GENELEC 9301B Multichannel AES/EBU Interface

Product overview

The GENELEC 9301B Multichannel AES/EBU Interface is a 1U digital I/O expansion that connects GENELEC 7300 Series Smart Active (SAM) subwoofers to 16 channels of AES/EBU audio, as part of any GENELEC immersive monitoring system.

7300 Series subwoofers have a single AES/EBU input. Placed in the signal path, the 9301B takes 16 channels from the digital audio source on two DB25 inputs, passes them unchanged to the monitors on one DB25 output and feeds the subwoofer with the sum of the main channels plus the LFE channel over its SUBWOOFER LINK XLR. That covers formats such as 9.1.6; a second 9301B and subwoofer extend the system to 32 channels for layouts such as 22.2. The 9301B is set up entirely in GENELEC Loudspeaker Manager (GLM) software, and Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS) drops it to below 0.5 W when no AES/EBU signal is present.

Key features

• 16 channels of AES/EBU digital inputs and outputs, including one XLR subwoofer output
• Two DB25 inputs (AES59 pinout), 8 channels each from the digital audio source
• One DB25 output to the monitors with bit-to-bit copies of the input signals
• SUBWOOFER LINK XLR: sum of all main channels on one subframe, LFE on the other
• Scalable: two 9301B units and 73xx subwoofers support up to 32 channels
• GLM managed: two GLM network connectors, LFE assignment and +10 dB LFE option in GLM
• Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS) power saving below 0.5 W
• 1U rack unit, 43 x 483 x 105 mm, 2 kg, universal mains 100-240 VAC

Immersive subwoofer integration

The 9301B gives a 7300 Series subwoofer access to every channel of an immersive mix. The main channels are summed for bass management and the LFE channel, selected in GLM by AES input and subframe, travels on the second subframe of the same AES/EBU cable. The AES/EBU output on the subwoofer allows additional SAM subwoofers to be daisy-chained for more low-frequency output, and GLM aligns the playback of the complete subwoofer system with the rest of the monitoring system.

Simple cabling

Connect the source's AES/EBU DB25 outputs to AES IN 1-4 and AES IN 5-8, take AES OUT 1-8 through an 8 x XLR fan-out cable with AES59 pinout to the monitors, and connect SUBWOOFER LINK to the subwoofer's DIGITAL IN. Break-out cables let you keep access to the source's DB25 inputs. Use cables made for AES/EBU digital audio throughout.

Set up in GLM

In GLM, set the group's input signal type to AES/EBU Digital, set the subwoofers' AES/EBU Digital Input Mode to Multichannel, enable the inputs and pick the LFE channel. Calibrate the whole system with the GLM measurement microphone, then store the settings into the monitors, subwoofers and 9301B units if you want to run without a computer. Clicking the 9301B icon in GLM blinks its power light to identify the unit.

In the box

• 9301B Multichannel AES/EBU Interface
• Mains cable
• 5 m GLM network cable
• Operating manual

A GLM Calibration Kit (or 9320A) and GLM software are required to use the 9301B with 7300 Series subwoofers.

GENELEC 9301B Multichannel AES/EBU Interface: frequently asked questions

What does the 9301B do?

It expands the single AES/EBU input of a 7300 Series SAM subwoofer to 16 channels, passing all channels to the monitors and the summed bass plus LFE to the subwoofer.

Which formats does it support?

One 9301B supports layouts such as 9.1.6; two units and two 73xx subwoofers support up to 32 channels for layouts such as 22.2.

Which sample rates and word lengths are supported?

AES/EBU (AES3) single-wire audio from 32 to 192 kHz, 16 to 24-bit fixed point.

Can it work without a computer?

Yes. After calibration, store the settings in the monitors, subwoofers and 9301B units from GLM; they are used after the devices are powered off and on again with the GLM network removed.

Where can I buy the GENELEC 9301B Multichannel AES/EBU Interface in India?

The GENELEC 9301B Multichannel AES/EBU Interface is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: 9.1.6 immersive system with one subwoofer

Feed a 16-channel immersive monitoring layout and a 7300 Series subwoofer from one AES/EBU source.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the two DB25 inputs and the DB25 output with AES/EBU cables.
2. Connect SUBWOOFER LINK to the subwoofer and run the GLM network to all devices.
3. In GLM set Input Signal Type to AES/EBU Digital and the subwoofer input mode to Multichannel.
4. Select the LFE channel and run the calibration.

Tip: Use the +10 dB LFE setting if the LFE channel requires a 10 dB boost relative to the main channels.

Workflow 2: 22.2 system with two 9301B units

Extend AES/EBU monitoring to 32 channels for very large immersive formats.

Connections

Setup

1. Cable each 9301B to its 16 channels and monitors.
2. Connect a 7300 Series subwoofer to each SUBWOOFER LINK.
3. Place both units in the GLM layout near their subwoofers.
4. Calibrate the complete system in GLM.

Tip: Click a 9301B icon in GLM to blink its power light and identify the unit.

Workflow 3: Adding subwoofers for more LFE output

Increase low-frequency capacity by daisy-chaining SAM subwoofers.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the extra subwoofer from the first subwoofer's AES/EBU output.
2. Add it to the GLM network.
3. Run AutoCal: GLM aligns the playback of the whole subwoofer system.

Workflow 4: Keeping access to the source's DB25 inputs

Use break-out cables so the source's digital inputs stay available.

Connections

Setup

1. Fit break-out cables with XLR connectors between the source and each 9301B input.
2. Patch the required source outputs to the 9301B inputs.
3. Use the free XLR inputs of the source for other connections.

Workflow 5: Calibrated stand-alone operation

Run the calibrated system without a computer.

Connections

Setup

1. Calibrate with the microphone at ear height at the listening position.
2. Store the current group settings into all devices.
3. Set the monitors' 'Stored' switches on, remove the GLM network and power cycle.

Tip: Keeping the GLM network connected gives the full flexibility of the system.

Workflow 6: Energy-saving installation

Let the interface sleep when no audio is present.

Connections

Setup

1. Set the ISS waiting time in GLM.
2. With no AES/EBU input the 9301B drops below 0.5 W.
3. It wakes automatically when an AES/EBU signal returns.