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STELLADAT I
BY
With the acquisition of the STELLADAT I you have become the owner of a very powerful Recorder for high quality digital Recordings. Although the unit is of extremely rugged construction and all precautions have been taken to avoid damage caused by incorrect use, we recommend that you invest a little time to carefully read this manual.
The STELLADAT is not a complicated recorder to use and if you do not find the time to read the manual before your first Rrecording you will most likely be able to work with it. It is functionally very similar to well known portable analog recorders.
Before you record
If you have to rush, read these few points before starting your first STELLADAT recording session.
When using batteries make sure the machine is set up correctly (Set up and configuration in the software menu). This is to have the correct battery management program, which controls the shut off of the STELLADAT as the battery reaches exhaustion.
Always switch off the machine when you change the batteries. With the NiCd power pack disconnect external power supply.
It is normal for the machine to take a few seconds to be ready after being switched on. This is the time the unit needs to correctly set itself up. Three microprocessors, two high quality AD/DA converters and a very sophisticated power supply have to dialog with each other during your recording session.
If you work with time code, verify in the menu that the correct frame rate setting has been selected.
At this stage you are ready for your first recording. If anything does not work the way you expected it to - do not scream and shout - start reading this manual.
Keep this manual at a safe place. It will be updated with every new feature or software release for the STELLADAT and it will help you to exploit the possibilities of the machine to the maximum.
The STELLADAT I
is the most powerful portable recorder ever made and, due to its modular design will stay powerful for many years. The machine is of extremely rugged construction using a die cast aluminum frame on which six modules are attached. These modules can all be exchanged to assure easy maintenance.
Looking at the unit from the front you find at the left hand side all the analog inputs and outputs including the headphone output with volume control and switch for MS-decoding. The digital I/O module is mounted at the right hand side and provides digital audio, time-code, synchronization inputs and also the connector for the RS 422 bus.
On the top, protected by a transparent lid, you find the mixer module on the left, transport module in the center and on the right the keyboard module for menu use. The latter also contains the control switches for the configuration settings of the unit.
The sixth and last module is the power pack which is attached to the back of the machine.
The front panel, the human interface, is designed for easy use with a minimum of controls, placed where you always had them on the old analog recorders. The display is placed on the left underneath the mixer module. The two master level controls are located in the center of the panel. The main functions are controlled by push buttons, clearly labeled for easy recognition.
Buying such a high tech machine expresses a clear commitment to quality and must be considered as an investment, not only by the buyer but also by the manufacturer. Swiss audio products are renowned for their long life.
SONOSAX, although the youngest of the Swiss audio manufacturer has already supported its products for more than 10 years and the STELLADAT will be the next product which we will support for many years to come.
Make sure on receipt of the machine that everything you have ordered has been correctly delivered. Keep the special packing material in a safe place. It is made of specially selected material to protect the machine during transport. Damage to the unit due to incorrect packing is not covered by the warranty.
The STELLADAT I can be delivered with a soft carrying case specially made for by Porta Brace. This extremely well designed case provides perfect protection to your machine and all the necessary openings for cable connection, battery exchange and switch access allow to work with the unit in the case.
Three different power supplies are available for the STELLADAT:
(for detailed info see chapter "Power Supply")
The NiCd Battery Pack is designed for fast and easy replacement and therefore easy to be mounted:
Place the machine on a flat surface on its front panel, the Power Block upwards. Use the thumb to turn the red and black contacts counterclockwise. They will pop up after turning 45 degrees. The Power Block is disconnected and can be removed. The integrated fast charging circuitry enables you to recharge the pack within a little more than 2 hours.
The NP1- Adapter is attached with two screws to the back panel of the machine thus avoiding unnecessary strain to the special contacts when exchanging the batteries.
The AC adapter working from 90 to 260 V has been carefully selected out of a range of adapters and connects to the STELLADAT through the 4 pin XLR socket on either the NP-1 adapter or the NiCd Battery Pack. You can use the AC adapter parallel to the NiCd or Np-1 Batteries which is recommended to do in places where the AC net may fail. In such cases the Battery will assure the power supply immediately without disturbing your recording.
This worldwide approved accessory is very cost effective and is also a charger of the NiCd Battery Pack which has the necessary circuitry built-in.
To switch the machine on, you need one of the STELLADAT I Power Packs mounted onto its back panel. The switch of the Power Packs is the main switch of the machine. As mentioned earlier, it takes the machine a few seconds to be ready to operate.
The STELLADAT I will now run at the factory preset configurations and set up values. It is important to verify and, if necessary, change the defined battery in the menu to the battery type corresponding to the one mounted.
It is possible that the machine is shut down by the battery power becoming too low. In that case, always switch off the unit while replacing the battery. This operation is needed to assure a correct electronic set-up of the machine.
See also chapter "Choice of the battery.
The STELLADAT I is delivered in a standard configuration to which the unit resets when total reset is activated. Remember: To reset the unit depress simultaneously "Up", "Down" & "Reset" Keys.
General Setting
Time Code Generator Internal,Free run
InputFormat 30Non drop
InputSource Internal
OutputFormat 30Non drop
OutputSource Internal
ID's PNO(Program Number) Auto on
Assemble Rec User Prog Key StartID
StartID Autoon
EndID Autooff
Setup Levelindication Peak meter
Counter1 Absolutetime
Counter2 Programtime
Recdate display Off
dBscale DSPnominal
Limiter On
Recmode Assemble
Configuration Battery Notselected
Samplingup/down Nominal
Recordkey mode Rec/Play key
SerialLine 38'400Bauds
Blank search ON Userkey is ON/OFF switch
Time Code default settings
FilmUSA Video USA Film Europe Video Europe
Input Format 30 non 29 drop 25 frames 25 frames drop
Input Source Internal Internal Internal Internal
Output Format 30 non 29 drop 25 frames 25 frames drop
Output Source Internal Tape Tape Tape
Generator Free run Free run Free run Free run
mode
User bits Date Free, Date Free,
mode increase increase
The stelladat is equiped with a sophisticated battery management program implemented in the menu allowing you to always have the low battery warning at the correct voltage value and to assure a correct shut off of the machine in case of too low a voltage.
Why do you need such feature ?
Beside being warned about the state of your power source, there are two important points to be taken into consideration.
Protection of your battery Rechargeable batteries are expensive and you do not want to replace them too quickly. Never drain a NiCd battery below 1 V per cell!
Correct shut off process of the unit
The complexity of the Stelladat design with three microprocessors, 2 DSP and 5 PLL needs to be shut off under control. Otherwise unpleasant things may happen when switching the unit back on. Should it happen, your unit is switched off by a non controlled loss of power and your unit starts behaving strangely, do not panic. Switch it off and back on again, may be do a total reset, and it will be back to normal.
You must know
While for standard batteries like NP1 type or the NiCd power pack of the Stelladat the characterisitcs are know and the necessary values for the battery management are set in the menu, this is not the case for user batteries. To be able to set them correctly, look at the following table.
Operating values
Software set operating mini 8,0 V max 15,5 V
values
Protection (shut off) mini 7,8 V max 16 V
Stop 1,10 A
Power consumption (12V) Play 1,33 A
Recording (Dyn, 1,36 A
TC)
Note that charging the NP1 batteries with the Stelladat adapter can not be done with the AC power supply delivered with the unit because 18 V is necessary for charging and, unlike the NiCd of the Stelladat, these batteries do not have the built-in fast charging circuitry. We recommend the use of specially designed chargers which are available on the market.
NiCd Power pack
Charging voltage 15 V
Charging time 115 minutes
Voltage fully charged abt Nominal 9,6 V
11,6 V
Autonomy more than 135 min
Using ext. input on NiCd To use the NiCd battery with an external power source has the advantage of instant portable power by simply disconnecting the external power plug. The NiCd will supply over two hours of independant recording. The other advantage of using the NiCd with external power is that the combination makes a U.P.S. (uninterrupted power supply). Should the external power fail the NiCd takes over instantly. See the following table for set up.
To charge the NiCd a 14.6V minimum source of DC is required. Charging a discharged NiCd pack while recording is possible but it can draw 4 Amps on charge. Be certain that your wiring can handle that.
Set ups
Function NiCd Ext V in Source Minimum Low end
switch switching voltage for charging
V charge voltage
startup
Ext. Power Off 8 - 15,5
V
Ext/Int On 8 - 15,5 11 V 14,6 V
Power V
Ext/Int+ On 15 V 11 V 14,6 V 13,8 V
charge
Battery select menu This menu lets you select the correct type of battery. When working with external power, you will set yourself the values the unit needs to send the warnings and shut off at the right moment.
Selecting "User" in the menu prompts a page on the screen allowing you to enter the values. Incoherent values are not accepted (i.e. shut off voltage higher than nominal voltage).
Important note :
The microphone inputs of the Stelladat are designed the same way as on all SONOSAX products. This means that they have a relatively high input impedance providing a substantial improvement in characteristics which are critical to the signal.
To take full advantage of these high quality inputs, it is necessary to reduce the gain to a minimum (or apply maximum attenuation) in any unused channel to prevent noise pick up.
In order to have an optimised recording set up on the mixer, you must know the following :
We propose the following level adjustment :
The Limiter
The Sonosax Limiter judged by our customers to be the best ever made is protecting the AD converter of overshooting signals (Limiting at -2dB FS). This limiter can be switched off in the menu for recordings where peak levels which may occur are known (Music recording).
For drama, news gathering or feature films it can be switched on all the time. It will be absolutely in audible on short overshoots.
If the limiter indication on the display blinks on too many times (also the OVD message) correct your gain settings on the mixer module.
External Connections
Digital I/O module
AES/EBU
Connector In/Out Type Pin # Signal Voltage
XLR In Female 1 Ground sym
2 + 0,2V pk-
pk
3 - minimum
XLR Out Male 1 Ground sym
2 + abt 9V pk-
pk
3 -
Time Code SMPTE
Connector In/Out Type Pin # Signal Voltage
XLR In Female 1 Ground diff
2 TCIP + 1,2V pk-
pk
3 TCIN - minimum
XLR Out Male 1 Ground
2 TCOP + 3,5 V
3 TCON - 3,5 V
LEMO In/Out Female 1 Ground
2 TCIP 1,2 V min
3 TCO +/- 1,5V
4 Not
connected
5 3 V
Remote 12C bus
Connector In/Out Type Pin # Signal Voltage
LEMO In/Out Female 1 Ground
2 SDL 5 V
3 SDA 5 V
4 +5VDC
Serial Port 485
Connector In/Out Type Pin # Signal
D-Sub 9 poles In/Out Male 1 NC
2 NC
3 Ground
4 RXD.0
5 RXD.1
6 NC
7 NC
8 TXD.0
9 TXD.1
Sync BNC (2x) In/Through
The display, an electroluminescent dot matrix, is a multitask screen displaying all kind of information. Its first task, of course, is to display the necessary information you need for recording like recording level, Time information and warnings.
Other tasks are :
Status information
To consult these, you press the key "Display" located alongside the screen at the bottom of the front pannel. Each activation of this key turns a page giving all the necessary information about the current set up of the unit. These pages can be consulted at any time also during recording.
Menu display
The screen will guide you through the different manipulations during you set up the software to your individual needs and habits.
3 very useful switches are available alongside the screen. 8.1 Tape Direct
Switches the headphone jack only, from the input (direct) to the played back (tape) signal (confidence-playback). For obvious reasons, this switch is operational in record mode only.
8.2 User Prog.
To this switch you can assign different functions to manually set identification marks either Start-, End or Skip Ids, Blank Search etc.
8.3 display
See Status Information above.
8.4 Main Level Controls
These most important controls are of very robust construction, each rotating in a waterproof bearing to assure a never changing, smooth handling (no gripping, no losening).
8.5 L & R Ganging Control
To gang the controls, use the small knop between the two main knobs. Press and turn it by 90ø and then release it. Horizontal = ganged, Vertical = unganged. Do not try to change the relative position of the controls in ganged position. There is a Swiss clock like mechanism behind these buttons and gears do not like to be forced out of position. You may succeed but the repair cost will make you regret your effort.
8.6 Main Function Keypad
Professional users normally discover immediately the function of these keys so, you certainly do not mind us pointing just at the few specialities.
Pause
When in one of the Pause modes you press the button of the function you want after Pause.
One button Record
If you do not like the fact that "Rec" and "Play" have to be pressed to go into record, change this factory set feature to One-button-record in the sofware menu (Configuration/Record Key mode/ Rec Key).
Time to "Record" from "Stop"
The Stelladat accepts the order "Rec" in two different ways depending on the recording mode selected relativ to time code settings:
When no ime-code board is installed or time code generator set in mode "Free run" record start is immediat.
Important: In this mode the last second of your precedent recording may be overwritten. We recommend for safety reasons to "over record" for maybe 2 or three seconds and the end of each take.
When the time code generator is set to "Rec run", lossless continuity of the frame counting is wanted. This can only be achieved by assuring perfect synchronization before record start. Therefore, it will take about two to three seconds before the machine starts recording .
How to search (5x nominal speed) Press "Play", then FFW or RW.
How to skip
Press FFW (or RW) once +(n)times, the machine goes into high speed forward (or backward) and skips (n) Stard ID's. As soon the wanted SID is found, the machine will automatically go in "Play".
Double fonctions on main keys
Rec key: Pressing this key while in record mode a start ID is written
Stop key:Pressing this key while in stop mode a loaded tape will be unthread
Each of the two microphone inputs is controlled by :
9.1 attenuation
Controls the gain of the Mic Preamp (70 dB)
9.2 mic power
Selects between Dynamic Microphone and "T"+12 V and Phantom 12V or 48V.
9.3 low cut filter
0 - Flat, 80 - Roll Off at 18 dB/Oct below 80Hz., 120 - Roll Off at 18 dB/Oct below 120 Hz.
9.4 pan
Assigns mic input to left or right channel. Although some "PAN" function is possible with this control, it is not intended to duplicate the "PANPOT" function on a professional mixing console.
9.5 mic level
Controls the level of each MIC input to its respective track.
9.6 line level
Controls the level of each LINE input to its respective track.
9.7 overload
Indicates overload on the MIC or LINE input 4 dB before clipping
Contains cassette loading and tape transport mechanism. Duplicate set of "Main Function Keypad" buttons.
10.1 eject
Press once - unthreads a loaded tape. Press a second time - ejects the cassette, Press a third time - activates the drum cleaning mechanism.
11.1 input
Select analog or digital audio input.
11.2 synchro
Select between internal sync, external sync and AES/EBU.
11.3 sync in
Select between video sync signal or other external sync source.
11.4 preemphasis
Switches preemphasis ON or OFF. On playback, peremphasis is automatically detected and switched.
11.5 frequency khz
Select sampling frequency (44.1 or 48 kHz). On playback, the sampling frequency is automatically detected and switched.
11.6 keypad
Use these software function keys to travel through the menus.
Right and left arrow enters or exits a page or selects a pair of digits when setting a number value (T-C, Date, Time).
Up and down arrows selects the lines on the page or changes the value of the digits.
SET sets the new selected value or function
RESET resets to the value or function initially selected. Attention, this is working only before SET is pressed.
MENU initializes the menu program and brings you back to the main display after the setting of the new values.
LOC will at a later stage be used for locating the tape at a precise address
This Keypad is operational in STOP mode only.
The menu allows you to configure your STELLADAT to your requirements and personalize it. Once your personal settings are in, the machine will keep them memorized and whenever you switch it on, it will be set to your specifications.
To enable you to do this, STELLADAT uses a series of pages that make it extremely easy to go through the menus. Even on location your machine can be quickly adapted to the needs of the situation.
Refer to chapter 9.6 for operating in the menu.
To toggle between Menu and Display mode press the Menu button. If you wish to move forth and back within the menus, use the arrow buttons.
Most of the functions you can set in the menu do not need lengthy explanation and we recommend to use the "Quick reference guide and Menu hierarchy" brochure delivered with each machine. This is easier to carry around on the set than the manual.
We will in this chapter concentrate on some not so obvious functions.
13.1indexing
The Ids menu lets you decide whether or not you want to automatically set Ids, have the start Ids numbered or not, define the next PNO and assign a function to the USER PRG key.
Start ID and Program Number (PNO) What you must know : A PNO is not a start ID - it is a number to be set or not on a start ID. It is possible to have start Ids without numbers but a number without start ID can not be written. So, PNO set to Auto ON decides nothing but that start IDs will be written with a number.
Write a Start ID:
Set Start ID in the ID's menu to : "Auto on" on each record start a ID mark is recorded during 9 seconds
Set User Prog Key to: "Start ID" Each time you press the User prog key an ID mark is recorded during 9 seconds
Press the REC key while in record mode:Each time you press "Rec" while in record an ID mark is recorded during 9 seconds
Write an End ID:
Set End ID in the ID's menu to : "Auto on" on each record end a ID mark is recorded during 9 seconds
Set User Prog Key to: "End ID" Each time you press the User prog key an ID mark is recorded during 9 seconds
ID marks, recorded during 9 seconds allow the R-DAT to detect it also in high speed (FFW, REW)
Write a Skip ID
Set User Prog Key to: "Skip ID"Each time you press the User prog key an ID mark is recorded during 1 second.
ID marks, recorded during 1 second can not be detected in high speed. Skip Ids are detected in playback only. On detection of a skip ID the R-DAT changes into FFW until detection of a Start ID, End ID or End of tape. This feature would be used to shorten playback time by skipping unwanted passages in a recording.
Important: Skip Ids cannot be erased in the subcode only menu. It is therefore recommended to write them during a playback using the possibility in the menu "Subcode only"
13.2renumbering
Select recording mode in the SETUP MENU and set SUBCODE ONLY on. Then press SET, MENU, change to the DISPLAY key on the front panel of the unit and press it till the page SUB MODIFICATION appears. Now select RENUMBER, press USER PROG. Now define the next PNO, press SET. Now press the USER PROG key and the machine will do the renumbering routine. Rewinds to the start of the tape and renumbers the first start ID. Once the first number is written the tape will fast forward to the next ID and controls whether or not the PNO corresponds to the precedent +1. If YES, it will immediately fast forward to the next ID. If NO, it writes the correct number and then fast forwards to the next etc...until the end of tape or an end of record ID is detected.
13.3erase or write start ID's
Once you have placed the tape where you want to write or erase a start ID, go to the page SUB MODIFICATION (as in renumbering), select "write" or "erase" and press USER PROG. The Stelladat will write or erase and then stop. Search for the next ID to be written or erased then press USER PROG, etc..
The configuration menu lets you select and preset :
Battery select menu providing the choice of 4 settings: NP- 1/12V , NP-1/13V, NiCd 8 x D-Size and USER
Once you have selected your battery a screen, "SPECS" will appear on the display. This screen contains information about the battery you selected:
1) U nom: nominal battery voltage 2) Batt low: voltage where warning appears on the display 3) Remain: remaining time after warning until shut off
The user specs have to be completed by the user to make sure the low batt warning is executed. The user specs require 3 voltages: 1) Batt low: user value 2) REC/PB off: user value 3) Shut off: user value
These values can be freely set by the user with 1 restriction which is the minimum voltage of 8.5 V where the machine will switch off due to too low a voltage.
To define the "Shut off" voltage we recommend for normal NiCd batteries to respect a minimum voltage of 1V per cell in order to avoid damaging the batteries. Therefore a battery consisting of 9 cells would need the "shut off" value of 9 V. 10 cells 10V and 11 cells 11 V.
When user batteries are used, please note that the STELLADAT is protected against to high voltage and will refuse to start. This value is set at 16 V.
Do not forget that a well charged battery reaches a voltage which is considerably higher in the beginning than nominal voltage. (NP-1 14,4 V well charged can reach 17 to 18 V)
DO NOT use 14.4V batteries
A) Changing the PROM on the motherboard
1/ Take off the bottom plate of the unit.
2/ Pull out the existing PROM.
Looking at the motherboard you will recognize a socket mounted IC, labeled `' Master `' and indicating the version of the software. Extract it using a PROM extractor.
PROM
Socket
Motherboard.
3/ Installation of the new PROM.
Once the existing Prom is extracted, place the new version in the socket and press it firmly into place. ATTENTION: To avoid the wrong position, one of the proms corners as well as one corner in the socket is 45ø. Make sure the orientation of he new PROM corresponds to this.
4/ If you do not need to change the PROM of the Time-Code board, close the unit by mounting the bottom plate , otherwise follow instruction under `'B''.
Changing the EPROM on the Time Code board.
1/ Take off the bottom plate of the unit.
2/ Unscrew and take off the digital I/O- module on the right hand side of the unit. This is necessary avoid any damage to the cables caused by opening and closing the motherboard.
3/ Disconnect the flat cable between screen and motherboard. Carefully push the locking device on the connector towards the edge of the board to loosen the cable. Then pull out the cable.
screen
Flat cable
Locking device
Motherboard.
4/ Disconnect the cable between the front key pad and motherboard. Carefully push the locking device on the connector towards the edge of the board to loosen the cable. Then pull out the cable.
Multi cable
Connector
Locking device
Motherboard.
5/ Now unscrew the two screw located at the upper edges of the motherboard and carefully lower the board until it is supported by the string. Do not force !
6/ Pulling out the Time Code board.
TC Board
AES
Board
Motherboard.
This board is fixed to the motherboard by three connectors. It
may , therefore require a little effort to pull it out.
7/ Take out the existing PROM
With the TC-board in front of you,you will recognize a socket mounted IC labeled `' TC `' and the software version. Extract it using a PROM extractor.
PROM
MicroP
Socket
Time Code.Board
8/ Installation of the new PROM.
Once the existing is extracted, place the new version in the socket and press it firmly against the TC-board. ATTENTION: To avoid the wrong position, one of the proms corners as well as one corner in the socket is 45ø. Make sure the orientation of the new PROM corresponds to this.
9/ Final mounting.
- Plug the TC-Board back to its initial place. Make sure it is well plugged in - Fold back the motherboard Be extremely cautious and pay much attention to placing the cables so they will not be squeezed. Especially the one connecting the internal power supply to the mother board located against the back pannel of the unit. - Now fix the mother board by tightening the screws at the upper edges - Connect the flat and the multicable again (Do not forget to push the locking devices on each connector)
10/ Install the digital I/O-module on the right hand side pannel Again, use great care to locate the cables properly not to damage them. A damaged cable will cause problems !
11/ Close the bottom plate.