Rane HC 4 User Manual

OPERATORS MANUAL

HC 4

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

QUICK START

Conect the output from any stereo source such as a mixer or tape deck, and plug the left and right inputs into the
respective INPUT jacks. The Inputs accept balanced or unbalanced sources. Just plug them in. This source is now routed to
each of the four Outputs.

For a single mono source feeding all headphones, connect it to either one of the INPUT jacks and engage the STEREO/
MONO switch. Set the CHANNEL LEVEL controls for individual headphone levels.

Never connect anything except a Rane power supply to the thing that looks like a telephone jack on the rear of the
unit. This is an AC input and requires special attention if you do not have a power supply exactly like the one originally

packed with your unit. See the full explanation of the power supply requirements elsewhere in this manual.

WEAR PARTS: This product contains no wear parts.

Manual-1

Remote POWER supply input

The unit is supplied from the factory
with a Model RS 1 remote power supply
suitable for connection to this input
jack. The power requirements of the
unit call for an 18 volt AC center-tapped
transformer only. This is not a tele-

phone jack. Never use a power supply
with your unit other than the one
supplied or a replacement approved
by Rane Corporation. Using any other

type of supply may damage the unit and
void the warranty.

STEREO/MONO switch

Converts the INPUTS from stereo to
mono so that a single input cable drives
both sides of the headphones. In some
instances a STEREO program may be
confusing for live monitoring purposes,
and switching to MONO improves
intelligibility by summing the Left and
Right signals.

Chassis ground point

A screw is supplied for chassis
grounding purposes. This unit comes
with an outboard power supply which
does not ground the chassis through the
line cord. The HC 4 can be grounded
either to another chassis which is earth
grounded, or directly to the grounding
screw on an AC outlet cover by means
of a wire connected to this chassis
grounding screw.

OVERLOAD indicators

The red LEDs light when the input
signal exceeds the HC 4’s output
capability (3 dB below maximum).
Occasional flickering is acceptable.The
overload point automatically varies with
the headphones used.

Manual-2

PHONE Output jacks

These stereo ¼" TRS jacks accept
standard ¼" TRS stereo headphone
plugs.

Individual LEVEL controls

These control the volume for each
set of headphones as they are driven
from the INPUTS. It’s always a good
idea to keep this control turned down
before plugging in a pair of phones,
then turn it up slowly.

POWER switch and LED

Your basic, straightforward power switch.

When the yellow LED is lit, the HC 4 is ready

to go.

INPUT jacks

These are automatic balanced/
unbalanced Inputs, which accept either
a ¼" TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) plug for
balanced operation, or a ¼" TS (Tip­Sleeve) plug for unbalanced operation.
A balanced line is best when connect­ing a cable over 10 feet in length. You
do nothing different when hooking up
balanced or unbalanced lines. The HC 4
is one smart animal.

HC 4 CONNECTION

With the power switch in the off (out) position, plug the power cord into the
appropriate AC power source indicated on the rear panel. Locate the power supply
case away from the HC 4 and other hum sensitive equipment.

Begin with all LEVEL controls counterclockwise at “0”. Plug the outputs from
a mono or stereo source into the INPUTS.

See the Sound System Interconnection RaneNote later in this manual for more
information on proper cable wiring between devices.

Manual-3

UNDERSTANDING HEADPHONE POWER REQUIREMENTS

HEADPHONE SENSITIVITY

As you can see from the chart below, headphones near 75
ohms impedance produce the highest power levels from the
HC 4. However, heaphone sensitivities vary widely, and are
not merely a function of power. Note: headphones with an

impedance of less than 32 ohms are not recommended for use
with the HC 4.

THE LIST

As an aid in finding out how much power is available
from the HC 4 Headphone Console we have compiled a
listing of popular headphones. See RaneNote 100, “Under-
standing Headphone Power Requirements,” elsewhere in this
booklet, or downloadable from Rane’s website.

HC 4 Power

MH 4 POWER

POWERINWATTS

0.250

0.200

0.150

0.100

0.050

0.000

0.239

0.207

0.146

0.089

600 300 150 75 50 32 16 8

LOAD IN OHMS

0.233

0.207

HC 4 power with all Channels driven simultaneously or with any combination

0.146

0.089

©Rane Corporation 10802 47th Ave. W., Mukilteo WA 98275-5098 TEL [phone] FAX [phone] WEB http://www.rane.com

Manual-4

All features & specifications subject to change without notice. 105154