What is the Voica Public Address System?
Kelvin Smith Library uses a Biamp Vocia PA system for scheduled announcements, weather advisories, and special events.
What software is used to connect to & configure the Vocia PA System?
The system is networked and configuration can be done remotely using the Vocia Client software.
It can be downloaded here: https://www.biamp.com/downloads
Along with the latest firmware for the audio controller, amplifiers, and inputs.
How do I connect to the Vocia PA Controller?
Once the Vocia client software is installed, launch it. You may encounter the below password screen. These credentials are local to the software installation and provided only as a means to prevent accidental usage of the software. As such, keeping the default username and password is fine.
Enter “Admin” as the username, and no password.
Once you are in the software, go to File -> Open Project and load the file:
V:\Projects\Vocia\Kelvin Smith Library\Kelvin Smith Library.vpf
This project contains the most recent configuration of the PA system. It can be changed locally as needed, and then synced with the audio controller to make system changes.
Once the project is loaded, it is time to connect to the audio controller. Go to Network -> Online (or hit F10):
If this is your first time connecting you will be prompted for a system password, this is stored in our lastpass account.
Once you connect, you should see the project turn green, load the state of the system, and the current firmware version.
How do I modify which announcements are playing?
Right click on the world “Public Announcement System” and select “Configure World”
The first thing to note is the “VTP Audio Files” tab under the “Configuration & Settings” section:
This lists all of the audio files available to you currently for recorded announcements. Copies of these files are present at:
V:\Projects\Vocia\Audio Files
The next tab of significance is the “Scheduler” under “Audio & Live Control” (note: Kelvin Smith Library has only one audio zone, so this documentation will not go into zoning).
On the left hand side of this window is every single scheduled announcement currently programmed into the system.
These announcements can easily be enabled or disabled via the “Enabled” checkbox, so during semester transitions changing over audio schedules is as simple as checking a box.
New announcements can be added via the “New” button, or can be built off of duplicated announcements via the “Duplicate” button. Of course, announcements can also be deleted via the “Delete” button.
On the right side, there are three different sections.
For this documentation we will focus on the “Timing” and “Sequence” tab as there is only one audio zone for Kelvin Smith Library (but if there were multiple, the “Zone” tab is where you would select where the announcement would play).
The timing tab (pictured right) is fairly self explanatory.
It allows you to set the time an event occurs, and the days of the week (weekly event) or days of the month (monthly event) that it occurs on.
You can further specify which months that the event is valid for, as well as a time frame the event is valid in.
Most of the announcements for KSL will be weekly events. For one time announcements, the event time frame could be set to a specific day and the occurrence settings set to “every day”. This would allow you to easily schedule the specialized announcement by simply enabling it and setting the date range & time.
The next tab of interest is the “Sequence” tab.
This tab determines what audio plays at the specified time, and what order it plays in.
Simply select an audio file from the left hand side, and press the “>” button to schedule it. Multiple announcements can be scheduled in sequence and ordered using the up and down arrow keys.
How do I add audio files to the PA system?
Adding new files to the system is simple.
Just select the “Audio File Manager” under the “Tools” menu to input local files (Note: these will need to be in WAV format).
How do I adjust the output?
All output configuration is done by configuring the VA-8600 amplifier. To do this navigate to ‘Audio Outputs” -> “VA-8600”, right-click, and select “Configure VA-8600”.
Then proceed to navigate to the “Level Live Control” tab (note: changes take affect live).
You should be presented with a page primarily composed of a “Level/Gain/Trim” interface, and a “DSP Level” interface.
The “Level/Gain/Trim” interface conyes trols the base input level for sound system. Gain refers to how much a signal is amplified as it passes through the system, while trim refers to making small, precise changes in the level of that signal. This control is raised to increase the dynamic range of the system, and lowered to prevent clipping (audio distortion). The level it is set to seems suitable for PA usage, but can be adjusted if necessary. It is easy to tell if this is off as clipping will occur and a “Output Clip - Bad” alarm will appear under the “Test” tab.
The “DSP Level” is basically what “drives” the amplifier. Higher levels will lead to louder, more dynamic sound. However get too high, and you can cause clipping or even blow out speakers! This value should likely always be kept in the negative.
Finally, it should be noted only output channels 1-6 are currently in use at Kelvin Smith Library.
How do I publish my changes?
Head to ”Project” -> “Validate” to validate all of the modified settings.
Then compile them in the same menu under “Project” -> “Compile”
When the project is compiled, head over to “Network” -> “Send Configuration to System”
How do I update system firmware?
Download the new firmware from: https://www.biamp.com/downloads
Install the firmware package onto your system and then navigate to “Tools” -> “Update Firmware”.
This utility will automatically detect the new firmware from the package you installed, and guide you through updating the server.
What if I have more questions?
MediaVision can be contacted if needed and they will reach out to Dobil if needed (Zenith Systems were the vendor that originally did the installation).