Version 1.2 January 2001 EURORACK ® www.behringer.
EURORACK MX1604A SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not remove the cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside; refer servicing to qualified personnel. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture. This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage inside the enclosure - voltage that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock.
EURORACK MX1604A FOREWORD Dear Customer, Welcome to the team of EURORACK users and thank you very much for expressing your confidence in BEHRINGER products by purchasing this unit.
EURORACK MX1604A EURORACK ® Ultra-low noise 12 channel, 4-bus mic/line mixer s 4 mono input channels with gold plated XLRs s 4 stereo input channels s 2 additional multi-functional stereo aux returns s Pre and post fader aux sends for external effects and monitoring s Master aux sends with gain control s Extremely high headroom offering more dynamic range s Ultra-low noise discrete mic pre-amps with +48 V phantom power s Balanced inputs and main outputs s Peak LEDs and switchable low-cut filter on all
EURORACK MX1604A TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................7 1.1 Architecture .................................................................................................................................... 1.2 Before you begin ............................................................................................................................. 1.2.1 PSU (Power Supply Unit) ..............
EURORACK MX1604A 9. APPENDIX ............................................................................................................................. 22 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Specifications ................................................................................................................................ Block diagram ............................................................................................................................... Front & back panels ..........................
EURORACK MX1604A 1. INTRODUCTION Congratulations. In purchasing our EURORACK you have acquired a mixer whose small size belies its incredible versatility and audio performance. Your EURORACK is built to the same outstanding quality as our top-ofthe range console, the BEHRINGER EURODESK MX9000. Later we will see how adding the BEHRINGER ULTRALINK PRO MX882 to your system can inexpensively expand the capacity and flexibility of you mixing power even further.
EURORACK MX1604A The configuration is 16 into 4 (2+2) into 2. There are four mono channels, four stereo channels and two stereo Aux Returns. In addition there is a 2-Track input routable to the Main Mix. A channel is always routed to the Main Mix outs unless Alt 3-4 is selected, in which case its signal is sent to outputs 3 and 4 instead. Outputs 3 and 4 may be blended with the Main Mix at the Control Room output via a switch .
EURORACK MX1604A levels +4 dBu and -10 dBV are clearly and accurately marked . 2.1 Input level setting Channel input level is determined by the Gain control . Use Solo/PFL to bring the channel input onto the left and right bargraph meters respectively. This also sends the Solo/PFL-ed signal to the left and right speakers. For level-setting (as opposed to localized listening) select the mono PFL bus rather than the post-fader (postchannel pan) stereo Solo bus (Channel Mode global switch up).
EURORACK MX1604A 3. STEREO INPUT CHANNEL Each stereo channel comes with two balanced Line level inputs on 1/4" TRS jacks, for left and right signals. When only the left input is connected, the channel operates in mono. 3.1 Input level setting The stereo inputs are designed for any Line level signal. Most Line level sources such as MIDI instruments and FX units will have their own output level control. Those that dont, for example CD players, all have an output level within the scope of the MX1604A.
EURORACK MX1604A If no connection is made to Aux Return 2, the signal is normalled (connected directly) to Aux Return 1. Depressing FX TO AUX 1 will then feed the signal from Aux Return 1 into the cue feed (Aux Send 1) and can be controlled in level independently with Aux Return 2. This feature is primarily useful when you are using one effect for the Main Mix and for the foldback speakers.
EURORACK MX1604A this signal to the monitors and/or phones. 2 TK TO MIX and will act as an additional input for tape However, it can also be routed to the Main Mix via playback, MIDI instruments etc. Here should be disengaged, or you will be listening to the 2-Track signal twice over! With depressed you have another stereo Line input available to the mix, useful e.g. for adding the output of a second EURORACK or a BEHRINGER ULTRALINK PRO MX882 to your mix (see Section 9.5 Expanding).
EURORACK MX1604A Remember that when Alt 3-4 is in use, you do not have a channel mute facility on your desk: you will have to pull down the fader to silence any channel. 5. SETTING UP 5.1 Desk normalization All board settings should be set to the normal default condition before or after every session. Usually faders are set to zero (minus infinity) EQs set flat and switched out, trimpots and channel Aux Sends turned fully counter-clockwise etc. Many controls have a natural initial setting.
EURORACK MX1604A 5.5 Multitrack initialization Set up the multitrack so that any track in record ready condition has its input monitored when the tape is stationary. Place all tracks to be recorded into record ready status. (Once a recording has been made, these tracks should automatically switch to tape playback). Check that the input levels to each track are optimized before recording commences. 5.
EURORACK MX1604A Source MIDI instrument #1 MIDI instrument #2 MIDI instrument #3 MIDI instrument #4 MIDI sampler #1 MIDI sampler #2 MIDI synth #1 MIDI synth #2 Effects unit #1 Effects unit #2 Aux out 1 Aux out 2 Main Mix out L Main Mix out R Monitor out L Keyboard mixing Mic/Line Mono/Stereo Input Line Mono 1 Line Mono 2 Line Mono 3 Line Mono 4 Line Stereo 5-6 Line Stereo 7-8 Line Stereo 9-10 Line Stereo 11-12 Stereo Aux 1 Stereo Aux 2 > Effect (post-fader) > Effect (post-fader) > Compressor > FOH > Compr
EURORACK MX1604A 6.
EURORACK MX1604A Fig. 6.4: Project studio setup example 7. SOME MIXING TOPICS 7.1 Equalization The variable parameters of the channel equalizers on the EURORACK are described in sections 2.2 and 3.2. Few people buying a mixer will need to be told how an Equalizer works. But how to get the best out of it? Well, thats another story. In the beginning EQ was an instrument for removing unwanted frequencies, or compensating for imperfect microphone response curves, or bumps in a studios acoustic.
EURORACK MX1604A A good vocal signal can be enhanced by applying a significant boost in the 12 kHz region or higher, above the nasty sibilance region. This is especially effective if youve got a de-esser patched post-EQ. + Use the Lo Cut to tighten up channels in a mix: maybe remove it only for the bass, kick drum, toms, tablas, didgeridoo and other deliberate subsonics (when recording classical music ignore this advice).
EURORACK MX1604A + Phantom Power switch When using capacitor mics, +48 V DC can be switched globally on or off for all mic channels (also see Mic inputs). Care should be taken not to plug mics into the console (or stagebox) while the Phantom Power is on. Also, mute the Monitor/PA speakers when turning Phantom Power on or off. Lets now have a look an all the inputs and outputs on the EURORACK. Most of them are balanced. Unbalanced equipment may be connected to balanced inputs/outputs.
EURORACK MX1604A Fig. 8.1: Headphones plug Unbalanced use of mono 1/4" jack plugs Balanced use of stereo 1/4" jack plugs Tip = Signal Tip = hot (+ve) Ring = cold (-ve) Sleeve = Ground / Shield Sleeve = Ground / Shield Tip Tip Sleeve Ring Sleeve Strain relief clamp Strain relief clamp For connection of balanced and unbalanced plugs, ring and sleeve have to be bridged at the stereo plug.
EURORACK MX1604A + Care should be taken NOT to plug mics into the console (or stagebox) while the Phantom Power is on. Also, mute the monitor/PA speakers when turning Phantom Power on or off. Allow the system to adjust for a couple of seconds after engaging phantom power before setting input gains. 8.3 Looming problems Loom wiring is an art unto itself, and it is worth taking time out to get it right. First off, it is important to avoid earth loops.
EURORACK MX1604A 9. APPENDIX 9.1 Specifications Input channels Mic input Frequency response Distortion (THD&N) Mic E.I.N. (22 Hz - 22 kHz) Gain range SNR Line input Frequency response Distortion (THD&N) Sensitivity range electronically balanced, discrete input configuration 10 Hz to 60 kHz, +/- 3 dB 0.007% at +4 dBu, 1 kHz, bandwidth 80 kHz -129.5 dBu, 150 Ohm source -117.3 dBqp, 150 Ohm source -132.0 dBu, input shorted -122.0 dBqp, input shorted +10 dB to +60 dB 113.
EURORACK MX1604A 9.2 Block diagram 9.
EURORACK MX1604A 9.3 Front & back panels 24 9.
EURORACK MX1604A 9.4 Modifications The following modifications require you to do some soldering. Attempt only if you are experienced in using an iron on PCBs. Otherwise, refer to qualified personnel. After modification the BEHRINGER warranty becomes discretionary. Links should not be threaded into holes on the PCB. They should be soldered to the tinned areas around the holes, and bowed slightly upwards in between. Mono channel Aux Send 2 > pre-fader Mono channel Aux Sends 2 are post-fader.
EURORACK MX1604A considerably higher than the typical source signals (coming from mics, MIDI instruments or tape) seen by the remaining channels of the master console or the 2nd EURORACK. A usefull feature here is the 20 dB pad buttons on the back panel. These buttons enable you to feed the balanced output of the MX1604A to the Mic input of another console.
EURORACK MX1604A 10. WARRANTY § 1 WARRANTY CARD/ONLINE REGISTRATION To be protected by the extended warranty, the buyer must complete and return the enclosed warranty card within 14 days of the date of purchase to BEHRINGER Spezielle Studiotechnik GmbH, in accordance with the conditions stipulated in § 3. Failure to return the card in due time (date as per postmark) will void any extended warranty claims.
