Rane FPE 13 User Manual
OPERATING / SERVICE MANUAL FPE 13
PARAMETRIC EQUALIZER
QUICK START
No one likes to read manuals. Everyone likes to plug in and turn on. That’s usually OK, and
with a very few exceptions, damage is unlikely to result from such procedures with the FPE 13.
If you are using the FPE 13 in an insert loop of a mixer, hook-up is extremely easy. Simply
connect them together using a single stereo cable (¼" TRS) between the mixer’s insert loop and
the FPE 13’s PATCH I/O jack. This jack is wired for the tip=send, ring=return convention used
by mixer manufacturers.
Anyone familiar with other parametric equalizers will find this one very similar. One word
of caution: the FREQ range switches can drastically change the center frequency of a given
filter. A range of 10Hz to 20kHz may be achieved with the proper operation of the switches and
the FREQ sweep control. If full boost is applied with a filter LEVEL control and a change is
made in the setting of the FREQ range switch, disastrous results may occur. BE CAREFUL.
To operate the filters, set the range switch for the desired mulitple frequency band, set the
BW (bandwidth) control for the desired bandwidth and then boost or cut the desired amount
using the filter LEVEL control.
Never connect anything except AN APPROVED RANE POWER SUPPLY TO THE THING THAT LOOKS
LIKE A TELEPHONE JACK ON THE REAR OF THE FPE 13. This is an AC input and requires special
attention if you do not have an operational power supply exactly like the one that was originally
packed with your unit. See the full explanation of the power supply requirements elsewhere in
this manual.
SYSTEM CONNECTION
When connecting the FPE 13 to other components in your
system for the first time, leave the power supply for last. This
will give you a chance to make mistakes and correct them
before any damage is done to your fragile speakers, ears and
nerves.
INPUTS on the FPE 13 are balanced. This means that
standard 3-pin (XLR) connectors on the ends of any good
quality cable will work well between your other signal
processing and amplification gear. As with all Rane products,
pin 2 is used for “hot” or “+” signal polarity, pin 3 is “return”
or “–” and pin 1 is signal ground. If unbalanced operation is
required, wire your connector so that pins 1 and 3 are shorted
together and drive your unbalanced signal into pin 2. Then
use the combination of 1 and 3 for signal ground/return. You
may use either pin 1 or case for shield ground. (See Rane
Note 110 for further information on this subject).
OUTPUTS. The FPE 13’s Outputs are balanced as well.
Again, pin 2 is hot and pin 3 is not. Pin 1 is signal ground.
True balanced operation requires only the use of pins 2 and 3
for signal and either case ground (chassis) or pin 1 signal
ground for shielding. If unbalanced output is your preference,
use pin 2 as signal and pin 1 as return. Use case ground for
shield. Again, have a look at Rane Note 110 for more detail.
EXPANDING the Inputs and
Outputs has been accommodated
with ¼" jacks whose tip is connected
to pin 2 of the 3-pin connectors, ring
is connected to pin 3 and sleeve is
connected to pin 1. These ¼" jacks
may be used for primary Inputs and
Outputs should you wish to do so.
These connectors may also be used
for daisychaining the Inputs so more
than one processor can be driven from a single source, but
only one is an Input; they do not sum. The second Output
connector may be used to drive a second processor or
amplifier without special cabling.
PATCH I/O to channel inserts on most mixers has been
made very simple. Connecting a shielded stereo tip-ringsleeve (TRS) cable between the FPE 13’s PATCH I/O and a
TRS insert on your console implements this feature.
SIGNAL LEVELS applied to the FPE 13 may cover a
broad dynamic range. This device has been optimized to
operate perfectly with all signal processing and amplification
gear. The only signal level problems encountered will be with
very low level sources, such as microphones. Do not directly
connect mic levels into the FPE 13. Use a mic preamp first.
FRONT PANEL DESCRIPTION
1. OVERALL BYPASS SWITCH & INDICATOR. This pushbutton switch activates
the “hard-wire” bypass function. When in its in position, all three pins of the Input
connector(s) are directly connected to the same pins on the Output connector(s) and
the red LED lights. Engaging this switch converts the FPE 13 to a relatively expensive patch cord with pretty lights.
2. MASTER OVERLOAD INDICATOR. This red LED illuminates whenever the
input, output, or any of the three parametric filters exceeds a level of 4dB below
clipping. Occasional flickering is normal; however, it should not be allowed to light
steadily.
3. INPUT GAIN CONTROL. This rotary control increases INPUT gain as it is rotated
clockwise. Its range is from OFF at full CCW rotation to +20dB at full CW.
4. FREQUENCY RANGE SWITCH. The calibrations on this three position switch
indicate the factor by which the frequency calibrations of the Frequency sweep
control (5) should be multiplied. For instance, if the range switch is in the “x0.1”
position and the sweep knob is at 460, then the actual center frequency of the filter is
46Hz. The proper operation of this switch in conjunction with the sweep control
yields a range of 10Hz to 20kHz.
5. FREQUENCY SWEEP CONTROL. This rotary control increases the center
frequency of its filter as it is rotated clockwise. It is calibrated from 100 to 2k, and its
exact frequency is determined by the range switch described in (4), above.
6. FILTER LEVEL CONTROL. This rotary control determines the amount of boost
or cut applied to the FPE’s passband by its filters. The center detent, cleverly placed
at the center of rotation of this control, provides a ground for the filter which completely eliminates the filter’s influence over FPE 13 operation. Rotating this knob
clockwise increases the gain at the center frequency of the filter, CCW from center
decreases the gain at said center frequency.
7. FILTER BANDWIDTH CONTROL. Calibrated from .03 octaves to 2.0 octaves,
this rotary control adjusts the “width” of coverage of each filter. .03 octave (1/30
octave) will yield the narrowest coverage. Bandwidths this narrow are normally
reserved for notch feedback control. Higher settings yield smoother curves and are
convenient for program sweetening and acoustic compensation.
8. POWER LIGHT. This yellow LED illuminates any time power is supplied to the
FPE 13 from a Rane RS 1 or VC 18 single power supply, RAP 10 or FRS 8 multiple
power supply. Other power sources could conceivably cause illumination of the LED
and several ICs and resistors inside.
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