Model 76DA/77 User Guide Issue 9, May 2014
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 5
for Surround
Introduction
What This User Guide Covers
This User Guide is designed to assist
you when installing and using the Model
76DA Central Controller and one or more
associated Model 77 or Model 71 Control
Consoles.
Overview
As creating and distributing multi-channel
surround (5.1) and stereo audio mate-
rial has become a day-to-day reality, the
ability to simply and effectively monitor
these sources is imperative for recording,
post-production, and broadcast facilities.
And with audio-with-picture applications
becoming so prevalent, additional monitor-
ing challenges have arisen. Studio Tech-
nologies has addressed these needs with
the StudioComm for Surround Model 76DA
Central Controller and the Model 77 and
Model 71 Control Consoles. With digital
audio inputs, digital and analog monitor
outputs, support for multiple user control
surfaces, and an extensive set of operating
resources it’s a simple task to integrate a
monitoring system into virtually any facility.
The carefully selected group of features,
including surround and stereo inputs, con-
figurable input-signal time delay, multiple
pre- and post-fader outputs, configurable
downmix and mute/solo functions, and bass
management, along with a multi-format
sync input, make the system powerful yet
simple to operate. And by using the best of
contemporary technology, as well as follow-
ing rigorous design practices, the system’s
audio quality is excellent.
A StudioComm for Surround system starts
with the Model 77 Control Console. It’s the
system’s “command center” and is designed
to reside at an operator’s location, allow-
ing fingertip selection of all monitoring
functions. Numerous LED indicators pro-
vide complete status information. A 4-digit
numeric display indicates the post-fader
monitor output level in real time. A major
strength of the Model 77 is its ability to
configure, under software control, many
important operating parameters. Intended
for secondary monitoring locations, the
Model 71 Control Console is a compact
user control surface. It provides three of
the most basic functions: a rotary level
control, dim on/off button, and reference
level on/off button.
While many installations will use only one
Model 77 Control Console, up to three
additional Model 77 or Model 71 Control
Consoles can also be connected. This
provides multiple users with full control
over a facility’s monitor system. And to
make installation simple, the Model 76DA
provides power for all connected Model 77
or Model 71 units.
The core of this StudioComm for Surround
system is the Model 76DA Central Con-
troller. The one-rack-space unit contains
circuitry that supports digital audio inputs,
digital and analog monitor outputs, pro-
cessing, and the user interface. The Model
76DA provides two surround (5.1) and
three stereo digital audio inputs. These
unbalanced digital inputs are AES3/
SMPTE 276M-compliant; sources of this
type are ubiquitous in most post-produc-
tion and broadcast environments. The in-
puts allow a sample rate of up to 192 kHz
and a bit depth of up to 24 to be directly
supported. Circuitry associated with one
of the stereo inputs provides sample rate
conversion (SRC) capability, allowing a
wide range of digital audio sources to be
monitored. Up to 340 milliseconds of input
