UPM-1 Stereo To 5.1 Converter

Controls - Input Section

Word Clock INT/EXT
The UPM-1 can be either internally or externally clocked. The on-board sample rate converters will synchronise the incoming AES-3 streams to either the internal clock or an external word clock when available. The external wordclock input accepts a 48kHz clock signal only.

Without a valid external wordclock present the unit will be clocked internally, in this case the amber INT LED will be illuminated. When a valid 48kHz external clock is present this will be automatically detected and the unit will switch over to the external clock, illuminating the amber EXT LED.

Locked Status LED
The Locked LED shows the status of the two digital AES-3 inputs. When both inputs are locked and functioning correctly the green LED will be illuminated, when one of the two inputs is unlocked the LED will flash on and off, when neither input is locked the LED will not be illuminated. The digital inputs will accept and lock to any incoming sample rate in the range of 32kHz to 192kHz.

Gain
This control adjusts the input level of the incoming stereo signal and is variable from full attenuation to a gain of +10dB. Normally this control should be used at or close to its 0dB position. Two 5-segment bargraph level meters are provided to display the levels of the stereo input signals.

L/R Balance
The L/R Balance trim allows the user to alter the Left/Right balance of the incoming stereo signal. Since the 5.1 output of the UPM-1 is entirely based on the stereo input signal it is important to make sure that the stereo signal image is correctly balanced before upmixing it to 5.1.

L/R Swap
The L/R Swap button allows the user to swap the Left and Right input signals before upmixing to 5.1. An amber status LED indicates when this mode is selected.

Controls - Upmix Section

Upmix/Matrix Decode Select
The UPM-1 has two modes of operation, Upmix and Matrix Decode - the mode of choice can be selected by pressing the Upmix/Matrix Decode select button. A green status LED confirms that Upmix mode is selected and an amber status LED indicates Matrix Decode mode is active.

- Upmix Mode
Upmix mode should be selected when processing standard non-matrix encoded stereo material. In Upmix mode the UPM-1 sends only ambient sounds to the rear surround channels. The only exception to this is when the Width control is enabled to the point where a 'wrap around' effect is created by feeding varying degrees of front direct sound to the rear channels.

- Matrix Decode Mode
Matrix Decode mode should be selected when processing matrix encoded stereo material (Dolby Pro Logic etc). In this mode the UPM-1 will detect any stereo material that has been matrix encoded and any direct sound intended by the encoding process for the rear surround channels will be sent there.

Direct Sound
The Direct Sound control increases or decreases the level of direct sound by + or - 10dB. In most applications direct sound is only present in the front three channels.

Front Ambient Sound
The Front Ambient Sound control increases or decreases the level of ambient sound in the front Left and Right channels by + or - 10dB.

Rear Ambient Sound
The Rear Ambient Sound control increases or decreases the level of ambient sound in the rear Left and Right surround channels by + or - 10dB.

Width
The Width control enables the Direct Sound in the original stereo image to be made wider - at its most extreme the Direct Sound will be in the rear channels. An 'active' button with status LED is provided for instant A/B comparison.

Centre Divergence
The Centre Divergence control takes the centre channel and diverges it to front Left and Right by the amount set on the control. When no divergence is set all mono material will appear exclusively in the centre channel (hard centre). When divergence is set to full, all mono material will be sent to the front Left and Right channels equally and the centre channel will be muted (phantom centre). Any other divergence setting will create a mix between hard and phantom centre.

Controls - 5.1 Output Section

Although in many broadcast situations the UPM-1's 5.1 outputs will be inserted into the digital mixing console and operated on faders the following front panel level controls are provided:

L/R
The L/R output control simultaneously increases or decreases the level of both the front Left/Right channels by + or - 10dB. A green 'signal present' and red clip LED are provided to display output levels.

Centre
The Centre output control increases the level of the Centre channel by + or - 10dB. A green 'signal present' and red clip LED are provided to display the output level.

LFE
The LFE output control increases the level of the LFE channel by + or - 10dB. A green 'signal present' and red clip LED are provided to display the output level.

LS/RS
The LS/RS output control simultaneously increases the level of both the rear LS/RS channels by + or - 10dB.  Agreen 'signal present' and red clip LED are provided to display output levels.

System Bypass
The system bypass button when enabled switches the output back to the original stereo for direct comparison between the original stereo and the created 5.1.

USB
A front panel USB connection is provided to accommodate future software updates.

Rear Panel Connections (click image to enlarge):



DIGITAL 5.1 SURROUND OUTPUTS
75ohm Coax (AES3id) - BNC connector

WORD CLOCK INPUT/OUTPUT
BNC 75ohm 48kHz only

DIGITAL STEREO INPUT
75ohm Coax (AES3id) - BNC connector