FreeSpace^® 4400

The FreeSpace 4400 business music system is an integrated four-channel DSP and 400-watt amplifier for 70/100-volt business music systems. As a single component, it provides all the functionality required for one- to four-zone business music systems applications. The 400-watt amplifier features proprietary Power Sharing to dynamically allocate power across four channels according to the power demands of each zone. The FreeSpace 4400 business music system is configured using FreeSpace 4400 Installer^™ software, which enables configuration and service of the FreeSpace 4400 system electronics.

The system's features are accessible with FreeSpace 4400 Installer^™ software, which allows installers and designers to configure the unit—including these Bose^® proprietary functions:

• Auto volume for constant program volume relative to the noise level in each zone. As background noise levels vary throughout the day, constant manual adjusting of the system performance is no longer necessary. The FreeSpace 4400 business music system senses the background noise level, compares it to the music level and adjusts the volume accordingly
• Scheduling for preset on/off, source select and/or volume changes by hour and day. Automatic settings ensure proper operation when the staff is too busy to make adjustments
• System diagnostics include an error log. The flash memory module is easy to replace and contains complete hardware configuration files
• Multi-zone Opti-voice paging for smooth ducking and release of music levels as announcements are made. Paging signals are processed to eliminate microphone handling noise
• Dynamic equalization to provide deep, rich bass at all listening levels
• Opti-source leveling to control the dynamic range of audio sources to balance variations in the source material levels

In addition to the system's proprietary features, these functions are also available for each zone:

• Equalizers to adjust the tonal balance in each zone
• Output limiter to protect loudspeakers from unwanted transients
• Flexible signal routing to meet the needs of most four-zone systems
• Music-on-hold output to the feed music source to a PBX system
• Amplifier out control for sequencing Bose amplifiers
• RS-232 port for connecting to a computer
• Automatic error log for history of problems for faster diagnosis and service

Plug in the unit. Connect your computer via the serial port on the back of the unit. Launch the FreeSpace 4400 Installer^™ software and turn on the power to the FreeSpace 4400 business music system, and Installer it automatically initializes theFreeSpace 4400 business music system. If you have an existing file ready for a project, open this file and transfer the configuration to the hardware. Or, if you want to create a new file with settings for the project to work with the software, click on the "Send to Hardware" button to send the settings to the system.

The system's amplifier section is a four-channel, 400-watt amplifier for constant voltage systems. Power is dynamically assigned as needed to each channel so you can have a total of 400 watts of tapped loudspeakers distributed in any increment over the four output zones.

For example:

• 110 watts on channel 1
• 176 watts on channel 2
• 44 watts on channel 3
• 70 watts for channel 4

If you are using fewer than four zones, the 400 watts are still available for distribution over the number of channels you are using.

For example:

• 16 watts on channel 1
• 300 watts on channel 2
• 50 watts on channel 3

The amplifier power has effectively been utilized across these three zones.

The system comes with the FreeSpace^® 4400 Installer™ software, a kit of connectors—including 18 Euroblock connectors—four rubber feet, rack ears and a power cord.

The system will go into protection mode and will not pass an audio signal. To restore audio, remove the excess load to the amplifier and power cycle the unit.

• Input gain
• Auto Volume
• Input trim equalization
• Dynamic equalization
• Mic/line/paging routing
• Room trim equalization
• Opti-source leveling
• Output level
• Opti-voice paging
• Bose loudspeaker equalization

The Bose Auto Volume solution has automated calibration that makes it simple to use. Proprietary algorithms differentiate between music and noise, so music volume automatically remains at the desired level relative to ambient noise in the room. While some systems can react too quickly to sudden sound spikes in the room, the Bose Auto Volume solution uses a long-time averaging algorithm to ensure accurate response to real changes in the overall noise in the zone. The measurements are averaged so that the change in ambient noise would generally have to last longer than one minute before the system would react. Four zones of Auto Volume are included in the FreeSpace 4400 business music system, which makes the feature affordable.

The controls for the FreeSpace 4400 system are wall-mounted user interfaces with volume up and down, and Auto Volume on and off indicators. Manual selection of inputs is also available. When the system is operating in the Auto Volume mode, it works similarly to cruise control in your car. It is on until you manually touch the controls, and then it is off until you re-engage it by either manually turning the Auto Volume on or the system schedule triggers a change in the system state to Auto Volume on.

The FreeSpace 4400 system can be controlled by three different types of wall-mount user interfaces:

• Volume, source select and Auto Volume on/off or mute for a single zone—FreeSpace 4400 system AVM 1-zone user interface
• Volume, source select and Auto Volume on/off or mute for two zones—FreeSpace 4400 system AVM 2-zone user interface
• Multi-zone paging to one, some or all four zones—FreeSpace 4400 system page user interface

You can place the system on a shelf or install it in a rack with the included rack ears.

The system stores its unique settings in a file that resides within the unit. This file is easily retrieved by any service person using the Bose FreeSpace^® 4400 Installer^™ software. The unit also contains information about variances and failures within the error log. Together, these two files make servicing quick, efficient and easy. In the case of catastrophic failures, the unique project file can be retrieved from the unit and loaded onto a new flash memory card. The service person can then replace the memory card of the defective unit with the new flash memory card and restore full functionality by following these steps:

• Open the failed unit
• Remove the memory card
• Place that memory card in the new system
• Close up the new unit

At this point, the system is up and running.

You can use constant voltage (70V/100V) loudspeakers—including those that require specific Bose loudspeaker equalization—with the FreeSpace 4400 business music system

When power is restored, the FreeSpace 4400 business music system will power up in standby mode. Press the standby button on the front of the unit to activate the processor. The system returns to the programmed state (configuration) it was in before power was lost. For example, if the system is playing a music source and you lose power, it will return to playing that music source when the power is restored. However, if the volume had been manually adjusted, the system would not remember that volume change. It would return to the programmed level, and you would need to manually adjust it again.

• Amplifier: 400 watts shared over four channels
• Maximum power per channel: 400 watts
• Output configurations: 70V or 100V nominal
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (±3 dB)
• DSP: sample rate: 44.1 kHz
• A to D conversion: 24 bits, 128x oversampling
• D to A conversion: 24 bits, 128x oversampling

Optional accessories include:

• PC 042351 AVM 1-zone user interface: wall-mount keypad that fits into a US-sized double-gang junction box
• PC 042352 AVM 2-zone user interface: wall-mount keypad that fits into a US-sized double-gang junction box
• PC 042353 Page user interface: wall-mount keypad that fits into a US-sized double-gang junction box
• PC 042354 Auto Volume mic kit (US): Auto Volume sensing microphone for use with standard single-gang junction box
• PC 042355 Auto Volume mic kit (Euro): Auto Volume sensing microphone for use with standard single-gang junction box

The five available variants are:

• PC 042346 FreeSpace 4400 business music system 120V US
• PC 042347 FreeSpace 4400 business music system 230V EU
• PC 042349 FreeSpace 4400 business music system 230V UK
• PC 042350 FreeSpace 4400 business music system 240V AUS
• PC 042348 FreeSpace 4400 business music system 100V JPN

No. This feature is not available.

While the system's front panel has no controls, it does feature incidators.

These front panel indicators include:

• Amplifier output signal indicators for each of the four zones. The lights can be green to indicate operating, red to indicate a fault, or unlit, which means no signal is present. The fault indicators work in pairs: channels 1 and 2 together, and channels 3 and 4 together
• System status indicators: green means operating, and red means fault
• Standby indicator: push to enter or leave standby mode. When the status indicator is yellow, the system is in standby mode. If the indicator is unlit, the system is not in standby mode
• Direct input indicator: In its normal operating position, the indicator is unlit; when the active bypass is active, the indicator is yellow

The audio source input signal indicator has four states:

• Green signifies a good signal
• Amber signifies a low signal
• Red signifies clipping
• Unlit signifies that no signal is detected

The system is a four-input and four-output unit. The back panel features fall into four categories: audio inputs, audio outputs, control options and power/voltage options.

Audio inputs

The four audio input channels are:

• Channel 1 line-in (unbalanced)
• Channel 2 line-in (unbalanced)
• Channel 3 aux mic/line-in (balanced)
• Channel 4 page/mic/line-in (balanced)

The Direct input bypasses DSP processing and directs the input signal to the amplifier for emergency messages.

Audio outputs

The four audio output channels together drive 400 watts of tapped loudspeakers. For additional power, use the zone 4 line out with control connection. This output allows line-level output of the chosen source for zone 4 to be sent to another amplifier. It also has a 12-volt signal that can be used to communicate to another amplifier, instructing it to go in or out of standby. In addition, the back panel has music-on-hold output for use with a PBX system.

Control options

• Remote on/off input for momentary single-pole/single-throw switch for remotely operated standby operation of the system. The FreeSpace 4400 system is designed to be set up on a shelf. You save the cost of the rack, and the project gets all the functionality of the multiple boxes you would have placed in that rack
• Four sense microphone inputs, one for each zone of Auto Volume implemented using the Auto Volume interface kit
• Wall plate connections, one for each of the four zones, to allow connections to the accessory wall-mount user interfaces for user operation of the system
• Zone 4 line out with control is a line-level output of zone 4 to connect another amplifier to power a large zone. Use the 12-volt control out to turn a Bose amplifier on or off.
• System control input is an RS-232 communication port for connecting your computer to the FreeSpace 4400 system

Power/voltage options

• On/off AC power
• Voltage options: 100V, 120V, 220V, 230V and 240V
• Voltage switch: 70V/100V

Yes. The system has a direct input that bypasses all processing and goes directly to the amplifier stage. (Note: The FreeSpace 4400 business music system is not listed for use in emergency applications.)

You can build one 4 × 4 system. The product is designed for business music systems with up to four zones. One unit does not communicate with another.

Using the zone 4 line out, you can send a line-level signal to an auxiliary amplifier. The zone 4 line out duplicates the program material on the line 4 input.

You'll need FreeSpace 4400 Installer^™ version 1.0 or higher. These versions of Installer run on a Windows^® PC.

The system is covered by a two-year limited waranty that is fully transferable.

FreeSpace 4400 Installer software allows designers and installers to create project files for the setup, configuration and servicing of FreeSpace 4400 business music systems.

Installer software is used for the setup of the FreeSpace 4400 business music system electronics. When the software starts up, it automatically detects the hardware you are connected to. If hardware is present, Installer software will retrieve and display the current configuration. If you choose Service mode, you wil be able to access the unit's error log for diagnostic purposes. The software allows system installation professionals to adjust individual signal processing functions, such as gain structure, routing and room EQ. It contains wizards for setting up Auto Volume in each of the four zones. The software lets you send the configuration file for that project to the FreeSpace 4400 business music system unit for storage on the flash memory card.

FreeSpace 4400 Installer software includes such features as the following:

• Automated setup of Auto Volume
• Automatic detection of hardware
• Capability to store the project design file in the FreeSpace 4400 business music system unit
• Automatic error log for on-the-spot diagnostics
• Auto scheduling for system on/off, source selection and volume levels within a zone

The software is shipped in the box with the FreeSpace 4400 business music system. It is also available here as a downloadable zip file.

Yes, you can email files to to other FreeSpace 4400 Installer software users using standard email.

Currently, the software only works with the FreeSpace 4400 business music system.

The software is for PC only.

Minimum requirements:
FreeSpace^® 4400 Installer^™ software is included with the FreeSpace 4400 business music system and is required for system setup and configuration.

System Requirements:
Hardware:

• Minimum 200 MHz Pentium-based PC
• 128MB of free RAM
• 4x CD-ROM
• 90MB free internal hard disk space
• RS-232 port or USB to RS-232 adapter

Operating Systems:

• Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP

Display:

• 800 x 600 resolution, 16-bit color