Bridge Hardware Instructions

Bridge Switcher (APEX Plus)

STEP 1 – Connect the Bridge Switcher to the AAE PC
The Bridge Switcher must be connected to the PC running the Arrakis Automation Engine (AAE). This consists of a USB connection for audio and an RS-232-to-USB connection for logic control.

STEP 2 – Connect Power
Connect the power supply to the Bridge Switcher. It is important that the Bridge Switcher and the PC running the AAE be connected to the same power source or power strip.

STEP 3 – Start the AAE
Turn on the AAE PC and open the Arrakis Automation Engine software. Verify the Bridge connection in the AAE software. Instructions on changing sound card assignments can be found in the AAE section of the training manual. 

IMPORTANT: Backup Power
We highly recommend connecting all APEX hardware and related equipment to an appropriate backup power system (UPS). This helps protect against power spikes and outages that could take your station off the air.

IMPORTANT: Power Supply
Do NOT use an unauthorized power supply with the Bridge Switcher. Using an incorrect power supply may cause permanent damage to the unit.

Volume Calibration

All trimpots are factory-adjusted for +4 dBu balanced input and +4 dBu balanced output. Do not adjust these trimpots unless specifically instructed by an Arrakis Support representative.

Increase volume: Turn counterclockwise
Decrease volume: Turn clockwise

Wiring for Audio

The Bridge features active, balanced audio outputs. Note the pin layout of the Bridge Molex connector. Pin numbers can be identified by viewing the connector from the top down. Refer to the image below for the correct pin numbering.

IMPORTANT: The Bridge uses active, balanced audio outputs. Do not connect either the positive (+) or negative (−) audio output to ground. Grounding either active audio output may permanently damage the audio output driver circuitry. Use only the designated Audio Ground connection where required. 

Play 1 (PGM) Output Pin Configuration:

Pin 1 – Audio ground

Pin 2 – Right + input

Pin 3 – Right - input

Pin 4 – Start relay to pin 9 (momentary)

Pin 5 – Left + input

Pin 6 – Left - input

Pin 7 – Stop relay to pin 8 (momentary)

Pin 8 – Stop relay to pin 7 (momentary)

Pin 9 – Start relay to pin 4 (momentary)

Play 2 (CUE) Output Pin Configuration:

Pins 4, 7, 8, 9 on the Play 2 (CUE) output are for an balanced audio output of what the Timed Recorder is currently recording. You may also use the PC REC OUT for an unbalanced output of what the Timed Recorder is currently recording. This is excellent for monitoring your timed records.

Pin 1 – Audio ground

Pin 2 – Right + input

Pin 3 – Right - input

Pin 4 – Record R - output

Pin 5 – Left + input

Pin 6 – Left - input

Pin 7 – Record Right + output

Pin 8 – Record Left - output

Pin 9 – Record Left + output

Channel 1 to Channel 16 Input. Pin Configuration:

Pin 1 - Audio ground

Pin 2 - Right + input

Pin 3 - Right - input

Pin 4 - Start relay to pin 9 (momentary)

Pin 5 - Left + input

Pin 6 - Left - input

Pin 7 - Steering logic (sustained ground)

Pin 8 - Source Stop (momentray ground)

Pin 9 - Start relay to pin 4 (momentary)

Sum In Pin Configuration:

The Bridge has a balanced Sum In input for summing in another audio source.

Pin 1 - Audio ground

Pin 2 - Right + input

Pin 3 - Right - input

Pin 4 - na

Pin 5 - Left + input

Pin 6 - Left - input

Pin 7 - na

Pin 8 - na

Pin 9 - na

Wiring for Logic

Logic inputs are triggered by grounding the corresponding logic line. 

Rec Logic Pin Configuration:

Pin 1 – FUTURE FEATURE

Pin 2 – FUTURE FEATURE

Pin 3 – Time Sync (global, sets Windows clock to sync time)

Pin 4 – FUTURE FEATURE

Pin 5 – FUTURE FEATURE

Pin 6 – Start Automation. This closure will start the Automation play list.

Pin 7 – Stop Automation. Stops the play list, but lets the current file finish.

Pin 8 – Stop Automation. Stops the play list, and fades out the currently playing file.

Pin 9 – Logic ground

Logic Out Pin Configuration:

Pin 1 - Logic out 1

Pin 2 - Logic out 2

Pin 3 - Logic out 3

Pin 4 - Logic out 4

Pin 5 - Logic out 5

Pin 6 - Logic out 6

Pin 7 - Logic out 7

Pin 8 - Logic out 8

Pin 9 - Logic ground

Full Logic Pin Configuration:

Pin 1 - Commercial Break 

Pin 2 - Station ID

Pin 3 - Liner #1 folder

Pin 4 - Liner #2 folde

Pin 5 - Liner #3 folder 

Pin 6 - Liner #4 folder

Pin 7 - NA

Pin 8 – Start Record

Pin 9 - Logic Ground

Partial Logic Pin Configuration:

Pin 1 - Commercial Break

Pin 2 - Station ID

Pin 3 - Commercial Break 

Pin 4 - Station ID

Pin 5 - Commercial Break 

Pin 6 - Station ID

Pin 7 - Commercial Break

Pin 8 - Station ID

Pin 9 - Logic Ground

Game Pin Configuration:

Pin 1 - Commercial Break

Pin 2 - Station ID

Pin 3 - Liner #1 folder

Pin 4 - Liner #2 folder 

Pin 5 - Rain Delay

Pin 6 - Return to Game

Pin 7 - Start Game

Pin 8 - End Game

Pin 9 - Logic Ground

Full vs Partial Logic

The Bridge is a 16-channel audio switcher with six logic inputs used to trigger commercial breaks, liners, IDs, and other functions. Because there are only six logic inputs for 16 audio channels, the system supports a combination of Full Logic and Partial Logic configurations.

Choose the configuration that best fits your station’s current and future needs. The number of Full Logic channels can be changed from the Setup screen using the # of Full Logic setting.

Option 1

3 Full Logic / 12 Partial Logic:

Logic Audio

Sat Logic 1 (full logic) -------------- Channel 1

Sat Logic 2 (full logic) -------------- Channel 2

Sat Logic 3 (full logic) -------------- Channel 3

Logic In 1 (partial logic)

Pins 1 – 2 ------------------------------ Channel 4 

Pins 3 – 4 ------------------------------ Channel 5

Pins 5 – 6 ------------------------------ Channel 6

Pins 7 – 8 ------------------------------ Channel 7

Logic In 2 (partial logic)

Pins 1 – 2 ----------------------------- Channel 8

Pins 3 – 4 ----------------------------- Channel 9

Pins 5 – 6 ----------------------------- Channel 10

Pins 7 – 8 ----------------------------- Channel 11

Logic In 3 (partial logic)

Pins 1 – 2 ----------------------------- Channel 12

Pins 3 – 4 ------------------------------ Channel 13

Pins 5 – 6 ----------------------------- Channel 14

Pins 7 – 8 ----------------------------- Channel 15

NA ----------------------------- Channel 16

Option 2

4 Full Logic / 8 Partial Logic:

Logic Audio

Sat Logic 1 (full logic) --------------- Channel 1

Sat Logic 2 (full logic) --------------- Channel 2

Sat Logic 3 (full logic) --------------- Channel 3

Logic In 1  (full logic) ---------------- Channel 4

Logic In 2 (partial logic)

Pins 1 – 2 ------------------------------ Channel 5

Pins 3 – 4 ------------------------------ Channel 6

Pins 5 – 6 ------------------------------ Channel 7

Pins 7 – 8 ------------------------------ Channel 8

Logic In 3 (partial logic)

Pins 1 – 2 ------------------------------ Channel 9

Pins 3 – 4 ------------------------------ Channel 10

Pins 5 – 6 ------------------------------ Channel 11

Pins 7 – 8 ------------------------------ Channel 12

Option 3

5 Full Logic / 4 Partial Logic:

Logic Audio

Sat Logic 1 (full logic) -------------- Channel 1

Sat Logic 2 (full logic) --------------- Channel 2

Sat Logic 3 (full logic) --------------- Channel 3

Logic In 1 (full logic) ---------------- Channel 4

Logic In 2 (full logic) ---------------- Channel 5

Logic In 3 (partial logic)

Pins 1 – 2 ------------------------------ Channel 6

Pins 3 – 4 ------------------------------ Channel 7

Pins 5 – 6 ------------------------------ Channel 8

Pins 7 – 8 ------------------------------ Channel 9

Option 4

6 Full Logic / 0 Partial Logic:

Logic Audio

Sat Logic 1 (full logic) --------------- Channel 1

Sat Logic 2 (full logic) --------------- Channel 2

Sat Logic 3 (full logic) -------------- Channel 3

Logic In 1 (full logic) ---------------- Channel 4

Logic In 2 (full logic) ---------------- Channel 5

Logic In 3 (full logic) ---------------- Channel 6