Limited One Year Manufacturer’s Warranty Allen & Heath warrants the PLAYdifferently branded hardware product and accessories contained in the original packaging against defects in materials and workmanship when used in accordance with PLAYdifferently user manual, technical specifications and other PLAYdifferently product published guidelines for a period of ONE (1) YEAR from the date of original purchase by the end-user purchaser ("Warranty Period").
Introduction 1 MODEL 1.4 is a 4 channel professional mixer designed for use in the club environment by professional DJs and producers but is equally at home in a small studio.
2 Front Panel Overview
Return Section 3 Description The Return section is located on the upper left-hand side of the front panel and consists of two basic stereo channels for use as return inputs from external effects processors. Connection to the Return channels is via 4 x 1/4” TRS Jack sockets mounted on the rear panel. TRIM - Adjusts the level of the return signal.
4 Master Filter Description The Master Filter section consists of a High-Pass Filter (HPF), a Low-Pass Filter (LPF), and a Resonance control (RES) to adjust the sharpness of the High-Pass filter. Unlike a Voltage-Control Filter system, (VCF) the filter elements are passive in order to minimise distortion and eliminate DC voltage breakthrough and because the filter is passive there is also zero thermal frequency drift.
Main Channel strip 5 Description MODEL 1.4 has four identical main channel strips, each equipped with 2 auxiliary sends, Input drive control, an innovative hybrid EQ filter system, Dual Cues, and a high quality 60mm twin rail fader. The input to each channel is via an RCA connector on the rear panel, or via the fully balanced DB25 system (see page 12). Channels 2 and 3 are also equipped with an RIAA pre-amplifier for use with turntables.
6 Contour and Sculpt Description PLAYdifferently mixers provide a unique alternative to the standard type of fixed frequency EQ, which we feel offers greater creativity and the ability to perform smoother mixes. Whereas a standard EQ has three or four controls providing cut or boost at a fixed frequency, MODEL 1.4 utilises a combination of high and low pass filters plus a wide frequency range, swept equaliser, with asymmetric cut and boost.
Master Section 7 Description The Master section includes the Mix level control, the Master EQ, main buss metering, record output and the Booth monitor section. RECORD OUT - 3.5mm TRS Jack socket feeds the post Master EQ signal as a pre-fader record output. Nominal level is –6dBu. LEFT/RIGHT - Two, ten point peak reading LED meters provide visual indication of the mix buss level. Although MODEL 1.
8 Headphone Cue system Description MODEL 1.4 has two independent Cue systems, A and B. Cue A routes to the right hand side headphone monitor and the Cue B routes to the left hand headphone monitor. The dual Cue system makes it much easier for two DJs to perform on the mixer together as each can select a separate channel to monitor without interfering with the other performer’s monitoring. This dual system also allows for Cue interaction between two mixers linked together.
Drive Control 9 Description Signal Level Clip Level PRE-AMP PLAYdifferently mixers incorporate a unique feature on every input, the Drive control. This control allows the user to adjust the level at which the channel pre-amplifier clips the input signal, thus creating harmonic distortion as an effect. This is achieved by adjusting the conduction threshold of circuitry in the feedback loop of the pre-amplifier by rotating the “Drive” control.
10 Rear Panel
Rear Panel Connections - Outputs 11 MASTER - Main mix outputs for direct connection to the system PA. Balanced XLR, conventionally configured for: Pin 1 = Ground Pin 2 = Positive Phase Pin 3 = Negative Phase Nominal output level 0dBu, maximum output level +28dBu. BOOTH - Output to the Booth Monition system. Impedance balanced 1/4” TRS Jack sockets. Nominal output level 0dBu, maximum output level +23dBu. AUX 1, 2 - Outputs to external effects units or local monitor system.
Rear Panel Connections - Inputs 12 RETURN 1,2 - TRS Jack inputs for the two Return channels. These Jacks are “normalled” to the DSUB2 IN connector, therefore if nothing is plugged into these sockets the Returns source their signal from the DSUB system. Input impedance = 5K Ohms Maximum signal input level +23dBu. RCA Inputs - These are the default inputs to all four channels.
Mixer Linking 13 PLAYdifferenly devices incorporate a unique system that allows multiple mixers to be linked together, either for use with two or more performers, or as a way to expand the number of channels. When Linked together the mixers share a common mix buss so only one set of outputs are needed for feeding the PA and Booth monitors. In addition, the two Cue systems are joined allowing interactive cueing between multiple performers.
14 Mixer Linking continued In order to link mixers you will need a 9 pin female to female DSUB cable. An inexpensive computer RS232 cable would probably suffice, (as long as it is connected pin 1 to pin1, pin 2 to pin 2 etc.), as all Mix buss connections are fully balanced, however for best performance we would strongly recommend using an audio grade cable.
Power Supply 15 MODEL 1.4 is powered by an external 90W 24V universal voltage PSU. There are many advantages to powering the mixer in this way, firstly it frees up internal and rear panel space for extra circuitry for greater functionality in a compact format, it reduces heat build up inside the mixer, it removes the danger of electrical shock in case of liquid spills, and it virtually eliminates mains hum fields for better noise performance.
16 Block Diagram
Specifications Maximum output level +28dBu Balanced, +23dBu Unbalanced Output Impedance 50R Balanced, 68R Unbalanced Noise Line in to Line out Unity -90dBu Un-weighted, 22Hz to 20kHz Residual Noise -100dBu Un-weighted, 22Hz to 20kHz Dynamic range > 112dB Frequency Response 20Hz - 40kHz +0/-2dB Distortion (THD+N) 0.
