Amp Output (Network Amplifiers)

Use the Amp Output component to send digital audio over Q-LAN to the CX-Q, CXD-Q, or DPA-Q output channels, where it is converted to analog audio and then amplified. This component provides the inputs to the output stage of the amplifier.

The analog audio input to the Line Inputs on the rear of the amplifier is converted to digital audio and sent to the Mic/Line Input (Network Amplifiers) component via Q‑LAN. Use the Amp Output control panel for telemetry, as well as amplifier control of On / Standby, Mute, and Gain. The same controls are available on the amplifier's front panel.

Inputs

The inputs are digital audio from any appropriate component within Q-SYS Designer. There can be from one to four inputs (four channel models) or two to eight inputs (eight channel models) and is dependent on the FAST configuration. The eight channel models have two sets of four channels.

Outputs

The outputs are digital audio connecting to loudspeaker components.

Network amplifiers are capable of supplying 70V or 100V outputs. To use this mode, you must connect an appropriate loudspeaker component to the Amp Output component. For QSC loudspeaker components capable of using 70V or 100V, set the Mode Property of the loudspeaker component to either 70V or 100V. Q-SYS sets the amplifier to this mode when the design is deployed.

In addition, when an amplifier is set to either 70V or 100V mode, a 50 Hz high-pass filter is automatically added in line to protect the loudspeakers.

Note: To set CXD4.2Q and DPA4.2Q amplifiers to 70V or 100V mode, you must configure the outputs to channels A and B bridged, and channels C and D bridged (A+B C+D).

Refer to the Status (Network Amplifiers) component topic.

Amplifier Status

Status

Component status is conveyed with the Status LED and Status box, which uses both color and text to indicate the current condition:

  • OK: The device is functioning normally.
  • Initializing: The device is in the process of a firmware or configuration update, or the design is starting.
  • Compromised: The device is functioning, but a non-fatal problem exists. Refer to the Status box for details.
  • Missing: The device cannot be discovered.
  • Fault: The device is malfunctioning or is not properly configured. Refer to the Status box for details.
  • Unknown: This status appears during a Core reboot (for example, during a firmware update), or when a design is being uploaded to the Core and before it has started running.
  • Not Present: If applicable to the device, this status appears when the device is not connected to the network and its Is Required component property is set to 'No'. This status also appears if the device component's Dynamically Paired property is set to 'Yes', pairing has not been assigned in Core Manager, and the device component's Is Required property is set to 'Yes'. See Dynamic Pairing.

On/Standby

Toggles the amplifier from Standby to Power On and back. See Amplifier Power Modes.

Mute All

Mutes all channels of the amplifier. Once Mute All is engaged, you must use the Mute All button to unmute the channels. The individual channel Mute is disabled while the Mute All is engaged. See Amplifier Power Modes.

Gain Lock

Disables the gain control on the front panel of the amplifier. (The gain controls in the Q-SYS Designer Software component are not disabled.)

Mute Lock

Disables the mute controls on the front panel of the amplifier. (The mute controls in the Q-SYS Designer Software component are not disabled.)

AC Voltage

The AC Mains voltage, from 100 VAC to 240 VAC.

AC Current

The AC Mains current being drawn by the amplifier.

PSU Temp

Temperature of the amplifier's power supply. Thresholds:

  • 55° C triggers the Compromised state

  • 63° C mutes all audio

V Rail 1

Internal amplifier voltage monitor. 147VDC +/- 5V typical.

V Rail 2

Internal amplifier voltage monitor. -147VDC +/- 5V typical.

Fan RPM

The fan speed varies based on the temperatures.

Meter Select

Selects either RMS or Peak for the five meters in all channels. Changing the meter type changes the meter readings on the Amp Output component and on the amplifier output gain meters.

Standalone (test button)

This control is available only in Standalone mode. Press this button to simulate Standalone mode. You will hear the audio that is played when the amplifier is in the Standalone Mode.

Power Management

Tip: Use the PowerSave controls to reduce amplifier energy usage when input signals drop below the desired threshold level. PowerSave monitoring occurs at the input of the amplifier block. See Amplifier Power Modes.

PowerSave Threshold

Select the input dB threshold below which the PowerSave Timeout is triggered, from -99.0dB to -50.0dB (-80.0dB is default).

PowerSave Timeout

Once the PowerSave Threshold has been reached, a timer counts down from this value, between 1 and 99 minutes (default is 10). At the end of the countdown, the amplifier goes into a reduced power mode to save energy.

Channel (A, B, C, D), (and E, F, G, H for eight channel) Status

Channel

The channel letters change based on the Channel Configuration selection in the Properties:

  • Single channels = A (or B, C, D) ( 8CH E, F, G, H)

  • Parallel channels = AB (or CD) (8CH EF or GH)

  • Bridged channels = A+B (or C+D) (8CH E+F or G+H)

The default is four separate channels – A, B, C, D (and E, F, G, H for 8-channel).

Gain

The Gain knob adjusts the digital gain of the associated output channels, from -100dB to 20dB (default is 0 dB).

Mute

Mutes the associated channel of the amplifier. This is linked to the Mute button on the amplifier itself.

Over Current

Red LED indicating an over current condition exists in the associated amplifier channel.

DAC Limit

Red LED indicating that signal to the D to A Converter is larger than can be reproduced and a limiter has been engaged to prevent clipping. This is an indication that the gain structure is not correct.

Protect

Red LED indicating that the channel is in Protect Mode. Usually due to attempting to drive too low an impedance for too long.

Limit

Red LED indicating that the amplifier is in the limiting mode. This occurs if the signal is driving the power, current, or voltage above the amplifier rated values or due to thermal limiting.

Short

Red LED indicating there is a short in the loudspeaker circuitry.

Temp

Displays the temperature, in Centigrade, of the associated channel.

Channel (A, B, C, D) Meter

These readings can be RMS or Peak depending on the Meter Select setting.

Input (dBFS)

Measures the digital input to the amplifier output channel, from -120 to 20.

Output (dBFS)

Measures the digital output to the amplifier output channel, from -120 to 20.

Voltage (V)

Measures the voltage of the amplifier / loudspeaker circuit, from 0 to 150.

Current (A)

Measures the current of the amplifier / loudspeaker circuit.

Power (W)

Measures the power of the amplifier / loudspeaker circuit.

Headroom (dB)

Measures the amount of headroom left before reaching the amplifier's maximum capabilities.

Monitor

There is one Listen button and one Gain control for each channel.

Listen

The Listen button activates the Loudspeaker monitor for the associated channel.

Gain

The Gain knob controls the output gain to the Loudspeaker Monitor component, from -100 to 20dB.

Standalone

There is one Mute button and one Gain control for each channel.

Mute

Mutes the output of the amplifier channel when in Standalone Mode.

Gain

Controls the Gain of the amplifier's output when in Standalone mode, from -100 to 20dB.

Pin Name

Value

String

Position

Pins Available

AC Current

.nnn

.nnnA

-

Output

AC Mains Voltage

100 - 240

100V - 240V

0V = 0

120V = .5

240V = 1.00

Output
         
         
         

Fan Speed

nnnn

nnnn

-

Input / Output

Gain Lockout

0

1

disabled

enabled

0

1

Input / Output

Mute All

0

1

unmute

mute

0

1

Input / Output

Mute Lockout

0

1

disabled

enabled

0

1

Input / Output

Peak/RMS Select

0

1

Peak

RMS

0

1

Input / Output

Power On

0

1

Standby

On

0

1

Input / Output

Power Supply Temperature

n

n °C

0.000

1.000

Output

PS Threshold

-99.0 to -50.0

-99.0dB to -50.0dB

0.000

1.000

Input / Output

PS Timeout (min)

1 to 99

1 to 99

0.000

1.000

Input / Output

Rail 1 Voltage

142 to 152

 142V to 152V

0.000

1.000

Output

Rail 2 Voltage

-142 to -152

-142V to -152V

0.000

1.000

Output

Status

0

1

2

3

4

OK (green)

Compromised (orange)

Fault (red)

Unknown (red)

Updating (blue)

0

0.250

0.500

0.750

1.00

Output

Pin Name

Value

String

Position

Pins Available

Current

0 to 70

0 A to 70 A

0.000

1.000

Output

DAC Output Limit

0

1

false

true

0

1

Output

Gain

-100 to 20

-100 dB to 20 dB

0.000

1.000

Input / Output

Headroom

0 to 70

0 dB to 70 dB

0.000

1.000

Output

Input Meter

-100 to 20

-100 dB to 20 dB

0.000

1.000

Output
Limit

0

1

false

true

0

1

Output

Monitor Gain

-100 to 20

-100 dB to 20 dB

0.000

1.000

Input / Output

Monitor Listen

0

1

disabled

enabled

0

1

Input / Output

Mute

0

1

unmute

mute

0

1

Input / Output

Over Current

0

1

false

true

0

1

Output

Power

0 to 10000

0 W to 10,000 W

0.000

1.000

Output

Protect

0

1

false

true

0

1

Output

Short

0

1

false

true

0

1

Output

Temperature

Text Field

 

Voltage

0 to 150

V to 150 V

0.000

1.000

Output

Consult this table to understand the behavior of the amplifier in each of its power modes.

Mode

Amplifier Channel Switching

DSP

Main Power Supply

Description

On

Active

Active

Active

The amplifier is ready to deliver power. Amplifier output is actively switching.

PowerSave

Active (Individual Channel Basis)

Active

Active

This control stops individual amplifier outputs from switching.

Mute All

Not Active

Active

Active

This control stops all amplifier channels from switching.

Standby

Not Active

Not Active

Not Active

In this mode, some internal low voltage components are still powered. However, when the amplifier comes out of standby, a reboot of the DSP is required.

Off

Not Active

Not Active

Not Active

All components of the amplifier are off.