Page 3 - Contents
VA-8xl – Contents i Contents 1 Introduction 1 2 Getting Started 2 2.1 Achieving the Best Performance 2 3 Overview 3 3.1 Defining the VA-8xl 8-Channel Balanced Stereo Audio Amplifier 3 4 Connecting the VA-8xl 6 5 Operating the VA-8xl 8 5.1 Adjusting the Gain/Attenuation of the Channels 8 5.2 Storing ...
Page 4 - Introduction; Congratulations on purchasing your Kramer
VA-8xl - Introduction 1 1 Introduction Welcome to Kramer Electronics! Since 1981, Kramer Electronics has been providing a world of unique, creative, and affordable solutions to the vast range of problems that confront the video, audio, presentation, and broadcasting professional on a daily basis. In...
Page 5 - Getting Started; Achieving the Best Performance
2 VA-8xl - Getting Started 2 Getting Started We recommend that you: • Unpack the equipment carefully and save the original box and packaging materials for possible future shipment • Review the contents of this user manual Use Kramer high performance high resolution cables Use only the power cord tha...
Page 6 - Overview; -Channel Balanced Stereo Audio Amplifier; Defining the VA-8xl 8-Channel Balanced Stereo Audio
VA-8xl - Overview 3 3 Overview The VA-8xl 8-Channel Balanced Stereo Audio Amplifier is a high−performance 8-channel, balanced stereo input volume controller for balanced audio signals on terminal block connectors. The volume of each L and R stereo channel can be adjusted independently of the other s...
Page 9 - Connecting the VA-8xl; . After connecting your
6 VA-8xl - Connecting the VA-8xl 4 Connecting the VA-8xl Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your VA-8xl . After connecting your VA-8xl , connect its power and then switch on the power to each device. To connect the VA-8xl as illustrated in the example in Figure 6 : 1....
Page 11 - Operating the VA-8xl; To observe the status of a channel:; Adjusting the Gain/Attenuation of the Channels; To adjust the amplifier gain or the attenuation:
8 VA-8xl - Operating the VA-8xl 5 Operating the VA-8xl When switching on the VA-8xl (after a previous session), the VA-8xl briefly scans each channel (stored in the non-volatile memory), showing the settings in the LED displays. After that, the VA-8xl goes to channel 1, and shows its gain/attenuatio...
Page 12 - Storing and Recalling Setups; To store a setting, via the front panel buttons:
VA-8xl - Operating the VA-8xl 9 3. Press the UP or DOWN button once to increase or decrease, as appropriate, in increments of 0.5dB. Press and hold the UP or DOWN button, to increase or decrease the decibel level by a significant amount. 4. Press the LEFT LEVEL or the RIGHT LEVEL button to set the l...
Page 14 - Controlling the VA-8xl; Controlling a Single VA-8xl Unit; Method A; Figure 7; PC
VA-8xl - Controlling the VA-8xl 11 6 Controlling the VA-8xl You can control a single VA-8xl unit (see Section 6.1 ) or configure up to a 120 channel balanced stereo audio amplifier, using 15 units via RS-485 or RS-232 (see Section 6.3 ). 6.1 Controlling a Single VA-8xl Unit To connect and control a ...
Page 15 - Method B; Figure 8; Setting the MACHINE #; unit according to the; to PC
12 VA-8xl - Controlling the VA-8xl Method B ( Figure 8 )—Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on the unit via a straight (flat) cable to the null-modem adapter, and connect the null-modem adapter to the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on the PC. The straight cable usually contains all nine wires for a full c...
Page 16 - To connect up to 15
VA-8xl - Controlling the VA-8xl 13 For a single, stand alone machine, set as MACHINE # 1. MACHINE # DIP-SWITCH 1 2 3 4 1 ON OFF OFF OFF 2 OFF ON OFF OFF 3 ON ON OFF OFF 4 OFF OFF ON OFF 5 ON OFF ON OFF 6 OFF ON ON OFF 7 ON ON ON OFF 8 OFF OFF OFF ON 9 ON OFF OFF ON 10 OFF ON OFF ON 11 ON ON OFF ON 1...
Page 17 - Connecting a Control Interface on a Set of Units; Section; or; Interface Converter; Preparing the RS-232 Port on a Set of Units
14 VA-8xl - Controlling the VA-8xl Figure 10: Configuring up to 15 VA-8xl Units 6.3.1 Connecting a Control Interface on a Set of Units To connect the control interface on a set of units, do one of the following: • Connect the RS-232 port on the first VA-8xl unit to a PC or other controller, and then...
Page 19 - Connecting the RS-485 Control Interface
16 VA-8xl - Controlling the VA-8xl 6.3.3 Connecting the RS-485 Control Interface To connect an RS-485 connector on one VA-8xl unit to an RS-485 connector on another unit: 1. Connect the “+” PIN on the first VA-8xl unit to the “+” PIN on the second VA-8xl unit 2. Connect the “-” PIN on the first VA-8...
Page 21 - Upgrading the Flash Memory; Downloading from the Internet; Section 4; Notepad; set port
18 VA-8xl - Upgrading the Flash Memory 7 Upgrading the Flash Memory The VA-8xl firmware is located in FLASH memory, which lets you upgrade to the latest Kramer firmware version in minutes! The process involves: • Downloading from the Internet (see Section 7.1 ) • Connecting the PC to the RS-232 port...
Page 22 - Upgrading Firmware; Shortcut to; Atmel – Flip
VA-8xl - Upgrading the Flash Memory 19 3. Connect the power cord and turn the POWER switch on the VA-8xl ON . The LED displays may show erratic data, which should be ignored. 7.3 Upgrading Firmware Follow these steps to upgrade the firmware: 1. Double click the desktop icon: “ Shortcut to FLIP.EXE ”...
Page 27 - Technical Specifications
24 VA-8xl - Technical Specifications 8 Technical Specifications INPUTS: 8 balanced stereo audio +4dBm / 30k Ω on detachable terminal blocks OUTPUTS: 8 balanced stereo audio +4dBm / 50 Ω on detachable terminal blocks GAIN: -95dB to +31dB MAX. OUTPUT LEVEL: >20dBu balanced (TND +N <0.01) BANDWID...
Page 28 - Default Communication Parameters
VA-8xl - Default Communication Parameters 25 9 Default Communication Parameters RS-232 Protocol 2000 Baud Rate: 9600 Data Bits: 8 Stop Bits: 1 Parity: None Command Format: HEX Example (Output 1 to Input 1): 0x01, 0x81, 0x81, 0x81 Ethernet IP Address: 192.168.1.39 TCP Port Number: 5000 Network Mask: ...
Page 30 - Hex Codes for Attenuation Gain Control
VA-8xl - Kramer Protocol 2000 27 The following tables define the VA-8xl hex codes for attenuation gain control, amplification gain control and the channel number codes. 10.1 Hex Codes for Attenuation Gain Control Gain (dB) LED Hex Codes Gain (dB) LED Hex Codes Gain (dB) LED Hex Codes Mute - - - 16 X...