Sabine SM-620, SL-620 User Manual
SL-620
SM-620
FBX-SOLO
Model SL-620
OPERATING
GUIDE
INSIDE THIS GUIDE:
About the FBX 2,3
Quick-Start Operation 2
FBX-SOLO Controls 4,5
Applications 6-8
Understanding Fixed
& Dynamic Filters 9
Operating Instructions 10-12
Troubleshooting Tips 13
Product Specifications 14
Cautions 14
Warranty 15
FBX-SOLO
Model SM-620
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. In
setup and during the performance, it gives you more gain and increases the clarity of your
mains and monitors. It's the affordable solution to feedback problems, perfect for wireless
mics, monitors, acoustic/electric instruments, harmonica mics, multi-mic locations like
conference rooms and courthouses -- wherever there's an open microphone.
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 constant "Q" micro-filters on the resonating frequency and eliminates the
feedback in typically less than one second.
Special features of the SL-620 and SM-620:
• The SL-620 has 1/4" in/out connectors and input/output level switches for any
combination of ins and outs. The SL is for use with acoustic/electric guitars and guitar
amplifiers, mixer insert points, powered mixer patch points and high impedance mics.
• The SM-620, with selectable phantom power, has XLR in/out connectors for use with
balanced microphones.
• Both models offer standard FBX features like switchable filter widths and lockable
fixed filters.
See page 2 for quick-start operating procedures.
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, Canadian Patent No. 2,066,624-2,
German Patent No. 69118486.0, and British Patent No. 0486679. Other patents pending. © 1996 Sabine Inc.
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
ABOUT THE FBX...
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 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.
WHO NEEDS THE 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 SOLO 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.
QUICK-START OPERATION
For best results, read all operating instructions before using the FBX-SOLO. 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 begin on page 9 inside this
operating guide.
1. Patch in the SOLO where appropriate for your model, and select the input/output level
on the back.
2. With gain down on the input channel, put the SOLO in ACTIVE mode (green bypass
LED), then slowly raise the channel gain to the point of feedback.
3. Raise the gain slowly until 5 FBX filters are set, then reduce gain slightly.
4. Adjust the CLIP LEVEL on the SOLO, and you're ready to go.
READ THE ENTIRE OPERATING GUIDE FOR COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS.
2
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
0 dB
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
constant "Q" 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.
6 dB
12 dB
500 Hz
1000 Hz
2000 Hz
0.0 dBV
-1.875
-3.750
-5.625
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
-7.500
graphic EQ. The EQ was adjusted while the
input was raised to the same level achieved with
-9.375
-11.25
-13.13
-15.00
100 Hz
1K
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
HOW CAN THE SOLO BE USED?
Assign a SOLO to any specific mixer channel. You can also use the SM-620 to connect a
phantom-powered mic to a non-phantom-powered mixer.
Look for this symbol for
specific information on
the SL-620.
Look for this symbol for
specific information on
the SM-620.
3
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
SL-620 Front & Back Panels
POWER
The ON/OFF power switch is a two-position push button switch.
The LEDs corresponding to all active filters will blink on powerup.
ACTIVE/BYPASS
In Active mode, the unit controls feedback automatically. The
two-color "BY" LED lights green when the unit is in Active mode
and lights red when in Bypass mode. The mic preamp remains
active in Bypass mode; only the FBX function is bypassed.
RESET
Press until the LEDs stop flashing to reset or clear all 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. The dynamic filters are not affected.
FILTER ACTIVITY
When one of the unit’s constant "Q" filters is activated, the
corresponding LED lights. A blinking LED indicates the filter
that was most recently activated.
CLIP LEVEL ADJUST
Adjust the clip level so that the clip LED blinks intermittently.
Higher levels will cause distortion, and lower levels will cause an
increase in sound system noise level. When the output level
switch is set to UNITY: The FBX combines input and output
levels into one control so there is no net gain or loss of signal
regardless of where the clip level is set. When the output level
switch is set to LINE: The FBX has an adjustable gain which
ranges from 0dB to +35dB.
FILTER WIDTH SWITCH
Switch to narrow 1/10-octave filters for music applications or to
wider 1/5-octave filters for spoken word applications. The
change takes effect only on power up. Selecting a new width
has no effect unless you power down and then power up again.
INPUT LOW/HIGH SWITCH
Switch to LOW for instrument or microphone in (use with low
level inputs such as piezo mics); this provides a 30dB boost in
the FBX's input gain structure. Switch to HIGH for insert or line
in (use with high level output instruments and signal processors).
OUTPUT UNITY/LINE SWITCH
Switch to UNITY (for level in=level out) for use with amplifiers
that accept low level signals, such as guitar amps. In the UNITY
setting the SL-620 has a system gain of 1 (input=output level).
Switch to LINE (for line level out) if your signal needs
preamping. In the LINE setting the gain is adjusted between 0
and +35dB (HIGH IN; +30 to +65dB LOW IN) via the clip level
adjust.
12VDC ADAPTOR
The FBX external power supply (single unit power supply;
model #S-PSU1) is included with the unit. Use of any other
power supplies may cause permanent damage to the unit and
WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.
INPUTS & OUTPUTS
The connector labeled IN/OUT serves as both the unit's input
(tip) and output (ring) when used with a single TRS plug. When
used with a Y-cord, use the IN/OUT as the input and the
OUTPUT as the output.
4
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
SM-620 Front & Back Panels
POWER
The ON/OFF power switch is a two-position push button switch.
The LEDs corresponding to all active filters will blink on powerup.
ACTIVE/BYPASS
In Active mode, the unit controls feedback automatically. The
two-color "BY" LED lights green when the unit is in Active mode
and lights red when in Bypass mode. Phantom power and the
mic preamp remain active in Bypass mode; only the FBX function
is bypassed.
RESET
Press until the LEDs stop flashing to reset or clear all filters.
FILTER ACTIVITY
When one of the unit’s constant "Q" filters is activated, the
corresponding LED lights. A blinking LED indicates the filter that
was most recently activated.
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.
The dynamic filters are not affected.
CLIP LEVEL ADJUST
Adjust the clip level so that the clip LED blinks intermittently.
Higher levels will cause distortion, and lower levels will cause an
increase in sound system noise level. When the output level
switch is set to UNITY: The FBX combines input and output
levels into one control so there is no net gain or loss of signal
regardless of where the clip level is set. When the output level
switch is set to LINE: The FBX has an adjustable gain which
ranges from -15dB to +20dB.
FILTER WIDTH SWITCH
Switch to narrow 1/10-octave filters for music applications or to
wider 1/5-octave filters for spoken word applications. The change
takes effect only on power up. Selecting a new width has no effect
unless you power down and then power up again.
OUTPUT LO/HI SWITCH
In the LO setting, the SM-620 has unity gain (input=output); use
LO for mic level. In the HI setting, gain is adjustable between
-15dB and +20dB using the clip level adjust; use HI for line level,
or when you need to preamp the signal.
PHANTOM POWER ON/OFF SWITCH
The SM-620 is set to "PHANTOM POWER - OFF" at the factory.
If you wish to use phantom power, move the switch to "ON."
12VDC ADAPTOR
The FBX external power supply (single unit power supply;
model #S-PSU1) is included with the unit. Use of any other
power supplies may cause permanent damage to the unit and
WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.
INPUT
The input accepts balanced XLR-3 (PIN 2 high) plugs.
OUTPUT
Use balanced XLR-3 plugs (PIN 2 high) for balanced mixer line
inputs.
5
Loading...