User Manual

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OPERATING / SERVICE MANUAL

CM 86

QUICK START

Think of this like a fortune cookie: you have to read the saying before you eat it. But unlike a fortune cookie we don’t

want you to break your CM 86 before getting the message. So here’s your fortune:

Rane adheres to the AES/ANSI/IEC standards of pin 2 positive, pin 3 negative and pin 1 ground. Choose between either

the 3-pin (XLR-type) or the terminal strip MIC IN. Use only ONE; they are in parallel and do NOT sum. The LINE IN

(unbalanced 1/4") is grounded when not used. This allows the MIC/LINE switch to act as an input MUTE switch when-

ever the LINE IN jack is not used. Likewise, if it is used then the MIC/LINE switch acts like a true source selector.

Set

the rear-mounted MIC GAIN control as necessary for your mic. Use the OL indicator as an adjustment aid: increase gain

until this LED occasionally lights. Optimum noise performance results from taking as much gain as possible. (The OL indi-

cator on the front panel parallels the one on the rear.) Select PHANTOM POWER as needed for each channel indepen-

dently. When setting channel equalization, use the IN/OUT switch to compare equalized with unequalized material.

When using the AUX A/B level controls, remember to set the desired take-off location using the PRE/POST switches.

PRE takes this signal before the Channel LEVEL controls, allowing independent operation of both. POST takes this signal

after the Channel LEVEL controls, allowing the LEVEL controls to turn the Aux levels up/down simultaneously. Set the

OUTPUT SELECT to assign each input channel to the desired output. Choose between “A” only, “B” only or “AB” both.

Note that choosing only one, say “A,”

routes this input to both MASTER 1A and MASTER 2A outputs, but nothing goes

to either B output.

When setting input AUX A/B and LEVEL A/B controls, keep an eye on the appropriate PRE-OUTPUT OVERLOAD in-

dicators. They monitor overloading of the critical summing stages. Use the METER & HEADPHONE ASSIGN switch to

select the desired output for metering and monitoring. The HEADPHONE connects to the same point as the OUTPUT ME-

TERS — what you see is what you hear.

Read the Rane FLEX USERS GUIDE for details about the Flex DIN connectors. Expansion and augmentation of the CM

86 is easily done using this handy bus. TAPE OUT is taken after the MASTER INSERT LOOPS and before the MASTER

1 & 2 OUT LEVEL controls. The MASTER INSERT LOOPS do not affect the AUX A & B outputs. All four MASTER

OUTS are driven by high-current cross-coupled line drivers which will drive lines 1000 feet (305 meters) using Belden

8451 or equal wire.

Miscellaneous: The CM 86 does NOT invert signals. Use the LIFT (ground lift) switch to help eliminate stubborn hum

problems. NEVER CONNECT ANYTHING EXCEPT AN APPROVED RANE RS 2 (the big one) POWER SUPPLY

TO THE RED JACK ON THE REAR OF THE UNIT.

Good fortune and great wealth are coming your way.

SYSTEM CONNECTION

When first connecting the CM 86, LEAVE THE POWER SUPPLY FOR LAST. This gives you a chance to make mis-

takes and correct them without damaging your fragile speakers, ears and nerves.

INPUTS. Each input channel has two MIC IN connectors. The 3-pin (XLR-type) connector and the terminal strip are wired

in parallel and either one works equally well; however, they do NOT sum. USE ONLY ONE. Choose strictly from a re-

quired hardware point-of-view, there is no performance trade-off. Wiring convention conforms to the AES/ANSI/IEC stan-

dard of pin 2 positive, pin 3 negative and pin 1 ground, with the shell being tied to chassis. Microphones requiring Phantom

Powering must tie pin 1 to the shield, otherwise the Phantom Power circuit is not completed. The LINE IN is an unbalanced

1/4" jack, and may be used in conjunction with the MIC IN. The MIC/LINE switch then operates as a selector switch. When

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Summary of content (4 pages)

PAGE 1
OPERATING / SERVICE MANUAL CM 86 QUICK START Think of this like a fortune cookie: you have to read the saying before you eat it. But unlike a fortune cookie we don’t want you to break your CM 86 before getting the message. So here’s your fortune: Rane adheres to the AES/ANSI/IEC standards of pin 2 positive, pin 3 negative and pin 1 ground. Choose between either the 3-pin (XLR-type) or the terminal strip MIC IN. Use only ONE; they are in parallel and do NOT sum.
PAGE 2
FRONT PANEL DESCRIPTION 1. INPUT SOURCE SELECTOR. This slide switch selects between MIC or LINE inputs. Both inputs may be used; in which case this switch acts as a true source selector. If the LINE input is not used then it is internally grounded and this switch acts like a Mic Mute when moved to the LINE position. 2. INPUT OVERLOAD INDICATOR. This red LED parallels an identical one in the rear and monitors all critical input nodes. It lights whenever these levels exceed 4dB below clipping.
PAGE 3
REAR PANEL DESCRIPTION 1. PHANTOM POWER SELECTOR SWITCH. Turns the microphone Phantom Power voltage ON and OFF. 2. INPUT OL (OVERLOAD) INDICATOR. This red LED is identical to one on the front panel and monitors all critical input nodes. It lights when these levels exceed 4dB below clipping. Some flickering is normal; it should not light steadily. 3. MIC GAIN TRIM CONTROL. A rotary control used to set the correct gain required by your microphone. 4. 3-PIN MICROPHONE INPUT CONNECTOR.
PAGE 4
(System Connection - continued from first page...) the LINE IN is not used, it automatically grounds internally. This allows the MIC/LINE switch now to act like a mic mute switch since selecting LINE sees a grounded input. The input channel INSERT LOOP allows any external processor to be tied in series with the input source before the MASTER and AUX Level controls. It is wired per the tip = send/ring = return convention. A pair of RCA input jacks allow hook-up of a Tape Player, Tuner or CD Player.