User manual RANE MQ 302

[. . . ] OPERATORS MANUAL MQ 302 STEREO GRAPHIC EQUALIZER QUICK START If this is your first equalizer, please do yourself and your speakers a favor and read at least the first five pages. The MQ 302 is a stereo equalizer, so adjusting any slider affects both Channels simultaneously. Begin by setting all sliders to their center detent (0 dB), and the INPUT LEVEL to 8. After equalizing, use the EQ switch to compare equalized and non-equalized signal. [. . . ] Listen to the music program and make additional adjustments to suit your taste, the type of music and your audience. Since you are starting from a "tuned" system, your ear will not be fooled into thinking bass is too high when actually mids are too low, or that highs are too weak when really the mids are too strong. Analyzers consistently and accurately "tell it like it is, " but ultimately, personal judgment determines what sounds good or appropriate. In fact, final optimum EQ settings, made after analyzer testing, will vary greatly depending on the type of music, sound pressure level, size of the venue and disposition of the audience. Conclusion: To consistently obtain the best sound from your system, use an analyzer and then your ears, in that order. The analyzer supplies the consistency and calibration while your ear supplies the good taste. Manual-5 MOJO GLOSSARY balanced line The recommended method of interconnecting audio equipment. A balanced line requires three conductors: a twisted-pair for the signal (positive and negative) and an overall shield. The shield must be tied to the chassis at both ends for hum-free interconnect. BW The numerical difference between the upper and lower -3 dB points of an audio band. clipping What occurs when a unit tries to produce a signal larger than its power supply. compressor A signal processing device used to reduce the dynamic range of the signal passing through it. For instance, an input dynamic range of 110 dB might pass through a compressor and exit with a new dynamic range of 70 dB. The modern usage for compressors is to turn down (or reduce the dynamic range of) just the loudest signals. When used in conjunction with microphones and musical instrument pick-ups, compressors help determine the final timbre by selectively compressing specific frequencies and waveforms. connectors Audio equipment uses different styles: RCA An unbalanced pin connector commonly used on consumer and some pro equipment; aka phono plug XLR A 3-pin connector common on pro audio equipment. Preferred for balanced line interconnect; aka Cannon plug " TRS 1. Stereo " connector consisting of tip (T), ring (R), and sleeve (S) sections, with T = left, R = right, and S = ground/shield. Balanced interconnect with the pos & neg signal lines tied to T and R respectively and S acting only as an overall shield. Insert loop interconnect with T = send, R = return, and S = ground/shield. [Think: ring, right, return] " TS Mono " connector consisting of tip (T) [signal] and sleeve (S) [ground & shield] for unbalanced wiring. constant-Q equalizer (also constant-bandwidth) The bandwidth remains constant for all boost/cut levels. Since Q and bandwidth are interrelated, the terms are fully interchangeable. [. . . ] With these transformer isolation boxes, modification of cable assemblies is unnecessary. Virtually any two pieces of audio equipment can be successfully interfaced without risk of unwanted hum and noise. Originally named for its use to convert the high impedance, high level output of an electric guitar to the low impedance, low level input of a recording console, it allowed the player to plug "directly" into the console. Now this term is commonly used to describe any box used to convert unbalanced lines to balanced lines. [. . . ]