Operation Manual; 4 Operation; System Overview- Page 24

Operation Manual

DBC Network Bridge

page 24

4 Operation

4.4 IQwic Overview

This section describes how to set up the DBC Network Bridge from within 
IQwic software. It includes an overview of the various processing functions 
and associated windows.

The DBC Network Bridge is configured using IQwic software. This applica-
tion enables the setup of all the parameters available to the DSP of the DBC 
Network Bridge unit.

PC Requirements

To run IQwic successfully a 200MHz Pentium II (preferably 400MHz or bet-
ter) machine with an absolute minimum of 32MB RAM (64MB or more is 
better) is recommended. IQwic will run under Windows 95/98/ME/NT or 
2000 (2000 Pro recommended).

System Overview

The DBC Network Bridge is a ‘fixed path’ processing unit. This means that 
the audio signal travels along a set course of DSP objects (software pro-
cessors). These objects can be switched in or out of the path and in some 
instances matrix routed into other paths. The ‘Signal Path’ tab in the DBC 
Bridge setup window in IQwic displays an overview of the main DSP, input/
output routing and the various processing objects in them. This is where 
most of the DBC Network Bridge’s DSP configuration is accessed. More 
information about this ‘map’ is available in Section 4.7, Basic Processing 
Functions.

Presets and Scenes

The basic premise in setting up the DBC Network Bridge is that the unit 
should be configured for a particular use and this setup then stored as a 
Preset in the unit. There are also Scene memories that store just the set-
tings of up to 50 of the DSP objects but not the configuration of objects.

Presets or Scenes can be primed to change at set times or dates using the 
‘Unit Event’ scheduler giving a reasonable degree of flexibility not unlike 
other show controllers. A Preset segue function enables Presets to be 
crossfaded in level for smooth transitions between setups.

IQwic itself can also switch between different setups including combina-
tions of units wired via the IQ interface. The Dataframe contains all the 
information for all the devices on the IQ network and is saved as a .WIQ file 
on the PC’s hard drive. Different versions of these files that pertain to the 
same hardware setups can then be scheduled to change using the Sched-
ule function in the File menu and this can even be linked to MIDI Time 
Code using the MTC Scheduler in the Setup menu.

A further level of control is also available using IQwic Scenes. These are 
not the same as the Unit Scenes that can be set up for the DBC Network 
Bridge alone. These can be scheduled using the Scene Sequencer found in 
the Dataframe menu and are again saved on the PC hard drive (as .SIQ 
files). IQwic Scenes can be organized without any units connected to the 
PC, unlike DBC-Bridge Presets that can only be stored in the unit while the 
program is on-line to the device.

IQwic Notes

If you use the 

Cut

 command from the Edit menu on a DBC Network Bridge

icon in the Workplace this will not delete the unit but, instead removes all 
the settings back to their defaults. Equally, Copy will put the settings on the 
clipboard for Pasting back into another unit (for example, if you have two 
or more on a network).

All of the settings in the unit can be printed in list format using the File 
menu 

Print 

command. This is useful to assess the configuration of the 

device on paper although, note that for a standard DBC Network Bridge the 
printout will run to over 20 pages! Use the ‘Select’ button to choose for 
which unit(s) you wish to print the settings.

The 

Upload

 and 

Engage 

options in the Dataframe menu enable a manual 

connection to be made either from the unit in the former case or back to the 
unit in the latter. All the current settings will be either received or sent to the 
DBC Network Bridge. These functions can be used to re-establish commu-
nication with the unit should the link go down, i.e. the network cable is 
accidentally unplugged.

The 

Edit Control Pages

 option allows the construction of ‘custom’ con-

trol panels to give selective access to particular controls and to represent 
them in a user’s chosen layout with added text and images. IQwic also 
includes some comprehensive error reporting facilities that can be linked 
to a printer or sent out externally via a connected modem to either a fax or 
pager. A .wav audio file alert can even be played through the system! Note 
that at present the error reporting doesn’t include information relating to 
CobraNet installations. Error reporting can be suppressed if necessary - 
this is useful in larger systems where there may be too much generation
of data.

A security system is implemented using a set of passwords to protect 
almost any aspect of the software’s functionality from unauthorized access 
or alteration. Passwords can be set to secure:
• Running the IQwic program
• Creation of new Dataframes/Scenes
• Access to the current Dataframe
• Operation/editing of component controls
• Setup of Scene sequences
The Administrator mode gives access to all passwords with one single 
password.

Some passwords are program based, e.g. run program, create new
Dataframe/Scene and Administrator. The current Dataframe, Component 
controls and Scene sequence passwords are saved with the Dataframe in 
the .WIQ file itself.