Compex Systems SX-S, SX-V User Manual

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Seite 1 von 22SONOSAX SX/S USER MANUAL

USER MANUAL

PROFESSIONAL PORTABLE

MIXING CONSOLE

SONOSAX SX-S/SX-V

INTRODUCTION

Your SONOSAX SX-S or SX-V mixing console has been manufactured to deliver many years of excellent performance.
The reliability of the SONOSAX SX-S and SX-V is due to a design combining the highest possible density with meticulous
hand assembly.

This professional mixer of optimum performance and reliability is the result of selection of choice electronic components
and severe quality control.

Audio equipment manufacture

ch de la Naz 38

CH-10252 Le Mont / LAUSANNE

SWITZERLAND

Tel [phone]

Fax [phone]

The information and instructions contained in this manual are necessary to ensure safe operation of your equipment and
to maintain it in good working condition.

NOTE:

120022.

SONOSAX reserves the right to modify these characteristics at any time without prior notice.

The specifications mentioned hereafter apply to all standard models as of serial numbers SX-S 16150, and SX-V

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREPARATION

1.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

INPUT MODULE after serial nb 16579

STANDARD INPUT MODULE

Differences from the newer Power / Mute modules

MASTER MODULE

-S EXTENSION MODULE

SX

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

for SX022270 SX-S Extension Module

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FOUR CHANNEL MATRIX MODULE

ADDITIONAL AUX MODULE

INPUT MONITORING MODULE(SX

BALANCED TRANSFORMER OUTPUT MODULE

SONOSAX SX

-V

TIPS ON USING YOUR MIXER

-V only)

1. PREPARATION

1.1 Opening the cover

Release the 2 slide-locks and simultaneously slide out the cover.

1.2 Closing the cover

Replace the cover and slide all the way in until the locks catch.

1.3 Removing the battery compartment

Make sure that the handle is in rest position. Remove the battery pack by releasing the 2 slide-locks, tilting the

compartment diagonally towards you and lifting it out over the handle.

IMPORTANT:

out of the mixer.

Keep the slide-locks pressed towards the center untill the battery compartment is completely lifted

1.4 Opening the battery compartment

The battery compartment may now be opened by loosening the screw on the left. Remove the plastic side cover.
Insert:

{

8 alkaline D-cells or 8 rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries for the SX-S6

{

10 alkaline D-cells or 10 rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries for the SX-8 or SX-S10.

On the left of the battery compartment, you will find the hex wrench (2mm) which will enable you to

NOTE:

completely disassemble the SX-S without using any other tool.

WARNING :

contains rechargeable NiCd batteries. To ensure optimal autonomy, use only professional alkaline D-cells. Also
check the manufacture date of D-cells.

Never leave discharged batteries in your SX-S. Make sure before charging that your SX-S only

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1.5 Closing the battery compartment

Replace the plastic side cover.

NOTE :

compartment if such batteries are used. Your nearest SONOSAX agent or the manufacturer in Switzerland can
provide assistance should a problem arise due to this difference in length.

Replace the battery compartment while holding in the slide-locks and making sure the power contacts are correctly

positioned.

The battery compartment is in place when the slide-locks return easily to their original position.

Certain D-Cells are longer than standard D-Cell batteries and slight difficulty may be found in closing the

1.6 External power supply (also refer to 2.2 and 2.3)

SONOSAX SX-S mixers can be powered from a 9-15V DC (SX-S6) or 11-15 DC (SX-S8/10) power supply capable
of delivering at least 1.5A. Average power consumption is approximately 500mA.

The DC power supply input connector (LEMO, Type FGJ IB 303CLLD62, SONOSAX Part nb. 860202) is located
on the rear panel of the SONOSAX mixer. Pin No.3 is allocated to the NiCd batteries charge current. Nominal
current is 400mA and nominal charging time is 15 hours.

WARNING :

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHARGE D-CELL BATTERIES.

1.7 Power supply block diagram

1.8 Fuses

Your SONOSAX SX-S is protected against overloads and reversed polarity by two T2.5A fuses located : INSIDE
THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT (ON THE RIGHT). To replace the fuse,remove the cover on the right of the
battery compartment with the hex wrench.

NOTE :

{

ON THE EXTERNAL DC PC BOARD. Located below the two faders of the master module. To gain access
to this fuse, remove the bottom of the SX-S mixer with the hex wrench.

Here you will find spare T2.5A fuses

.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

2. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

2.1 Switching on the SONOSAX mixer

Using D-cells or NiCd batteries:

Depress POWER push-button on the master module. The two control LEDs of the modulometer should light up
within 3 seconds. If they do not light up:

{

Check that batteries have been inserted correctly inside the battery compartment.

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{

)

If necessary change the batteries.

Using the Sonosax external power supply:

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IMPORTANT :

220V depending on local current supply. If needed, change selector position by using a screwdriver, a ball point
pen or similar instrument. At 110V, the mixer may be powered from 100 to 125V , 50 to 60 Hertz; at 220V, from
200 to 260V, 50 to 60 Hertz.

Newer SX-S Mixers use an autoranging power supply. It may be powered from 100 to 250 VAC 50 to 100 Hertz.

{ The POWER button on the master module should not be pressed while using the external power supply or

while charging accumulators.

{ The GND button separates the SX-S from ground (in case of ground loop).

Before turning on the unit, make sure the voltage selector is correctly positioned at either 110V or

2.2 Using an external power supply

Apply current indicated (see 1.6) between points 1 (+) and 2 (0V) of the LEMO connector. Do not press the
"POWER" button while using an external power supply or while charging accumulators.

2.3 Battery test

When BATT TEST push-button is depressed, the LEDs of the modulometer will indicate the average charge per
cell (minimum 1V, maximum 1.5V).

2.4 Low charge alarm

When the average charge per cell reaches 1.05V, the two LEDs will automatically start to blink. This alarm means
that about 10 to 20 minutes remain before the mixer automatically turns off. This auto-stop protects the
accumulators from excessive discharge.

2.5 Charging the NiCd batteries

WITH SONOSAX SX-S POWER SUPPLY :

This external accessory will automatically charge the NiCd batteries while the mixer is being used. Simply press
the charge 0,4A button. The green "CHARGE" LED on the power supply as well as the green LED on the Master
Module should light up. Nominal charge current is 400mA and nominal charging time is 15 hours.

WITH ANOTHER EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY :

Apply current charge of 400mA to pin 3 of the LEMO connector. Nominal charging time is 15 hours.

IMPORTANT:

Never charge D-Cell batteries!

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

3. INPUT MODULE (after serial nb 16579

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Traditional professional mixing consoles are all based on the same input structure. The signal from the microphone
goes through a phase reversal switch and then to a pad to attenuate the signal before going to the first
amplification stage. Some mixers even introduce a transformer before the first stage to simplify the circuits.
Reducing the signal level before amplifying it increases any noise. It also limits the range of input signal that can
be accommodated before overload distortion. This type of circuit has been OK for analog recording.

The new SONOSAX SX-S input stages do not reduce the microphone level before amplification. Instead we
control the amount of amplification. No new noise is introduced by this method.

By careful design of the input amplifier stages, it is now possible to handle a significant increase in the input level
before overload. Conventional input stages require the operator to do a delicate balancing act between the input
gain control and the channel fader to prevent unexpected input overload or so much gain that the noise comes up.
Thus, heretofore unattainable low noise input figures and high input headroom figures are a reality.

The new SONOSAX SX-S input modules have a new profile. The "Limiter Threshold", "AUX Level" and "PAN"
controls have been recessed. This removes any obstacles beside the P&G faders. Functionally the input modules
are the same as they have been for over a decade. The electronic components and the circuitry are modern. The
functionality was perfected many years ago. The SONOSAX SX-S still has the best limiter in the industry and
equalization control equaled by none.

The new SONOSAX SX-S input module has mini-switches on the back to change several parameters of its
operation. The "High Pass" filter can be switched in or out of the signal path with the "Equalization" or it can be in
the circuit all the time. The ON/OFF switch can actually turn the power to the channel OFF to preserve the
batteries, or it can be a "Mute" switch which can activate the channel without a pop in the signal. The switch to
select "Phantom 12V" or "T12V " power is of course still there.

The new modules are prefitted with connectors for VCA operation and the installation of the four Channel Matrix
Module and the AUX Module.

3.1 SONOSAX SX-S Input Module Specifications:

GAIN

Nom. input level 87 uV 1.55 mV 15.5 mV 155 mV 1.55 V

Max. Input level 2.57 mV 12 mV 120 mV 1.2 V 7.0 V

THD & N% 0.028 0.016 0.01 0.007 0.007

CMRR at 1kHz -103 dB -103 dB -104 dB -95 dB -78 dB

CMRR 20 Hz to
20

85 dB

Fader at +10 dB

-85 dB -85 dB -85 dB -80 dB -60 dB

Fader at 0 dB

60 dB

Fader at 0 dB

Fader at 0 dB

40 dB

20 dB

Fader at -4 dB

0 dB

Equivalent input Noise Ohm Source

GAIN

Noise linear -129.3 dB -128.4 dB -125.6 dB -110.5 dB -91.4 dB

Noise ASA A -131.6 dB -130.6 dB

85 dB

Fader at +10 dB

Bus Noise

6 Channels assigned @ Gain Fader at -4 dB -86 dBu

1 Channels assigned @ Gain Fader at -4 dB

Fader at 0 dB

60 dB

40 dB

Fader at 0 dB

-127.4 dB

20 dB

Fader a t0 dB

-111.9 dB

-91.4 dBu

Fader at -4 dB

0 dB

-92.5 dB

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6 Channels assigned Faders Down -89.5 dBu

Master Faders @ OdB, all channels off -94.2 dBu

Master Faders Down -95.5 dBu

3.2 Installation Procedure

Disconnect the Neutrik and dual Bantam connector from the module circuit board and install them in the
appropriate blank holes on the mixer's back panel.

First install the Neutrik connector with the lock towards the top of the SX-S, then install the Bantam plug with the
cables oriented towards the top of the mixer.

Install the module into the appropriate slot, reattach the three connectors and connect the module to the ribbon
connector.

If the mixer is fitted with an Aux module and / or Matrix module connect J-5 tothese modules.

Before reattaching the cover, select mute or power mode with S-4, Lo frequency cut with EQ-switch or continuous
with S-5 and "Phantom " or " T12V " with Switch S-8.

3.3 Phase reversal

Reverses signal phase without reversing mic powering.

3.4 HI / CAL / LO Switch position

The Cal position is calibrated for unity gain if faders are at zero. For example a Line Input of + 6 dBu will output +
6dBu. The Gain control has no effect in this position. The HI position gives 20 to 75 dB range of the Gain control
Faders at unity gain.

3.5 LO position

The LO position gives 7 to 42 dB range of the Gain control Faders at unity gain.

3.6 Equalizer

The SONOSAX SX-S equalizer is equipped with the following filters:

{

L.F. CUT: low frequency filter at fixed slope 12 dB per octave. The cutting frequency is progressively

adjustable from 20 Hz to 500 Hz.
cut or not depending on the position of S-6 on the circuit board

{

80 Hz and 8 kHz: bass and treble adjustement

{

M.F : medium frequency adjustement, from 200 Hz to 8 kHz.

{

The EQ switch allows the filtering of 80 Hz, 8 kHz and MF tones.

3.7 Pan Pot (Panoramic Potentiometer)

The Pan Pot allows progressive switching of the modulation from left to right.

The EQ in switch can be configured to include the LO frequency

NOTE:

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3.8 ON Switch

With S-4 on the circuit board in Power position this switch turns the entire power to the module on and off. An
audible pop will be introduced on the mixer's output if this switch is used during operation. This function is useful to
conserve power when only a few channels are being used.

With S-4 on the circuit board in Mute position all power is applied to the module but its output is muted unless the
switch is depressed. Channels can be preset and switched on to the mix bus during operation with no pop.

3.9 Aux level

The AUX potentiometer (auxiliary) allows separate mixing of different inputs for mono output or special effects
such as an echo room, etc. The PRE/POST push button allows selection of the modulation before (PRE) or after
(POST) the fader.

3.10 Limiter

Each input module is equipped with a limiter. The audio level above which the limiter is activated (Limiter LED lit) is
controlled by the THRESHOLD knob. The limiter may be automatically activated if the input gain is too high. This
will avoid saturation and ensure a supplementary margin of 6 dB over the maximum input level. This is why the
limiter cannot be switched off.

The limiter has no effect whatsoever provided the Limiter LED does not light up.

NOTE:

3.11 Overload LED

The OVD LED lights up 4 dB before saturation level. Overload is measured at mic amplifier output and the
equalizer output levels.

3.12 Pre - Fader Listening

The PFL selector allows pre-fader listening of each input after equalization.

3.13 Input Connector

The SONOSAX SX-S is equipped with NEUTRIK input connectors equivalent to XLR, Canon, Switchcraft, etc. The
standard SX-S version is equipped with female connectors.

The input is floating balanced, transformerless, to ensure optimal performance. On request, the SONOSAX SX-S
inputs may be equipped with high frequency R.F. filters.

Bridge PIN 3 to PIN 1 for asymetrical use!

NOTE:

DO NOT USE MIC POWER!

3.14 Insert Connectors

These are 3-pole, 4.4mm Mini-Jacks. The corresponding connector with 2 meters of cable, other end free is:
SONOSAX Part Nr 860133. Plugging the jack in INSERT opens the circuit between the LF cut output and the
equalizer, for insertion of a filter special effect, with asymetric send-return. This jack may also be used as a line
input. In this case, use only the return contact of the jack. The line input at this point avoids passing through the

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