TMC-1 web app for Computer,Tablet or Phone (Windows, Mac, Android or iOS)

I have spent the last week developing a web app for the TMC-1, I started because Toshiro Kobayashi from Tac Systems requested that we increase the Pallet size on the TMC-1-Penta, one of his customers needed to select from more that 16 inputs!   In the next software update I have doubled the size of the Pallet allowing a maximum of 34 inputs- Main, Alt and 32 inputs in the Pallet.

I saw a problem for users selecting the inputs from the pallet. Initially I thought to make a computer app as an alternative selection tool but on discussion with Daniel who works with me we decided that a web based app would be more useful. Daniel had mentioned if it was possible to add a tablet interface to the TMC-1 previously some months ago.

To implement the app the TMC-1 becomes a server, allowing one device to be connected. The web page is dynamic and both control the TMC-1 and display the current status. There main problems to implement this on the TMC-1, Memory size and Status indication.

Memory size:
A small DAW has 4 GBytes of memory, the TMC-1 has less than 1 MByte. To send a web page you must first know its length, as page is dynamic the software must first write the page in memory to calculate its length - the memory size determines how much can be displayed.

Status:
The best way to display the status is to use a web socket, however this requires a encrypted handshake and json on the server in this case the TMC-1. I decided that this was too much for the first implementation and to use polling, A new menu allows selection of 8, 4 and 1 second polling  as well as manual update. To reduce the overhead the TMC-1 will reply with no-change message unless a key is depressed.

Here is a screen capture of the output from a TMC-1-Penta

I may change the L/S keys for the TMC-1 User and Function keys, this will allow the user to select their function.

The next Blog entry will detail the Beta test version of the software

   

TMC-1 Ashly ne8800 DSP Monitor Controller Interface

In response to customer requests we have now interfaced the TMC-1 to the Ashley ne8800 DSP processors.

Ashley ne8800

The Ashly ne8800 is an interesting unit, limited by having only 8 inputs and 8 outputs with summing, but unlike the NTP digital router it has DSP on both inputs and outputs - Summing, Equalization, Delay, Crossover and Dynamics. Supplied with Analog in/out as standard  AES/EBU and Dante are available as an option.

The Summing allows  the TMC-1 to implement down mixing, I have included the standard TMC-1 set of formats:

• Mono Sum

• Stereo only

• Stereo Down Mix

• 5.1 Down Mix from 7.1

• 5.1 with side surround routed to both side and rear

• 7.1

• Atmos (7.1.4 on this implementation).

The first unit shipped with Ashly software is a PD-3 which combines a PD-1 with a TMC-1. The PD-1 is improved by adding a OLed display, ethernet port and the new PD-2 software.

PD-3 Film Monitor Remote

The limited number of inputs and outputs made designing systems with the ne8800 a challenge, however the TMC-1 is able to talk to multiple ne8800's increasing the possibilities.

The initial request was for a 7.1.4 film post production room which used two ne8800's. one for the 7.1 inputs and outputs, the other for the 4 overhead speakers, There were 4 unused inputs and outputs on the second ne8800, by routing the Left and Right outputs from the first ne8800 through the second ne8800 we were able to add a stereo input and a mini stereo output.

The initial design has a fixed configuration but if there are a requests for further systems I will write a system configuration program similar to the TMC-1-Penta2 program that will enable users to define inputs and outputs by their unit and channel number.

Using the AES/EBU and Dante inputs or adding a further ne8800 it is possible to select more inputs. To add Cue Inputs, Cue sends, AFL, talk back and listen back would require a third ne8800. It is possible to make a large ATMOS system from multiple ne8800's all controlled from a single TMC-1.

OSX Sierra - Drivers and Programs

I am currently receiving a lot of emails from customers about problems with OSX Sierra, I have upgraded my test Mac from El Capitan to Sierra, the original MacLow2p3 driver remained in place and working, I ran the TMC-1 and TMC-1-Penta2 programs without problems. I also ran the Latency test program, here is a screen shot.

As you can see latency is between 1 and 3.5 mSec using this very crude program with a maximum recorded of 7.175 probably when I prepared to make the screen shot!

Note: The driver has moved and is now called AppleUSBFTDI.kext and is located in /System/Library/Extensions
With Sierra Mac have added  System Integrity Protection (rootless), to rename or delete drivers, this needs to be disabled - I did not need to do this when I upgraded the operating system! For more details read the following articles

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Integrity_Protection
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204899
https://www.igeeksblog.com/how-to-disable-system-integrity-protection-on-mac/
http://osxdaily.com/2015/10/05/disable-rootless-system-integrity-protection-mac-os-x/

I am not sure why others are having problems that I have not, it could be that some directory names/drivers have changed  and they are present on my upgraded Mac but not on a clean install. Pleae let me know your experiences and I will try to work out what the problem is. When I have some time I will try to make a clean install on my test Mac, but first I have to check that there are no important files that I may lose if I wipe the drive!

Thanks to Jonathan Martins I have added a new pdf file to the USB-422 web page "MacSierra.pdf" with step by step instructions on how to disable the Mac Driver on MacOS Sierra.

New Year updates for the TMC-1

One of the advantages of using the same controller with four different systems is that it new functions can be introduced for one system that are then available for all or some of the other systems. The following updates have been made to the TMC-1 software

All versions - Extra Menu

1) Adding advanced menu 17 to limit the maximum gain of the main output, four settings +20, +12, +6 and 0dB. Note not all versions allow +20dB gain.

Engineers Headphone output

TMC-1-Penta and TMC-1-DMon

Engineers Headphone output allows the engineer to monitor inputs, cue inputs and cue outputs without disturbing the main monitor output. A window has been added to display the current headphone source  The following user keys are provided for the D-Mon Headphone feed:

[Ph Source]

:   

  Access the Phones source selection pages, two pages are available with a [More] and [Less] keys to   switch between the pages.

[Ph Follow]: 

  Headphones follow output selection, (hold down and use knob to adjust phones gain)

  This key also allows you to A/B between the current monitor output and the selected source.

[Phones]

:     

  Headphone Enable, hold down and use knob to adjust gain

[PFL->Ph]

:  

  Route AFL/PFL to Phones

Slate from Talkback Microphones

TMC-1-Penta and TMC-1-AMon 

[Slate] and [SlateX] user keys for Internal and External Slate allow the talkback mic output to be enabled and the level controlled, the outputs can be used as an extra talkback channel or as a source of take information to the DAW.

Cue Send PFL User Keys

TMC-1Penta, TMC-1-DMon and TMC-1-AMon

Cue Output Pre Fade Listen switches

[SLS PFL]

and

[H/P PFL]

 on A-Mon, D-Mon and Penta

[Q2 PFL]

and

[Q3 PFL]

on D-Mon and Penta

Stereo Metering

TMC-1-Penta and TMC-1-AMon

Stereo Meter display option added with 6 meters showing the Main, SLS and H/P cue outputs.

Eight Input Selection and Sum

TMC-1-Penta only

Using a second input selection page the TMC-1- Penta can now select and sum up to 8 inputs. The Main and Aux inputs are displayed on both pages.

Multi-Studio TMC-1-Penta Software

New  TMC-1-Penta resource control software allows multiple TMC-1's to be used with a single DAD/Penta/MTRX unit to be used with up to 4 studios each with their own TMC-1. The original TMC-1-Penta used all of the NTP summing resources for a single studio, the new software allows resources to be assigned to each studio.

Please contact us for beta test versions of the new software

AES70 - CB Electronics to join the OCA Alliance

One of the prime reasons to visit the Los Angeles AES this year was to investigate ethernet control.

For the past 30 years CB have specialised in machine control using the Sony P2 protocol. For some time we have looked for a way forward using Ethernet but could not find a unified control protocol. There is AES67 but it does not define a method by which audio streams are discovered, connected or controlled. This year the AES published AES-70 specification based on the OCA (Open Control Architecture) protocol. AES-70 can be used to control audio streams and networked audio devices.

As a result of our discussions with the OCA Alliance, we felt is important to participate in defining the standard.  CB have started a project to develop applications using AES 70. Initially we are adding AES 70 to the TMC-1 - to enable control of networked inputs and/or outputs as the first stage in developing a networked monitoring system.

For the past 25 years interfacing old and new technologies has been a part of our business model. We will design  similar solutions to integrate AES 70 devices with existing and new technology.

PD-1v2 firmware - Now with 192 tracks

The latest PD-1v2 update available from the PD-1 web page allows a maximum of 128 tracks on the Main Output and 64 tracks on the Aux Output. The diagram below shows how to connect the PD-1 with two protools and run the PD-2-win/mac software on one of the protools/

New PD-2 Software for the PD-1

We have released the first version of the new PD-2 software for existing PD-1 users.

The main advantage of the new software is that you can record on up to 128 tracks on one protools or 2x64 tracks two protools. There are now 16 stems each of which can be up to 16 tracks wide. To access the extra stems/tracks the [Assign] key becomes a [Bank] key. To allow for object stems of greater than 16 tracks I am in the process of adding a link command that will allow multiple stems to be linked. Print Master Stems and Linked stems may be placed on the second bank as they do not need to be accessed as often.

The new Mac/Windows app. allows you to define the stem layout. The first version on this software is suitable for users with a single PD-1 and I am working on an new version that will allow users with two PD-1's to define different stem layouts on each PD-1. Here is a screenshot

After showing this to a PD-1 user they suggested an alternative layout which I worked on below

Whilst the traditional layout worked well with track counts up to 48, I can see that the alternative layout fits on a single screen with no scrolling required. When object stems of greater than 16 tracks are added they spill across multiple stems which are generated automatically.

You can download the first version of the Mac/Win app. now, if you decide to try it out you can install the firmware in your PD-1 and use it for about a week before it will demand that you pay for a License! I will issue a revised version of the app with a firmware upgrade before the end of the year.

For the future I am developing the PD-2. This includes a OLED display and Ethernet connection to allow both of the PD-1 serial ports to be dedicated to machine control and the possibility of 192 tracks or 2x128 tracks. A hardware upgrade should be available for existing PD-1 users.

The PD-3 which combines the PD-2 with a TMC-1 is available now

To Fit the PD-3 in an S-6 Module we had to make a compromise and lose the three keys on the left. The PD-2 will include these keys.

New! PD-1 software for Atmos

We will be releasing a new version of the PD-1 software soon that will enable both ports to be used to control DAW's this will allow a single PD-1 to record and monitor up to 128 tracks. Atmos requires 10 channel wide stems for the 9.1 bed, to accommodate this we have changes the [Assign] key to a [Bank] key and changed the way the stems are accessed. The Bank key will allow access up to 16 stems in two banks of 8  each stem can have up to 16 tracks in two banks of 8.

The only drawback is that this will not allow the use of two PD-1's in daisy chain, to accommodate this we are working on new 4 port processor board which will also be available as an upgrade to existing units if there is enough demand.  

TMC-1-XMon/A-Mon RJ45 Breakout Box

A large number of studios are now flood wired with CAT5/CAT5e/CAT6 STP/TP cable. The circuit below is for the optional breakout box to connect the HD-15 on the TMC-1 to a RJ-45

There should be no problem connecting the RS422 control via Ethernet cable, depending on the cable type and cable length it may also be possible to feed the Headphones down the same cable – if not then use a audio cable and connect to the Headphone in socket

Note: The T/B Mic output should be fed via audio cable or possibly a separate STP Cat5e/Cat6cable.

We tested this today in the office and it worked well with RS422 and Headphones in the CAT5 cable and a separate cable for the Talkback mic. I now need to find a much longer RJ45 cable as I only had a 10M cable to test with!

TMC-1v2-win/mac

I am about to release a new version of the TMC-1 configuration program, now that there are four different versions of the TMC-1 (Avid XMon, NTP Penta, Trinnov D-Mon and CB A-Mon) it has become more difficult to keep the TMC-1-win/mac configuration program in sync with the changing User key setup. Two changes were needed to solve this problem!

1) Save user functions by name, the method of saving the settings, the original TMC-1 program saved the settings as the offset in this list, not a problem if you do not change the list order - but this makes problems when adding functions in appropriate order. Saving by name solves this problem.

2) Read the user functions from the TMC-1, instead of keeping and updating a list of the user key functions in the TMC-1 program - read them from the TMC-1, that way the two programs are always in sync!

Two simple changes, like most solutions obvious once you see them!

TMC-1, A-Mon and XPand Manual Updates

I have spent the last two days updating manuals and some web pages with Daniel Gollety our previous French Distributer and my friend of more than 30 years. This was exhausting for both of us but we are happy with the results - especially after updating every screen shot of the TMC-1.

It was important for me to have both an outside proof reader and someone for whom English is not their first language, in English as in most languages there are many different ways of saying the same thing - some are easier to understand than others. It is well known that I do not write the best manuals!

The English versions are now on the web, the French versions will be on the web next week.

Thank You Daniel!

TMC-1 Making time for Customer requests II

Whilst testing yesterday I discovered that a bug was added when implementing the previous customer requests - always a possibility. There is a trade off on having a product that responds to the needs of the market and a good stable product. I err on the side of making to many updates and in consequence to many bugs. However in my defence once a bug is found I respond as quickly as possible and fix it. Unfortunately often the bug is found after a period of time has passed and I have made a number of other updates to the software - I only ever have one version of the software the current version!- c'est la vie!

TMC-1-mac/TMC-1-win
I have updated this s/w to provide an easier upgrade path, in earlier versions on the s/w the user keys were saved as numbers, this meant that I could only add user functions at the end of the list and not always group them logically. I have now updated this s/w so that the user keys are saved by there labels so that I can rearrange the user keys - especially useful as I like to keep the unique functions for each version (XMon, Penta, D-Mon and A-Mon) at the end.

Note: when we release new software it is packages with the matching version of the TMC-1-mac/win s/w, always update this otherwise the user key functions will not be correct!

Making Time for Customer Requests

This week we have been concentrating on finishing and checking the first batch of X-Mon and XPand. Having finished units allows us to check all the ins and outs and fix any final gremlins.

Whilst designing the test jigs I decided to add a new page to the TMC-1-win/TMC-1-mac software to simplify the cue send setup, here is a screen shot of the Cue assign page got A-Mon

The format of the page will change to suit the TMC-1 version, as you can see you can define up to 12 user presets and select between them with a mouse click. We recently added the meters page - primarily for demonstration but if you find it useful...

Assigning User Names to Speaker select keys
Today I was reminded by a customer that I had promised to assigning the user defined labels to the speaker select key.

Input Select Keys Added
He also asked for input select keys which I assumed would also need the labels assigned. This afternoon I added both of these requests to the user keys - the only problem is that the list gets ever longer!

Headphone A/B Switch
I also added a third A/B switch (The others are for the input selection and SLS cue send) The "HP A/B" switch is used to switch between two selections for the Headphone cue send.

I now have to build all four versions of the TMC-1 and build new software update files.  That may take a few days!

A-Mon and XPand now in stock

It has taken longer than estimated, we were distracted by orders for existing products and we had not allowed for the time required to built the test jigs!

Here are the photos,

A-Mon Front

A-Mon Rear

XPand Front

XPand rear

The XPand is already installed and working in one studio and we will be demonstrating both the XPand and A-Mon in different studios over the next few weeks.

You can see/hear both the A-Mon and XPand at "Mix with the Pros 4",  Jigsaw 24, Golden Square on Wednesday the 15th June

Dolby 'ATMOS' - using the new XPand from CB

Use with XMon or A-Mon the XPand will add up to 8 channels to the Main Input and output of the A-Mon or XMon. The XPand is now available to pre-order with a two week delivery.

The first XPand was installed in Amsterdam in a 7.1.4 studio one month ago with a customer who had previously purchased the TMC-1 for their XMon. According to Jelte who installed the XPand it was plug and play and worked first time.

TMC-1 Updates - Talkback Auto-Resume, SPL setting, SPL, Gain and Dolby Level

We recently supplied a TMC-1 to NRK who came back with one great quote and two suggestions for improvement.

"First, let me say I´m liking the TMC-1 more and more ! Great product,and it definitely fills a need in our small/mid-size rooms."
Olav Celius, NRK
The two suggestions for improvement were
1) The auto-talkback did not work in the same way as the Avid ICON
2) The NRK rooms are calibrated at 68 not 85 SPL how to use the CAL-A or CAL-B to display this?

Auto Resume Talkback
To replicate the ICON auto talkback I have added a new user key, "A/R T/B" (Auto-Resume TalkBack), when [A/R T/B] is enabled, if talkback is enabled then entering play will disable talkback and stop will resume talkback.

Room calibration
Both analog and digital monitoring systems are optimised for 0dB gain at the reference level. Whilst it is possible to reduce the gain by 17dB this would decrease the signal to noise ratio by the 17dB - not an ideal solution. I have added a new advanced menu to set the displayed SPL at 0dB gain in 2dB steps from 85 down to 63 SPL.

SPL, Gain and Dolby Level
I added a menu to allow the user to select the main display mode as SPL, Gain or Dolby level. Good for explaining how to calibrate the SPL Level and Great for when the producer requests a setting of Dolby 7 (85dB SPL).

ATMOS - 9.1 Bed - PD-1

This week I have spoken to Ray Gillon and Bruce Emery about the current Dolby thinking on Mixing for ATMOS. The concept seems to be to record a 9.1 Bed (7.1+top left and top right) onto which the objects are added. If using stems and a 'Pec-Direct' his may require 9.1 stems to build the mix.

As the PD-1 is currently configured for 7.1 stems I can upgrade the PD-1 firmware to allow 16 track stems in two banks. I would be very interested in any input on this and for any other suggestions.