Cuestation 5.4.0 Release Notes

Transcript

Release Notes D-Mitri Digital Audio Platform  Edition: 2-15-2012 for CueStation 5.4.0 (build 9416) Copyright © 2012 Meyer Sound Laboratories Inc. D-Mitri Audio Show Control System: 5.4.0 The contents of this manual are furnished for informational purposes only, are subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Meyer Sound Laboratories Inc. Meyer Sound assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this manual. Except as permitted by applicable copyright law, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from Meyer Sound. CueStation, D-Mitri Updater, LCS, VRAS, CueConsole, and Wild Tracks are trademarks of Meyer Sound Laboratories Inc. D-Mitri and Space Map are trademarks of Meyer Sound Laboratories Inc. and are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. MEYER SOUND and the Meyer Sound wave logo are trademarks of Meyer Sound Laboratories Inc. and are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, as well as in other countries. Printed in the U.S.A. All third-party trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective trademark holders. Part Number: 05.176.105.01Rev.A D-MITRI 5.4.0 RELEASE NOTES 2 Contents Chapter 1:Introduction Release 5.4.0 Supported Client Computers Chapter 2:Release 5.4.0 Changes Mixer Automation Changes CueStation Interface Refinements Mixer Configuration and Signal Flow Logging Changes Networking Changes SpaceMap Changes Wild Tracks Changes Miscellany Chapter 3:Release 5.4.0 Known Issues and Workarounds 5 5 7 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 11 13 3 Contents 4 Chapter 1: Introduction D-Mitri software release 5.4.0 is the latest software release for the D-Mitri digital audio platform. Please review all of these notes before installing or upgrading from a previous version. CAUTION: Do not attempt to use CueStation 5.4.0 with any D-Mitri module running any software version preceding 5.4.0. For instructions on how to update D-Mitri systems to software version 5.4.0, please contact Meyer Sound Technical Support. ! The substance of the Release Notes appears in the following two chapters: ■ Chapter 2, “Release 5.4.0 Changes” This section describes notable changes in the CueStation and D-Mitri Updater interfaces and in the software’s behavior. Each bug fix or change is annotated by a reference number. Where relevant to procedural action, changes to D-Mitri Updater’s interface and behavior are given more detailed attention in the CueStation Installation Guide. Changes to CueStation’s interface and behavior are described only briefly in these Release Notes. For a deeper discussion of such changes, refer to the CueStation User Guide. ■ Chapter 3, “Release 5.4.0 Known Issues and Workarounds” This section describes known problems and limitations in the CueStation and D-Mitri Updater software, and, where applicable, provides workarounds for these problems and limitations. Release 5.4.0 Supported Client Computers You can use CueStation and D-Mitri Updater software on Macintosh computers running Mac OS 10.6 or 10.7, or on Windows computers running Windows 7. Note that support for Mac OS X 10.7 is new with this release. 5 Chapter 1: Introduction 6 Chapter 2: Release 5.4.0 Changes This chapter describes notable changes in the D-Mitri 5.4.0 release. Notable changes include bug fixes and minor feature additions, such as interface refinements and operational modifications. D-Mitri release notes categorize these changes into the following general areas: ■ Mixer Automation Mixer automation changes refer to the functions of the D-Mitri system automating mixer behavior, which is done through cues and subcues. This category encompasses such functions as cue and subcue definition, recall, and behavior. ■ CueStation Interface Refinements CueStation interface refinements refer to changes in the CueStation interface involving elements that compose CueStation windows and provide access to CueStation functions. These elements include such objects as text fields, text lists, checkboxes, menus, control sliders, scroll bars, and other tools.These changes generally describe matters of presentation, rather than underlying functions. Substantial changes to functions underlying interface elements are described in sections devoted more to the functions than to their graphical appearance. ■ D-Mitri Updater The D-Mitri Updater category captures changes to the function and appearance of D-Mitri Updater software. ■ Subcue Commands Changes in subcue commands are involve the configuration of commands for interaction with D-Mitri system components. Such changes can include those to the CueConsole digital control surface, or to other devices that can issue commands, using OSC messaging or other means, to control D-Mitri behavior. ■ Mixer Configuration and Signal Flow Mixer and signal flow changes describe changes to mixer configuration at a system level. This differs from the changes described in the Mixer Automation category, which are concerned with cue and subcue definition and function. ■ Logging Logging changes describe changes to the logs and log messages that D-Mitri modules produce, and changes to the means available for using these logs. ■ Networking Networking changes include changes to module port usage, and to the implementation of protocols for inter-module communication and system input and output. ■ SpaceMap SpaceMap changes involve the design and function of the D-Mitri system’s multichannel surround panning capability. ■ Wild Tracks Wild Tracks changes describe changes to the function and behavior of D-Mitri Wild Tracks modules and the ways in which CueStation interacts with these modules. ■ Miscellany Miscellaneous changes are those changes which do not fall into the other categories. Each of the following sections corresponds to one of these categories, though, in any particular release, there may not be changes in all categories. Each section presents the changes for its category as a set of tables, one containing feature additions and one containing bug fixes. Feature additions are loosely defined as changes that provide significant new functions. All other changes are bug fixes, which are defined as changes that restore existing functions to expected operation, or which enable the expected operation of inoperative functions. For easy tracking through D-Mitri system updates, each table organizes its listings by reference number. 7 Chapter 2: Release 5.4.0 Changes Mixer Automation Changes Mixer automation changes in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 consist of feature additions, as listed in the following table. Table 2-1 Mixer Automation Feature Additions Ref. Mixer Automation Feature Addition Description 7786 CueStation now provides a channel test function in the Display menu of these windows: Aux Masters, Aux Meters, Bus Masters, Bus Meters, Inputs, Input Meters, Output Masters, Output Meters. The channel test function provides options for sending system-resident audio across designated channels, through the use of controls available to toggle on or off in each of these windows. To toggle the channel test controls in any of the windows, select the Show Channel Test Controls command from the Display menu. This will expand the window to show the channel test controls atop the control strips in the active window, as shown here. The channel test controls include a Channels specification field, a Merge/Replace toggle, a Signal selector, a Level specification field, a Start Test button, a Current Channel display field, and a set of test cycle control buttons. The Channels specification field allows you to specify channels individually, or as one or more ranges. You separate the channels specifications in the field using commas. For example, to specify a test for channels 1, 14, and 36 through 41, you would type 1,14,36-41 in the field. The Merge/Replace toggle allows you to choose whether to replace merge the chosen test audio with other output in the selected channels, or to replace the output with the test audio. The Level specification field allows you to specify the level of the test audio, in decibels. The Start Test button begins the test. The Current Channel field displays the channel being tested. The test cycle control buttons provide the abilities to pause and resume the test, cycle it repeatedly, and to move back and forth among the specified channels. 8076 CueStation now offers an alternative fader taper control point, which is available through a Set Taper Type subcue command of type Hardware Control. This fader taper can be applied to Input Faders, Bus Levels, Matrix Levels, Aux Masters, Output Masters, VGroup levels, and to the Grand Master. The alternative taper can also be specified in a Mixer Settings subcue. 8086 CueStation now provides subcue-level commands for routing audio network traffic between I/O modules and their associated DCP module, as a means to enable network failover. For details on using these commands and on failover generally, please refer to the CueStation User Guide. 8133 In CueStation, the Mixer Configuration window now flags in pink any mismatches between I/O Type and the channel type specified in the I/O Location field. Sending a configuration with such mismatches also produces a warning dialog. For example, if you set an I/O Location of a Wild Tracks input or an Analog input to be I/O Type Aux-Mono (an output) CueStation will produce a warning that the signal will go nowhere 8163 The CueStation Python implementation adds several new methods to the BasicClient class, to standardize Python argument parsing. The methods are: GetArgumentsAsString(), GetArgumentsAsList(), GetArgumentsAsDictionary(), GetArgumentAsString(), GetArgumentAsInt(), GetArgumentAsBool(), GetArgumentAsFloat(). For details using these methods, see the CueStation User Guide. 8 D-Mitri 5.4.0 Release Notes CueStation Interface Refinements CueStation interface refinements in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 include both feature additions and bug fixes. The following two tables list the new features and the bug fixes, in turn. Where a bug fix introduces a new feature, it is classified as a new feature. CueStation interface feature additions in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 include: Table 2-2 CueStation Interface Feature Additions Ref. CueStation Interface Feature Addition Description 7795 CueStation now provides a module type selection list in its Mixer Configuration window. Users may drag module types from this list to easily add modules to their system configurations. This feature is particularly useful for working with configurations when offline, or when particular modules are offline. For more details on changes to the Mixer Configuration window, consult the CueStation User Guide. 7799 CueStation now labels the tables in its Mixer Configuration window to clarify what information they display. For more details on changes to the Mixer Configuration window, consult the CueStation User Guide. CueStation interface bug fixes in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 include: Table 2-3 CueStation Interface Bug Fixes Ref. CueStation Interface Bug Fix Description 6566 In previous releases of CueStation, the Wild Tracks window would sometimes display red bars instead of green bars for playing tracks. This problem has been fixed. 7378 In previous releases, CueStation’s, the Mixer Settings editor sometimes failed to refresh all of the control points in a subcue, particularly after a copy/paste operation. This problem has been fixed. 8175 In release 5.3.0, CueStation failed to properly update the pointer display when playing SpaceMap trajectories. This problem has been fixed. 8190 In release 5.3.0, CueStation provided categories in its System Status window to track I/O module status, without also providing module-specific status for each category. CueStation no longer displays status categories for which it does not provide information. 8203 In previous releases, some CueStation tool tips for module status reporting contained cryptic references to I/O module processes. These references have been removed. 8217 In release 5.3.0, CueStation running under Windows 7 failed to recognize files dragged to its Support Files window. This problem has been fixed. 8228 In release 5.3.0, CueStation failed to properly change the color of target buttons in the Output Processing window when users executed a keyboard-mouse operation to copy an EQ setting from one output to another. This bug has been fixed. Mixer Configuration and Signal Flow Mixer configuration and signal flow changes in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 consist of bug fixes, as listed in the following table. Table 2-4 Networking Bug Fixes Ref. Networking Bug Fix Description 7925 In previous releases, CueStation Log, System Status, and Inputs windows, would display I/O modules in maintenance mode without any indication that the modules were in that state. This gave the impression that the modules would pass audio, although they would not. CueStation 5.4.0 no longer displays I/O modules in maintenance mode. 9 Chapter 2: Release 5.4.0 Changes Logging Changes Logging changes in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 include both feature additions and bug fixes. The following two tables list the new features and the bug fixes, in turn. Where a bug fix introduces a new feature, it is classified as a new feature. Logging feature additions in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 include: Table 2-5 Logging Feature Additions Ref. Logging Feature Addition Description 8072 CueStation now logs occurrences of audio abnormality, such as dropouts and distortions, by tracking irregularities in audio data packet sequences originating in a system’s I/O modules. Logs reflect these abnormalities as SID (sample identification) errors. Logging bug fixes in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 include: Table 2-6 Logging Bug Fixes Ref. Logging Bug Fix Description 8242 In release 5.3.0, CueStation improperly logged checksum mismatch errors when users executed Select Cue List subcue commands. This problem has been fixed. Networking Changes Networking changes in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 include both feature additions and bug fixes. The following two tables list the new features and the bug fixes, in turn. Where a bug fix introduces a new feature, it is classified as a new feature. Networking feature additions in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 include: Table 2-7 Networking Feature Additions Ref. Networking Feature Addition Description 7713 Previously, in a D-Mitri system, it had been necessary to route inputs from a VRAS module to a single DCP module. Now, any available DCP module in a system can perform processing of data from VRAS modules. 7827 On a DCP module, the primary audio network connection port is now AVB 1. In D-Mitri systems without a backup audio network, DCP modules must use the AVB 1 port, as the AVB 2 will not be passing audio. Networking bug fixes in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 include: Table 2-8 Networking Bug Fixes Ref. Networking Bug Fix Description 7925 In its Log, System Status, and Inputs windows, CueStation 5.4.0 no longer displays I/O modules in maintenance mode. 8166 In release 5.3.0, VRAS modules did not properly reconnect to a D-Mitri system in which a backup DCP module assumed the role of primary module. This problem has been fixed. 8178 In release 5.3.0, I/O modules in maintenance mode could unexpectedly drop their network connections, and then reconnect. This problem has been fixed. 8238 In release 5.3.0, CueStation would misidentify the VLAN on which an audio network failure occurred. This problem has been fixed. 10 D-Mitri 5.4.0 Release Notes SpaceMap Changes SpaceMap changes in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 consist of bug fixes, as listed in the table below. Table 2-9 SpaceMap Bug Fixes Ref. SpaceMap Bug Fix Description 8177 In previous releases, CueStation did not properly automate pans between SpaceMaps. This problem has been fixed. Wild Tracks Changes Wild Tracks changes in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 include both feature additions and bug fixes. The following two tables list the new features and the bug fixes, in turn. Where a bug fix introduces a new feature, it is classified as a new feature. Wild Tracks feature additions in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 include: Table 2-10 Wild Tracks Feature Additions Ref. Wild Tracks Feature Addition Description 8132 In the Wild Tracks window, CueStation now enables filling down of values, in the fashion already available in the Mixer Configuration window. This can be useful for setting up recording for decks in which you are using a large number of tracks. To access the fill-down function, select a set of tracks, and then right-click on a File Name or Sends cell in the tracks table. Wild Tracks bug fixes in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 include: Table 2-11 Wild Tracks Bug Fixes Ref. Wild Tracks Bug Fix Description 7488 In previous releases, it was possible for a BIOS fault in D-Mitri modules to cause problems such as boot failure and artifacts in Wild Tracks playback. This problem has been fixed. 8001 In previous releases, Wild Tracks Command tracks whose lengths were explicitly set to zero did not trigger log entries as expected. This problem has been fixed. 8186 Prior to release 5.3.0, it was possible to set Wild Tracks modules to record each other simultaneously without having to configure I/O points for both modules. Release 5.4.0 restores this capability. 8208 In release 5.3.0, Wild Tracks recording failover did not function properly in all cases. This problem has been fixed. 8212 In release 5.3.0, CueStation Wild Tracks playback could sometimes result in distortion. This problem has been fixed. Miscellany Miscellaneous changes in D-Mitri release 5.4.0 consist of bug fixes, as listed in the following table: Table 2-12 Miscellaneous Bug Fixes Ref. Miscellaneous Bug Fix Description 7350 In previous releases, it was possible for the flash memory of a D-Mitri I/O module to become corrupted at boot time, and thus to render the module inoperable. This problem has been fixed. 7514 In previous releases, D-Mitri Updater would crash when updating multiple modules simultaneously. This problem has been fixed. 7546 In previous releases, D-Mitri Updater reported its version number incorrectly. This problem has been fixed. 11 Chapter 2: Release 5.4.0 Changes Table 2-12 Miscellaneous Bug Fixes (Continued) Ref. Miscellaneous Bug Fix Description 7674 In CueStation, fixed a bug that caused the FPGA Version values in the System Status window to be displayed incorrectly. 7873 In release 5.3.0, it was reported as a known issue that CueStation will stop receiving incoming timecode values if the DCP with Unit ID: PROC-1 goes offline and the D-Mitri system does not have a backup DCP configured and online to take its place. This is now the defined behavior. To guarantee failover of a SMPTE timecode stream, you must use a redundant backup DCP module. 8097 In release 5.3.0, D-Mitri DGPIO modules sometimes produced an incorrect time code when generating SMPTE data. This problem has been fixed. 8125 In prior releases, systems using DCM-4 modules could introduce distortion, or drop audio entirely, when feeding sound from certain inputs through certain buses. This problem has been fixed. 8155 In release 5.3.0, CueStation failed to respond properly to the CueConsole Clear All PFL/AFL button. This problem has been fixed. 8164 In release 5.3.0, CueStation failed to respond properly to the CueConsole Hold and PFL fader option buttons. This problem has been fixed. 8199 In previous releases, CueStation windows would in certain circumstances flash red and blue, and a core CueStation process would fail. This would occur when a user attempted to recall an incorrect text command, prompting the software to request a surplus of data, overwhelming the logging system. This problem has been fixed. 8234 In release 5.3.0, VRAS modules did not properly execute system zoning capabilities. This problem has been fixed. 12 Chapter 3: Release 5.4.0 Known Issues and Workarounds The following table describes known problems and limitations in the CueStation and D-Mitri Updater software, and, where applicable, provides workarounds for these problems and limitations. Each known problem or limitation is annotated by a reference number for easy tracking through this and any subsequent D-Mitri system updates. Table 3-1 Known Issues and Workarounds Ref. No. Change Description 7308 Setting a single D-Mitri Wild Tracks module to both record and play tracks is subject to specific limitations in this release. Exceeding these limitations can cause abnormalities in the Wild Tracks recording. The workaround for this problem is to observe the following limitations: 7403 ■ When recording 72 tracks on a single Wild Tracks module, play no more than 35 tracks from that module. ■ When playing 72 tracks from a Wild Tracks module, record no more than 53 tracks on that module. When logged into an I/O module over Telnet or SSH, issuing a reboot command to the module will result in a loud popping noise over any connected speakers at the time of the ensuing shutdown, and then again at the time of the restart that immediately follows. This problem occurs only when a module’s operating system is rebooted, and not when the unit is powered on or powered off. The workaround for this problem is to disconnect an I/O module from speakers before conducting a reboot of the module in this fashion. 7455 On a D-Mitri DGPIO module, the PTP master clock can improperly fall outside the lock range for the system if the external word clock signal is lost. 7536 Occasionally, CueStation will not properly display metering information. The workaround for this problem is to disable and then re-enable UDP metering by deselecting and then reselecting the Use UDP Metering command in the CueStation Network menu. This resets the metering display, which then will function properly. 7640 D-Mitri DDIO module outputs are not sample synchronous. 7779 The status port light indications for D-Mitri processor modules and I/O modules are inconsistent. When making a 1000BASE-T (gigabit) Ethernet connection, processor module port status lights illuminate yellow, while I/O module status port lights illuminate green. 7971 When an I/O module is power cycled, the module’s outputs can use the wrong audio channels, pending instructions from the corresponding processor module on what channels should be used. After a power cycle, these instructions can be a few seconds in arriving. As a consequence, a window of time exists during which the I/O module may pass unintended audio. The procedure to avoid this occurrence is to modify all I/O modules’ gnet boot files so as to set the value of the rx_chan_sub1, rx_chan_sub2, and rx_chan_sub3 parameters to 72. Executing this procedure will cause the IO module to mute after a power cycling until it receives output mapping from its associated processor module. ! CAUTION: Do not connect I/O modules running firmware from earlier releases to a D-Mitri system running software version 5.4.0. 13 Chapter 3: Release 5.4.0 Known Issues and Workarounds Table 3-1 Known Issues and Workarounds Ref. No. Change Description 7982 It is possible under some circumstances to experience delays of as much as two seconds in setting controls using devices connected to a D-Mitri system through a wireless access point. It may be possible to avoid this problem by isolating WiFi communications from the D-Mitri control network. One way to accomplish this is to deploy a WiFi router to filter out IPv6 multicast packets, or, in cases where the wireless devices do not use IPv6 data at all, to deploy a WiFi router that filters out IPv6 data entirely. 8020 In rare circumstances—on average, in one out of every 300 boot cycles—an I/O module can produce a distorted sound. This results from the module’s failure to lock to the system’s acting gPTP master module. The workaround for this problem is to reboot the affected I/O module. 8112 Audio glitches occur when an audio network switch is power cycled. The workaround for this problem is to avoid powering up an audio network switch during system operation. 8115 In circumstances where a DCP module becomes disconnected from the system (rather than failing), failover to a backup DCP module does not reliably occur. 8134 On D-Mitri Wild Tracks modules, there is a memory leak which can prevent the modules from booting properly and playing back or recording audio. The condition is triggered by processing a high number of configurations (120 or more), which to consumes available memory on a module. The workaround for this problem is to power cycle a Wild Tracks module before the configuration loading threshold of 120 is reached. 8143 If an I/O module is in running mode, CueStation 5.4.0 does not recognize it, and will not report its presence in response to a Query Hardware for Configuration command from the Configuration menu in the Mixer Configuration window. The workaround for this problem is to boot an I/O module into maintenance mode. 8144 D-Mitri Updater does not recognize an I/O module unless the module is running in maintenance mode. 8205 I/O module commands can cause occasional significant control latency. To work around occurrences of this problem, please contact Meyer Sound Technical Support. 8218 D-Mitri event strings use zero-based indexing for indicating DGPIO unit numbers and port numbers. This can be confusing where users expect the reference to the first DGPIO module in a system to be 1, instead of 0, as is generally the standard in CueStation. 8226 On DCIO-24 modules, CobraNet sampling at 96kHz does not function. 8268 In CueStation, the Wild Tracks window lacks the means to control the reference line for meter levels, and does not provide tick marks denoting meter level at common intervals. 8275 In CueStation, a meter's peak-level indicator can disappear if the meter's level doesn't change. 8267 In CueStation, the Wild Tracks window improperly dims the Add Entry and other buttons after a file load. The workaround for this problem is to move to another deck and return to the original deck, whereupon the dimmed buttons will be re-enabled. 8269 In CueStation, the Wild Tracks window input meters can misrepresent the playback level of a sine wave by 1 dB. 8279 In circumstances involving configurations containing Aux Sends mapped in the middle of a range of outputs, sending the same configuration twice to the system may take I/O modules offline. 8281 In CueStation subcues, the Set Ports Enabled command of type DGPIO ignores the control point settings for all DGPIO modules other than DGPIO 1. 14 D-Mitri 5.4.0 Release Notes Table 3-1 Known Issues and Workarounds Ref. No. Change Description 8306 In CueStation, when adding Aux Outputs to a system, right-clicking on a bus assign button shows an inaccurate number of Input Bus Assigns available on the system. 8311 When using the new audio channel test feature, input channel tests run against systems using multiple DCP modules do not function properly when the channel test focus is moved from one DCP module to another. Changing the test focus from a channel on one DCP to a channel on another DCP results in test audio playing from both DCP modules, rather than from the chosen module only. 8351 In circumstances where a DCP module becomes disconnected from the system, failover to a backup DCP module results in the module repeatedly swapping roles from backup to primary module. 15 Chapter 3: Release 5.4.0 Known Issues and Workarounds 16