This is topic CP55 non sync level in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by David Whitbeck (Member # 894) on 05-29-2002, 09:02 PM:
Is it possible to adjust the non sync level on a CP55 or do I have to just turn down the fader? It's kind of inconvenient doing that but if that's the way it has to be, then so be it. The manual said to adjust the fader when switching from non sync to the program format but maybe one of you knows a trick?
Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 05-29-2002, 09:26 PM:
David,
There is a pot inside the processor for each non sync left and right channels. This is an adjustment which requires the technician's "diddle stick" screwdriver. I have found there are two ways around this. One is to have the earphone output of the CD player (usually with volume control) feed the signal to the CP-55. Another way is to install a dual 10K pot in the input circuit between the sound source and the processor input.
Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 05-29-2002, 09:58 PM:
Actually you do not need a diddle stick, or tweek stick as it is better known, just use a small screwdriver. Monitor the surround channel and adjust the two pots to a comfortable level. Then match the two so that there is as little dialog in the surrounds as possible, or until the center channel indicator on the matrix decoder is the brightest and the left and right look balanced, i.e., one isnt lit brighter than the other, ect.Hope that helps
Josh
Posted by David Whitbeck (Member # 894) on 05-29-2002, 11:36 PM:
Which card are these pots on?
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 05-30-2002, 12:18 AM:
Cat 242 card. Near the top. Check the inside of the door panel - it'll show you exactly where they are. When you make this adjustment, make sure your master fader is at the nominal running position for your theatre.It has been a long time, but it seems to me that if you have a full-blown CP-55 that will handle the digital formats and an external SRA-5 adapter is used, the non-sync pots are in the SRA-5 external adapter, but I am not certain about that.
I just chatted with John Westlund, and he indicated the non-sync adjustments are behind the external SRA-5 adapter door if you are using that set-up. Thanks, John. My memory is refreshed. 
Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 05-30-2002, 03:34 AM:
Paul that's true IF the SRA-5 is installed the old way, using the non-sync inputs (comes up on the 'AUX' button). If it's been installed the new and better way (Comes up on what was the 03 Dolby Stereo, no surrounds) then the non-sync pots in the CP55 work as non-sync level control. If it's got all the mods for digital, then the SRA-5 must be installed the new way, as Format 10 Dolby Digital comes up on what was the 'AUX' button.
Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 05-30-2002, 10:04 AM:
Just in case there's anybody else who's interested in having uniform levels in all cinemas...Non-Sync was a pet peeve of mine at AMC; different levels in every auditorium. Also, some had the music coming out of the surrounds whereas others had music emanating mainly from the screen.
What can I say? I'm a sucker for uniformity!
Very recently, I experimented with one auditorium here until I got just the level I wanted and then I ran a 1kHz tone through the CD player to make sure I had balanced left/right: watch the lights on the NR card, and then double-check that the Centre channel has the strongest signal (lights on the front panel of a CP-45).
With the tone still playing, I went around to all of the other processors and set the Non-Sync input to the same LED pattern so that they'd all play at the same level. (It's a lot like setting Dolby tone.)
I'm using CP-45's but I think the Non-Sync is very similar on the 55's.
The CD was a freebie from TDK.
------------------
~Manny.
Some people can read "War and Peace" and come away thinking it's a simple adventure story while I, on the other hand, can read the ingredients on a chewing gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.
Lex Luthor, "Superman: The Movie"
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 05-30-2002, 12:08 PM:
Thanks for the information, Pete.
Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 05-30-2002, 05:37 PM:
Nae bother Paul.You can tell I was up early today, I got there before Gordon or Steve G.!!
Posted by David Whitbeck (Member # 894) on 05-30-2002, 11:58 PM:
I'm pretty sure we have it set up the "new" way. We have the SRA5 on there and I'm pretty sure it's on 03, and we have a DA20 and I'm positive it's on AUX. So, I will check those pots on the 242.
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 05-31-2002, 12:04 AM:
David, be sure you know what format non-sync is coming up with. Then you will know for sure what to do. Indiscriminate "Knobgetwitzen make fer sparkin und spitzen", as the saying goes..... 
....got that out of the PRO-35 manual........
Posted by David Whitbeck (Member # 894) on 05-31-2002, 12:51 AM:
All I need to do is turn it down, it's almost as loud as the movie is.
Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 05-31-2002, 07:26 PM:
RE: Diddle Stick vs. Tweak Tool The Diddle Stick is a tool used by an earnest experimenter to induce unknown changes in unfamiliar equipment.
The Tweak Tool is used by an expert in the adjustment of the equipment and with experience, beyond the service manual, for making optimal settings.
Webster, rest in peace~
IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT DOES ... DON'T TURN IT!
Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 05-31-2002, 08:41 PM:
Or if you are still curious as to what it does, twist it, note any changes, then turn it back Josh
Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 05-31-2002, 08:50 PM:
Josh, When I was 9 years old I took my father's pocket watch apart to see "what made it tick?"
It never did again.
KEN
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-31-2002, 10:03 PM:
Kenneth how long was it before you could comfortably sit down
Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 06-01-2002, 03:33 AM:
Even if you diddle and knock the calibration out for the SRA5, assuming it's still conected that (and if so why??!), you only need Cat 69T and a millivoltmeter to put it back.
Posted by Michael Brown (Member # 890) on 06-01-2002, 04:09 AM:
Get a cheap mixer and run it through that. Then adjust the levels with the fader on the mixer. It also means that you can have other things (microphones ect) plugged in to the non-sync.
Posted by David Whitbeck (Member # 894) on 06-01-2002, 05:20 PM:
Hey, that's a thought. It just so happens that we have a couple of cheap mixers laying around that I could use.
Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 06-01-2002, 07:50 PM:
Yes,We have a Mackie 32 channel 8 Submixer stereo board at the church. This is the one like was used for the first Star Wars film.
There are some neat Behringer mixers for less than $100.00
I am really in favor of leaving the hood down on equipment that might kill a show. (Like the sound procesor)
KEN
Posted by Jan Hackett (Member # 1231) on 06-01-2002, 08:12 PM:
Use a plastic tweaking stick to adjust pots in electronics. Metal screw drivers can cause quirkyness with capacitors and not give one an accurate setting.------------------
Jan Hackett
Theater Operations Manager
Extreme Screen Dynatheater
NM Museum of Natural History Foundation
Posted by David Whitbeck (Member # 894) on 06-02-2002, 03:10 PM:
It's a good thing the owner has one of those tweaking sticks then. He just informed me that all we need to do is adjust the pots, he's a smart man, he should be projecting and not me. Reading this Jerry?
Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 06-02-2002, 08:23 PM:
you can use a small screwdriver on the processor. Tweek sticks are really only necessary in certain situations; RF circuits, and high voltage circuits. since the processor contains neither, you are safe.Ken,
Been there, done that
Josh
Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 06-03-2002, 12:05 AM:
Michael, rule of thumb is, never EVER connect anything to the processor that has a mic preamp in it. Ten minutes after you do, management will call up to you to tell you to please make an announcement for everything from cars with headlights left on in the parking lot to kids lost a the concession stand. If you HAVE to install a mixer, then on the very first call for you to make an announcement, just say, "Can't to it...this mixer is missing a microphone intraforming culminizer. Sorry." You'll thank me later. 
Posted by David Whitbeck (Member # 894) on 06-03-2002, 03:34 AM:
I would much rather announce those things over a mic than have to go in front of the audience and tell them to their face. I've had to do that before... "Sorry, we can't get it going, you can get your refunds at the boxoffice." Not fun.