Furman Sound MS2A-1 User Manual

MS Series

Confidence Monitoring System

Owner’s Manual

Furman Sound, Inc.

1997 South McDowell Blvd.

Petaluma, CA 94954-6919 U.S.A.

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

www.furmansound.com

E-mail: [e-mail]

1-0126 960144-3050

Table of Contents

Introduction .............................................................................................. 3

Package Contents.................................................................................... 3

Product Description ............................................................................... 3

Setup and Guided Tour ........................................................................ 4

Analog Audio Monitoring.................................................... 4

Digital Audio Monitoring..................................................... 5

Analog Outputs....................................................................... 5

Video Monitoring ................................................................... 5

System Verification ................................................................................. 6

Illustrations

Initial Setup .............................................................................. 6

Check-Out ................................................................................ 6

Warranty Information............................................................................. 8

Service ....................................................................................... 8

Specifications.......................................................................................... 11

Fig. 1 MS4AD-1 Front View ............................................................ 9

Fig. 2 MS4AD-1 Rear View .............................................................. 9

Fig. 3 MS2ADV-1 Front View ......................................................... 9

Fig. 4 MS2ADV-1 Front View ......................................................... 9

Fig. 5 MS Series Block Diagram .................................................. 10

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Introduction

Thank you for purchasing a Furman MS Series “Confidence” Monitor System. We are confident
you will be pleased with the confidence your MS Series monitor will give you about your audio and
video signals! Under normal operating conditions, this product will provide reliable, long-term
performance without maintenance.

A manufacturer of quality professional audio, video, and AC power products for over a quarter
century, Furman stands behind the MS Series with a Three Year Limited Warranty and a firm
commitment to customer satisfaction. Knowledgeable technicians and sales staff are available to
answer questions about this or any other Furman product quickly and directly via telephone, fax, or
e-mail. We are ready to provide you with quality service and applications assistance whenever you
need it.

Contents

Each MS Series Monitor System includes: (1) MS Series unit; (1) instruction manual; (1) power
supply; (1) warranty card. If any items are missing, please notify your dealer.

Description

There are at present six models in the MS Series. This manual describes them all, so there may be
sections which do not apply to your particular unit. The various models differ primarily in the types
and number of signals they can monitor: from 2 to 4 analog or digital audio channels, and one video
channel. The six models are:

MS2A-1 2 Channel, Analog Audio
MS2AD-1 2 Channel, Analog/Digital Audio
MS4A-1 4 Channel, Analog Audio
MS4AD-1 4 Channel, Analog/Digital Audio
MS2AV-1 2 Channel, Analog Audio, Video
MS2ADV-1 2 Channel, Analog/Digital Audio, Video

All models share many basic features and capabilities, such as: full range shielded stereo speakers
with SPEAKER MUTE switch; slide-style VOLUME control; PHASE indicator (mono-compatibility);
front panel VU/PPM BALLISTICS selector; full 14 segment meters with DIMMER; HEADPHONE
jack; XLR balanced inputs and outputs, each with a SIGNAL activity indicator; output GAIN TRIM; a
UL/CE-approved external power supply; and a clean, modular design with minimal cabling, all in a
compact, single rack space chassis.

Models with digital monitoring capability also include an A/D SELECT button and front and rear
digital SIGNAL indicators. Video models include an LCD video monitor with associated COLOR,
TINT, CONTRAST, and BRIGHTNESS controls, which automatically senses and displays NTSC and
PAL signals. Four channel models include LEFT and RIGHT CHANNEL SELECTOR switches to assign
any input to the left and right analog outputs. Non-video units feature a BALANCE slider to adjust the
left/right position of the stereo image.

Because the speakers in the MS Series are magnetically shielded, no special consideration is required
for installation in critical locations near video monitors.

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Setup and Guided Tour

Operation of the MS Series is basic and straightforward. The controls and operation are mostly
intuitive and self-explanatory, but are discussed here in detail to allow any user to operate it
successfully.

Install the unit in its rack and connect the external power supply to the 5-pin DIN DC POWER
INPUT connector on the rear panel. Connect an appropriate line cord to the power input on the
supply box, and to the AC mains. The power supply accepts any input voltage from 100 to 240 VAC.

Analog Audio Monitoring

Connect active analog audio sources to each of the balanced XLR inputs on the rear panel. (Please
refer to Figures 1-4 on page 9 for the locations of controls and indicators.) When the unit is powered
up and audio above -28 dBu is present, the SIG (Signal) LEDs next to each input and output
connector should flash. If you have a unit with digital capability, set the A/D SELECT button to
ANALOG.

Next, vary the VOLUME and BALANCE sliders (BALANCE is present in non-video units only) to
confirm that they affect the speakers and headphones identically. The BALANCE slider should move
the stereo image from full left to full right. The headphones DO NOT disable the speakers when they
are inserted into the HEADPHONE jack. Headphone monitoring is intended to minimize the
distracting effects of surrounding ambient sound for the operator. The speakers are still active when the

headphones are plugged in to provide audio to others in the immediate area for confidence, while the
operator is monitoring the audio specifically. Nevertheless, the speakers can be muted if desired by

pressing the SPEAKER MUTE button. An indicator LED lights when the speakers are muted. The
SPEAKER MUTE button does not affect the headphones.

With audio input, the Level Meters will vary according to the BALLISTICS selected, either VU or
PPM. Note that there is a PK (Peak) LED that will illuminate when the audio level exceeds +4 dBu.

The movement of the meters is from -40 dBu to +3 dBu, left to right as is seen in analog metering.
The zero reference of the meters may be set to either +4 dBu or +8 dBu with the REF/dBu button.
Successive presses of the button will toggle between the two references. An indicator LED glows
above the selected reference, which affects all meters on the unit.

NOTE:Choose VU for a slower, time-averaged meter response. Choose PPM for an extremely

fast response which displays all peaks.

The brightness of the Level Meters’ LED displays can be varied by the DIMMER control at the very
left side of the front panel assembly. This control will vary the brightness from “Full On” to slightly
visible. The Level Meters cannot be dimmed completely as this may cause an erroneous reading by
operators not aware of the dimmed setting. This adjustment requires a small flat-blade screwdriver
and has a travel of 270 degrees of rotation.

When normal, in-phase stereo signals are applied to the MS Series unit, the PHASE indicator will
glow green, with an occasional yellow flicker. If one channel is disconnected or reduced to zero, the
color will change to steady red. It will also be mainly red for out-of-phase stereo.

NOTE: Out-of phase stereo is not compatible with conversion to mono. The out-of-phase

condition should be corrected, or there may be substantial level loss when left and right
are summed to mono.

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