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Line Level Shifter® User Instructions
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Solve your –10dBV to +4dBu problems, now!
What do you do when you need to connect a low volume –10dBV
output (like MP3 player, or CD player) into a high volume, +4dBu
input (like the FOH PA Mixer or multi-track digital recorder)? What
you need is one of our Line Level Shifter® from Ebtech®!
The Line Level Shifter® uses the physics of inductance and
impedance matching to increase or decrease the signal voltage
without the added noise of active electronics. The Line Level
Shifter® also converts back and forth between balanced and
unbalanced signals automatically. This is great because most
–10dBV signals are unbalanced while most +4dBu signals are
balanced.
The Line Level Shifter® also contains Ebtech’s Hum Eliminator™
technology to break ground loops that cause AC hum.
• Converts back and forth between –10dBV and +4dBu
• Converts automatically back and forth between balanced and
unbalanced lines at either end
• 1/4" TRS “smart” jacks accept TS (mono) or TRS (stereo)
• Built-in Hum Eliminator™ technology eliminates AC hum / 60Hz
buzz and noise
• Automatically translates signal voltages to match differences in
ground potentials, avoiding clipping
• Completely passive design with audiophile quality components
assures the best possible noise and distortion performance
• Frequency response 10Hz to 40kHz plus or minus 1dB into
10kOhm load
• Distortion less than 0.002% THD @ 1kHz
• Crosstalk better than –97dB
• Maximum source impedance 1kOhm. Minimum load impedance
10kOhm
• Cold Rolled Steel Housing
• One Year warranty
GETTING STARTED
MAKING THE CONNECTION: The Line Level Shifter® is
designed to allow you to use equipment with different line
level requirements at their correct gain settings. This will
reduce noise and enable you to use mismatched pieces
of equipment.
Balanced or unbalanced lines may be used at either
level. However, normally the only balanced signals will
be on the +4dBu side. Balanced signals will give you the
advantage of common mode rejection (CMR), canceling
out any noise picked up by balanced lines as they run
near AC power.
USING THE LINE LEVEL SHIFTER®: The TRS smart
jacks do all of the rewiring for you. For unbalanced signals
just use standard 1/4" two conductor connectors. For
balanced signals use 1/4" three conductor (TRS) connectors.
You also have the choice of XLR connectors too!
TRS connectors are sometimes called stereo plugs but
remember to never use stereo or multiple channels in one
connector with the Line Level Shifter®. Stereo requires two
separate channels. Use a "Y" cable with one stereo plug
and two mono plugs (one for each channel of the Line
Level Shifter®).
TIP = + or - (just be consistent between +4dBu & -10dBV)
RING = + or - (just be consistent between +4dBu & -10dBV)
SLEEVE = Ground
THE INS AND OUTS OF IMPEDANCE:
Quality products are designed to have low impedance
(<100 ohms) at the line level output jacks and high
impedance (>10K ohms) at the line level input jacks. The
Line Level Shifter® operates best under these conditions,
giving the full 11db gain desired. However, the Line Level
Shifter® has been designed to work in less ideal situations
with only a modest reduction of gain in the -10dBV to +4dBu
direction. There is no effect when going from +4dBu to
-10dBV.
1Meg 100k 50k 10k
0.007.078.155.74
10 .008 .091 .180 .85
R
R source = Output impedance of equipment (-10dBV) in ohms
R load = Input impedance of equipment (+4dBu) in ohms
50 .013 .142 .279 1.26
100.020.205.4011.74
source
300.046.453.8733.44
600.085.8121.5365.50
1000 .13 6 1.269 2.348 7.65
R
load
ABOUT THE LINE LEVEL SHIFTER
AND COMMON USES
What's converting between -10dBV and +4dBu all about?
Most consumer music gear has -10dBV inputs/outputs, while
most pro gear has +4dBu inputs/outputs (which is 11dB
greater or 3.5 times louder). Additionally, the -10dBV signal
lines are unbalanced and are susceptible to picking up noise,
whereas the pro gear lines are generally balanced and more
immune to picking up noise.
Incorrectly matching the signal levels between pieces of gear
can result in volumes that are too low, having to turn up the
gain and increase the noise floor. It also limits the range of
volume control between all inputs, which makes it difficult to
get a good mix and can potentially overload the -10dBV
inputs. The Line Level Shifter® converts between unbalanced and balanced lines as needed and efficiently converts
back and forth between -10dBV and +4dBu.
The Line Level Shifter® also eliminates hum, just like the
EBTECH® Hum Eliminator™. The difference is that the Line
Level Shifter® always steps up or down your signal. Below
are more specific applications for the Line Level Shifter®.
AUDIO / VIDEO - The audio inputs on most video camcorders are unbalanced -10dBV. When running a sound mix from
a +4dBu output to the camera, use a Line Level Shifter® to
ensure its input is not overloaded and the signal is not distorted. Use a Line Level Shifter® when running the audio feed
from a -10dBV (VCR / DVD / CD / MP3 Player) to a +4dBu
sound system to get the best possible signal quality.
BROADCASTING - Broadcasters frequently need to hook up
a consumer -10dBV output MP# Player or CD player, etc... to
a balanced +4dBu input. The Line Level Shifter® allows this
to be done without losing volume and eliminates hum at the
same time.
COMPUTER SOUND CARDS - Most sound cards have
unbalanced -10dBV inputs/outputs. A Line Level Shifter®
allows the sound card to work with a +4dBu device and
eliminates hum at the same time. Even balanced sound
cards have tremendous susceptibility to ground loops
because of the computer's power supply. If you are experiencing noise issues but do not require a change in signal
voltage, use a Hum Eliminator™.
ABOUT THE LINE LEVEL SHIFTER
AND COMMON USES
(continued)
DJ MIXERS - Most DJ mixer main outs are unbalanced
-10dBV RCA and most power amps have balanced +4dBu
inputs. When going from a -10dBV DJ mixer to a +4dBu
power amp, over 2/3rd's of the amp's volume is lost. That
turns a 600-watt amp down to 175 watts. Many DJs prefer
the feature set of a particular -10dBV unit and the few DJ
mixers that have +4dBu outputs can cost much more than a
-10dBV DJ mixer. Use a Line Level Shifter® to get all of the
lost power back and get rid of any hum problems at the same
time!
GUITAR AMP FX LOOPS – The signal levels in most guitar
amp effects loops are all over the place. Some may be too
strong signal for floor effects, other may be too weak. Unless
your amp has adjustable levels on the send and return you’re
stuck with what you got; unless you have a Line Level
Shifter®! Use the Line Level Shifter® to increase or decrease
the Send and Return as needed for your particular situation.
A more efficient matched signal level means better tone and
in the world of guitar, tone is EVERYTHING!
KEYBOARDS / SAMPLERS / SYNTHS - Most keyboards,
samplers, and synthesizers have 1/4" unbalanced -10dBV
outputs. The Line Level Shifter® converts these outputs to
+4dBu for use with a +4dBu mixer or other +4dBu device
without losing volume. Balancing the outputs can help make
long signal runs hum and noise free.
MIXERS / RECORDING - Almost everyone hooks up a
-10dBV, unbalanced output from a consumer MP3 Player or
CD player, etc… to an otherwise high performance system.
You will get a better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) using the
Line Level Shifter® rather than by turning up the mixer's input
gain. You can also balance the lines at the same time.
Getting the best noise floor means adding the least amount
of active gain. Recording with unbalanced -10dBV outputs
(keyboards, effects units, drum machines, computers, etc.)
often requires a lot of active gain. Use the Line Level Shifter®
to run these units up to balanced +4dBu and provide the best
mix you can get. Some high-end mixers only have +4dBu
inputs; when -10dBV equipment is hooked up to these
inputs, use a Line Level Shifter® to get a better signal level.
Tape return levels are often mismatched with the mixer. They
either overload the mixer's input or don't drive it loud enough.
The Line Level Shifter® works both ways, either stepping the
signal up or down.
#M49-945171-002
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