MMWS Build 1a

"MMWS Audio Build 1a" is an interim build for use through the trainer training sessions.  This interim build provides full 11-way conferencing with full duplex aural communication.  All mics are live at all times.  All participants hear the exact same audio mixture.  The left foot pedal for "decision makers" (DM's) can be used to divert that DM's voice to their respective voice recognizer.  The voice of all odd-numbered DM's should appear in the left ear of all participants.  The voice of all even-numbered DM's should appear in the right ear.  Role-Players are the opposite.
Power-Up Requirements
All required components were left in a full powered state.  Non-requisite components (Build 1b and Build 2 components) were left unpowered.  The following is a list of essential components for Build 1a.

AuSIM Central

  • 1 AuSIM Audio Server (AuS10253015, top of left rack)
    Requires a login as "GoldMiner", password is "nugget".
  • 1 RDL Line Driver
  • 2 Rolls HA43 Headphone Amplifiers, used as balanced distribution amplifiers
  • 2 AuSIM Addabox converters (top of right rack)
  • 1 Audio Server Monitor (optional, left CRT on table)

Decision Maker Room

  • 1 Behringer MX802 Mixer (at base of DM1)
  • 1 Samson Q5 Headphone Amplifier, used as distribution amplifier (at base of DM1)
  • 1 AuSIM Audio Diverter (at base of DM2)
  • 2 Mackie 1202 Mixers (at base of DM3)
  • 2 Rolls HA43 Headphone Amplifiers (near base of DM3 & DM5)

Role-Player Room

  • 1 Behringer MX802 Mixer (at base of RP1)
  • 1 RDL Line Driver (at base of RP1)
  • 1 Mackie 1202 Mixer (centered between RP3/4 and RP5/6)
  • 1 Rolls HA43 Headphone Amplifier (centered between RP3/4 and RP5/6)

There is no required sequence of power up.  If power fails to any component in AuSIM Central, then no one will hear anyone else.  All other power failures will effect a limited scope.

Trouble Shooting
  • Whailing Audio Feedback
    Most likely a headset was set down with the microphone positioned very close to a headphone driver.  This is unlikely to occur with the closed headsets.  However, it can easily occur with the open communication headsets provided for role-players.
  • Crackling or Popping Noise on the Line
    This is a strange state that occurs when the digital mixer is in an uninitiated state.  It is remedied by merely touching the digital mixer panel on the audio router's console with the mouse pointer.  The mixer panel is accessed by right-clicking the mouse on the small green or red 'S' in the lower right corner of the audio router console screen.  From the pop-up menu, select "Show Mixer #1".  Please call AuSIM if you encounter this infrequent problem.

    Equipment Handling
    Headsets
    For Build 1a all headsets are live all of the time, without pressing the Push-To-Talk (PTT) switch (right footpedal).  Since someone may quite likely be wearing a headset in the remote room, it is imperative that headsets be handled gently and care is taken not to drop them.  When not worn, headsets should be either hung-up, or laid on their backsides, so that the microphone is projects upward and not banged on the table.  For Role-Player headsets with the pivoting ear-pieces, make sure that the microphone is rotated away from the ear-pieces, therefore preventing a feedback loop. 
    Components on the Floor
    If components on the floor must be temporarily moved or relocated, care should be taken not to disengage power, dislodge a connection, or change a control setting.  The mixers are very complex devices with very detailed settings.  A minor adjustment may not only affect the participants directly dependent on the mixer, but also all other participants.

    Adjustable Controls
    • Headphone Level
      All headphone signals are driven by independent headphone amplifiers.  Thus each participant's headphone level may be adjusted independently.  All headphone signals originate either directly from a mixer or indirectly through a Rolls headphone amplifier. 
      ParticipantAmplifierLocation
      DM1Behringer Mixerbase of DM1
      DM2Mackie Mixerbase of DM3
      DM3Rolls HA43base of DM3
      DM4Mackie Mixerbase of DM4
      DM5Rolls HA43base of DM4
      RP1Mackie Mixerbetween RP3/4 and RP5/6
      RP2Behringer Mixerbase of RP1
      RP3-6Rolls HA43between RP3/4 and RP5/6
    • Microphone Level
      Microphone levels should be properly metered and calibrated.  Such adjustments should only be performed by experienced audio techicians.  An experienced audio technician should be able to make adjustments without any procedure given here.
    • Voice Panning
      By default every other voice is panned left or right.  This panning configuration is completely adjustable continuously from left to right for each voice.  If a different panning configuration is required, please call AuSIM for a telephone talk-through of the procedure.  In Build 1b, the left-right location of circuits will be controlled by each participant independently.
    • AuSIM Home Last update: 15 Jun 2000