American Audio Q-SPAND User Manual

Q-SPAND

Featuring:

™

Rev 11/01

User Guide

and Reference Manual

AMERICAN AUDIO

4295 Charter Street

Los Angeles Ca. 90058

www.americandj.com

Q-SPAND™ UNPACKING

Every Q-SPAND™ has been thoroughly tested and has been shipped in perfect operating condition.
Carefully check the shipping carton for damage that may have occurred during shipping. If the carton
appears to be damaged, carefully inspect your mixer for any damage and be sure all equipment neces­sary to operate the mixer has arrived intact. In the event damage has been found or parts are missing,
please contact our toll free customer support number for further instructions. Please do not return the
mixer to your dealer without fi rst contacting customer support.

Q-SPAND™ INTRODUCTION

Introduction:

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the American Audio® Q-SPAND™ mixer. This mixer is
a representation of American Audio’s continuing commitment to produce the best and highest quality
audio products possible at an affordable price. Please read and understand this manual completely
before attempting to operate your new mixer. This booklet contains important information concerning
the proper and safe operation of your new mixer. For those of you that can not stand the thought of
reading through an owners manual, please at least glance through the "Quick Start Guide" on page
four.

Customer Support:
American Audio

® provides a toll free customer support line, to provide set up help and answer any

question should you encounter problems during your initial set up or operation. You may also visit us on
the web at www.americandj.com for any comments or suggestions. Service Hours are Monday through
Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pacifi c Standard Time.
Voice: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Caution! There are no user serviceable parts inside this mixer. Do not attempt any repairs yourself,
without being instructed to do so by an authorized American Audio service technician. Doing so will
void your manufactures warranty. In the unlikely event your mixer may require service, please contact
American Audio

® customer support.

Do not discard the packing carton in the trash. Please recycle when ever possible.

Q-SPAND™ SET-UP PRECAUTIONS

Please be sure to make any connections before plugging the mixer in to an electrical outlet. All fader
and volume controls should be set to zero or minimum position, before the mixer is switched on. If the
mixer has been exposed to drastic temperature fl uctuation (e.g. after transportation), do not switch on
the mixer immediately. The arising condensation of water might damage your device. Leave the device
switched off until it has reached room temperature.

Operating Determinations:

• When installing this mixer, please make sure that the device is not exposed or will not be exposed
to extreme heat, moisture or dust!

• Do not operate the mixer in extremely hot (more than 30°/100°F) or extremely cold (less than 5°C/
40°F) surroundings.

• Keep the unit out of direct sunlight and away from heaters.

• Operate the mixer only after becoming familiar with its functions. Do not permit operation by persons
not qualifi ed for operating the mixer. Most damages are the result of unprofessional operation!

©American Audio® - www.americandj.com - Q-SPAND™ Instruction Manual Page 2

Q-SPAND™ SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• For adult use only - Keep out of the reach of children.

• Be sure that the local power outlet match that of the required voltage of the unit.

• Do not attempt to operate this mixer if the power cord has been frayed or damaged.

• Disconnect from main power before making any type of connection.

• Do not attempt any service. There are no user serviceable parts inside.

• Never plug this mixer in to a dimmer pack

• Always be sure to mount this mixer in an area that will allow proper ventilation.

• Do not attempt to operate this mixer, if it becomes damaged in any way.

• Never operate this mixer when it’s covers are removed.

• To reduce the risk of electrical shock or fi re, do not expose this mixer rain or moisture.

• This mixer is intended for indoor use only, use of this product outdoors voids all warranties.

• During long periods of non-use, disconnect the mixer’s main power.

• Always mount this mixer in safe and stable matter.

• Power Cord Protection - Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be
walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords
at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the mixer.

• Cleaning -The mixer should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer.

• Heat -The mixer should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other devices (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

• Be sure to save the packing carton in case you may ever have to return the mixer for service.

• Read all documentation before attempting to operate your new mixer. Please save all your docu­ mentation for future reference.

• Do not spill water or other liquids in to or on to your mixer.

• Route your power cord out of the way of foot traffi c .

• Always have the front gain controls set to their lowest level during initial power-up to prevent speaker
damage.

• The mixer should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:
A. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the mixer.
B. The mixer has been exposed to rain or water.
C. The mixer does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in
performance.

Q-SPAND™ MAIN FEATURES

• VCA Fader for Q-Start Control

• Adjustable Crossfader Curve - For crabbing

• Selectable Voltage 120v~220V

• 3 Phono/3 Aux, 4 Line, & 3 Mic Inputs

• Q-Start Compatible (for use with American
Audio CD Players with Fader “Q” Start)

• Fader “Q” Start on channels 1 & 2

• -30dB Rotary Kills for Treble, Bass and
Mids on all channels

• Separate gain control for each channel

• High output to headphones

• Balanced XLR Output

• WOW Process

©American Audio® - www.americandj.com - Q-SPAND™ Instruction Manual Page 3

• Soft-touch rubber knobs for better control

• Extremely clean signal to noise ratio

• Light Control Signal Output Jack

• Talk Over Button - Reduces channel output
gain by 15dB +/- 2 dB

• Dual Stereo LED Level Indicator ­ Indicated Master Level

• Master Output Balance Control

• Split Cue Monitoring

• Cue Mixing

• Independent ZONE Output Level

• 12v Gooseneck Light Option

• Protective Main Power Button

Q-SPAND™ QUICK START INSTRUCTIONS

INTRODUCTION: American Audio ® would like to
thank you for your purchase of this great audio
product. For those of you that are too impatient
to read the entire user manual we have compiled
these quick start instructions. We hope that you
will at least read through these instructions to famil­iarize yourself with the basics of this mixer. The
Q-Spand™ is part of American Audio’s continuing
evolution in audio technology. This unit has been built and designed to meet the needs of a typical DJ.
We have attempted to provide you with the most reliable product on the market by using only compo­nents constructed of the fi nest material.

MASTER LEVEL - Use this level to control your main volume output. Try never to send an output of more
than +4dB to your system. Signal at levels higher than this will start to distort and may cause damage
to your system and speakers. Remember that a distorted signal from you mixer will only be multiplied
throughout your system.

CHANNEL GAIN LEVEL - The channel gain levels are not to be used as volume controls. Never use
the channel trim to set the output volume. These controls are used to aid in distortion control. Use these
control to preset your signal level before the crossfader. With your channel faders in the maximum posi­tion, use the channel trim level to set an average output level of about +4dB on you master level meter.

HEADPHONES - To avoid damaging your headphones always be sure the headphone volume level (27)
is set to minimum before plugging them in. To avoid sever hearing damage, never put the headphone
on without making sure the headphone level is turned down.

MAIN MIC - The main mic connector uses a combo plug that allows you to connect either a 1/4” unbal­anced jack or by a standard 3-pin XLR balanced connector. The main mic also has an independent
volume control with separate high and low level adjustments. When feedback occurs when using the
mic, try lowering the “low” level this may reduce the feedback. Always leave the mic level to it’s minimum
level when not in use.

PHONO/AUX LINE LEVEL SELECTOR SWITCH (44, 47, & 50) - This switch is used to change the
selected input from phono to line and vice versa..The switch selectors are on the rear panel.

3D ST (16) - SRS (Sound Retrieval System) is the leading 3D Sound technology in the world. It
retrieves the spatial information from any stereo recording and restores the original three-dimensional
sound fi eld. As a result, the reproduced sound is much closer to that of a live performance.

TruBass (32) - This is a remarkable audio enhancement technology from SRS Labs that provides deep,
rich bass to small speaker systems without the need for a sub-woofer. For systems with a sub-woofer,
Tru Ba ss c omplements and enhances bass performance.

WOW FEATURE (31) - This feature dramatically impacts your audio system with increased audio
dynamics. WOW is the latest audio technology from SRS Labs and creates extraordinary enhancement
to the listening experience. Ordinary stereo presents a rather limited spatial presentation, and often lack­luster bass (low frequency) performance. Any sound system including can deliver an audio performance
with drastically improved image size, dynamics and immersion when playing a signal processed with
WOW. The processing of the spatial cues surrounds the listener with a holographic representation of
the performance. In addition bass becomes deep, rich and controlled through means that don’t require
a speaker with a large woofer or cabinet size.

©American Audio® - www.americandj.com - Q-SPAND™ Instruction Manual Page 4

Q-SPAND™ CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

1

8765432 10

222120191817

91514131211

26 252423

16

31

32

30292827

1. MICROPHONE TREBLE CONTROL - This knob is used to adjust the treble levels of microphones
one and two, with a maximum signal gain of 15dB or maximum signal decrease of -30dB. Turning the
knob in a counter-clockwise direction will decrease the amount of treble applied to the microphone
signal, turning the knob in a clockwise direction will increase the amount of treble applied to microphone
signal.

2. TALKOVER CONTROL - When this button is depressed, all signals except the microphone level are
decreased by 15dB. In the OFF position all signals remain at their standard levels.

3. MICROPHONE 1 COMBO JACK - Combination Microphone Jack. This jack will accept a standard
1/4 plug or XLR 3-pin balanced male plug. The volume output level will be controlled by the Mic 1

Volume Knob (18).

4. Q-START ON/OFF SWITCH - This function works in conjunction with a compatible American
Audio™ “Q” Start CD player. When used with a compatible CD player, you can use the crossfader to
start and stop a CD Player with the slide of the crossfader. The ON/OFF “Q" START switch activates
the FADER “Q" START feature. When in the ON position, the FADER “Q" START automatically returns
the CD player to the preset CUE POINT.

For example; Assuming you have two compatible American Audio™ CD players or a compat­ible dual CD player connected to channels one and two. When the Fader "Q" Start option is
turned on, sliding the crossfader to the far left position will trigger playback on CD player 1.
When the crossfader is pushed to the far right position, playback on CD player 2 will begin,
and CD player 1 will return to the cue position. Refer to your American Audio CD player user
manual for setting CUE POINTS. Turn the ON/OFF SWITCH to the OFF position to disen­gaged “Q ”Start function and resume to a normal fader.

©American Audio® - www.americandj.com - Q-SPAND™ Instruction Manual Page 5

Q-SPAND™ CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

5. SOURCE SELECTOR SWITCH - These are two-position switches. The switches are used to select
the input source assigned to each channel. Each channel may only be assigned one input source at a
time.

6. CHANNEL GAIN CONTROL - This adjustment is used to adjust an audio source signal input gain
for a channel. Never use the gain control to adjust output volume. Setting the gain level properly will
ensure a clean output signal. An improper gain level adjustment will send a distorted signal throughout
the entire audio line. To properly set the gain level control:

1. Be sure the Master Volume Control (26) is set to level 8.

2. Set the Channel Fader (9) to level 8.

3. Begin play on an audio source connected to the channel you are adjusting.

4. Use the Gain Control to adjust an average output volume of +4 dB in the LED Level

Indicator (15).

5. Repeat this step for all channels

7. CHAN NEL TREB LE CONTROL - This knob is used to adjust the treble levels of channels one
through four, with a maximum signal gain of 15dB or maximum signal decrease of -30dB. Turning the
knob in a counter-clockwise direction will decrease the amount of treble applied to the source signal,
turning the knob in a clockwise direction will increase the amount of treble applied to source signal.

8. CHANNEL MIDRANGE CONTROL - This knob is used to adjust the midrange levels of channels one
through four, with a maximum signal gain of 15dB or maximum signal decrease of -30dB. Turning the
knob in a counter-clockwise direction will decrease the amount of treble applied to the source signal,
turning the knob in a clockwise direction will increase the amount of treble applied to source signal.

9. CHANNEL VOLUM E FADER - These faders are used to control the output signal of any source
assigned to its particular channel. However, master volume is controlled by the Master Volume Con-

trol (26).

10. CUE SELECTOR BUTTON - These buttons are used to activate a channels “CUE” mode. A red LED
next to the Cue button will glow when a channels cue mode is activated. Cue mode will send a channels
incoming signal to the headphones. The cue level is adjusted by the Cue Level Knob (27). Be sure the
Cue Mixing Knob (25) is turned to the “CUE” position to hear the selected channel source.

11. MASTE R O UTPUT BALANCE CONTROL - Used to adjust how much of the signal is sent to the left
and right output level. For true stereo imaging, maintain the knob in the 12 o' clock position.

12. LEVEL INDICATORS - The dual LED’s indicators are used to indicate the average master output
level. The level indicators will directly refl ect the Master Volume Level (26).

13. MAIN POWER SWITCH - This is the main power ON/OFF button. A yellow LED beside the power
switch will glow indicating power is ON. Before main power is applied, be sure you have made all con­nections to the mixer. Also be sure your amplifi er(s) is tuned off. Remember to avoid damaging pops,
mixer on fi rst and turned off last.

14. BNC JACK FOR GOOSENECK LAMP - This jack is used to connect an American Audio 12V DC
gooseneck lamp.

15. WIDTH CONTROL - This knob is used to control the amount of SRS 3D process is applied to the
output source signal.

16. 3D ST CONTROL - This button is used to activate the SRS

©American Audio® - www.americandj.com - Q-SPAND™ Instruction Manual Page 6

® (Sound Retrieval System ® ) 3D Stereo