Mackie SRM450 User Manual

SRM450 ACTIVE SOUND REINFORCEMENT SPEAKER USER’S MANUAL

CAUTION AVIS

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE CHOC

ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUN

ENTRETIEN DE PIECES INTERIEURES PAR L'USAGER. CONFIER

L'ENTRETIEN AU PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.

AVIS: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES D'INCENDIE OU

D'ELECTROCUTION, N'EXPOSEZ PAS CET ARTICLE

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within 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 a risk of electric shock to persons.

Le symbole éclair avec point de flèche à l'intérieur d'un triangle équilatéral est utilisé pour alerter l'utilisateur de la présence à l'intérieur du coffret de "voltage dangereux" non isolé d'ampleur suffisante pour constituer un risque d'éléctrocution.

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

Le point d'exclamation à l'intérieur d'un triangle équilatéral est employé pour alerter les utilisateurs de la présence d'instructions importantes pour le fonctionnement et l'entretien (service) dans le livret d'instruction accompagnant l'appareil.

DO NOT OPEN

NE PAS OUVRIR

DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)

A LA PLUIE OU A L'HUMIDITE

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read Instructions — All the safety and operation instructions should be read before this Mackie product is operated.

2. Retain Instructions — The safety and operating instructions should be kept for future reference.

3. Heed Warnings — All warnings on this Mackie product and in these operating instructions should be followed.

4. Follow Instructions — All operating and other instructions should be followed.

5. Water and Moisture — This Mackie product should not be used near water – for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, near a swimming pool, swamp or salivating St. Bernard dog, etc.

6. Cleaning — Clean only with a dry cloth.

7. Ventilation — This Mackie product should be situated so

that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation. For example, the Component should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block any ventilation openings, or placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or cabinet that may impede the flow of air through ventilation openings.

PORTABLE CART WARNING

Carts and stands - The Component should be used only with a cart or stand that is recommended by the manufacturer. A Component and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause the Component and cart combination to overturn.

8. Heat — This Mackie product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, or other devices which produce heat.

9. Power Sources — This Mackie product should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in these operation instructions or as marked on this Mackie product.

10. Power Cord Protection — Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked upon or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit this Mackie product.

11. Object and Liquid Entry — Care should be taken so that objects do not fall into and liquids are not spilled into this Mackie product.

12. Damage Requiring Service — This Mackie product should be serviced only by qualified service personnel when:

A. The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or

B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has spilled into this Mackie product; or

C. This Mackie product has been exposed to rain; or

D. This Mackie product does not appear to operate

normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or

E. This Mackie product has been dropped, or its chassis damaged.

13. Servicing — The user should not attempt to service this Mackie product beyond those means described in this operating manual. All other servicing should be referred to the Mackie Service Department.

14. To prevent electric shock, do not use this polarized plug with an extension cord, receptacle or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.

Pour prévenir les chocs électriques ne pas utiliser cette fiche polariseé avec un prolongateur, un prise de courant ou une autre sortie de courant, sauf si les lames peuvent être insérées à fond sans laisser aucune pariie à découvert.

15 . Grounding or Polarization — Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of this Mackie product is not defeated.

16. Power Precaution — Unplug this Mackie product during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. Note that this Mackie product is not completely disconnected from the AC mains when the power switch is in the OFF position.

17 . This apparatus does not exceed the Class A/Class B (whichever is applicable) limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

ATTENTION —Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant las limites applicables aux appareils numériques de class A/de class B (selon le cas) prescrites dans le règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par les ministere des communications du Canada.

WARNING — To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.

Lend Me Your Ears

Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hear-

ing loss. Individuals vary considerably in susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss, but nearly everyone will lose some hearing if exposed to sufficiently intense noise for a period of time. The U.S. Government’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specified the permissible noise level exposures shown in this chart.

Duration Per Day Sound Level dBA, Typical

In Hours Slow Response Example

8 90 Duo in small club 692 4 95 Subway Train 397 2 100 Very loud classical music

1.5 102 1 105 Tami screaming at Adrian about deadlines

0.5 110

0.25 or less 115 Loudest parts at a rock concert

According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of these permissible limits could result in some hearing loss. To ensure against potentially dangerous exposure to high sound-pressure levels, it is recommended that all persons exposed to equipment capable of producing these levels use hearing protectors while this unit is in operation. Ear plugs or protectors in the ear canals or over the ears must be worn when operating this amplification system in order to prevent a permanent hearing loss if exposure is in excess of the limits set forth here.

The SRM450 can produce a maximum SPL of 127 dB @ 1m.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ....................................................... 4

HOOKUP DIAGRAMS ............................................... 6

Quick Start ........................................................ 6

REAR PANEL DESCRIPTION .................................... 8

IEC Socket .................................................. 8

POWER Switch ............................................ 8

POWER ON Indicator ................................... 8

TIMED TURNOFF ......................................... 8

THERMAL Indicator ..................................... 8

CONTOUR .................................................. 9

LOW CUT .................................................... 9

LEVEL ......................................................... 9

SIGNAL PRESENT Indicator ........................ 9

PEAK Indicator ............................................ 9

INPUT Connector ........................................ 9

THRU Connector ......................................... 9

ACCESSORY Plate ...................................... 9

Don’t forget to visit our website at www.mackie.com

for more information about this and other Mackie products.

CONNECTIONS ...................................................... 10

PLACEMENT .......................................................... 10

RIGGING ................................................................ 11

THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS ................................ 12

AC POWER CONSIDERATIONS .............................. 12

SERVICE INFORMATION ........................................ 14

Warranty Service ............................................. 14

Troubleshooting ............................................... 14

Repair ............................................................. 16

CARE AND MAINTENANCE .................................... 16

SRM450 SPECIFICATIONS ..................................... 17

SRM450 BLOCK DIAGRAM .................................... 18

SRM450 LIMITED WARRANTY ............................... 19

Part No. 820-158-90 Rev. A 10/03

INTRODUCTION

FR Series Power Amplifiers

Thank you for choosing LOUD Technologies’

Mackie active sound reinforcement speakers.

The SRM450 is an active two-way loudspeaker capable of extremely high sound pressure levels, and designed to give you the best performance of any loudspeaker in its class and price range.

Our design goal was to build a sound reinforcement speaker with:

1. High precision, high output, and accu-

rate playback.

2. Very wide, smooth dispersion of mid

and high frequencies.

3. Ergonomically correct physical design

for easy transport and set up.

Through the combined resources of our top-notch mechanical and analog engineers, and our experienced transducer engineers at RCF, our transducer manufacturing facility in Italy, we were able to achieve our design goals in every aspect. The result is a sound reinforcement system equally at home in a concert setting, in the studio, impromptu concerts on the studio roof, in the cinema, or in a home theater.

The Transducers

The SRM450 active speakers feature a 12-inch high-power low-frequency woofer and a 1.75-inch titanium diaphragm highoutput precision compression driver. This high-frequency driver is mounted on an acoustically non-resonant exponential waveguide, providing a wide, controlled dispersion and precise reproduction of the critical upper mid-range and high frequencies. The result is an unbelievably smooth off-axis response that allows everyone in the audience to experience the same highresolution audio no matter where they are seated.

Each driver has been specifically designed by our engineers for optimum performance in the lightweight high-strength cabinet.

To power these beautiful things, each SRM450 includes two of our acclaimed FR Series “Fast Recovery” power amplifiers. Our exclusive design uses low negative feedback, yet allows the amplifiers to maintain low distortion and stability and to quickly recover when driven into clipping.

The amplifiers include the following features:

• The low-frequency amplifier produces

up to 540 watts peak (300 continuous) before clipping.

• The high-frequency amplifier produces

up to 150 watts peak (100 continuous) before clipping.

• Each amplifier has its own compressor

circuit that acts when the input signal is large enough to cause clipping, distortion and excessive voice coil heat. The compressor will automatically decrease the input signal to a safe level. The compressor in the low-frequency amp works independently from that in the high-frequency amp.

• The low-frequency amp uses a servo

feedback loop which senses the current flowing in the woofer coil. This controls the low-frequency response and maintains low distortion at high output levels.

• The low-frequency amplifier also has a

sweeping filter. This will automatically move the low cut-off frequency up or down depending on the amplifier output. For example, if the amplifier is below clipping, the low-frequency cutoff point is 55 Hz. As it approaches clipping, this shifts up smoothly to 120 Hz, providing more power reserves and less distortion before clipping. This happens quickly and continuously, protecting the amplifer and the woofer and reducing any noticable distortion.

Warning: Although the amplifiers have these protection circuits, you must still make sure the

PEAK light is not blinking continuously. If it is, turn down your mixer faders, or preamplifier gain, or turn down the SRM450 LEVEL control.

The Crossover

The Active Advantage

The built-in electronic crossover is a 24 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley design. Although more expensive than other crossover designs, the benefits provided by the Linkwitz-Riley design have been well documented. These benefits include:

• Absolutely flat frequency response

throughout the bandpass, without the characteristic ripple near the crossover point exhibited by other designs.

• The sharp 24 dB per octave roll-off of

the filters ensures that the transducers aren’t reproducing frequencies outside of their capabilities.

• The acoustic sum of the two driver

responses is unity at the crossover frequency, resulting in perfect power response.

• Our heroic engineers have worked

carefully to ensure that the SRM450 also provides perfect phase response. This diligence has yielded phenomenal accuracy, even if you are standing 20 feet away.

The Cabinet

The SRM450 cabinet was designed to be the strongest molded composite cabinet on the planet. This material is as strong as concrete, and rigid enough to prevent unwanted vibrations in the cabinet. It has built-in fly points for hanging, and a socket in the bottom for mounting on a tripod stand. Although it is an exceptional choice for installed sound situations, its light weight and durable finish also make it ideal for portable sound system use. The asymmetrical trapezoidal design of the cabinet makes it easy to use as a floor wedge for stage monitor applications.

There are a number of advantages to using an active speaker system over a passive loudspeaker:

• The internal crossover is active, and its

low power circuitry operates on linelevel signals. It does not waste speakerlevel power like a passive crossover with large coils, caps, and resistors.

• The input signals are crossed over

before they reach the amplifiers, so each amplifier only receives the correct frequency range for its driver.

• The amplifiers are designed specifically

for these speaker load impedances. There is no guesswork as to what load each amplifier has to drive, so they can provide maximum acoustic output from the speakers, yet minimize the danger of speaker damage due to overdriving a lesser amplifier.

• The connecting wires between the

amplifier outputs and the drivers are kept to a minimum, so the damping factor of the amplifier isn’t compromised by the resistance of long speaker cables. In addition, all the power from the amplifier is transferred directly to the drivers with no speaker cable losses.

• The acoustic sum of the outputs from

the two drivers is optimized electronically, as well as physically, so the amplitude response is flat and there is no lobing error.

• The presence of active circuits within

the speaker cabinet allow the designer to add on extra details, such as a high quality mic/line input section and optional accessory modules.

In short, all the complex interconnected components in the system are designed to work in harmony with each other to produce the best possible sound. (Even for Uncle Bert’s star performance on spoons!)

HOOKUP DIAGRAMS

Quick Start

1. Start with the following settings on the back of the SRM450:

Turn the POWER switch off (down). Set the TIMED TURNOFF, CONTOUR,

and LOW CUT switches out.

WARNING: Turn the LEVEL control down (counterclockwise) before every use. If not,

you could be in for a startling surprise, especially if the last time you used it was with a microphone and now you want to connect a linelevel source.

2. Connect the output from your signal source (mixing console, microphone, preamp, or other mic- or line-level source) directly to the INPUT connector on the back of the SRM450. It accepts balanced line-level signals from mixers, preamplifiers, CD players, tape decks, etc., and accepts direct connections from dynamic microphones.

3. Connect the supplied AC power cord to

4. Turn on your signal source. Make sure its

5. Turn on the SRM450 POWER switch.

6. Start the signal source, whether it be

7. Slowly turn up the LEVEL control on

8. If there is no sound, always turn down

the IEC socket on the back of the SRM450. Plug the other end into an AC outlet properly configured with the correct voltage for your particular model.

Master Volume control (if it has one) is turned all the way down.

speaking into a microphone or starting a CD player. Adjust any volume controls on the signal source for normal operation.

the back of the SRM450 until the desired volume is reached (and the PEAK light does not come on). Always wear hearing protectors if you are close when it is playing at high levels.

the SRM450 LEVEL control before investigating. There may be a mixer or preamplifier mute or tape switch engaged, or a mic switch off.

Thru

1202-VLZPRO

SRM450: STEREO OPERATION WITH A MIXER, AND USING THE THRU JACK

Thru

Daisy-chaining SRM450s

Mixer or

Preamplifier

Left

Line level

Output

Right Line level Output

1202-VLZPRO

+ 14 hidden pages