Output Presets
All Zone controllers come pre-loaded with loudspeaker presets for the full range of Optimal Audio loudspeakers and some loudspeakers from our sister brand, Martin Audio. These are accessed by clicking Settings > Line Outputs or Amp Outputs, selecting the desired output and then Output Processing.
In the examples below we will be using Amp Outputs in our WebApp Desktop Demo default venue. The process for line outputs is identical.
Amplifier outputs are only accessible on Zone 4P and Zone 8P. There are also fewer loudspeaker presets available for the onboard amplifiers, where they are not sufficiently powerful to drive larger loudspeakers.
Selecting Amp Output Preset will bring up a list of available presets from a range of Optimal Audio and Martin Audio loudspeakers. Choose the appropriate loudspeaker brand and model for your system. Once selected, you will see a 'Preset loaded' notification in the bottom right of the screen.
Click the back arrow at the top of the page to return to Output Settings. You will now see the chosen loudspeaker model named under Amp Output Preset. The output processing settings will now be cascaded into a drop down menu.
Naming
Simplifying the setup of a system, each output can be given a name for quick reference. You can manually enter the name or, use the auto naming suggestion feature that was introduced in WebApp 1.5.
Suggestions will appear underneath the text box. These are keywords taken from other elements of the system, such as Zone name, selected speaker preset and output number and configuration. To add these suggestions, simply click them in any order you wish and they will be added to the text box.
For example, Amp Output 1 on our Desktop Demo system is configured to Zone 1, the Bar. We are using a Cuboid 6 on a mono sum output. Therefore we can used the suggestions to name the output 'Bar Amp Output 1 Cuboid 6 Mono Sum'.
Naming elements of your system is important when using the System Diagram feature in WebApp, as the names will appear as part of the diagram. It also allows you for easier understanding of your system configuration.
Output Processing features
Each output is supported by the following processing features - EQ, crossover and limiter.
When using the provided output presets for Optimal Audio and Martin Audio loudspeakers, the EQ and crossover settings are hidden behind a drop down menu. While these settings are editable via 'Override Preset Settings', it is recommend that they are not changed when using with a matched product. A caution message will display to warn you of this.
If you are using third party loudspeakers and wish to tune them using these processing settings, please consult the manufacturers guide.
WARNING - For line outputs no limiter settings are included in the presets. Amplifiers can vary greatly in gain, making it impossible to have a standard limiter setting. When using loudspeakers and amplifiers from other manufacturers it is strongly recommended that the appropriate limiter settings are calculated and applied under Settings > Line Outputs > Line Output Processing > Limiter to protect your loudspeakers from damage.
EQ
The EQ settings for the best performance of the chosen loudspeaker can now be seen by clicking EQ under Line Output Processing. It is highly recommended that these are not tampered with and that the User EQ settings are used for any tonal balance changes you wish to make.
Crossover
Line output crossovers feature two crossover filters - High Pass and Low Pass - and are intended primarily for use when a system includes subwoofers. When a speaker preset is selected, you will see the high pass filter in use - this is to protect the loudspeakers from damage by filtering out frequencies that the loudspeaker is not able to reproduce. The High pass should only be adjusted when a subwoofer is deployed with the selected loudspeaker.
To access crossover settings click Settings>Line Outputs> Line Output Processing>Crossover
This section can also be used to apply processing to any other combinations of amplifier and loudspeaker that are connected to the line outputs on any Zone product.
Within the crossover section of WebApp you have the option to select a crossover type. The two options are:
- Linkwitz-Riley 24dB/oct
- Butterworth 24dB/oct
User EQ
Any additional equalisation required for room compensation or personal preference can be applied using User EQ.
Level Trim
This is useful for setting relative gains between speakers in 2-way systems.
Trim settings above 0dB should be used with caution. Where inputs have their gain settings correctly adjusted, it is possible to drive full scale output from line and amplifier outputs.
In this case any positive gain set here will simply drive the limiter harder.
Delay
A maximum output delay of 100. milliseconds is available for time alignment of loudspeakers in larger systems. Apply delay by typing in the desired time.
NOTE: To calculate a delay time, measure the distance between loudspeakers. Those near the back of the room will need delaying to the ones near the front.