Rane NM 48 - Manual

Manual-1
OPERATORS MANUAL NM 48
NETWORK PREAMPLIFIER
WEAR PARTS: This product contains no wear parts.
CobraNet is a trademark of Peak Audio, Inc.
Quick Start
Ok, if you’ve read the NM 84 manual you might get a sense of déjà vu when you read this one. Maybe not quite as
strong as if you were watching another Adam Sandler movie, but déjà vu just the same. The reason for the similarity is that
the complicated stuff (network design) is such a large part of the installation. This is basically the same for both units.
First, design the network – a dedicated network for CobraNet audio is recommended, but not required when using
switch-based networks. The NM 48’s CobraNet technology utilizes standard 100Base-T Ethernet hardware. For CobraNet
and network design assistance and a list of other CobraNet licensed and tested devices, visit www.peakaudio.com/cobranet.
Rear Panel. Connect up to 4 line-level, analog audio inputs to the XLR INPUTS. Each of the eight OUTPUTS can
independently receive any of the 4 Local Input audio channels or any single Audio Channel from one of four CobraNet
Bundles from 1 through 999, plus off/none. Connect the network cable to the 100Base-T RJ-45 jack. The RS-232 jack
transports RS-232 data over the network to other NM, RS-232 device ports. The RS-232 port does not provide control of the
NM 48. Connect contact closures to the MEMORY RECALL PORT (MRP) to recall Memories on this device or any
other NM device(s) connected on the same network. Connect the locking 5-pin DIN jack on the enclosed RS 3 power supply
to the NM 48 POWER connector. The RS 3 power supply does indeed connect earth ground – the 3
rd pin of the AC line
cord – to the NM 48 chassis metal. Depressing the recessed FP LOCK (Front Panel Lock) button at this point disallows
further front panel setup, so only press this button in once you’re completely done setting up the NM 48.
Front Panel. There are 14 LCD screens allowing access to all NM 48 parameters. The first eight LCD screens set up the
Outputs; Output 1: through Output 8:, respectively. Each of the 8 Outputs can receive any of the local Input channels or
any CobraNet Audio Channel from one of four Bundles. Use the Copy field to copy and paste between the various screens.
The next screen allows the Inputs; Input 1: through Input 4:, to be turned On or Muted.
The NetRx: LCD edit page sets up the four possible CobraNet Bundles (Bndl) that the NM 48 can receive from the
network; use NetRx’s Bndl A, Bndl B, Bndl C and Bndl D fields to set the received Bundle(s).
The four NM 48 Input audio channels can be transmitted on up to 4 different CobraNet Bundles. Each of the 4 Bundles
contains all four Input audio channels and are transmitted in 24-bit resolution. CobraNet designates each of the four, Audio
Channels (i.e.,
AudCh 1 through AudCh 4, respectively). The Network Transmit LCD screen (NetTx) allows selection of
the four Bundles to transmit, each of which are independently assignable to one of the 999 Bundles using the four NetTx
fields; Bndl A, Bndl B, Bndl C and Bndl D.
The Mem (Memory) LCD screen allows 16 unique NM 48 setups to be stored and recalled in the 16 memory locations.
Additionally, the NM 48’s MRP status can be transmitted over the network for other NM devices to “listen to.” Set the
MRP Tx (MRP Transmit) and MRP Rx (MRP Receive) fields for any or none of the 16 available MRP channels. The Serial:
LCD screen sets the RS-232 serial port’s
Baud rate and the 232 Tx and 232 Rx fields which set the transmit and receive
RS-232 channels. There are 255 serial data channels available for transport over the network.
The final Config: LCD screen displays the current/editable IP Address and the editable Name of the NM 48 device (8
characters max). Set the IP address to 0.0.0.0 (the default) to enable CobraNet’s Discovery Utility (Disco) to dynamically
assign the IP address. Peak Audio’s Discovery Utility allows you to plug into a CobraNet network with a standard Ethernet
computer card (NIC) and discover all of the CobraNet devices on the network. The Disco software utility has the ability to
dynamically assign IP addresses as well as update CobraNet firmware on the discovered CobraNet devices. Disco is
available from www.peakaudio.com/cobranet as well as many music retailers which carry The Village People, KC & the
Sunshine Band, Wild Cherry and the like.
Do yourself a favor and at least read the Important Big Picture Concepts section found elsewhere in this manual.
Reviewing the Network Examples provides insight into a logical order for design work and would also be a way to avoid
initial confusion.