Connecting a Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD/DCi Series to Audio Architect for the First Time

Technical Support Guide

Table of Contents

Brand: Models: Overview: Prerequisites: Procedure: Step 1: Physical Connection Option A: Direct Connection Option B: Networked Connection Step 2: Set IP Address Step 3: Discover the Amplifier Step 4: Adding a Discovered Amplifier in Audio Architect

Brand:

Crown

Models:

I-Tech 4x3500HD/DCi Series

Overview:

To connect the a Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD to Harman´s Audio Architect for the first time, follow these steps. The Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD is a high-power networkable amplifier that supports HiQnet control via Ethernet, which is how it interfaces with Audio Architect.

Prerequisites:

A computer with Audio Architect installed
Ethernet cable
Network switch (recommended, but direct connection is also possible)
IP discovery tool: HiQnet NetSetter (included with Audio Architect)

Procedure:

Step 1: Physical Connection

Option A: Direct Connection

Connect the amp's Ethernet port directly to your PC via an Ethernet cable.
Use a crossover cable if your computer doesn't support auto MDI-X (most modern PCs do).

Option B: Networked Connection

Connect both the amplifier and the computer to a network switch/router via Ethernet cables.

Step 2: Set IP Address

Default IP Mode: The 4x3500HD uses DHCP by default. If no DHCP server is found, it will default to a 169.254.0.0/16 address (APIPA aka link-local).
Check or Set IP:
1. Run HiQnet NetSetter to find the amp on the network. If necessary reboot the amp to force it to send its discovery packet on bootup. If using a Direct Connection, you will have to quickly reselect the PC Adaptor after the amp reboots (in upper left corner of Netsetter).
2. It will display the amplifier and allow you to assign a static IP address if desired.
3. Make sure your PC is on the same subnet.

Step 3: Discover the Amplifier

Go to “Network" tab or "HiQnet Devices".
Audio Architect will scan the network and try to detect connected devices.
When the 4x3500HD appears, it may show as unassigned or pending.

The next steps will depend on how Audio Architect is configured and whether the amplifier needs to be associated with an existing device in the venue file.

Step 4: Adding a Discovered Amplifier in Audio Architect

Check for Auto-Add Setting

If automatic device addition is disabled (recommended for clarity), proceed manually.
If it's enabled, Audio Architect may automatically add discovered devices to the venue.

Add the Amplifier to the Venue

If the amplifier is discovered but not yet in the room, simply drag it into the venue from the discovered devices list.

Go Online

Once the amp is in the venue, click “Go Online" in the top right.

Match Devices

If the amp is not yet matched to a device in your venue file, Audio Architect will prompt you with the Match Devices screen.
Follow the prompts to match the discovered device with the one in the venue.

Synchronize Venue

If all devices are matched, Audio Architect will proceed to the Synchronize Venue step automatically.

Manual Override (if not all devices are matched)

If not all devices are matched, Audio Architect won't proceed automatically.
You can still go online by manually selecting "Synchronize Venue" from the menu.

In the Synchronize Venue step, you will see R/S indicators displayed over the amplifier, beneath the rack, and on the left side of the screen for the entire room.

R (Receive): Pulls configuration data from the amplifier into Audio Architect.
S (Send): Pushes configuration data from Audio Architect to the amplifier.

You can choose to apply R/S at the device level (amplifier), rack level, or room level, depending on the scope of synchronization you want to perform.