Samson PL1602 User Manual
Introduction 1
System Features 2
Guided Tour 3
Overview 3
Channels 4
Main Section 5
Rear Panel 7
Connecting The PL 1602 - General Suggestions 9
Setting Up and Using the PL 1602 11
Setting the Correct Gain Structure 12
Grounding Techniques 14
Using the Balance Control 16
Using Equalization 17
Using Aux Sends and Returns 18
Using Channel Inserts 19
Applications Notes 20
Using The PL 1602 As A Main Live Mixer 20
Using The PL 1602 As An Onstage Monitor Mixer 21
Using The PL 1602 As A Keyboard Submixer 22
Linking The PL 1602 With Other Mixers 23
Appendix A: Block Diagram 24
Appendix B: Changing the PL 1602 Voltage 25
Specifications 26
Introduction
Congratulations on purchasing the Samson PL 1602 stereo mixer! Although this
unit is designed for easy operation, we suggest you first take some time to go
through these pages so you can fully understand how we’ve implemented a
number of unique features.
In this manual, we’ll provide you with an overview of the PL 1602 features,
followed by a guided tour of its front and rear panels. Then we’ll describe how
the PL 1602 should be connected to your existing equipment (including wiring
diagrams) and talk about the important topics of gain structure and grounding
techniques. Next, we’ll cover a number of specific PL 1602 features (such as
balancing, equalization, auxiliary sends and returns, and channel inserts) in
detail. Finally, we’ll wrap things up with a series of applications notes describing
a number of ways to use the PL 1602, reference Appendices, and full specifications. You’ll also find a warranty card enclosed—please don’t forget to fill it out
and mail it in so that you can receive online technical support and so we can
send you updated information about these and other Samson products in the
future.
SPECIAL NOTE: Should your unit ever require servicing, a
Return Authorization
number (RA) is necessary. Without this number, the unit will not be accepted.
Please call Samson at 1-800-372-6766 for a Return Authorization number prior
to shipping your unit. Please retain the original packing materials and, if possible, return the unit in its original carton and packing materials.
1
System Features
“PL” stands for “Program/Line” and the name describes the broad range of
signals which can be handled by this powerful stereo mixer. In fact, the compact design of the PL 1602 belies an extraordinary versatility. Add excellent
sound quality to the equation, and you’ve got a product which is equally useful
as a live performance mixer, onstage monitor mixer, or keyboard submixer
(you’ll find descriptions of each of these applications at the conclusion of this
manual). Here are some of the PL 1602’s main features:
• Sixteen input channels, which can be used as eight stereo channels. All
channels provide electronically balanced line-level inputs, and are ideal for
line-level sources such as outboard signal processors; CD players; tape or
cassette recorders; stereo drum machines; and keyboards and MIDI tone
modules. In addition, channels 1 and 3 provide electronically balanced mic
inputs so that you can connect up to two microphones to the PL 1602.
• An electronically balanced main stereo output for connection to a power
amplifier.
• Two auxiliary sends and two stereo auxiliary returns (which can be used as
four monophonic returns). Both sends are pre-fader but post-equalizer.
• Independent 2-band equalization for each channel, with 15 dB of cut or
boost for low (100 Hz) and high (10 kHz) frequencies.
• Balance controls for each channel and Aux return that allow you to blend
the relative levels of stereo inputs.
• Channel inserts are provided for channels 1 - 6, enabling you to use
outboard signal processors such as equalizers, compressor/ limiters, or
noise gates in a standard “effect loop.”
• Input trims for the mic inputs of channels 1 and 3 are continuously
adjustable from +4 to -40 dB, making it possible to use the PL 1602 with a
wide variety of microphone types.
• Center detents for all balance and EQ controls, making it easy to use the
PL 1602 even in low-light situations such as live performance.
• Main left/right out faders for easy control of overall output levels.
• An independent front-panel headphone jack with dedicated volume control.
• The PL 1602 can be mounted in any standard 19" rack (taking just two rack
spaces), making it easy to integrate into any existing system.
• Last but certainly not least, affordability. The PL 1602 has been designed
from the ground up to provide versatility and excellent sound quality at a
cost-conscious price.
2
Guided Tour - Overview
The following illustration shows an overview of the front panel of the PL 1602:
3
CHANNEL 1/2
0
-15
HIGH
0
-15
LOW
∞ +10
LEVEL
∞
∞
L
AUX 1L
AUX 2R
BALANCE
0
+10
0
+10
R
AUXILIARY RETURNS
0
∞
+10
AUX 1/2 RETURN
0
∞
+10
AUX3/4 RETURN
+10
0
PHONES
SAMSON
PL 1602 LINE MIXER
R
L
BALANCE
R
L
BALANCE
+15
+15
0
0
∞
∞
RIGHT
LEFT
POWER
CHANNEL 3/4
0
0
∞
+10
+15
AUX 1L
0
∞
+15
+10
AUX 2R
0
R
L
BALANCE
-15
HIGH
0
-15
LOW
∞ +10
LEVEL
∞
+15
AUX 1L
∞
+15
AUX 2R
0
L
BALANCE
0
0
+10
0
+10
R
-15
HIGH
0
-15
LOW
∞ +10
LEVEL
∞
+15
AUX 1L
∞
+15
AUX 2R
0
L
BALANCE
CHANNEL 7/8CHANNEL 5/6
0
0
+10
0
+10
R
-15
HIGH
0
-15
LOW
∞ +10
LEVEL
∞
+15
∞
+15
0
L
BALANCE
AUX 1L
AUX 2R
CHANNEL 9/10
0
0
+10
0
+10
R
-15
HIGH
0
-15
LOW
∞ +10
LEVEL
∞
+15
AUX 1L
∞
+15
AUX 2R
0
L
BALANCE
CHANNEL 11/12
0
0
+10
0
+10
R
-15
HIGH
0
-15
LOW
∞ +10
LEVEL
∞
+15
AUX 1L
∞
+15
AUX 2R
0
L
BALANCE
CHANNEL 13/14
0
0
+10
0
+10
R
-15
HIGH
0
-15
LOW
∞ +10
LEVEL
∞
+15
∞
+15
0
L
AUX 1L
AUX 2R
BALANCE
CHANNEL 15/16
0
0
+15
+10
-15
HIGH
0
0
+15
+10
-15
LOW
0
R
∞ +10
LEVEL
Channels Main Section
Guided Tour - Channels
1: Equalizer (white) - These knobs determine the amount of boost or attenuation in each
of two frequency areas. The high and low frequency knobs provide 15 dB of cut or boost
at 10 kHz and 100 Hz, respectively, with both utilizing a shelving curve. The EQ setting
affects both the odd- and even-numbered channel inputs, although the signals remain
separate. A center detent in each knob (at the “0” position) indicates no boost or attenuation (that is, flat response). As each knob is turned clockwise from the “0” position, the
frequency area is boosted; as it is turned counterclockwise from the “0” position, the
frequency area is attenuated. For more information on the application of EQ, see the
“Using Equalization” section on page 17 of this manual.
2: Level - This knob (purposely made a little bigger than the others so you can find it
easily in low-light situations) simultaneously controls the volume of both the odd- and evennumbered channel inputs (the relative volumes of the two can be adjusted with the Balance
knob, as described in #4 below). In practice, you will use the Level controls to continuously
adjust the loudnesses of the various signals being blended together by the PL 1602.
The “0” (2 o’clock) position of the knob indicates unity gain (no level attenuation or boost).
Moving the knob counterclockwise from the “0” position (towards “∞”) causes the signal to
be attenuated (at the very bottom, it is attenuated infinitely—in other words, there is no
sound). Moving it clockwise from the “0” position (towards “+10”) causes the signal to be
boosted by as much as 10 dB.
For best signal-to-noise ratio, all Level controls for channels carrying signal should generally be kept at or near the “0” position. Channels that are unused should have their Level
controls kept fully counterclockwise at their “∞” (minimum) level. See the “Setting the
Correct Gain Structure” section on page 12 in this manual for more information.
3: Auxiliary sends (blue) - These knobs (labeled “Aux 1L” and “Aux 2R”) allow you to
route signal to either or both of the PL 1602’s two monophonic Auxiliary outputs. These
are typically used to route signal to outboard effects devices. When a pair of channel
inputs (that is, both odd-numbered and even-numbered) are connected, the odd-numbered
(left) input signal can only be routed to Aux 1L, while the even-numbered (right) input can
only be routed to Aux 2R. When only the odd-numbered (left) input is connected, the signal can be routed to both Aux 1L and Aux 2R. When only the even-numbered (right) input
is connected, the signal can only be routed to Aux 2R. When an Aux send knob is at the
“0” (2 o’clock) position, the signal is routed with unity gain (that is, no boost or attenuation).
As each Aux send knob is turned clockwise from the “0” position, the signal is boosted; as
it is turned counterclockwise from the “0” position, it is attenuated. Both Aux sends are
pre-fade (that is, the level of the signal is unaffected by the position of its Level control,
Trim control [in the case of channels 1 and 3] or by the Left/Right faders) but post-EQ.
4: Balance (dark gray) - When a pair of channel inputs (that is, both odd-numbered and
even-numbered) are connected, the odd-numbered (left) input signal is automatically
panned hard left and the even-numbered (right) input signal is automatically panned hard
right. In this case, the “Balance” knob controls the relative levels of the paired input
signals. When the knob is placed at its center detented position, both signals are at equal
strength. When moved left of center, the odd-numbered (left) input signal remains at the
same strength but the even-numbered (right) input signal is attenuated; when the knob is
moved right of center, the even-numbered (left) input signal remains at the same strength
but the odd-numbered (right) input signal is attenuated. When placed fully counterclockwise, only the odd-numbered (left) input signal is heard (panned hard left); when placed
fully clockwise, only the even-numbered (right) input signal is heard (panned hard right).
When only the odd-numbered (left) input is connected, the Balance knob functions as a
constant level Pan control, allowing you to continuously place the incoming signal anywhere in the left-right stereo field. For more information, see the “Using the Balance
Control” section on page 16 in this manual.
4
CHANNEL 1/2
0
0
∞
+10
+15
-15
AUX 1L
1
2
HIGH
0
-15
LOW
∞ +10
LEVEL
0
∞
+15
+10
AUX 2R
0
R
L
BALANCE
3
4
5
Guided Tour - Main Section
1: Stereo Auxiliary Return Level (blue) - These knobs determine the input
level of signal arriving via the PL 1602’s two stereo Auxiliary returns. The “0”
(2 o’clock) position of each knob indicates unity gain (no level attenuation or
boost). Moving each knob counterclockwise from the “0” position (towards “∞”)
causes the signal to be attenuated (at the very bottom, it is attenuated infinitely—
in other words, there is no sound). Moving each knob clockwise from the “0”
position (towards “+10”) causes the signal to be boosted by as much as 10 dB.
For information on how to properly set these, see the sections in this manual
entitled “Setting the Correct Gain Structure” and “Using the Aux Sends and
Returns” (pages 12 and 18).
2: Stereo Auxiliary Return Balance (dark gray) - These knobs determine the
relative levels of the left and right input signals connected to the PL 1602’s two
stereo Auxiliary returns. When the knob is placed at its center (detented)
position, both left and right input signals for that Aux return are at equal strength.
When moved left of center, the left input signal remains at the same strength but
the right input signal is attenuated; when the knob is moved right of center, the
right input signal remains at the same strength but the left input signal is
attenuated. When placed fully counterclockwise, only the left input signal is
heard (panned hard left); when placed fully clockwise, only the right input signal
is heard (panned hard right). These “radical” positions are useful when you are
using a stereo Aux return as two mono returns—see the “Using the Balance
Control” and “Using the Aux Sends and Returns” sections on pages 16 and 18
for more information.
When only the left input of an Aux return is connected, its Balance knob
functions as a constant level Pan control, allowing you to continuously place the
incoming signal anywhere in the left-right stereo field.
3: Headphone Level - This knob sets the level of the signal sent to the headphone jack (see #4 on the next page). WARNING: To avoid possible damage
to connected headphones (or, worse yet, to your ears!), always turn this all the
way off (to the fully counterclockwise “0” position) before plugging in a pair of
headphones—then raise the level
slowly while listening. The Headphone Level
has no effect on the final Main output level.
2
AUXILIARY RETURNS
0
∞
+10
AUX 1/2 RETURN
1
3
∞
+10
AUX 3/4 RETURN
0
+10
PHONES
0
SAMSON
PL 1602 LINE MIXER
R
L
BALANCE
R
L
BALANCE
4
LEFT
+15
0
∞
POWER
6
RIGHT
+15
0
∞
5
6
Guided Tour - Main Section
4: Headphone jack - Connect any standard stereo headphones to this jack (via
a 1/4" TRS plug) for private monitoring of the main stereo output (including all
connected Aux returns). The built-in PL 1602 headphone preamp delivers
100 mw at 32 ohms.
5: Main L/R faders These faders determine the final output signal level.
Signals from all channels and Auxiliary returns are routed here just before
leaving the PL 1602 via its left and right Main Out jacks (see #7 on page 8 for
more information). The “0” position of each fader indicates unity gain (no level
attenuation or boost). Moving each fader down from the “0” position (towards
“∞”) causes the signal to be attenuated (at the very bottom, it is attenuated
infinitely—in other words, there is no sound). Moving each fader up from the
“0” position (towards “+15”) causes the signal to be boosted by as much as
15 dB. For more information, see the “Setting The Correct Gain Structure”
section on page 12.
6: Power LED - Lights whenever the PL 1602 is powered on.
Guided Tour - Rear Panel
1. Fuse sled - This contains a fuse holder and shows the currently selected
voltage rating for your PL 1602. Make sure the voltage rating is correctly set
before powering up! Fuse ratings are: 0.3 amp for 115 VAC and 0.15 amp for
230 VAC. The voltage rating will normally be preset correctly at the factory and
will require no adjustment unless you use the PL 1602 in a country other than
the one in which you purchased the unit. For information on how to change the
voltage rating, see Appendix B on page 25.
2. AC input - Connect the supplied standard 3-pin “EEC” plug here.
3: Power on-off switch - As you may have guessed, this is what you use to
turn the PL 1602 on and off. To avoid potential damage to your speakers, turn
the mixer on before you turn on any connected power amps—and turn it off after
the power amps are turned off.
4: Line inputs - Use these electronically balanced 1/4" jacks to connect linelevel sources such as synthesizers, drum machines, CD players, tape decks, or
effects processors to any of the PL 1602’s sixteen channels. Use balanced
three-conductor cabling and Tip/Ring/Sleeve (TRS) plugs wherever possible
(unbalanced two-conductor plugs can also be inserted into these inputs, but
you’ll get better signal quality and less outside noise and hum if you use
balanced lines). When connecting monophonic (as opposed to stereo) signal
sources, use the left (odd-numbered) inputs; the Balance control for that channel
pair will then act as a constant level pan control—see the “Using the Balance
Control” section on page 16 for more information. The “Connecting The PL
1602” section on page 9 provides more information on how best to use channel
inputs.
WARNING: Do not connect the channel 1 or 3 line input if you already
have something connected to that channel’s microphone input (see #5 on the
next page); these channels are designed to accept only one source or the other.
7
3
POWER
AVIS:
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT
TO RAIN OR MOISTURE
POWER
120V - 60 Hz 35W
RATING
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
ON
OFF
!
TIP + RING - SLEEVE GND
S / N
MAIN OUT
BALANCED 600 +4db
7
BUS
INSERTS
MIXER LINKING
8
4
INPUTS BALANCED 10KΩ -30 to +4db TIP + RING - SLEEVE GND.
2R
AUX
RETURNS
UNBALANCED 10KΩ
9
1L2R3L4RLRLR
AUX SEND
UNBALANCED
2KΩ +4db
10
1L
SAMSON TECHNOLOGIES CORP., NEW YORK, U.S.A.
6R 5L 4R 3L 2R 1L
INSERTS TIP RETURN RING SEND
~115V(0.3A)
230V(0.15A)
50/60Hz 30W
1
PL 1602
16 CHANNEL LINE MIXER
110
2
11
6
MIC 1
-10
2
3
0
1L2R3L4R5L6R7L8R9L10R11L12R13L14R15L16R
0
1
-40+4
TRIM
-10
2
3
1
-40+4
TRIM
MIC 3
5
6
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