ALLEN & HEATH Xone:32 User's Guide download pdf (Page 13)

XONE:32 User Guide 13

Gain and Operating Levels

It is most important that the system gain and level settings are correctly set. It is well known that many DJs

push the gain to maximum with meters peaking hard in the belief that they are getting the best from the system.

THIS IS NOT THE CASE ! The best can only be achieved if the system levels are set within the normal

operating range and not allowed to peak. Peaking simply results in signal distortion, not more volume. It is the

specification of the amplifier / speaker system that sets the maximum volume that can be achieved, not the

console. The human ear too can fool the operator into believing that more volume is needed. Be careful as this

is in fact a warning that hearing damage will result if high listening levels are maintained. Remember that it is

the QUALITY of the sound that pleases the ear, not the VOLUME.

Use the LEVEL TRIM to match the input source to the normal operating level of the console. Adjust this so that

the CHANNEL METER averages 0dB with loudest moments reading +5. Press the CUE SWITCH to listen to

the signal on headphones. Adjust the CHANNEL FADER and MASTER LEVEL so that they normally operate in

the near the top of travel. Make sure the amplifier/speaker system has been correctly calibrated for the loudest

volume required at the fader top position. Boosting the EQ also adds gain to the system. Reduce by turning

back the LEVEL TRIM if the meter red peak LEDs flash. Adjust the HEADPHONES and BOOTH monitor

controls for safe listening levels.

The diagram illustrates the operating range of the audio

signal.

NORMAL OPERATING RANGE. For normal music the

signal should range between –5 and +5 on the meters with

average around 0dB. This allows enough HEADROOM for

unexpected peaks before the signal hits its maximum

CLIPPING voltage and distorts. It also achieves the best

SIGNAL-TO-NOISE-RATIO by keeping the signal well

above the residual NOISE FLOOR (system hiss). The

DYNAMIC RANGE is the maximum signal swing available

between the residual noise floor and clipping. The

XONE:32 provides a massive 108dB dynamic range.

A final note … The human ear is a remarkable organ with

the ability to compress or ‘shut down’ when sound levels

become too high. Do not interprete this natural response

as a reason to turn the system volume up further ! As the

session wears on ear fatigue may set in, and the speaker

cones may become hot so reducing the effectiveness of the

system and listeners to gain any benefit from increased

volume.

BE SENSIBLE, BE SAFE WITH SOUND LEVELS

Using the Channel EQ

With the 3 EQ controls set to their centre detented position the EQ has no affect on the sound. The asymmetric

EQ design provides a huge amount of cut to suck out selected frequencies for dramatic effect, and a restricted

amount of boost to enhance frequencies without overloading the system. Turn the controls clockwise to boost

the selected band of frequencies by up to 6dB. Turn them anticlockwise to cut the frequencies by up to 26dB.

Cutting low, mid or high frequency bands can be very effective when layering one track on another. This lets

you enhance the sounds you want while cutting those you don’t want. For example, you could fade in the high

frequency cymbal line of the CH3 track on top of the currently playing CH1 track by cutting the MID and LO EQ

on CH3. Learn what the EQ can do by playing a selection of tracks and experimenting with the controls.



10 100 1kHz 10k 20k

0dB

+10

-5

-10

-15

-20

-25

-30

HIMIDLO

+6dB BOOST

-26dB CUT

1 2 ... 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 ... 24 25

Comments to this Manuals

No comments

ALLEN & HEATH Xone:32 User's Guide Page 13

Comments to this Manuals

Related products and manuals for DJ controllers ALLEN & HEATH Xone:32