Sabine FBX1020 PLUS User Manual

OPERATING GUIDE

V2

QUICK-START OPERATION 1

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY 2

ABOUT THE FBX-1020PLUS 3

FREQUENCY RESPONSE 3
WORLD'S BEST FEEDBACK CONTROLLER 3
WHO NEEDS FBX? 3
WHY THE FBX? 3

IRECT HIT ON FEEDBACK!3

D
A

CTIVE/BYPASS SWITCH 4

SIGNAL LEVEL 4
DUAL-FUNCTION RESET 4
SET TOTAL N UMBER OF FILTERS 4

ET FIXED 4

S
A/C P

OWER INPUT 4

AUDIO INPUTS & OUTPUTS 4

FBX-1020PLUS CONTROLS 4

LOCK FIXED FILTERS 4
FIFTH OCTAVE 4
FILTER STAGE A CTIVITY 4
POWER SWITCH 4
FUSE 4

APPLICATION DIAGRAMS 5

FBX SETUP FOR MONITORS 5
FBX SETUP FOR ENTIRE MIX 5

FBX-1020PLUS OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 6

WHERE THE FBX FITS IN YOUR SOUND SYSTEM 6
A NOTE ABOUT GRAPHIC EQUALIZERS 6

NDERSTANDING FIXED & DYNAMIC FILTERS 6

U
C

LIPGUARD™ ADAPTIVE CLIP LEVEL CONTROL 6

CLIPGUARDTM TURBO MODE G UIDE 6
FBX SETUP FOR SINGLE I NSERT POINT 7
FBX SETUP FOR I NSERT S END & RETURN 7

OW TO O PERATE THE FBX-1020PLUS 7

H
H

OW TO USE T HE FBX-1020PLUS F EATURES 8

USING THE LOCK FIXED FEATURE 8
SELECTING FILTER WIDTH 8

IMPORTANT O PERATING CONSIDERATIONS 8

MEMORY 8
BYPASS MODE 8
RESETTING THE FILTERS 8
TURBO MODE SETUP 8
DEFEATING TURBO MODE 8
MOBILE VS. STATIONARY MICROPHONES 8

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 9

INDEX 9

FBX-1020PLUS ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS 10

CAUTIONS & WARNINGS 11

LIMITED WARRANTY 12

QUICK-START OPERATION

For best results, read all operating instructions before using the FBX-1020Plus. If you're already familiar with the FBX
or just want a basic overview of FBX operation, this simple quick-start procedure is for you. More detailed instructions
are on page 7 inside this operating guide.

1. Place the FBX between the output of your mixer and the input of your power amp.

2. With the master volume down, put the FBX-1020Plus in active mode (red BYPASS LED off), then slowly raise the mixer
master volume to the point of feedback.

3. Keep raising the master volume until all of your fixed filters and one dynamic filter are set, then lower the volume slightly.
(Factory default is nine fixed and three dynamic filters.) The rest of the filters continually catch and update new feedback
frequencies throughout the program. You're ready to go.

READ THE ENTIRE OPERATING GUIDE FOR COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS.

CONGRATULATIONS! You now have the state-of-the-art in feedback control. Your Sabine FBX-1020Plus Feedback Exterminator® — a single

channel, 20-bit digital filtering device — gives you automatic real-time feedback control and increases the clarity and volume of your system.

The FBX-1020Plus incorporates the latest in digital signal processing technology. It automatically senses feedback in a sound system and determines
its pitch. It then places one of 12 Constant Q micro-filters on the resonating frequency and eliminates the feedback in typically less than one second.

Special features of the FBX-1020Plus:

• An improved algorithm that allows the FBX-1020Plus to better distinguish the difference between feedback and music

• Improved 20-bit digital resolution, providing superior dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio

• 12 feedback filters, giving the unit more feedback elimination power for the toughest venues.

• ClipGuard™ adaptive clip level control, with TURBO setup mode, increases the effective dynamic range by more than 10dB
and makes setup faster and easier.

• Two stage reset function allows you to reset just dynamic filters or all filters.

• Standard FBX features such as lockable fixed filters and switchable 1/10- and 1/5-octave Constant Q filters are also included

© 2001 Sabine, Inc.

and now have convenient front panel switches.

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Application of Council Directive: 73/23/EEC and 89/336/EEC

Standard to which conformity is declared:

EN 55022 Class B

Manufacturer’s Name: Sabine, Inc.

Manufacturer’s Address: 13301 Highway 441

Alachua, FL 32615-8544 USA

EN 60065:1993

EN 50082-1:1992

Type of Equipment: Equalizer

Model No.: FBX-1020Plus

Serial No.:

Year of Manufacture: 1997 and on

I, the undersigned, herby declare that the equipment specified above conforms to the above Directive and Standard.

Place: Alachua, Florida, USA Signature:

Date: October 4, 2000 Full Name: Doran Oster, Sabine President

2

ABOUT THE FBX-1020Plus

Feedback
Frequency

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: FBX 1/10-Octave Filter Vs.
1/3-Octave Graphic EQ Filter (12 dB depth; Log Scale).

FBX filter

Frequency Response

Full Set-Up FBX Vs. 1/3 Octave Graphic Equal­izer. Test procedure: A PA system was set up

using a microphone, mixer, FBX, power amp and
two speakers. The system's gain was raised
until the FBX removed nine feedback points.
Next, the FBX was replaced with a 1/3 octave
graphic EQ. The EQ was adjusted while the
system gain was raised to the same level
achieved with the FBX. The frequency response
curves of each device were then plotted.

Direct Hit on Feedback!

The FBX targets feedback without taking a big chunk out of your
sound. Tests prove that a single 1/3-octave EQ slider pulled down
12 dB removes almost half the power going to the speakers over
a two-octave range. And, as this illustration shows, you can't place
a graphic EQ filter precisely on the ringing frequency. When you
pull down multiple sliders in a normal setup (below), you end up
with giant holes in your music. On the other hand, FBX micro-filters
are 10 times narrower - you get back up to 90% of the power you
lose with a graphic EQ! That means more gain before feedback
and no loss in sound quality.

World's Best Feedback Controller

Before the invention of the FBX, the most common device for controlling feedback was the 31-band graphic EQ. However, the
FBX has three distinct advantages. The most obvious is the FBX functions automatically, even during the program. Another is
the FBX micro-filters are precisely placed while EQ filters are fixed. The difference: FBX filters do not have to be as deep, so there
is more system gain. The most important advantage is that FBX micro-filters are ten times narrower than 31-band EQ filters.
FBX micro-filters return up to 90 percent of the power removed by EQ filters.

Over the years, engineers stopped using 12-band EQs in favor of the narrower-filter 31-band EQ for controlling feedback. The
FBX represents the next step. An EQ would need more than 10,000 sliders to be equivalent to your FBX. With the FBX-1020Plus,
your monitors will finally sound loud enough, everyone in the audience will understand each word, and the mains will sound
natural and transparent.

Who Needs FBX?

Virtually every sound system will be improved with the FBX. Small bands that do not have sound technicians can now increase
their monitor volumes so they can hear themselves clearly and with full fidelity, without worrying if the program is going to be ruined
by feedback.

Auditoriums and churches of all sizes will enjoy reliable feedback control. Hotels and conference centers around the world can
offer meeting rooms with sound systems that won’t howl during programs. The FBX-1020Plus can be installed in theaters,
schools, sports arenas, courtrooms — anywhere multiple microphones are used. It can also be used for teleconferencing,
intercoms or interactive remote classrooms.

Why the FBX?

The simple beauty of the FBX is its ability to quickly and effectively eliminate feedback with narrower filters than ever before
possible. The FBX delivers superior sound quality automatically.

3

3

FBX-1020PLUS CONTROLS

FBX-1020Plus Front Panel

Active/Bypass Switch

Bypass mode takes the unit out of the signal path so that it will
have no effect on the program. In active mode, the unit controls
feedback automatically. The red BYPASS LED lights when the
unit is in bypass mode.

Signal Level

The LED ladder indicates the signal strength relative to the
FBX's input clip level. The red CLIP LED indicates clipping; it
also indicates the unit is in TURBO mode.

Dual-Function Reset

To reset only the dynamic filters, press and hold the reset
button. All LEDs will flash 3 times and then the LEDs that
indicate current dynamic filter placement will shut off (fixed filter
LEDs will remain on). To reset ALL filters, continue holding the
reset button for 4 more flashes (for a total of 7 flashes), until all
filter LEDs are off.

Set Total Number of Filters

To set the total number of filters, depress the button for 4
seconds and then release. The LEDs will begin to light in
sequence. When the LED corresponding to the desired
number of filters lights, press the button to register your
selection.

Set Fixed

To set fixed filters, hold down the button for 4 seconds and then
release. The LEDs will begin to light in sequence. When the
LED corresponding to the desired number of fixed filters lights,
press the button to register your selection. (Factory default is
nine fixed and three dynamic filters.)

Lock Fixed Filters

When the LOCK FIXED button is pressed, its LED will light to
indicate that the FBX is in LOCK FIXED mode. LOCK FIXED
mode can be activated at any time after system setup and will
stay on until the button is pressed again and the LED turns off.
Engaging the LOCK FIXED button also takes the FBX-1020Plus
out of ClipGuard's TURBO setup mode.

Fifth Octave

Press the button at any time to select wider filters for any new
filters to be set. It is possible to have both 1/5 and 1/10 octave
Constant Q filters active in one channel simultaneously.

Filter Stage Activity

When one of the unit’s 12 filters is activated, the corresponding
LED lights. A blinking LED indicates the filter that was most
recently activated.

Power Switch

The ON/OFF switch is a two-position push button switch. The
power indicator LED will light when the FBX is operational.

FBX-1020Plus Back Panel

A/C Power Input

The FBX-1020Plus is factory configured to operate at either 115
VAC or 230 VAC. Using the wrong input voltage may cause
permanent damage to the unit and will void the warranty.

Audio Inputs & Outputs

1/4" TRS and XLR balanced and unbalanced.

4

Fuse

This equipment is fitted with an IEC power inlet incorporating
a built-in fuse holder. To change the fuse in this socket:

1. Disconnect the power cord from the unit.

2. Pull out the fuse holder and remove the old fuse.

3. Install the new fuse into the holder. Replace only with
5x20mm, 0.315A, 250V F (fast acting) fuse.

4. Refit the fuse cover.