Rane AC 23 Operator's Manual

Manual-1

AC 23

ACTIVE CROSSOVER

OPERATORS MANUAL

AC 23 CONNECTION

Balanced/Unbalanced Inputs

The ¼" Input jacks on the AC 23 are TRS (tip-ring-

sleeve). We recommend connecting the AC 23 with a bal-

anced cable from the balanced output of a mixer or equalizer.

If a balanced output is not available, and the cable run is

less than ten feet (three meters), inserting an unbalanced ¼"

TS (tip-sleeve) plug works in most situations.

Unbalanced Outputs

The ¼" Output jacks on the AC 23 are unbalanced TS

(tip-sleeve). We recommend that cables to the amplifiers be

no longer than ten feet (three meters).

See the “Sound System Interconnection” RaneNote

included with this manual for more information on cabling

and grounding requirements.

QUICK START

This is an automatic crossover! By automatic, we mean that the AC 23 is smart enough to know whether you want to

run it as a two channel crossover, or as a single channel unit. It knows by the way the plugs are inserted how your system is

to be configured. However, just because it is automatic, doesn’t mean that it will not automatically confuse you when you

try to connect it in a bench test situation. Note: Labels above the controls refer to the unit being operated in the 2- or 3-

Way Stereo mode. Labels below the controls refer to the unit being operated in the 4- or 5-Way Mono mode.

Plugging a signal into the CHANNEL 1 INPUT and nothing into the CHANNEL 2 INPUT tells the unit that you are

running a single channel system in Mono 4- or 5-Way mode, and therefore sets the unit up to be a single channel device.

This can lead one to think that there are some dead channels in the unit when looking for output in places where there

shouldn’t be any. The even more automatically confusing part is the way that the Output connectors decide whether the unit

is a 4-Way or 5-Way crossover. It is actually rather straightforward.

To test the unit as a Mono 4-Way, first slide the CHANNEL 1 and 2 switches on the back to 3-WAY. Connect the

INPUT source to CHANNEL 1 only. Following the labels below the jacks, look at SUB OUT, then look at LOW OUT,

now go back to MID OUT, and then proceed to the HIGH OUT. So far, so good.

To test the AC 23 as a Mono 5-Way, the only precaution required is there must be a “dummy” plug (¼" unconnected

plug) inserted into the HI MID OUT to program the crossover properly. When you reach the point where you want to

measure the output of the channel with the dummy in it, simply remove it and insert your test output plug in that location.

When operating the AC 23 as a Stereo 3-Way, follow the diagram on page Manual-5, reading the labels above the jacks

and controls. To drive both Channels with a mono signal, connect only to the CHANNEL 2 INPUT. This approach is the

same as if you used a wye cable to both Inputs.

The AC 23B is available as a fully balanced output version equipped with XLR connectors (for inputs and outputs)

instead of the ¼" jacks. If you are connecting to balanced amplifiers from the AC 23 or are running crossover output cable

lengths greater than 10 feet (or 3 meters), we highly recommmend you purchase an AC 23B.

Never connect anything except an RS 1 or other approved Rane AC power supply to the thing that looks like a

telephone jack on the rear. This is  an 18 VAC center-tapped power unit. Consult the Rane factory for replacement or

substitution.

WEAR PARTS: This product contains no wear parts.