DSF-3 Digital Surround Processor

Controls - Input Section

B-Format / A-Format Input Select
The DSF-3 Surround Processor supports both B-Format inputs (as generated by the SoundField DSF-2 microphone system) and A-Format inputs (as generated by the SoundField SPS200 microphone). The relevant input mode can be selected using the A-Format/B-Format input select button.

Word Clock INT/EXT
The DSF-3 can be either internally or externally clocked. The on-board sample rate converters will synchronise the incoming AES-3 streams to either the internal clock or an external word clock when available. The external wordclock input accepts a 48kHz clock signal only. Without a valid external wordclock present the unit will be clocked internally, in this case the amber INT LED will be illuminated. When a valid 48kHz external clock is present this will be automatically detected and the unit will switch over to the external clock, illuminating the amber EXT LED.

Locked Status LED
The Locked LED shows the status of the two digital AES-3 inputs. When both inputs are locked and functioning correctly - the LED is green, when one of the two inputs is unlocked the the LED will blink, when neither input is locked the LED will not be illuminated. The digital inputs will accept and lock to any incoming sample rate in the range of 32kHz to 192kHz.

Gain
This control adjusts the input level of all four A-Format or B-Format channels simultaneously and is variable from full attenuation to a gain of +10dB. Normally this control should be used at or close to its 0dB position. Four 5-segment bargraph level meters are provided to monitor the levels of the A-Format or B-Format signals.

End Fire
The END FIRE mode maintains the correct three-dimensional perspective in both surround and stereo when the mic is used in the horizontal position pointing at the sound source "like a flash-light." Not selecting this mode when the microphone is horizontally pointed will result in the Up/Down height information and the Front/Back depth information being reversed.

Invert
The INVERT mode maintains the correct three-dimensional perspective in both surround and stereo when the microphone is suspended upside down above the sound source. Not selecting this mode with the mic suspended will result in the Left/Right width information and Up/Down height information being inverted.

Hi-Pass
A switchable 80Hz high pass filter is available to attenuate unwanted low frequency rumble or wind noise.

Controls - Rotate

Rotates the microphone's pick up through a full horizontal 360 degrees and redefines the front centre of the stereo and surround image. A four character display shows the degree of rotation and a 'Course' or 'Fine' mode may be selected by pushing the Rotate control. In the Course mode rotation is in 10 degree steps and in Fine mode the rotation is in 1 degree steps for more precise pin-pointing of sound sources. The 'Active' button switches the Rotate control in or out of the signal path. An amber status LED is permanently illuminated when Rotate is activated.

Controls - 5.1 Surround Output Section

Independent trim controls are provided for each of the 5.1 output channels and are fully variable from -10dB to +10dB. A separate green 'signal present' and red Clip LED are also included on each channel.

Front Width
A fully variable Front Width control adjusts the angle of the front soundstage (L, R). Normal operation for this control is at the 90 degree position with the ability to narrow or widen the front angle depending on application.

RearWidth
A fully variable Rear Width control adjusts the angle of the rear soundstage (SL, SR). Normal operation for this control is at the 90 degree position with the ability to narrow or widen the rear angle depending on application.

Focus
The Focus control is used to vary the patterns of Surround Left and Surround Right from cardioid through to figure of eight. This degree of control can be very useful for adding additional spatial information to the rear surround channels, especially in ambient or free-field environments. A status LED indicates when active.

Controls - Stereo Output Section

M/S
When the Mid/Side button is enabled the stereo outputs will be M/S encoded. The Left output channel provides the Mid signal and the Right output channel provides the Side signal.

Pattern
The Polar Pattern control only affects the stereo output and is continuously variable ranging from Omni through Sub-Cardioid, Cardioid, Hyper-Cardioid to Figure-of-eight. This control dictates the pattern for both mono and stereo usage depending on whether the Width control is utilised.

Width
This control varies the stereo image from 0 degrees (mono) through 90 degrees (standard stereo coincident pair) to an extra wide stereo 180 degrees.

Rear Panel Connections (click image to enlarge):



DIGITAL INPUT SECTION
DIGITAL A-FORMAT/B-FORMAT INPUTS
75ohm Coax (AES3id) - BNC connector

DIGITAL OUTPUT SECTION
ADAT OPTICAL DIGITAL OUTPUT
5.1 (L, R, C, LFE, LS, RS) and Stereo

DIGITAL STEREO OUTPUT
75ohm Coax (AES3id) - BNC connector

DIGITAL 5.1 SURROUND OUTPUTS
75ohm Coax (AES3id) - BNC connectors

WORD CLOCK INPUT/OUTPUT
BNC 75ohm 48kHz only

USB INTERFACE
A USB interface is provided for future software upgrades.