Waveplayer 8 Channel Audio Player User Manual

Wave player 8 Channel Audio Player

Product Information

Specifications

• File Format : RIFF WAV (PCM and WAVEX variants)
• Supported Audio Programs : All well-known audio programs, Audacity recommended
• SD Card Compatibility : Compatible with all SD cards
• Supported Channels: 1-8 channels
• Bit Depth: 16-bit or 24-bit
• Supported Sample Frequencies: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, and 48kHz

Product Usage Instructions

Creating a WAV File in Audacity

1. Launch Audacity.

2. Create as many tracks as necessary (1-8).

3. Fill the tracks with their content.

4. Export your work to a file:

   • File -> Export -> Export as WAV
   • File type: WAV (Microsoft) signed 16-bit or 24-bit PCM or
     WAVEX

5. Done!

Note : Set the “Use your mix” setting under Edit -> Preferences -> Import/Export to avoid creating stereo or mono files.

Main and Channel Volume Settings
To access the main and channel volume settings while playing a file:

• Press the “Play” button multiple times.
• Press the “Pause” button to go back to other parameters in the list.
• Use the “+ and “-” buttons to change the volume in stages of 0.5dB.
• The individual settings are saved when changing to the next (“Play”) or the last (“Pause”) parameter.

SD Card Test
Playing audio files via MAC is not a problem.

Configuration Menu
To access the configuration menu:

• Press the “Menu” button.
• Use the “+ or “-” buttons to change the available parameter.
• To change a parameter, press “Play”.
• In edit mode, change the parameter using the “+ or “-” buttons.
• Save the setting by pressing the “Play” button.
• Discard changes by pressing “Stop”.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What file formats does the wave player support?
The wave player uses the RIFF WAV format. It supports PCM and Extensible (WAVEX) variants.

Can I work with multiple mono files?
No, working with multiple mono files is not necessary and also not possible. All tracks are always in one file.

What audio program can be recommended for creating WAV files?
The freeware Audacity can be recommended for creating WAV files.

What are the supported sample frequencies?
The supported sample frequencies are 32kHz, 44.1kHz, and 48kHz.

What is the maximum number of channels supported?
The wave player supports 1-8 channels.

File Format
The wave player uses the RIFF WAV format. Within the WAV format, only the PCM and Extensible (WAVEX) variants are supported. WAVEX is used by some audio programs for output when working with 24-bit. This is sometimes recommended but is not necessary. You can also save 24-bit files in PCM files.

All tracks are always in one file. Working with multiple mono files is not necessary and also not possible. All well-known audio programs should be able to create such a file. The freeware Audacity can be recommended.

Here are short instructions for creating the file in Audacity:

1. Launch Audacity
2. Create as many tracks as necessary (1-8).
3. Fill the tracks with their content.
4. Export your work to a file:
5. File->Export->Export as WAV
6. File type: WAV (Microsoft) signed 16-bit or 24-bit PCM or WAVEX
7. Done!

Note : There is an important setting under Edit->Preferences->Import/Export. This must be set to “Use your mix”. Otherwise, only stereo or mono files are created.

SD Cards
Theoretically, SD cards of any size can be used. Cards up to 32GB are still delivered with FAT32. Cards larger have the exFAT format by default. However, the player does not support this format. Formatting in FAT32 is no longer possible using the Windows board tools. The recommendation is for the time being (as of 10/23) to only use cards up to 32GB.

Furthermore, the cluster size must be at least 32kB when formatting. 32GB cards are also delivered this way when purchased. You can format them correctly on the PC without any problems. There are occasional problems when formatting via MAC. For example, it was found that the MAC formats with a 16kB cluster size without any further action.

So when there are problems, the solution is usually:

• A) Buy a new 32GB card or
• B) format with a PC.

However, playing audio files via MAC is not a problem.

Main and Channel Volume Settings
By repeatedly pressing the „Play“ button, while the device is playing a file, you can access the main and channel volume settings. You can go backward by pressing the „Pause“ button if you want to go back to other parameters in the list. The „+“ and „−“buttons will change the volume in stages of 0.5dB. The individual settings are saved when changing to the next („Play“) or to the last („Pause“) parameter.

Playing Parameter
Waveplayer is playing WAV files from 1-8 channels in 16bit or 24bit. The supported sample frequencies are 32kHz, 44,1kHz, and 48kHz.

Here is an example of a file with 44.1kHz, 16bit, and 8 channels. On the bottom line, there is a level meter for the timecode if used. The input level should be somewhat in the middle, but can also be 25% or 75%.

Event Track
If an event channel has been set in the menu, this display can be accessed in the play menu. You can see the detected frequency(s) and their strength. Here about 80% of the maximum. The detected frequency is calculated as number (here 3) * 300Hz=900Hz. So there are 8 frequencies available to place information. These can later be read out via RS232 and used for any control functions. All 8 frequencies can be detected simultaneously with the corresponding different levels. When creating the track, make sure that the maximum level is not exceeded.

SD Card Test
You will hear short metallic whirring noises. Then it may be due to the access time being partially too long. This is not to be confused with the data transfer rate, which can be very high and such problems can still occur. In this case, the card test is recommended to determine the error. If you find a high or partially high access time, this does not mean that the card must be defective. It can work well on a PC because there is more buffer memory available. The card is then simply not suitable for the player.

If the SD card test was switched on in the menu, this display can be accessed in the Play menu. If you want to test an audio installation with a specific card, you set the audio track to “Song Loop” and start it. Then you go to this display with the “Play” button and press the “-” button once. Then you let the whole thing run overnight, for example. The value that can then be read there indicates the maximum access time of the card. Strictly speaking, for the area where the audio is located on the map. The displayed value of 380µs is very good. There is not yet enough data to give an exact limit. However, values below 2000µs have so far proven to be problem-free. Values of 5000µs are too high. Values in between can work but are to be viewed as critical.

• Test OK : Intenso 4GB 1290µs, Toshiba 8GB 1644µs, SanDisk 8GB 1125µs
• Test not OK : Integral ultima pro 16GB 30000µs!

Configuration Menu

By pressing the „Menu“ button you will reach the configurations menu. The „+“ or „−“ button will change the available parameter. If you want to change a parameter press „Play“. Now you are in the edit mode. The cursor is blinking. Change the parameter with the „+“ or „−“ button. You can save the setting by pressing the „Play“ button. Press „Stop“ to discard the changes.

Start Mode| Play Mode| Backlight Mode| Baudrate Serial| Data Port Mode| Device ID
---|---|---|---|---|---
manual| single play| off| 1200| standard| 0-254
auto| continuous play| auto off 1min| 2400| bus master|
timecode| random play| auto off 5min| 4800|  |
 | song loop| auto off 15min| 9600|  |
 | album loop| on| 14400|  |
 |  |  | 19200|  |
 |  |  | 28800|  |
 |  |  | 38400|  |
 |  |  | 56000|  |
 |  |  | 57600|  |
 |  |  | 115200|  |
 |  |  | 128000|  |
 |  |  | 256000|  |
LCD Contrast| Event Channel| SD Card Test
---|---|---
1-10| off| off
 | 1-9| on

Start Mode

• Manual → Songs will be played by hand.
• Auto → If this parameter is set to on, the Wave player will automatically start to play after power is on. There is a requirement to make this function work correctly. We need a playable song at position 1. What is Position 1? After the Waveplayer is switched on it will sort through all files of the root directory alphabetically and will display the This is the file in position 1. If this file is not playable auto play will do nothing!
• Timecode → If a valid timecode is received the player will start playing automatically.

If the timecode is missing for more than 5s the player will stop.

Play Mode

• Single Play → is playing one file from start to end.
• Continuous Play → is playing all playable files of the folder and Non-playable files will be skipped.
• Random Play → is playing the files In this mode only playable files are allowed to be in the folder.
• Song Loop → is playing the same file repeatedly.
• Album Loop → is the same as Continuous Play, but with repeating.

Baud Rate Serial
The baud rate setting is relevant only if the serial protocol via RS232 is used. Values between 1200 and 256000 baud are possible.

Data Port Mode
Both modes are only important when using the RS232 protocol on the data port. If you plan to use more than one device then both modes are of interest.

In „standard“ mode the Waveplayer responds only to commands which have the same ID. Commands which have not the same ID will be forwarded to the next device. Commands with the ID=255 are broadcast and will be responded to and forwarded to the next device in the chain.

In „bus master“ mode the buttons „Stop, Pause, Play“ will be forwarded via broadcast to the other devices. This way you can use more than one device via one keypad. When „Start Mode“ is „auto“ then the device will simulate a play command, at power on, to start all other connected devices too. In „Play Mode“ „song loop“ a play command will be sent at the start of every new loop cycle to resync the other devices. In „bus master“ mode no telegrams will be forwarded.

Device ID
The ID is only important when using the RS232 protocol on the data port. Values from 0-254 can be assigned. 255 is the broadcast ID to which every device always responds but does not generate replies.

LCD contrast
Set the contrast of the LCD

Event Channel
Sine tones can be placed in the event channel, the presence of which can be recognized by the device. The result of the tone detection can be queried in real-time via RS232. There are currently 8 frequencies available: 300Hz, 600Hz, 900Hz, 1.2kHz, 1.5kHz, 1.8kHz, 2.1kHz, 2.4kHz

Note : You can also use a virtual Track 9 (without a real output) for these purposes.

SD Card Test
With the SD card test, the maximum access time of the respective card can be measured in real-time. This is the most important parameter regarding the stability of the playback of audio files.

LTC Timecode
The device has a LTC timecode input and output. The output displays the current play time of the running track. The timecode is using a 25f/s format. The timecode input is permanently active. If a valid signal on the input is detected, the current playtime will fit the input time. If you want to use the timecode input, the data on the card must not be fragmented!

**RS232 Bus Protocol

**

Command Format

KEY Command

PLAY, STOP Command
Using the play command requires having numbers in front of the song names. These numbers need to have two digits. (01 first song 02 second song, 03 third, …)

SET VOLUME Command
The volume is calculated as follows: Volume = Parameter2 * -0.5dB

Example : 0 = 0dB (max), 255 = -127,5dB(min)

CHANGE VOLUME Command

SAVE VOLUME Command

GET TRACK COUNT Command
The command is sent with parameter 1 = 0. In response, you will see the count of playable tracks. Only a track with two digits in front will be counted.

GET TRACK NAME Command
The command is sent with parameter 1 = 0. In the response, you will see the length of the track name. The response is extended exactly this count because the track name is appended to the answer. *

SET TIME Command
The parameters are hexadecimal values! The command must be sent only if the player is in stop or pause mode! Otherwise unpredictable events can occur.

GET TIME Command
The command is sent with parameter 1-4 = 0. In the response, you will get the current values. *

sb = sync bit (bit7), 1 = Device is running in sync with received timecode.

PITCH Command
With this command, the playback speed can be changed. The crystal frequency is set directly.

Example : 44100Hz * 256 = 11289600Hz (0x00AC4400)

Attention : Not suitable for “scratch” applications!

GET TRACK INFO Command
The command is sent with parameter 1-4 = 0. In the response, you will get the current values.*

• Play status: 1=Stop, 2=Play, 3=
• Pause frequency : 0=32kHz, 1=44.1kHz, 2=48kHz

DFT POWER Command
This command is sent to parameters 1-8 equal to 0 and is returned filled with the current values.* The parameters are filled with the level (0-255) of the respective detected frequency. It is also possible to detect different frequencies simultaneously. There is a slight crosstalk to the adjacent channel (max 2-3%).

Response Format

This command will get a response 0x84 only if a CRC error occurs. This means the error of a forwarded answer.

CRC Calculation
The CRC calculates all bytes of the message, whereas the CRC itself is 0. The result of this calculation must be the replacement for the initial CRC value (0) before sending. To check if the message is valid on the other side, calculate the CRC for the whole message. If the result is zero, the message is valid.

Software Update

1. Copy the file with the name „wp3image.bin“ to a SD card.
2. Insert the card into a running device.
3. If more than one file is on the card use the +- keys and go to the file.
4. The player will recognize the update and offer to press „Play “.
5. Wait for the message „Burning done!“.
6. Restart the device and the update will be finished

Connections

• 8x audio out (unbalanced, 0dBu maximum Level, 10kOhm output resistance)
• LTC timecode in/out
• Data port for RS232 bus protocol

Appendix

CRC calculation example: Visual Studio .NET C#

Pin Assignment DATA Port

View on the backside of the device.

• 2=RXD
• 3=TXD
• 5=GND

Last update : 04.11.2023

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