Behringer EX3200 User Manual
EUser´s Manual
Bedienungsanleitung
PRO EX3200
D
Version 1.1 May 1998
®
ULTRAFEX
www.behringer.de
1
EG-Declaration of Conformity
Spezielle Studiotechnik GmbH
acc. to the Directives
89/336/EWG and 73/23/EWG
We, BEHRINGER INTERNATIONAL GmbH
Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Straße 4
D - 47877 Willich
Name and address of the manufacturer or the introducer of the product on the market who is established in the EC
herewith take the sole responsibility to confirm that the product:
ULTRAFEX PRO EX3200
Type designation and, if applicable, Article-N
o
which refers to this declaration, is in accordance with the following standards or
standardized documents:
x EN 60065 x EN 61000-3-2
x EN 55020 x EN 61000-3-3
x EN 55013
The following operation conditions and installation arrangements have to be
presumed:
acc. to Operating Manual
B. Nier, President Willich, 01.05.1998
Name, address, date and legally binding signature of the person responsible
2
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
appliance (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 is described in the Operating Instructions.
All other servicing should be referred to qualifield service personnel.
This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts
you to important operating and
maintenance instructions in the
accompanying literature. Read the
manual.
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ULTRAFEX PRO
Professional and multi-purpose Sound Enhancement system for stage and studio applications
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Gives your music that extra sparkle and makes your instruments or mixes stand out
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Releases untapped resources and details instruments, vocals and mixed program material
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Multiband concept for bass power and high frequency transparency
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Natural Sonic processor for ultra-musical sound improvement
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VSP (Variable Sound Processing) circuit for simultaneous Enhancer and Exciter process
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Dual Mode ultra-bass enhancer produces soft and tight bass sounds
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Shift function allows you to control the frequency range of added bass punch
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Surround processor provides you real spatial enhancement and improved stereo imaging
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Built-in Noise Reduction system with precision LED display to provide clear visual indication of operation
EX3200
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Solo facility for effect loop application
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Servo-balanced gold-plated XLR and 1/4 TRS inputs and outputs
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Ultra-low noise 4580 audio operational amplifiers for superior sound performance
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Relay controlled Hard Bypass with an auto-bypass function during power failure (failsafe relay)
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High-quality detent potentiometers and illuminated switches
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BEHRINGER´s high-performance output transformer OT-1 retrofittable
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Manufactured under the stringent ISO9000 management system
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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 weve 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 youve 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: its you, our customers! Many satisfied customers means large sales volumes
enabling us to get better conditions of purchase for components, etc. Isnt 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.
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My friends, its been worth the trouble!
Thank you very much,
Uli Behringer
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TABLE OF CONTENT
1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................7
2. THE DESIGN CONCEPT ......................................................................................................... 9
2.1 High Quality Components And Design ...........................................................................................9
2.1.1 Failsafe Relays ..................................................................................................................... 9
2.2 Inputs And Outputs ......................................................................................................................... 9
2.2.1 Balanced Inputs And Outputs ............................................................................................... 9
2.2.2 Transformer Balanced Outputs (Optional) ............................................................................ 9
3. INSTALLATION ..................................................................................................................... 10
3.1 Rack Mounting ............................................................................................................................. 10
3.2 Mains Voltage............................................................................................................................... 10
3.3 Audio Connections ....................................................................................................................... 10
4. CONTROLS ...........................................................................................................................12
4.1 The Multiband Processor Section ................................................................................................. 12
4.2 The Bass Processor Section ........................................................................................................ 13
4.3 Surround Processor Section......................................................................................................... 13
4.4 Rear Panel Control Elements Of The ULTRAFEX PRO ............................................................... 14
5. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND ............................................................................................... 15
5.1 Design Concept Of The ULTRAFEX PRO .................................................................................... 15
5.2 Psycho-Acoustic Background ....................................................................................................... 15
5.3 On Psycho-Acoustic Devices ....................................................................................................... 16
5.3.1 Frequency Correction ......................................................................................................... 16
5.3.2 Phase Shifting .................................................................................................................... 16
5.3.3 Artificial Harmonics Generation .......................................................................................... 17
5.4 The Bass Processor Of The ULTRAFEX PRO ............................................................................. 17
5.5 The Surround Processor Of The ULTRAFEX PRO ...................................................................... 17
6. APPLICATIONS .....................................................................................................................18
6.1 Basic Applications ........................................................................................................................ 18
6.1.1 The ULTRAFEX PRO As In-Line Processor .................................................................... 18
6.1.2 The ULTRAFEX PRO As Sidechain Processor ............................................................... 18
6.2 Basic Settings............................................................................................................................... 19
6.3 Typical Applications ...................................................................................................................... 20
6.3.1 Sound Enhancement During Replay .................................................................................. 20
6.3.2 Sound Enhancement During Recording ............................................................................. 20
6.3.3 Enhancing The Sound Of Subgroups, Monitor And Effect Paths ........................................ 20
6.3.5 Enhancing The Sound Of Tape Duplication ........................................................................ 20
6.3.6 Enhancing The Sound Of Instruments................................................................................ 21
6.3.7 Enhancing The Sound Of P.A. Systems ............................................................................. 21
6.3.9 Sound Enhancement In Hi-fi And Video ............................................................................. 21
7. SPECIFICATIONS ..................................................................................................................22
8. WARRANTY ........................................................................................................................... 24
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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:
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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 subminiature 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. Programdependent 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.
1. INTRODUCTION
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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.
Surround-Processor
A switchable Surround Processor has also been integrated into the ULTRAFEX PRO. With this processor
the intensity of the stereo effect can be dramatically improved. The program material gains in liveliness,
depth and transparency. As in a cinema with its special acoustics, the listener has the impression that the
orchestral instruments are placed all around him. The Surround Processor enlarges the stereo basis, dependent
on the program material, without audibly coloring the sonic image.
+ The following operational manual will introduce you to the BEHRINGER ULTRAFEX PRO and
its various functions. After reading the manual carefully, make sure it is always on hand for
future reference.
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1. INTRODUCTION
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