Avid 9900-29341-20 User manual
PRE™ Guide
Version 9.0
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contents
Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PRE Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
What’s Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
System Requirements and Compatibility Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Conventions Used in This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About www.avid.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2. Hardware Overview and Stand-Alone Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
PRE Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
PRE Back Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Using PRE in Stand-Alone Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Calibrating PRE and Other Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Adjusting Channel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Adjusting Input Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Muting Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Chapter 3. Remote Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Connecting PRE to a Pro Tools System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Configuring MIDI Studio in AMS for PRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Configuring MIDI Studio Setup for PRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Configuring Pro Tools Software for PRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Mic Preamps in Pro Tools Edit and Mix Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Viewing Mic Preamp Controls in Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Mic Preamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Mic Preamp Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Adjusting Mic Preamp Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Adjusting Controls on Multiple PREs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Mic Preamp Remote Control with Control Surfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Contents iii
Appendix A. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Appendix B. Pinout Diagram for the PRE DB-25 Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
DB-25 Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Appendix C. MIDI Controller Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
PRE MIDI Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Appendix D. Compliance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Environmental Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Safety Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
PRE Guideiv
chapter 1
Introduction
PRE is designed especially for use with
Pro Tools
stand-alone microphone preamplifier. When
used with Pro Tools, most PRE features can be
controlled from within the Pro Tools application.
With or without remote control, PRE can be
configured manually using its front panel
switches and displays.
PRE can also be remotely-controlled by other
MIDI devices through standard MIDI controller
data. See Appendix C, “MIDI Controller Numbers.”
®
systems, but it can also be used as a
PRE Features
• Eight high-performance, discrete matched
transistor hybrid microphone preamplification circuits
• Remote control with qualified Pro Tools systems and control surfaces (such as D-Con-
®
trol
, D-Command®, C|24™, and
Command|8
• Industry-standard DB-25 output connectors
for easy connection to Pro Tools audio interfaces or any other recording or mixing medium
®
)
• Each channel features:
• Support for microphone (XLR), line level
inputs (1/4-inch), or direct instrument
(1/4-inch)
• Selectable impedance settings for Mic input
• Input gain variable from 0 dB to +69 dB, in
approximately 3 dB steps, with an optional
–18 dB pad
• +48V power for condenser microphones
• Balanced Insert points (Send and Return),
for easy integration of outboard gear (such
as compressors or EQs)
•Phase invert
• 85 Hz High-Pass Filter
• Up to nine PREs supported through software
for up to 72 channels of remote-controlled
preamplification
• All features available in Stand-alone mode
What’s Included
•PRE unit
•AC power cable
•PRE Guide
• Health and Safety Guide
• Registration Information Card
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
System Requirements and Compatibility Information
Conventions Used in This Guide
When used as a stand-alone microphone preamplifier, PRE is ready to use.
For remote control within Pro Tools, PRE
requires a qualified Pro Tools system.
Avid can only assure compatibility and provide
support for hardware and software it has tested
and approved.
For complete system requirements and a list of
qualified computers, operating systems, hard
drives, and third-party devices, visit:
www.avid.com/compatibility
Registration
Review the enclosed Registration Information
Card and follow the instructions on it to quickly
register your purchase online. By registering,
you become eligible to receive the following:
• Technical support information
• Software update and upgrade notices
• Hardware warranty information
All of our guides use the following conventions
to indicate menu choices and key commands:
:
Convention Action
File > Save Choose Save from the
File menu
Control+N Hold down the Control key
Control-click Hold down the Control key
Right-click Click with the right
The names of Commands, Options, and Settings
that appear on-screen are in a different font.
The following symbols are used to highlight
important information:
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the
most from your system.
Important Notices include information that
could affect your data or the performance of
your system.
and press the N key
and click the mouse button
mouse button
Shortcuts show you useful keyboard or
mouse shortcuts.
Cross References point to related sections in
this guide and other Pro Tools guides.
PRE Guide2
About www.avid.com
The Avid website (www.avid.com) is your best
online source for information to help you get
the most out of your Pro Tools system. The following are just a few of the services and features
available.
Product Registration Register your purchase
online.
Support and Downloads Contact Avid Customer
Success (technical support); download software
updates and the latest online manuals; browse
the Compatibility documents for system requirements; search the online Knowledge Base
or join the worldwide Pro Tools community on
the User Conference.
Training and Education Study on your own using
courses available online or find out how you can
learn in a classroom setting at a certified
Pro Tools training center.
Products and Developers Learn about Avid
products; download demo software or learn
about our Development Partners and their plugins, applications, and hardware.
News and Events Get the latest news from Avid
or sign up for a Pro Tools demo.
Chapter 1: Introduction 3
PRE Guide4
chapter 2
Activity and Remote LEDs
Channel Select and Mute
switches and LEDs
Shift, Oscillator, and
MIDI Chan switches
Line/Inst 1 and 2
Gain/Param
Power switch
and LED ring
Peak Meter
Clear Clips
Peak Hold, Source,
and Input Impedance
Signal Present/Clip, 48V, Inser t, Pad,
Phase, and High-Pass Filter indicators
48V, Inser t, Pad, Phase,
and High-Pass Filter
Hardware Overview and Stand-Alone Operation
This chapter describes the PRE front and back panels, and includes instructions for using its switches,
indicators, and connectors for Stand-alone mode operation. To use PRE in Remote mode (remote control of PRE by Pro Tools or a dedicated control surface), see Chapter 3, “Remote Operation.”
PRE Front Panel
PRE has the following front panel switches, indicators, and connectors:
PRE front panel
Power Switch and LED Ring
This switch turns PRE on and off. When lit
(green), the LED ring around the power switch
indicates that the unit is switched on.
By default, PRE powers up in Stand-alone mode.
In this mode, controls can be adjusted from the
front panel or remotely. The Remote “LockOut” LED is unlit (signifying Remote Lock-Out
mode is inactive).
At power up, PRE units default to the last settings they had at power down, with the exception of Remote Lock-Out mode.
Chapter 2: Hardware Overview and Stand-Alone Operation 5
Activity LED
When lit (green), this LED indicates MIDI data is
being received by PRE.
Remote “Lock-Out” LED
When lit (green), this LED indicates PRE is in Remote Lock-Out mode. In this mode, PRE is connected to a remote controller (such as Pro Tools
or a dedicated device), and the front panel controls are locked out.
PRE is placed in Remote Lock-Out mode (after
configuring PRE for remote control) by selecting
Remote Lock-Out Mode in the Mic Preamps tab
of the Pro Tools Peripherals dialog.
PRE can be taken out of Remote Lock-Out mode
by deselecting the Remote Lock-Out Mode box
in the Pro Tools Peripherals dialog, or by powering PRE off, and then back on.
For more information on locking and unlocking
PRE front panel controls, see Chapter 3, “Remote Operation.”
Shift Switch and LED
This switch (along with the channel Select
switches) is used in Stand-alone mode when
grouping channels in order to control multiple
channels simultaneously. When lit (green), this
LED indicates the Shift switch is active.
The oscillator generates a fixed tone of approximately 1k Hz at +4 dBu (= 1.228 Vrms).
Calibration can change with temperature.
The output is nominally +4 dBu, but may
vary up to ± 0.3 dB depending upon the
current operating temperature. Allow the unit
to warm up and stabilize the oscillator output
before using it for calibration purposes.
The PRE oscillator signal can be routed through
the OSC output on the back of the unit or
through individual channels on the DB-25
connector.
To route the signal to the OSC output:
Press the OSC switch on the front of the unit.
To route the signal through an individual channel
output on the DB-25 connector:
1 Disconnect any cable inserted into the chan-
nel’s Send jack.
2 Enable the Insert for that channel via the front
panel (see “Insert Switch and LEDs” on page 9)
or through software.
3 Press the OSC switch on the front of the unit.
The oscillator signal can only be activated via
the front panel. However, routing the oscillator
signal through the DB-25 connector can be controlled remotely or by the front panel.
OSC (Oscillator) Switch and LED
This switch enables the internal oscillator,
which can be used for calibrating the inputs of
audio interfaces (such as the HD I/O). When lit,
the OSC LED indicates the oscillator is on.
PRE Guide6
Oscillator routing through a channel output
is done after the channel’s metering point,
and therefore does not display in the PRE
meters.
MIDI Chan (Channel) Switch and LED
Peak Meter
This switch activates MIDI Channel selection
mode. When lit, the MIDI Chan LED indicates
PRE is in MIDI Channel mode, and the PRE’s
MIDI channel can be changed with the
Gain/Param control.
Gain/Param Display
This three-character, seven-segment LED displays the input gain for the currently selected
PRE channel, or the PRE’s MIDI channel.
This display can also show the current firmware
version of PRE.
To display the firmware version of PRE in the
Gain/Param display:
1 Press Shift once, then release it.
2 Press OSC.
Gain/Param Control
The Gain/Param control can be used to add gain
to the input signal on one or more of the PRE’s
eight channels, or to set the PRE’s MIDI channel. Changes made with the Gain/Param control
appear in the Gain/Param display.
These fourteen-segment LEDs indicate input signal level for any channel that currently has its
Select switch enabled. If multiple channels have
their Select switch enabled, only the left-most
channel will be represented in the Peak Meter
display.
The meter is referenced from the clip point of
the amplifier (for example, –22 dB is 22 dB
below the clip point of the amplifier).
Clear Clips Switch
This switch clears Clip indicators on the Peak
meter and Signal indicators.
Peak Hold Switch and LEDs
This switch sets the clip hold action of the SIG
meters atop each of the 8 channels. Clips are
also indicated by a red Clip LED on the Peak Meter. The amount of time the clip stays lit is determined by the Peak Hold value, as follows:
Off When lit, the Peak Hold function is off. Clip
LEDs will light during clipping, then clear
shortly after clipping stops. This is the default
Peak Hold value, on power up.
The gain range for each input (Mic, Line, and Instrument) is 0 dB to +69 dB, adjustable in increments of approximately 3 dB (see Table 2 on
page 38).
3 sec When lit, Clip LEDs are displayed for
three seconds, then automatically clear, as long
as no additional peaks occur.
(Infinity Symbol) When lit, Clip LEDs will stay
lit until the Clear Clips switch is pressed.
To change Peak Hold (time constant)
performance:
Press Peak Hold once to change to the next
setting, or multiple times to toggle through the
three settings. Peak hold is a global command
which sets clip persistence for all channels.
Chapter 2: Hardware Overview and Stand-Alone Operation 7
Source Switch and LEDs
Channel Status Section
This switch sets the active input source for individual PRE channels to Mic, Line, or Inst (instrument). The three Source LEDs indicate the active
input.
Input Impedance (Represented as Z)
The Input Z switch sets the input impedance for
a PRE channel to 1.5 k, 15 k, or 1.5 M.
The three Input Z LEDs indicate the current setting:
1.5K Typically used for microphone inputs, this
is the default setting when Source is set for Mic.
15K Typically used for line level inputs, this is
the default setting when Source is set for Line.
1.5M Typically used for instrument inputs, this
is the default setting when Source is set for Inst.
To change input impedance, do one of the
following:
If the input Source is Mic, press Input Z once
to change to the next setting, or multiple times
to toggle through the three settings.
Each PRE channel provides switched control for
48V (phantom power), phase reverse, input pad,
access to a unity gain insert send/return, and a
high-pass filter. In addition, all eight channels
have individual Mute switches and signal status
LEDs.
Signal Present/Clip (SIG) LEDs
These LEDs indicate the status of a channel’s input signal. Green indicates signal is present
(–45 dB) and red indicates clipping. When there
is no signal present or the signal is below –45 dB,
the LED is off.
When clipping occurs, the LED remains lit or
clears, depending on the Peak Hold setting.
Clips can also be manually cleared with the
Clear Clip switch.
If the input Source is Line, press Input Z to
change to 1.5K or 15K.
If the input Source is Inst (instrument), the In-
put Z cannot be changed from its default 1.5M
setting.
PRE Guide8
48V Switch and LEDs
Insert Switch and LEDs
This switch applies 48V phantom power to the
Mic Inputs. When lit (red), these LEDs indicate
which channels have 48V enabled.
Mic Inputs can provide 48V phantom power for
microphones that require it to ope rate . If S our ce
is set to Line or Inst, phantom power automatically disengages to avoid sending phantom
power back to the line level device through the
XLR cable, eliminating unnecessary power draw
when not in use for powering microphones.
Dynamic microphones (like a Shure SM57) do
not require phantom power to operate, but are
not harmed by it. Most condenser microphones
(like an AKG C414) do require phantom power
to operate. If you are not sure about the phantom power requirements for your microphone,
contact the manufacturer, or read your microphone’s documentation.
Although phantom power can be used
safely with most microphones, ribbon microphones can be damaged by it. Always
turn off phantom power, and wait for the
red 48V indicator light to go completely off
and any signal to dissipate before connecting or disconnecting a ribbon microphone.
This switch enables insert points on individual
channels. When lit (yellow), Insert LEDs indicate which channels have their insert point enabled.
PRE’s back panel has eight pairs of send and return jacks for inserting external processors (such
as compressors or EQs) in the audio path. Insert
send levels are post output trim.
Pad Switch and LEDs
This switch applies an input pad to individual
channels to reduce input sensitivity by –18 dB.
When lit (green), Pad LEDs indicate which
channels have Pad enabled.
Phase Switch and LEDs
This switch applies phase reversal to individual
channels. When lit (green), Phase LEDs indicate
which channels have phase reverse enabled.
High-Pass Filter Switch and LEDs
This switch applies a high-pass filter to individual channels. When lit (green), HPF LEDs indicate which channels have the high-pass filter
enabled.
Condenser microphones requiring phantom
power should not be “hot-plugged” into a
PRE Mic Input where phantom power is
active before plugging the microphone in.
This could potentially cause damage to
PRE, as well as to un-muted monitoring
systems, due to a loud “click” or “pop.”
Each PRE channel includes a high-pass filter
with a center frequency of 85 Hz and a roll-off of
–18 dB/octave. Use the high-pass filter to remove microphone proximity effects, hum, rumble, wind, and other low frequency sounds.
Chapter 2: Hardware Overview and Stand-Alone Operation 9
Channel Mute Switches and LEDs
Line/Inst 1 and 2
Each PRE channel has a dedicated Mute switch
to mute input signal. The respective Mute LED
lights when muting is enabled.
Channel Select Switches and LEDs
These switches are used to “focus” one or more
channels to adjust their controls. When lit
(green), the Channel Select LED indicates that
the channel’s controls can be adjusted.
To select multiple channels for adjusting, first
press the Shift key on the left-hand side of the
unit, then press the Select switches for corresponding channels. To return to single channel
selection, disengage the Shift key, then press the
Select switch for the individual channel you
wish to change.
The following channel controls can be adjusted:
• 48V Phantom Power; see “48V Switch and
LEDs” on page 9.
• Phase Reverse; see “Phase Switch and
LEDs” on page 9.
• Pad; see “Pad Switch and LEDs” on page 9.
• Insert; see “Insert Switch and LEDs” on
page 9.
• High-Pass Filter; see “High-Pass Filter
Switch and LEDs” on page 9.
• Mic/Line/Instrument Source Switching; see
“Source Switch and LEDs” on page 8.
• Input Gain; see “Gain/Param and Input
Gain” on page 15.
The front panel includes two 1/4-inch
balanced/unbalanced TRS jacks, with Tip wired
hot (or “+”), Ring cold (“–”), and Sleeve ground.
These jacks mirror Line/Inst Inputs 1 and 2 on
the back panel. Connecting to the front panel
Line/Inst input will break a connection made to
the respective back panel Line/Inst input.
Use these jacks for convenient access to high impedance instrument inputs.
When PRE is powered off, channel select states
are stored in memory and are subsequently restored at power up.
PRE Guide10
PRE Back Panel
Send and Return Inser ts 1–8
Mic Inputs 1–8
Line/Inst Inputs 1–8
DB-25 Outputs 1–8
Output Trims 1–8
MIDI In/Out/Thru
Oscillator Output
Auto-switching power
supply connector
PRE has the following back panel connectors:
PRE back panel
Mic Inputs 1–8
These are balanced XLR jacks, with Pin 1 wired
ground, Pin 2 wired hot (or “+”), and Pin 3 wired
cold (or “–”).
Use these jacks for microphone connections or
for line level devices that support balanced XLR
connectors.
Line/Inst (Line Level/Instrument)
Inputs 1–8
These are balanced 1/4-inch TRS jacks, with Tip
wired hot (or “+”), Ring cold (“–”), and Sleeve
ground.
Unbalanced connections are supported with the
use of standard 1/4-inch mono phone plugs. If
using line inputs with balanced line level devices, be sure to use balanced to balanced cables
to maximize performance.
DB-25 Outputs 1–8
This is a balanced DB-25 connector for line outputs 1–8. For pinouts, see Appendix B, “Pinout
Diagram for the PRE DB-25 Connector.”
This connector can also output a fixed oscillator
signal on each channel. For more information,
see “OSC (Oscillator) Switch and LED” on
page 6.
Send and Return Inserts 1–8
These are balanced 1/4-inch TRS Send and
1/4-inch TRS Return jacks, with Tip wired hot
(or “+”), Ring cold (“–”), and Sleeve ground. Insert send levels are post output trim.
Use these jacks for inserting external devices
such as compressors or equalizers in the audio
path before recording to disk. Sends can also be
used as line outputs; in this case, all front panel
controls will affect the signal, except Mute.
Return channels 1–8 can be bypassed from the
front panel, or through remote control.
Chapter 2: Hardware Overview and Stand-Alone Operation 11
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