ASHLY VCM-88 8-CHANNEL MATRIXING LEVEL CONTROLLER

The VCM-88 is intended for installations that include church, boardroom, nightclub, or
anywhere remote control of individual levels is required. Control is accomplished by
Ashly?s RD-8 and RW-8 remote controllers, RS-232 control using Ashly?s Protea System
Software, Crestron or AMX touchscreen controllers, MIDI or DC control using external
potentiometers.
The VCM-88 is housed in an all-steel, 1RU chassis, and contains eight fully independent
VCA channels capable of limiting, remote level control and mixing. By itself, the VCM-88
functions as precise eight-channel limiter with recessed threshold adjustments on each
channel. In this configuration the VCM-88 is an indispensable tool for limiting signal level
presented to 8-Track digital recording applications.
When connected to a PC running Ashly Protea System Software, RD-8 or other controller,
the VCM-88 can control individual channel and master levels with a range of +20dB to -75dB.
The VCM-88 also has a master output jack providing a summed output of all channels,
allowing the unit to function as a fully-contained eight-channel remote controlled line level mixer.
Internal switching allows you to patch channels for signal routing and matrixing and select
channel pass through for cascading multiple units in parallel. Each channel may also be selected
to have separate input and output jacks or a single TRS insert jack.

Features include:
Eight Channels of Remote Level Control,
RS-232 Interface Connector,
MIDI In and Thru,
PC Control Using Protea System Software,
Internal Channel Patching for Flexible Signal
Routing and Matrixing,
Internal Selection of Crestron,
AMX, MIDI or RS-232 Protocol,
Internal Channel Pass Through for Cascading Multiple Units in Parallel,
Signal Present LED?s On Each Channel,
and RD-8, RW-8 Compatible.
Connections on the rear panel include: separate 1/4? TRS balanced
input and output jacks, 1/4? master output jack, 9-pin D-sub RS-232,
DB-15 pin female for DC control,
MIDI In/Thru, and XLR remote control data input.

The VCM-88 is the result of incorporating user feedback of Ashly?s popular VCX-80 into a
processor that can be easily configured to perform a multitude of audio matrixing, limiting or
remote level control applications.

General Specifications:
INPUT
Input Type: 1/4" tip-ring-sleeve
Input Impedance: 20K ohm balanced, 10K ohm unbalanced
Max input level: +23dBu
*Input jack may be internally selected as a single in/out patch point
OUTPUT
Output Type: 1/4" tip-ring-sleeve
Output Impedance: 200 ohm pseudo-balanced, 100 ohm unbalanced
Max output level: +22dBu
AUDIO PERFORMANCE
Nominal Gain: 0dB +/-0.5dB
Gain Range: +20dB to -75dB
Frequency Response: +/-0.2dB 20Hz-20KHz
THD: Output Hum & Noise:

Product Features:

Ultra-high resolution 24-bit/96 kHz mastering processor featuring 32/40-bit floating-point DSP technology
Audiophile 24-bit/96 kHz A/D- and D/A converters offering 113 dB dynamic range
4 concurrently selectable EQ modules (31-band graphic EQ, 10-band parametric EQ, Feedback Destroyer plus 3 Dynamic EQs per stereo channel)
Ultra-high resolution 61-band real-time FFT analyzer with additional auto EQ function for room and loudspeaker equalization
Unique VPQ (Virtual Paragraphic EQ) option allows parametric control of graphic EQs
State-of-the-art compressor/expander with peak limiter per stereo channel, additional stereo imager and stereo delay for delay line applications
Multi-functional level meters (peak/RMS, VU and SPL meter with dBA/dBC weighting via RTA/Mic input)
64 user memories for complete setups and/or individual module configurations
Separate mic/line input with phantom power for RTA and Auto-EQ applications
Balanced inputs and servo-balanced outputs with gold-plated XLR connectors, stereo aux output, AES/EBU and S/PDIF inputs and outputs (XLR and optical)
Professional Wordclock input and MIDI connections for full remote control, preset dumps and system updates
Open architecture allowing future software updates via MIDI
"Planet Earth" switching power supply for maximum flexibility (100 - 240 V~), noise-free audio, superior transient response plus low power consumption for energy saving
High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life
Conceived and designed by BEHRINGER Germany

Features
Unique High Density design puts SIX gates in
minimum rack space
Intuitive, 'user friendly' layout
Balanced Inputs and Outputs
Fast, low noise opto-coupler circuitry
Sidechain/Key Input points on each channel
Hardwire Bypass switch on each gate
Flawless performance in any audio environment

The sheer amount of effects and signal processors required for today's
standards of audio production puts a great strain on the available space
in equipment racks, both in the studio and on the road.
So, in order to give engineers more control in less space, we've created
the ARX Sixgate; Six full function noise gates neatly housed in a compact,
all steel 1 RU package, without sacrificing features or quality.
Why Six gates?
Research shows that the majority of noise gates get used on drum kits,
which means using typically 5 to 6 gate channels. Compare this to the
two or maybe 4 channels that most other units have, and you'll see the
reason for the Sixgate's success.And, by using a minimalist approach to
drum gates, the ARX Sixgate has enough gates left over for backing vocals
and other instruments.
Industry Standard controls
Front panel controls for each gate consist of the 'Industry Standard' controls
for Release, Depth and Threshold, plus Red and Green LED displays to indicate
Gate Open or Closed status, and an IN/OUT hardwire bypass switch.
In addition to this, each gate has a blank panel to write on for easy confirmation
of gate assigns. No more pieces of masking tape stuck everywhere!
Ultra Low Noise
Internally, each gate has proprietary ARX ultra low noise high-speed opto-coupler
circuitry with program dependent Attack time, which tracks the incoming signal to
automatically determine optimum gate response.
Balanced Inputs and Outputs
The rear panel features true differential Balanced Inputs and Outputs for each gate,
on insulated TRS jack connectors.Each gate channel also has Individual Key Inputs/
Sidechain access insert points which can be used either for gate control by an external
signal, or for frequency sensitive gating (when used in conjuction with an external
equalizer such as the ARX EQ260).
Universal AC Power
AC power range on the Sixgate is a universal 100 to 120V or 220 to 240V, and is
connected to the unit via a standard 3 pin IEC connector, with built-in fuse and voltage
switch.
The Sixgate's unique combination of High Density design, intuitive 'user friendly' controls,
and clean uncluttered layout make it a truly useful audio tool for all applications.

T E C H N I C A L  S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
Input Impedance
Balanced 20 Kohms, Unbalanced 10 Kohms
Input Headroom + 22 dB
CMRR >60 dB, 20 Hz-20 KHz
Output Impedance
Balanced 300 ohms, Unbalanced 150 ohms
Output Level (Max) + 20 dB
Frequency Response 20Hz to 20KHz ±0.2dB
Signal to Noise Ratio
Gate Closed: -95 dB Unweighted, -105 dB 'A' weighted
Gate Open, Depth Minimum: -93.5 dB Unweighted -98dB
'A' weighted
Distortion 0 .01% THD @ 0dB,1KHz
Dynamic Range 125 dB
Attack Time Program dependent using high-speed
opto-couplers
Release Time User variable
Input and Output Connector type Balanced Jack
Sidechain Insert Connector TipRingSleeve Jack
Sidechain Insert Impedance 10 Kohm
Power Requirements 100/120 V AC, 220/240 V AC
Weight 5 lbs/2.2 Kg
Dimensions
19“Wide x 13/4“High x 6“Deep; 482 x 44 x 155mm

Front Panel Controls
Individual Release, Depth and Threshold controls
Hardwire bypass IN/OUT switch
Open/Closed gate status LED
Marker panel for labelling gate assigns
Rear Panel
Balanced Inputs and Outputs, on Balanced jack
connectors
Sidechain Insert/Key Input TipRingSleeve jack on
each channel
AC input connector, with voltage switch and fuse 

• Professional 31-band stereo graphic equalizer for live and studio applications
• Revolutionary FBQ Feedback Detection system instantly reveals critical frequencies and can also be used as audio analyzer
• Ultra-low noise 4580 operational amplifiers for highest signal integrity
• Dedicated mono subwoofer output with adjustable crossover frequency
• Additional sweepable high and low-cut filters for each channel remove unwanted frequencies, e.g. floor rumble, hiss etc.
• Highly accurate 12-segment LED input/output metering and input gain controls for easy level setting

• Relay-controlled hard-bypass with an auto-bypass function during power failure (fail-safe relay)
• Servo-balanced inputs and outputs with 1/4" TRS and gold-plated XLR connectors
• “Planet Earth" switching power supply for maximum flexibility (100 - 240 V~), noise-free audio, superior transient response plus low power consumption for energy saving
• 3-Year Warranty Program*
• Conceived and designed by BEHRINGER Germany