The Ashly FR-8 and FR-16 are Ethernet devices that provide fader-based remote level control for Ashly NE (network enabled) products having DSP capabilities. The FR-8 controls up to eight user assigned inputs, outputs, or mixer outputs, and the FR-16 controls up to 16. The following Ashly products can be controlled: ne24.24M, NE two-channel power amplifiers with DSP, NE multi-channel power amplifiers with DSP, ne4800/8800 DSP processors, and all PÊMA™ power amplifiers.
The FR-8 and FR-16 are powered using Class 2 IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE), or by an external PoE injector when PoE is unavailable. Ethernet communication with this device is made by wiring it with standard Cat-5 cable terminated with an RJ-45 connector through an Ethernet network router, switch, hub, or patch panel to a Windows™ PC running Ashly's Protea NE Software v5.10 or higher. The FR-8 and FR-16 connects to Ethernet using a standard RJ-45, as well as Neutrik's etherCON™ heavy duty RJ-45. Maximum cable distance is 100 meters (328 ft) from the nearest router, hub, or switch. The FR remotes will automatically assign their IP address.
Each channel fader can control input gain, output gain, or mixer gain levels as assigned in software. The master fader provides an overall level control for user assigned faders, or can be disabled. Assignable fader scaling allows the user to place an upper and lower limit on the range of level control for each individual fader. Buttons above each fader provide mute (red = mute), or can be individually configured as two color (green/amber) signal level indicators with user defined break points. If an individual fader has been assigned to control a targeted device function, but contact with that device is interrupted for any reason, the fader's LED will flash to indicate the failed communication status.
A clear window is provided above and below each fader for the insertion of user defined labels, available on the Ashly website as a document template. The FR-8 will mount to a standard US four-gang electrical wall box, and the FR-16 will mount to a seven-gang wall box. Alternately, the units can be mounted to a flat surface with a cutout, or can be used as a freestanding desktop device. On the rear panel, a contact closure terminal can be connected to a keyed switch to lockout all front panel controls, preventing any unwanted changes.
