Audiocontrol Digital Equalizer User Manual

Digital

Fusion

FusionTM

DQT

Stereo One-Third Octave Digital Equalizer

Owner’s Enjoyment Manual

Mobile Audio

AudioControl

22410 70th Avenue West • Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 USA

Phone 425-775-8461 • Fax 425-778-3166

www.audiocontrol.com

AudioControl

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Owner’s Enjoyment Manual

Digital Fusion

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Features and Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Quick Installation Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

A Guided Tour of the DQT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Installing the DQT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Placement and Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Power Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Audio Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Level Matching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

DQT Menu Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Equalization Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

™

Graphic versus Parametric Equalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Owner’s Enjoyment Manual

AudioControl

Owner’s Enjoyment Manual

Digital Fusion

™

Introduction

Welcome to the world of Digital Fusion. The fusion of AudioControl’s lengthy experience in performance signal processing combined with state-of-the-art Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology. Congratulations also on your purchase of the DQT, the world’s first thirty-band, one-third octave stereo and parametric, digital equalizer, utilizing AudioControl’s Digital Fusion technology. Whether you are a die-hard sound-off competitor or you just enjoy good music, you will definitely enjoy how great the DQT will make your performance autosound system sound.

Now before you start salivating too much just thinking about the benefits of the DQT, take a few minutes to sit back, have a latte’, decaffeinated if necessary, and read through this manual. It contains lots of useful facts and information - - and besides, we spent a lot of time writing it!

KEY FEATURES OF THE DQT

Here are some of the cool features that are

enclosed in this magical box:

• 30 bands of constant-Q equalization

• Dual, fully-adjustable parametric equalizers

• Eight non-volatile memories

• 24 bit digital signal processing

• Digital Fusion technology

• Balanced differential inputs

FEATURES AND HIGHLIGHTS

24 bit Digital Signal Processing:

AudioControl’s Digital Fusion signal processors use a special 24 bit DSP that was specially designed for equalization and other dynamics processing. In addition, matching 24 bit A/D - D/A converters are incorporated for maximum sound quality.

Constant-Q equalization controls: Car

interiors vary widely in size and acoustic makeup. In addition doors, kick-panels, and rear decks don’t make the best location for speaker placement causing your high performance speaker system to sound somewhat lackluster. The DQT offers thirty precise equalization controls, spread equally across the audio spectrum, at one-third

Owner’s Enjoyment Manual

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octave increments for maximum control. In addition each equalization filter utilizes precise constantQ topology, traditionally utilized only in the highest performing professional audio products.

Parametric equalization controls: In

addition to the thirty, one-third octave spaced controls, the DQT also offers two, fully-adjustable parametric equalization controls for each channel. With the DQT’s parametric controls, a user can select a center frequency, dial in the ideal bandwidth and apply the appropriate amount of boost or cut. The precise filtering of the DQT allows you to select bandwidths as narrow as 1/12 octave!

Non-volatile memories: The DQT has the

ability to allow the user to set and store eight different equalization settings in individual memory locations.

Pre-Amp Line Driver: The DQT offers a high

quality line driver that takes the low output voltage of a source unit and increases it up to 18dB. This allows you to drive your amplifiers to their maximum output without clipping. No hiss, clicks, or pops plus maximum sound quality.

Bulletproof Warranty: The most impor-

tant feature of all. Every AudioControl product is selflessly designed and manufactured by the occupants of our Pacific Northwest rainforest factory. We take every effort to ensure that you will have many years of enjoyment out of your DQT. To ensure the performance of this new Digital Fusion product, we highly recommend that you allow your authorized AudioControl dealer to perform the installation. Not only do they have all the right knowledge and tools, but in the unlikely chance your DQT should stop working, we will back it with a limited five years parts and labor warranty. Should you choose to install it yourself we will still give you one-year parts and labor warranty. To activate your warranty, you need to FILL OUT AND SEND IN YOUR WARRANTY CARD!

We also recommend that you save your invoice or sales slip as proof of installation and ownership. Not only is it necessary for warranty purposes, but should your DQT “disappear” one day while your car is parked at your local latte’ stand, you will find insurance companies very unforgiving without proof of purchase.

Owner’s Enjoyment Manual

Digital Fusion

™

Owner’s Enjoyment Manual

AudioControl

A GUIDED TOUR OF THE DQT

1) Inputs: The DQT has two RCA inputs that

need to get their audio signals from your source unit. If your source unit has multiple outputs (like a front, rear, and/or subwoofer) you only need to connect the front or rear outputs to your DQT.

2) Input Level: This knob allows you to

maximize the signal level from your source unit that goes into your DQT to achieve maximum signal to noise. Keep in mind, that despite what the literature says, most aftermarket source units produce a relatively low voltage signal when it comes to playing music at normal levels.

3) Input Maximized Indicator: This nifty

LED light indicates that you are supplying the DQT its maximum amount of signal voltage. If the LED indicator never comes on, don’t assume that you it is not working (since LED’s rarely break) but you might consider adding a line driver to your system.

4) Output Level Control: Although your

DQT has the ability to increase your signal voltage 18 dB, your amplifiers may not necessarily accept that much signal. These controls allow you to regulate the proper amount of pre-amp signal from the DQT to the amplifiers.

5) Equalization Overload Indicator: This

convienient LED indicates when the DSP (digital signal processor) of your DQT is clipping or distorting. The usual cause of this is having the “Input Level” turned up too high or you have boosted too many frequencies on your equalizer.

6) Select: This allows you to scroll through the

various equalization or memory modes of your DQT.

7) Navigation Arrows: These multi-func-

tion buttons let you navigate within each of the various modes and utilize the features of your DQT.

8) Output Voltage Indicators: These

brightly colored LED’s indicate the level of signal voltage at the outputs of your DQT. You will be happy to know that they dance up and down with your music.

9) Outputs: These RCA connectors should be

connected to the next component after the DQT, such as a crossover or amplifier. Do not connect any speakers directly to your DQT or connect your DQT to any home appliances, like your toaster.

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