JBL MSC1 Owner's Manual

Owner's Manual

HEADPHONE

VOLUME

SPEAKER

SELECT

INPUT

SELECT

INPUT TRIM

POWER

CLIP

SIGNAL

MUTE

VOLUME

MAX

∞

SUB

RMC

A/B

RMC

MSC1

MONITOR SYSTEM CONTROLLER

Document Version: 11.16.2009

Table of Contents

Section 1: Important Safety Instructions ..................3

Section 2: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Section 3: Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Section 4: Setting Up Your MSC1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Power Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Audio Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Getting Sound .............................8

MSC1 System Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Section 5: Features and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

MSC1 front panel controls ...................10

MSC1 rear panel connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Section 6: Installing MSC1 Control Center Software . . . . . . . 16

To Uninstall the MSC1 Control Center Software . 18

Section 7: Launching the MSC1 Control Center Software . . 19

Section 8: Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Section 9: Troubleshooting ...........................22

Section 10: Specications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Section 11: JBL Service Contact Information .............28

Section 12: Product Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Section 1: Important Safety Instructions

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with dry cloth.

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

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other apparatus that produce heat.

9. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacle and the point where the power cord connects to the apparatus.

10. Only use attachments/accessories specied by the manufacturer.

11. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

12. Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel. Servicing is required when

the apparatus has been damaged in any way, including: 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.

13. The appliance coupler of the power supply cord is used as the ultimate disconnect device from the mains. The appliance coupler shall remain readily operable.

14. The apparatus shall be connected to mains socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.

15. POWER ON/OFF SWITCH: The power switch DOES NOT interrupt connection to the mains. To disconnect the product from the mains, remove the power cord connector from the power input on the rear panel of the product.

16. Caution: This product is used to control loudspeaker volume. Very loud playback volume can damage hearing. Never adjust speaker volume to produce an output level that is audibly painful.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of re or electrical shock, do not expose the apparatus to rain or moisture. The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and no objects lled with

liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus. As with any electronic product, use care

not to spill liquids into any part of the system. Liquids can cause a failure and/or a re hazard.

CAUTION! TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRONIC SHOCK - DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

Section 2: Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the JBL MSC1 Monitor System Controller, a unique product that combines the essential "Monitor Strip" functions found in large mixing consoles with JBL’s highly acclaimed RMC technology, that allows any connected speaker system to be automatically tuned to your room. The end result is a calibrated reference environment in which your speakers work in harmony with your room to take the guesswork out of mixing. As the hub of your system, the MSC1 provides these powerful capabilities:

Mixing Console "Monitor Strip" Functions

• Monitor using two sets of stereo speakers.

• Monitor with and without a connected subwoofer* – The MSC1 automatically

balances the subwoofer and gives you a choice of cross-over settings for proper integration of your subwoofer into your speaker system.

• Connect up to three 2-channel signal sources, and select the source to be

monitored.

• Send a headphone feed to a performer, or use headphones in the control room

to monitor program material.

• Tailor the frequency response of your speakers using exible high and low frequency EQ.*

JBL RMC Room Mode Correction

With the supplied MSC1 Control Center Software and MSC1 calibration microphone,

the MSC1 tunes the low frequency response of the speaker system* to compensate

for inaccuracies measured at the listening position caused by room modes (standing waves) and the speakers proximity to walls, and the work surface.

Room Mode Correction

Supplied MSC1 Control Center Software

Install the supplied MSC1 Control Center software on your computer to perform

RMC Calibration, adjust equalizer settings, speaker level and delay, and ne tune a connected subwoofer.*

*Note: the processing functions of the MSC1 Room Mode Correction, EQ, subwoofer

settings, speaker level and delay are available on "A" SPEAKER OUTPUTS. Flat, unprocessed signal is routed to "B" SPEAKER OUTPUTS. The subwoofer output is muted when "B" SPEAKER OUTPUTS are selected.

We know that very few people read owner’s manuals from cover to cover, so we’ve

organized this one to make it easy to nd the information you need.

Section 2: Introduction

The section Setting Up Your MSC1 will get you up and running in a matter of minutes. This is followed by a 1 page Quick Start section guide that provides a very basic set of instructions for use of all the MSC1 features. The Quick Start is followed by a section that describes every feature and function of the MSC1 in detail. Next are directions for installing the supplied MSC1 Control Center software, which allows advanced functions such as calibration of the RMC

system, adjustment of equalization, subwoofer settings and ne speaker alignment

including delay and level trim controls. Finally, we’ve included troubleshooting tips

and specications at the end of this manual, along with service contact and warranty

information.

Note: Throughout this manual, important tips and cautions will be presented like this.

Registration

Please take a moment to register your MSC1. Registration can be accomplished on-line by going to www.jblpro.com/MSC1. Click on "Register your product" and complete the on-line form. Thank you.

Room Mode Correction

Section 3: Quick Start

1. Install the MSC1 Control Center Software following the procedure on

pages 16.

2. Connect the MSC1 power supply to an available wall outlet and then

connect the MSC1 to your computer using the supplied USB cable.

3. Launch The MSC1 Control Center Via the Desktop Icon.

4. To power the MSC1 on or off, press the MSC1’s Power button or click

on the Power Button image in the Software.

5. To change subwoofer level, crossover frequency or polarity settings,

click the SUB button in the software or press the MSC1 front panel SUB control. Make adjustments using the on-screen Sub controls. To view Subwoofer settings at any time, click on the SUB GRAPH Tab.

6. To apply high frequency and low frequency monitor EQ, click the EQ

button in the software or press the MSC1 front panel EQ control. Make adjustments using the on screen EQ controls. To view EQ settings at any time, click on the EQ Graph tab.

7. To enable MUTE click on the MUTE button in the software or press the

front panel MSC1 MUTE control.

8. To activate Room Mode Correction (RMC) settings, click the RMC

button in the software or press the front panel MSC1 RMC control.

9. To perform RMC Calibration, click RMC Menu, RMC Calibration, and

follow the on-screen instructions.

10. To change the level of an individual speaker, click RMC Menu, RMC

Alignment, and use your mouse to adjust the level slider, to the left of each speaker image. Note: Speakers levels are automatically adjusted during the RMC Calibration procedure.

11. To apply delay to an individual speaker click RMC Menu, RMC

Alignment, and use your mouse to move the Delay level slider, to the right of each speaker image.

Section 4: Setting Up Your MSC1

12VDC 500m

Power Connections

Connect the MSC1 power adaptor to the POWER Connector on the rear of the MSC1. Plug the power adaptor into a suitable available

power source. To minimize the potential for "ground-related" noise, we

recommend connecting MSC1 to the same power source as the audio equipment and computers connected to the MSC1.

Audio Connections

The MSC1 Monitor System Controller is equipped with balanced 6.5mm (1/4 inch) TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) output connectors for the connection of two stereo speaker systems (labeled "A" and "B"), plus a dedicated balanced 6.5mm (1/4 inch) TRS connector for the connection of a subwoofer to system A. In addition, three pairs of input connectors are provided: two pairs of balanced

6.5mm (1/4 inch) TRS connectors, labeled A and B, and one unbalanced pair of PHONO (RCA) connectors, labeled C, allowing the MSC1 to be used with a wide variety of professional computer audio interfaces, soundcards, mixing consoles and audio production equipment, as well as consumer audio products with unbalanced outputs such as personal music players, receivers and audio visual equipment. Finally, a stereo 6.5mm (1/4 inch) stereo headphone output with dedicated front-panel volume control allows you to send a headphone feed to a performer or monitor audio using headphones in the control room.

Note: Two additional rear-panel stereo 3.5mm (1/8 inch) audio connectors, labeled

"RMC MIC IN" and "RMC MIC OUT," are used only during RMC calibration. See page 14 in this manual for more information.

Note: To avoid audible noise, make audio connections with speakers and MSC1

powered off.

The following illustration shows various suggested MSC1 audio interconnections. The use of balanced cabling is recommended when connecting the MSC1 to equipment with balanced inputs and outputs as it ensures the best possible signal-to-noise performance. Additionally, use of unbalanced cable in systems with balanced inputs and outputs can reduce system gain by as much as 6 dB.

Conrm the settings of controls on connected speakers and subwoofer:

• Speaker and subwoofer volume controls should be set to maximum setting.

• If the Subwoofer includes a crossover control, it should be set to the highest

available frequency.

• Speaker tone controls may be used, but we recommend these are bypassed

prior to RMC calibration and restored according to taste, after RMC calibration (See MSC1 Control Center Software User’s Guide).

Section 4: Setting Up Your MSC1

HEADPHONE

VOLUME

SPEAKER

SELECT

INPUT

SELECT

INPUT TRIM

POWER

CLIP

SIGNAL

MUTE

VOLUME

MAX

∞

SUB

RMC

A/B

RMC

1 2

Minimum

Control

Not Illuminated

HEADPHONE

VOLUME

SPEAKER

SELECT

INPUT

SELECT

INPUT TRIM

POWER

CLIP

SIGNAL

MUTE

VOLUME

MAX

∞

SUB

RMC

A/B

RMC

1 2

Control

Not Illuminated

Occasional Illumination OK

Getting Sound

Make all audio connections with the power to all devices off. Once all connections are made, set the MSC1 front panel VOLUME control to minimum (fully counterclockwise), then power on all connected devices, and power on the MSC1 itself, by pressing the MSC1 front-panel POWER switch. Finally, power on the

speaker system.

Next, make sure the front panel MUTE button is not illuminated and then use the front panel SPEAKER SELECT switch to choose the desired speaker system ("A" or "B") you wish to hear. Use the front panel INPUT SELECT switches 1 and 2 to choose the input signal ("A", "B", or "C") you wish to monitor.

Note: If INPUT SELECT switch 2 is depressed (set to the C position), the MSC1 will

always be monitoring Input C, regardless of the position of INPUT SELECT 1 , even if nothing is physically connected to Input C.

Finally, send audio signal from the device connected to the selected input and slowly advance the MSC1 VOLUME control until you achieve a suitable listening level. If necessary, adjust the MSC1 INPUT TRIM control for maximum signal strength. It is OK if the MSC1 CLIP LED illuminates occasionally.

Note: Although any audio source may be connected to any input "A", "B", or "C", we recommend connecting professional equipment with high level +4 dBu outputs (mixing consoles, professional audio interfaces and playback equipment) to input connectors A or B, and consumer equipment with low-level -10 dBV outputs (receivers, personal music players, electronic keyboards and rhythm machines) to the C input connectors.

For more information, and details about setting the INPUT TRIM control, refer to the "Front Panel" and "Rear Panel" sections on pages 9 - 14 of this manual, and to the "Troubleshooting" section on page 20.

Section 4: Setting Up Your MSC1

115

MSC1 System Example

"A" Speaker

Left Channel

"B" Speaker

Left Channel

MSC1

"A" Speaker

Subwoofer

"A" Speaker

Right Channel

"B" Speaker

Right Channel

Digital audio workstation

with computer audio interface

Mixing console

MP3

Player

Headphones

RMC Calibration Mic (included)

Section 5: Features and Operation

HEADPHONE

VOLUME

SPEAKER

SELECT

INPUT

SELECT

INPUT TRIM

POWER

CLIP

SIGNAL

MUTE

VOLUME

MAX

∞

SUB

RMC

A/B

RMC

Front Panel Controls, Indicators, and Functions:

4 5 6 7

12311

1. POWER LED – This LED (Light Emitting Diode) ashes twice when the MSC1

2. POWER SWITCH - When the MSC1 is connected to an AC power source, press

is rst connected to a power source and remains illuminated when the MSC1 is

powered ON.

this button to power-on the MSC1 (The front panel buttons will illuminate in a pattern). To power off the MSC1, press the power button again. Once power down begins, the sound is muted while a different light pattern is displayed. Do not disconnect the power adaptor until all MSC1 front panel indicators are no longer illuminated.

Note: The power switch and all MSC1 features are disabled for 4 seconds immediately

following connection of MSC1 to a power source.

3. MSC1 VOLUME – Sets the output level for the selected input signal (see #6),

from -∞ (full attenuation) to MAX (0 dB, or no attenuation). Note that this control does NOT affect headphone output level (see #4).

4. HEADPHONE VOLUME Control – A dedicated volume control for connected

headphones. Other than this, the only MSC1 control that effects the headphone

signal is MUTE control (see #12).

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