Genelec 1238AC Operating Manual

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Page 1

1238AC

Operating Manual

Genelec 1238AC Smart Active Monitor

Page 2

Genelec 1238AC Operating Manual

Introduction

Congratulations and thank you for

choosing Genelec!

Since 1978, Genelec has been guided

by a single idea – to make perfect

active monitors that deliver neutral and

accurate sound in every kind of acoustical

environment. In Genelec’s quest for this

ultimate goal, our unrivalled commitment

to research and development has led us

to continuously develop innovative driver

technology, electronic circuitry, enclosure

designs and more.

Our design philosophy is based on

sustainability and environmental values,

where industrial design serves our

products' acoustical performance. Your

Genelec product has been designed and

manufactured with care in our factory, in

Finland, using environmentally efficient

solutions to give you reliable operation

over many years.

Please take the time to read this manual.

Happy monitoring!

General Description

The Genelec 1238AC is a three-way

monitoring system for medium sized control

rooms. It performs well as free-standing

monitor as well as ush-mounted in control

room walls. It is suited for recording, lm

and video post-production, broadcast

monitoring as well as for mastering.

The unique Directivity Control

Waveguide™ (DCW™) technology by

Genelec provides excellent stereo imaging

and neutral frequency response even in

dicult acoustics.

With program material at a 2 meter

listening distance, the fast low distortion

ampliers drive a stereo system to peak

sound levels in excess of 124 dB SPL.

The 1238AC is fully compatible with

Genelec Loudspeaker Manager GLM™ and

the proprietary Genelec control network.

It can be used with 8200-series SAM

monitors and 7200-series SAM subwoofers

in the same network.

Drivers and Cabinet

Construction

The 1238AC reproduces low frequencies

with dual 250 mm (10 in) woofers in a 110

litre bass reex enclosure. The proprietary

130 mm (5 in) direct radiating midrange

driver, and a 25 mm (1 in) metal dome

tweeter are acoustically loaded by the

proprietary Directivity Control Waveguide.

All drivers are magnetically shielded.

Amplifiers and Signal

Processing

The 1238AC uses the RAM-L amplier unit.

The RAM-L is designed to be mounted in

a 19 inch rack. Digital signal processing

in the RAM-L amplier unit is done with

high precision algorithms, and includes

driver and amplier overload protection.

The room response compensations

include highly exible parametric lters,

level alignment, and acoustic delay

compensation. These allow accurate

matching to all console output sections

and room acoustics.

Operating Environment

These monitors and their RAM-L

amplifiers are designed for indoor

use only. The permissible ambient

temperature is 15-35 degrees Celsius (50-

95°F) and permissible relative humidity

between 20% and 80%. Humidity

condensation on the product is not

allowed during use. For instance, if the

product has been stored or transported

in a cool environment and then taken into

a warm room, it must be allowed to warm

up to the ambient temperature before

connecting to mains power.

Mounting Considerations

Place the monitor so that its acoustic axes

are aimed towards the listening position

(see Figures 1 and 2). Place monitors

with left-right symmetry and at an equal

distance from the listening position.

Page 3

LISTENING

POSITION

MICROPHONE

GLM NETWORK

USB

RAM-L

INPUT

CONNECTORS

0- 0

100 120

Figure 1. The location of the acoustic axis.

Figure 2. Recommended placement

and alignment of monitors in a 5-chan-

nel system (ITU-R BS.775-1)

Cable gauge Max. length

2.0 mm2 (14 AWG) 30 m (100 ft)

3.3 mm2 (12 AWG) 40 m (130 ft)

5.3 mm2 (10 AWG) 60 m (200 ft)

Table 1. Recommended cable thicknesses

for dierent lengths of signal cable

Acoustic reections from objects close

to monitors and the listening position

can cause colouration and blurring of the

sound image. Symmetrical positioning of

reective objects maintains good stereo

imaging. When sot (ush) mounting, the

wall surface should extend to the monitor,

forming a continuous surface.

Figure 3. GLM network cabling

ANALOG AUDIO INPUT

ANALOG

DIGITALIN

AES/EBU

www.genelec.com

MADEIN FINLAND

DIGITAL AUDIO

DIGITAL THRU CONNECTOR

GND

THRU

213

DIGITAL THRU

AES/EBU

CONTROL NETWORK

CONTROLNETWORK

CONNECTONLYTOGENELEC NETWORK.

Figure 4. Connector panel of the RAM-L amplier.

LOUDSPEAKER CONNECTOR GROUP

LED CONNECTOR

LOUDSPEAKER CONNECTORS

WOOFER

LOUDSPEAKER

CONNECTOR

CONSULTOPERATING

MANUALBEFORE

OPENING !

DIRECT

MIDRANGE /

TWEETER

SERIALNUMBER

MAINS INPUT 50 /60Hz 750 W 100 - 230 V~

RAM-L AMPLIFIER

MODULE

MAINS CONNECTOR

Minimum Clearances

The ambient temperature around the

amplifier must not exceed 35 degrees

Celsius (95°F).

When the RAM-L amplier is mounted

in a 19 in rack, the minimum free space is

1/2 U both above and below the amplier

and both sides of the amplier fully open

to enable free movement of air. Use the

included rack mount front plate to ensure

sufficient space above and below the

amplier.

When the RAM-L is mounted on a table,

shelf or similar solid surface, there must

be a free space of at least 250 mm (10

in) above and 10 cm (4 in) on both sides

of the amplifier. Free air flow must be

possible in the front side of the amplier.

Page 4

Description Of Connectors

“MAINS INPUT” Connector

Connect to the mains supply. The RAM-L

amplier accepts any AC 50/60 Hz mains

voltage between 100 and 230 Volts.

“DIGITAL IN AES/EBU” Connector

The monitor defaults to reproducing an

analog input signal. The digital audio AES/

EBU input is selected automatically when

a valid digital audio signal is presented.

Use GLM software to dene the AES/EBU

subframe to monitor.

“DIGITAL THRU AES/EBU” Connector

This output carries an unaltered copy of

the digital audio signal and can be used

for daisy-chaining the signal up to three

additional SAM monitors or subwoofers.

“ANALOG IN” Connector

The maximum input level of the analog

input is +25.0 dBu. The analog input must

not be overloaded, otherwise distortion

will result. When the maximum input is

exceeded, the enclosure front panel light

turns red, indicating the overload.

The sensitivity of the monitor system is

set using the GLM software. Coming from

the factory, the analog input is set to the

highest sensitivity, resulting in a sound

output of 100 dB SPL for a -6 dBu analog

input signal.

“CONTROL NETWORK” Connectors

The RJ45 sockets connect the monitor

to the proprietary Genelec Loudspeaker

Manager™ (GLM™) network. Do not

connect to Ethernet LAN.

“Loudspeaker Connectors” Group

These connectors are used for connecting

the rack mounted RAM-L amplier to the

monitor enclosure.

1. “LED” Connector

This RJ45 socket is a connection for

the front panel warning LED.

2. “Woofer” Connector

A standard four-pole Speakon cable

connects to the woofer.

3. Midrange/Tweeter” Connector

A standard four-pole Speakon cable

connects to the the midrange and

tweeter.

Connecting Cables

Insert the connectors into the appropriate

sockets “WOOFER”, “MIDRANGE/

TWEETER” and “LED CONNECTOR” found

on the rear panel of the amplier unit and the

rear of the monitor. Note that each RAM-L

amplier is individually calibrated for use with

the monitor enclosure that it is delivered with

and marked with the same serial number. Do

not mix these amplier/monitor pairs.

Insert the connectors into the sockets

and turn the connectors clockwise.

The connectors lock automatically. The

electrical connections are only made when

the connectors are fully inserted.

To remove the signal connectors pull

the release lever on the connector and

turn the connector counterclockwise

simultaneously. The connector can now be

removed from the socket.

Set-up and Use

Monitor calibration and setup

The 1238AC is set up using the GLM

software. The setup is fast and consists of

the following steps:

1. Run a CAT5 (RJ45) cable from the

monitor control network to the next

monitor.

2. Run the nal cable to control network

input of the GLM Adapter device.

3. Connect the GLM Adapter device to

your computer USB connector. The

cable

is a part of the GLM User Kit

4. Place the Genelec measurement

microphone at the listening location

of the engineer, on a stand, with the

microphone pointing upwards and

the microphone top at the height of

the engineers ear in normal working

position. The microphone is a part of

the GLM User Kit.

5. Run the microphone cable to the

microphone input in the GLM Adapter

device.

6. Download GLM software at the

Genelec web site (www.genelec.com).

Install the GLM software.

7. Follow the GLM software instructions

to measure and set up your monitors.

8. If you plan not to use a computer for

controlling the monitors, use the GLM

software to write the settings into the

monitors ("Store the Settings").

Figure 5. Selecting ISS setting.

Recommendations for

AES/EBU Audio

For a digital input signal of –30 dB FS, the

1238AC monitor will produce a 100 dB

sound level (SPL) at 1 meter distance, in

free space. The sensitivity of the monitor

system is set using the GLM software.

It is advantageous to keep the maximum

incoming digital audio signal level high,

near to 0 dBFS. It may be useful to lower

the internal GLM level control. This enables

maintaining high digital resolution in the

digital source.

Single-wire mode of AES/EBU is the

default and the older dual-wire mode is

automatically detected if used at the source.

The standard AES/EBU cable carries

two channels of audio, called A and B. As

a default, both A and B subchannels are

reproduced by the monitor. GLM software

is used to set up the monitor to specific

channel assignments.

RAM-L Amplifier

Power Button

The power button in the middle of the

RAM-L amplier front panel controls several

functions.

A short press of the power button turns

RAM-L on or off. Turning on, the power

button light flashes rapidly, and lights

on steadily when the turn-on has been

completed.

Testing modes are explained later in this

manual.

Setting ISS™

The Intelligent Signal Sensing™ (ISS™)

puts the monitor to a power-saving

stand-by mode automatically. The factory

setting for ISS is "OFF." The ISS can be

activated using the GLM software (see

Figure 5). When ISS is active, if no audio

signal is sensed during the selected time,

Page 5

MULTI-LAYERED WALL

HEAVY WOODEN WALL

ABSORBING

MATERIAL

VIBRATION

ISOLATORS

f ~ 2-8 Hz

(WOOD, CONCRETE, BRICKS)

CONCRETE WALL

CONCRETE

STRUCTURE

SAND BAGS

VIBRATION

ISOLATORS

f ~ 2-8 Hz

VIBRATION

ISOLATORS

f ~ 2-8 Hz

Figure 6. Flush mounting the speaker in

a wall constructed of wood

the monitor powers down. The monitor will

power up again once a signal is detected.

The ISS setting is applied to all ISS-enabled

monitors in the currently selected Setup.

Front Panel Light Functions

The green light on the DCW panel of

a 1238AC enclosure indicates normal

operation. A yellow light indicates certain

activities when the GLM control software

is used. The light turns red in an overload

condition. The overload light (red) is

activated by several events:

1. Exceeding the maximum input of the

analog input

2. Reaching close to the digital input

maximum (high likelihood of digital

clipping)

3. Overload of drivers or amplifier, or

clipping in the power amplier

4. An error detected in the AES/EBU

audio data

If a red warning light appears on the monitor

enclosure, turn the source level down.

Ensure that there are no bit errors in the

AES/EBU digital audio data transmission.

Flush Mounting the

Monitor Enclosure

Flush mounting oers acoustical benets.

No cabinet edge diraction will occur. Low

Figure 7. Flush mounting the speaker in

a wall constructed of concrete

frequency reections from the wall behind

the monitor can be avoided. The monitor’s

acoustical axis (Figure 1) should point to

the seated listening position. The wall in

which the monitors are mounted should be

sti and heavy. The monitors should not be

mounted too high (maximum tilt angle < 15

degrees).

A space 50 to 100 mm (2 to 4 in) wide

can be left around the monitor but this

space should be covered with a panel in

the front.

½ in) between the monitor and the panel. Fill

this gap with a soft rubber gasket (see gure

14). The monitor should be mounted on

vibration isolators. The resonant frequency

of movement for the mounted monitor

should be between 2 to 8 Hz.

lled with absorbent mineral wool or foam

plastic. A wooden wall structure must be

heavily braced (see gure 11). In a solid

(e.g. concrete) wall structure, the space

around the cabinet should be filled with

absorbent mineral wool or sand bags (see

Figure 12).

surface of the wall. If a decorative cloth

frame is used the edges adjacent to the

monitors must be less than 20 mm (3/4

in) deep. The cloth must be acoustically

transparent. Genelec-approved cloth

grilles are available.

Leave a gap of 5 to 10 mm (¼ to

An empty cavity in the wall should be

Ensure that the cabinet is ush with the

Figure 8. Flush mounting the speaker

in a wall constructed of a combination

of materials.

SPEAKER

RUBBER GASKET

(5-10 mm / ¼-½")

FACING PANEL

FIXED TO THE WALL

WALL

Figure 9. Covering the gap between

the wall and the monitor enclosure.

(50-100 mm / 2-4")

Testing Mode

Once on, when the power button is

pressed for a long time, the RAM-L enters

a mode for system testing. This special

mode is intended for system debugging

and testing. When the RAM-L is turned

off, the special mode is reset. Upon

restarting the RAM-L the current standard

settings stored by GLM software are

restored.

button light (see Table 2). A special mode

is activated by a long press on the power

button. In a special mode the power

button light remains on but blinks off

1-4 times indicating the mode currently

selected.

continued operation. Use GLM software to

set up permanent settings for 1238AC.

Test mode selection blinks the power

The testing modes are not intended for

Page 6

Button press Function Notes

Short press Power on, power o

Long press Enter special mode, exit

special mode

Special mode: one short

press

Short press advances Mode 2: AES/EBU channel

Short press advances Mode 3: AES/EBU channel

Short press advances Mode 4: AES/EBU channel

Special selection: long

press

Special mode: no press for

60 seconds

Table 2. Power button actions to activate testing modes

Safety Considerations

The 1238AC has been designed in

accordance with international safety

standards. To ensure continued safe

operation and to maintain the monitor under

safe operating conditions, the following

warnings and precautions must be observed:

1. Servicing and adjustment must only

be performed by qualified service

personnel. The monitor enclosure or

the amplier enclosure must not be

opened.

2. Do not use this product with a

mains cable with no protective earth

conductor, or a mains connection

without the protective earth contact,

as this may lead to personal injury.

3. To prevent fire or electric shock,

do not expose the unit to water or

moisture.

4. Do not place any objects lled with

liquid, such as vases or water pipes

on the amplier or near it.

5. Note that the amplifier is not

Mode 1: AES/EBU channel

A selected, room-related

calibration in use

B selected, room-related

calibration in use

A selected, factory calibra-

tion in use

B selected, factory calibra-

tion in use

Once a special mode 1-4

has been selected, a long

press selects the special

mode

RAM-L exits the special

mode and turns o

completely disconnected from the AC

mains service unless the mains power

cord is removed from the amplier or

the mains outlet.

6. Free ow of air around the amplier

is necessary to maintain sufficient

cooling. Do not obstruct airflow

around the amplier.

The Genelec 1238AC monitor is capable of

producing sound pressure levels in excess

of 85 dB, which may cause permanent

hearing damage.

No user serviceable parts are to be found

within the monitor enclosure or the RAM-L

amplier unit. Any maintenance or repair of

the monitor should only be undertaken by

qualied service personnel.

The Genelec 1238AC is supplied with a

two year guarantee against manufacturing

faults or defects that might alter the

Press longer than 5 seconds

Power button light blinks

once every few seconds

Power button light blinks

twice every few seconds

Power button light blinks

three times every few

seconds

Power button blinks four

times every few seconds

Press longer than 5 sec-

onds; the RAM-L selects

the special mode and starts

playing. To exit the special

mode turn o the amplier.

Automatically happens if

user does not press the

power button

Maintenance

Guarantee

WARNING!

performance of the monitors. Refer to

supplier for full sales and guarantee terms.

Accessories

A wide selection of accessories is

available for Genelec monitors. Consult the

Accessories Catalogue on www.genelec.

com or your local distributor/dealer for

up-to-date information.

Compliance to FCC Rules

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

2. This device must accept any

interference received, including

interference that may cause undesired

operation.

Note: 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, there

is no 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

o and on, the user is encouraged to try to

correct the interference by one or more of

the following measures:

1. Reorient or relocate the receiving

antenna.

2. Increase the separation between the

equipment and receiver.

3. Connect the equipment into an outlet

on a circuit dierent from that to which

the receiver is connected.

4. Consult the dealer or an experienced

radio/TV technician for help.

Modications not expressly approved by

the manufacturer could void the user’s

authority to operate the equipment under

FCC rules.

Page 7

20k

Genelec Oy 1238AC (dBr)vs freq(Hz) 14 April 15

0°

60°

15°

30°

45°

d B

Figure 10. Horizontal directivity characteristics of the 1238AC.

100

200

500

1k 2k

10k

Figure 12. Horizontal directivity characteristics of the

1238AC. The lower curve is the power response graph.

Figure 11. Vertical directivity characteristics of the 1238AC.

Page 8

1238AC Operating Manual

SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

1238AC

Lower cut-o frequency, –3 dB < 33 Hz

Upper cut-o frequency, –3 dB > 21 kHz

Free eld frequency response, ± 2.0 dB 35 Hz – 20 kHz

Maximum short term sine wave acoustic output on axis in half space, averaged from 100 Hz to 3 kHz @ 1 m

Maximum long term RMS acoustic output in the same conditions with IEC weighted noise (limited by driver protection circuit) @ 1 m

Maximum peak acoustic output per pair in a listening room with music material @ 2 m

Self generated noise level in free space at 1 m on axis (A-weighted)

Harmonic distortion at 95 dB SPL at 1 m on axis

Freq: 50…200 Hz > 200 Hz

Drivers

Bass

Midrange Treble

All drivers are magnetically shielded

Weight

Monitor enclosure

Amplier

Dimensions (

monitor enclosure)

Height Width Depth

Amplier dimensions

Height (front panel) Height (amplier casing) Width (front panel)

Width (amplier casing)

Depth

Genelec Document D0114R002 Copyright Genelec Oy 3.2015. All data subject to change without prior notice

> 121 dB SPL

> 116 dB SPL

> 124 dB

< 10 dB

< 1 % < 0.5 %

2 x 250 mm (10 in) cone 125 mm (5 in) cone 25 mm (1 in) metal dome

60 kg (130 lb) 6 kg (13 lb)

350 mm (13 3/4 in) 950 mm (37 3/8 in) 453 mm (17 7/8 in)

3U 132 mm (53/6 in) 80 mm (31/8 in) 483 mm (19 in) 425 mm (163/4 in) 252 mm (915/16 in)

International enquiries:

Genelec, Olvitie 5

FIN-74100, Iisalmi, Finland

Phone +358 17 83881

Fax +358 17 812 267

Email genelec@genelec.com

AMPLIFIER SECTION

1238AC

Bass amplier short term output power Midrange amplier short term output power Treble amplier short term output power

500 W 250 W 200 W

Long term output power is limited by driver protection circuitry

Amplier system THD at nominal output <0.01 %

Signal to Noise ratio, referred to full output

Bass Midrange Treble

>115 dB >115 dB >115 dB

Mains voltage 100-240 VAC,

50/60 Hz

Power consumption

Standby Idle Full output

<0.5 W 25 W 750 W

SIGNAL PROCESSING SECTION

1238AC

Analog signal input connector XLR female, balanced 10 kOhm

pin 1 gnd pin 2 non-inverting pin 3 inverting

Maximum analog input signal Analog input sensitivity (100 dB SPL at 1 m) Analog input gain selection

Digital signal input connector XLR female 110 Ohm

Digital signal output / Thru connector XLR male 110 Ohm

+25.0 dBu

-6 dBu 0, +6, +12, +18 dB

AES/EBU Single Wire or Dual Wire

Digital audio input

Word length Sample rate

16 - 24 bits 32 - 192 kHz

Digital input sensitivity (100 dB SPL at 1 m ) Digital input gain selection

Control network

Type Connection

Crossover frequency

Bass/Mid Mid/Treble

-30 dBFS 0, +6, +12, +18 dB

Proprietary GLM™ network 2 RJ45, CAT5 cables

420 Hz

3.0 kHz

GLMTM software frequency response adjustment

Notch lters Shelving lters

4 LF and 2 HF 2 LF and 2 HF

System calibration Genelec GLM

AutoCal™

www.genelec.com

In the U.S. please contact:

Genelec, Inc., 7 Tech Circle

Natick, MA 01760, USA

Phone +1 508 652 0900

Fax +1 508 652 0909

Email genelec.usa@genelec.com

In China please contact:

Beijing Genelec Audio Co.Ltd

Room 101, 1st oor

Building 71 B33, Universal Business Park

No. 10 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District

Beijing, China

Phone +86 (10) 5823 2014

Post code: 100015

Email genelec.china@genelec.com