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Block Reference

EXP3x Zone Output Block

How to Use

An EXP3x Zone Output block represents the audio and processing sent to one channel of an EXP3x expansion unit. The block provides the digital signal processing needed for audio zones, including support for Paging and the Distributed Program Bus.

Adding the Block to Your System
  1. Click the Processing tab to open the Processing Workspace.
  2. In the palette area, click the I/O tab.
  3. In the palette, find the EXP3x device you want and then the Analog Output Ports (Line) category. Click and drag the Zone Output channel block that you want to use into your Processing Map.

    4. note: An EXP3x does not appear in the I/O palette until it has been added to the system in the Hardware Workspace.

  4. When you release the mouse to drop the block onto the processing map, Halogen displays a dialog that allows you to select the type of block that you want. In this case, select Zone Output and click OK.

    EXP3x Zone Output Selector

  5. (Optional) Customize the block name, input node name, channel name, and/or station name (in the green box) by clicking the current name and then typing the custom name in the text box that appears. Click the X to save the name.
Configuring the Block
  1. Open the Pager Input block's properties by double-clicking the block or hovering and clicking the properties icon that appears in the upper right of the block's title bar. The properties include the following:
    • a Zone Processor block with support for up to 32 Distributed Program Bus sources, 32 Paging sources, and 32 Aux inputs.
    • an Emergency Zone block that allows emergency pages into the zone.
    • a Compressor block that provides the dynamics processing for the output.
    • a Parametric EQ block (5-band PEQ) that allows you to adjust the output's frequency response.
    • a Line Output block, allowing you to set the nominal volume of the audio output.
  2. Open the Zone Processor block's properties by double-clicking the block or hovering and clicking the properties icon that appears in the upper right of the block's title bar. This block is identical to the Zone Processor block in the HAL1x. For details on how to use and configure this block see Zone Processor.
  3. Open the Emergency Zone block's properties by double-clicking the block or hovering and clicking the properties icon that appears in the upper right of the block's title bar. This block is identical to the Emergency Zone block in the HAL1x. For details on how to use and configure this block see Emergency Paging Zone.
  4. Open the Compressor block's properties by double-clicking the block or hovering and clicking the properties icon that appears in the upper right of the block's title bar. This block is identical to the Compressor block in the HAL1x. For details on how to use and configure this block see Compressor.
  5. Open the 5-band PEQ block's properties by double-clicking the block or hovering and clicking the properties icon that appears in the upper right of the block's title bar. This block is identical to the Parametric EQ block in the HAL1x, except that the number of bell filters is fixed at 5. For details on how to use and configure this block see Parametric EQ Filter.
  6. Open the Line Output block's properties by double-clicking the block or hovering and clicking the properties icon that appears in the upper right of the block's title bar.
    • Set the volume of the block's output by adjusting the Gain slider or entering a value in the edit box.
    • Provide volume control to end users by linking one or more DR1 or DR3 level controls to the block's Level Gain control. You can limit the range of end user volume control by adjusting the minimum and maximum values at either end of the level control. For example, to give the end user 24 dB of attenuation, set the minimum to -24 dB and the maximum to 0 dB. To change these values, click the minimum or maximum value displayed below the slider. An edit box displays in which you can set the Minimum and Maximum parameter values.
    • Cause the audio to mute completely when dialed to the low end of its range by selecting the Off @ Min checkbox. Using the example range described above, checking Off @ Min provides continuous volume control from 0 dB to -23.9 dB and then mutes the audio completely.

    • Invert signal polarity to correct wiring errors implemented by accident or on purpose by unsuspecting installers or uninformed manufacturers. We still recommend fixing such wiring errors when they’re encountered, so future generations will look back on your installation as the ultimate example of truth, justice and proper polarity.

    • Mute the output channel—without changing the specified Gain value—by selecting the block's Mute checkbox. You can provide end users with control over this Mute parameter by linking the block's Mute control to a Logic In, DR2, or DR3 Toggle control.
    • View meter data for the output signal.
User Interface Elements
EXP3x Zone Output Block

EXP3x Zone Output Block

UI Element Purpose
Distributed Program Bus flag Represents the automatic inclusion of the Distributed Program Bus channels
Local input node Connection point for wiring local input to the Zone Output block
Output node Connection point for wiring the Zone Output input to a specific output
<Add> node Click to add another Input node, or wire to the <Add> node to automatically create a new channel.
Zone flag Represents the Zone Processor's paging zone (and automatic connection to the paging system)
Emergency flag Represents the Zone Output's Emergency paging zone (and automatic connection to the paging system).
EXP3x Zone Output Block Properties

EXP3x Zone Output Block Properties

UI Element Purpose
Zone Processor block The Zone Processor block provides source selection, level control, and paging for an audio output zone. For details, see Zone Processor.
Emergency Zone block Provides the audio processing and control required to mute program audio and insert emergency page audio into the signal path. For details, see Emergency Paging Zone.
Compressor block Provides the dynamics processing required for the audio output. Open its properties dialog box to configure its settings. For details, see Compressor.
5-band PEQ block

Allows you to adjust audio output frequency response. Open its properties dialog box to configure its settings. For details, see Parametric EQ.
Line Output block Provides control over the Level settings for the audio output. For details, see the previous section (How to Use).
See Also