You are here: Reference for Processing Blocks and Controls > I/O Processing Blocks > Remote Audio Devices > USB Output

Block Reference

USB Output Block (RAD27)

How to Use

A RAD USB Output block represents the USB audio signal sent to the RAD connected to the corresponding RAD port on the HAL or EXP device. The Channel 1 output block represents the Left Record channel, the Channel 2 output block represents the Right Record channel for stereo USB audio.

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 Remote Audio Device Ports category, find the RAD you want. Click and drag its USB Output block into your Processing Map.
  4. note: A RAD does not appear in the I/O palette until it has been added to the system in the Hardware Workspace.

  5. Wire the appropriate input from your system to the block's Input node.
  6. (Optional) Customize the block name, channel name, and/or input node name 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
  • Open the USB 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. From this dialog box, you can do the following:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Link the USB Connected toggle control to other toggle controls in the HAL system such as an output relay and/or Ethernet control system message to turn on the projector, lower the screen ,dim the lights and start the popcorn machine. USB Connected means a PC connected to the USB RAD has recognized the RAD as a USB Audio device and it can be selected as the audio I/O device for the PC.
User Interface Elements
RAD USB Output Block

RAD USB Output Block

UI Element Purpose
Input node Connection point for wiring the input to the USB Output block
USB Output (Channel 1) The output channel connected to the corresponding RAD port on the HAL
RAD USB Output Block Properties

RAD USB Output Properties

 
UI Element Purpose

Gain (Manual and Linkable Control)

Gain (both a manual and linkable control) sets the volume of the block's output. Also specified is the volume range with a Minimum and Maximum value. Change the volume by adjusting the slider or entering a dB value in the edit box. Provide end users with control over the volume by linking this Level Control to the Level Control of a DR1 or DR3. Change the range by clicking the Minimum or Maximum value and then typing new values in the edit box that appears. The meter displays signal data for the block output.

Default Gain = 0.0 dB; Default Minimum = -88.0; Default Maximum = 12.0

Off @ Min Checkbox When checked, causes the audio to mute completely when dialed to the low end of its range.
Mute (Manual and Linkable Control) Mute the block's output without changing the Gain value. Provide end users with output mute control by linking this Toggle Control to the Toggle Control of a DR2, DR3, or Logic In port.
USB Connected (Read Only Linkable Toggle Control) The USB Connected toggle status is true (checked) when the USB PC has recognized the USB RAD and is ready to stream audio. The status is false (unchecked) when the USB PC is sleeping or disconnected from the USB RAD. You can link this toggle control to other toggle controls in the HAL system. Test these links by clicking the control in Halogen. If Halogen is connected to the system, clicking the control overrides the status from the USB RAD. When the status is overridden, a Cancel Override button appears in the block.