xIO XLR Endpoints Tech Tips

The xIO XLR series has a button on the front panel that makes this device versatile and useful for many different cases. In this Tech Tip, we’ll cover how to set the button up to be used as a paging toggle to mute/unmute a microphone.

In this site file, we can see there are five zones (Lounge, Patio, VIP, Restroom, and Kitchen). This site will be incorporating an xIO XLR 1×1 and it will be used to page to all zones in case of emergency or other site wide announcements are required.

You can see above that the red highlighted wire is where the xIO XLR signal will be going. Note that the kitchen does not have any BGM or microphone audio from the rest of the system. Also note this programming has a single gain module handling the audio level for the xIO XLR, this is where the MUTE will come in to play.

First, set the xIO XLR Button Press Function to Control Pins.

Now, enter into the Design View of the site and drag in the Intelligent Module and the shown logic modules; 8-button latched, Flip-flop, and Dual Preset Trigger, and wire them accordingly. If you like, rename the 8-button latched to reflect the LED controls. This can help stay organized when programming.

In this case, we’ll only really need the RED, GREEN, and ON controls for the IN side of the xIO XLR, however all 8 wires are connected.

Open up the 8-button latched as well as the Dual Preset Triggers. Engage the ON and RED buttons, and ensure their ON LEVEL is set to 100%. Then give the Dual Preset Triggers presets 1 and 2.

Decide which preset you would like the MUTED state to be. This programming uses Preset 2 for this. Right click in the outer area of the 8-button latched and Store Module Settings in Preset 2.

Now, open up the Gain module for the xIO XLR and right click on the mute to set it to Preset 2 as well.

Next, reset the 8-button latched so that the RED button is off and the GREEN button is on, leaving the ON button engaged. Right click and Store Modules Settings in Preset 1.

Just the same, add the xIO XLR Gain module’s MUTE button to Preset 1.

At this point, test your presets from Preset Manager (Tools > Preset Manager or CTRL + G) to ensure they are working as they should.
– PRESET 1 should recall the UN-MUTED state with the GREEN LED on.
– PRESET 2 should recall the MUTED state with the RED LED on.

Composer must be online to view logic programming working, so push the site design and go online. The xIO XLR LED should update to the current state of the logic programming (likely the muted state as the flip-flop default state is Not Q). Test the programming with the xIO XLR panel button to ensure the preset states are acting as they should.

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PoE Injector:

• Connect the xIOXLR to the LAN port on the PoE injector and confirm network port link lights.
• Connect the xIO XLR to the LAN + DC port on the PoE injector and confirm that the unit boots up.
  • The unit should run through a “light show” boot cycle and then the LEDs may go dark. This is normal behavior as there will not currently be any programming telling the LEDs to do anything if the unit is brand new. If unit is not brand new, the programming could be set to have the LEDs off.
    • Note: the default Normal LED Function state of the xIO XLR is “Control Pins”. If the Control Pins in the Design View are not engaged and set, and the xIO XLR has not been programmed, the LEDs will not show activity. Other default functions like “Flashlight” by pressing the front button will function.

PoE Switch:

• Connect the xIO XLR to a PoE port on the PoE switch and confirm port link lights and that the unit boots up.
  • The unit should run through a “light show” boot cycle and then the LEDs may go dark. This is normal behavior as there will not currently be any programming telling the LEDs to do anything if the unit is brand new. If unit is not brand new, the programming could be set to have the LEDs off.
    • Note: the default Normal LED Function state of the xIO XLR is “Control Pins”. If the Control Pins in the Design View are not engaged and set, and the xIO XLR has not been programmed, the LEDs will not show activity. Other default functions like “Flashlight” by pressing the front button will function.

After Connectivity is Established: 

• Once the xIO XLR is located in Composer, review the Properties panel and ensure all settings are appropriate for the installation.

• Open up the DSP, entering the Design View, and drag in the xIO XLR module from the Intelligent Modules > Dante Device Modules folder.
• Drag in a Latched button module from the Control Modules > Control Inputs folder and wire it to the xIO XLR input pins. This will get basic control of the LEDs and help develop familiarity with how the LEDs function.

• Note the input pins on the xIO XLR Intelligent Module, these are for the RGB and ON states:
  • In-R; RED input pin, this sets the RED value of the LED
  • In-G; GREEN input pin, this sets the GREEN value of the LED
  • In-B; BLUE input pin, this sets the BLUE value of the LED
  • In-On; ON input pin, this sets the ON value of the LED. Consider this like a “dimming” setting from min (fully off) and max (fully on). If this input pin is not receiving any signal, the LED will remain dark.
  • OUT-R/B/G/On are the same as IN, just relating to the Output side of the xIO XLR.
  • Button; the front panel button output pin. This allows physical button pushes to also send a control signal inside Composer which can trigger things like presets or toggle a mute.
• Please note; setting LED and RGB parameters will not function if Composer is not online with the DSP and xIO XLR. The LEDs may still be lit according to their last known programming or the programming that is currently running.

Finding/Setting Colors:

• If all input pins are receiving 100% control signal, the LEDs will be fully white. If the input pins aren’t receiving any signal, the LEDs will be fully dark.
  • 100% of any individual color (red, green, or blue) will be full saturation of that color at maximum brightness.
  • The input level can range from 0-100%, which can determine how bright the LED is as well as what particular tone and hue it is.
    • For example; Red at 0%, Green at 100%, and Blue at 25% produces a turquoise/teal color at full luminosity. Green and Blue at 0% and Red at 50% will be full saturation of Red, but dimmer than at 100%.
    • Side note; setting the “OFF LEVEL” to higher than 0% can create a state where when there is no signal going to the RGB control pins, they will still be lit up (the ON input must still be getting signal).

Here is a cheat sheet of basic color percentages that can help quickly program the xIO XLR LEDs:

This is a general-purpose step-by-step guide for connecting to Symetrix digital signal processors and related hardware with a PC.

Please note that Symetrix only recommends using Windows 10 and above. Other operating systems are not officially supported at this time.

See the bottom of this article for information on unsupported equipment and software.

Step 1 – Install the right software for the device

Symetrix design software is used to connect to Symetrix devices and is available to download, install, and run for free. The required software will depend on the devices that needs to be accessed:

COMPOSER PLATFORM:
Software can be downloaded here under the Composer tab.

• D100
• Radius and Radius NX series
• Prism series
• Edge
• Solus NX (note "NX", original Solus are not supported).
• T-Series touch panels
• W-Series wall remotes
• Control Server
• xControl
• xIO Bluetooth
• xIO XLR
• xIn / xOut 4 and 12
• xIO 4x4
• xIO Stage 4x4

Important: To avoid errors when going online with the hardware, please download the version of Composer that matches the DSP’s firmware revision number as closely as possible. This number can be found by cycling through the system pages on the front LCD panel of the DSP.

FIXED ARCHITECTURE PLATFORMS:

Software for Symetrix’s current Integrator Series (closed-architecture) DSPs can be downloaded here under the Jupiter and Zone Mix tabs. These include:

• Jupiter
• Zone Mix 761

Step 2 – Make sure the PC is on the right network

Once the correct software has been downloaded, the next step is to connect the PC to the device’s control network. If a DSP is Dante-enabled, make sure not to confuse the Dante port for the "control"/"ethernet" port. Configuration of these devices through the Symetrix software is always done through the control port.

By default, Symetrix devices are programmed to resolve an IP address automatically, either from a DHCP server or link-local (169.254.x.x) if there is no DHCP server found. Any devices with a front display will indicate their IP address on the front LCD panel. Some devices (T-Series and W-Series) may not show this information if they have been programmed. Cycling through the system pages on the front display of a Composer-based DSP will also display the subnet mask. If a device has previously been configured with a static IP address, it can be reset to DHCP by briefly pressing the device’s reset button, which is usually recessed in the housing on the back of the device.

Check your PC's network configuration by opening the Windows Command Prompt and entering "ipconfig". The relevant adapter's information will be shown along with any others available.

Important: Ensure that both the IP address scheme and subnet mask of the PC match that of the DSP. If setting the PC to a static IP address, it must be a different/unused IP address on the network. If connected directly to a DSP that has a known static IP address, setting the PC to any available IP address will work. If connected directly to a DSP that does not have a static IP address, the PC does not need to have a static link local IP address.

Step 3 – Locate the Symetrix hardware on the network and Pull

Once the PC is on the correct network, open the appropriate Symetrix software. The next steps will depend on the software being used.

COMPOSER:
Composer platform devices will show their location status via an indicator on the hardware module itself.

• Devices are located when there is a green check-mark in the location status indicator box.
• If this is empty, the device is not located.
• If the check-mark is yellow, the device is located and its outputs may be muted for some reason.

Go to Hardware > System Manager from a blank/new Composer site file to search the network for available hardware.

In the Hardware or Control Network tab (depending on the version of Composer) find the appropriate DSP, highlight it, and select Go Online (Pull from Unit).

Note: ensure Composer is using the correct NIC to search the network.

Confirm the file name and save location for the site file - Desktop is a good location, but anywhere that OneDrive or other cloud services don't access is recommended for later permissions and access reasons.

Confirm the prompt that the site file will be pulled from the unit at the given IP address.

In the large majority of cases, synchronizing the site file on pull is the advisable option. This will pull the current running configuration of all volumes, mutes, routing, etc. - what's running live right now.

On completion, Composer will notify of Online status with both a dialog and the Online status indicator in the left panel.

FIXED ARCHITECTURE PLATFORMS:

Fixed architecture platforms (Jupiter and Zone Mix 761) will use their own software respectively and have a Connection Wizard to complete location and go online.

When initially opening the software and connecting to a device select Existing App File on Device to initiate the Pulling process of location and going online.

Depending on the connection, select either Direct or Indirect.

• Use Direct if connecting the PC directly cabled to the DSP.
• Use Indirect if using a switch or small network of switches.
• Network is the least common choice and is usually meant for larger networks that involve routing/gateway or subnet jumps (unrecommended).

Select the appropriate PC NIC for the connection, if there are multiple available. Wifi should never be used to connect to Symetrix DSPs - always cable to the network or the DSP directly.

Once a network is selected, the software may warn that it may not be able to connect. This is fairly common and can be clicked Yes through to continue.

If the PC/software can see the given DSPs on the network, they will be shown here. Select the appropriate one and click Next.

Finalize the Go Online process and the software will attempt to pull the programming and go live.

Depending on the software, the main GUI will appear and the "Online" indicator will be present.

Troubleshooting

If you have followed the above steps and are having difficulty locating any devices on the network, we have a location troubleshooting guide available here.

If you are able to locate devices, but are receiving warnings from the software about failures to go online:

• Disable Windows Defender Firewall and any third-party antivirus/firewall programs that may be blocking network traffic.
• Double check that the device firmware versions for all devices in the site file match the version of Composer being used (the first two numbers are most important).
• Power cycle both the PC and the device(s).
• If the device is connected to the PC through a network switch, try connecting directly instead.
• If a (Composer) device cannot be located and is not currently needed in the site file, right click it and select ‘Disable Unit’, then Push online (this will cut audio for the duration of the Push).
• If a specific error code is being presented, please contact Technical Support at support@symetrix.co.

UNSUPPORTED EQUIPMENT

As of January 2024, Symetrix no longer supports the Designer platform, nor any equipment/software released before the Composer platform. This includes, but is not limited to: 

Designer platform: 

• 8x8 DSP 
• BreakIn & BreakOut 12 
• CobraLink 
• Control I/O 
• Express series 
• Solus series (not NX) 
• ARC-2, ARC-SW4, ARC-K1, ARC-SWK, ARC-Mic/XLR (Note these units do not have "e" at the end while current ARC remotes do.) 

Legacy platforms: 

• 200 series 
• 300 series 
• 400 series 
• 500 series 
• 600 series 
• Lucid 
• AirTools 
• Deuce 
• AutoMix Matrix
• Zone Mix 760
• Zone Mix 780

Please contact Technical Support for an archived copy of the Designer software. Other resources may be found online via search engine, message board, or others. We also have a couple of authorized third-party service centers familiar with our legacy equipment and may be able to provide further assistance. Please reach out to:  

Condor Electronics    
10007 Aurora Ave N    
Seattle WA 98133    
Phone: 206-633-5190    
Email: info@condor-electronics.com  

Advanced Musical Electronics    
8665 Venice Blvd.    
West Los Angeles, CA 90034    
Phone: 310-559-3157    
E-mail: mail@advancedmusical.com  

Any resources, materials, costs, or support for discontinued Symetrix equipment are set solely by these service centers and are not dictated by Symetrix. Symetrix highly recommends upgrading installations with unsupported our outdated equipment to current technology. Please talk to your Regional Sales Manager or Dealer, or locate one through our website per your region here.