Mono Source Select and Volume Control for Zone Mix 761 using ARC-2e and ARC-WEB remotes

Product:ARC-WEB Control Interface

Product:Zone Mix 761 DSP

Product:ARC-Series Controllers

Type: Control

ARC remotes are a powerful and intuitive form of system control for systems using Symetrix DSPs. This Tech Tip will walk through setting up zone Source Select and Volume control for the Zone Mix 761 on an ARC-2e. The process is nearly identical for ARC-WEB. 

Starting at the Zone Mix 761 software homepage, there are two main areas to focus on.

• Zones; these are where control parameters are located for source select and volume.
• Output RTE; this is where we connect signal flow from Zones to the analog outputs, effectively making each Zone a direct control for an analog output.

In the Zones area, under the Sources tab there are two source selections, Program 1 and Program 2. Program 2 ducks Program 1, and Page Station ducks both Program 1 and 2 as shown in the signal flow diagram.

Either Program 1 or Program 2 can be used for the zone source select depending on what the system needs. This example assumes there is no ducking/priority paging involved and will use Program 1 for the zone source. Program 2 can be set to None.

Effectively, the zone volume can be controlled by either the Program 1 slider or the Zone Volume slider. There may be a reason later to add a paging microphone or something similar, so it programmatically makes sense to use the Zone Volume slider.

Looking in the Output RTE area, notice the stair step pattern to the cross-points. This is how we connect Zone 1 to Output 1, Zone 2 to Output 2, and so on. This way each Zone represents actual Output areas in the venue. In this configuration, we can consider Zone 1 that Lounge, Zone 2 the Patio, and so on.

The volume slider on each zone channel is the same control as the Zone Volume slider in the Zones Sources tab.

Open the External Controller Wizard.

There are two lists here. This Tech Tip will be programming a new ARC-2e. With Add External Controller selected, highlight the ARC-2e and click Next.

The name of the ARC-2e can be edited here, which we will call System Control in this example. Ensure that the ARC-2e is addressed correctly according to the dials on the back of the unit. When ready, click Add New Menu.

First, we’ll set up source select for Zone 1 (Lounge). Choose the “Select” option and click Next.

The Parameter selection is where we define the parameter for source selection in Zone 1. Choose Zone 1 Program 1 Selector. The Name can also be edited, which will be Lounge Source here.

The checkbox list below Name is where we decide which analog input sources should be included as options for the Lounge Source. Uncheck any sources that should not be included and click Next. We are returned to the ARC-2e home menu where we can see the Lounge Source menu listed.

Next, we’ll set up a Zone Volume control. Click Add New Menu.

Select the Volume option and click Next.

In most cases Continuous will be the better option for more precise control. However, Enumerated may be a more intuitive option for user control. In this example, we’ll select Continuous and click Next.

Select Zone 1 Volume to connect this control to the Zone Volume slider in Zone 1. The control Name and upper/lower limits can also be edited, which will be Lounge Volume and leave as default respectively in this example. Click Next.

We are returned back to the ARC-2e home menu where we can see both Lounge Source and Lounge Volume listed. 

Click Next for more options related to the ARC-2e unit itself, and Next again for a section that offers the ability to Simulate the ARC-2e, to test your work.

Note: Some parameters may act oddly in simulation mode. This is a known issue.

When finished programming all other relevant zone controls, click Finish to save.