Reference Manual This page intentionally left blank. 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Table Of Contents Introduction ..................................................................3 Welcome!...................................................................................................... 3 DEQ830 Key Features .................................................................... 4 How to Use This Manual................................................................ 5 Important Safety Instructions..................................7 Important Safety Instructions (English) ................................... 7 Safety symbols used in this product......................................................... 7 Please follow these precautions when using this product: ................... 7 Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French) ...................... 9 Symboles utilisés dans ce produit............................................................. 9 Veuillez suivre ces précautions lors de l'utilisation de l'appareil: ...................................................................................................... 9 Lesen Sie bitte die folgende Sicherheitshinweise (German) ........................................................................................... 11 Sicherheit Symbole verwendet in diesem Produkt................................. 11 Folgen Sie bitte diesen Vorkehrungen, wenn dieses Produkt verwendet wird: ........................................................................... 11 CE Declaration of Conformity ..................................................... 13 FCC Compliance Statement ......................................................... 13 Chapter One: Quick Start Guide ..............................15 If you can't wait to get started.................................................................. 15 Step 1: Hook it up to a mixer ........................................................ 15 Step 2: Try some equalization ...................................................... 16 Step 3: Store the Program ............................................................. 16 Step 4: Save an EQ Curve .............................................................. 17 DEQ830 Diagram ............................................................................. 18 Chapter Two: Connections ........................................19 Unpacking and Inspection............................................................ 19 Installing in a Rack ........................................................................ 19 Thermal Considerations in Rack Mounting ............................. 19 AC Power Hookup........................................................................... 20 Using the DEQ830 in another country................................................... 20 Connecting Inputs and Outputs .................................................. 21 Connecting to the Channel or Main Inserts of a mixing console.......................................................................................................... 21 Connecting to the inserts on an instrument amplifier .......................... 23 Connecting to equipment with XLR inputs and outputs ..................... 23 Connecting to equipment with ADAT Optical inputs and outputs.......................................................................................................... 23 About Audio Cables ........................................................................ 25 Chapter Three: Basics of Equalization...................27 What is equalization? ..................................................................... 27 Description of the Front Panel .................................................... 28 Description of the Basic Modes ................................................... 31 Basic operation: Program mode .................................................. 34 1 Table Of Contents Basic operation: Edit mode........................................................... 34 Basic operation: Store mode......................................................... 41 Basic operation: Save Curve mode ............................................. 41 Basic operation: Retrieve Curve mode ...................................... 41 Basic operation: Channel Level mode........................................ 42 Basic operation: Link mode.......................................................... 42 Basic operation: Real Time Analyzer mode .............................. 43 Basic operation: Utility mode ...................................................... 45 System Exclusive Transmit (Send?).................................................. 48 Receiving System Exclusive bulk dumps................................................. 49 The "Hidden" Modes........................................................................ 50 Demonstration mode................................................................................. 50 Lock mode ................................................................................................... 50 Equalization Artifacts.................................................................... 51 Constant Q vs. Variable Q ............................................................. 52 Chapter Four: Applications.......................................57 General EQ tips ............................................................................... 57 Filtering effects ............................................................................... 58 Settings chart................................................................................... 59 Chapter Five: Troubleshooting ................................61 Line Conditioners and Protectors .............................................. 61 Care and Maintenance................................................................... 61 Troubleshooting Index .............................................................................. 62 Specifications................................................................... 65 Audio Performance .................................................................................... 65 Mechanical ................................................................................................... 65 Warranty/Contact Alesis ............................................67 Alesis Limited Warranty............................................................................. 67 Alesis Contact Information....................................................................... 68 2 Introduction Welcome! Thank you for purchasing the Alesis DEQ830. It is a versatile product, and whether it becomes a part of your studio or finds its place in your live setup, we know it will serve you well. Since 1984, we've been designing and building creative tools for the audio community. We believe in our products, because we've heard the results that creative people like you achieve with them. One of the goals of Alesis is to make high-quality music technology available to everyone. This Reference Manual is an important part of that, because in it we try to present the DEQ830's features in a way that is easy to understand and remember. But even beyond explaining each feature and parameter, this manual can be a key that unlocks an application for the DEQ830 that you may not have considered. So we try to write our manuals as carefully as we build our products. The goal of this manual is to get you the information you need as quickly as possible, with a minimum of hassle. We hope we've achieved that. If not, please drop us an email and give us your suggestions on how we could improve future editions of this manual. We hope your investment will bring you many years of creative enjoyment and help you achieve your goals. Sincerely, The people of Alesis For more effective service and product update notices, please register your DEQ830 online at: http://www.alesis.com/ support/warranty.htm 3 Introduction DEQ830 Key Features 1. Offers the best of digital technology and analog-style control: a graphic display with instant editing of any band or combination of bands, plus the ability to store programs 2. 100 user-definable programs, each of which holds 8 channels of EQ settings 3. 100 user-definable curves, each of which holds 30 bands of EQ settings 4. 48 KHz sampling rate, 24-bit A/D/A, 28-bit internal processing 5. Eight channels of equalization, independent or linkable 6. 30 EQ bands per channel, spanning 25 Hz-20 KHz in 1/3octave increments 7. +/- 12 dB boost/cut with center detente 8. Constant Q technology for finer control of audio 9. LOCK function for "set and forget" situations, which prevents accidental reprogramming 10. Retrieve Curve mode for auditioning and selecting stored EQ curves 11. Individual Channel Level adjustment per program 12. Master Level adjustment 13. [LINK] button for quick creation of matched EQ curves 14. Ability to bypass any or all channels using [BYPASS] and [BYPASS ALL] buttons 15. Configurable editing modes to suit the way you work 16. Ability to copy settings from one channel to another 17. Easy-to-read 7-segment Numerical LED Display 18. More than 350 Band Gain LEDs, making it easy to read EQ curves from a distance 19. Signal Level, Clip and Bypass LEDs for each channel 20. Balanced input/output (TRS) 21. Compact 1-space rackmount profile 22. Real-time Analyzer (RTA) mode for visual feedback of incoming and outgoing audio signals, with selectable metering modes 23. ADAT Optical input/output, auto-sensing of incoming digital audio 24. Clock selectable between 44.1k and 48k sampling rates 25. MIDI in/out for program changes and sys-ex storage 26. +4 dBu/-10 dBV operating level switch on rear panel For full operating specifications, see page 65. 4 Introduction How to Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various functions of and applications for the DEQ830. While it's a good idea to read through the entire manual once carefully, those having general knowledge about audio equipment should use the table of contents to look up specific functions. Chapter 1: Quick Start Guide. If you're already familiar with equalization, this will get you started using the DEQ830 right away. This section presents the essential elements of hooking up the unit and using it for the first time. Chapter 2: Connections. This section gives detailed instructions for connecting the DEQ830 to a variety of typical audio systems. Chapter 3: Basics of Equalization. This section describes what an equalizer does and explains the function of each of the controls. Chapter 4: Applications. Skip to this section for tips on using the DEQ830 in a variety of settings. You'll also find a blank chart representing the DEQ830's 30 bands of EQ. You can make copies of this chart and use them to keep track of some of your favorite settings. Chapter 5: Troubleshooting. Near the end of the manual you will find troubleshooting tips and a complete list of the DEQ830's specifications. Helpful tips and advice are highlighted in a shaded box like this. The names of specific buttons on the DEQ830 are printed in a bold font and bracketed: e.g., the [BYPASS] button. When something important appears in the manual, an exclamation mark (like the one shown at left) will appear with some explanatory text. This symbol indicates that this information is vital when operating the DEQ830. 5 Introduction This page intentionally left blank. 6 Important Safety Instructions Important Safety Instructions (English) Safety symbols used in this product This symbol alerts the user that there are important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying this unit. This symbol warns the user of uninsulated voltage within the unit that can cause dangerous electric shocks. This symbol warns the user that output connectors contain voltages that can cause dangerous electrical shock. Please follow these precautions when using this product: Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with a damp cloth. Do not spray any liquid cleaner onto the faceplate, as this may damage the front panel controls or cause a dangerous condition. 7. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. 8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. When the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. 10. Protect the power cord from be ...