TUNETRACKER SYSTEM IN ACTION - The ChannelCaster Switcher Interface

Connecting Up the System

The relationship you establish between the TuneTracker computer, your switcher, your mixer, and other audio sources and destinations at your station is completely up to you and your broadcast operation's unique needs.

The scenario we are about to present is only one example. The scenario does not explain how to wire up the items. It just presents one practical approach. Consult your Broadcast Tools manuals, included in the ChannelCaster hardware package, for details on making the the actual physical wiring connections.

Here's an illustration showing the connection scheme described below.

1.   Disconnect power from all equipment, including computer, switchers, converters, everything involved.
   
   
   
2.   Connect the TuneTracker computer's output to a pair of unbalanced inputs on the TwinMatch impedance matching box.
   
   
   
3.   Connect the corresponding pair of balanced outputs to the Channel One inputs on the Broadcast Tools switcher. The switcher manual indicates which inputs are which.
   
   
   
4.   Connect any other desired audio sources to the other inputs on the switcher.
   
   Important! Do not connect unbalanced, consumer/prosumer gear to the switcher without first converting it to a balanced signal using a converter box. The TwinMatch box that comes bundled with ChannelCaster packages handles two stereo channels; enough for the TuneTracker computer and one more stereo signal. Additional impedence matching boxes are available from TuneTracker Systems by calling 920-273-0543.
   
   
   
5.   Connect the switcher's output Channel One to the audio chain leading to your transmitter. In some cases, the first stop on the way to the transmitter will be your control board/mixer. In other cases, it might be your EAS box or a rack of processing equipment. Again, refer to the switcher manual for specifics on which switcher outputs are which.
   
   
   
6.   Connect the included serial cable's "phone clip" end to the switcher and its broad, serial plug to serial port 1 on your computer.
   
   If your computer does not have a serial port, contact us and request a serial port adapter that will allow you to provide access to a serial port through one of the expansion slots on the back of the computer case. If you purchased your computer through TuneTracker Systems, the adapter will be sent to you free of charge. Please use caution when working inside your computer, and seek assistance from a professional if you do not feel qualified to do so. Damaging the computer could void your warranty!
   
   
   
7.   Apply power to your equipment, only after double-checking all connections. You are responsible for assuring everything is wired correctly. The owner assumes full responsibility for damage caused by improperly-connected equipment.
   
   
   
8.   Check your connections to see if they work. You can do so manually using the control buttons on the face of your switcher box. Consult your manual for details on how to use the box's included "trim pots" to fine-tune the volume levels of your input and output signals.
   
   
   
9.   DON'T MISS THIS STEP!  Go into TuneTracker Command Center System Prefs and click on the Switcher tab. Enable the "permanent" switcher channel option, assigning it to Input 1, and Output 1. Click "Save and Use." Enabling this option will assure that Command Center holds open the switcher channel it is wired to. The channel is automatically opened when Command Center is launched, and closed when Command Center is properly closed down. An artificial "kill" of Command Center will not close the switcher channel. We do not recommend you assign any configurable buttons to Channel One, because it is possible to accidentally trigger them then shut them off in Command Center's user interface, effectively taking your programming off the air.
   
   
   
10.   Connect the serial cable (included) to the serial port on your computer, and to the jack on the back of the switcher that looks a bit like a telephone jack. If your computer does not provide a serial port, an adapter can be purchased at your local computer store. Normally these adapters plug into a set of pins on your motherboard, and provide an output jack via one of the expansion slots on the back of the computer.
    
    
    
11.   If you want Command Center to respond to relay closures from satellite receivers, pushbuttons, etc., connect them to the switcher box as described in the manual.

Now, here's where it starts getting exciting!  Once your system is wired up, tested, and ready, it's time to set things up in Command Center to do both manual and automated switching.



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