MS616A Switch 16 Channel
Audio
Installation and Setup Guide
Supported Models
This installation guide covers this Switch 16 Channel Audio model:
• Europe: EFMS616A/N1B
• UK: EFMS616A/T1B
What’s in the Box
The following items are included in your Escient Switch 16 Channel Audio
• Escient Matrix Switch 16 Channel Audio (MS616A)
• IEC power cord
• This manual
Safety Instructions
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufac-
turer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves,
or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A
polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type
plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third
prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your out-
let, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10.Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11.Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12.Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manu-
facturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when
moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
13.Unplug this apparatus during lighting storms or when unused for long periods
of time.
14.Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when
the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as when a power-supply
cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the
apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not oper-
ate normally, or has been dropped.
WARNING! Do not expose the apparatus to dripping or splashing. Do not
place objects filled with liquids near the apparatus.
AVERTISSEMENT!N'exposez pas l'appareil à l'égoutture ou à
l'éclaboussement. Ne placez pas les objets remplis de liquides près de
l'appareil.
WARNUNG! Setzen Sie den Apparat nicht Bratenfett oder dem Spritzen aus.
Setzen Sie nicht die Gegenstände, die mit Flüssigkeiten nahe dem Apparat
gefüllt werden.
WARNING! To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this
apparatus to rain or moisture.
AVERTISSEMENT!Pour réduire le risque du feu ou de choc électrique,
n'exposez pas cet appareil à la pluie ou à l'humidité.
WARNUNG!Um das Risiko des Feuers oder des elektrischen Schlages zu
verringern, setzen Sie diesen Apparat nicht Regen oder Feuchtigkeit aus.
WARNING! Equipment must be connected to a Mains socket outlet with a
protective earthing connection.
AVERTISSEMENT!L'équipement doit être relié à une sortie de douille de
forces à un raccordement de mise à la terre protecteur.
WARNUNG!Ausrüstung muss an einen Hauptleitungseinfaßungsanschluß
mit einem schützenden Erdunganschluß angeschlossen werden.
Requirements and Specifications
Network Requirement: Ethernet or ZigBee 802.15.4 mesh network
Technical Specifications
Additional Resources
The following resources are available:
• Your Escient-authorized reseller
• Escient Web Site: http://www.escient.co.uk
Features and Benefits
• Switches up to 16 input sources to up to 16 simultaneous output zones.
• Adjustable gain, treble, bass, and balance for each zone
• Audio sensing on inputs
• Device chassis is three standard rack units (RU) tall and rack mountable con-
forming to EIA 19” rack standards (13.3 cm x 44 cm x 35.6 cm)
• Communicates with control devices via Ethernet 10/100 port and ZigBee
(a wireless standard for mesh-networking).
Backlighting feature turns on with any button push or Select Dial push and stays lit
for a preset time (default is 30 seconds).
About the Switch 16 Channel Audio
Front View
1. Front Display—For displaying or setting audio switch settings and navigating
system menus
2. Buttons—For choosing options or menus displayed in the front panel user
interface
3. Select Dial—For scrolling through and selecting screen elements or options
displayed in the LCD
Back View
1. Power Plug Port—For standard IEC cord (included). Supports universal AC
input (100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz).
2. Ethernet—RJ-45 for a 10/100 Mb Ethernet connection
3. Audio In (Left-Right pairs) 1-16—RCA jacks for stereo channel input for up
to 16 stereo analog sources
4. Audio Out (Left-Right pairs) 1-16—RCA jacks for stereo channel line output
for up to 16 amplifiers
Source Inputs
Each of the 16 signal sensing analog audio inputs (the RCA style ports) is labeled
1-16 for each individual source.
Audio Outputs
The system automatically creates generic source names displayed in the front of
the device. To change these names, you must update your system using
supported system designing software (such as Composer Pro on a PC). For more
information, refer to the documentation that shipped with your Escient controller or
contact your professional installer or reseller.
Front Display
The best method of initially setting up system routing for the Switch 16 Channel
Audio is using Composer Pro software on a PC (for trained installers only). You
can also make adjustments from the front display.
The front display allows you to set or change audio source routing and change
zone settings for volume, bass, treble, and mute. The display also shows the
current source and zone activity.
Set Up the Switch 16 Channel Audio
This device operates as part of the Escient home system, which requires physical
and logical connections to function as designed.
Essential setup tasks include:
1. Connect Input and Output Devices
2. Connect Input and Output Devices
3. Connect to the Network and Power
4. Set Up Logical Connections
5. Static IP Modifications
This chapter describes, in general terms, how to set up physical connections
required for the Switch 16 Channel Audio and all associated devices. Refer to any
device-specific documentation for additional installation instructions.
To set up the logical connections required, refer to Escient Composer Pro User
Guide software documentation.
Connect Input and Output Devices
1. Connect audio source devices (such as CD changers or players, tuners,
iPods, or tape players) you want included in the system to the audio in jacks.
2. Connect amplifiers or amplified speakers as needed to the audio out jacks.
Connect to the Network and Power
1. If you are using an Ethernet connection for the Switch 16 Channel Audio, plug
the data cable from the home network connection into the Switch 16 Channel
Audio RJ-45 port (labeled Ethernet) and the network port in your wall or at the
network hub or switch.
2. Connect the power cord provided to the back of the Switch 16 Channel Audio
and to the power outlet. Once the power cord is connected, the Switch 16
Channel Audio should power up.
Set Up Logical Connections
Physical and logical connections are required in order to control, navigate, and
use the Switch 16 Channel Audio as designed.
Thus far you have set up the physical connections for the Escient Switch 16
Channel Audio. To complete the logical setup, trained installers must use a PC
connected (and with Escient Composer software installed) to the home network. If
you are a trained Escient installer, refer to the Composer Help file.
Network Configuration
To set the network configuration:
1. At the In to Out Assignments screen, press the Network button.
2. On the Network Configuration screen, choose an Ethernet or ZigBee network
by rotating and pressing the Select Dial.
IMPORTANT! When making logical connections in Composer,
identify the device as the network type (Ethernet or Zigbee) that you
choose on the device network configuration. To avoid unexpected
behavior, do not identify the device as both network types.
IMPORTANT! En établissant les rapports logiques dans le
compositeur, identifiez le dispositif comme type de réseau (Ethernet
ou Zigbee) ce vous choisissent sur la configuration réseau de
dispositif. Pour éviter le comportement inattendu, n'identifiez pas le
dispositif en tant que les deux types de réseau.
WICHTIG! Wenn Sie logische Beziehungen im Komponisten
herstellen, identifizierenen Sie die Vorrichtung als die Netzart
(Ethernet oder Zigbee) diese Sie wählen auf der
VorrichtungsNetzwerkkonfiguration. Um unerwartetes Verhalten zu
vermeiden, identifizierenen Sie die Vorrichtung nicht als beide
Netzarten.
3. If the switch is set to use a ZigBee network, the EUID, Gateway, and ZigBee
channel number are displayed. This screen has two menu options:
•Identify: When identifying the switch in Composer, press this button.
•Back: Returns to the Network Configuration screen.
4. If the switch is set to use an Ethernet network, the MAC address, method of
obtaining a network IP address, the device’s IP address, Subnet Mask, and
Gateway are displayed.
The Switch 16 Channel Audio, by default, uses DHCP to obtain a network
IP address.
If the local area network does not support DHCP, you can configure the
switch to use a Static IP address instead:
Table 1-1. MS616A Technical Specifications
Inputs
# of Channels 16 L/R Stereo Pairs
Input Connectors RCA Jacks
Input Impedance 10 kΩtypical
Nominal Input Level -14 dBV
Maximum Input Level +4 dBV
Outputs
# of Channels 16 L/R Stereo Pairs
Output Connectors RCA Jacks
Output Impedance 50 Ωtypical
Nominal Output Level -14 dBV
Maximum Output Level +4 dBV
Zone (Output) Control:
Available Gain Mute (-75 dB) to -40 to +8 dB
Treble -12 to +12 dB, 2 dB steps, High Shelving EQ
Bass -12 to +12 dB, 2 dB steps, Low Shelving EQ
Balance L / R
Input Power Requirement:
Voltage 100-240V~
Frequency 50/60 Hz
Amps 0.12/0.06 Amps
Watts 14.4 Watts
