Huron & SNAP Documentation

Introduction to the System Tools
The System tools serve as the framework for all Huron software
applications. They provide a standard interface for:
• Configuring the physical input and output modules;
including the naming of signals, the setting of input and
output volumes and the manipulation of preamplifier gains.
• Digitally connecting these physical inputs and outputs to the
inputs and outputs of DSP application programs.
• Starting and stopping applications, and controlling their onscreen
visibility.
The heart of the system software is the Virtual Rack or VRack.
The VRack provides a graphical user interface based upon the
metaphor of a “19-inch audio rack”. All DSP applications are
available to the user as VRack mountable units. Each of these
units may contain a number of input and output connectors.
To connect the physical inputs and outputs to these DSP
application input and output connectors, the Patch Bay is used.
The Patch Bay provides a mechanism for connecting virtual
cables between input and output points. This patching can
occur between the physical inputs or outputs and DSP
applications, or between DSP applications.
Rather than provide individual volume controls within each
DSP application, the Huron System Tools consolidate the
volume controls in the IO Manager. This tool provides a
volume control slider for each physical input or output. A
radio-button control can be used to select the preamplifier gain
for the input channels. When combined, these controls allow
signal levels to be matched to the full-scale of the digital
domain thus maximising the digital signal to noise ratio.
HURON TECHNICAL MANUAL PAGE 41