Page 1
DISTRIBUTION
AMPLIFIER
DA 216a
POWER
MASTER LEVELS
1 2 3 4 5 6
OUTPUT LEVELS
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
OL OL
A+BA+B
A
A+B
B A B A
A+B
B A B A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A
A B
B
A+B A+B
A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A B A B
A+B
BBA
A+B
A
A+B
DA 216a
DISTRIBUTION AMPLIFIER
Page 2
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
For the continued safety of yourself and others we recommend that you read the following
safety and installation instructions. Keep this document in a safe location for future reference.
Please heed all warnings and follow all instructions.
Do not use this equipment in a location where it might become wet. Clean only with a damp
cloth.
is equipment may be installed in an industry standard equipment rack. We recommend that
all mounting holes be used, providing the best physical support. e equipment may be used as
a table top device, although stacking of the equipment is dangerous and not recommended.
Do not directly block any of the ventilation openings. If rackmounting, please provide adequate
ventilation. Equipment may be located directly above or below this unit, but note that 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 equipment.
Protect the power cord and plug from damage caused by being walked on or pinched. Protect
the line cord, where it exits the unit, from excessive strain. Only use attachments and accessories specified by Rane.
Unplug this equipment 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 damage, spilled liquid, fallen
objects into an opened chassis, exposure to rain or moisture, a dropped unit, or abnormal
operation.
108559
Page 3
OPERATORS MANUAL
DISTRIBUTION
AMPLIFIER
DA 216a
POWER
MASTER LEVELS
1 2 3 4 5 6
OUTPUT LEVELS
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
OL OL
A+BA+BAA+B
B A B A
A+B
B A B A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A
A B
B
A+B A+B
A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A B A B
A+B
BBA
A+BAA+B
DA 216a
DISTRIBUTION AMPLIFIER
QUICK START
is section is for those that just can’t wait to get started.
is Distribution Amplifier has a powerful feature not found
on most DA’s – Output assignment switches. If your application calls for a single channel set-up with one Input driving all
Outputs, set all of the switches to the appropriate Input (A or B).
To mix both inputs, set them all to A+B. In this mode, both Inputs drive all Outputs with the Inputs summed. e MASTER
LEVEL controls set the input level. Occasionally blinking OL
indicators are okay. e individual OUTPUT LEVEL controls
set the level for each Output channel.
For a stereo application, decide how the stereo Outputs are to
be assigned and set the assignment switches accordingly. Eight
stereo outputs are possible.
Set the back panel switches for either LINE or MIC Inputs.
When using microphones that require a “phantom” voltage, turn
on the PHANTOM POWER switch, illuminating its rear panel
LED. Because the phantom voltage is applied to both Inputs,
don’t mix phantom powered and non-phantom powered mics in
the same DA 216a. Never engage the phantom voltage when using
an unbalanced mic—doing so may damage the mic. If the mic is
too “hot”, press the INPUT GAIN switch in to reduce the gain
by 20 dB. Incidentally, the INPUT PAD switch reduces the gain
40 dB when in the LINE position (pressed in). When using the
Inputs for line-level, pressing in both the INPUT PAD and the
INPUT GAIN switches provides a nominal gain of 0 dB. An
additional 16 dB of gain is available when both the MASTER
LEVEL and OUTPUT LEVEL controls are turned all the way
up (clockwise).
Never connect anything except an approved Rane power supply
to the Input that looks like a telephone jack on the rear of the DA
216a. is is an AC Input and requires specific voltage and cur-
rent. is is not a good place to experiment or improvise. Use
only the supply sent with your DA 216a.
WEAR PARTS: is product contains no wear parts.
Manual-1
Page 4
DA 216a FRONT PANEL
DISTRIBUTION
AMPLIFIER
DA 216a
POWER
MASTER LEVELS
1 2 3 4 5 6
OUTPUT LEVELS
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
OL OL
A+BA+BAA+B
B A B A
A+B
B A B A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A
A B
B
A+B A+B
A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A B
A+B
A B A B
A+B
BBA
A+BAA+B
1 2 4
3
1 POWER Indicator: When this yellow LED is illuminated power is available to the DA 216a.
2 MASTER LEVELS: ese screwdriver adjustable controls set the level of each Input to be routed to bus A, B, or A+B. e
Overload (OL) LEDs illuminate whenever either Input section (both pre-gain and post-gain) approach clipping. Each MASTER
LEVEL may be adjusted from off to +10 dB gain.
3 Output Assign switches: Each switch has three positions, which assign the Output to the A-Input, the B-Input, or A+B (sum).
is powerful feature allows the DA 216a distribution amplifier to be set up as 1 Input to 16 Outputs. Or 1 stereo Input pair to 8
stereo Output pairs. Or 1 Input to 3 Outputs, with the other Input to 13 Outputs. And so on. For those of you that like impressive numbers, that amounts to 43,046,721 possible combinations (316)! Go ahead – count them. By the way, for those that really
like this stuff, if we allow turning the gain all the way down on any Output as part of the combination, the number jumps to
4,294,967,295 (416). Fortunately, most users will only be concerned with one or two of these possibilities.
4 OUTPUT LEVEL controls: Each Output channel has an independent LEVEL control. Each Output may be adjusted from off
to +6 dB gain.
Manual-2
Page 5
DA 216a REAR PANEL
INPUT
B
MICMIC
PADPAD
GAINGAIN
INPUT
A
40
60
dB
POWER
0
PHANTOM
20
40
60
dB
0
20
LINE LINE
-
+
-
+
-
+
--
+
- -
+ + +
- -
+
-
+
-
+
-
+
-
+
-
+
-
+
-
+
-
+
-
++
CLASS 2 EQUIPMENT
DA 216a
INPUTS
AB
AB124 36 5
AB123456
79 81113 12 10
79 81113 12 10
1516
141516
14
600mA
POWER
ACN 001 345 482
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
6
7
512
3 4
1 INPUT terminals: Attach either Microphone or Line-level sources here. Connect balanced sources to the respective “+” and
“–”terminals, and tie the shield to chassis ground. Connect unbalanced sources with two conductor shielded cable connected to
“+” and “–”, with the shield connected to one of the chassis ground screws (7). See DA 216a Connection on page Manual-4.
2 Output terminals 1-16: Balanced Outputs are provided for each of 16 channels. Connect two conductor shielded cable to “+”
and “–” terminals. Connect the shield to one of the chassis ground screws. For unbalanced use, do not connect “–” to chassis
ground…doing so results in improper operation. See the Outputs section on page Manual-4.
3 INPUT PAD switches: In the MIC position (out), the gain is appropriate for a microphone Input (40 dB or 60 dB). In the LINE
position (in), the gain is line-level (0 dB or 20 dB). When this switch is in the LINE position, PHANTOM POWER for the
channel is disabled.
4 INPUT GAIN switches: Changes the gain by 20 dB. at is, with mic Input, the INPUT GAIN switch sets the gain to 60 dB
(out) or 40 dB (in). With a line-level Input, it sets the gain to 20 dB (out) or 0 dB (in).
5 PHANTOM POWER switch: When activated (in), 15 VDC Phantom Power appears at each mic-level Input and the PHAN-
TOM POWER LED illuminates. If an Input is selected for line-level, the Phantom Voltage is disabled for that channel, even
when the PHANTOM LED is lit.
6 POWER Input connector: Use only a model RS 1 or other remote AC power supply approved by Rane. Consult the factory
for replacement or substitution. Never use a power supply with your DA 216a other than the one supplied from the factory or an exact
replacement obtained or approved from Rane Corporation. is unit’s power supply input is designed for an AC supply, delivering 18
volts from a center-tapped transformer capable of supplying at least the current demanded by this product. Using any other type of
supply may damage the product and void the warranty, which at two years (three if you send in the warranty card) parts and labor
is worth safeguarding, don’t you think?
7 Chassis ground screws: #6-32 screws are used for chassis grounding purposes. Attach the shields of the audio cables to these
points. See the Chassis Grounding note below.
IMPORTANT NOTE
CHASSIS GROUNDING
e DA 216a is supplied with an external power supply (the RS 1). is power supply does not ground the unit to the power line
ground. On the rear chassis a #6-32 screw is provided to allow for attachment of the grounding wire. is chassis ground point must
Manual-3
be connected to earth ground either through another product, which utilizes a three-prong grounded AC power cord, or by attaching
the wire to a known earth ground (such as the screw on a grounded AC outlet).
Page 6
DA 216a CONNECTION
When connecting the DA 216a to other components in your
system, leave the power supply for last. is gives you a chance to
make mistakes and correct them without announcing what you
did to the whole world and without damaging “downstream”
equipment. Remember this when setting INPUT PAD, INPUT
GAIN and PHANTOM POWER switches. ese switches
should never be changed in a live system. Suddenly changing
the gain by 40 dB can have a profound impact on the ears of the
listening audience.
INPUTS
e two Inputs on the DA 216a are balanced. ey may
also be used in an unbalanced configuration. However, if used
unbalanced, do not engage Phantom Power. Use only shielded
cable for the Inputs. is cable should always be two conductors plus shield, even for unbalanced operation. If you must use
shielded single conductor, keep the cable as short as possible to
avoid hum or radio pick up. When connecting Inputs, use both
Input terminals. For unbalanced, the “hot” Input goes to the “+”,
and the common wire goes to the “–” while the shield connects
to one of the chassis grounds. Since the common wire and shield
are to be tied together at one end in an unbalanced system, this
connects the “–” Input to chassis ground. In a balanced system
(highly preferred), the “+” Input connects to the “+” Output of
the previous equipment. e “–” Input then connects to the “–”
Output and the shield goes to the chassis ground. ese Input
connections may be reversed if it is necessary to reverse the polarity of the Input signal. Be aware, if a microphone is used which
requires Phantom Power, the shield must be connected to chassis
ground to complete the Phantom Power circuit. Remember, a dy-
namic mic will likely be damaged if used unbalanced while the
Phantom Power is turned on. At the very least, it will saturate
the mic’s output transformer and spoil the sound quality. With
the INPUT PAD switched to LINE, Phantom Power is disabled
for that Input only. at is, a balanced, Phantom Powered mic
may be used at one Input and a line input at the other without
problems.
See the RaneNote “Sound System Interconnection” for additional information on grounding and shielding.
OUTPUTS
e DA 216a’s Outputs are balanced and quite substantial.
ey will easily drive long cables and 600 Ω loads to full level.
e same wiring conventions as the Inputs apply. For unbalanced Outputs, “hot” goes to the “+”, and the shield connects
to one of the chassis grounds. When wiring unbalanced Outputs, do not tie the unused terminal (normally “–”) to Ground
— leave it floating.
32 Unbalanced Outputs Tip: e (“–”) Output may also be
used as an unbalanced line driver, albeit inverted. e balanced Input terminals of the next stage must be reversed (+) for (–) to correct
for the inversion. is nets a total of 32 Outputs!
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Using the 3-position Output Assign switches, select either
the A Input, the B Input, or A+B Inputs. If the sum of both
Inputs is selected, but only one Input is driven, the Output is
reduced by 6 dB compared to the Output being assigned to only
the driven Input. Since normally the Output would be assigned
to both Inputs only if both Inputs are driven, this isn’t usually
an issue. With the sum of the Inputs available in this way, the
DA 216a may be used as a two-input mixer with 16 assignable
Outputs. Each Output has an independent Gain control which
ranges from off to +6 dB gain in the output stage. Coupled with
a maximum gain of +10 dB for the MASTER LEVEL controls,
a total of +16 dB gain is available with the OUTPUT LEVEL
controls. e INPUT GAIN switch provides for an additional
20 dB gain increase.
MIC-LEVEL
For optimum noise performance with microphones, obtain as
much gain as possible in the Input stage of the DA 216a without
overdriving the unit.
1. Set the appropriate INPUT PAD switch to MIC (out).
2. Set the appropriate INPUT GAIN switch to 40 dB (in).
3. Set the MASTER LEVEL controls fully counterclockwise.
4. Set the OUTPUT LEVEL controls midway.
5. Adjust the MASTER LEVEL clockwise until the OL
LED just blinks on the loudest expected program material. If
the MASTER LEVEL is turned all the way up and the OL LED
is not lighting, set the INPUT GAIN to 60 dB and adjust the
MASTER LEVEL again. Adjust the OUTPUT LEVELs for
the desired output level. If the OL LED is not lit, adjusting the
OUTPUT LEVEL cannot cause clipping within the DA 216a.
e user may still want to turn down the OUTPUT LEVEL to
avoid overloading downstream equipment.
LINE-LEVEL
In the LINE-level configuration, unity gain is the best place
to start.
1. Set INPUT PAD switch to LINE position (in).
2. Set appropriate INPUT GAIN switch to 0 dB.
3. Set MASTER LEVEL controls fully counterclockwise.
4. Set OUTPUT LEVEL controls midway.
5. Adjust the MASTER LEVEL clockwise until the OL
LED just blinks on the loudest expected program material. If
the MASTER LEVEL is turned all the way up and the OL LED
never comes on, set the INPUT GAIN switch out to the 20 dB
position. Adjust the MASTER LEVEL control as before for
optimum gain, then adjust the OUTPUT LEVEL controls for
the desired output level.
©Rane Corporation 10802 47th Ave. W., Mukilteo WA 98275-5098 USA TEL 425-355-6000 FAX 425-347-7757 WEB w ww.rane.com
Manual-4
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