OPERATORS MANUAL SEQ 30S & 30L STEREO GRAPHIC EQUALIZERS INPUT 0 -6 -12 12 6 25 31.5 40 50 63 80 100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1k 1.25k 1.6k 2k 2.5k 3.15k 4k 5k 6.3k 8k 10k 12.5k 16k 20k + 12 6 · · · · + 12 6 · · · · 0 +4 OL BYPASS 0 6 12 POWER SEQ 30S 6 12 STEREO EQUALIZER LEVEL 25 + 12 31.5 40 50 63 80 100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1k 1.25k 1.6k 2k 2.5k 3.15k 4k 5k 6.3k 8k 10k 12.5k 16k 20k + 12 9 6 3 0 9 6 3 0 SEQ 30L INPUT 0 -6 -12 12 6 3 6 9 3 6 9 12 STEREO EQUALIZER +4 OL BYPASS 12 LEVEL POWER QUICK START This manual is for both the SEQ 30s and the SEQ 30L. The only difference is the length of the sliders. The units are electrically and functionally the same. This manual will refer to "SEQ 30" for either unit. If this is your first equalizer, please do yourself and your speakers a favor and read at least the first five pages. "An ounce of prevention...," and all that. The SEQ 30 is a stereo equalizer, so adjusting any slider affects both channels simultaneously. Begin by setting all sliders to their center detent (0 dB), and the INPUT LEVEL to its center detent (0 dB). Try to make more cuts than boosts. After equalizing, use the EQ switch to compare equalized and non-equalized signal. While EQ is switched to Active (BYPASS button out), adjust the INPUT LEVEL to the same level as when EQ is switched to BYPASS (in). You may use either the XLR or ¼" connectors for Inputs or Outputs. Connect only one INPUT type per channel. The XLR and ¼" TRS inputs do not sum. You may, however, use both types of OUTPUTS simultaneously if desired. WEAR PARTS: This product contains no wear parts. Manual-1 FRONT PANEL DESCRIPTION INPUT 0 -6 -12 12 6 25 + 12 · · · · 31.5 40 50 63 80 100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1k 1.25k 1.6k 2k 2.5k 3.15k 4k 5k 6.3k 8k 10k 12.5k 16k 20k + 12 · · · · 6 0 6 0 SEQ 30S +4 OL BYPASS 6 12 6 12 STEREO EQUALIZER LEVEL POWER 1 2 3 4 25 + 12 31.5 40 50 63 80 100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1k 1.25k 1.6k 2k 2.5k 3.15k 4k 5k 6.3k 8k 10k 12.5k 16k 20k + 12 9 6 3 0 9 6 3 0 SEQ 30L INPUT 0 -6 -12 12 6 3 6 9 3 6 9 12 STEREO EQUALIZER +4 OL BYPASS 12 LEVEL POWER 1 2 3 4 1 INPUT LEVEL control and indicators This controls the overall level. 0 dB gain is reached at the center detent with all sliders centered at their 0 dB detents. Set the INPUT LEVEL to give equal volumes with the EQ switched to ACTIVE or BYPASS, after setting the sliders (see EQ BYPASS switch below). Apply sufficient signal to the input to occasionally light the +4 dBu indicator. Flashing of the OL (overload) LED during peaks can be avoided by turning the INPUT LEVEL or boosted filters down. 2 EQ BYPASS switch When pressed to BYPASS, the filter sliders have no effect. Since actual unity gain depends on varying slider settings, use the BYPASS switch to determine the unity gain position of the INPUT LEVEL control by comparing ACTIVE and BYPASS volumes. 3 Filter level slide controls Each of these sliders control the output level of both channels of the 30 bandpass filters. Center position is grounded for guaranteed flat response. These are all at -octave intervals at official ISO center frequencies. 4 POWER switch and LED Your basic, straightforward power switch. When the yellow LED is lit, the SEQ 30 is ready to go. Manual-2 REAR PANEL DESCRIPTION TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. WARNING FOR CONTINUED GROUNDING PROTECTION DO NOT REMOVE SCREW MADE IN U.S.A. RANE CORP. N108 SEQ 30S OUTPUTS LEFT RIGHT 120 V 50/60 Hz 12 WATTS UNBALANCED BALANCED UNBALANCED BALANCED 3-PIN XLR: PIN 1 = CHASSIS, SHIELD, LEFT PIN 2 = (+), PIN 3 = (­). ¼" PHONE, BALANCED: TIP = (+), RING = (­), SLEEVE = CHASSIS, SHIELD. ¼" PHONE, UNBALANCED: TIP = SIGNAL, RING = GROUND, SLEEVE = CHASSIS, SHIELD. BAL / UNBAL WIRING INPUTS RIGHT BALANCED BAL / UNBAL BALANCED 2 1 SEQ 30L MADE IN U.S.A. RANE CORP. ACN 001 345 482 WIRING 3-PIN XLR: PIN 2 = (+), PIN 3 = (­), PIN 1 = CHASSIS, SHIELD TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. WARNING ¼" PHONE, BALANCED: TIP = (+), RING = (­), SLEEVE = CHASSIS, SHIELD ¼" PHONE, UNBALANCED: TIP = SIGNAL, RING = GROUND, SLEEVE = CHASSIS, SHIELD OUTPUTS LEFT RIGHT LEFT INPUTS RIGHT FOR CONTINUED GROUNDING PROTECTION DO NOT REMOVE SCREW 120 V 50/60 Hz 12 WATTS UNBALANCED BALANCED UNBALANCED BALANCED BAL / UNBAL BALANCED BAL / UNBAL BALANCED 2 1 1 LEFT & RIGHT INPUTS Choose between the balanced XLR or the balanced/unbalanced ¼" tip-ring-sleeve jacks, but only use one. Inserting a ¼" tipsleeve jack will work, however--always use balanced lines when connecting cables over 10 feet (3 meters) in length. Consult the Sound System Interconnection section included in this booklet. In agreement with IEC and AES/ANSI standards, XLR wiring convention is pin 2 Positive (hot), pin 3 Negative (cold), and pin 1 Signal ground (for unbalanced use). Pin 1 and the connector case or shell are tied to chassis ground. 2 LEFT & RIGHT OUTPUTS Use the balanced XLR or the unbalanced ¼" tip-sleeve jacks. It is permissible to simultaneously use both types of Outputs to drive two devices, such as an amplifier and a recorder. XLR wiring is the same as the Inputs. Manual-3 SEQ 30S & 30L CONNECTION Exactly where you install your SEQ 30 into a sound system significantly affects such things as noise, system headroom, compressor/limiter performance and other factors influencing overall sound quality. Both what and why you are equalizing determines where you install it. WHAT AND WHY Tone contouring is accomplished primarily by ear. This you know how to do. Be careful though, not to boost too much bass. Be aware that the SEQ 30 is capable of boosting signals up to 12 dB (4 times as large!)--a level at which great care should be taken to prevent seismic disturbances. Optimal gain setting is indicated by the +4 dBu indicator lighting occasionally, while the OL indicator does not light. The SEQ 30 can be used to align crossovers and flatten speaker response. The best way to "see" what your sound system is doing, is to use a realtime analyzer, such as the Rane RA 30. A -octave realtime analyzer is an accurate means for setting a -octave equalizer properly. WHERE For tone contouring, the equalizer may be used at any point in the signal chain, such as insert loops in a mixer to equalize a single instrument, sweeten a tape recording, etc. When an equalizer is used for acoustical correction, the equalizer should be one of the last pieces of gear in front of the amplifiers and active crossover. Here are a few general guidelines to decide where to install the EQ in the system. Downstream of the Compressor Since system EQ is aimed at controlling acoustic problems, install it after any compressor, which is designed to operate on electrical signal. For one thing, the equalizer slider settings will change in each room location, which in turn affects the control voltage and threshold responses of the compressor, rendering it inconsistent. Secondly, large amounts of boost often cause tone differences by causing some frequencies to limit or compress before others. After any System Gain The best configuration is: mixer, compressor/limiter, equalizer, crossover, then power amplifier. Whenever headroom allows, try to take all the gain at the mixer, and run unity levels from then on. This also gives better noise performance through the system. Connect the SEQ 30 before the amplifier or active crossover. Take any required line gain before the SEQ 30. Avoid taking a lot of gain in the crossover or power amps as this may create noise problems. The SEQ 30 operates at unity gain with the INPUT LEVEL control at the 0 dB center detent when sliders average to center (0 dB). You can test this with the EQ BYPASS switch--adjust the INPUT LEVEL control so that volume does not change when switching between Active and BYPASS. For details, read "Setting Sound System Level Controls" provided later in this booklet or at the Rane website. Send/Receive Loops Mixers, mixer/preamps and the like often provide send/receive loops for additional effects or EQ, and the SEQ 30 works well in this situation. Just be sure to keep input trim or gain controls turned up as far as the mixer input headroom will allow, to avoid taking excessive gain downstream and creating noise problems. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS The SEQ 30 is an accurate, professional quality instrument capable of precise equalization down to a fraction of a dB. You can expect several advantages from your constant-Q equalizer over conventional designs: Moving one slider will not affect neighboring filters as much, so you won't spend time re-adjusting sliders (we call this "equalizing the equalizer"). You'll be able to obtain better feedback control without losing sound quality. All sliders maintain smooth, consistent and accurate calibrated control over filter levels. Because of this, the overall EQ adjustment process is significantly easier and more effective. Equalizing a sound system by ear is very difficult to achieve successfully, especially in a timely manner. Although the human ear is very sensitive, it is not calibrated, nor consistent, and frankly the odds against a well behaved, clear sound system are very great when tuned by ear. Most people know when a sound system doesn't sound good, unfortunately they just can't tell exactly why and where it's not right. Because of this, we strongly recommend the use of a realtime analyzer to properly equalize your system. A realtime analyzer helps you quickly achieve things nearly impossible by ear: flatten speaker response, minimize feedback, reduce room resonance and achieve accurate crossover alignment. In most cases, simply "normalizing" or "flattening" a sound system is a surprisingly drastic improvement, but don't stop there: Remember this Rane proverb: "Look, don't stop, and listen." Once you have aligned the system by looking at the analyzer, don't stop at this point. Listen to the music program and make additional adjustments to suit your taste, the type of music and your audience. Fatten the bass, sweeten the highs, brighten the mids. Since you are starting from a "tuned" system, your ear will not be fooled into thinking bass is too high when actually mids are too low, or that highs are too weak when really the mids are too strong. Fact: analyzers don't have good taste--people do. Analyzers consistently and accurately "tell it like it is," but ultimately, personal judgment determines what sounds good or appropriate for the program material. In fact, final optimum EQ settings, made after analyzer testing, will vary greatly depending on the type of music, sound pressure level, size of the venue and disposition of the audience. Conclusion: To consistently obtain the best sound from your system, use an analyzer and then your ears, in that order. The analyzer supplies the consistency and calibration while your ears supply the good taste. We of course recommend the very fine and affordable Rane RA 30 Analyzer. ©Rane Corporation 10802 47th Ave. W., Mukilteo WA 98275-5098 USA TEL 425-355-6000 FAX 425-347-7757 WEB www.rane.com Manual-4 All features & specifications subject to change without notice.107081 ...