TMC-1 Penta 7.1.4 Case Study

The TMC1-Penta provides a framework to build your own monitor system, to design your
system you will need to specify the input/output data and the speaker groups as follows

1)  Map out the speakers

2)  Map out the Input and Output connections

Note the +10dB gain on the Dolby Return to remove any Level differences
between monitoring direct or through the RMU

3) Label modules in TMC1-Penta program and set Maximum channel count if not defined. As
an option you can add the Offset for each input

4) Label Speakers and assign channels

Note: The surround channels are checked in the corresponding Surround Column. This
allows the speakers to be assigned to the correct source when 7.1 or 5.1 are selected. To
use the LFE as a bass extension to the surround channels check the appropriate output in
the LFE column.

5) Assign Input name and channels for RMU 7.1.4 Outputs. Every surround speaker is
individually assigned

6) Assign Input name and channels for direct 5.1 and 7.1 outputs from Pro Tools,

Note. Only the main surround inputs are defined the 7.1 switch can the enable the extra surround speakers. Alternatively you can assign the extra surround speakers for 7.1 so that they are always used. 

S6 panel for TMC-1

The TMC-1 has joined the PD-1 by being available in a Avid S6 Module, the PD-1 is in a S6 Fader size module, the TMC-1 in a S6 knob size module.

Connecting the TMC-1 GP inputs to the S6 GP Outputs you can connect the S6 talkback controls to the TMC-1 and enable auto-talkback  alternatively the TMC-1-Penta will emulate a XMon for control from the S6 or D-Command.

TMC-1-Penta-S6 (Click on image to enlarge)
I kept the controls at the bottom of the panel for two reasons

• To keep them as close as possible to the operator
• To allow space for the connectors at the rear

7.1.4 using the TMC-1 and DAD-AX32 or Avid MTRX

This week I installed the TMC-1-Penta with a Dolby RMU, although there were one or two problems the system worked correctly. I will be modifying the TMC-1 software to provide more elegant solutions to the problems found. My to-do list has become bigger!

The last problem was interesting, as you can see from the signal flow diagram below there is a 10dB loss in the signal passing through the RMU to allow headroom for the speaker equaliser. This causes a problem when switching from 7.1.4 from the RMU to 7.1 or 5.1 from Protools.

7.1.4 and 7.1/5.1 Signal Flow (Click on image to enlarge)

10 dB of gain is added to the RMU return to make up for the 10dB attenuation through the RMU. The TMC-1 originally configured the Penta 720 with unity gain for 85 dB spl, to ensure that the speaker outputs do not clip a 10dB loss is inserted in the NTP Penta Output, This will also allow for internal summing and where digital outputs are used external equalisers.

Stress testing the TMC-1-Penta, The New D-Command Interface

Stress Tests
Last week I went to see NTP at Copenhagen in order to stress test the TMC-1-Penta Ethernet connection to prove that the connection between the TMC-1 and DAD AX32 would remain working under high load conditions. I am happy to say the the TMC-1 performed well. Even when I forced a disconnection the  TMC-1 reconnected gracefully and continued working.

The New D-Command Interface
On my return trip the flight was delayed (as usual) I used the time to prepare the software required to connect the TMC-1 as an interface between the  DAD AX32 and the Avid D-Command console or even S6 console. I finished and tested the software this week using a TMC-1-XMon to emulate the D-Command. There are no tallies in the X-Mon protocol but the meters are visible on both and all commands from the D-Command work as expected. A Tx-Rx Invert cable is required to link the 15pin 'D' connectors on the D-Command and the TMC, I will a add the details to the TMC-1-Penta Manual next week after I have installed this system in a 7.1.4 room at Pinewood.

Requests for more user functions on the TMC-1

First an apology: There was a bug in the initial postings of the latest TMC-1 software. This has now been corrected, it was only up for a few hours.

As soon as I increase functionality on the TMC-1 or any other product I get requests for even more. I am not complaining though, I am happy that customers are using the unit and are providing feedback. Owen who runs The Bridge Sound and Stage has provided me with good feedback on using the TMC-1 in a stereo music environment. As I have not worked in music studios for 30 years I needed it! Below is a screenshot from the TMC-1 configuration tool showings Owen's current keyboard layout. Hopefully I will be able to update this in the future - Owen has also promised photo's of his studio.

RM-6 - Print Master function and TFT Remote

The RM-6 is an established design and it is unusual to make major upgrades after over 13 years.

The Print Master function was added to the PD-1 after about 1 year, the function is simple, define one or more stems as a Print masters. If any stem enters record the printmaster stems also enters record, the Print master stems go out of record when all other tracks drop out of record. Thus any modification made to a stem is also recorded on the print master stem.

Not all consoles include the print master function in their Pec/Direct panel, to overcome this problem I added the printmaster function to the RM-6. At the same time I had to add a Printmaster macro to CBServer, CBServer3, and the new TFT Remote control for the RM-6. To enable/disable the printmaster setting is very simple.

To Enable:
1) Stop
2) Arm the print master tracks
3) Depress the Print master Macro Key
 the Print master macro key will illuminate and  the armed tracks will turn off.

To Disable
With no tracks armed depress the Print Master key

TFT Remote
We have now supplied 7 TFT panels 5 to upgrade existing RM-6 installations and 2 with a new RM-6 installation. The TFT-Remote is very versatile and can be used with existing remote panels, with CBServer and CBServer3. Multiple remotes can be used with the RM-6. The panel below includes 18 TFT keys, there advantage is that not only can the text displayed be changed with function but the illumination intensity and colour are also prograable.

TMC-1 major s/w update

When showing the TMC-1 to possible customers it became evident that there were many different requirements from a stereo music studio,  7.1 and even 80 channel Atmos and Auro.

To cope with this we have made the TMC-1 keyboard and display more user programable as well as providing a new Mac/Windows programming tool. The reaction from beta testers is very favourable.

Here is the new meters screen, all 8 of the keys below the screen are programable, their function is displayed at the bottom of the screen. `you cam also see the new input selection indicator.

Here is the Mac/Windows user key and naming screens