug fix: When using master mute or a mute button on a virtual device, the mute button state is now updated in any dialog

·        Bug fix: In a printout all delay times and distances are shown exactly the same as in the dialogs

·        Bug fix: The master EQ’s are now correctly taken into the calculation of the bodeplot

·        Bug fix: In master delay, us values can now be typed in properly

 

Version 2.04

 

·        COBRA Preset (F05) has been updated

 

Version 2.03

 

·        New: Included a preset file for the COBRA System (F05)

·        Bug fix: Loading a “*.244” file works now also by right clicking a device and choosing the appropriate menu entry

·        Bug fix: A “*.244” does not cause Crossmax to crash anymore when clicking around in the configuration window

 

Version 2.02

 

·        New: Saving a project now always includes the components

·        New: Printout prints an additional  “Project Page”

·        Bug fix: No data is lost anymore when downloading it to the devices using RS-485

·        Bug fix: Saving and loading of projects works proper now

·        Bug fix: Receiving of RS-232 data does not disturb the Crossover dialog anymore

·        Bug fix: Crossmax doesn’t crash anymore when storing a program to the unit with a different name

·        Bug fix: The Dynamics Graphs do not disappear anymore

·        Bug fix: The Mute Buttons do not disappear anymore when being online

·        Bug fix: Uploading a project from units with group ids different to 0 works correct now

 

Version 2.01

 

·        Bug fix: Copy/Paste works proper now regarding channel delays

·        Bug fix: Deleting a single device out of a bunch of devices works proper now

·        Bug fix: When adding a device to a group, the data are copied to this device correctly now

·        Bug fix: Saving and loading of a project with multiple devices works proper now

·        Bug fix: Crossmax doesn’t crash anymore after finishing a firmware update via RS-485

·        Bug fix: Double-clicking a Crossmax-file opens the software proper now

·        Bug fix: Print caused a crash  on some machines

·        Bug fix: When loading a project, the RS-485 Ids are correctly recovered now

 

Version 2.00

 

·        New Feature: Rs-485 network support

·        New Feature: Copy & Paste support for signal blocks or whole In- or Outputs

·        Bug fix: Attacktime- and Releasetime limits of the Compressor/Limiter section now match to those of the DSP 244

·        Bug fix: MIDI Tx Channel work proper now

·        Bug fix: Elder editor files can be opened now, too

·        Change: SPL-Distribution is now drawn in absolute values

·        Bug fix: Got rid of a communication error that occurred sometimes, when a whole program was downloaded

·        Bug fix: Bypass of Limiters and Compressors aren’t ignored anymore when sent to the DSP 244

·        Bug fix: Allpass filters of 2nd order are now sent correctly to the DSP 244

·        Bug fix: RS-232 communication works proper now with Windows 2000

·        Bug fix: MIDI communication works proper now with Windows 2000

 

Version 1.01

 

·        Firmware version 1.19 included

·        Got rid of “dead” menu entries

·        Bug fix: X-Over frequencies are not editable anymore, when the filter is set to thru

 

Version 1.00

 

·        first release

 

8. DSP 244 firmware Revision History

 

Version 3.21

 

·        New: if DSP244 works online via RS-232, the device’s front panel is locked ( controlling device possible only with Crossmax )

 

Version 3.20

 

·        New and updated Factory Presets

·        Limiter Hold Time set to 0 ms

 

Version 2.05

 

·        COBRA Preset (F05) has been updated

·        New COBRA Presets (F06 – F09) have been added

 

Version 2.04

 

·        COBRA Preset (F05) has been updated

·        The DSP244 does not reset anymore when a Program Change is performed using MIDI

 

Version 2.03

 

·        New: Included a preset file for the COBRA System (F05)

 

Version 2.02

 

·        Bug fix: MIDI now works together with the contact closure option

 

Version 2.01

 

·        New: RS-485 Network Support

·        Bug fix: Midi-Tx-Channel does not reset the DSP 244 anymore

 

Version 1.19

 

·        New DSP-program for increased RAM access time.

 

Version 1.18

 

·        Config is stored with user program as long the routing is not changed. New service-mode intro.

 

Version 1.17

 

·        Bug fix: Master Delay in unit feet was not editable if set to 2ft.

·        Program names are listed to the PC Editor Software.

 

Version 1.16

 

·        Delay Edit revised. (Temperature  calculation, fractional display for small delay values).

·        New feature: If the current program is changed, a modified-flag, displayed as a letter "E" (edited) blinks in the upper right corner of the display.

·        Revision number now synchronized with editor version

 

Version 1.05

 

·        No user-relevant changes have been done.

 

Version 1.03

 

·        When sending a parameter set to the editor, also the mutes are transmitted, now.

 

Version 1.02

 

·        Bug fix: Limiter thresh levels below -24dB have been inaccurate in case of positive output level settings.

·        New feature: VU-Meter-communication between unit and editor.

·        New feature: The Output levels now can be changed relatively.

 

Version 1.01

 

·        Bug fix: The Unit now can be unlocked without any problems.

 

Version 1.00

 

·        Bug fix: Program names are limited to 16 characters. Program names will be truncated automatically if too long.

·        Receive Buffer improved.

·        New: Temperature Unit (Fahrenheit), LOCK with security confirmation.

·        MIDI SYSEX Implementation: Program Dump, Parameter Link.

·        MIDI Program Change for User and Factory Programs.

·        Contact Closure support.

·        Option mode cosmetics.

 

Version 0.96

 

·        Improved offset handling for Gain Ranging. Now no slight click after test signals anymore.

·        Editing of level settings does not affect the MUTE status.

·        Added: MIDI program change for user programs.

 

Version 0.93

 

·        Bug fix: SMUTE initialize (Converter mute)

 

Version 0.92

 

·        First delivery. Midi not yet functional. Delivery with RS232 option.

 

 

9. Contact

 

EVI Audio GmbH

Hirschberger Ring 45

D-94315 Straubing

Phone: +49(0)9421/7060

Fax: +49(0)9421/706265

 

Support: support.digital@telex.de