Behringer EX3200 User Manual

Users Manual

Version 1.3 November 2001

ENGLISH

PRO EX3200

®

ULTRAFEX

www.behringer.com

ULTRAFEX PRO EX3200

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not remove

the cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside;
refer servicing to qualified personnel.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not

expose this appliance to rain or moisture.

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

DETAILED SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:

All the safety and operation instructions should be read before the appliance is operated.

Retain Instructions:

The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.

Heed Warnings:

All warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.

Follow instructions:

All operation and user instructions should be followed.

Water and Moisture:

The appliance should not be used near water (e.g. near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet
basement, or near a swimming pool etc.).

Ventilation:

The appliance should be situated so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilaton. For
example, the appliance should not be situated on a bed, sofa rug, or similar surface that may block the
ventilation openings: or placed in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase or cabinet that may impede the
flow of air through the ventilation openings.

Heat:

The appliance should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
appliances (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

Power Source:

The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions
or as marked on the appliance.

Grounding or Polarization:

Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of an appliance is not defeated.

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 and plugs, convenience receptacles and the point
where they exit from the appliance.

Cleaning:

The appliance should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer.

Non-use Periods:

The power cord of the appliance should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.

Object and Liquid Entry:

Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.

Damage Requiring Service:

The appliance should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:

- the power supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or

- objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the appliance; or

- the appliance has been exposed to rain; or

- the appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or

- the appliance has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.

Servicing:

The user should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that which is described in the Operating Instruc­tions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.

This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts
you to important operating and mainte­nance instructions in the accompanying
literature. Read the manual.

2

ULTRAFEX PRO EX3200

FOREWORD

Dear Customer,

Welcome to the team of ULTRAFEX PRO users and thank you very much for expressing your confidence in
BEHRINGER products by purchasing this unit. It is one of my most pleasant tasks to write this letter to you,
because it is the culmination of many months of hard work delivered by our engineering team to reach a very
ambitious goal: making an outstanding device better still. The ULTRAFEX has for quite a long time been a
standard tool used by numerous studios and P.A. rental companies. The task to improve one of our
best-selling products certainly meant a great deal of responsibility, which we assumed by focusing on you, the
discerning user and musician. It also meant a lot of work and night shifts to accomplish this goal. But it was
fun, too. Developing a product usually brings a lot of people together, and what a great feeling it is when
everybody who participated in such a project can be proud of what weve achieved.

It is our philosophy to share our joy with you, because you are the most important member of the BEHRINGER
family. With your highly competent suggestions for new products youve greatly contributed to shaping our
company and making it successful. In return, we guarantee you uncompromising quality (manufactured under
ISO9000 certified management system) as well as excellent technical and audio properties at an extremely
favorable price. All of this will enable you to fully unfold your creativity without being hampered by budget
constraints.

We are often asked how we can make it to produce such high-grade devices at such unbelievably low prices.
The answer is quite simple: its you, our customers! Many satisfied customers means large sales volumes
enabling us to get better conditions of purchase for components, etc. Isnt it only fair to pass this benefit back
to you? Because we know that your success is our success, too!

I would like to thank all people whose help on Project ULTRAFEX PRO has made it all possible. Everybody
has made very personal contributions, starting from the designers of the unit via the many staff members in our
company to you, the user of BEHRINGER products.

My friends, its been worth the trouble!

Thank you very much,

Uli Behringer

3

ULTRAFEX PRO EX3200

®

ULTRAFEX

Multiband sound enhancement processor

PRO

EX3200

s

Gives your music that extra sparkle and makes your instruments or mixes stand out

s

Releases untapped resources and details instruments, vocals and mixed program material

s

Multiband concept for bass power and high frequency transparency

s

Natural Sonic processor for ultra-musical sound improvement

s

VSP (Variable Sound Processing) circuit for simultaneous enhancer and exciter process

s

Dual Mode ultra-bass enhancer produces soft and tight bass sounds

s

Shift function allows you to control the frequency range of added bass punch

s

Surround processor provides you real spatial enhancement and improved stereo imaging

s

Built-in noise reduction system with precision LED display to provide clear visual indication of operation

s

Solo facility for effect loop application

s

Servo-balanced gold-plated XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs

s

Ultra low-noise 4580 audio operational amplifiers for superior sound performance

s

Relay controlled hard bypass with auto-bypass function during power failure (failsafe relay)

s

High-quality detented potentiometers and illuminated switches

s

BEHRINGERs high-performance output transformer OT-1 retrofitable

s

Manufactured under ISO9000 certified management system

4

ULTRAFEX PRO EX3200

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 6

2. THE DESIGN CONCEPT ....................................................................................................... 7

2.1 High quality components and design ............................................................................................... 7

2.1.1 Failsafe relays ...................................................................................................................... 7

2.2 Inputs and outputs .......................................................................................................................... 7

2.2.1 Balanced inputs and outputs ................................................................................................. 7

2.2.2 Transformer balanced outputs (optional) ................................................................................ 7

3. INSTALLATION ....................................................................................................................... 8

3.1 Rack mounting ................................................................................................................................8

3.2 Mains voltage .................................................................................................................................. 8

3.3 Audio connections .......................................................................................................................... 8

4. CONTROL ELEMENTS ......................................................................................................... 9

4.1 The multiband processor section ................................................................................................... 10

4.2 The bass processor section ........................................................................................................... 11

4.3 Surround processor section ........................................................................................................... 11

4.4 Rear panel control elements of the ULTRAFEX PRO ..................................................................... 12

5. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND .............................................................................................. 12

5.1 Design concept of the ULTRAFEX PRO ........................................................................................ 12

5.2 Psycho-acoustic background ........................................................................................................ 13

5.3 On psycho-acoustic devices ......................................................................................................... 13

5.3.1 Frequency correction .......................................................................................................... 14

5.3.2 Phase shifting ..................................................................................................................... 14

5.3.3 Artificial harmonics generation ............................................................................................ 14

5.4 The bass processor of the ULTRAFEX PRO .................................................................................. 14

5.5 The surround processor of the ULTRAFEX PRO ............................................................................ 15

6. APPLICATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 15

6.1 Basic applications......................................................................................................................... 15

6.1.1 The ULTRAFEX PRO as In Line processor ........................................................................ 15

6.1.2 The ULTRAFEX PRO as sidechain processor ................................................................... 16

6.2 Basic settings ............................................................................................................................... 16

6.3 Typical applications ....................................................................................................................... 17

6.3.1 Sound enhancement during replay ...................................................................................... 17

6.3.2 Sound enhancement during recording ................................................................................. 17

6.3.3 Enhancing the sound of subgroups, monitor and effects paths ............................................ 17

6.3.4 Enhancing the sound of tape duplication ............................................................................. 17

6.3.5 Enhancing the sound of instruments ................................................................................... 18

6.3.6 Enhancing the sound of P.A. systems ................................................................................ 18

6.3.7 Sound enhancement in Hi-Fi and video ............................................................................... 18

7. SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................19

8. WARRANTY ........................................................................................................................... 20

5

ULTRAFEX PRO EX3200

1. INTRODUCTION

In purchasing the new ULTRAFEX PRO Model EX3200, you have acquired an extremely efficient and universal
sound enhancement processor. The sound precision and flexibility of the functions are the main outstanding
features of this high-end unit. The ULTRAFEX PRO is our state-of-the-art sound enhancement system offering
a special combination of sound improvement designs. The unit can be used wherever professional sound
improvement is required. The BEHRINGER ULTRAFEX PRO is the no-compromise answer when the situation
demands a no-compromise solution.

Advanced BEHRINGER technology

Since its announcement of the first ULTRAFEX model in year 1990, it has caused a sensation. This high-end
sound enhancement processor is based on our many years of experience and discoveries in the field of
psycho-acoustics. The ULTRAFEX PRO finds widespread application throughout the world, in renowned
studios, sound reinforcement systems as well as in broadcast and TV studios.

The task to improve our famous ULTRAFEX PRO II was a big challenge. We are very proud that we succeeded.
Compared to its predecessors, the ULTRAFEX PRO offers several advanced features and we have succeeded
in dramatically refining the audio qualities. The unit features now a Mode function which enables you to select
either a soft and warm bass sound or a super-tight bass. Beside that a new VSP (Variable Sound Processing)
circuitry has been added to allow you to use simultaneous exciter and enhancer sound processing.

Since the introduction of the first psycho-acoustic processors, technology in this field has made tremendous
progress. Although the fundamental principles of enhancer and exciter technology have been well-known for a
long time, engineers have been able to refine and improve the essential components over and over again. The
BEHRINGER company has also contributed considerably to this development:

With the introduction of our Natural Sonic processor, we have set new standards. Previously encountered
problems of restricted leveling range, plus increased noise level and audible distortion during signal
processing, are typical shortcomings of conventional circuit designs. They were completely solved by the
development of new circuitry.

Sophisticated manufacturing and quality assurance system

For the first time, the ULTRAFEX PRO EX3200 uses SMD technology (Surface Mounted Device). These
sub-miniature components known from aerospace technology allow for an extreme packing density, plus
improve the units reliability.

The BEHRINGER Natural Sonic processor: sound enhancement of classical and pop music

The BEHRINGER Natural Sonic principle is based on frequency-selective phase shifting in conjunction with
program-dependent equalization and pulse enlargement. An automatic and natural correction during signal
processing offers a quality of sound enhancement that has been almost inconceivable until now.
Program-dependent control permits the musical and unobtrusive transparency required for classical music
material, yet also provides the necessary brilliance for pop recordings. Owing to its dynamic control, and in
contrast with conventional units, the circuitry does NOT introduce any additional noise, non-related harmonics
or distortion.

The VSP (Variable Sound Processing) circuit

The new VSP (Variable Sound Processing) circuit used for the first time in the ULTRAFEX PRO, allows for
variably fading over from enhancer to exciter mode. Using the PROCESS control clockwise, the exciter circuit
comes in additionally to provide a variable and carefully adjusted processing of high frequencies. The result is
an increased brilliance and transparency. Fading over from one effect to the other can thus adapt the effects
perfectly to the respective program material.

Built-in noise reduction system

Due to physical reasons, exciters and enhancers principally increase noise of the processed program
material. Therefore, we have incorporated a switchable noise reduction system which is capable of
automatically fading out any additional noise.

Bass processor

The ULTRAFEX PRO is equipped with a separate bass processor which allows for sound enhancement in the
lower frequency band. A newly developed Dual Mode circuit allows you to vary between two different bass
sounds from soft to tight.

Processing the bass range means an optimum completion of high-frequency processing and opens up new
dimensions in the field of sound processing.

6

1. INTRODUCTION