Lowell EQ1 User Manual

INSTALLATION SHEET AND

OPERATORS MANUAL FOR MODEL “EQ1”

1/3 OCTAVE GRAPHIC EQUALIZER

Front Panel

EQ1 General Description:

Rear Panel

The Lowell EQ1 is a single channel 30-band Constant-Q graphic equalizer with thirty 20mm center-detented
linear sliders on ISO center frequencies. The front panel controls include a rotary overall level control, a +12dB
or +6dB range selector switch, an overload clipping light, an EQ bypass switch with LED, and a power LED
indicator. The EQ1 is equipped with rear panel balanced/unbalanced XLR and ¼” TRS phone plug inputs and
outputs. Hook-up is intuitive. Just follow the connector pin-out instructions printed on the rear of the unit.
Polarity convention is per IEC/ANSI/AES standards of pin 2 positive, pin 3 negative and pin 1 shield. The EQ1
does not invert the signal. You may use either the XLR or ¼" TRS phone connectors for input or output. Only
connect to one INPUT connector type. The XLR and ¼" TRS phone plug inputs do not sum, so you must use
one or the other. The XLR and ¼” TRS phone output connectors are wired in parallel (with no isolation between
the two connectors) but you may use both connectors if desired to feed 2 amplifiers or other equipment.

Getting Started:

Please study carefully the “IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” that are given on page 2 before applying
power to your EQ1. Those experienced with the process of adjusting a graphic equalizer to tune a sound
system, will find the EQ1 easy to use thanks to the innovative constant-Q circuitry that is designed to minimize
interactions between adjacent bands. For those that have never adjusted a graphic equalizer before, a helpful
section is included in this operators manual with basic instructions for tuning a paging/background-music
system, sound reinforcement system, and a sound masking system. We strongly suggest that you protect your
settings after carefully adjusting the EQ1, by using one of the optional Lowell security covers (sold separately)
that are described below.

Optional Security Covers:

Two security covers are sold separately to prevent tampering with the EQ1 controls.
The Lowell SSC-1V vented security cover and Lowell SSC-1P Plexiglass security cover are shown below.
For rack-mount installation, 2 installer provided rack screws hold the security cover over the front of the EQ1.
For shelf-mount installation, the security cover may be attached to the EQ1 with installer provided screws and nuts.

Lowell EQ1 shown with

optional Lowell SSC-1V

vented security cover

Lowell Manufacturing Company

Call: 800-325-9660

Fax: [phone] Click: www.lowellmfg.com

Lowell EQ1 shown with

optional Lowell SSC-1P

plexiglass security cover

100 Integram Drive Pacific, Missouri 63069 U.S.A.

1

REMOVABLE

PHOENIX

Instruction Sheet

CONNECTOR

IS-EQ1

Issued: 1-20-14

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings.
Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water.
Clean only with a dry cloth.
Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers)

that produce heat.

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

Protect the power cord and plug from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where it exits from the apparatus.

Only use attachments and accessories specified by the manufacturer.

Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus.
When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

Unplug this apparatus 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.

The plug on the power cord is the AC mains disconnect device and must remain readily operable. To completely
disconnect this apparatus from the AC mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle.

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

When permanently connected, an all-pole mains switch with a contact separation of at least 3 mm in each pole
shall be incorporated in the electrical installation of the building.

If rack mounting, provide adequate ventilation. Equipment may be located above or below this apparatus, but
some equipment (like large power amplifiers) may cause an unacceptable amount of hum or may generate too
much heat and degrade the performance of this apparatus.

This apparatus may be installed in an industry standard equipment rack. Use screws through all mounting holes
to provide the best support.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. Apparatus
shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the
apparatus. This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, or birth defects or
other reproductive harm.

NOTE: 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 off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

CAUTION: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Lowell Manufacturing will void the manufacturers warranty.

Lowell Manufacturing Company

Call: 800-325-9660

Fax: [phone] Click: www.lowellmfg.com

100 Integram Drive Pacific, Missouri 63069 U.S.A.

2

REMOVABLE

PHOENIX

CONNECTOR

Instruction Sheet

IS-EQ1

Issued: 1-20-14

EQ1 Block Diagram

EQ1 Technical Specifications

Note: 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms (reference) dBu = 20 log (V1 / 0.775) where V1 is the rms voltage to be converted to dBu.
Sliders: (30) 20mm-travel center-detent controls, 1/3-Octave at ISO spacing from 25 Hz to 20 kHz
Filters: Constant-Q design to minimize interactions between adjacent bands
Range: + 12 dB or + 6 dB depending on the position of the front panel “RANGE” switch
Inputs: XLR and ¼” TRS phone plug, active 20 kW balanced or 10 kW unbalanced
Maximum Input: 20 dBu. Note: Only one input (XLR or ¼” TRS) may be used at a time. The inputs do not sum.
Outputs: XLR and ¼” TRS phone plug, active 400 W balanced or 200 W unbalanced

Note: The XLR and ¼” TRS output connectors are wired in parallel (with no isolation).
Maximum Output: +20 dBu balanced into 2 kW/+19 dBu balanced into 600 W

+15 dBu unbalanced into 2 kW/+13 dBu unbalanced into 600 W
Overall Gain with sliders centered: Off to +0 dB (unbalanced output) / Off to +6 dB (balanced output)
Filters: RFI filters included and Infrasonic (subsonic) filter 20 Hz 18 dB/octave Butterworth low-cut filter included.
Overload LED Threshold: 4 dB below clipping
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 100 kHz, +0 dB/-3 dB
THD and Noise: 0.011% (+4 dBu, 20 Hz - 20 kHz BW) IM Distortion (SMPTE): 0.01% (+4 dBu, 60 Hz - 7 kHz, 4:1)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (20 kHz noise bandwidth, unity gain, balanced):

+20 dBU output: 107 dB with sliders centered, 92 dB with sliders full boost, 104 dB with sliders full cut

+4 dBU output: 91 dB with sliders centered, 76 dB with sliders full boost, 88 dB with sliders full cut
Common Mode Rejection: 40 dB @ 1kHz
Universal Line Voltage: 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Chassis Construction: All steel
Chassis Size: 1.75" H X 19" W X 5.25" D (1U of rack space) Weight: 5 lb. (2.3 kg.)

Shipping Carton Size: 4.25" H X 20.3" W X 13.75" D Shipping Carton Weight: 8 lb. (3.6 kg)

Lowell Manufacturing Company

Call: 800-325-9660

Fax: [phone] Click: www.lowellmfg.com

100 Integram Drive Pacific, Missouri 63069 U.S.A.

3

Instruction Sheet

IS-EQ1

Issued: 1-20-14