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AES/EBU input flashes red

jappi, modified 5 Years ago.

AES/EBU input flashes red

Padawan Posts: 36 Join Date: 7/28/16 Recent Posts
Hi, I'm using 8250A AES3 input from fixed sample rate 172/192kHz (88/96kHz won't make any difference) with GLM2.0 and volume control. In high dynamic parts (i.e. bass drum or dynamic vocals) the leds blink red. GLM volume level doesn't affect this (blinks with 0,0dB and -120dB, obv. haven't tried even close to 0dB, but I assume it does:). In the sound itself I cannot hear any distortion. Do I have corrupted AES/EBU signal or faulty speakers?

I'm using s/pdif output with Neutrik BNC/XLR 75 to 110 ohm impedance transformer (connected directly to the speaker). Cables are relatively short (Input from player is 3m, AES/EBU between speakers is 5m).

Edit: Checked source by switching to another player. Similar behavior on different albums though. Noticed that some songs blink less than others. Some don't at all. Could it be because of output level difference or/and audio compression levels?

Any idea what's the problem and how to fix?
jappi, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Padawan Posts: 36 Join Date: 7/28/16 Recent Posts
Just came to my mind that is it possibly signal level issue? But then why would it affect in the dynamic parts of the signal?

Should I try active s-p/dif - aes/ebu converter?
1038, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Jedi Master Posts: 340 Join Date: 4/6/09 Recent Posts
The red LED indicates a few different situations, in your case it may be that the incoming signal is at 0dBfs.

This can be because the track you are listening to was recorded with digital clipping... hence the light still flashing at -120dB in GLM.
jappi, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Padawan Posts: 36 Join Date: 7/28/16 Recent Posts
The red LED indicates a few different situations, in your case it may be that the incoming signal is at 0dBfs.

This can be because the track you are listening to was recorded with digital clipping... hence the light still flashing at -120dB in GLM.


Ok, that might be. As I'm not recording engineer I don't know how often digital clipping occurs. But on some records flashing occurs rarely if at all. But in some it's almost continuous.

Anyway it's very annoying. And I don't know if it's dangerous to the speakers as well? Since I'm inputting s-p/dif level signal 0,6V instead of aes/ebu 7V the input itself shouldn't be overloaded?
ilkka-rissanen, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Hi,

It is not dangerous to the speakers at all, it is just a indication. Unfortunately there is no way to change this behaviour other than choosing to listen properly mastered songs without digital clipping. :)
jappi, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Padawan Posts: 36 Join Date: 7/28/16 Recent Posts
Hi,

It is not dangerous to the speakers at all, it is just a indication. Unfortunately there is no way to change this behaviour other than choosing to listen properly mastered songs without digital clipping. :)


Hi Ilkka,

So using powered s-p/dif to aes/ebu converter with proper voltage level instead of passive wouldn't help at all?

It seems that most of the songs are not properly mastered... :) Is there any chance that there might be technical issue with my monitors? Is there a way to verify that it certainly is only digital clipping issue (i.e. checking the song with software)? At the moment speakers are still under warranty... :)
ilkka-rissanen, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Converter won't do any difference because the "problem" is already in the original signal, it's not about a mismatch or level between the source and the monitor.

You can easily check your songs with any typical audio software (even freeware like Audacity). If you see peaks that reach 0 dBFS, you know that it's the reason for those red blinks.
jappi, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Padawan Posts: 36 Join Date: 7/28/16 Recent Posts
Converter won't do any difference because the "problem" is already in the original signal, it's not about a mismatch or level between the source and the monitor.

You can easily check your songs with any typical audio software (even freeware like Audacity). If you see peaks that reach 0 dBFS, you know that it's the reason for those red blinks.


Ok thanks. I will check. I also noticed that there has been similar issues reported with 82xx-series several years ago. Is this "problem" fixed in 83xx series?
ilkka-rissanen, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts

Ok thanks. I will check. I also noticed that there has been similar issues reported with 82xx-series several years ago. Is this "problem" fixed in 83xx series?

It is not a problem or error in the monitor, it is a designed feature which helps the audio professionals. By blinking the red light, the monitor notifies the sound engineer if the digital signal level is being clipped and he/she needs to turn down the level.

We do not want to disable this feature but we can fine-tune how sensitive it is to clipping i.e. how many clipped samples are needed for the red LED to lit. A firmware update is required for the monitors. I will get back to this soon.
jappi, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Padawan Posts: 36 Join Date: 7/28/16 Recent Posts
Yes I think that is the reason. Any news on FW update?
ilkka-rissanen, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Yes I think that is the reason. Any news on FW update?

Not yet but I will keep you updated.
jappi, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Padawan Posts: 36 Join Date: 7/28/16 Recent Posts
Any news Ilkka?
ilkka-rissanen, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Hi,

Please download the GLM 2.2.0 build 93 and update firmware of each loudspeaker. The clip indication function has been fine-tuned so that it does not indicate clip unless the signal is truly clipping.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2733
jappi, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Padawan Posts: 36 Join Date: 7/28/16 Recent Posts
Thanks Ilkka! Does new FW have other improvements?
markus-kahelin, modified 5 Years ago.

Re: AES/EBU input flashes red

Jedi Knight Posts: 109 Join Date: 3/16/10 Recent Posts
Hi!

New firmware has always overall network stability and performance improvements for the GLM software platform.