Sharc Attack DSP Audio Processor
Supervisor/vTools Manual Part 1
Individual Audio Engines are configured using AEConfig software. Each input and output on each Audio Engine can be labeled, and its properties defined. In a stand-alone studio this is all that’s required, but in a multi-studio system, Logitek’s Supervisor software co-ordinates operations and commands between Engines and monitors and distributes serial data connections between Engines and other serially controlled devices. Supervisor software runs on a Windows PC that is attached to all the Logitek Audio Engines. Implementation of the software is such that all essential console functions will continue even if the PC fails. Your on-air product is never at risk from computer-related failures.
Supervisor also allows you to monitor all activities on all Audio Engines and make active changes to operational parameters of console Control Surfaces from the Supervisor screen. You can also monitor all software client connections to Supervisor and the Audio Engines. You can now have full control over all audio and actions including metering audio without leaving your Master Control area with Supervisor.
Serial data streams can also be switched, routed and distributed by Supervisor. One serial data stream can be routed to another serial port or routed to up to 5 ports at once. Supervisor can allow easy configuration access to multiple Audio Engines so there is no need to connect to each Engine individually for configuration programming.
Supervisor executes commands created by the Command Builder software which is a scripting type command writer. Users can use the Command Builder to create custom commands and actions, even custom menus and displays on the Numix, which can be activated by any console function or many external events as well. These custom commands can also include serial data commands to external devices. Supervisor could command a satellite receiver to change channels by a serial command port for example (depending on the capability of the receiver). Or Supervisor could put your hard disk recorder into record mode, switch mix-minus to a cue or Aux bus and turn on the phone hybrid all with a single button press. Press the button again and the recorder turns off, mix-minus returns to normal, and the hybrid turns off.
Command Builder creates “Trigger Event” files, which Supervisor will monitor and execute. Using a scripting language similar to Pascal or Basic, custom commands, menus and functions can be created by the user to meet changing needs and requirements. Conditional triggers can be implemented (if/then) so that a custom function will only occur under certain circumstances. Command Builder brings the power and flexibility of the Audio Engine platform within reach of station technical personnel.
As an extra bonus, the Supervisor Software package also includes vRoute and vButton software modules.
Although Supervisor can run under a lower specification, the following is provided as the recommended minimum under new or recent hardware.
It is possible to run other Logitek applications on the Supervisor PC, to assist with configuration updates and testing. However, as a general rule the Supervisor PC should be dedicated to its task, and should not be running other processes that may consume CPU time and memory.
Be aware that a variety of third party utilities, including security applications, can impact on the performance of a PC. While Windows NT based systems are much better at multitasking than the 9x platform, it is still possible for other processes to consume resources to the point where system performance is noticeably degraded. Please exercise caution in installing additional utilities on your Supervisor PC, and don’t install anything that isn’t absolutely necessary.