User manual RANE RANEGAIN DATASHEET

[. . . ] If a pure 400 Hz tone is the source in a system, and the system is turned up until clipping, then what comes out is the 400 Hz fundamental, plus a whole string of predominately odd-order harmonics. Spectrum analysis of the output will show the 400 Hz fundamental, plus strong harmonics at the odd harmonic intervals of 1. 2 kHz, 2 kHz, 2. 8 kHz, 3. 6 kHz, 4. 4 kHz and so on. The RaneGain Transducer is a piezo tweeter designed to reproduce mid-tohigh audio frequencies, so while it doesn't reproduce the 400 Hz fundamental worth a hoot, the harmonics make it scream. Operation PRESET ALL LEVEL CONTROLS IN THE SYSTEM After all equipment is hooked-up, verify system operation by sending an audio signal through it. [. . . ] The rule here is to take as much gain as necessary to bring the signal up to the desired average level, say, +4 dBu, as soon as possible. If you need 60 dB of gain to bring up a mic input, you don't want to do it with 20 dB here, 20 dB there, and 20 dB some other place. For most applications, the entire system S/N (more or less) gets fixed at the mic stage. Therefore set it for as much gain as possible without excessive clipping. This means, one at a time, having the singers sing, and the players play, as loud as they expect to sing/play during the performance. Or, if the source RaneGain GENERATOR & TRANSDUCER is recorded, or off-the-air, turn it up as loud as ever expected. Set the input mic gain trim so the mic OL (overload) light just occasionally flickers. Any more and it will clip all the time; any less and you are hurting your best possible S/N. (Note that a simple single mic preamp is set up in the same manner as a whole mixing console. ) OUTBOARD GEAR I/O LEVEL CONTROLS All outboard unit level controls (except active crossovers -- see below) exist primarily for two reasons: · They provide the flexibility to operate with all signal sizes. If the input signal is too small, a gain control brings it up to the desired average level, and if the signal is too large, an attenuator reduces it back to the desired average. · Level controls for equalizers: the need to provide make-up gain in the case where significant cutting of the signal makes it too small, or the opposite case, where a lot of boosting makes the overall signal too large, requiring attenuation. Many outboard units operate at "unity gain, " and do not have any level controls -- what comes in (magnitude-wise) is what comes out. For a perfect system, all outboard gear would operate in a unity gain fashion. It is the main console's (or preamp's) job to add whatever gain is required to all input signals. After that, all outboard compressors, limiters, equalizers, enhancers, effects, or what-have-you need not provide gain beyond that required to offset the amplification or attenuation the box provides. With that said, you can now move ahead with setting whatever level controls do exist in the system. Whether the system contains one piece of outboard gear, or a dozen, gains are all set the same way. Again, the rule is to maximize the S/N through each piece of equipment, thereby maximizing the S/N of the whole system. [. . . ] For Rane digital audio products, like the RPM 26v Multiprocessor where input A/D (analog-to-digital) metering is provided with the RW 232 software, setting the input level gain is particularly easy and extremely important: Using the maximum system signal as the input, open up the Input Trim box and simply slide the control until the 0 dBFS indicator begins lighting. This indicates the onset of "digital clipping, " and is definitely something you want to avoid, so this is the maximum gain point. See RaneNote 135 "Setting Sound System Level Controls" for setting active crossovers and power amplifiers. Specifications Generator Frequency: 400 Hz (±10%) Sine Wave Level: 0 dBu (±1 dB) Phantom Power (Required): 12-48 VDC THD: 2% max Transducer Type: Piezo Capacitance: 10, 000 pF (±30%) (40, 000 ohms @ 400 Hz) Max Voltage: +26 dBu Max Current: 2 mA Life: 500 Hours (average) References 1. [. . . ]