To adjust the S8 DSP functions a software is required. The processor needs to be connected to the PC/MC and turned on.
After installing the software, start it by selecting the icon shown on your desktop.
The first window is the startup page where one of the following modes needs to be selected:
- CONNECT - USB, connects the S8 DSP to the PC/MAC via USB;
- CONNECT - BT, allows the connection in bluetooth mode with the PC/MAC (if available);
- OFFLINE, demo mode.
7.1 OFFLINE MODE
In this case even if the S8 DSP processor is connected to the PC/MAC, it does not interact with the software. The OFFLINE mode can be used to work on the software to get familiar with the processor multiple functions without connecting the S8 DSP to the PC/MAC and it is possible to open a saved setup*.s8c or simulate three different configurations: motorcycle, car, free placement. For the specific functions (see sec. 7.5.1).
- Select Create new setup to start the software in demo mode.
- Select Open a saved setup to start the software with a saved setup.
- Select BACK to go back to the start window.
7.1.1. CREATE NEW SETUP
Select Create new setup, to access the System Selection menu where you can select one of the below options:
1. Motorcycle: to simulate a system installed in a motorbike.
2. Car: to simulate a system installed in a car.
3. Free placement: to simulate a system with free placement.
Select the desired option by clicking on the reference image.
- press Next to access the control window.
- press Back to go back to the main window.
- How does the S8 DSP software look like when starting up in Motorcycle OFFLINE mode.
- How does the S8 DSP software look like when starting up in Car OFFLINE mode.
Remark: in the CAR option the driving side can be set up:
Left drive for left-hand drive car (default).
Right drive for right-hand drive car.
- How does the S8 DSP software look like when starting up in Free placement OFFLINE mode.
7.1.2. OPEN A SAVED SETUP
This function loads the complete configuration of the S8 DSP from a previously saved file (.“S8 DSP setup file.s8c”).
7.2 CONNECT USB MODE
To use this function the S8 DSP processor must be turned on and connected to the PC/MAC. The connection between PC/MAC and S8 DSP can be established via USB cable or Bluetooth.
7.2.1 CONNECTION VIA USB CABLE
1. Start the device (green led status, BT blue led flashing)
2. Connect the USB cable between PC/MAC and S8DSP (light green led status, BT led off)
3. Wait for the PC/MAC to acknowledge and correctly configure the S8 DSP as USB serial device then press Connect - USB.
4.The software will start with S8 DSP connected via USB.
- press Close to go back to the main window.
7.3 CONNECT BT MODE
1. Start S8 DSP (green led status, blue BT led flashing).
2. Enable the Bluetooth function on the PC/MAC.
3. Press Connect - BT to open the pop up Select a BT device, and start the search for the S8 DSP processor.
- press Close to stop the search.
4. Select a BT device: at the end of the search one or more S8 DSP will be detected, “ie.S8 DSP-XXXX” (XXXX is the identification number of the S8 DSP)
- press on the name ie. S8 DSP-XXXX to select the processor.
Remark: in the case of multiple processors available, it will be possible later with the Identify function to check if the selected S8 DSP is the one desired.
- press Close to stop the operation.
After selecting S8 DSP, a pop up with the processor’s name will appear
- press Connect to go ahead with the S8 DSP direct connection.
- press Identify to check if the processor you intend to connect to is the one you want (in the case of multiple S8 DSP previously detected).
The status LED of the selected S8 DSP will start flashing green.
- press Connect to connect the S8 DSP.
- press Stop to return to the previous screen.
- press Back to go back to the previous window.
- press Close to interrupt the operation.
Remark: when connection for the first time the software will ask whether to connect automatically to the selected S8 DSP for any future connections, it will also avoid the PIN request, if enabled (see sec. 8.2.8)
- press Yes to connect S8 DSP automatically in the future and access the control software.
- press No not to connect S8 DSP automatically in the future and access the control software.
- press Cancel to cancel the operation.
Remark: you can later remove the automatic connection of the S8 DSP with the function “Bluetooth>Forget” (see sec. 8.1.6.3).
WARNING: If the Bluetooth PIN has been activated previously (see sec. 8.2.8) click on the first white box on the left to enter the numbers with the PC/MAC keyboard.
- press OK after entering the PIN to access the control software.
- press Cancel to cancel the operation.
Invalid PIN: if the PIN entered is incorrect, the bluetooth connection operation must be repeated from the beginning.
- press Dismiss to go back to the main window.
WARNING: if the pin is not available, it is still possible to connect the S8 DSP to the software via the USB connection.
7.4 S8 DSP DEFAULT SETUP
By default, the S8 DSP is configured as shown below:
7.4.1 INPUTS
Pre In
- CH1-CH2
7.4.2 OUTPUTS
Output (Pre Out):
- Ch1-Ch2: Front Tw (L/R)
- Ch3-Ch4: Front Wf (L/R)
- CH5-CH6: Rear Tw/Wf (L/R)
- CH7: Center Tw/Mid
- CH8: Subwoofer
Subwoofer is the sum of the 2 input channels.
7.5 I/O CONFIGURATION WIZARD
Before starting the “I/O Configuration Wizard” connect the source loudspeakers’ outputs to the SPEAKER IN input (see sec. 5.2.3) or the source PRE OUT outputs to the S8 DSP PRE IN input (see sec. 5.2.1).
At this point it is necessary to know in advance the system to be implemented, since later, to change these selections, you will have to run the guided procedure.
In particular, the wizard will request:
- What system will S8 DSP be installed on.
- Which speakers make up the system (E.g.: 3-way Front or Sub stereo or 2-way Rear etc.).
- If there are passive crossovers that handle groups of speakers (E.g.: 3-way system with active mid-bass).
- Which type of main inputs will be used, if high level or low level. This selection will not prevent the use of digital sources.
- Which input/s will be assigned to each output, it is possible to configure an output system with stereo input, customized, or with reconstruction of the input signal.
- Click on the Settings menu and select I/O Configuration Wizard.
- Press Start to start the Configuration Wizard.
- Press Cancel to exit the Configuration Wizard.
7.5.1. SYSTEM SELECTION
It is possible to configure S8 DSP in 3 different types of system:
- Motorcycle: this option provides the ability to configure the S8 DSP for a system installed on a motorcycle.
- Car: this option provides the ability to configure S8 DSP for a system installed in a car.
Remark: in the CAR system the driving side can be selected:
Left drive: left-hand drive car(default setting)
Right drive: right-hand drive car.
- Free placement: this option allows you to configure the S8 DSP for a free placement system.
- Select the desired option by clicking on the reference image.
- Press Start Configuration to go on with the configuration.
7.5.2. SPEAKER SELECTION
￭ Motorcycle / CAR option
In Motorcycle or Car mode, through the appropriate screen, you can select the speakers in your system, to be activated or deactivated by clicking on them. The software assumes that if you select the left tweeter, midrange, woofer or coaxial, the right ones will also be activated automatically. This choice will affect the type of dedicated crossover.
E.g.: if only the woofers have been activated for the rear system, only a low-pass or band-pass filter will be available within the software.
- press Next to continue with the configuration.
- press Back to go back to the previous window.
- press Cancel to cancel the operation.
￭ Opzione Free placement
In Free Placement mode, you can directly choose the speaker or speaker system (E.g. 2-way tweeter / woofer or 3-way tweeter/midrange/woofer), for each output. This selection will affect the type of dedicated crossover, (E.g.: if output 1 is configured as a tweeter, only a high-pass filter will be available within the software, if output 2 is configured as a woofer only a low-pass or band-pass filter). If you select the same type of loudspeaker or loudspeaker system for one of the 4 pairs of outputs, the software will automatically activate the “Xover and EQ Link” function (see sec. 8.6.1 - 8.7.7).
This function can be deactivated by clicking on it.
- press Next to continue with the configuration.
- press Back to go back to the previous window.
- press Cancel to cancel the operation.
7.5.3. PASSIVE CROSSOVER SELECTION - OUTPUT CHANNELS ASSIGNMENT / OUTPUT CHANNELS NAME
Passive crossover selection:
In Motorcycle or Car mode it is possible to indicate the presence of passive crossovers by enabling the 2Ways / 3Ways options.
E.g.: the front 3-way can be operated as:
- multi-amplified (6 output channels would be needed);
- passive mid-highs + separately amplified woofer (4 output channels would be needed);- 3-way passive (2 output channels would be needed).
Remark: During the selection, the software will automatically signal the return to the limit of the 8 output channels, making the vehicle image turn from red to white and the Next button will appear.
- press Next to continue with the configuration.
- press Back to go back to the previous window.
- press Cancel to cancel the operation.
- Output channels assignmet
In Motorcycle or Car mode it is possible to change the order in which the outputs of the S8 DSP have been automatically assigned by the software. The software will report if in the event of an error the same output will be assigned to multiple speakers, in this case the vehicle image will turn from white to red and the NEXT button will disappear from the screen, until the correct assignment of the outputs.
- press Next to continue with the configuration.
- press Back to go back to the previous window.
- press Cancel to cancel the operation
- Output channels names
In Free Placement mode it is possible to rename each output channel with a maximum of 15 characters, so as to facilitate their recognition while using the software.
- press Next to continue with the configuration.
- press Back to go back to the previous window.
- press Cancel to cancel the operation.
7.5.4. ANALOG INPUTS CONFIGURATIONS
It is possible to select the type of analog input used: RCA (PRE IN) or High Level (SPEAKER IN)
This selection will set the sensitivity scale displayed in the Sensitivity window (see sec. 7.5.6 - 8.2.2)
- RCA the sensitivity scale will be set with values from 0.8 to 6 Vrms.
- Hi level the sensitivity scale will be set with values from 2.5 to 21Vrms.
WARNING: the selection of the type of RCA/Hi Level input will affect the type of sensitivity scale displayed in the software, so it is important to make sure that there is a correspondence with the input used.
- press Next to continue with the configuration.
- press Back to go back to the previous window.
- press Cancel to cancel the operation.
7.5.5 ANALOG INPUTS-OUTPUTS ROUTING
It is a mixer in which it is possible to view and / or modify the assignment of the input signals on each output channel (this means that an input channel can be sent to one or more output channels and vice versa), and adjust the mixing percentages.
The mixer is structured as a matrix:
1. In1-In2-In3-In4-In5-In6 are the S8 DSP input channels
Remark: hovering the mouse cursor over an input channel, the associated output channels will be highlighted.
2. OUT1-OUT2-OUT3-OUT4-OUT5-OUT6-OUT7-OUT8 are the S8 DSP output channels.
Remark: hovering the mouse cursor over an output channel, the associated input channels will be highlighted.
3. ROUTING/PRESET: it is possible to assign inputs to outputs in two ways (STEREO) or (CUSTOM).
STEREO (default) does not allow to operate on the mixer.
The system will be configured using the inputs In1 and In2, the assignment to the outputs is automatic and cannot be changed.
Input In1 will be assigned to the Left outputs;
The In2 input will be assigned to the Right outputs; while the mono outputs (E.g. subwoofer or center) will be associated with both inputs In1-In2.
Remark: when operating on the mixer in Stereo mode, a pop up will appear with the warning to use the Custom option to customize the assignment of the inputs to the outputs.
CUSTOM allows the user to operate on the mixer.
It is possible to use all available inputs (IN1 / IN6) to configure the system.
The input is assigned to the output when the box turns green and the mixing percentage will be shown inside.
Remark: it is possible to switch from the
Routing Preset Stereo mode (default), to the
Routing Preset Custom mode by selecting them using the appropriate drop-down menu.
4. MIXER: It is possible to assign the mixing percentages of the inputs in two ways: (Auto/Man).
It is possible to switch from the Mixer Auto mode (default), to the Mixer Man mode and vice versa clicking on the Auto or Man keys, upon clicking a warning pop up will appear on the screen.
- select “Don’t ask again in this session” to stop showing this pop up in this work session.
- press OK to switch mode.
- press Cancel to cancel the operation.
Auto, (Default) The software will calculate, based on the selected inputs, a percentage of equal value in order to reach 100% of the signal at the assigned output.
E.g. If only one input is associated with an output, the software will set it to 100% (fig 1), while if several inputs are associated with a mono output (Eg. Subwoofer or Center), the software will set them in equal percentage (50% / 50%) so that their sum is 100%. (fig 2).
Man, it is possible to manually operate on the mixing percentages, assigning the desired value to each input and confirming it with .
E.g. if you want to reconstruct a full range signal from a source with filtered outputs, each input can be set to 100% in order to obtain a Full range output signal without distortion.
WARNING: in the case of the mixer configuration in MAN mode, the software removes the control on the maximum value of the sum of the input signals. Therefore, when the 100% threshold is exceeded (risk of output distortion) a pop-up will appear to confirm the operation.
- press OK to switch mode.
- press Cancel to cancel the operation.
- select “Don’t ask again in this session” to stop showing this pop up in this work session.
After setting up the mixer
- press Next to continue with the configuration.
- press Back to go back to the previous window.
- press Cancel to cancel the operation.
7.5.6 INPUTS SENSITIVITY SETUP
The calibration of the input levels is essential to adapt the sensitivity of the S8 DSP to the signal coming from the source, the sensitivity scale will vary according to the selection made previously in the Analog inputs configurations menu: (see sec. 7.5.4 - 8.2.2).
- RCA the sensitivity scale will be set with values from 0.8 to 6 Vrms.
- Hi level the sensitivity scale will be set with values from 2.5 to 21 Vrms.
Before proceeding with the calibration, follow the instructions below:
- insert the supplied USB into the source.
- play track 1.
- set all tone controls to 0.
- set balance and fader to 0.
- set the volume of the source to the maximum undistorted level.
Remarks: if you do not have the opportunity to try the source first, bring the volume adjustment to about 80% of its maximum excursion. If the output level of the source is positioned too low, the S8 DSP may produce a background noise (puff). If during playback the S8 DSP should exhibit such noise, the calibration should be repeated.
- Press BACK to go back to the previous window.
- Press NEXT to perform the inputs calibration.
- Press SKIP to skip the inputs calibration.
- Input clipping indicator. When the LED lights up, it signals the presence of clipping on the selected input.
- By operating on one of the sliders, it will be possible to adjust the sensitivity of each input.
- Indicator of the sensitivity level of each individual input channel, referred to the position of the slider indicated above.
- By clicking on the buttons it will be possible to select a group of S8 DSP inputs for which it will be possible to adjust the sensitivity levels at the same time. Click the button again to disable the function.
- Select all: by clicking on the “Select all” button it will be possible to adjust all the sensitivity levels of the inputs of the S8 DSP simultaneously. By clicking again on the “Select All” button it will be possible to disable the function.
Input sensitivity level calibration:
￭ With track 1 in progress, gradually decrease or increase the sensitivity of the first input used until the LED turns on or flashes red, then you have to go back one step (the LED turns off).
￭ Carry out the same operation for the other inputs used.
- press Next to continue with the configuration.
- press Back to go back to the previous window.
- press Cancel to cancel the operation.
7.5.7 INPUTS EQ SETUP (ANALOG INPUTS EQUALIZER)
The S8 DSP software provides an input equalizer, which can be managed by a maximum of 7 parametric equalization bands per channel, this operation is useful for correcting the outputs of OEM HU sources when they are equalized.
- Press Back to go back to the previous window.
- Press NEXT to access the inputs equalization.
- Press SKIP to skip the inputs equalization procedure.
1. Volume: by operating on the “Volume” slider, you can make adjustments to the overall system output level (-60 ÷ 0 dB).
2. Mute: by clicking on the “Mute” button it is possible to mute the output channels. Click the “Mute” button again to disable the function.
3. Input Channel: by clicking on the drop-down menu, you can select the input channel you intend to equalize.
4. In order to display the set equalization curve more clearly, using the slider it is possible to increase or decrease the vertical scale (dB).
5. This part of the screen indicates the frequency (HZ) of each intervention pole of the equalization referred to the position of the “Fo” slider.
6. By clicking on the buttons it is possible to select a group of equalization poles to which the Gain levels can be adjusted at the same time. By clicking on the button again, the function will be disabled.
7. Select all: by clicking on the “Select all” button it will be possible to adjust all the Gain levels of the equalization poles at the same time. By clicking on the “Select all” button again, the function will be disabled.
8. Flat: by clicking on the Flat button, the Gains of all poles will be returned to the 0 dB position.
9. EQ Link: when active, it applies the equalization curve of the left channel to the right channel or vice versa.
10. EQ off: by clicking on the EQ off button, the equalizer on the selected channel or 2 channels (EQ Link active) selected is deactivated to check the effect without losing the settings. By clicking on the “EQ off” button again, the function will be disabled.
11. G (dB): by operating on the “G” slider, it will be possible to make adjustments to the gain of the selected pole (Gmin +12dB ÷ Gmax -12dB).
12. Fo (Hz): by operating on the “Fo” slider, it will be possible to make adjustments to the frequency of the selected pole.
13. Q: by operating on the “Q” slider, it will be possible to make adjustments to the “Q” quality factor of the selected pole (Q: 1 ÷ 15 step min 0.1).
14. This part of the screen displays the values of G (dB), Fo (Hz), Q set for each equalization pole.
Remarks: A finer adjustment of these parameters can also be made using the keyboard of your PC/MAC.
TAB key : allows you to select the slider, “G” “Fo” and “Q” for each equalization pole.
The successful selection is visible through the orange color of the adjustment slider.
Keys and
: allow fine adjustment of the selected slider.
WARNING: if you proceed with the inputs equalization, S8 DSP will enable the audio outputs, the general volume will be set by default to -42dB to avoid damaging the speakers when starting calibration.
- Press BACK to go back to the previous window.
- Press NEXT to perform the inputs equalization.
- Press SKIP to skip the inputs equalization.
7.5.8 WIZARD COMPLETED
- Press DONE.