CAUTION AVIS RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK) NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUN ENTRETIEN DE PIECES INTERIEURES PAR L'USAGER. CONFIER L'ENTRETIEN AU PERSONNEL QUALIFIE. AVIS: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES D'INCENDIE OU D'ELECTROCUTION, N'EXPOSEZ PAS CET ARTICLE A LA PLUIE OU A L'HUMIDITE The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. Le symbole éclair avec point de flèche à l'intérieur d'un triangle équilatéral est utilisé pour alerter l'utilisateur de la présence à l'intérieur du coffret de "voltage dangereux" non isolé d'ampleur suffisante pour constituer un risque d'éléctrocution. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user of the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance. Le point d'exclamation à l'intérieur d'un triangle équilatéral est employé pour alerter les utilisateurs de la présence d'instructions importantes pour le fonctionnement et l'entretien (service) dans le livret d'instruction accompagnant l'appareil. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 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. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/ apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over. 13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. 14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped. 15. Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hearing loss. Individuals vary considerably in susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss, but nearly everyone will lose some hearing if exposed to sufficiently intense noise for a period of time. The U.S. Government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specified the permissible noise level exposures shown in the following chart. According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of these permissible limits could result in some hearing loss. To ensure against potentially dangerous exposure to high sound pressure levels, it is recommended that all persons exposed to equipment capable of producing high sound pressure levels use hearing protectors while the equipment is in operation. Ear plugs or protectors in the ear canals or over the ears must be worn when operating the equipment in order to prevent permanent hearing loss if exposure is in excess of the limits set forth here. Duration Per Day Sound Level dBA, In Hours Slow Response 8 6 4 3 2 1.5 1 0.5 0.25 or less 90 92 95 97 100 102 105 110 115 Loudest parts at a Heavy Metal concert High speed chase on C.H.I.P.s Cranked psychedelic tunes VW Bus Peace Train Typical Example Packed garage concert 9. · Please note that the words "Lemon Bundt Cake" do not appear in this manual. 10. 11. 12. 2 WARNING -- To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture. Contents Safety Instructions .....................................................2 Getting Started .........................................................4 Introduction...............................................................6 Hookup Diagrams.....................................................7 Blend 16 Features ....................................................9 Mono Channels ...................................................9 Stereo Channels ................................................11 Aux Sends and Returns .....................................12 Master Section...................................................12 Rear Panel Features .........................................17 Appendix A: Using the Blend 16............................18 Appendix B: Connections .....................................21 Appendix C: Specifications ..................................22 System Requirements........................................23 Hard Drive Notes ...............................................23 Block Diagram ...................................................24 Appendix D: Service Information..........................25 Warranty Service ...............................................25 Troubleshooting .................................................25 Repair .................................................................26 Tapco Limited Warranty.........................................27 Don't forget to visit our website at www.tapcogear.com for more information about this and other TAPCO products. What me, read a manual? Before you begin, please make sure that you read the Safety Instructions on page 2 and Getting Started on page 4. One will help you keep safe, and the other will get you started using your new TAPCO® Blend 16 mixer. Your new mixer is designed to be set up quickly and to operate easily. We know it's often seen as a sign of weakness to read a manual, along with asking for directions when lost, or admitting that it was you who painted the dog purple and green when you were eight, ..er....but maybe you can read the rest of the manual when nobody is looking. Please keep your receipt in a safe sock drawer, and write your product information here for future reference (i.e., insurance claims, tech support, return authorization, etc.): Product Serial #: Purchased at: Date of purchase: Part No. 0011732 Rev. A 05/2004 ©2004 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in China. 3 Getting Startled The following steps will help you set up your mixer, and get the levels and adjustments just right. Please follow the instructions in the order they are presented, rather like following the instructions for mixing a cake, or running a nuclear power station for example. ZERO THE CONSOLE: 1. Turn everything off, including the mixer's rear panel POWER switch and PHANTOM POWER switch. 2. Turn down each channel strip GAIN, AUX SEND 1, and AUX SEND 2 knob. 3. Center the channel strip EQ and PAN knobs. 4. Turn down the MASTER FX RETURNs and AUX SENDs, CONTROL ROOM, PHONES and other level knobs. 5. Move all FADERs fully down. 6. Center the Stereo Graphic EQ sliders. 7. Make sure all push buttons are in the up position. 2. Choose one of the microphones or instruments connected to the mono MIC, INST or LINE inputs. 3. Press that channel's SOLO switch in. 4. Have a wandering musician make some noise. If it's a microphone connected to that channel, sing sweetly at the normal volume. If it's a synthesizer, play it at its normal output level. 5. While making music, turn up that channel's GAIN knob until the nearby LEVEL SET LED starts blinking. 6. With SOLO pushed in, you should see the METERS grooving along with the music (and the RUDE SOLO light blinking). 7. If the GAIN is set correctly, the sounds should be nicely hovering around the 0 dB LEDs. If the average seems to be higher, turn down the GAIN. If it seems too low, turn it up. 8. Carefully turn up the PHONES knob and listen. 9. If necessary, apply channel EQ changes. 10. Turn down the PHONES knob. 11. Release the SOLO switch for that channel. 12. Repeat steps 2 through 11 for all other active channels, until all the GAINs are set correctly. You can repeat this procedure later, if needed. Once you get going, you will be surprised how quickly you can set up all the levels. CONNECTIONS: 1. Connect speakers to your amplifier's outputs (unless you have powered speakers with built-in amplifiers). 2. Plug all the sound system components into suitable AC outlets, properly grounded and capable of delivering correct voltage and adequate current. 3. Make connections from your mixer's MAIN MIX outputs to your amplification system's line inputs. 4. Connect your microphones and instruments to the mixer: Connect microphones to the mono channel MIC jacks. (For condenser microphones, you may have to turn on the PHANTOM POWER switch, so read your Mic's documentation.) Connect instruments directly to the INST 1/4" inputs, and linelevel sources (synthesizers, guitar effects, preamps) to the mono or stereo channel LINE IN 1/4" inputs. 5. Connect the USB port to an open USB port on your computer, using the cable provided. Two channels of audio can be sent to your computer for recording, and two channels can return onto the main mix from your Tracktion or other DAW software. See page 19 for more details about using the mixer with a computer. 6. Zero the console, as shown above. 7. Turn on all of your component's power switches, leaving the amplifier (or powered speakers) until last. 8. Now you are ready to set the levels. MAKING THE MIX: 1. Make sure all the Levels are set correctly, as shown in the previous section. 2. Set the SOURCE SELECT switch to MAIN MIX, so your METERS (and headphones) will receive the main mix. 3. Add an active channel to the main mix by pressing the L-R switch near the bottom of that channel strip. 4. Turn that channel's FADER up to the U mark (0 dB). 5. Carefully turn up the MAIN MIX FADER and listen to the glorious sounds in your main speakers. 6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all active channels are added to the main mix. As you add each instrument, shout out its name loudly like this: "Introducing BillyBob Beauregarde-Baker on Big Bass Banjo." 7. Carefully adjust the channel FADERs and the Graphic EQ to suit the main mix to your delicate audio senses. 8. To use the internal processor, adjust each channel's AUX SEND 2 FX control to send signals to the processor. Adjust the FX INPUT LEVEL knob so the internal processor is not overloaded (FX OL LED off). Add the processed signal to the main mix using the FX RETURN TO MAIN MIX knob. SET THE LEVELS: 1. You can set the levels without hearing the sounds, but if you prefer, connect a set of headphones to the PHONES jack. 4 9. Now that you have a rough mix going, you may need to readjust the MAIN MIX FADER to a comfortable listening level. The METERS should indicate by lighting most of the green LEDs when music is playing, and occasionally light the yellow. 10. Depending on how much time you have, keep tweaking. Walk the room to see how it sounds away from your mixer. Keep tweaking FADERS and EQ as needed. Watch out for any OL overload LEDS blinking, as the band plays on. · Only plug your amplifier's speaker-level outputs into speakers, never to the mixer. · Never use guitar cables to connect amplifiers to speakers. · Before making connections to an external amplifier, or reconfiguring an amp's routing, turn the amp's level (gain) controls down, turn the power off, make the changes, turn the power back on, and then turn the level controls back up. · When you shut down your equipment, turn off any external amplifiers first. When powering up, turn on the amplifiers last. · Save the shipping box and packing material! The box can also be turned into a unique hat for attending Audio Society meetings, or stepping out in style with the lead singer. A FEW PRECAUTIONS: Never listen to loud music for prolonged periods. Please see the Safety Instructions on page 2 for information on hearing protection. Aux Sends 1 FX Returns L ( ) CD/Tape In Out Power Phantom LEDs CD/ TAPE Phones 2 R FX Mic Inputs AUX Graphic EQ ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Line Inputs Inserts Stereo Line Inputs LINE LINE LINE LINE ( ) INTERNAL EFFECTS Level ...