Modern schools utilize audio to communicate with
faculty, students and others throughout the school day, for a wide range of instructional and administrative purposes. Efficient management of audio sources and destinations is fundamental to school operations. Just as the diversity and importance of audio in schools has grown, the emergence of robust school networks, classroom AV systems and affordable streaming technologies is creating new opportunities for convergence.
FrontRow-Calypso’s Integrated School Communications Solution consists of Conductor, a client-server based administrative software application to manage bells, alerts and intercom, and CM-3000, an integrated networked audio controller. This solution provides integrated classroom and administrative audio over an IP network, driving operational efficiencies and boosting functionality.
Key Features:
The CM-3000 is a networked, streaming audio controller that can encode analog 
audio at the head-end/administrative office for delivery on the standard school Internet Protocol (IP) network. In the classroom, the CM-3000 will decode the IP audio stream for standard playback over conventional analog speakers, and can also encode any return audio for delivery over the IP network, such as a two-way intercom call.
Key Features:
CB-75 Wall Intercom
Allows for easy two-way communication from almost anywhere in the school back to PA Station/Administration Office.
Key features:
New components for Conductor installations
CM-800
Primary Purpose: To provide a connection between Conductor and 70V amplifiers. The CM-800 receives and decodes streaming audio over the network delivered from Conductor, and presents a line level analog audio output that can be fed to a standard 70V (or 25V, etc) amplifier. In this sense it is like a CM-3000, but at less cost.
Design example: In a full Conductor implementation, CM-3000s (Or ezRoom S300 / SoundPosts) will serve in each classroom as IP endpoints and decode any PA, Intercom, or emergency alert messaging. One or more CM-800s are used to feed 70V amplifiers, and in-turn 70V speakers, for hallways and other common areas.
Secondary Purpose: A secondary purpose of the CM-800 is to provide connectivity for local device control or monitoring. For this, it contains serial and IR communications, plus GPIO (3 input, 2 output).
CM-800S
Primary Purpose: To provide a low cost connection between Conductor and conventional 8 ohm speakers. The CM-800S adds a 32W amplifier to the CM-800, presenting an amplified audio signal that can drive up to 4 speakers just as the CA-1000 or CM-3000 can.
Design example: Office spaces that don’t require the full control and audio input capability of a CM-3000, but do require the flexibility of an IP based input (rather than simply a 70v speaker). For example, a nurse’s office, headmasters office, teacher lounge, or similar area.
Secondary Purpose: A secondary purpose of the CM-800S is to provide connectivity for local device control or monitoring. For this, it contains serial and IR communications, plus GPIO (3 input, 2 output).
Tertiary Purpose: Another purpose of the device is to take an incoming analog audio stream (mic or line level) and convert to digital and stream over the network to all devices. The principal application of this is if a school wants to add a few rooms to an existing school. If they are using portables, or the rooms are otherwise not located immediately adjacent to the existing school, they may not want to run additional 70V ‘home run’ cabling from their existing PA system. Instead, since they will likely run IP cabling anyway, that can use that to provide the PA signal. The CM-800 can receive the analog PA signal and convert it so it can be easily delivered to the new locations, without any new 70V cabling required.
Adds power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device (PD). Power is supplied to the PD-20W using two of the four pair of wires in the CAT5 cable. The PD-20W monitors if an auxiliary power supply is attached and automatically switches over from PoE power to the auxiliary power when the AUX power is on. Normally the PoE power is on a battery backed up UPS. If the auxiliary power goes down, the PD-20W will automatically switch to the PoE power without interruption. The auxiliary power supply is usually a 12V 3.5A power adapter needed to supply the higher current needed for audio amps (CM-3000, CA-1000 and CM-800S).
Conductor + CM3000 Resources
Conductor Power Point Presentation
Image Design Technology Pty Ltd.
Subject to change without notice.
Revised: Dec 2011.
