User manual AEA AEA MS38-MKII

Audio Engineering Associates · STUDIO RIBBON MICS · PHASE DISPLAYS · M/S STEREO · TALL STANDS · MIC POSITIONERS "Tools to make Great Recordings Easier" MS38-MKII Quickstart Manual Basics The AEA MS38-MKII is a line-level, dual mode, Mid/Side Matrix processor. It is intended for use in the "insertion loop" of your mixing console or between two line-level pieces of equipment. Please use caution NOT to connect the outputs of this unit to "phantom powered" microphone inputs in your mixing console, as this will damage the output drivers. The Rear Panel Beginning at the far right are the INPUT connectors; these are balanced and line-level. There are two for each channel: an XLR-3F(pin-2 high) and a three-circuit (TRS tip-high) 1/4" phone jack, wired in parallel for flexibility. Depending on the Mode you are using, these accept either the conventional stereo Left and Right signals or the Mid and Side component signals. In the middle of the panel are the INSERT jacks. Also balanced and line-level, these 1/4" phone jacks present Send and Return insert patchpoints for the Sum (Mid) and Difference (Side) signal paths. When no connectors are inserted, the Returns are half-normalled from the Sends. Next to the left are the OUTPUT connectors. Like the inputs, a parallel set of XLR-3M and 1/4" phone jacks, balanced and line-level, is provided for each channel. They are designated as Left and Right or M+S (Mid plus Side) and M-S (Mid minus Side), depending on the Mode of operation. Finally, at the far left is the power supply connector. Just plug in the provided AC external transformer and you're ready to go. 1029 N. Allen Ave., Pasadena, CA 91104 www.wesdooley.com Phone: (626) 798-9128 Fax: (626) 798-2378 The Front Panel Starting at the far left, the two LED's indicate the setting of the adjacent MODE pushbutton. · When the button is out the unit is in the stereo, or XY mode. In this mode, normal Left and Right stereo signals at the inputs are first converted to their Sum and Difference components and then processed through the MS Matrix. · When the button is depressed the unit is in the conventional MS mode. In this mode, component Mid and Side (or Sum and Difference) signals at the inputs are send to the MS Matrix for processing. The status of the INSERT pushbutton is indicated by its two adjacent LED's. When this button is out the input signals proceed directly to the MS Matrix for processing. When the button is in the input signals are first routed through any external signal processing connected via the Insert jacks on the rear panel. It is important to remember that any signal processing accomplished via the insert patch points will affect the signals prior to entering the MS Matrix and will therefore be represented at the outputs, in either Mode of operation. The WIDTH control represents the heart of the MS Matrix processing: It is via this knob that the stereo width of the input signals can be manipulated. · In the XY or Stereo Mode, when the knob is fully counter-clockwise, the output of both channels is the monophonic sum of the two input signals. When the knob is fully clockwise, the output of both channels is a monophonic signal, out-of-phase between the two channels, representing the difference between the two input signals. Between these two extremes, any degree of stereo width can be selected by rotating the knob: more mono to the left, more stereo separation to the right. · In the MS Mode when the knob is fully counter-clockwise, the output of both channels is simply a monophonic signal, representing the MID signal. When fully clockwise, the output at both channels is again a monophonic signal, representing the SIDE signal, equal in amplitude but out-of-phase between the two channels. As before, between these two extremes any degree of stereo width can be selected simply by rotating the knob: more mono to the left, more separation to the right. (The M+S output represents the Sum of the input signals and the M-S output represents the Difference. When inputting component Mid and Side signals, the M+S output will be the stereo channel represented by the positive lobe of the Side microphone signal.) To the right of the logo is the BYPASS pushbutton. When this button is in (the normal setting) the signals at the input pass through the MS38-MkII with all the processing you select. When the button is out there is a hard-wired bypass of all the circuitry, and inputs are routed directly to the outputs. This is useful for quick A/B comparisons and also allows for the MS38-MkII to be left patched in the signal chain even when not being used. Finally, at the far right is a red LED to indicate that power is being provided to the unit. There is no power switch. This user's guide is the second edition. We would appreciate your comments, whether positive or negative, about this manual and about our products. Other Products by Audio Engineering Associates: RCA Working Reproduction Microphones and replacement parts AEA R44C Microphone A Reengineered version of the classic RCA 44 Long Ribbon. AEA R77C - A Reengineered version of the RCA 77 Variable Response. Modular Microphone Positioning System Stereo Microphone Bars Decca Tree Arrays M/S Stereo Processors MS 38 MKII MS 38 Lite Modular Studio Microphone Stands and Booms Since 1981 we've acted as the US agent for Coles Electroacoustics, manufacturers of the 4038 studio ribbon microphone and the 4104B, a "lip" mic for voice-over work in high noise environments. We sell and service the mics and stock spare parts. In North America we represent CB Electronics, a leading worldwide supplier of machine control equipment to the sound-for-film industry. Their products specialize in professional control of and translation between bi-phase, 9-pin serial and time code machines. Their new SR line provides low cost multiple machine remote controls for RS-422, Sony, and Tascam DA88 protocol machines. Our Audio Test Department buys, sells, trades, and rents new and used audio test gear. Audio Precision, B&K, Hewlett Packard, Galaxy, Goldline, Neutrik, and Amber are among the lines we maintain in stock for audio measurements of Level, Polarity, Phase, THD and IMD distortion, W&F, SPL, and spectrum RTA. "Tools to make Great Recordings Easier" Audio Engineering Associates 1029 N. Allen Ave. Pasadena, CA 91104 Phone: (626) 798-9128 STUDIO RIBBON MICS PHASE DISPLAYS · M/S STEREO · TALL STANDS · MIC POSITIONERS · · Fax: (626) 798-2378 www.wesdooley.com