FITTING FOURIER ® OPTION
Important Note: These instructions provide guidance for installing the Fourier interface card in the Q3 console. This technical note is intended solely for use by factory‑approved technicians.
Preparations
Read the instructions carefully before starting, and leave yourself time to perform the work.
Ensure you have taken appropriate anti-static precautions
Avoid working in areas with synthetic floor coverings or carpet, especially polypropylene material, as opposed to natural materials such as solid wood or wool. Ideally work at a proper workbench with ESD safe features, such as a metal frame. Before work, try to discharge yourself into a mains earth fitment, water pipe etc.
This is important as parts of the equipment are static sensitive and even if any damage is not immediately obvious, so called “latent damage” can occur, where a device may be partially degraded yet continue to perform its intended function. However, the operating life of the device may be reduced dramatically, leading to premature failure.
If you are unsure about any part of the procedure, seek advice before proceeding.
You will need to have the following tools to hand:
- 2mm Hexagonal driver (Allen Key) stubby (less than 40mm) – usually supplied with the Q3.
- Pozi screwdriver PZ1
- 5.5mm Socket driver for M3 Nuts
- 2mm Hexagonal driver (Allen Key)
- Soft material (e.g. bubble wrap) for resting panels flat on
You should also have:
- A Fourier transform.engine or another Dante audio device for post installation testing.
Before you start, shut down the console, switch it off and remove the power leads.
If the console was previously fitted with a Waves card, please consult TN481 to remove it.
Procedure
Locate and remove the stubby driver and bits supplied with the mixer in the keyboard drawer.
Accessing the Console Interior
Remove screws from left and middle display panels, take out screws from master and the right sections only if required.
Remove the top screws from the upper panels using the stubby 2mm hex driver located in the keyboard drawer. For the bottom screws, use a regular 2mm hex driver.
Lift the upper panels out from the lower edge and tip forward, resting the upper panel on the chassis or soft material covering the fader panel
Lay the panel flat across the fader panel on soft material. If required, unplug the display drive cable from the rear of the screen by squeezing the two ends of the connector to release it. Note that the plugs are labeled L, M, and R for the respective screens.
Lay the upper panels flat on the fader panels but do not remove the master control section panel. The right hand panel is also not removed to fit the Waves option.
See the engine and computer cover. This is held with 6 captive 0pt Pozi screws (or use a small flat blade). Release all 6 screws, remove the cover from within the mixer and see the engine exposed below.
Fourier Interface Card Installation
Remove the blanking plate fitted by removing the screws on the rear of the console.
Before fitting the Fourier interface module, place the sticker provided with the kit (see picture below).
Inside the mixer fit the Fourier Interface module to the rear panel, re-using the bolts from the blanking plate.
Fourier Card Mounting Plate Instructions
Fourier mounting plate.
The kit comes with a mounting plate which needs to be installed on the Optical loops section on the rear of the console. For consoles fitted with a dual Optocore loop, the installation of this mounting plate can be omitted in order to keep the 2nd loop however, this prevents access to the Dante Secondary and Control ports.
Fit the two Cat5 sockets into the plate with the M3 countersunk, hex socket screws and nuts provided.
If optics are installed in loop 1, remove the blanking plate from the other loop so the new Fourier plate can be installed.
Once the above-mentioned part is removed, install the plate with the CAT5 connectors fitted. (external and internal view below)
Fourier Card Cabling
If the console was previously fitted with a Waves card, the ribbon and power cables can be used as these are the same type of looms.
Fit the Fourier interface loom 681-00373 from CN3 on the Fourier card to CN25 on the P16163 Quantum Engine board.
Fit the Fourier power loom 681-00286 from the interface card to CN11 on the P16273 power distribution board.
Connect the two Cat5 cables from the interface card to the Fourier Mounting plate previously installed.
*NOTE: Make sure to connect and match end to end accordingly*
CONTROL <-> CONTROL
SECONDARY <-> SECONDARY
The option card hardware installation is now complete.
Reassembling the mixer
Lift the upper left and middle panels and lay flat across the faders again.
Re-fit the engine cover plate. This is critical for the correct operation and cooling of the unit and must not be omitted.
Ensure no cables are trapped by this and all 6 screws are correctly done up.
Refit and screw down all control and fader panels.
Note how the upper panels have a flexible RF gasket on the right edge. Ensure this is in place and not removed. Assembling panels from right to left is the correct method to get these in, finally sliding the leftmost panel edge without a gasket into the chassis.
Test the mixer functions
On completion of the work, connect the mixer to power and carry out a functional test to confirm that the display and controls operate correctly before refitting the panels.
After the test, shut down the mixer and switch off the power.
Secure the panel with screws.
Software Setup Notes
To enable Fourier Card:
1. On main screen click on ‘Options’.
2. Once Options window is open click and select on ‘Console’.
3. Click on ‘Fourier’ to enable.
4. Close and restart the console.
5. On the next boot, verify the Fourier port is enabled on the Audio I/O.
Ensure the card is set to the same sample rate as the console in Dante Controller. This cannot be controlled by the Console application software.
Fourier Interface Card Specifications
• The Fourier Interface Card provides 64 channels in and 64 channels out at 48kHz or 96kHz to the Dante network.
• The card does not feature Sample Rate Conversion so make sure that the console sample rate and the Dante sample rate of the card (set in Dante controller) match or it could end up with distortion/clicking/no audio.
• The Fourier Interface card cannot be used to control socket parameters (phantom power and gain) of DQ Racks or A168D/A164D Racks.
• When fitted to Quantum consoles, the user can Enable Sync to External in Dante controller for the Fourier Interface Card to get it to clock to the console. Alternatively, the console can be set to clock from the Fourier interface card in Setup\Audio Sync. This will result in the console following the Dante network for audio clock.