OPERATORS MANUAL
SEQ 30L
STEREO GRAPHIC EQUALIZER
QUICK START
If this is your first equalizer, please do yourself and
your speakers a favor and read at least the first five
pages. “An ounce of prevention...,” and all that.
The SEQ 30L is a stereo equalizer, so adjusting
any slider affects both channels simultaneously. Begin
by setting all sliders to their center detent (0 dB), and
the INPUT LEVEL to its center detent (0 dB). Try to
make more cuts than boosts. After equalizing, use the
EQ switch to compare equalized and non-equalized
signal. While EQ is switched to ACTIVE (out), adjust
the INPUT LEVEL to the same level as when EQ is
switched to BYPASS (in).
You may use either the XLR or ¼" connectors for
Inputs or Outputs. Connect only one INPUT type per
channel. The XLR and ¼" TRS inputs do not sum.
You may, however, use both types of OUTPUTS
simultaneously if desired.
WEAR PARTS: This product contains no wear parts.
Manual-1
INPUT LEVEL control and indicators
This controls the overall level. 0 dB gain is reached at the center detent with all
sliders centered at their 0 dB detents. Set the INPUT LEVEL to give equal volumes
with the EQ switched to ACTIVE or BYPASS, after setting the sliders (see EQ
BYPASS switch below). Apply sufficient signal to the input to occasionally light
the +4 dBu indicator. Flashing of the OL (overload) LED during peaks can be
avoided by turning the INPUT LEVEL or boosted Filters down.
Filter level slide controls
Each of these sliders control the
output level of both channels of the 30
bandpass filters. Center position is
grounded for guaranteed flat response.
EQ BYPASS switch
When pressed to BYPASS, the filter sliders have no effect. Since actual unity
gain depends on varying slider settings, use the BYPASS switch to determine the
unity gain position of the INPUT LEVEL control by comparing ACTIVE and
BYPASS volumes.
Cable Wiring
In agreement with IEC and AES/ANSI standards, XLR wiring convention is pin
2 Positive (hot), pin 3 Negative (cold), and pin 1 Signal ground (for unbalanced
use). Pin 1 and the connector case or shell are tied to chassis ground.
Manual-2
LEFT & RIGHT OUTPUTS
Use either the Balanced XLR or the
Unbalanced ¼" TS jacks. Using both
types of Outputs are permissible to
drive two devices, such as an amplifier
and a recorder.
LEFT & RIGHT INPUTS
Choose between the balanced XLR
or the balanced/unbalanced ¼" TRS
jacks, but only use one. Inserting a ¼"
TS jack will work—however—always
use balanced lines especially when
connecting cables over 10 feet in length.
Consult SOUND SYSTEM INTERCONNECTION on page Manual-6.
POWER switch and LED
Your basic, straightforward power
switch. When the yellow LED is lit, the
SEQ 30L is ready to go.
Manual-3
SEQ 30L CONNECTION
Exactly where you install your SEQ 30L into a sound
system significantly affects such things as noise, system
headroom, compressor/limiter performance and other factors
influencing overall sound quality. Both what and why you are
equalizing determines where you install it.
WHAT AND WHY
Tone contouring is accomplished mainly by ear. This you
know how to do. Be careful though, not to introduce too much
bass boost. Be aware that the SEQ 30L is capable of boosting
signals up to 12 dB (4 times as large!)—a level at which great
care should be taken to prevent seismic disturbances. Optimal
gain setting is indicated by the +4 dBu indicator lighting
occasionally, while the OL indicator does not light.
The SEQ 30L can be used to align crossovers and flatten
speaker response. The best way to “see” what your sound
system is doing, is to use a realtime analyzer. A 1/3-octave
realtime analyzer is an accurate means for setting a 1/3-octave
equalizer properly.
WHERE
For tone contouring, the equalizer may be used at any
point in the signal chain, such as insert loops in a mixer to
equalize a single instrument, sweeten a tape recording, etc.
When an equalizer is used for acoustical correction, the
equalizer should be one of the last pieces of gear in front of
the amplifiers and active crossovers. Here are a few general
guidelines useful in deciding exactly where to install the SEQ
30L in the system.
Downstream of the Compressor
Since system EQ is aimed at controlling acoustic problems, install it after any compressor, which is designed to
operate on electrical signal. For one thing, the equalizer slider
settings will change in each room location, which in turn
affects the control voltage and threshold responses of the
compressor, rendering it inconsistent. Secondly, large
amounts of boost often cause tone differences by causing
some frequencies to limit or compress before others.
After any System Gain
The best configuration is: mixer, compressor/limiter,
equalizer, crossover and power amplifier. Whenever headroom allows, try to take all the gain at the mixer, and run
unity levels from then on. This also gives better noise
performance through the system. Connect the SEQ 30L
before the amplifier or active crossover. Take any required
line gain before the SEQ 30L. Avoid taking a lot of gain in
the crossover or power amps as this may create noise problems. The SEQ 30L operates at unity gain with the INPUT
LEVEL control at the 0 dB center detent when sliders average
to center (0 dB). You can test this with the EQ BYPASS
switch—adjust the INPUT LEVEL control so that volume
does not change when switching between Active and BYPASS. For details, read RaneNote 135, “Setting Sound
System Level Controls,” available from the Rane website.
Send/Receive Loops
Mixers, mixer/preamps and the like often provide send/
receive loops for additional effects or EQ, and the SEQ 30L
works well in this situation. Just be sure to keep input trim or
gain controls turned up as far as the mixer input headroom
will allow, to avoid taking excessive gain downstream and
creating noise problems.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
The SEQ 30L is an accurate, professional quality instrument capable of precise equalization down to a fraction of a
dB. You can expect several advantages from your constant-Q
equalizer over conventional designs: Moving one slider will
not affect neighboring filters as much, so you won’t spend
time re-adjusting sliders (we call this “equalizing the equalizer”). You’ll be able to obtain better feedback control
without losing sound quality. All sliders maintain smooth,
consistent and accurate calibrated control over filter levels.
Because of this, the overall EQ adjustment process is significantly easier and more effective.
Equalizing a sound system by ear is a very difficult
process to achieve successfully, especially in a timely
manner. Although the human ear is very sensitive, it is not
calibrated, nor consistent, and frankly the odds against a well
behaved, clear sound system are very great when tuned by
ear. Most people know when a sound system doesn’t sound
good, unfortunately they just can’t tell exactly why and where
it’s not right. Because of this, we strongly recommend the
use of a realtime analyzer to properly equalize your system
with the SEQ 30L.
A realtime analyzer helps you quickly achieve things
nearly impossible by ear: flatten speaker response, minimize
feedback, reduce room resonance and achieve accurate
crossover alignment. In most cases, simply “normalizing” or
“flattening” a sound system is a surprisingly drastic improvement, but don’t stop there:
Remember this Rane proverb: “Look, don’t stop, and
listen.” Once you have aligned the system by looking at the
analyzer, don’t stop at this point. Listen to the music
program and make additional adjustments to suit your taste,
the type of music and your audience. Fatten the bass, sweeten
the highs, brighten the mids. Since you are starting from a
“tuned” system, your ear will not be fooled into thinking bass
is too high when actually mids are too low, or that highs are
too weak when really the mids are too strong.
Fact: analyzers don’t have good taste—people do.
Analyzers consistently and accurately “tell it like it is,” but
ultimately, personal judgment determines what sounds good
or appropriate. In fact, final optimum EQ settings, made after
analyzer testing, will vary greatly depending on the type of
music, sound pressure level, size of the venue and disposition
of the audience.
Conclusion: To consistently obtain the best sound from
your system, use an analyzer and then your ears, in that
order. The analyzer supplies the consistency and calibration
while your ears supply the good taste.
©Rane Corporation 10802 47th Ave. W., Mukilteo WA 98275-5098 TEL (425)355-6000 FAX (425)347-7757 WEB http://www.rane.com
Manual-4
All features & specifications subject to change without notice.105073
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including ampliers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. e wide blade or third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not
t into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord and plug from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where it exits from
the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments and accessories specied by Rane.
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specied by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution
when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power supply
cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does
not operate normally, or has been dropped.
15. e plug on the power cord is the AC mains disconnect device and must remain readily operable. To completely disconnect this apparatus from
the AC mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle.
16. is apparatus shall be connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.
17. When permanently connected, an all-pole mains switch with a contact separation of at least 3 mm in each pole shall be incorporated in the electrical installation of the building.
18. If rackmounting, provide adequate ventilation. Equipment may be located above or below this apparatus, but some equipment (like large power
ampliers) may cause an unacceptable amount of hum or may generate too much heat and degrade the performance of this apparatus.
19. is apparatus may be installed in an industry standard equipment rack. Use screws through all mounting holes to provide the best support.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. Apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping
or splashing and no objects lled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus.
NOTE: is equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. ese
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. is equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment o and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference
by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
CAU TION: Changes or modications not expressly approved by Rane Corporation could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
is Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
WARNI NG
To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not open the unit. No user
serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualied service personnel.
e symbols shown below are internationally accepted symbols that warn
of potential hazards with electrical products.
is symbol indicates that a dangerous voltage
constituting a risk of electric shock is present within
this unit.
is symbol indicates that there are important
operating and maintenance instructions in the
literature accompanying this unit.
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