User guide
Z4II & Z8II Installation and User Manual v1.016
Microphone Inputs
Phantom Power
Each microphone input (MIC 1 & MIC 2) has 15 V phantom
power available. This will be adequate to power a wide range
of condenser microphones. (Some “studio quality” mics may
require a higher phantom voltage and thus necessitate an
external PSU). To enable phantom power at the mic inputs,
internal motherboard jumpers J1 (MIC 1) and/or J2 (MIC
2) should be moved to their ON positions. See page 23 for
jumper locations. Phantom power should NOT be enabled if
dynamic microphones are to be used.
Gain & level
Each main microphone input (MIC 1 & MIC 2) is provided
with a rear panel preset gain control (
4
on page 9). A wide
range of gain is available and there should be no problem in
obtaining a satisfactory level from any normal microphone.
The mic gain control should be adjusted by speaking
normally into a microphone of the correct type. Turn the
front panel Mic Level control up to maximum and listen in
a convenient zone; the rear panel gain control should be
carefully advanced until the mic volume is as loud as it is
ever likely to be needed, and then reduced slightly. There
should be no audible distortion. The use to which the
microphone is to be put should be borne in mind – karaoke
is more likely to overload the mic preamplier than spoken
announcements, if the gain is not set correctly.
In normal operation, the mic level in each zone is set with
the Mic Level controls on the front panel (
3
&
4
on page
8).
EQ
Each mic input has associated HF and LF EQ controls (
5
on page 8) These provide 10 dB of cut or boost at 5 kHz
and 100 Hz respectively and should be adjusted by listening
to achieve a clear mic sound. Again, the application should be
borne in mind when making adjustments.
High-pass lter
Each mic input has a xed 100 Hz high-pass lter to remove
the lowest frequencies. This helps to reduce the effects of
breath blasts and microphone handling noise. The lter is
always in circuit.
Paging mic input
Phantom Power
The paging mic input also has 15 V phantom power available.
This will NOT be required if a Cloud paging microphone is
being used with the mixer, but may be necessary with other
manufacturers’ equipment. It is enabled by moving internal
motherboard jumper J3 to its ON positions. See page 23 for
jumper locations.
Music Inputs
Gain & level
To avoid dramatic changes in volume when switching
between sources, the Z8II/Z4II’s music inputs are provided
with preset gain trim controls (
2
on page 9 - Rear Panel
Description). These vary the input sensitivity from -12 dBu
(195 mV) to +8 dBu (2.0 V). When setting the system up,
play audio from all the sources in use and listen to them
one at a time in a convenient zone (preferably that in
which the mixer is located) at a reasonable volume. Taking
a source of “average” volume as the reference, the gain
controls of the others should be adjusted so that there is
no appreciable difference in volume between any of the
sources. (With a typical CD player as the source, setting
the gain on its channel to mid-way is a good starting point.)
Note that consideration may need to be given to the type of
programme in use, particularly if one or more sources are
TV sound.
In normal operation, the music level in each zone is set with
the Music Level control on the front panel (
2
on page
8 - Front Panel Description). This control will not be operative
if the corresponding rear panel LOCAL/REMOTE push-
button is set to REMOTE. When setting the audio system
up, set the gain controls (if any) on the power ampliers for
each zone to minimum, then turn the Music Level control
on the mixer to maximum. Then increase the zone volume
by turning up the power amplier gain until it is as loud as
will be required in normal use. This method ensures that
excessive volumes will not be possible with the mixer’s
operational controls.
Note that the setting of the music level has no effect on
microphone or paging volume.
Local/remote control
If a zone has an RL-1 or RSL-6 remote control plate or an
LM-1 line input plate connected, the rear panel LOCAL/
REMOTE push-button must be set to REMOTE (button
in) for the remote controls to be operative and for the
corresponding front panel controls to be disabled. Zones
without such plates should be set to LOCAL (button out).
The setting of the internal PCB jumper J1 on each zone
sub-board is also relevant. The default setting is SW. This
means that zone music source selection will be determined
by the rear panel switch setting; the front panel control in
LOCAL and via a remote plate or other external control
in REMOTE. If the jumper is set to FR, the source selection
will always be made with the front panel control whatever
is connected at the rear panel or the setting of the LOCAL/
REMOTE switch. If external control of music level only (i.e.,
not source selection) is required, J1 should be set to FR and
the LOCAL/REMOTE switch to REMOTE.
Setting Up & Operation