Gain-Sharing Automatic Mic Mixer
The Gain-Sharing Automatic Mic Mixer takes a number of audio inputs, allowing one or more of the inputs to pass while attenuating others based on the level and, if Side Chain filters are used, the frequency of the input.
The Gain-Sharing Automatic Mic Mixer is primarily used for multiple live microphones operating in the same room together as a system – for example, in boardrooms, classrooms, churches, and courtrooms. The Gain-Sharing Automatic Mic Mixer controls the live microphones by turning up microphones when someone is talking and turning down microphones that are not used. It is a voice-activated, real-time process without an operator. The Gain-Sharing Automatic Mic Mixer controls the additive effect of multiple microphones being on at the same time and adapts to changing background noise conditions. The gain of each microphone input is calculated as the ratio of its RMS level to the combined RMS levels of all inputs. This ensures unity system gain at all times.
Inputs and Outputs
Input Pins
Channels 1-n
Audio signal pins are represented by a (
) circle, and traditional wiring is represented by a thin black line.
The wiring between audio signal pins are the means by which the audio signal is passed from one DSP component to another. The number of signal pins is variable and set in the component's Properties. You can choose between 2 and 512 input channels. Input (sink) pins are on the left, output (source) pins are on the right.
Output Pins
Audio Output
Audio signal pins are represented by a () circle, and traditional wiring is represented by a thin black line.
The wiring between audio signal pins are the means by which the audio signal is passed from one DSP component to another. The number of signal pins is variable and set in the component's Properties. You can choose Mix-Only, Channel Only, and Mix and Channel.
Mix Only gives a mix of all channels.
Channel only gives individual channel outputs.
Mix and Channel gives a combination.
Properties
Gain-Sharing Automatic Mic Mixer Properties
Channels
Determines the number of audio channels available.
Outputs
Determines the type of output available.
Mix Only gives a mix of all channels.
Channel only gives individual channel outputs.
Mix and Channel gives a combination.
Side-Chain Filter
When set to 'Yes', the internally-routed side-chain signal that controls the gate is modified by the filter settings you select in the Side-Chain section of the control panel. This affects the control of the gate, not the actual audio output.
When set to 'No', the actual input signals are used to control the gates.
Note: There is no dedicated side-chain input. The side-chain is routed internally from all inputs.
Detector Time
Sets one of three fixed Detector Times, or makes a variable control available in the Control Panel. All of these affect all of the channels.
Graphic Properties
Label
Use the Label property to change the name of the component in the schematic. The Label property defaults to the component name. To learn more about renaming schematic elements, see Organizing Your Design.
Position
The coordinates reference a specific place in the schematic - for example,"100,100" (horizontal, vertical). 0,0 is the upper left corner of the schematic.
Fill
Sets the fill color of the component in the schematic.
Script Access Properties
Code Name
Displays the currently assign name for control access. You can use the auto-assigned name or customize it. Q-SYS will automatically check all Code Names in the design to ensure name is unique.
Script Access
Defines whether the component will be accessible by script and/or externally, or not at all. Choices include All, External, None (default), and Script.
- None (default) - Not accessible by any script, plugin, or by Q-SYS Remote Control Protocol (QRC).
- Script - Can be accessed by scripts, such as Text Controller, Block Controllers, and plugins only.
- External - Can only be accessed by 3rd party controls systems using component commands from the Q-SYS Remote Control Protocol (QRC).
- All - No restrictions, can be accessed by 3rd party control systems via Q-SYS Remote Control Protocol (QRC), or script objects or plugin objects.
Tip: Use Script Programmer Mode to quickly view the Script Access setting directly on the component in the design schematic without the need to disconnect from the Q-SYS Core processor.
Controls
Setup
Open Indicator Threshold (dB)
Sets the Applied Gain amount above which the Open indicator shows that the Input channel is open.
Depth (dB)
Sets the minimum amount of Applied Gain applied to the Input channels.
Rest Gain (dB)
Sets the amount of Applied Gain for all Input channels when none are open. When one or more channels are open, Applied Gain is being distributed towards the open channels, away from the closed channels.
Threshold Level (dBFS)
Sets the Input RMS level at which the Applied Gain begins to move away from the Rest Gain. Use this setting to control background noise (such as side conversations) when a mic is not in use.
Attack Time (seconds)
Determines how quickly Applied Gain moves towards 0 dB (unity gain) once the Input level exceeds the Threshold Level.
Hold Time (seconds)
Sets the minimum time an Input channel stays open once it is opened, or the length of time an Input channel stays open after the Input RMS level drops below the Threshold Level. Use this control to prevent the gate from opening and closing due to momentary pauses in the input.
Release Time (seconds)
Determines how quickly Applied Gain moves away from 0 dB once the Input level drops below the Threshold Level and the Hold Time has expired.
Detector Time (seconds)
Only available if Detector Time in Properties is set to Use Control. This control determines the rate of change of the Input RMS detector output in response to changes in the Input signal. Use this adjustment to prevent abrupt changes in the input signal from causing unwanted, momentary output.
Input
Open (Indicator)
Indicates if the associated channel is open or not.
Applied Gain (dB)
Measures the attenuation applied to a particular Input channel. The gain is either zero or a negative value. Graphically the meter starts from the top, displaying attenuation in red going down.
Priority Gain (dB)
Adjusts the gain or attenuation applied to a particular Input channel. For example, you can boost the gain of a mic being used by a soft spoken person and attenuate the gain of a louder person so they can be heard equally in the room.
Mix
Mute (button)
Mutes the Mix channel output. This mutes all Input channels for the Mix output but does not affect the individual Output Channels.
Gain (dB)
Adjusts the Mix output channel gain. This applies to all Input channels on the Mix output, but does not affect the individual output channels.
Side Chain
Note: These controls are only available when Side-Chain Filter in Properties is set to Yes.
Bypass (button)
Bypasses the Side Chain controls
Type (drop-down list)
Selects the Side Chain filter Type.
Bandwidth (octave)
Sets the bandwidth of the Band-Pass, Band-Stop, and Parametric Side Chain filters.
Frequency (Hz)
Sets the frequency parameter for all of the Side Chain filters.
Gain (dB)
Sets the gain parameter for the Parametric, Low-Shelf and High-Shelf filters.
Control Pins
The available Control Pins depend on settings in Properties.
|
Pin Name |
Value |
String |
Position |
Pins Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Attack Time |
0.0001 to 100 |
.100 ms to 100 ms |
0 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Bandwidth |
.010 to 1.00 |
.010 to 1.00 |
0 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Bypass |
0 1 |
active bypass |
0 1 |
Input / Output |
|
Depth |
-40 to 0 |
-40 dB to 0 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Detector Time |
0.0001 to 100 |
.100 ms to 100 ms |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Frequency |
10 to 20000 |
10 Hz to 20 kHz |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Gain |
-100 to 20 |
-100 dB to 20 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Gain (Priority Gain) |
-100 to 20 |
-100 dB to 20 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Output |
|
Hold Time |
0.010 to 10 |
10.0 ms to 10 s |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Meter (Applied Gain) |
-100 to 20 |
-100 dB to 20 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Output |
|
Mix Gain |
-100 to 20 |
-100 dB to 20 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Mix Mute |
0 1 |
unmute mute |
0 1 |
Input / Output |
|
Open |
0 1 |
false true |
0 1 |
Input / Output |
|
Open Threshold |
-40 to 0 |
-40 dB to 0 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Release Time |
0.010 to 10 |
10.0 ms to 10 s |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Rest Gain |
-40 to 0 |
-40 dB to 0 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Threshold Level |
-80 to 0 |
-80 dB to 0 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Type |
1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 |
Low-Pass High-Pass Band-Pass Band-stop Parametric Low-Shelf High-Shelf |
0 .167 .333 .500 .667 .833 1.00 |
Input / Output |
Troubleshooting
There are some components that are unique in their operation in the Emulate mode. Some of these components are the Audio Player, Crossfader, Gain Ramp, and Listen buttons. For more information, see Limitations.
