flexiverter FLX-AES50 AES50-to-anything Digital Audio Converter User Manual

FLX-AES50
AES50-to-anything
Digital Audio Converter
User’s Manual

QUICK REFERENCE

1. Power switch and “power good” indicators.
   LEDs light up blue when power is available on the respective port.

2. Mode indicators/selector. Long-press the “Select” button to change the audio routing between the interfaces. Wait four seconds to activate the selected mode.

3. Clock indicators/selector. Long-press the “Select” button to change the clock source and sample-rate. Wait four seconds to activate the selected mode.

4. AES50 ports A and B

5. AUX slot. Accepts optional card for standalone use

6. DIP switches, mostly to control output data format. See 7 . DIP Settings

7. USB port (firmware update only, no audio)

8. Redundant DC input ports

9. FlexLink: optional connection to second flexiverter, or to multiverter.

INTRODUCTION

2.1. Purpose
The FLX-AES50 device is a digital audio converter, providing two built-in AES50 interfaces (96×96 channels @ 48kHz) and additional slot for one AUX card. It can
be used in different setups, depending on the user’s needs:

• standalone, to convert between the built-in AES50 and an AUX card (AES50-to-anything)
• standalone in-line: signals are transparently passed between both AES50 ports and split to the AUX card (plug-in recording split), while maintaining stagebox remote control
• together with another flexiverter, connected via FlexLink (for up to 160×160 channels),
• together with the multiverter, connected via FlexLink. This provides remote control, channel-wise routing and SRC (Sample Rate Conversion).

For a detailed description of possible configurations see 3 . Possible Setups

2.2. Box Contents

• 1 FLX-AES50 Converter
• 1 HDMI cable 0.5m / 1.7 ft with locking screws
• 1 Power supply
• 1 Power cord (country specific)
• This manual

2.3. Conventions used in this manual

• A button on the front is shown like this: Mode or Clock
• A LED is shown like this: off / on / blinking

Filled circles with an exclamation mark indicates an action that must be performed (“Required”).
A section marked with an “information” icon indicates a useful tip.

POSSIBLE SETUPS

The device can be used in three different setups, shown below:

| flexiverter+AUX card| SETUP
Double-flexiverter| flexiverter+multiverter
---|---|---|---
| |
How it works| Converts between built-in interface and the AUX card, or splits AES50 to the AUX card.
For a list of AUX cards, see
3.1. Available AUX cards.| Devices are connected via FlexLink cable.
Converts between one
FLX(+AUX) and the other
FLX(+AUX).| Flexiverter connected to
multiverter via FlexLink
cable.
FLX(+AUX) serves as
extension to the MVR-64
Channels (all can be used at the same time)| 96×96 AES50 @ 48kHz
48×48 AES50 @ 96kHz
or maximum capacity of the
AUX card, whichever is less| 96×96 AES50 @ 48kHz
48×48 AES50 @ 96kHz
plus what the AUX cardprovides| 448×448 from multiverter plus 96×96 AES50 plus what the AUX card
provides
Redundant power supply| up to 2x| up to 3x| up to 3x
Battery-powered operation (DC 12-15V)| yes| yes| yes
Sample Rate Conversion| no| no| yes (with SRC-64 card in Multiverter)
Signal splitting| yes (to AUX or FlexLink)| yes (to AUX or FlexLink)| yes, to everything
Channel-wise routing| no| no| yes, via MVR-64 (web, telnet or serial terminal)
Remote control| no| no| yes, via MVR-64 (web, telnet or serial terminal)
Rack mount| 1U total| 1U total| 2U total

3.1. Available AUX cards
At the time of writing (2021-11), the following AUX cards are available. More will come, please check www.appsys.ch for updates.

3.2. Available FLX devices
At the time of writing (2021-11), the following FLX devices are available. More will come, please check www.appsys.ch for updates.

3.3. FlexLink connection
The FlexLink connection is designed to connect Flexiverters with each other, or with the Multiverter. It provides:

• 192×192 channels bi-directional transmission of 24-bit uncompressed audio (fully transparent to AES3 compatible metadata bits)
• Super-low link latency of 4 samples (ca. 83µs)
• Dedicated, high-quality reference clock signal with automatic configuration
• Power supply for connected devices (to reduce cabling), alternatively serves as redundancy scheme when both devices are powered: in case of power failure, both devices keep working from the remaining power supply.
• Uses standard HDMI cables (with locking screws), to provide easy field replacement in case of defects.

AUDIO ROUTING

The flexiverter can operate in various routing modes, allowing you to pass audio between the available interfaces in many different ways. The LEDs in the “MODE” section indicate the involved interfaces.

4.1. Modes and indication

#| Routing| Operation (Example)| Setup (blinking alternately)| Remarks
---|---|---|---|---
1| AES50 A+
AES50 B
(+AUX)

2 All incoming data is also split (output) to FlexLink: AES50 Port A is split to Lane 1 (ch1-64), AES50 Port B is split to Lane 2 (ch65-128) and AUX is split to Lane 3 (ch129-192). The split is not indicated on the LEDs for clarity but is always active.

• If the clock LEDs show red, make sure the clock mode is set correctly and a valid clock is supplied.
• If the clock LEDs show green, the clock is ok but the input is not detected. Check the respective connection.
red blinking| Interface is currently booting and not yet active
yellow blinking| Mode setting active: Alternately blinking LEDs indicate the interfaces between which data is converted; constant lit LEDs indicate splitting destinations.
Press MODE button again to cycle through available modes. After 4 seconds, the selected mode is applied automatically.

4.2. Selecting the Route Mode

•  Long-press the button until the LEDs are blinking yellow.
• Current routing mode is shown by alternately yellow blinking LEDs, indicating the interfaces where the signal is passed between.
• Press the button repeatedly to cycle between available modes, until the desired mode is shown.
• After four seconds without interaction, selection mode is terminated and the current setting comes into effect.

4.3. Remarks

• Routing between the selected interfaces is always bi-directional, meaning that audio is passed between them both ways. A working bi-directional link shows green for both interfaces. If the LED shows ⚪ white, the corresponding interface does only output data but no input on it has been detected. If the LED shows red, the interface is not connected, or the clock is invalid or missing.
• Channel-wise routing and splitting (crosspoint switch/matrix) between all channels is possible when the flexiverter is connected to a multiverter. Routing is then done via the multiverter’s web interface or via the command line.

CLOCK SETTINGS

5.1. Clock sources and indication
The flexiverter can be clocked from every interface (acting as clock slave), or can run on its internal clock (acting as clock master).

AES50 B
AUX
FlexLink| 44.1 kHz
**48 kHz
x2
x4|
AES50 Port B| AES50 A
****AES50 B
AUX
FlexLink| 44.1 kHz
**48 kHz
x2
x4|
Internal (“INT”)| AES50 A \ INT
AES50 B /
AUX
FlexLink| 44.1 kHz
**48 kHz
x2
x4| Flexiverter acts as clock master.
AUX| ** AES50 A
AES50 B
AUX
FlexLink| 44.1 kHz
48 kHz
x2
x4| Only available with AUX installed. AUX card acts as clock master.
Use an AUX-WORDCLOCK if you need BNC wordclock I/O.
FlexLink| AES50 A
AES50 B
AUX
FlexLink| 44.1 kHz
**48 kHz
**x2
x4| Clock is taken from the peer device (Flexiverter or Multiverter)
LED color| Meaning
---|---
off| Interface not active / not involved
**** green| Selected, locked and synced
red| No valid clock. No input connected or no master clock signal detected
yellow blinking| Clock setting active. Press CLOCK button to go to the next clock source.
After 4 seconds, selection mode is terminated and the selected mode comes into effect.

5.2. Selecting the Clock Source

• Long-press the button until the LEDs are blinking yellow.
• Current clock source/modes is shown by blinking LED(s).
• Press the button repeatedly to cycle between the available clock sources. Depending on the source, you might need to select the desired sample rate ( 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz) and/or the appropriate multipliers ( x2 / x4).
• After four seconds without interaction, clock setting is automatically terminated and the selected clock source comes into effect.

When the samplerate is incorrectly set (e.g. 48k with 96k data), unwanted effects (double samples, zero samples, channel crosstalk etc.) may occur and might not be noticed  immediately. Always double-check that the samplerate is set correctly on all involved devices!

ACCESSING INTERNALS

6.1. Opening the device

• Required: Torx T10 screwdriver.
• Power off the device and detach all cables to avoid short-circuit or damage.
• Detach the device from the rack-mount kit.
• Remove the four top screws and the top cover by pulling it upwards:

6.2. Inside view

1. Screws for AUX cover plate
2. AUX card connector

6.3. Installing AUX cards

• Remove the screws holding the cover plate, and the blank cover plate ➊
• Insert the AUX card from inside, using the supplied cover plate. Make sure it is correctly fitted to the card connector➋
• Secure the card using two cover screws ➊
• The card has been installed correctly if you are able to select an audio routing mode involving AUX (long-press MODE button to enter Route Mode Selection).

DIP SETTINGS

Fine-tuning of the flexiverter’s built-in interface behavior and of the AUX card can be achieved via DIP settings on the back side. Changing the DIP settings will come immediately into effect. Default setting: all switches up.
7.1. AES50 A+B channel mapping (DIP1)
Determines how AES50 ports are mapped to the 64 channels of the AUX card (has only an effect in routing modes #2 and #3):

| 48 channels from AES50 Port A+16 channels from AES50 Port B*
---|---
| 32 channels from AES50 Port A+32 channels from AES50 Port B

* Default setting
7.2. AUX channel location (DIP2)3
Determines how the AUX channels are mapped to the FlexLink interface (has only an effect in routing mode #1).

| FlexLink Lane 1 (ch1-64):| AES50 Port A (48 channels used)
---|---|---
FlexLink Lane 2 (ch65-128):| AES50 Port B (48 channels used)
AFlexLink Lane 3 (ch129-192):| AUX (up to 64ch)
| FlexLink Lane 1 (ch1-64):| AES50 Port A (48ch) + AUX (up to 16ch)
FlexLink Lane 2 (ch65-128):| AES50 Port B
AFlexLink Lane 3 (ch129-192):| not used

* Default setting
3 Available from firmware 1.1 on
7.3. AUX config (DIP4..6)
Many AUX card provide additional settings, which can be adjusted using these switches. The actual meaning depends on the type of AUX card installed:

AUX-ADAT| | Channels 1-8: ADAT format4| | Channels 9-16: ADAT format4| | AES3 (Professional)4 only for non-ADAT
---|---|---|---|---|---|---
| Channels 1-2: AES3/SPDIF format4| | Channels 9-10: AES3/SPDIF format4| | SPDIF (Consumer)4 only for non-ADAT
AUX-AES3| | Single Wire (full channel count at 48k, 96k and 192k),
---|---|---
  4 5 professional format for metadata
Double wire (half channel count), only in 96k and 192k modes
Quad wire (quarter channel count), only in 192k mode
Single wire, SPDIF (consumer) format for metadata
AUX-MADI-COAX AUX-MADI-OPTO AUX-MADI-SFP| | 96k frame4| | 64ch output4
---|---|---|---|---
| 48k frame4| 57ch (use for DiGiCo stagebox control)4
| 56ch output4
reserved
AUX- WORDCLOCK| | True to samplerate4
---|---|---
| Always x1 (single speed)4

* Default setting
For cards not listed, refer to the manual of the respective card, or check for a newer version of this manual.
4 Applies to outputs only. Input format is always auto-detected, regardless of the switch setting
7.4. FlexLink channel mapping (DIP7..9)
The FlexLink interface can transmit 192×192 channels, organized in three lanes with 64 channels each. The channel assignment can be adjusted to meet the user’s needs, particularly when the device is used in double-FLX configuration (to make sure that all interfaces and channels are mapped to the desired target on the peer FLX device).

DIP| Lane 1 (ch1-64)| Lane 2 (ch65-128)| Lane 3 (ch129-192)
---|---|---|---
| AES50 Port A| AES50 Port B| AUX
AES50 Port A| AUX| AES50 Port B
AES50 Port B| AES50 Port A| AUX
AES50 Port B| AUX| AES50 Port A
AUX| AES50 Port A| AES50 Port B
AUX| AES50 Port B| AES50 Port A

• Default setting

SPECIAL OPERATING MODES

Special operating modes are accessible by holding down the button while switching on the device. Press again to switch to the next mode:

8.1. Version Display

• The firmware version “X.Y” and the hardware version “Z” are shown on the LEDs on the front panel:
  – The number of pink LEDs lit indicate the major firmware number “X”
  – The number of orange LEDs lit indicate the minor firmware number “Y”
  – The number of green LEDs lit indicate the hardware version “Z”
  Example: One (1) pink LED and three (3) orange LEDs means “Firmware 1.3”, zero green LEDs mean HW version 0.

• Blinking LEDs mean that the currently installed firmware is a “beta” version. It is advised to upgrade to an official release version as soon as it is released.

• Press again to proceed to LED test.

8.2. LED Test

• All LEDs on the front and on the back should show ⚪ white.
• Press again to proceed to Interface Self-Test.

8.3. Interface Self-Test
All built-in interfaces and the optional AUX card can be tested for correct operation by the user. This is done using the special self-test mode, in which the device
outputs a special random test pattern on all channels. This pattern is looped back via an external cable into the corresponding inputs, where it is checked for consistency.

• Self-test mode is indicated with “CLOCK” showing INT/48kHz in cyan color. The “MODE” LEDs indicate red (error/no connection) or green (loopback data received ok) for the respective interface.
• Connect AES50 Port A to Port B using a standard Cat5 cable
• If an AUX card is installed, connect all output ports of the AUX card to the respective inputs using a loop-back cable. Note: NOT supported with AUXADC, AUX-AES67, AUX-AVB, AUX-DANTE.

8.4. Firmware update
The firmware can be updated from any Windows PC over the rear USB port.
▶ To update:

• Download the latest firmware from www.appsys.ch/FLX-AES50
• Unpack the firmware package FLX-AES50-Firmware_x.y.zip
• Connect your PC via USB to the flexiverter
• Power ON the device
• Run the FLX-AES50_Updater.bat file from the firmware package and follow the instructions on the screen.
• Power cycle the device to effect the update.

**** Thanks to the special design of the updater, it is virtually impossible to damage (“brick”) the device during update. If updating fails or is interrupted, restart the procedure. You can also can go back to any older firmware version at any time.

SPECIFICATIONS

(WxHxD) including device-side connectors/buttons
Weight| 560g
Operating temperature| 0..+55°C, non-condensing
Storage temperature| -40..+85°C, non-condensing
Power consumption| +15V DC, 9W max (18W to power two devices via FlexLink) Triple-redundant input (2x DC, 1x via FlexLink)
AES50 Ports| Compatible to Behringer/MIDAS implementations at 44.1/48kHz and 88.2/96kHz Forwarding of Behringer/MIDAS Stagebox Remote Control Data between A and B
Cable lengths| FlexLink| 1m/3ft. max. recommended
AES50| 100m/300 ft.
Channel count| 96×96 @ 48kHz
32×32 @ 96kHz,
plus additional AUX channels depending on AUX card
Sample rates| 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz
Latency| Conversion AES50 <> FlexLink: 4 samples
Conversion AES50 <> AUX: 4 samples plus AUX card latency (depending on AUX card)
Internal clock precision| Jitter: Phase RMS: <1ps, Peak-peak: <50ps.
Stability: ±25 ppm including all effects including aging, temperatur, supply, calibration, shock, vibration

ACCESSORIES

10.1. Rack mount kits
For integration in 19″ racks, two kinds of rack mount kits / brackets are available:

• RM-FLX1: For mounting one FLX device into 1U 19″ space
• RM-FLX2: For mounting two FLX devices into 1U 19″ space

10.2. Additional (redundant) power supply

• PWR-FLX: Additional power supply to provide redundancy for single-FLX configurations
• FlexLink Cable 0.5m. HDMI cable with locking screws

APPENDIX

11.1. Warranty
We offer a full two (2) year warranty from the date of purchase. Within this period, we repair or exchange your device free of charge in case of any defect*. If you experience any problems, please contact us first. We try hard to solve your problem as soon as possible, even after the warranty period.

• Not covered by the warranty are any damages resulting out of improper use, willful damage, normal wear-out (especially of the connectors) or connection with incompatible devices.
  11.2. Manufacturer contact

Appsys ProAudio
Rolf Eichenseher
Bullingerstr. 63 / BK241
CH-8004 Zürich
Switzerland| www.appsys.ch
info@appsys.ch
Phone: +41 43 537 28 51
Mobile: +41 76 747 07 42
---|---

11.3.  FCC Compliance
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

This equipment has been verified to comply with the limits for a class B computing device, pursuant to FCC Rules. In order to maintain compliance with FCC regulations, shielded cables must be used with this equipment. Operation with nonapproved equipment or unshielded cables is likely to result in interference to radio and TV reception. The user is cautioned that changes and modifications made to the equipment without the approval of manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
11.4. Recycling
** According to EU directive 2002/96/EU, electronic devices with a crossed-out dustbin may not be disposed into normal domestic waste. Please return the products back for environment-friendly recycling, we’ll refund you the shipping fees.
11.5. Document Revision History
2: Added DIP2 settings
1: Initial release
11.6. About this document
All trademarks mentioned in this document are property of the respective owners.
All information provided here is subject to change without prior notice.
Document Revision: 2 · 2022-03-18
Copyright © 2021 Appsys ProAudio · Printed in Switzerland
IDENT 9.00.16144.00
Declaration of Conformity
The manufacturer:
Appsys ProAudio
Rolf Eichenseher
Bullingerstr. 63 BK 241
CH-8004 Zürich
Switzerland
declares under sole responsibility that the products mentioned below:
Flexiverter FLX-AES50**
meet the requirements of the following standards:
EN 55024:2010
EN 55032:2015 Class B
EN 61000-3-2:2006/A1/A2:2009
EN 61000-3-3:2009
EN 61000-6-3:2007/A1:2011
Therefore the product fulfills the demand of the following EC directives:
73/23/EWG
(Directive related to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits)
89/336/EWG
(Directive related to electromagnetic compatibility)
The devices are marked accordingly.
Zürich, 21.11.2021

Rolf Eichenseher (CEO)

References

• News
• News
• FLX-AES50

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