E-Mu PS12 Owner's Manual

E-MU Systems

Owner’s Manual Mode d’emploi Bedienungshandbuch

Version 1.0

E-MU World Headquarters E-MU Systems

1500 Green Hills Road Scotts Valley, CA, 95066 USA

Asia Pacific, Africa, Middle East Creative Technology Ltd

31 International Business Park Creative Resource, Singapore 609921 SINGAPORE

Japan Creative Media K. K.

Kanda Eight Bldg., 3F 4-6-7 Soto-Kanda Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021 JAPAN

Europe Creative Labs (Ireland) Ltd

Ballycoolin Business Park Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 IRELAND

SAFETY & REGULATORY INFORMATION

The following sections contain notices for various countries:

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Notice for the USA

FCC Part 15: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, this notice is not a guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try one or more of the following measures:

U Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. U Increase the distance between the

equipment and receiver.

U Connect the equipment to an outlet on a

circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

U Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/

TV technician.

CAUTION: To comply with the limits for the Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules, this device must be installed with equipment certified to comply with the Class B limits.

All cables used to connect the computer and peripherals must be shielded and grounded. Operation with non-certified equipment or non-shielded cables may result in interference to radio or television reception.

Modifications

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the guarantee of this device could void the user’s authority to operate the device.

Notice for Canada

This apparatus complies with the Class B limits for radio interference as specified in the Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference Regulations.

Cet appareil est conforme aux normes de CLASSE “B” d’interference radio tel que spe’cifie’ par le Ministère Canadien des Communications dans les règlements d’interfèrence radio.

Important Notice

Your product has a serial number. Write this serial number down and keep it in a secure area.

CAUTION

Take care to prevent the accidental operation of your new speakers at excessive sound pressure levels!

If you do not hear sound from your new speakers, keep the volume controls at a low levels while trying to restore sound. This will prevent accidental operation at uncomfortably loud levels.

European Compliance

This product conforms to the following: EMC Directive 89/336/EEC as amended by 92/31/

EEC and 93/68/EEC. Mains operated products for the European market

comply with LVD Directive 73/23/EEC as amended by 93/68/EEC.

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Manufacturer EU Importer

E-MU Systems, Inc. 1500 Green Hills Road,

Suite 101 Scotts Valley, CA. 96066 United States

Creative Labs Ireland Ltd. Ballycoolin Business Park Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 IRELAND

declares under its sole responsibility that the product

Trade Name: E-MU

Model Numbers: PS12/EM9100

has been tested according to the CISPR13 requirement and found compliant with the following standards:

EMI/EMC: CISPR 13 : 2003, FCC Part 15 Subpart B

Complies with Canadian ICES-003 Class B

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including

interference that may cause undesirable operation.

Ce matériel est conforme à la section 15 des régles FCC. Son Fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes: (1) Le matériel ne peut étre source D'interférences et Doit accepter toutes les interférences reques, Y (2) compris celles pouvant provoquer un fonctionnement indésirable.

Compliance Manager E-MU Systems, Inc. April 27, 2006

Compliance Manager Creative Labs Ireland April 27, 2006

• Read these instructions.

• Keep these instructions.

• Heed all warnings.

• Follow all instructions.

• Do not use this product near water.

• Clean only with a dry cloth.

• Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

• Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade of the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your socket, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

• Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

• Unplug this apparatus from the during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

WAR NIN G: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK

U DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN

OR MOISTURE

U DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO

DRIPPING OR SPLASHING FLUIDS, AND ENSURE THAT NO OBJECTS FILLED WITH LIQUIDS — SUCH AS VASES — ARE PLACED ON THE APPARATUS.

The mains plug and appliance couple are used as the disconnecting devices. The speaker shall be placed near a socket outlet which is easily accessible and readily operable.

FLAMES - No flame sources, such as lighted candles, should be placed on the apparatus.

POWER SOURCES - This product is specifically designed for operation within the electrical range(s) specified on the provided power adapter and use outside of this range shall be at your own risk. Please contact your local electric utility company if you have any questions about the electrical voltage at your intended location of use.

OVERLOADING - Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or integral power circuits as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.

OBJECT AND LIQUID ENTRY - Never push any object through the product’s openings, as they can result in a fire, electric shock or damage. Do not spill liquids on the product.

SERVICING - Do not attempt to service the product yourself. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

PLACEMENT - Place the product on a stable surface or recommended stand, or sold with the product. Otherwise, the product may fall and cause injury to a person, and damage to the product. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mounting the product.

REPLACEMENT PARTS - When replacing parts, check that the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer, or have the same characteristics as the original parts. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards.

SAFETY CHECK - After servicing or repairing the product, get the service technician to perform safety checks to be sure that the product is working properly.

SAFETY WARNINGS

The lightning flash arrowhead wit hin an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated, “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure, that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute risk of electric shock to persons.

WAR NING

DO NOT OPEN

TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE SPEAKER COVERS (OR BACKS). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying this product.

MISE EN GARDE NE PAS OUVRIR

POUR EVITER TOUT RISQUE D’ÉLECTROCUTION, NE PAS OUVRIR L’ENCEINTE. AUCUN ENTRETIEN DES PIÈCES INTERNES N’EST REQUIS. TOUTES LES RÉPARATIONS DOIVENT ÊTRE ÉFFECTUÉES PAR UN PERSONNEL QUALIFIÉ..

CAUTION: TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG

TO WIDE SLOT. INSERT CAREFULLY. ATTENTION:

POUR EVITER LES RISUQES D’ÉLECTROCUTION, INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE CORRESPONDANTE DE LA PRISE ET POUSSER JUSQU AU FOND.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Your product has a serial number. Write this serial number down and keep it in a

secure area.

READ AND HEED IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING

ON REAR OF SPEAKER ENCLOSURE

The use of the WEEE Symbol indicates that this product may not be treated as household waste. By ensuring this product is disposed of correctly, you will help protect the environment. For more detailed information about the recycling of this product, please contact your local authority, your household waste disposal service provider or the shop where you purchased the product.

E-MU® PS12 Precision Subwoofer

Thank you for purchasing the E-MU PS12 Precision Subwoofer. This active reference subwoofer features a custom 200W audiophile MOSFET amplifier, 12” polymer-laminate long-throw driver in a compact sealed cabinet designed to deliver hyper-accurate audio reproduction for all your critical monitoring needs. From nuanced acoustic performances to extreme club mixes, the PS12 delivers linear frequency response down to 22Hz. Whether used in conjunction with E-MU PM5 Precision Monitors or other satellite speakers, the PS12’s professional features make it perfect for both stereo and surround applications. These features include balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs; high-pass, low-pass and subsonic filters; variable level and phase controls; overload protection; auto standby mode; and a foot switch input that allows effortless bypassing of the subwoofer and high-pass filter during mixdown.

This package includes:

• 1 x E-MU PS12 Precision Subwoofer

• 1 x Power Cord

• 1 x Owner's Manual

• 1 x Warranty and Support Information

Notes and tips

Items of special interest are presented in this document as notes and tips:

Contents

• Note. This highlights additional or important information about a feature.

• Tip. This tells you about shortcuts or hints relating to a feature.

Overview ........................................... 2

Unique Features ............................... 3

Plugging in Your Subwoofer ............. 3

Input and Output Connections ....... 4

Typical Setups ................................... 5

Positioning Your Subwoofer ............ 7

Tuning Your Subwoofer ................... 8

Technical Specifications ................ 10

Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of E-MU Systems, Inc. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of E-MU Systems, Inc.

Version 1.0 April 2006

© 2006. E-MU Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. E-MU is a registered trademark of E-MU Systems, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. The Creative logo is a registered trademark of Creative Technology Ltd. in the United States and in other countries. All other logos, brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are hereby recognized as such. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Use of this product is subject to a limited warranty. Actual contents may differ slightly from those pictured.

Overview

The E-MU PS12 Precision Subwoofer is a powered front-firing subwoofer with a 12” speaker driven by a custom 200W amplifier. For creating the smoothest possible crossover between the subwoofer and your satellite speakers, the PS12 features fully customizable filter controls, including a low-pass filter on the subwoofer signal and a high-pass filter on the satellite output signal.

Other key features include:

• Extremely compact sealed cabinet design

• Linear frequency response down to 22Hz

• Variable subwoofer Level and Phase control (0 to 180 degrees)

• Subsonic Rumble Filter

• Built-in Overload Protection

• Balanced and Unbalanced Inputs and Outputs

• Subwoofer bypass (satellite pass-through) footswitch input

• Automatic 15-minute low-power Standby mode

• Selectable 100-120V / 220-240V Operation

Controls

All the controls for the PS12 are located on the back panel. The following table describes each control:

Subwoofer Components

Balanced Inputs

Right and Left Neutrik® Combination XLR/TRS balanced analog input connectors.

Unbalanced Inputs

Right and Left RCA unbalanced analog input connectors.

Subwoofer Low-Pass Filter Frequency

Controls the low-pass filter cutoff frequency for the signal being fed to the Subwoofer. 55Hz to Flat (no filter).

Phase

Controls the phase of the signal being fed to the subwoofer. 0 to 180 degrees.

Level

Controls the level of the signal being fed to the subwoofer.

Satellite Output High-Pass Filter Frequency

Controls the high-pass filter cutoff frequency for the signal being fed to the satellite speakers. 40Hz to 135Hz.

Balanced Satellite Outputs

Right and Left XLR balanced analog output connectors.

High-Pass Filter Status LED

• Lights in green when the high-pass filter is active.

• Lights in red when the high-pass filter is bypassed using the Switch or Foot Switch.

Unbalanced Satellite Outputs

Right and Left RCA unbalanced analog satellite output connectors.

High-Pass Filter Status Switch

Normal: High-pass filter on (except when the Foot Switch is used). Off: High-pass filter is turned off and the full unfiltered signal is sent to the satellite outputs.

Foot Switch Connector

¼” Latching Foot Switch connector for easy bypassing of the subwoofer and high-pass filter. * Foot Switch Not Included

ON/OFF Switch

Turns power to the subwoofer On or Off.

Subwoofer Status LED

• Lights in green when the subwoofer is active.

• Lights in red when subwoofer is muted (either during standby mode or when muted by footswitch).

Power Socket

• Disconnect the power adapter cable from the power socket if you do not intend to use your subwoofer for several days

• Make sure that the voltage rating of your speaker matches the voltage standard of your country.

-MU PS12 Precision Subwoofer

INPUT VOLTAGE: 100V-120V 50/60HZ INPUT CURRENT: 2.5 A

INPUT VOLTAGE: 220V-240V 60/60HZ INPUT CURRENT:1.25A

MADE IN CHINA

2.5A 250V

100V-120

1.25A 250V

220V-240V

SUBWOOFER INPUTS SATELLITE OUTPUTS

RL RL

LOWPASS FREQ (Hz)

PHASE LEVEL HIGHPASS

FREQ (Hz)

FOOT

SWITCH

GREEN - ON RED - BYPASS

HIGHPASSSUB

power

offon

voltage select

min max

180

40 135

100

120

100

120

flat

115

HIGHPASS

STATUS

OFF

NORMAL

9 10 1211

LOWPASS FREQ (Hz)

100

120

flat

PHASE

180

LEVEL

min max

HIGHPASS

FREQ (Hz)

40 135

100

120

HIGHPASS

8 12

HIGHPASS

STATUS

OFF

NORMAL

FOOT

SWITCH

power

SUB

Unique Features

This section describes some of the unique features of the PS12.

Sub-Sonic Rumble Filter

The Sub-sonic rumble filter stops unwanted inaudible bass frequencies from playing through your PS12. Some very low frequencies, (such as those below 20Hz), although inaudible, can cause rumbling of the cabinet, and even rattling of objects in the listening room. The PS12 automatically filters these unwanted low frequency sounds out, reducing noise caused by rumble, and increasing amplifier efficiency in the audible range.

Overload Protection

The PS12’s built-in Overload Protection circuitry automatically engages when levels get too high, preventing potential damage to the driver.

Foot Switch Input

The

¼”

Foot Switch input accepts all standard latching or latch-type foot switches. A Foot Switch allows you to bypass the

subwoofer and its high-pass filter circuitry. Pressing the Foot Switch puts the subwoofer on mute, and sends the full audio signal to the satellite outputs. This is extremely

useful is you want to A-B your source audio with or without the subwoofer.

High-Pass Filter Bypass Switch

If you want to hear the full unfiltered signal through your satellite speakers without bypassing the PS12, flip this switch to OFF. With the high-pass filter turned off, the signal coming out of the satellite outputs is identical to the signal going into the subwoofer.

Automatic Standby Mode

If no signal comes through your subwoofer for approximately 15 minutes, the subwoofer automatically enters low-power Standby mode, muting all sound coming out of the subwoofer. When the PS12 detects a signal, it becomes active again.

When the PS12 enters standby mode, the Subwoofer Status LED turns Red. When the PS12 resumes to normal mode, the Subwoofer Status LED turns green.

Selectable Voltage Operation

The Voltage Select switch on the PS12 allows you to select between 100-120V and 220-240V operation. Check that the appropriate voltage is selected before powering up your PS12 for the first time.

Plugging in Your Subwoofer

Before you plug your subwoofer in for the first time, make sure that the Voltage Select switch just above the power connector is in the appropriate position in accordance to the power outlet you’re using.

Use the 115 Volt setting if you use AC power rated at 100-120 Volts (Most US power outlets).

Use the 230 Volt setting if you use AC power rated at 220-240 volts.

voltage select

115

voltage select

230

Input and Output Connections

The PS12 includes balanced and unbalanced subwoofer inputs and satellite outputs.

Subwoofer Inputs

For each channel (Right and Left), your subwoofer features a combination XLR/TRS balanced analog input connector and an RCA unbalanced analog input connector for connecting a wide variety of analog audio sources.

Satellite Outputs

For each channel (Right and Left), your subwoofer features an XLR balanced analog output connector and an RCA unbalanced analog output connector for connecting your subwoofer to a pair of satellite speakers. The signal to these outputs comes directly from subwoofer inputs after passing through the high-pass filter.

If you used the RCA inputs, you must use the RCA satellite outputs in order to use subwoofer/HPF bypass mode.

• Before connecting your subwoofer, make sure that the level is turned fully counterclockwise.

• Do not connect more than one audio input device to your subwoofer at any one time, as this will cause the mixing of input signals and result in unwanted noise.

You may hear a thump from your speaker when you turn your audio setup on and off. To prevent this, make sure that your speakers are the last devices in your setup to be turned on and the first devices in your setup to be turned off.

Connector Connection

Balanced ¼” TRS or Unbalanced ¼” TS

Connect to the combination XLR/TRS balanced analog input connector

Balanced XLR male

Unbalanced RCA

Connects to the RCA unbalanced analog input connector

Before connecting satellite speakers, make sure that the level controls on the speakers are turned all the way down.

Connector Connection

Balanced XLR female

Connects to the XLR balanced analog output connector

Unbalanced RCA

Connects to the RCA unbalanced analog output connector

1 = Ground/Shield 2 = Hot (+) 3 = Cold (-)

Tip = Hot (+)

Ring = Cold (-)

Sleeve = Ground/Shield

1 = Ground/Shield 2 = Hot (+) 3 = Cold (-)

Typical Setups

This section shows some typical configurations for your PS12, including a single subwoofer setup, a dual subwoofer setup, and a single subwoofer surround setup.

Single Subwoofer Setup

The most common single subwoofer configuration is as shown below, where the audio source’s right and left line outputs are connected to the right and left inputs of the subwoofer. The right and left satellite outputs are then connected to powered monitor speakers.

If you use passive monitor speakers, you’ll need to run the satellite outputs to a power amplifier, which in turn feeds your passive speakers.

MODEL NO: PS1

REPLACE FUSE AS MARKED

.5A 250V

V-

120V220V-240V

SUBWOOFER INPUTS SATELLITE OUTPUTS

RL RL

LOWPASS FREQ (Hz)

PHASE LEVEL HIGHPASS

FREQ (Hz)

FOOT

SWITCH

GREEN - ON RED - BYPASS

HIGHPASSSUB

power

offon

voltage select

min max

40 135

100

120

flat

115

HIGHPASS

STATUS

OFF

NORMAL

Powered Monitor

Left Right

Powered Monitor

Mixing Console

Stereo Subwoofer Setup

If you use two subwoofers, it’s typical to send the left output from your mixing console to one subwoofer, and the right output from your console to the other subwoofer. Each subwoofer feeds an individual monitor speaker. This setup is shown below:

Single Subwoofer Surround Setup

To set up your subwoofer in a surround configuration, run the Subwoofer Line Out of your surround receiver, sound card, or other device to either the right or left input of your subwoofer.

The following diagram illustrates how you would set up surround with an E-MU 1616*, five powered satellite speakers, and a PS12.

Make sure the Subwoofer Output you use on your surround device is line-level (not an amplified signal).

-MU PS12 Precision Subwoofer

DEL NO: PS12

EPLACE FUSE AS MARKE

DESIGNED IN THE U.S.A

2.5A

120V

220V-240V

SUBWOOFER INPUTS SATELLITE OUTPUTS

RL RL

LOWPASS FREQ (Hz)

PHASE LEVEL HIGHPASS

FREQ (Hz)

FOOT

SWITCH

GREEN - ON RED - BYPASS

HIGHPASSSUB

power

offon

voltage select

min max

40 135

100

120

flat

115

HIGHPASS

STATUS

OFF

NORMAL

-MU PS12 Precision Subwoofe

EPLACE FUSE AS MARKE

120V

220V-240V

SUBWOOFER INPUTS SATELLITE OUTPUTS

RL RL

LOWPASS FREQ (Hz)

PHASE LEVEL HIGHPASS

FREQ (Hz)

FOOT

SWITCH

GREEN - ON RED - BYPASS

HIGHPASSSUB

power

offon

voltage select

min max

40 135

100

120

flat

115

HIGHPASS

STATUS

OFF

NORMAL

Powered Monitor

Left Right

Powered MonitorMixing Console

EDI

Out

Phono

Gnd

Out

48VDC +

MIDI Cable

DESIGNED IN THE U.S.A.

CHINA

1.25A 250V

20V-240V

SUBWOOFER INPUTS SATELLITE OUTPUTS

RL RL

LOWPASS FREQ (Hz)

PHASE LEVEL HIGHPASS

FREQ (Hz)

FOOT

SWITCH

GREEN - ON RED - BYPASS

HIGHPASSSUB

power

offon

voltage select

min max

40 135

100

120

flat

115

HIGHPASS

STATUS

OFF

NORMAL

Center

Front Left Front Right

Rear Left

Rear Right

* Select the 5.1 DVD Playback

Patchmix DSP session

Positioning Your Subwoofer

Low-frequency waves (especially those below 100Hz) tend to be omni-directional, so unlike your main speakers, a subwoofer can successfully be placed in many different parts of the room, not just in front of the listener.

However, many factors, such as room shape and wall material, can significantly affect performance. Therefore, placement of your subwoofer is worth thoroughly investigating to achieve the maximum performance from your PS12. If you have an untreated room, and don’t have the resources to measure the bass response of your listening area, your best bet is going to be experimentation.

Walls and Corners

While it might seem like placing your subwoofer near a wall, or in a corner is a bad idea, sometimes it turns out to be an ideal location, especially if your room consists of four non-treated walls.

Corner placement reinforces the direct sound of the subwoofer, and can sometimes smooth the inevitable standing waves that occur among low frequencies in a non-treated room.

Center Placement

Some people prefer to place a single subwoofer between stereo satellite speakers. If you do so, it’s best to place it close to a wall. Subwoofers tend to perform at their worst in wide open spaces.

Stereo Subwoofers

If you’re using two PS12’s in stereo, you’ll probably want to place each subwoofer near it’s respective satellite speaker.

Satellite Speaker Placement

Your satellite speakers should already be properly placed and set at a reasonable listening level before attempting to tune the PS12. If they aren’t refer to the documentation that came with your speakers. The basic ideas regarding placement should include the following:

Place your speakers on a flat, stable surface to minimize vibration. Position your speakers at the same height, and maintain the same speaker-to-wall and speaker-to-listener distance for both

speakers. The acoustic axis of each speaker falls on the mid-point between the speaker’s high-frequency driver and low-frequency driver.

Position your speakers such that the acoustic axes are at the same height as your ears.

30°

High-frequency driver

Low-frequency driver

Tuning Your Subwoofer

A subwoofer is designed to handle the low frequency signals that nearfield monitors cannot handle. Since most nearfield monitors cannot handle frequencies below about 60Hz, you’ll want the PS12 to handle any frequencies below that. In fact, depending on how your satellites perform at low frequencies, you might want your subwoofer to be responsible for frequencies as high as 80 100Hz.

The Crossover

The point at which your nearfield monitors stop handling the audio signal, and the PS12 takes over is called the crossover frequency. The idea when setting up a crossover is to create a seamless, inaudible transition between your subwoofer and attached satellite speakers. You should set up your subwoofer in the following order:

1. Position and tune your satellite speakers

2. Position and set the subwoofer level.

3. Set up the crossover frequency

4. Check the phase relationship between the subwoofer and the satellite speakers. A good audio source for setting up the PS12 is a sine wave that sweeps slowly accross the crossover point. E-MU has sine wave

sweeps available for download at the “software and manuals" page at www.emu.com/support. Adjust the output of your audio source to a comfortable volume, and begin adjusting the level of the PS12.

Level

The level knob controls the level of the subwoofer’s amplifier, thus only affecting the volume of the subwoofer itself. Turn the knob clockwise until the PS12’s sound is present, the low frequencies begin to seem filled out. This should be enough to hear the subwoofer low frequencies, but not so much that the PS12 stands out above the satellite speakers— the idea is to match the PS12’s volume with that of your satellite speakers. Don’t turn up the PS12 so much that it’s easily audible as an individual speaker. Remember, you’re trying to blend the subwoofer and your satellites to create a full-range monitoring system.

Subwoofer Low-Pass Filter (LPF) and Satellite Output High-Pass Filter (HPF)

Now, use the Low-Pass Frequency Knob to adjust the low-pass filter for the sound coming out of your subwoofer. This filter constitutes the lower half of the crossover, and ranges in frequencies from 55Hz to Flat (no filter). The crossover frequency you choose for the LPF will depend on the performance of your satellite speakers.

The literature for you satellite speakers should contain information about the speakers’ low-frequency cutoff. Use that information to determine where you want your crossover frequency to occur, and set your LPF knob accordingly. Your satellite speakers may have an adjustable roll-off, which can potentially add to the overall acoustic slope of the high-pass filter. Set the roll-off on your satellite speakers to its lowest frequency. It's best to have the satellites set for full-range operation whenever using the PS12.

At the same time, use the High-Pass Frequency Knob to adjust the HPF for the sound passing through the subwoofer to the satellite speakers. This filter ranges in frequencies from 40Hz to 135Hz. You’re probably best off starting with the same frequency as the LPF.

Let’s say you’ve set your LPF and HPF each to 80Hz (a common crossover frequency, and a good place to start). You’ll have both speakers playing the crossover 80Hz at the same time— one fading in while the other fades out. Your crossover would look something like this:

What you’re aiming for is a smooth transition between frequencies handled by your satellite speakers and those by the PS12. If you’re listening to a sweeping wave sound, try to eliminate any boosts or cuts that occur when the sweep reaches the crossover frequencies. You can do this by increasing or decreasing the amount of crossfade you have between the two filters.

This section assumes you’ve already adjusted the positioning and levels of your satellite speakers. For advice on setting up your satellite speakers, refer to the documentation that came with them, and/or the information on the previous page.

-3

Amplitude (dB)

-6

-10

Frequency (Hz)

LOWPASS FREQ (Hz)

100

120

flat

HIGHPASS

FREQ (Hz)

40 135

100

120

The settings on the knobs represent where the filter has attenuated the volume to -6dB.

A setting of 80Hz for both LP and HP filters means that the subwoofer and satellites are both at -6dB at 80Hz.

For example, if you set the LPF to 80Hz and the HPF to 75Hz, you will hear sound from both speakers between 75Hz and 80Hz. However, this might cause an audible boost in that frequency range.

Set the LPF to 80Hz and the HPF to 85Hz, and there might be a point somewhere between 80Hz and 85Hz where neither speaker is playing, causing a dip when you listen to your filter sweep.

Experiment with the HPF knob until you find the right balance where there is neither a dip, nor a boost near the crossover frequency. It is important remember that the ideal settings for these knobs will vary depending upon room size and shape, where you place the PS12, and the performance of your satellite speakers.

Phase

This controls the phase of the signal going to the subwoofer amplifier, thus changing the relationship between the subwoofer signal and the satellite output signal.

Phase cancellation occurs when two identical signals reach your ears at different time. Depending on your filter settings, there will likely be a small range of frequencies (near the crossover frequency) playing through both the subwoofer and attached satellite speakers.

Unless the distance between the subwoofer and your ears is identical to the distance between the satellite speakers and your ears, these frequencies will be slightly out of phase with each other. You can use the variable phase control to change the phase of the subwoofer output from 0 to 180 degrees to compensate for this disparity.

Remember Your Settings

Once you find the optimum settings for your PS12, you can mark them on the following template for future reference. Two extra knobs are provided for your satellite speakers.

-3

Amplitude (dB)

-6

-10

Frequency (Hz)

8075

LOWPASS FREQ (Hz)

100

120

flat

HIGHPASS

FREQ (Hz)

40 135

100

120

Low-Pass

High-Pass

Combined

Too much overlap between the satellites and the subwoofer causes a boost in the combined signal near the HPF and LPF frequencies.

-3

Amplitude (dB)

-6

-10

Frequency (Hz)

80 85

LOWPASS

FREQ (Hz)

100

120

flat

HIGHPASS

FREQ (Hz)

40 135

100

120

Low-Pass

High-Pass

Combined

Too little overlap between the satellites and the subwoofer causes a dip in the combined signal between the HPF and LPF frequencies.

PHASE

18 0

LEVEL

min max

HIGHPASS

FREQ (Hz)

40 135

10 0

12 0

LOWPASS FREQ (Hz)

10 0

12 0

flat

Satellite L Satellite R

+ 25 hidden pages

E-Mu PS12 Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual