iDR-in/out User Guide AP4774 1
iDR-in and iDR-out are add-on audio expander units for the Allen & Heath iDR-4 and iDR-8 audio mix processors.
They provide additional analogue audio inputs and outputs to add to those on the main unit. The iDR-in has 8 mic/line
inputs, the iDR-out has 8 line outputs. One or both may be connected to the iDR. Only one of each may be added to
the iDR system bringing it up to a maximum 16x16 audio matrix. These units do not have any processing built in. They
simply convert between analogue and digital audio to work with an 8 channel wide digital bus which feeds the main
unit via a CAT5 STP cable. The iDR-in features high grade mic/line preamps with PC configured gain, pad and
phantom power switching, and a built-in soft clip limiter. The iDR-out provides electronically balanced differential
outputs. The processing is available on the main iDR-4 or iDR-8 unit which features the full 16x16 DSP matrix. Both
units have 8 front panel LEDs in addition to the 3 status indicators. These are 3-colour soft LEDs which can be
assigned as audio meters, mute indicators or patch related indicators. They are programmed in the usual way using
the iDR System Manager software. Control of the expanders is via the DR-Link port using a CAT5 STP cable. This
means that two CAT5 cables are required to interconnect an expander to the main unit. Maximum distance between
the units is 250 metres. Local mains power is required.
This product complies with the European Electromagnetic
Compatibility directives 89/336/EEC & 92/31/EEC and the
European Low Voltage Directives 73/23/EEC & 93/68/EEC.
NOTE: Do not remove the cover of the unit. There are no user serviceable
parts inside. Any changes or modifications to the equipment not approved by
Allen & Heath could void the compliance of the equipment and therefore the
users authority to operate it.
iDR-in/out User Guide AP4774 Issue 2
Copyright © 2003 Allen & Heath Limited. All rights reserved
Whilst we believe the information in this guide to be reliable we do not assume
responsibility for inaccuracies. We also reserve the right to make changes in
the interest of further product development.
iDR-in/out EXPANDER AP4774
User Guide
AUDIO INPUT EXPANDER
powerlock link
iDR-in
lock link power
AUDIO OUTPUT EXPANDER
iDR-out
Made in the UK by ALLEN&HEATH LIMITED
AUDIO OUT
CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN.
FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION AGAINST RISK OF FIRE REPLACE FUSE WITH SAME TYPE AND RATING.
ATTENTION: REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE AVEC UN DES MEMES CARACTERISTIQUES.
47-63Hz ~ 25W MAX
100 - 240V~
THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED.
WARNING
SERIAL NUMBER
AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR.
FUSE: T500mAL
next
OUT
DR-LINK
previous
IN
IN 2
Complies with UL6500, CSA-E65, EN60065
IN 8 IN 7
MIC/LINE INPUTS
IN 6 IN 5 IN 3IN 4
IN 1
AUDIO IN
Made in the UK by ALLEN&HEATH LIMITED
CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN.
FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION AGAINST RISK OF FIRE REPLACE FUSE WITH SAME TYPE AND RATING.
ATTENTION: REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE AVEC UN DES MEMES CARACTERISTIQUES.
THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED.
WARNING
47-63Hz ~ 25W MAX
100 - 240V~
SERIAL NUMBER
FUSE: T500mAL
AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR.
next
OUT
DR-LINK
previous
IN
OUT 2
Complies with UL6500, CSA-E65, EN60065
OUT 8 OUT 7
LINE OUTPUTS
OUT 6 OUT 5 OUT 3OUT 4 OUT 1
DIGITAL EXPANDER
DIGITAL EXPANDER
EXPANDER INPUTS
EXPANDER OUTPUTS
2 IDR-in/out User Guide AP4774
The iDR-in and iDR-out expanders can be rack mounted or free standing. There are no
user controls on the front panel, only the status and assignable LEDs. Allow a minimum of
75mm clearance behind the unit for the connectors and cables. Ensure adequate
ventilation to the side of and behind the unit.
It is shipped with its rack ears fitted and its feet removed ready to be mounted in a standard
19” equipment rack. 1U rack space is required. For desk mount operation remove the two
rack ears using a Torx (star head) T10 screwdriver. Fit the four plastic feet provided by
pressing them into the underside.
Make sure you have read the Important Safety
Instructions printed earlier. Also check that your local
mains supply is compatible with that printed on the rear
panel of the unit. Ensure that the correct mains lead with
moulded plug and IEC connector has been supplied. For
your own safety and optimum performance make sure the
system is correctly grounded.
To avoid any unexpected audible clicks or thumps
always turn connected power amplifiers down or off before
switching the iDR or any other signal equipment on or off.
Turning the expander on or off First make sure
the unit is correctly plugged up and connected to the iDR-4(8).
This is described below. Turn the unit on by pressing the rear
panel power ON/OFF switch. The power LED lights up. The
link LED lights if the DR-Link connection is established with the
iDR-4(8). The lock LED lights once the link is established and
audio is correctly communicated with the iDR-4(8). The iDR
System Manager detects the presence of the expander.
If one or more of the LEDs do not light then check that the
cables are correctly fitted and the iDR-4(8) is functioning
normally.
Checking for expanders You can use the front
panel iDR-4(8) Setup menus to check if any expanders are
connected and recognised. This is useful when the expanders
are located far away from the main unit. With the face plate
removed access menu *8 Diagnostics and scroll to Audio Exp.
Refer to the iDR-4 user guide AP5230 or iDR-8 user guide
AP4530 for further details.
CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN.
FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION AGAINST RISK OF FIRE REPLACE FUSE WITH SAME TYPE AND RATING.
ATTENTION: REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE AVEC UN DES MEMES CARACTERISTIQUES.
47-63Hz ~ 25W MAX
100 - 240V~
THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED.
WARNING
AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR.
FUSE: T500mAL
powerlock link
AUDIO INPUT EXPANDER
powerlock link
iDR-in
lock link power
AUDIO OUTPUT EXPANDER
iDR-out
48mm
1.9"
44mm
1.7"
1U
232mm
9.1"
307mm
12"
75mm
3"
iDR-in and iDR-out EXPANDERS
Remove 2x rack ears
Fit 4x feet
M3 Torx T10
483mm
19"
443mm
17.4"
*8 Diagnostics
Audio Exp:In/Out
iDR-in/out User Guide AP4774 3
Connecting to the iDR-4(8)
You can connect
either or both expanders according to the requirements of your
application. The iDR-in AUDIO OUT connects to the iDR-4(8)
AUDIO IN. The iDR-out AUDIO IN connects to the iDR-4(8)
AUDIO OUT. Ensure that the expander DR-Link IN connects to
DR-Link on the iDR-4(8) it is associated with. If both
expanders are used with the same iDR-4(8) then daisy chain
from DR-Link OUT on one to DR-Link IN on the other. DR-Link
can also be daisy chained from or to iDR-switch units if you
are using them as well.
Fully expanded iDR-4(8) The diagram below shows
the iDR-8 with both the input and output expanders fitted.
Note the connection of DR-Link which is daisy chained from
one unit to the next. If an iDR-switch unit is also fitted then
daisy chain DR-Link from the last expander to the switch box.
Make sure you plug into the correct DR-Link socket.
Use CAT5 STP cable. A pair of standard 2 metre cables is
provided with each expander. Maximum cable length is 250
metres. This means that the expander units can be used for
remote audio over CAT5 cable.
AUDIO OUT
next
OUT
DR-LINK
previous
IN
DIGITAL EXPANDER
IN
OUT
DR-LINK
AUDIO
OUT
DR-LINK
AUDIO
IN
iDR-in
iDR-out
iDR
87654321
87654321
IN
OUT
16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9IN
16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9OUT
CONNECTING BOTH EXPANDERS
IN
OUT
DR-LINK
AUDIO
OUT
iDR-in
iDR
87654321
87654321
IN
OUT
16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9IN
CONNECTING THE INPUT EXPANDER
IN
OUT
DR-LINK
AUDIO
IN
iDR-out
iDR
87654321
87654321
IN
OUT
16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9OUT
CONNECTING THE OUTPUT EXPANDER
INDR-Link
AUDIO OUT AUDIO IN
CAT5
CAT5
CAT5
CAT5
250 metre max 250 metre max
INPUT OUTPUT
AUDIO OUT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
SIG GEN
ACTIVE MONITOR
iDR-in iDR-out
iDR-8
DR-Link
AUDIO IN
OUT INDR-Link OUT
4 IDR-in/out User Guide AP4774
Expanded multiple iDR system This diagram
shows an iDR system with two iDR-8 units and both expanders
fitted. A system could also be created with iDR-4 units or a mix
of iDR4 and iDR-8 units. DR-Link is only required to connect to
the expanders, not between the main units. Make sure you
connect DR-Link to the iDR associated with each expander.
Make sure you plug into the correct DR-Link socket. In this
case do not daisy chain DR-Link from one expander to the
other.
Use CAT5 STP cable. Maximum cable length is 250 metres.
Maximum audio matrix is 16x16. The audio link cable carries 8
channels. This can provide a distributed system with 8
common channels and 8 local channels at each unit.
IN
DR-LINKDR-LINK
DR-LINK
AUDIO
INOUT
IN OUT
iDR Unit A
8A 7A 6A 5A 4A 3A 2A 1A
87654321
IN
OUT
IN OUT
iDR Unit B
8B 7B 6B 5B 4B 3B 2B 1B
87654321
IN
OUT
OUT
iDR-in
16A 15A 14A 13A 12A 11A 10A 9AIN
DR-LINK
iDR-out
16B 15B 14B 13B 12B 11B 10B 9BOUT
Mic/Line Inputs x8
Female 3pin XLR
Electronically balanced, pin 2 hot
Impedance 2k (pad out),>10k ohm (pad in)
Sensitivity -50dBu to +5dBu
Gain range -15 to +50dB in 3dB steps
Pad -20dB
Sensitivity (pad out) -50 to -5dBu
Sensitivity (pad in) -30 to +15dBu
Maximum input level +33dBu
Pre converter soft limiter -4dBFS, switchable
Phantom power +48V DC switched
Line Outputs x8
Male 3pin XLR
Electronically balanced, pin 2 hot
Impedance <75 ohms
Maximum output +18dBu
Expander Input / Output Port
RJ45 connector
Proprietary 8 channel digital audio
Connects to iDR-4 or iDR-8 main unit
CAT5 STP cable up to 250 metres (825 feet)
Converters
24bit resolution
A/D dynamic range 109dB A-weighted
106dB unweighted
D/A dynamic range 115dB A-weighted
112dB unweighted
DR-Link Port
Serial control of iDR expander units
Proprietary Allen & Heath control protocol
RJ45 connector
IN and OUT ports provided to allow daisy
chaining through multiple units
CAT5 STP cable up to 300 metres (1000 feet)
Performance
Frequency response 20Hz-20kHz +0/-0.5dB
Crosstalk <-80dB @ 1kHz, 0dB gain
THD+noise <0.01% @ 1kHz, 0dBu
Residual output noise <-93dBu
Input to output noise @ 0dB gain <-87dBu
Input to output noise @ 50dB gain <-73dBu
Latency <2.4ms expander XLR to/from iDR XLR
This is <0.084ms additional to iDR
Status LEDs
Power –mains power on
Link – iDR-Link control communicating
Lock –audio communicating
Soft LEDs
Assignable by the installer
iDR-in 8x front panel
iDR-out 8x front panel
3-colour – green, yellow, red, off
Function 3-colour signal meters
Mute on/off
Static patch related
Power Supply
Universal mains input switched mode design
IEC 3pin
Country dependent mains lead supplied
Rear panel power on/off switch
AC mains input 100-240V AC 50/60Hz
25VA max
Fuse T500mAL 20mm
Mechanical
1U rack 483 x 232 x 44mm
19” x 9.1” x 1.7”
Desk 443 x 232 x 48mm
17.4” x 9.1” 1.9”
Weight 3.5kg, 7.7lbs
GAIN
+48V
PAD
LIMIT
ANALOG
AUDIO OUT
1
8
iDR-in
DR-LINK
DAC
OUTPUT 1
ANALOG
AUDIO IN
CONTROL
SOFT LEDs 1-8
CONTROL
SOFT LEDs 1-8
DR-LINK
1
8
LIMITERS
PREAMPS AND
iDR-out
INPUT 8
+
-
ADC
GAIN
+48V
PAD
LIMIT
ANALOG
DAC
OUTPUT 8
ANALOG
INPUT 1
+
-
ADC
/
