Xenyx Eurodesk SX3282 User Manual - Mono Input Channels
ENGLISH
EURODESK SX3282 User Manual
7
Mono input channels
3.
Each channel comes with a balanced line input on ¼" TRS jack,
and an XLR mic input. Press the Phantom switch
(71)
at the
back panel if required. The mic amp circuit has an unusually
wide gain range
{1}
from 10 dB to 60 dB, is of extreme low-noise
design, and utilizes high-current conjugate pair vintage tran-
sistor circuitry to deliver an incredibly warm and transparent
sound.
When a jack is plugged into the balanced (self-unbalancing) line
input, the gain structure is such that it can match any line level
from +10 to -40 dBu. The crucial operating levels +4 dBu and -10
dBV are clearly and accurately legended (
{1}
).
Input Level Setting
3.1
Channel input level is determined by the GAIN trimpot
{1}
. Use
Solo/PFL
(13
)
to accurately monitor the channel input on the left/
right master output bargraph meters. This also sends the Solo/
PFL-ed signal to the left and right speakers. Channel Solo
(13)
has an associated LED
(14)
.
For level-setting (as opposed to localized listening) choose
◊
to use the Mono PFL bus rather than the post-fader (post-
channel pan) stereo solo bus (Channel MODE switch
(38)
not
depressed). Solo/PFL never interrupts the mix at the main
recording outputs. It follows that aux sends and subgroups
must also be unaffected, since they contribute directly to
the main mix.
In addition to switchable Solo/PFL metering, a couple of channel
LEDs (
(10)
/
(12)
) illuminate when a signal is present (-20 dB), or
if a channel is going into overload. These LEDs are particularly
useful when using extreme EQ settings, or adding a dynamics
processor via an insert.
You do not want the overload light to come on except very inter-
mittently during a take or a mix. If it does light persistently,
reduce input gain (see also the essential section 8 “Setting up”).
Equalizer
3.2
All mono input channels are fitted with a semi-parametric
3-band EQ, plus a switchable low-cut filter for eliminating
unwanted subsonics. The upper
{2}
and lower
{5}
shelving
controls have their frequencies fixed at 12 kHz and 80 Hz
respectively. The midrange control
{3}
is semi-parametric with a
peaking response, Q fixed at 2 octaves, sweepable from 100 Hz
- 8 kHz (
{4}
). All three bands have up to 15 dB of cut and boost,
with a center detent for “off”. Thirdly, there is a steep high pass
(low-cut) filter
{6}
, slope @ 18 dB/oct, for reducing floor rumble,
breath noise and popping, woolly bottom end etc.
The combination of shelf boost at 80 Hz together with
◊
low-cut at 75 Hz results in a peaking response, useful for
adding warmth to vocals and instruments, and a firm
bottom to kick drums and basses, without losing control of
low frequency speaker cones.
Aux Sends
3.3
All eight aux sends
{7}
are mono and post-EQ. Aux sends
1 & 2 are fixed to be pre-fader for cueing purposes, while 3 & 4
are fixed post-fader for sending to effects etc. A shift switch
{8}
toggles the third pair of aux send potentiometers between two
bus pairs (5 & 6 or 7 & 8). These four aux sends are switchable
pre/post-fader en bloc using the PRE switch
{9}
.
For almost all FX send purposes, you will want aux sends to be
post-fader, so that when a fader level is adjusted, any reverb
send from that channel follows the fader. Otherwise, when the
fader is pulled down, the reverb from that channel would still be
audible. For cueing purposes, aux sends will usually be set pre-
fader, i.e. independent of the channel fader (depress PRE switch
{9}
for aux sends 5/6/7/8).
Most reverbs etc. internally sum up the left and right
◊
inputs. The very few that do not may be driven in true
stereo by using 2 aux sends.
There is +15 dB of gain on every aux send. Such a high boost is
usually only appropriate where the channel fader is set around
-15 dB or lower. Here, an almost exclusively wet signal will be
heard. In most consoles, such a wet mix requires the use of a pre
setting for the channel aux send, losing fader control. With the
SX3282 you can have a virtually wet mix with fader control.
Channels may be altered for pre-EQ aux sends (see section 13
“Modifications”).
Routing & Muting
3.4
Routing means selecting which bus you want a channel to
address. There are five stereo buses in the SX3282 (plus a stereo
solo bus). Main mix and the four subgroup pairs are selected by
five assign switches
(18)
. Solo/PFL we encountered in the section
on input level setting (3.1).
Channel PAN
(11)
positions the output of the channel in the
stereo field. Its constant-power design ensures there are no level
discrepancies whether a signal is hard-panned, center-stage, or
somewhere in-between. Such pin-point accuracy will be a revela-
tion if you have been working on consoles with lower quality
circuits.
All stereo buses follow channel Pan. Usually, only one of L-R,
1-2, 3-4 etc. will be selected for a particular channel.