PROCESSOR OWNER'S MANUAL MULTIBAND SOUND ENHANCEMENT PROCESSOR MSE-100A MSE-100APROCESSOR MULTIBAND SOUND ENHANCEMENT Congratulations on your choice of processors -- you have purchased one of the finest stereo processors on the market today. This unit was developed using the expertise of professional sound engineers and working musicians. You will find that your new NADY AUDIO MSE-100A has superior performance and greater flexibility than any other enhancer/exicter in its price range. Please read this manual carefully to get the most out of your new unit. Thanks for selecting NADY AUDIO as your choice in processors. Date of Purchase __________________________________________ Dealer's Name ____________________________________________ City ______________________________________________________ State ____________________________________________________ Zip ______________________________________________________ Model # __________________________________________________ Serial # __________________________________________________ FEATURES · Professional multiband enhancer/exciter for all applications provides a subjective loudening of the audio and improves intelligibility, bass punch, presence and transparency and reduces listening fatigue Variable sound processing circuitry for simultaneous enhancer and exciter effects Dual-mono or stereo operation Surround processor for spatial enhancement and improved stereo imaging Dual-mode bass processor (which allows choosing between "soft" and "tight" bass sounds; and multiband processing XLR and 1/4"TRS input/outputs for balanced or unbalanced operation Shielded internal power supply and standard IEC receptacle for power cord. CONTENTS FEATURES ..................................................................3 WARNING ....................................................................4 INTRODUCTION..........................................................5 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS ..6 REAR PANEL CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS ....7 APPLICATION..............................................................8 Basic Settings ............................................................8 Sound Enhancement During Replay ........................8 Sound Enhancement During Recording ....................8 Enhancing the Sound of Effects Devices ..................8 Enhancing the Sound of Tape Duplications ..............9 Enhancing the Sound of Instruments ........................9 Enhancing the Sound of P.A. Systems ......................9 Enhancing the Sound of Monitor Systems ................10 Sound Enhancement in Hi Fi and Video ..................10 SPECIFICATIONS ......................................................10 3 · · · · · · WARNING An equilateral triangle enclosing a lightening flash/arrowhead symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure which may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock. ATTENTION: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR An equilateral triangle enclosing an exclamation point is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and service instructions in the literature enclosed with this unit. IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS When using this electronic device, basic precautions should always be taken, including the following: 1. Read all instructions before using the product. 2. Do not use this product near water (e.g., near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, etc.). 3. This product should be used only with a cart or stand that will keep it level and stable and prevent wobbling. 4. This product, in combination with headphones or speakers, may be capable of producing sound levels that could cause permanent hearing loss. Do not operate for a long period of time at a high volume level or at a level that is uncomfortable. If you experience any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, you should consult an audiologist. 5. The product should be positioned so that proper ventilation is maintained. 6. The product should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat vents, or other devices (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 7. The product should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the product. Replace the fuse only with one of the specified type, size, and correct rating. 8. The power supply cord should: (1) be undamaged, (2) never share an outlet or extension cord with other devices so that the outlet's or extension cord's power rating is exceeded, and (3) never be left plugged into the outlet when not being used for a long period of time. 9. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall into, and liquids are not spilled through, the enclosure's openings. 10. The product should be serviced by qualified service personnel if: A. The power supply cord or the plug has been damaged. B. Objects have fallen into, or liquid has been spilled onto the product. C. The product has been exposed to rain. D. The product does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance. E. The product has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged. 11. Do not attempt to service the product beyond what is described in the user maintenance instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel. 4 INTRODUCTION In the last two decades, sound enhancement systems such as enhancers, exciters, psycho-acoustic processors etc. have become an indispensable aid in the studio and have found widespread application in almost all film, broadcast and recording productions as well as in P.A. and sound reinforcement systems. Basically, several principles of sound enhancement prevail in today's market. The sound improving effect produced by the enhancer is based on program-dependent phase shifting with the goal of enlarging the pulse width. In contrast, psychodynamic processors use a dynamic frequency correction of the program material and therefore enrich the program material with high-frequency processing. Conventional units often may work perfectly on pop music, but when processing acoustic instruments, the result is aggressive and unnatural. Enhancers are preferable for processing classical music and acoustic instruments. The result is a "softer", unobtrusive transparency and an increased richness in sound. However, to make a pop recording more "aggressive", to set up a sound system for maximum intelligibility or to give a rhythm/bass guitar the necessary "punch", it is recommended to process the high-frequency range with an Exciter. The new VSP (Variable Sound Processing) circuit used in the MSE-100A, allows for variable fading over from enhancer to exciter mode. With the PROCESS control clockwise, the Exciter circuit increasingly provides a variable and carefully adjusted processing of high frequencies. The result is an increased brilliance and transparency. Fading over from one effect to the other can thus adapt the effects perfectly to the respective program material. The MSE-100A utilizes state-of-the-art level-independent enhancer circuitry which completely eliminates the problem of restricted leveling capacity in previous, conventional units. Consequently, the DRIVE control to be found on conventional exciters, which adapts the devices to different input levels, could be omitted on the MSE-100A. Thus, previous common problems such as insufficient or excessive signal processing are eliminated. The MSE-100A is equipped with a separate bass processor, which allows for sound enhancement in the lower frequency band. A newly developed "Dual Mode" circuit allows you to vary between two different bass sounds from "soft" to "tight". Processing the bass range provides the optimum complement to high-frequency processing and opens up new dimensions in the field of sound enhancement. The MSE-100A can be used wherever professional sound improvement is required. This unit not only enhances the presence and clarity of the program material, but also adds power to the bass frequencies. In addition it provides improved spatial definition. These qualities make this unit an indispensable tool for many applications. For example, the MSE-100A produces a greater penetration of sound, which is invaluable in improving the audio quality of radio and television transmissions. The sound improvement offered by the MSE-100A is also perfectly suited to the demands of the recording industry. The following operational manual will introduce you to the MSE-100A and its various functions. After reading the manual carefully, make sure it is always on hand for future reference. 5 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 2 3 4 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5 6 7 1 1. POWER Switch with LED Indicator This switches the AC power ON or OFF. The integrated LED will light to indicate power ON. Note: In order to avoid possible undesired noise transients in a live sound reinforcement application, switch on the power to your MSE-100A before switching on the amplification system. 2. IN/OUT Buttons and LED Indicators The IN/OUT button activates the corresponding channel into operation. With the button in the OUT position, the unit is bypassed. The green LED will light to indicate "IN" and the red LED will indicate "OUT". Bass Processor The Enhancer is equipped with a separate bass processor which provides sound enhancement in the lower frequency band. A newly developed "Dual Mode" circuit allows you to vary between two different bass sounds, from "soft" to "tight". Processing the bass range allows the optimum complement to high-frequency processing and opens up new dimensions in the field of sound processing. 3. LOW MIX Control The LOW MIX control of the low band determines the amount of signal used for sound enhancement (from zero to six). The setting depends on the application you are addressing. 4. MODE Buttons With the MODE button you can define the sound effect of the bass processor. If the button is on ("TIGHT") the bass will sound "dry" and "punchy", whereas the released switch mode ("SOFT") creates a warm and full bass. The yellow LED will indicate "TIGHT". Note: That the bass processor should be set carefully to avoid possible speaker damage. Most near-field monitors are not capable of handling the bass produced by the Enhancer. Multiband Processor With Variable Sound Processing Circuit The Variable Sound Processing circuit allows for variably fading over from Enhancer to Exciter mode. Turning the PROCESS control clockwise activates the Exciter circuit increasingly to provide additional processing of high fre6 quencies for more signal transparency and brilliance. Fading over from one effect to the other can thus adapt the effects perfectly to the respective program material to suit any application or personal sound preference. 5. TUNE control The TUNE control sets the lower cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter. Using this control you can select the frequencies that are routed to the Natural Sonic Processor. The cut-off frequency can be adjusted within a range of 1 to 8 kHz. 6. PROCESS control The PROCESS control determines the function of the device. Turning the control clockwise increasingly activates the Exciter mode. Note: That for input signals that already include sufficient treble content, such as classical music or acoustic instruments, generally the setting should emphasize the Exciter mode. However, when processing, for instance, a "slapped" bass guitar, the "Exciter" setting should dominate. Experiment for the sound you like. 7. HIGH MIX control The HIGH MIX control of the high band determines the amount of signal used for sound enhancement (from zero to six). It would depend on the application as to whether a high-quality system is to be given the "finishing touch" with the Enhancer, or whether maximum intelligibility is to be achieved in a relatively poor sound reinforcement system. 8. SURROUND IN/OUT Button This button activates the SURROUND section. As this mode is designed only for stereo applications, note that this button has to be released when processing two separate signals (dual mono) otherwise there will be undesired crosstalk between the two channels. The green LED indicates "IN". 9. SURROUND Control This controls the effect of the SURROUND processor (zero to six). Turning the control clockwise improves the intensity of the stereo imaging and increases the spatial enhancement, depending on the signal being processed. It can only be used with stereo program material. REAR PANEL CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 13 14 12 11 10 11 10 10. INPUTS The MSE-100A is equipped with both 1/4" (6.3mm) TRS and XLR audio input jacks. These can be used for either balanced or unbalanced operation as follows: · Unbalanced use of mono 1/4" plugs: Tip = Signal, Sleeve = Ground / Shield. · Balanced use of TRS stereo 1/4" plugs: Tip = hot (+), Ring = cold (-), Slee ...