DIGITAL DUAL 31 BAND EQUALIZATION SYSTEM
Safety Instructions/Consignes de sécurité/Sicherheitsvorkehrungen/Instrucciones de seguridad WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture. To reduce the hazard of electrical shock, do not remove cover or back. No user serviceable parts inside. Please refer all servicing to qualified personnel.
Table of Contents Introduction D2500 Features Controls and Functions Front Panel Layout Rear Panel Layout D2500 Quick Start SETTING UP THE D2500 to work in MANUAL mode Operating the D2500 Navigating the D2500 Controls GLobal Selecting the Input Selecting the Filter Bandwidth Selecting the Fader Range Selecting the Operating Mode Using the Left, Right and Link Control Switches Using the LINK switch Controlling the Right Channel signal Using the D2500 in MANUAL Mode Working with the D2500 Faders Using the Pro
Introduction Congratulations! You just purchased one of the most innovative and useful audio tools available to sound engineers today, the D2500 Digital Equalizer from Samson Audio! The D2500 is a dual channel, 1/3 Octave, 31 Band Digital Graphic Equalizer featuring cutting edge DSP and analog-to-digital conversion technology, together with a simple to use, traditional analog user interface.
D2500 Features The Samson D2500 Digital Graphic Equalizer utilizes state-of-the-art, DSP and filtering technology for precise tonal control. Here are some of its main features: • The D2500 is a stereo or two channel digital equalizer with each channel providing 31 bands of equalization, each frequency band representing 1/3 of an octave, on ISO standards, in the 20 Hz to 20 kHz range. • The front panel provides 32 analog 45mm LED faders for instant filter adjustment and true analog feel.
Controls and Functions Front Panel Layout � � � � � � �� �� �� �� �� �� �� 1 FADER – 45mm LED fader for each of the 31 frequency bands, which can be software set for +/- 12 dB or +/- 6 dB, or +/- 3 dB of cut and boost. 2 ABOVE NULL LED – Red LED indicating the fader is below the null (matching) point. Note: the null point is the exact location where the fader's physical postion matches the level of the digital filter.
Controls and Functions 19 LIMITER switch – This switch is used to page through the LIMITER parameters. When selected, the amber LED will illuminate and the LIMITER parameters will be displayed in the LCD window. 22 MIDI switch - This switch is used to page through the MIDI parameters. When selected, the red LED will illuminate and the MIDI parameters will be displayed in the LCD window. 20 IN / OUT switch – The LED switch is used to engage the EQ, FEEDBACK, GATE, DELAY, ENHANCER and LIMITER effects.
D2500 Quick Start 4. The D2500 can be used either as an “in-line” device, as an insert device (in conjunction with mixer insert points), or in an effects send-return loop. The illustrations on pages 20 - 22 show each of these typical configurations. Choose the configuration that is best for your application and then begin by making the D2500 input connections, using the XLR connectors on the rear panel. SETTING UP THE D2500 to work in MANUAL mode The D2500 is simple to use.
D2500 Quick Start 12. Apply an input signal to the D2500 (if sending signal from a mixer output bus, drive the mixer’s output meters at approximately 0 VU). While the input signal is present, slowly raise the front panel main level slider to it’s center detented “0” point. For the best signal-to-noise ratio, the main level slider should be at or near the “0” point during normal operation. However, if the input signal is weak, use the main level slider to slightly boost the volume (to a maximum of 12 dB).
Operating the D2500 Navigating the D2500 Controls Before you move ahead into the many D2500 onboard features, you should become familiar with the front panel controls and the various parameters that they can set. The D2500's front panel switches are set up in groups related to the function or parts of the operating system they control. Some switches are placed individually, since they are dedicated to a single function, and other switches are arranged in groups since their functionality is related.
Operating the D2500 Selecting the Filter Bandwidth Thanks to the powerful onboard DSP, the D2500 has the ability to program the equalizer filter bandwidth for either 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 of an octave, or to AUTO, which will allow each of the 31 filters to be set to an individual bandwidth calculated by the onboard DSP. To access the Filter bandwidth settings follow these steps: To change the Master Fader’s attenuation range follow these steps: • Press the GLOBAL control switch a few times until you see the F.B.
Operating the D2500 Using the D2500 in MANUAL Mode The D2500 can be used as a stand-alone basic digital signal processor using any stored or recalled memory parameters when set to MANUAL mode. If you want to use all the power processing of the D2500, but you don’t want to recall or save any presets, you can operate the unit in Manual mode. When you press the Manual switch, the D2500 equalizer and effects section are all available, however they will be in the state that they were last left in.
Operating the D2500 Working with the D2500 Faders Unlike menu driven, black box devices, the D2500 is a digital equalizer with standard 45 mm analog faders for the 31 filter bands, plus the Master level fader for true analog control. If you are operating the D2500 in Manual mode, the faders work exactly like you would expect on a standard analog graphic equalizer.
Operating the D2500 Using the Process Switches In addition to being a great sounding, clinically precise, digital equalizer, the D2500 provides a host of useful digital effects, which have been designed to make an audio engineer’s job easier and project sound better. Don't look for reverbs and chorus effects here, just solid digital effects processors designed for loudspeaker management.
Operating the D2500 • Press the FBM switch and use the Data Wheel to and select FBM: ON. • Now, engage the effect by pressing the IN / OUT switch until the yellow LED lights. • Now, engage the effect by pressing the IN / OUT switch until the yellow LED lights. • To access the Threshold parameter, press the GATE switch once or twice until you see the menu, Gate Th. The Gate Threshold can be set from –100 dB to 0 dB.
Operating the D2500 Any good high and low-pass filter will allow you to choose the cut-off frequency, and also, the order, or slope, at which the filter will attenuate. The D2500 lets you set the frequency at which the HP or LP filters cut from, as well as, a slope of either 6, 12 or 18 db per octave. Once the highs return, the Enhance releases automatically. Of course the D2500 let’s you dial up just the right amount of Enhancer for your project, so follow the steps below to activate the Enhancer.
Operating the D2500 Using the Internal LIMITER for Basic Speaker Protection Using the A/B Feature The A/B switch lets you compare the actual, modified program to the last program recalled or stored in memory. After you load a preset you may want to make some changes to the equalization curve or perhaps to one or more of the digital effects. Once you make some changes you may want to compare the edit with the original preset saved in memory.
Operating the D2500 Storing Programs in the D2500 • Once you select the program number to load, simply press the LOAD button again and your preset is loaded into memory. The D2500 has 99 memory locations (labeled 01-99) for storing user presets. You can save the equalization curve, as well as all the parameters for the routing and the onboard effects that may be active. Saving the preset is a simple procedure which is accomplished with the following easy steps.
Operating the D2500 MIDI and D Net • To keep the new changes, press the STORE button and you will exit the MIDI mode and both the STORE and MIDI the LED’s will turn off. For expanded system control, the D2500 uses standard MIDI, as well as Samson’s D Net communication protocols, to transmit and receive digital control information to and from additional D class units, other MIDI devices, or personal computers.
Operating the D2500 Selecting MIDI Omni mode You can program the D2500 to receive MIDI messages in Omni mode by following the next steps. Selecting MIDI Program Change You can program the D2500 to receive or transmit MIDI Program messages. Program the D2500 for MIDI Program Change operation by following these simple steps: • Press the MIDI switch until that LCD reads OMNI. • Press the MIDI switch until that LCD reads: Pgm Ch. to access the MIDI Program Change menu. • Use the Data Wheel to select Omni ON.
Operating the D2500 with the D1500 RTA When you use the D1500 RTA and the D2500 digital EQ together they combine to create a powerful automatic equalization system. You simply connect the two units using D-Net or MIDI, and then the D1500’s AUTO EQ feature to let the onboard DSP’s measure your system response and adjust the equalizer for a flat response, or for any EQ response curve that you may have saved in memory.
Operating the D2500 with the D1500 RTA Using AUTO EQ with the D2500 Digital Equalizer When you use the D1500 RTA and the D2500 digital EQ together they combine to create a powerful automatic equalization system.
Operating the D2500 with the D1500 RTA • Now, Let's set up the D2500. Using the D1500 with the D2500 In order for the D1500 and D2500 to communicate with each other it is necessary to configure the MIDI parameters so that the units are communicating properly. Follow the steps below to configure the MIDI parameters for communication between one D1500 RTA and one D2500 Digital EQ. Let's start with the D1500: • Press the D2500's Global switch a few times until the display reads: F.R.
Operating the D2500 with the D1500 RTA Using the D1500’s EQ Display The D1500 can be used to display the equalization curve from 1, or up to 15, D2500 Digital Equalizers using the standard MIDI or optional D-Net interface. • Press RES and use the Data Wheel to select 2.0 dB, which will correspond to the D2500 provided that the Frequency Range (Global Menu) of the D2500 is set to the default +/- 12 dB setting.
Operating the D2500 with the D1500 RTA • Now run your mic, MP3, or CD player signal, press RTA on the D1500 and check the LCD Meters on the D1500. Using the signal Generator The D 1500’s internal Signal Generator can be used to produce Pink Noise, White Noise or a tunable Sine Wave. • While the D1500 is set to RTA, you may need to adjust the GAIN to set the reference point of the display.
System Configurations Using the D2500 with Active Speakers In this example, the mixer’s stereo output is connected to the D2500’s inputs. Then, the D2500’s outputs are connected to the inputs of each active (self-powered) loudspeaker. Using the D2500 with Passive Speakers In this example the mixer’s stereo output is connected to the D2500’s inputs. Then, the D2500’s outputs are connected to the input of a 2channel power amp.
System Configurations Using the D2500 into Insert Points You can use the D2500 in your mixer’s insert points if you want to equalize two mono channels individually in the mix. In this example the D2500’s Channel 1 INPUT and OUTPUT are inserted on a bass guitar channel using a 1/4-inch TRS to 2 x XLR“Y” cable, and the Channel 2 INPUT and OUTPUT are inserted on a keyboard channel using the same type of cable. For more information on cable wiring see the D2500 Wiring Guide page 27 in this manual.
In this example, two D2500’s are used for the stereo main and for the 2-channel monitor mix. The mixer’s left and right outputs are connected to the first D2500’s inputs for the main PA speakers. Then, the outputs are connected to the inputs of the power amplifier connected to passive loudspeakers. For the monitor mix, the mixer’s AUX1 output is connected to the second D2500’s channel 1 input and AUX2 output is connected to the channel 2 input.
D2500 Wiring Guide D2500 Wiring Guide There are several ways to interface the D2500, depending on your exact monitoring set-up. Follow the cable diagrams below for connecting your monitor system.
Specifications Inputs Type Connector Impedance Max. input level AIO1: AIO2: Outputs Type Connector Impedance Max.
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