Rane ME15S Data Sheet

DATA S H EET

General Description

e Rane ME15S microGraphic Equalizer is a two-channel,
⅔-octave design with 20 mm sliders in a single rack space unit.
It features a Range switch for high slider resolution in the ±6 dB
mode, equivalent resolution to 45 mm sliders found on double
rack-space models. e ±12 dB mode provides a wide range of
control over system audio.

e active lter sections feature Rane’s innovative constant-Q
(constant bandwidth) design. Constant-Q means the bandwidth
of each individual lter is guaranteed to be narrow enough to
prevent unwarranted interaction between lters, yet wide enough
to produce exactly the type of correction curve demanded
by even the most unusual acoustic surroundings. is diers
dramatically from conventional designs of the past, encumbered

M E 15 S

microGRAPHIC EQUALIZER

with the unfortunate characteristic of changing bandwidth when
changing boost/cut amounts.

Front panel controls and indicators include an overall rotary
Level control for each channel as well as Overload indicators.
Passive pushbutton Bypass switches feature LED indicators,
avoiding ambiguity by being on when the unit is Bypassed. (A
passive Bypass switch requires no power to operate. is allows
completion of the audio path should power fail in the ME 60S.)

Inputs and Outputs are electronically balanced designs,
capable of unbalanced operation when required. ey accept
and drive all possible signal levels into normal load impedances.
Balanced applications choose between the XLR or ¼" Tip-Ring­Sleeve balanced connectors. Unbalanced sources also may tie to
the ME15S through mono ¼" connectors (no ring connection).

Features

• Constant-Q Bandwidth Design

• Overall Level Control

• 20 mm Filter Slide Controls

• ±6 dB or ±12 dB Slider Range

• Passive Bypass Switch

• Grounded Center Detents at 0 dB

• Infrasonic, Ultrasonic, & RFI Filters

• Fully Balanced XLR Inputs and Outputs

• ¼" TRS Balanced/Unbalanced Inputs and Outputs

• Universal internal switching power supply (100-240 VAC)

Data Sheet-1

M E 15 S

microGRAPHIC EQUALIZER

Features and Specifications

Parameter Specication Limit Units Conditions/Comments

Equalizer:

..........Bands (15) ⅔-octave ISO spacing From 25 Hz to 16 kHz

..........Type Constant-Q

..........Accuracy 3 % Center frequency

..........Travel 20 mm Positive grounded center detent

..........Range ±12 or ±6 1 dB Switch selectable

Inputs: Typ e Active balanced/unbalanced

..........Connectors XLR & ¼" TRS

..........Impedance 20k balanced; 10k unbalanced min 

..........Maximum Level 20 1 dBu

Outputs: Typ e Active balanced/unbalanced

..........Connectors XLR & ¼" TRS

..........Impedance 400 balanced 200 unbalanced 1% 

..........Maximum Level +20 balanced +15 unbalanced 1 dBu 2 k

+19 balanced +13 unbalanced 1 dBu 600 

Overall Gain Range O to +0 (unbalanced output) min dB Sliders centered

O to +6 (balanced output) min dB Sliders centered

RFI Filters Yes

Passive Bypass Switches Yes

LED resholds: Overload 4 1 dB Below clipping

Infrasonic Filter 20 Hz, 18 dB/octave, Butterworth 3% Hz

Frequency Response 20 -100 k Hz +0/-3 dB

THD+Noise 0. 011 max % +4 dBu, 20-20 kHz, 20k BW

IM Distortion (SMPTE) 0.01 max % 60 Hz/7 kHz, 4:1, +4 dBu

Signal-to-Noise Ratio re +20 dBu +4 dBu 20 kHz noise bandwidth

107 91 2 dB Sliders centered, unity gain, balanced

92 76 2 dB Full boost, unity gain, balanced

104 88 2 dB Full cut, unity gain, balanced

Channel Separation 85 min dB 1 kHz

Common Mode Rejection 40 1 dB 1 kHz

Unit: Conformity CE, FCC, UL

..........Universal Line Voltage 100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz

..........Maximum Power 7 W

..........Construction All steel

..........Size 1.75" H x 19" W x 5.25" D (1U) (4.4 cm x 48.3 cm x 13.3 cm)

..........Weight 5 lb (2.3 kg)

Shipping: Size 4.25" x 20.3" x 13.75" (10.8 cm x 52 cm x 35 cm)

..........Weight 8 lb (3.6 kg)

Note: 0 dBu=0.775 Vrms

Data Sheet-2

Block Diagram

OUTPUT

BYPASS

SWITCH

BYPASS

(NC)

AMPLIFIER

BOOST

TO FILTERS

2-15

25 Hz

BP

CUT

AMPLIFIER

(18 dB/Octave)

LOW

FILTER

20 Hz

LEVEL

(O to +6 dB)

0 dB

RFI

FILTER

INPUT

-6 dB -12 dB +12 dB+6 dB

RANGE

CHANNEL 1

CHANNEL 1

SENSE

OL

OVERLOAD

Constant-Q: Proportional Q:

3dB

1/3 octave 1/3 octave

3dB

3dB

1/3+ octave

3dB

2+ octaves

Bandwidth, dened 3dB down

from peak, remains constant. dramatically with changes in gain.

Bandwidth here changes

FREQUENCY

AMPLITUDE

FREQUENCY

AMPLITUDE

Proportional Q:Constant-Q:

0dB

+3dB

+6dB

1

2

2

1

11

2

2

This design has little
interaction as a
single slider is
moved from
1 to 2. 1 to 2.

moved from

single slider is

aected when a

Both lters are

(both channels identical)

M E 15 S

microGRAPHIC EQUALIZER

Constant-Q

Constant-Q graphic equalizers arose from
the sound professional’s need for greater
control with less interaction than previ­ously possible with conventional equal­izers. You use a constant-Q graphic the
same way you use a conventional graphic.
You just get the desired results quicker,
with far less after adjustment to the adja­cent sliders.

e accompanying gures dramati­cally show the advantages of constant-Q
designs. For more technical information,
consult the references on the next page.
Most are available at
www.rane.com/library.html.

Data Sheet-3

M E 15 S

microGRAPHIC EQUALIZER

Rear Panel

Architectural Specifications

e graphic equalizer shall be of constant-Q design to minimize
interactions between adjacent bands, and contain frequency
bands located on standard ISO center frequencies. Each band
shall have a bandwidth of ⅔-octave. A switchable boost/cut
range of 12 dB or 6 dB shall be provided. A detented and posi­tively grounded 0 dB point shall be provided on 20 mm linear
sliders with dust dams.

A rotary overall level control shall be provided with a range
from o to +6 dB of gain in balanced mode.

e inputs and outputs shall be active balanced/unbalanced
designs terminated with both XLR and ¼" TRS (tip-ring-sleeve)
connectors. RFI lters shall be provided. e unit shall provide a
passive bypass feature requiring no power to operate. Infrasonic
and ultrasonic lters shall be built-in. LEDs shall be provided to
indicate overload conditions.

e unit shall be capable of operation by means of its own
built-in universal power supply operating at 100-240 VAC and
meet CE requirements. e unit shall be UL and cUL listed. e
unit shall be entirely constructed from cold-rolled steel.

e unit shall be a Rane Corporation ME15S Equalizer.

Available Accessories

• SC 1.7 Security Cover

References

1. D. Bohn, “Constant-Q Graphic Equalizers,” RaneNote, (1982).

2. D. Bohn, “A New Generation of Filters,” Sound and Video Contractor, vol. 2, pp. 36-39 (Feb. 1984).

3. T. Pennington, “Constant-Q,” Studio Sound, vol.27, pp. 82-85 (Oct. 1985).

4. D. Bohn, “Constant-Q Graphic Equalizers,” J. Audio Eng. Soc., vol. 34, pp. 611-626 (September 1986).

5. D. Bohn, “Exposing Equalizer Mythology,” RaneNote, (1986 ).

6. D. Bohn, “Operator Adjustable Equalizers: An Overview,” RaneNote, (19 9 0).

©Rane Corporation 10802 47th Ave. W., Mukilteo WA 98275-5000 USA TEL [phone] FAX [phone] WEB rane.com

Data Sheet-4

All features & specications subject to change without notice. 1-2014