USER MANUAL PROFESSIONAL MIXING CONSOLE SONOSAX SX-ST / SX-VT Audio equipment manufacturer SONOSAX SAS S.A. Ch. de la Naz 38 CH-1052 Le Mont s/Lausanne SWITZERLAND Tel: +41 21 651 0101 Fax: +41 21 651 0109 Web: www.sonosax.ch www.sonosax.com Email: sonosax@sonosax.ch Version: DOC-1.
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................5 Key Features 5 1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION........................................................................................................................6 1.1 SONOSAX SX-ST series............................................................................................................................................. 6 1.
4.13 4.13.1 PFL/AFL push button ....................................................................................................................................... 16 P/A LED ......................................................................................................................................................... 16 4.14 VCA's Group Selector (SX-VT Series with VCA input module only) .................................................... 16 4.15 4.15.1 4.15.2 4.15.
7.7.1 Mic 1 to 3 ............................................................................................................................................................ 26 7.8 7.8.1 7.8.2 7.8.3 7.8.4 7.8.5 7.8.6 Groups and Aux Master Sections.................................................................................................................... 27 Group Master rotary faders ...................................................................................................................
INTRODUCTION Congratulations, by purchasing your SONOSAX SX-ST or SX-VT professional mixing console, you have acquired a product of the highest quality, manufactured to deliver many years of outstanding performances. The SONOSAX SX-ST or SX-VT Series are the most compact modular mixing consoles on the market. Meanwhile their reduced size, they offer a maximum of possibilities to suit each user needs, with unequalled characteristics.
1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION The SONOSAX SX-ST and SX-VT Series is a line of extremely compact, portable, self-contained mixing consoles, designed for professional mobile and studio applications. Built in a strong, rugged and anodised aluminium chassis, the SONOSAX SX-ST and SX-VT Series provide the best solution whenever top performances, reduced size and low consumption are important.
2. INSTALLATION 2.1 Safety Instructions • Read all the safety and operation instructions before operating the SX-ST / SX-VT console and its power supply. • Keep the instructions for further reference. • Follow all warnings, notes and instructions in this operation manual. • Do not use the SX-ST / SX-VT console and its power supply near water, avoid moisture. • Keep the SX-ST / SX-VT console and its power supply away from heat sources such as radiators or other devices that produce heat.
2.2 Battery Power Mode (SX-ST Series only) 2.2.1 Removing the battery compartment Remove the battery pack by releasing the two slide-locks, tilting the compartment diagonally towards you and lifting it out. IMPORTANT: Keep the slide-locks pressed towards the centre till the battery compartment is completely lifted out of the mixer. 2.2.2 Opening the battery compartment The battery compartment may now be opened by un-tightening the screw on the left side.
2.2.3 Closing the battery compartment Replace the plastic side cover and tighten the screw. ( Do not over tighten ) NOTE: Certain D-Cells are longer than standard D-Cell batteries and slight difficulty may be found in closing the compartment if such batteries are used. Your nearest SONOSAX agent or the manufacturer in Switzerland can provide assistance if a problem arise due to this difference in length.
2.4 AC Power Mode (SX-VT Series only) The connection of mains the power supply is made by using a mains cable and a standard IEC receptacle. It meets all of the international safety certification requirements. Please make sure that the unit has a proper ground connection. For your own safety, it is advisable not to remove the ground connection at the power supply or fail to make this connection at all. 2.4.
4. MIC / LINE INPUT MODULE Traditional professional mixing consoles are generally based on the same input structure. The signal from the microphone goes through a phase reversal switch and then to a pad to attenuate the signal before going to the first amplification stage. Some mixers even introduce a transformer before the first stage to simplify the circuits. Reducing the signal level before amplifying it increases noise.
4.1 Input Select Switch The SX-ST / SX-VT provides with two different connections type per input: one is on a conventional XLR-3F receptacle and the “B” input on a multi-lines 25pin Sub-D connector. This is useful when different sources are frequently swapped ( e.g.
4.5 LF Cut and Equalizer The SONOSAX SX-ST / SX-VT series input module is equipped with a powerful filtering and equalization section. Its design is derived from our previous model SONOSAX SX-S on which the efficiency and sonic integrity have been well proven in practice for decades. The Equalizer IN or OUT switch activates or bypasses the filtering of 80 Hz, 8 kHz and MF tones. It is also used for instant comparison of filtered and non-filtered audio.
4.6 Mix busses 1 to 8 assignment The SX-ST / SX-VT series are equipped with eight groups ( or tracks) mix busses. Channels can be assigned to mix busses Pre or Post PAN Pot using the advanced routing selector switches to create either 8 individual mono groups or up to 4 stereo groups or free combinations of mono and stereo groups. Logically, an individual group is Mono and therefore should not be affected by the PAN Pot. Alternatively, the PAN Pot is needed to build a stereo group.
4.9 Limiter ( non VCA version only ) Each input module is equipped with a Limiter switch able ON or OFF. The THRES knob (threshold) sets the level above which the limiter becomes active. The threshold level can be adjusted between infinite and - 30dB. The attack time is very fast ( half sine wave only ) and the release time is program dependant. NOTE: The limiter will be automatically activated when the level applied at the input exceeds 25dBu, even if the Limiter is switched Off.
4.12 Channel Power switch (SX-ST series only) It powers ON or OFF the entire input module. This function is useful to save the battery power when only a few numbers of channels are being used. An audible pop will be introduced in the mixer's outputs if this switch is used during normal operation. 4.13 PFL/AFL push button The P/A push button is used to monitor the channel signal Pre-Fader PFL or After-Fader AFL and to check its level on the main level meters.
4.16 On Air signaling ( SX-VT serie only ) ON AIR signaling is available on each input channel and can be enabled with Dip switch S5-B. The On Air signalisation is turned On or Off by moving the Fader up and down, providing that the channel is turned ON. The ON AIR Led on the Master module will light On and Off accordingly, and a ON AIR logic command is available on the "Remote and Signaling" 25pin Sub-D connector. When ON, a +3,3VDC voltage is available on this connector.
5. Stereo Line Input Module The Stereo Input Module is available for the SONOSAX SX-VT series only. It accepts stereo line signals from –14dBu to +25dBu. The Stereo Line Input module is VCA controlled and can be automated from an external device or controlled from an optional built in Master VCA Group Fader if the mixer is equipped with a VCA Grouping system. In following sections, the "Post Fader" signal is obviously always Post VCA and the "Pre Fader" is always Pre VCA.
5.1 Left & Right Gain Control These gain controls are used to individually trim the appropriate input level of the Left and the Right Channel in a wide range of – 20dB to + 20dB from its centre CAL Position In its centre "CAL" position the line level remain unaffected ( Gain 0dB ) and thus reflect the nominal input level. 5.
- if PRE fader is selected, the level can still be monitored even if the channel is turned Off ( Muted ) 5.6 Channel Fader The Stereo Input module is equipped with two VCA circuitries ( Voltage Controlled Amplifier ), one for each of the L & R signal. The channel fader controls the L & R audio levels in a range from – infinite to +12dB by means of a single DC voltage equally applied to both VCA's. 5.7 Balance Left – Right The Balance knob also take part of the VCA circuitry.
5.10 Remote This switch enables the Fader Start function of the Stereo input.
6. 8 CHANNELS A/D CONVERTER With the optional 8 channels 24 bits A/D converter, the SX-ST / SX-VT series provide with 8 digital outputs, combined in 4 AES/EBU pairs available on a 25pin Sub-D connector. The 3 position switches "IN 1 MIX" to "IN 8 MIX" select which sources are routed to the A/D converters: IN (left position) : feeds the direct output of the corresponding Input channel to the converter. It is the same signal as on the Direct Output connector.
7.
7.1 Meters Two high precision moving coil Peak Meters read the audio levels selected by the Main Monitor rotary switch, offering a wide range of 44dB from –32dB up to +12dB. The upper meter shows the Left channel or the phase correlation, The lower meter shows the Right channel or the battery level. When any P/A button is depressed, the meters show the corresponding AFL/PFL signal 7.1.1 ST / M / Low Batt switch This 3 positions switch lets you choose the operating mode of the Meters.
7.2 Talkback/SLATE and Oscillator The SX-ST/SX-VT mixers feature an advanced Talkback/Slate functionalities. Pressing the Talkback/Slate push button located on the upper right corner of the Master & Monitoring module will send either the external Communication / Slate microphone signal or the internally generated 1kHz tone to a bus that can be individually routed and mixed to any of the Mains and the Auxiliaries outputs. For clarity reason we call it the "Talkback bus".
7.6 Monitoring The SONOSAX SX-ST and SX-VT offers 3 identical and independent stereo Monitoring sections. The left most Monitor section (the Main Monitor) is dedicated to the sound engineer working on the mixer. The upper rotary switch selects the source for the phone output, the monitor output and the peak-meters. As soon as a PFL/AFL button is depressed, the monitor outputs and the modulo-meters automatically switch over from the monitor source to the selected P/A.
7.8 Groups and Aux Master Sections 7.8.1 Group Master rotary faders The outputs levels of the Groups 1 to 8 are controlled per pairs. The four rotary Master Faders adjust the output level of the corresponding pair of Groups from - infinite (Mute) to 0dB (unity gain). 7.8.2 Master Auxiliary sends 1 to 4 These four rotary faders are used to control the output level of the corresponding Auxiliary sends within a range from - infinite dB (Mute) to 0 dB (unity gain). 7.8.
8. SPECIFICATIONS General and notes All specifications mentioned hereafter apply to standard models only. SONOSAX SAS SA reserves the right to modify these characteristics at any time without prior notice. For measures and/or settings the reference is: 0dBu = 0.775V (i.e. + 6dBu = 1.55V). Summary of characteristics Frequency response : 10Hz to 200kHz ± 0.5dB 20Hz to 200kHz ± 0.
Mic/Line inputs Input type: Input impedance: RF filters: electronically balanced 6.8kΩ , linear from 10 Hz to 200 kHz standard Microphone power: +48V (phantom power) GAIN : 60dB 48dB 36dB 24dB 12dB 0dB -54dBu -30dBu -42dBu -18dBu -30dBu -6dBu -18dBu +6dBu - 6dBu +18dBu + 6dBu +25dBu >100dB >100dB -68dBu -128dB >100dB >100dB -79.8dBu -127.8dB >100dB >100dB -90.4dBu -126.4dB >90dB >90dB -96.9dBu -120.9dB >65dB >65dB -98.5dBu -110.5dB >60dB >60dB -100.3dBu -100.
Main outputs Output type: Output impedance: Nominal output level: Maximum output level: electronically balanced <50•. +6dBu or +4dBu depending on global nominal level setting +25dBu ( +22.5dBm Z-load 600 ) Output Noise : Master faders closed: Master faders at max: One input ch. at unity gain: unweighted 20Hz to 22kHz -1xx dBu -100.0dBu - 92.0dBu Frequency response : Distortion THD+N : Crosstalk (stereo pair ) : 10Hz to 200kHz ± 0.5dB 0.03% at 10 Hz / 0.
Power requirements Supply voltage, internal : 18,0V nominal with 12x LR20 (D) standard 1.5V alkaline batteries or 14,4V nominal with 12x LR20 (D) 1.2V NiCd or NiMH accumulators Estimated battery life : approx. ....... with 12x LR20 (D) standard alkaline batteries approx. ....... with 12x LR20 (D) 4Ah NiCd accumulators approx. ....... with 12x LR20 (D) 8Ah NiMh accumulators External power supply : 10V to 20V DC, ....... mA peak, .......
