Drawmer MX40-Pro User Manual

DRAWMER

MX40

QUAD PUNCH GATE

OPERATORS MANUAL

CONTENTS

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS page 3

INSTALLATION page 3

INTRODUCTION page 4

• Audio Connections page 4

• Power Connection page 5

CONTROL DESCRIPTIONS page 6

• Punch Gate page 6

• Key Filter page 7

• Linking page 7

OPERATION page 8

IF A FAULT DEVELOPS page 12
CONTACTING DRAWMER page 12

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION page 13

BLOCK DIAGRAM page 14

SESSION RECALL page 15

1

COPYRIGHT

This manual is copyrighted © 2011 by Drawmer Electronics, Ltd. With all rights
reserved. Under copyright laws, this manual may not be duplicated in whole
or in part without the written consent of Drawmer.

ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

Drawmer Electronics Ltd., warrants the MX40 Quad Punch Gate to conform
substantially to the specifications of this manual for a period of one year from
the original date of purchase when used in accordance with the specifications
detailed in this manual. In the case of a valid warranty claim, your sole and
exclusive remedy and Drawmer’s entire liability under any theory of liability will
be to, at Drawmer’s discretion, repair or replace the product without charge,
or, if not possible, to refund the purchase price to you. This warranty is not
transferable. It applies only to the original purchaser of the product.

For warranty service please call your local Drawmer dealer. Alternatively call
Drawmer Electronics Ltd. at [phone]. Then ship the defective
product, with transportation and insurance charges pre-paid, to Drawmer
Electronics Ltd., Coleman Street, Parkgate, Rotherham, S62 6EL UK. W rite
the RA number in large letters in a prominent position on the shipping box.
Enclose your name, address, telephone number, copy of the original sales
invoice and a detailed description of the problem. Drawmer will not accept
responsibility for loss or damage during transit.

This warranty is void if the product has been damaged by misuse, modification
or unauthorised repair.

THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER ORAL OR
WRITTEN, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY. DRAWMER MAKES
NO OTHER WARRANTY EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING,
W I T H O U T L I M I T A T I O N , A NY I MP L I E D W A R R A NT IE S O F
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON­INFRINGEMENT. PURCHASER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY UNDER
THIS WARRANTY SHALL BE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS SPECIFIED
HEREIN.

IN NO EVENT WILL DRAWMER ELECTRONICS LTD. BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT,
INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, AND, TO THE
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, DAMAGE FOR PERSONAL INJURY, EVEN
IF DRAWMER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES.

Some states and specific countries do not allow the exclusion of implied
warranties or limitations on how long an implied warranty may last, so the
above limitations may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights. You may have additional rights that vary from state to state, and country
to country.
In the interests of product development, Drawmer reserve the right to modify
or improve specifications of this product at any time, without prior notice.

2

DRAWMER MX40

Quad Punch Gate

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

CAU T IO N - M A INS FU S E

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE REPLACE THE MAINS FUSE ONLY WITH

THE SAME TYPE, WHICH MUST BE A CLASS 3, 230 VOLT, TIME DELAY

TYPE, RATED AT 63mA WHERE THE MAINS INPUT VOLTAGE SWITCH IS

SET TO 230 VOLTS AC. AND 125mA W HERE THE MAINS INPUT VOLTAGE

IS 115 VOLTS AC.

ALL FUSES MUST COMPLY WITH IEC 127-2.

THE FUSE BODY SIZE IS 20mm x 5mm.

CAUTION - MAINS CABLE

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE OR TAMPER WITH THE SUPPLIED MAINS

CABLE.

CAUTION - SERVICING

DO NOT PERFORM ANY SERVICING. REFER ALL SERVICING TO

QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

WARNING

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE

THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

INSTALLATION

The MX40 is designed for standard 19" rack mounting and occupies 1U of rack
space. Avoid mounting the unit directly above power amplifiers or power supplies
that radiate significant amounts of heat. Always connect the mains earth to the unit.
Use fibre or plastic washers to prevent the front panel becoming marked by the
mounting bolts.

3

INTRODUCTION

The MX40 is a highly flexible but compact quad Gate suitable for a wide range of
professional applications including studio, live sound and audio installations. The
input and output connections are electronically balanced on XLR connectors and
low-distortion VCAs are used to maintain the highest possible signal quality.
Although optimised for +4dBu operation, the MX40 will work equally well with
systems operating at the -10dBu standard.

Any Noise Gate considerably improves the sound of percussive instruments by
producing fast leading edges to the signal and then shutting off after a pre­determined time. The combination of this fast rising edge, and the silence which
follows the gated signal, creates a dramatic improvement to the original signal.

Drawmer pioneered the frequency conscious gating common to many noise gate
clones now available in audio processing equipment. The MX40 has a new spin on
this feature where both controls have been amalgamated into a single intuitive
control, of course with a Key Listen facility. T his allows fast and simple setup of
frequency selective triggering where unwanted signals are prevented from triggering
the gate.

AUDIO CONNECTIONS

Input and Output audio connections are provided via balanced XLRs at a level of
+4dBu. This applies to both inputs and outputs. The wiring convention being:

Pin 1 Ground; Pin 2 Hot(+); and Pin 3 Cold(-).

For use with unbalanced systems, the Cold pin 3 must be grounded at both input and
output inside the XLR connectors. For connection to a patch bay, input sockets
should be wired ‘fully normalised’.

The key input is an unbalanced ¼" (TRS) jack socket. For connection to a patch bay
this socket should be wired ‘fully normalised’ to prevent erratic triggering.
Interference: If the unit is to be used where it maybe exposed to high levels of
disturbance such as found close to a TV or radio transmitter, we advise that the unit
is operated in a balanced configuration. The screens of the signal cables should be
connected to the chassis connection on the XLR connector as opposed to connecting
to pin1. The MX40 conforms to the EMC standards.

Ground Loops: If ground loop problems are encountered, never disconnect the
mains earth, instead, try disconnecting the signal screen on one end of each of the
cables connecting the outputs of the MX40 to the patchbay. If such measures are
necessary, balanced operation is recommended.

4

POWER CONNECTION

If, for some reason, the unit is to be operated at a mains input voltage which is
different to that as supplied, the following procedure must be carried out by a
qualified technical engineer.

1: Disconnect the unit from the mains.
2: Using a number 1 size pozidrive screwdriver, remove the seven

self-tapping screws that retain the top cover.

Accessing the internal power switch and fuse

3. Set the voltage rating and
replace the fuse.

4. Replace the cover.

5