Sabine FBX SOLO SL-610, FBX SOLO SM-610 User Manual

SL-610
SM-610

The Sabine
FBX-SOLO
models SM-610
and SL-610.

OPERATING

GUIDE

CONGRATULATIONS! You now have the state-of-the-art in feedback control. The Sabine
FBX-SOLO gives you automatic real-time feedback control for any channel on your mix,

makes your system louder, and increases the clarity of your mains and monitors. It includes
a user-selectable noise gate, especially useful in systems with a number of open micro­phones, such as courtrooms or conference rooms.

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

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 micro­filters 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 31­band 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 SOLO, your monitors will
finally sound loud enough, everyone in the audience will understand each word, and the
mains will sound natural and transparent.

FBX and FBX Feedback Exterminator are registered trademarks of Sabine, Inc., and are the
brand names of its line of automatic feedback controllers. Covered by U.S. Patent No. 5,245,665,
Australian Patent No. 653,736, and Canadian Patent No. 2,066,624-2. Other patents pending.

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A DIRECT HIT ON FEEDBACK! The

FBX-SOLO 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 the illustration at right
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 sound. 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.

0.0 dBV

-1.875

-3.750

-5.625

-7.500

-9.375

-11.25

-13.13

-15.00
100 Hz

1K

0 dB

6 dB

12 dB

500 Hz

1000 Hz

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 six feedback points.
Next, the FBX was replaced with a 1/3-octave
graphic EQ. The EQ was adjusted while the
input was raised to the same level achieved with
the FBX. The frequency response curves of each
device were then plotted.

What this means to you: Doubling the cost of your
microphones, speakers and power amp probably
would not improve your system's frequency
response as much as replacing your EQ with an
FBX for chasing feedback.

10K

2000 Hz

HOW CAN THE SOLO BE USED?

Assign a SOLO to any specific mixer channel. Use the SL-610 model for line level insert
points on your mixer's inputs. Use the SM-610, which includes a microphone preamp and
user-selectable phantom power, with mixers that don't have insert points. You can also use
the SM-610 to connect a phantom-powered mic to a non-phantom-powered mixer.

Look for this symbol for
specific information on
the SL-610, for mixer
insert points.

Look for this symbol for
specific information on
the SM-610, for mic or
instrument inputs.

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPERATION

Note: See pages 8 and 9 for front and back panel illustrations and descriptions.

The FBX automatic feedback controller improves any sound reinforcement system. By
following these simple instructions, you will be assured of the most benefit from your FBX
and sound system. The instructions presume that you are familiar with the fundamentals of
sound reinforcement. If any of the terms are not clear, or if the system does not perform as
expected, contact your local Sabine dealer for further information. Read on for a basic
explanation of FBX features you should understand before using your FBX.

POWERING UP

The only way to power up the FBX-SOLO is by connecting the power supply to
the unit; there is no power switch on the FBX-SOLO. When connecting the
power supply to the FBX-SOLO, push the connector into the input gently, with
the lip facing up as shown. Do not force the connector into or out of the FBX.

FIXED vs. DYNAMIC FILTERS

The FBX has two types of filters: FIXED and DYNAMIC. FIXED FILTERS are set during the
initial setup and retain their frequency center-points until the unit is reset by the user. The
system’s gain before feedback is provided by the FIXED FILTERS; i.e., increasing the
number of FIXED FILTERS increases the system’s gain before feedback. The FBX's DY-
NAMIC FILTERS control intermittent feedback that occurs during the program. They are
continually reset automatically to different frequencies as new feedback occurs during the
program. For many applications, the optimal setting is the one which gives maximum

gain - i.e., four FIXED and two DYNAMIC filters (default setting). However, in some
applications, such as use of wireless microphones, mobility is more important than
maximum gain. In this case you may wish to set three fixed and three dynamic filters.

The filters can be reconfigured easily from the factory default setting (four fixed and two
dynamic). For example, the following procedure will set three filters fixed and three dynamic:

1. Place the unit in BYPASS mode.

2. Power down the SOLO.

3. While depressing the RESET button, power up the unit.

4. Release the RESET button. The FILTER INDICATOR LEDs will now light in sequence.

5. When the third LED is lit, press the RESET button.

6. Notice that the first three LEDs flash three times to verify that they are now the fixed
filters.

Note: The fixed filters flash three times whenever the FBX is powered up.

WHERE TO PLACE THE SOLO IN YOUR SOUND SYSTEM
SL-610: Patch the SL-610 into the insert point of the desired channel. If your mixer has a

single connector insert point, connect the mixer to the IN/OUT connector on the SL-610 using
one TRS (Tip=input/Ring=output/Sleeve=ground; 1/4" phone connector) cord. Otherwise, use
the IN/OUT connector as the SL-610's input and the OUTPUT as the output. You can also
use a Y-cord from a single connector insert point. (See page 10 of this manual for informa­tion on use with a guitar amplifier.) Use the following wiring diagrams (presented in order

of most common to least common setup) as guides for setup:

SL-610,
Configuration 1:

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SL-610,
Configuration 2:

SL-610,
Configuration 3:

SL-610,
Configuration 4:

SM-610: Connect your microphone or instrument directly to the SM-610 mic level input, and

then connect the SM-610's line level output to an input on your mixer or amp. (See page 10
of this manual for information on use with a guitar amplifier.) The SM-610 input accepts both
standard 1/4" phone and XLR input connectors.

SM-610 Setup:

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