ART Pro Audio CLEANBox Pro User Manual

Two Channel Pro/Consumer Level Converter

Artcessories

User's Manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION – READ FIRST

This symbol, whenever it appears,
alerts you to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous voltage
inside enclosure-voltage that may be
sufficient to constitute risk of shock.

Read Instructions: Retain safety and operating instructions for
future reference. Heed all warnings printed here and on the
equipment. Follow the operating instructions printed in this us er
guide.

Do not open: There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer
any service work to qualified technical personnel only.

Grounding: Only connect the unit to equipment with properly
grounded mains power. Do not defeat the grounding and
polarization means of the power cord plug of the connected
equipment. Do not remove or tamper with the ground
connection on the power cord of the connected equipment.

Environment: Protect from excessive dirt, dust, heat, and
vibration when operating and stori ng. Avoid tobacco as h, drink
spillage and smoke, especially that associated with smoke
machines.

Handling: Protect the controls from damage during trans i t. Us e
adequate padding if you need to ship the unit. To avoid injury to
yourself or damage to the equipment, take care when lifting,
moving or carrying the unit.

Servicing: Refer servicing to qualified technical personnel.

This symbol, whenever it appears,
alerts you to important operating
and maintenance instructions in
the accompanying literature.
Please read the manual.

Installation: Install the uni t in accordance with the instructions
printed in the user guide.

INTRODUCTION:

Thanks for purchasing Applied Research and
Technology’s CLEANBoxPro. The CLEANBoxPro
provides two channels of unbalanced to balanced level
conversion and two channels of balanced to unbalanced
level conversion in a rugged, compact, and portable
unit. Balanced lines offer increased immunity to external
electrical noise, such as hum. Since a balanced system
minimizes induced noise, it is the preferred method of
connecting audio gear, especially when long lengths of
cable are used.

One section of the CLEANBoxPro converts two
channels of consumer-level unbalanced input signals
into two channels of pro line-level balanced output
signals. It has two RCA jack inputs and a stereo mini­phone jack input connected in parallel. The balanced
output feeds two XLR male jacks.

The other section of the CLEANBoxPro converts two
channels of line-level balanced input signals into two
channels of consumer unbalanced output signals. It has
two XLR female input jacks. The unbalanced output
feeds two RCA jacks and a stereo mini-phone jack
connected in parallel.

Each section has stereo level controls to optimize signal
levels. An LED indicator lights when power is applied.

The CLEANBoxPro can be an invaluable tool in
application areas including (but not limited to!): home or

professional recording studios, live sound, PA,
permanent installs, DJ, AV, consumer HiFi, podcasting
and broadcasting. The CLEANBoxPro can be used with:
mixers, audio processors, laptop computers, computer
sound cards, CD/DVD players, video gaming machines,
MP3 player/recorders, powered monitors and digital
audio workstations.

FEATURES:

• XLR connectors for balanced inputs and outputs

• RCA phono jacks and stereo 1/8” mini-phone jacks

for unbalanced inputs and outputs

• Stereo unbalanced output level control

• Stereo balanced output level control

• Rugged extruded aluminum case

• Lighted On/Off switch

• Comes with external power supply for operation

with AC mains

• Low noise, low distorti on circ ui t

INSTALLATION and OPERATION:

Unbalanced-to-Balanced: RCA / mini-phone to XLR

1. Connect the left and right stereo outputs of the
consumer audio unit (CD/DVD player, MP3 player,
computer sound card, etc.) to the CLEANBoxPro’s ­10dBV UNBALANCED INPUT 1 & 2 RCA
connectors or to the –10 dBV UNBAL INPUT 1/8”
phone jack, using the appropriate cable.

2. Connect the CLEANBoxPro’s +4dBu
BALANCED OUTPUT 1 & 2 male XLR connectors
to the balanced inputs of the pro audio unit (e.g. a
power amplifier or two channels of a mixer) with two
low-impedance balanced XLR cables.

3. With power applied, adjust the BALANCED
OUTPUT LEVEL control as required for best signal
strength and clarity.

Balanced-to-Unbalanced: XLR to RCA / mini-phone

1. Connect the left and right balanced outputs
from your pro audio unit (e.g. mixer or processor) to
the CLEANBoxPro’s +4dBu BALANCED IN 1 & 2
female XLR connectors with two low-impedance
balanced XLR cables.

2. Connect the CLEANBoxPro’s -10dBV

UNBALANCED OUTPUT 1 & 2 RCA connectors or
–10 dBV UNBAL OUTPUT 1/ 8” phone jack to the

left and right inputs on your consumer audio unit

(computer sound card, digital recorder, stereo
sound system, etc.) with the appropriate cable.

3. With power applied, adjust the UNBALANCED
OUTPUT LEVEL control for best signal strength
and clarity.

Inline Balanced or Unbalanced Level/Gain Control

1. Loop unbalanced outputs to unbalanced
inputs to provide an inline balanced level / gain

control.

2. Loop balanced outputs to balanced inputs to
provide an inline unbalanced level / gain control.

Signal Flow Chart

SPECIFICATIONS:

Frequency Response : 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ± 1 dB
THD : < .01% @ 1 kHz
Signal to Noise Ratio : > 90 dB
CMRR : > 40 dB
Input Impedance: balanced - 20k Ohms
unbalanced -100k Ohms
Output Impedance : balanced -100 Ohms

unbalanced - 300 Ohms
Maximum Gain : balanced to
unbalanced -6 dB,

unbalanced to

balanced +21 dB

Maximum Input Level : +21 dBu
Maximum Output Level : balanced +21 dBu
unbalanced +15 dBu
Power : 7.5-12 V AC/DC, < 150 mA
Dimensions HxWxD (in) : 1.85 x 4.6 x 4.3
HxWxD(mm) : 47 x 117 x 109
Weight (lbs/kg) : 1.10 / 0.50

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

Limited Warranty (USA only)

Applied Research and Technology will provide warranty
and service for this unit in accordance with the following
warrants:
Applied Research and Technology, (ART) warrants to
the original purchaser that this product and the
components thereof will be free from defects in
workmanship and materials for a period of three years
from the date of purchase. Applied Research and
Technology will, without charge, repair or replace, at its
option, defective product or component parts upon
prepaid delivery to the factory service department or
authorized service center, accompanied by proof of
purchase date in the form of a valid sales receipt.

Exclusions

This warranty does not apply in the event of misuse or
abuse of the product or as a result of unauthorized
alterations or repairs. This warranty is void if the serial
number is altered, defaced, or removed.
ART reserves the right to make changes in design or
make additions to or improvements upon this product
without any obligation to install the same on products
previously manufactured.
ART shall not be liable for any consequential damages,
including without limitation damages resulting from loss
of use. Some states do not allow limitations of incidental

or consequential damages, so the above limitation or
exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you
specific rights and you may have other rights, which
vary, from state to state. The warranty terms listed
above are only valid within the United States of America.
For units purchased outside the United States, an
authorized distributor of Applied Research and
Technology will provide service. For information on
warranty and service policies outside of the U.S., please
contact your local distributor.

Please fill in the following information for your reference:

Date of purchase: _________________________
Purchased from: _________________________

SERVICE:

The following information is provided in the unlikely
event that your unit requires service.

1. Be sure that the unit is the cause of the problem.
Check to make sure that the unit has power
supplied, that all cables are connected correctly,
and that the cables themselves are in working
condition. You may want to consult with your dealer
for assistance in troubleshooting or testing your
particular configuration.

2. If you believe that the ART unit is at fault, go to

www.artproaudio.com. Select "Support", then

"Return Authorization Request" to request a return
authorization number.

3. If you are returning the unit for service, pack the
unit in its original carton or a reasonable substitute.
The original packaging may not be suitable as a
shipping carton, so consider putting the packaged
unit in another box for shipping. Print the RA
number clearly on the outside of the shipping box.
Print your return shipping address on the outside of
the box.

4. Include with your unit: a note with the RA number
and your contact information, including a return
shipping address (we cannot ship to a P.O. box)
and a daytime phone number, and a description of
the problem, preferably attached to the top of the
unit. Also include a copy of your purchase receipt.