Advanced Digital Signal Processing is at the core of our Composer-based hardware. Our solutions simply design and deliver superb fidelity, adding value for designers, integrators, and end users.

The SymNet Technical Overview document can be found below.

SymNet Technical Overview

SymVue is a custom, stand-alone user control application for Composer-based DSPs. A SymVue panel is created from a Designer control screen and runs on any Windows compatible PC. SymVue connects to hardware via the hardware’s IP address and up to eight (software) instances of SymVue can run on each PC.

Take advantage of DSP saving “dual mono” modules in SymNet Express explained in the following Tech Tip:

SymNet Tech Tip: Maximize DSP Resources in Express

The latest firmware is always bundled with the latest software.  There is no need to manage the firmware independently.

38400.

Yes, depending on the CobraNet audio bandwidth requirements.  But, best practice would dictate to use two separate networks.

Yes.  It is recommend that SymNet programmers have the last few major software releases installed.

Hardware menu > Triggers and Power On Default.

If the unit has RS-232 control, yes.  HyperTerminal can be used to simulate an external controller.

Default settings:

Baud: 38400

Data bits: 8

Parity: None

Stop bits: 1

Flow control: None

“Upload” pulls the program from hardware to the computer.  “Download” pushes the program from the computer to the hardware.

Yes. There is a dedicated RS-232 port on the rear panel of all 8×8, 8in, 8out, DigIO and CobraLink units for this purpose. This port can be used simultaneously with the host computer connected to the front panel RS-232 port, and the rear panel RS-485 port. The Express units have a dual-purpose rear panel port. The control protocol documentation is available for download from Documentation link in the Support section of this website. The protocol can also be found in the online Help section of the SymNet Designer application.

Establish serial communication.

Edit menu > Site Ethernet Preferences.

Click on the Ring you wish to configure.

Click Edit Unit Settings.

Enable IP control, then enter the appropriate IP information and click Write Settings to Unit.  Or, Read Settings from Unit.  This dialog syncs the IP information between software and hardware.

CS – Controller set.  Generally use for buttons.

CC – Controller change.  Generally use for faders.

LP – Load preset.

Examples:

CS <controller number><controller position><cr>

CC <controller number><1 for increment or 0 for decrement><amount><cr>

LP 1

No.  CobraNet is delivered via a 100Mbit Fast Ethernet switched network.

Not directly. The similarity between SymLink and CobraNet is that they both use CAT5 cable and handle 64 channels of audio. In all other ways they are dissimilar and incompatible. However, by adding a SymNet CobraLink hardware module to a SymNet ring you can send to CobraNet and receive from CobraNet up to 32 channels of audio in each direction.

Tech Tip: Integrating Clockaudio

Depending upon the version of SmaartLive you are currently using, the necessary support files may or may not be already installed on your hard drive. The required files are included with the SymNet Designer 7.x installer, or you may download them separately below.

SymNet Smaart Plug In

Generally no, some older ribbon microphones are somewhat susceptible, but it’s always a safe bet to disable phantom power when not needed.

Yes.  Note, Belkin cables show mixed results.

Example Designer Site Files:

Two Switches

64×64 Matrix

Arena

BGM Distribution

BreakIn12 Routing Example

Button Logic

Circular Routing Example

Express Church

Express Room Combine

Large Conference Center

Reverse Compressor

Voice Processor

SymNet Express Cobra Data Sheet

SymNet Designer 9.1+ software features a discovery app that gives users immediate visibility of IP equipped devices on your network.  Learn more in this Tech Tip:

Tech Tip: SymVue Discovery

If you receive the following error when downloading to a SymNet Express unit over IP you may need to increase the MTU (maximum transmission unit) settings associated with your computer’s NIC (network interface card):

Download failed: Failed to download configuration on Ring #1, Address #1.

If your MTU settings are not large enough you will not be able to download over IP, though upload may still be possible.  Serial communication will not be affected.

MTU is the largest protocol data unit in bytes that can pass onwards.  SymNet will require an MTU setting of at least 1492.

To check your current MTU setting:

Start > Run > open: cmd

From the command prompt window type:
netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces

This will show the network interfaces on your computer and the packet size (MTU) limitation.  Make note of the MTU value and name of your Local Area Connection.

To change the MTU type:
netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface “Local Area Connection” mtu=nnnn store=persistent

where
Local Area Connection is the name of the network connection on your computer connected to SymNet.

nnnn is the desired value for MTU.

RS-485 is a standardized network for balanced digital multipoint communication.  In Composer-based hardware, only ARCs can use the RS-485 network.

If you are installing the full release version 9.0 but had a beta version previously installed, you must first completely uninstall the beta version for the new example files to appear.

If the example design files and super-modules do not appear after uninstalling the beta version and installing the full release, it may be necessary to manually delete the SND 9.0 beta registry section (HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareSymetrixSymNet Designer 9.0) as well as the SymNet Designer 9.0 folder (My DocumentsSymNet Designer 9.0).

Then re-install SymNet Designer 9.0 and the new example files will appear.

Learn how to bring your SymVue control screens to the next level with this tech tip:

Tech Tip: SymVue Design Tips

4000 feet is the longest recommended cable length.

16×16.

Yes.  This is made possible by specifying a Site Identifier.  In Designer, right-click on the CobraNet equipped unit and choose Properties.  Then click IP Options.

Tech Tip: Debounce Switch

Many USB to serial converters (RS-232) were designed and manufactured before the release of Windows XP. If you are having trouble connecting to a device with a USB to serial converter, make sure you have a current driver. Go to the converter manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver(s).

No, but SymNet programmers have success using various virtual Windows solutions.

Tip: Select bridged network mode as opposed to NAT. This will force your virtual machine to use the same network interface your Mac is using.

All technical and operational instructions and documentation for current Symetrix products are contained within the Help menu of the Designer and/or Composer software. Simply click on the question-mark icon on the toolbar in Designer/Composer and search your topic.

Download the latest version of Designer or Composer at www.symetrix.co.

SymNet Designer is configured to work with displays that have 1024×768 resolution of greater. If your computer is running 800×600, then some controls and status indicators will be outside the display area of your monitor. You may be able to change your display resolution via the Windows Control Panel.

Anecdotal evidence suggests a longer life-span of Symetrix hardware that is separated by at least one additional space in the equipment rack.  This is in addition to following the guidelines for maximum recommended ambient operation temperature.  See unit’s Quick Start Guide for information.

Express and CobraLink do not have default IP settings. IP settings are user specified and are static.

Solus hardware will obtain an address through DHCP. If no address has been assigned (either by the user or by DHCP) a default 169.254 IP base is used.

Tip: The last two octets of the IP address can be determined by converting the last two groups of numbers of the unit’s MAC address from hex to decimal.

For normal use you will always connect to a Master unit.

Tech Tip: Gain Structure Maximize Dynamic Range, Minimize the Noise Floor

There is a remote chance that the control screen or SymVue panel created in an earlier version of Designer contains control data that no longer matches the current module.  (Pre Designer 8.0 and older increases this risk.)

First, replace the control in the control screen with a new one from the existing module.  If this does not solve the problem, it may be necessary to replace the original module from which the control was copied.

A Ring is a group of hardware linked together via the SymLink bus.  A single Express unit is also a Ring within it’s self.

An Address is the unique identifier of a device in a SymLink Ring.

A Master is the Address 1 unit.  Express units are always Address 1 and are therefor a Ring Master as no other devices “slave” to an Express.

A Slave is a non-Master unit in a SymLink Ring.

Dual mono modules are two independent mono modules that are physically grouped together.   The major benefit is DSP efficiency as they use only about half as much DSP as two separate equivalent mono modules.  Note, dual mono modules are not available in the 8×8 DSP.

Standard two-conductor shielded twisted pair.

SymNet Express Cobra Quick Start Guide

The DSP resource percentage figure located on each Module is rounded to the nearest integer value. The DSP resource total meter (located below the toolkit) tallies the actual, non-rounded figure. In addition, hidden routing modules are added to move audio between DSPs. These routing modules take a small amount of DSP resources.

Yes. SymNet’s archiving function, which is part of the Full Site Download (F4) operation, allows you to store and extract SymNet Site Files to and from the rack mounted hardware. Provided that hardware security is not enabled or you know the Supervisor password if it is, you can connect to the hardware with any version of SymNet Designer and open the Upgrade Firmware dialog in order to determine which version of SymNet Designer you should use to communicate with the hardware. Once that is known, you can upload the Site File from SymNet using the proper version of SymNet Designer.

Generally no, some older ribbon microphones are somewhat susceptible, but it’s always a safe bet to disable phantom power when not needed.

If Disco does not find the CobraNet firmware file you require, you will need to exit Disco and then edit the “CNDisco.exe.Config” file.

This file will typically be located at: C:Cirrus LogicCobraNet Discovery.

Find “CNDisco.exe.Config” then open it using Notepad.

Locate the line:

“<Advanced Feature = 0>”

Change the value to “1”

Then Save-As.  Save as type: All Files.  Save directly over the top of the original: CNDisco.exe.Config.  Do not let it save as a text document, which requires retyping the name “CNDisco.exe.Config”.

Launch Disco to try again.  If done properly you will see additional options allowing you to “show all firmware versions.”

See your PC’s Device Manager.

Right-click My Computer > Manage > System Tools > Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT).

CobraNet firmware is managed using the CobraNet Disco software utility.  Download at www.cobranet.info.

You can link almost any DSP module parameter to one of the Analog Control Input ports on the rear panel. Just right click on the fader, button, etc and choose “Assign Controller”. This launches a dialogue box that steps you through the short process of creating a parameter-control link.

Depending upon the version of SmaartLive you are currently using, the necessary support files may or may not be already installed on your hard drive. The required files are included with the SymNet Designer 7.x installer, or you may download them separately below..

SymNetSmaart Plug In

Generally connect ARCs to the Master unit so that data will be disseminated to all units in the system.  ARCs can be connected to Slave devices but control will be limited to parameters contained within that Slave device.

All Symetrix manufactured products with RS-232 ports have them wired straight-through. Only pins 2, 3 and 5 are required. If you want to make your own cable, refer to the RS-232 standard below:

RS-232 Standard Configuration: The following table documents the pin assignments for the RS-232 standard using DB9 and DB25 connectors. Following the table is a set of diagrams to assist in identifying what pin numbers are assigned to each pin inside the different connectors.

The RS-232 standard:

Where is Pin 1?

25 pin DB25 Male Connector: Image

25 pin DB25 Female Connector: Image

9 pin DB89 Male Connector: Image

115200.

Tech Tip: External Control Protocol Commands

Express Quick Start Guide

Tech Tip: Ducker Module-Composer vs Designer software

If you have installed multiple versions of SymNet Designer using the ‘Repair’ option, there is a possibility the uninstall utility will encounter difficulties when trying to remove all associated files.

Start the uninstall process again from the Control Panel using Add or Remove Programs (XP)/Uninstall or change a program (Vista).  If the error is encountered, repeat uninstall process until the utility completes without error.

Verify uninstall by making sure the following folders were removed:

Registry entry:  HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareSymetrixSymNet Designer 9.0

In My Documents:  My DocumentsSymNet Designer 9.0

Going backwards: Restoring to previous versions of Firmware, in other words downgrading. When traveling back in time and reverting to a previous version of SymNet Designer, there are a few gotchas to be aware of:

First… Turn off All Amplifiers! You’re upgrading (or in this case, downgrading) an entire audio system! Murphy’s Law always applies – anything can happen and will happen. Do not turn on the amps until you are sure all software changes/reconfigurations are finished and successful. Then, it is suggested that you turn the amps down and ease them up. An ounce of precaution is worth a pound of cure. Also, in later versions of SymNet Designer (version 3.5 or higher), the volume will ramp up after a Site file is downloaded according to a time setting in the Preferences dialog box located in the File pull-down menu. Set this for a long ramp up period. If there is distortion, feedback or unintended routing in the system, it will ramp up slowly and give you time to react. Consider yourself warned.

Next, you need to downgrade the system in reverse order. So, you must start with the highest numbered device address in a ring and work backwards in decending address order. If you change the Master unit to a previous version first (i.e. the first unit in a SymNet Ring), you will not be able to address the Slave units through the SymLink bus. If this happens, you have 2 options:
Change the Master unit back to the “more recent” version and then begin the firmware downgrade process again starting with the last unit.

Disconnect the SymLink connections from all units. Change the DIP switches on the back of the slave units to make them a master unit and change all their addresses to ID #1. Then, connect to the front panel of each unit individually and perform the upgrade (downgrade). Finally, reconfigure the DIP switches to their original settings, re-patch the SymLink bus and re-power the system.

Make sure you have an older version of the SymNet Site File! This is important, as when you double click on a SymNet file, Windows will launch the Site File with the last version of SymNet Designer software installed, not the older version, and your Site File will be loaded into it. If Auto Save is turned on (Go to the File pull-down menu and select Preferences to see the Auto Save Enable setting) in the newer version and it executes a Save, then you have essentially upgraded your Site File. Now it will not open in the earlier version. It is best to have a copy that is saved in the previous version that has not been opened in the newer version.

For more information on upgrading SymNet systems, see the ReadMe file that accompanies every software release.

The actual delay memory is a handled outside of the SHARC DSP chips – by fast synchronous DRAM chips that can be accessed extremely quickly by the DSP. This greatly reduces the ‘load’ on the DSP core.

The firmware upgrade listed below is provided to address bugs in or provide added features to the Express Cobra’s CobraNet Interface (CM-2). Please see the associated ReadMe.txt file contained within the ZIP archive offered below for instructions on how to upgrade your Express Cobra Interface Firmware.

Express Cobra CM-2 Firmware 2.11.10

Archived versions of SymNet Designer (found below) run on a Windows PC and are used to configure, design and control the SymNet units. For new designs we highly recommend using the latest version of SymNet Designer, however archived major release versions can be found below for legacy compatibility and/or troubleshooting requirements.

To communicate with SymNet hardware from a given version of SymNet Designer, it may be necessary to upgrade (or downgrade) firmware in each SymNet hardware device. This can be done directly from the SymNet Designer application and only takes a few minutes per device. Firmware upgrade is done from the SymNet Designer Hardware menu.

SymNet Designer 1.01 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 1.01

SymNet Designer 1.15 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 1.15

SymNet Designer 1.21 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 1.21

SymNet Designer 2.02 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 2.02

SymNet Designer 3.04 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 3.04

SymNet Designer 3.52 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 3.52

SymNet Designer 4.02 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 4.02

SymNet Designer 5.00 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 5.00

SymNet Designer 5.53 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 5.53

SymNet Designer 6.02 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 6.02

SymNet Designer 7.03 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 7.03

SymNet Designer 8.01 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 8.01

SymNet Designer 9.0 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 9.0

SymNet Designer 9.13 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 9.13

SymNet Designer 10.07 Release Notes

SymNet Designer 10.07

The following Vista operating systems are officially supported for SymNet Designer 9.0 software:

Windows Vista Business – 32-bit OS installation only

Windows Vista Ultimate – 32-bit OS installation only

The following Vista operating systems are currently not supported for SymNet Designer 9.0 software:

Windows Vista 64-bit (any version)

The following Vista operating systems are not tested for SymNet Designer 9.0 software:

Windows Vista Home

Windows Vista Home Premium Edition

Although Windows Vista Home and Home Premium have not been tested by Symetrix Inc., there are currently no known issues with Vista Home and Home Premium 32-bit operating systems and SymNet Designer 9.0 software compared to the supported Windows Vista Business or Ultimate Edition operating systems.

Be sure you are running only latest version SymNet Designer software available at www.symetrix.co.

Express units use Analog Devices SHARC ADSP-21161 DSPs running at approx. 100MHz. These DSPs also feature the Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) architecture which can effectively double their processing power for certain modules (e.g. stereo EQs). Each Express unit has two of these DSPs. The two DSPs can deliver a theoretical maximum combined total of 1180 MFLOPS (Mega Floating Point Operations Per Second).

Use a quality switch capable of 100Mbps Ethernet traffic.

Serial: For normal use you will always connect to a Master unit.

Ethernet: Connect to the same network that connects all devices’ Ethernet ports.

No.  A site file created later than the version of Designer you are running will not open.  The latest version of Designer will open any site file.

SymNet Designer DSP modules do need to have a wire connecting them to pass audio signals. Control modules are the only modules that in some circumstances can be assigned internal via a “virtual” path instead of graphically wired together.

The External Control Protocol for SymNet units can be found below. This document covers all third-party control for SymNet units including both RS-232 and UDP (IP).

SymNet External Control Protocol

Serial or Ethernet (UDP/IP)

Note, the control protocol / command strings are the same regardless of the communication mode.

Windows 7 or later.

250 MB free storage space.

1024×768 graphics capability.

16-bit or higher colors.

CD-ROM drive or Internet connection 512 MB or more RAM as required by your operating system.

An available serial port capable of operating at 57600 or 115200 baud.

A straight-through RS-232 cable and/or CAT5 cable.

The following archive contains Crestron modules for the most commonly controlled functions of Composer:

Composer Crestron Modules v.3.0

The v3.0 Crestron modules are compatible with Composer hardware including Edge, Radius 12×8 EX, Radius AEC, Prism, Solus NX, xControl, 2 Line Analog Telephone Interface Card, and the 2 Line VoIP Interface Card. The following control modules have been developed and will be available for use with the Crestron 2 and 3 series controllers:

• Volume Up/Down Control Module with User Limits
• Fader Set Control Module
• Button Push Module
• Preset Execution Module
• Controller Receiver Module
• Input / Output Selector Module
• VoIP Dialer Module and ATI Dialer Module
• Speed Dial Module / Speed Dial Store / Delete Phone Number / Name Module

The updated Crestron modules utilize command processor architecture to maximize efficiency and responsiveness. The command processor is responsible for all the data parsing to and from the Symetrix DSP which makes it more efficient for the individual control modules to operate. When the control ID’s match a particular control module, then the controller information is used and updated.

Note: Crestron v.3.0 modules were specifically designed to work with SymNet Composer hardware over RS-232 (baud rate 57600), TCP/IP or UDP/IP port 48631. These modules will not work with legacy SymNet hardware. If you have legacy SymNet hardware, please use the Crestron v.1.0 or 2.0 modules.

Composer Crestron Modules v.2.0

The v2.0 Crestron modules are compatible with SymNet Composer hardware including Edge, Radius 12×8, Radius AEC, Prism, Solus NX, xControl, SymNet 2 Line Telephone Interface Card.  Examples provided include Fader control, Button press, Increment and Decrement button, Preset Recall, Mute All, and Controller Receiver.

Note: Creston v2.0 modules where specifically designed to work with SymNet Composer hardware over RS-232 (baud rate 57600) or UDP/IP port 48631.  These modules can also be used for UDP/IP control with legacy SymNet hardware, Integrator Series, Jupiter Series, and Solus by simply changing the RS-232 buad rate to 38400 or the UDP/IP port to 48630.

2 Line Analog Telephony Interface Crestron Control Module v2

This program was created to demonstrate the capabilities of the SymNet 2 Line Analog Telephone Interface (ATI) card in the context of Crestron external control.
The user module and touch panel signals that comprise 95% of this program can be easily copied to other integration projects where the Symetrix ATI card will be used.
A Composer file has been created that has the controller numbers corresponding to this external control program. This allows the correct information to flow in both directions between the device and control system processor.

Composer Crestron Modules v1.0

The v1.0 Creston modules are compatible with: Jupiter, Zone Mix 761, 780, 788, 722, Solus, 8x8DSP, CobraLink, and 4×4, 4×12, 8×8, 12×4 Express Cobra hardware), Examples provided include Volume, Fader, Button, Switch and Dialer control plus Preset recall. Additionally, the v1.0 modules will work with the legacy SymNet hardware across a multi-unit ring, as well as a multi-ring system.
A matching example SymNet Designer Site File is also included. The modules are fully documented by the SymNet Control Protocol Crestron Module.

Addendum linked here: SymNet_Control Protocol_Crestron_Module_Addendum

Yes. Use the mouse right-click to save and load DSP module settings to and from your disk-based ‘Settings File’. The ‘Settings File’ is a library that you can use to store EQ, Compressor, Crossover, etc. setups and recall them at will for later use. Alternatively, you can copy a whole DSP module within a configuration or between configurations. From the Design View, just click on the module, choose copy, and then paste it where you want the new module to go.

Via Ethernet or serial.

Ethernet: TCP/IP.

Serial:  Serial data is bundled with CobraNet audio.

No.  IP settings are static and user specified.

Yes.

RS-232 is a standardized protocol for serial communication.  Some Symetrix devices talk to 3rd party controllers on an RS-232 network using simple ASCI control strings.

A Full Line SymNet Product Catalog complete with specifications can be found below. Additional installation information and/or specifications may be found in each product’s Quick Start Guide (if applicable).

SymNet Full Line Product Catalog (EN)

Tech Tip: Running Windows on a Mac

2, 3, 5, straight-through.

100 meters.  Longer distances can be achieved using fiber.

Tech Tip: Multiple Site SymNet Systems – Divide and Conquer

After establishing connection between Designer and the hardware, go to the Hardware menu > Upgrade Firmware/Hardware Settings.  Choose either Auto Upgrade to automatically upgrade all units in the system, or manually upgrade the firmware components (FPGA, Microprocessor) per unit.

Processing and routing capabilities vary greatly per design and hardware being used.  Each module block indicates its DSP usage.  Total usage is viewed in Designer or Composer below the Tool-kit on the bottom left of the screen.

Phantom power derives its name from its invisibility to audio signals, even though the microphone cable carries both phantom power (as direct current) and audio signals (as alternating current). Specifically, the term phantom power means a positive DC voltage sent to the microphone on both audio leads, through current-limiting resistors which also serve to isolate the audio leads from one another. The front panel phantom power button applies phantom power via pins 2 and 3 of the mic input XLR connectors.

In SymNet Designer 9.1 and later it is possible to control multiple IP equipped SymNet units over the Internet (wide area network, or WAN).  Multiple devices can be accessed from a single external IP address.  This is accomplished by using unique port numbers for each device.

To configure WAN communication for your system open the Help files contained within the SymNet Designer software and perform a search for “WAN” or see the chapter entitled “Menu Bar – File – Preferences.”

Express AutoCAD files

Did you know SymNet Designer 9.1 or later can access multiple SymNet units over the Internet?  Find out more in this Tech Tip:

Tech_Tip: WAN Access for SymNet Systems

3 settings are possible.

1 – 1/3ms

2 – 2/3ms

5 – 1/3ms

All CobraNet equipped units must be set to the same latency.

No.

Yes.  There are templates installed with Designer, and there are templates based on the Jupiter app library available at www.symetrix.co.

The input stage of an analog control input of a SymNet device will clamp on an input exceeding +5.5V.  Anything above +5.5V will draw excessive current (the amount depending on the output resistance of the device supplying the current) and could possibly damage the input stage.  Keep analog control input current to below +5.5V.

SymNet Remote Terminal is a UDP terminal test application for testing Ethernet-based control for Symetrix products.

SymNet Remote Terminal.zip