Audio Control LC8 Owner's Manual
LC8
tm
tm
Eight Channel Line Output Converter
For interfacing with factory installed audio systems
reetings from the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. We would
G
like to congratulate you on your purchase of the LC8; an eight-channel, high-performance, line-output converter. This unique product will
accept two, four, six or eight channels of speaker-level signal from a
factory-installed amplifier or source unit and convert it to a high-quality,
low-noise pre-amp signal. Therefore the LC8 is an ideal OEM (Original
Equipment Manufacturer) interface component as it will allow you to use
your factory-installed source unit but give you the ability to add really
good aftermarket amplifier(s) and processor(s). Whether this is your first
product from the rainforest dwellers of AudioControl, or you are already
a firm believer, you will definitely enjoy how great the LC8 can make
your performance system sound.
Now before you start salivating just thinking about the benefits and
all of the nifty applications for your LC8, take a few minutes to sit back,
have a cold beverage, and read through this manual. We always love to
get calls from our customers, but have tried to answer all of your questions in this manual so it contains lots of useful facts and information
- - and besides, we spent a lot of time writing it!
Key Features of The LC8
Here are some of the cool features that your LC8 offers:
• Eight input and output channels
• Speaker-level inputs – can accept 400-watt signals!
• Channel summing
• GTO™ - signal-sensing inputs
• Level matching controls
• 12 volt trigger output
• Input for optional subwoofer level control
• Cardboard box for easy storage
TM
making good sound betterTM
22410 70th Avenue West • Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Phone 425-775-8461 • Fax 425-778-3166 • www.audiocontrol.com
®
page 1
Features and Highlights
Speaker-Level Inputs
If you are like many people who like the look and features of their
factory-installed source unit but feel your system overall is lacking
power and bass, we have good news. The LC8 has high-impedance
speaker-level inputs that allow it to accept amplified signals from most
factory-installed source units (even Bose) and output a high-quality preamp signal via standard RCA connectors. This will allow you to add
better-quality aftermarket amplifiers, processors and speakers while
keeping the convenience features of your factory-installed source unit.
Unlike inexpensive speaker-level and line-output converters available,
the LC8 offers the highest sound quality and can handle the full signal
strength of a 400-watt amplifier.
GTO™ Signal-Sensing Inputs
Most factory-installed source units lack the features that make it easy
to upgrade with really good-sounding, performance aftermarket products.
One of those key features is a 12-volt trigger that will turn on devices
like the LC8 and your external amplifiers. Therefore, we have equipped
your LC8 with our unique GTO™ (Great Turn On) signal-sensing
inputs. Once the GTO input of your LC8 detects a speaker-level signal
on the Main Inputs, it powers up. When the speaker-level signal goes
away, your LC8 will automatically turn-off. Optionally, your LC8 is also
equipped with a standard 12-volt trigger (Remote In) that will allow you
to turn on your LC8 in the traditional manner.
12-Volt Output
Since you will be using an external amplifier(s) and processor in your
system, you will need the ability to “trigger” or turn-on these devices (a
romantic dinner won’t quite work here). Your LC8 has a high-current
12-volt output (labeled Remote Out) that will provide a trigger to these
remote devices, when the LC8 is powered up. Please note that this output is not to be used as the main power for these devices.
Summable Outputs
The LC8 has the unique ability to sum together multiple (4, 6, or 8) input channels from the factory source unit into 2 channels. This is particularly handy when using the LC8 with a factory system that has multiple,
actively crossed-over signals being sent from the OEM source unit or
amplifier(s). For example, in some vehicles there is an actively crossedover tweeter, midrange, and woofer all in the front of the vehicle. The
LC8 lets you take all of those signals and sum them together to get a
high-quality, full-range, pre-amp signal without the use of any additional
cables or hardware.
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AutoMode Inputs
Sometimes in life (and car audio) we need more outputs than inputs.
Therefore we have equipped your LC8 with AutoMode inputs that take
the Channel 3 signal and automatically feeds it to the Channel 4 outputs, provided there is no signal present on the Channel 4 inputs. This
means your LC8 will accept two input channels and give you four output
channels. Or it can accept four input channels and give you six output
channels…or it can accept six and give you eight!! It stops at eight by
the way.
Output Level Controls
Your LC8 has level controls for each pair of channels. These controls
allow you to adjust the signal level from your factory-installed amplifier
or source unit to match up with your aftermarket amplifier or processor.
Input For Optional Subwoofer Level Control
With the addition of performance, aftermarket amplifier(s) and speakers, you may feel the need to have more control over your system. The
Remote Subwoofer Level Control (sold separately along with undercoating) allows you to add a dash-mounted control to your LC8 that will
adjust the level of the Channel 4 output, often used for the subwoofer.
This output is full range so it may need to be crossed over
depending upon your application.
Bulletproof Warranty
The most important feature of all. Every
AudioControl product is selflessly designed and manufactured in our factory
located in the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. We take
every effort to ensure that you will have many years of enjoyment
out of your LC8. To ensure optimal performance 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
also in the unlikely chance your LC8 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 a 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 LC8 “walk away” one day while your car is parked at
your local latte’ stand, you will find insurance companies very unforgiving without proof of purchase.
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Quick Installation Information
For those of you short on time but high on ambition, we offer the following section to speed up your installation of the LC8:
1. Physically mount the LC8 in a location that keeps it away from
soda spills, food crumbs, and curious fingers. You will want to select a
location that allows you access to the level controls. In many cases you
can find factory speaker leads in the rear of the vehicle that are easy to
access.
2. The LC8 needs to be installed in the signal path between your OEM
source unit or factory-installed amplifier(s) and an aftermarket external
amplifier and/or processor(s). Locate the speaker wires that are coming
from your factory source unit and/or amplifier and connect them to the
speaker-level inputs on your LC8.
3. Connect the Output RCA connectors to cables that run to your aftermarket external signal processors and/or amplifiers. If this is not obvious
to you, quickly pack up your LC8 and run to your nearest authorized
AudioControl dealer to have them perform the installation. You will
thank us later.
4. Connect +12 power, ground, and remote turn-on (if applicable).
5. Level match your LC8 to your source and amplifiers.
Note: You will want to turn the gains DOWN on your aftermarket am-
plifiers to maximize your systems performance and minimize any HISS.
Figure 1: Basic LC8 System
If you need to know more, then read on. Heck, if you don’t need to
know more, still read on, because you can never know too much and as
much as we would like to get your calls and e-mails, most of the answers
to your questions are in this manual!
page 4
A Guided Tour of the LC8
¬ Speaker-level Inputs: The LC8 has eight speaker-level inputs.
These inputs get their signals from the speaker-level outputs of your
factory-installed source unit or amplifier (if your vehicle is so equipped).
If your source unit has front, rear, and subwoofer speaker-level outputs,
connect them to the first three sets of inputs on your LC8. If the source
unit only has front and rear inputs, the Auto Mode circuitry in your LC8
automatically routes the Channel 3 input channels to the Channel 4 (subwoofer) channels.
② Ground: Connect to a good, verified chassis ground (the battery
comes to mind.) Warning: Factory ground wires typically already have
multiple devices connected to them and are not recommended.
® +12 Volt: Connect to a good source of power (the battery comes to
mind again)
¯ Remote In: Allows your LC8 to be turned on remotely with a 12-
volt signal.
° Remote Out: Outputs 12 volts when the LC8 is powered up so you
can turn on external devices like signal processors and external amplifiers.
± Maximized Indicator: This brightly colored LED indicates when
your signal level is just below clipping your LC8. When properly level
matched, this LED should flicker occasionally when your system is playing at its maximum volume level.
² Power: If you have connected all of your power wires correctly,
this light should be bright red when your system turns on.
³ Remote Subwoofer Level Control Input: This input allows you to
add an optional (sold-separately-not-included) remote that will allow you
to control the subwoofer output of your LC8 from your dashboard.
´ Pre-Amp Outputs: These RCA connectors should be connected to
the next component after the LC8, such as a signal processor, crossover
or amplifier. Do not connect any speakers directly to your LC8. (Definitely don’t connect to any home appliances, like your microwave.)
µ Level Controls: These knobs allow you to adjust the signal level
from your source unit to match that of your aftermarket amplifiers. Because they are amplified, most factory-installed source units have relatively high signal voltage output, which will require you to decrease the
signal level.
Channel Summed Indicators: Under the cover of your LC8 are
jumpers that will allow you to sum selected channels into the main channels. This is especially useful for factory-installed systems with actively
crossed-over speaker systems. These indicator LED’s let you know
which channels are being summed into the main inputs.
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