Daktronics

Audio: How do I check that my sound system is operating properly?

Topic

  • How do I check that my sound system is operating properly?
  • How to use the Sportsound Monitor Panel Applications?
  • Explanation of the Sportsound Monitoring Applications

Environment

  • Product: Sportsound 500HD, 1500HD, and 2000HD
  • Components: Speakers/Drivers
  • Control System: Sportsound Monitor Application

Steps


    • The Sportsound Monitoring Applications provide diagnostic information on the 500HD, 1500HD, and 2000HD outdoor sound systems.
    • The instructions outlined below are also referenced in the following video link, use these resources to start communicating with the system and follow the diagnostic process.
      1. Sportsound Monitoring Application Operation Video.
      2. The video is only 6 minutes long and well worth watching if you service or work with Daktronics audio systems.
      3. Additional software mentioned in the video for additional troubleshooting can be obtained by following instructions at the bottom of this page.
    • Download the corresponding monitor panel for your system from: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/support/systems/Audio%20Systems
    • Once downloaded, open the zip file and extract the folder inside to an easy to access location like the Desktop.
    • Connect to the network switch for the sound system from either of the following locations, any open network port in the fiber box or control enclosure will work:
      1. Fiber Conversion Box
        fiber box.png
      2. Sound System Control Enclosure
        • For the 500HD this is mounted near your 500HD sound system
          500 control enclosure.png
        • For the 1500HD and 2000HD this is located at the left of the cabinet when looking from the front and far right of the cabinet when looking at it from the back.
          1500 control encl.PNG

    • Once physically connected to the system, set the computer IP Address to 192.168.1.160 and subnet mask to 255.255.0.0
      1. The monitor panels tend to work best with wifi turned off, and any VPN software disabled.  Enabling airplane mode can assist with connection issues.
    • The amplifiers must have static IPs set and REV B firmware loaded to work with the monitor panels
      1. Systems installed prior to 2014 may not have static IPs set and will need to be set following instructions at the bottom of this page.
      2. When setting IPs it is recommended to update firmware to Rev B, if not already done.  This is also covered at the bottom of this page.
    • Open the monitor panel for the system being tested
    • The monitor panels are laid out as follows:
      1500 Monitor Panel.png
      1. Each dark gray box in the top row is a separate amplifier
      2. Each colored box corresponds to a frequency band specific speaker box as shown in the graphic at the bottom of the Monitor Panel: Highs = Red, Mids = Yellow, Lows = Green
    • Click the START MONITORING button to start monitoring the amplifiers.
    • It may take a few seconds for the amplifiers to come online.
      1. Amplifiers that are online will show a temperature other than 32°F
      2. Amplifiers that are offline will show a red offline indication
        Monitor Panel offline.png
      3. If all amplifiers show offline, but audio does play from the sound system, it is likely that one of the following is the cause:
        1. The IP/Subnet settings on the computer are incorrect
        2. Static IPs and firmware have not been updated to be compatible with the Monitor Panels.  See further instructions at the bottom of this page.
        3. There is VPN software running, or a wifi connection is interfering with Monitor Panel operation
      4. If some amplifiers show online and others are offline, this may indicate a bad amplifier.  Additional troubleshooting using Cobranet Discovery is needed, see instructions at the bottom of this page.
    • Play some music and put all amplifier channels in standby, take them out of standby one channel at a time and listen to verify each channel is outputting audio.
    • Take all amplifier channels out of standby
    • Run Test Tones one at a time by pushing the Test Tone button at the top of each channel.
      1. Compare the value listed in the Impedance window to the value listed under each channel heading
      2. If the value falls within an ohm of the indicated range, that channel passes the test.  If the value is open or farther outside the indicated range, this indicates a speaker problem.
        test tone.png


      Additional Resources and Software Install Instructions for setting IP addresses, firmware updates, and additional troubleshooting.

    Running the monitor panels will not result in equipment failure, but attempting to update firmware or set static IPs without proper training may cause equipment failure.

    Advanced instructions are located in the Amplifier Field Guide:

    A Cobranet Discovery instructional video is available:

    KB ID: DD3359609

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