thomann WavePlayer8 Waveplayer System Instruction Manual

thomann WavePlayer8 Waveplayer System

Product Information

Specifications

• File Format: RIFF WAV format (PCM and Extensible variants)
• Supported Channels: 1-8 channels
• Bit Depth: 16-bit or 24-bit
• Supported Sample Frequencies: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz

FAQ

• Q: What file formats does the wave player support?
  • A: The wave player uses the RIFF WAV format, supporting PCM and Extensible (WAVEX) variants.
• Q: What are the supported channels and bit depths for playback?
  • A: The wave player supports playback of 1-8 channels in either 16-bit or 24-bit formats.
• Q: How can I adjust the volume settings on the device?
  • A: While playing a file, use the Play button to access main and channel volume settings. Pressing the + and – buttons will change the volume in stages of 0.5 dB.

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 not possible.
Here the instructions for creating the multichannel file with Audacity (Version 3.4.2).

1. Launch Audacity.
2. Importing the audio files track by track.
   • File -> Import -> Audio…
3. Now export all tracks in one file.
   • File -> Export Audio…
   • Channels: Custom mapping
   • Sample Rate: 32000 Hz, 44100 Hz or 48000 Hz
   • Encoding: Signed 16-bit PCM or Signed 24-bit PCM
4. Export and done!

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:

• Buy a new 32GB card or
• 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 − button will change the volume in stages of 0.5 dB. The individual settings are saved, when changing to the next parameter, by pressing Play or Pause.

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.

Event Track And SD Card Test

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 extremely 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 380 μs is a very good value. There is not yet enough data to give an exact limit. Values below 2000 μs have so far proven to be problem free. Values of 5000 μs are too high. Values in between can work but are to be viewed as critical.

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

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| Baud Rate 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| |

TC Offs. Hours| TC Offs. Minutes| TC Offs. Seconds| TC Offs. Frames
---|---|---|---
0-23| 0-59| 0-59| 0-24

Start Mode

manual

• Songs will be played by hand.

auto

If this parameter is set to on, the Waveplayer 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 first. This is the file in position 1. If this file 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 stops. Non-playable files will be skipped.
• random play
  • Is playing the files randomly. 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 than both modes are of interest.

In Data Port Mode standard the Waveplayer responds only to commands which have the same ID. Commands which have not the same ID will be forward to the next device. Commands with the ID=255 are broadcasts and will be responded 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 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 display.

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:
300 Hz, 600 Hz, 900 Hz, 1.2 kHz, 1.5 kHz, 1.8 kHz, 2.1 kHz, 2.4 kHz

Note

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

SD Card Test

UWith 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.

TC Offs. Hours/Minutes/Seconds/Frames

• A timecode offset (start time) can be set.

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. Is a valid signal on the input detected, the current playtime will fit to the input time. If you want to use the timecode input, the data on card must not be fragmented!

RS232 Bus Protocol

Command Format

Start Value| Device ID| Command| Parameter 1| Parameter 2| Checksum
---|---|---|---|---|---
0x86| 0-255| xx| xx| xx| CRC-8

KEY Command

Start Value| Device ID| Command| Parameter 1| Parameter 2| Checksum
---|---|---|---|---|---
0x86| 0-255| 0| 0 = STOP| 0| CRC-8
| | | 1 = PAUSE| |
| | | 2 = PLAY| |
| | | 3 = MENU| |
| | | 4 = PLUS| |
| | | 5 = MINUS| |
| | | 6 = RELEASE*| |

PLAY, STOP Command

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

Start Value| Device ID| Command| Parameter 1| Parameter 2| Checksum
---|---|---|---|---|---
0x86| 0-255| 1| 00 = STOP| 0| CRC-8
| | | 01 = PLAY

(01 …)

| |
| | | …| |
| | | 99 = PLAY

(99 …)

| |

SET VOLUME Command

• The volume is calculated as follows: Volume = Parameter2 * −0.5 dB
• Example: 0 = 0 dB (max), 255 = −127,5 dB (min)

Start Value| Device ID| Command| Parameter 1| Parameter 2| Checksum
---|---|---|---|---|---
0x86| 0-255| 2| 0 = Main Volume| 0-255| CRC-8
| | | 1-8 = Channel Volume| 0-255|

CHANGE VOLUME Command

Start Value| Device ID| Command| Parameter 1| Parameter 2| Checksum
---|---|---|---|---|---
0x86| 0-255| 4| 0 = Main Volume| 0 = +0.5 dB| CRC-8
| | | 1-8 = Channel Volume| 1 = −0.5 dB|

SAVE VOLUME Command

Start Value| Device ID| Command| Parameter 1| Parameter 2| Checksum
---|---|---|---|---|---
0x86| 0-255| 3| 1| 0| CRC-8

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.

Start Value| Device ID| Command| Parameter 1| Parameter 2| Checksum
---|---|---|---|---|---
0x86| 0-255| 3| 1| 0| CRC-8

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. *

Start Value| Device ID| Command| Parameter 1| Parameter 2| Checksum
---|---|---|---|---|---
0x86| 0-255| 6| Character Count| 0| CRC-8

FRAME OFFSET Command

• The negative offset cannot bigger, than the start time is set from zero different.

Start Value| Device ID| Command| Parameter 1| Parameter 2| Checksum
---|---|---|---|---|---
0x86| 0-255| 8| 0 = −1 Frame| 0| CRC-8
| | | 1 = +1 Frame| |

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.

Start Value| Device ID| Command| P1| P2| P3| P4| Checksum
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
0x88| 0-255| 10| Hours| Minutes| Seconds| Frames| CRC-8

GET TIME Command

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

Start Value| Device ID| Command| P1| P2| P3| P4| Checksum
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
0x88| 0-255| 11| SB | Hours| Minutes| Seconds| Frames| CRC-8

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: 44100 Hz * 256 = 11289600 Hz (0x00AC4400)
• Attention: Not suitable for scratch applications!

Start Value| Device ID| Command| P1| P2| P3| P4| Checksum
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
0x88| 0-255| 12| Bit 24-31| Bit 16-23| Bit 8-15| Bit 0-7| CRC-8

GET TRACK INFO Command

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

Start Value| Device ID| Command| P1| P2| P3| P4| Checksum
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
0x88| 0-255| 13| Play Status| Frequency| Bits| Channels| CRC-8

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

DFT POWER Command

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

Start Value| Device ID| Command| P1| P2| P3| P4| P5
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
0x8C| 0-255| 20| 300 Hz| 600 Hz| 900 Hz| 1.2 kHz| 1.5 kHz

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 is calculating 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 at 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 in a running device.
3. If more than one file on card, use the + or − key and move 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 is finished.

Connections

• Eight times audio out (unbalanced, 0 dBu maximum Level, 10 kOhm output resistance)
• LTC timecode in/out
• Data port for RS232 bus protocol
• Power 5V DC

Appendix

CRC calculation example: Visual Studio .NET C#

Pin Assignment DATA Port

View on the backside of device.

• 2 = RXD
• 3 = TXD
• 5 = GND

Last update: 28.02.2024 (Software Version 3.6.1)

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