Rane DA 216A User Manual
OPERATORS MANUAL
DA 216a
DISTRIBUTION AMPLIFIER
QUICK START
This section is for those that just can’t wait to get started. This 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. The MASTER LEVEL controls set the input level.
Occasionally blinking OL indicators are okay. The 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. This is an AC Input and requires specific voltage and current. This is not a good place to experiment
or improvise. Use only the supply sent with your DA 216a.
WEAR PARTS: This product contains no wear parts.
Manual-1
DA 216a FRONT PANEL
POWER Indicator: When this yellow LED is illuminated power is available to the DA 216a.
MASTER LEVELS: These screwdriver adjustable controls set the level of each Input to be routed to bus A, B, or A+B.
The 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.
Output Assign switches: Each switch has three positions, which assign the Output to the A-Input, the B-Input, or A+B
(sum). This 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 (3
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.
16
)! Go ahead – count them. By the way,
OUTPUT LEVEL controls: Each Output channel has an independent LEVEL control. Each Output may be adjusted from
off to +6 dB gain.
Manual-2
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