Soundcraft GB2R USER GUIDE

GB2R User Guide

1GB2R User Guide

IMPORTANT

Please read this manual carefully before using

your mixer for the first time.

Soundcraft is a trading division of Harman International Industries Ltd. Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of the vendor. Soundcraft shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from the use of information or any error contained in this manual. No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, mechanical, optical, chemical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the express written permission of Soundcraft.

Harman International Industries Limited Cranborne House Cranborne Road POTTERS BAR Hertfordshire EN6 3JN UK Tel: +44 (0)1707 665000 Fax: +44 (0)1707 660742 http://www.soundcraft.com

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Contents

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 4 SAFETY SYMBOL GUIDE 6

Installation 7

MAINS INSTALLATION 7 WORKING SAFELY WITH SOUND 9 Audio Connector Pinouts 12

Introduction 13

Key Features 14 Warranty 15

Block Diagrams 16

Input Channels 16 Master Section / Outputs 17

Using The Console 18

Mono Input 19 Stereo Input - GB2R 12-2 only 20 Master Section 23 Front Panel Connectors 24 Rear Connector Panel 25

Typical Specifications 27

GB2R 12/2 Mark-up Sheet 28

GB2R 16 Mark-up Sheet 30

Dimensions 32

Rack Mounting 33

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Read these instructions.

Keep these instructions.

Heed all warnings.

Follow all instructions.

Do not use this apparatus near water.

Clean only with a dry cloth.

Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

Do not defeat the safety purpose of a polarised or grounding type plug. A polarised plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult only a Qualified and Approved Electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table specified 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.

Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

Refer all servicing to qualified 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 fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

Note: It is recommended that all maintenance and service on the product should be carried out by Soundcraft or its authorised agents. Soundcraft cannot accept any liability whatsoever for any loss or damage caused by service, maintenance or repair by unauthorised personnel.

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WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. Do not expose the apparatus to dripping or splashing and do not place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.

No naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, should be placed on the apparatus.

Warning: Do not use this apparatus in very dusty atmospheres, or in atmospheres containing flammable gases or chemicals.

THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED. Under no circumstances should the safety earth be disconnected from the mains lead.

The mains supply disconnect device is the mains plug. It must remain accessible so as to be readily operable when the apparatus is in use.

If any part of the mains cord set is damaged, the complete cord set should be replaced. The following information is for reference only. The wires in the mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code:

Earth (Ground): Green and Yellow (US - Green/Yellow) Neutral: Blue (US - White)

Live (Hot): Brown (US - Black) As the colours of the wires in the mains lead may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:

The wire which is coloured Green and Yellow must be connected to the terminal in the plug which is

marked with the letter E or by the earth symbol.

The wire which is coloured Blue must be connected to the terminal in the plug which is marked

with the letter N

The wire which is coloured Brown must be connected to the terminal in the plug which is marked

with the letter L

Ensure that these colour codes are followed carefully in the event of the plug being changed

This unit is capable of operating over a range of mains voltages as marked on the rear panel.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipmentis operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense. This Class A digital apparatus meets the requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil numérique de la Classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.

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For your own safety and to avoid invalidation of the warranty please read this

section carefully.

SAFETY SYMBOL GUIDE

For your own safety and to avoid invalidation of the warranty all text marked with these symbols should be read carefully.

WARNINGS

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, is intended to

alert the user to the presence of un-insulated “dangerous

voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of suffi-

cient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to

persons.

CAUTIONS

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is

intended to alert the user to the presence of important

operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the

literature accompanying the appliance.

NOTES

Contain important information and useful tips on the opera-

tion of your equipment.

HEADPHONES SAFETY WARNING

Contain important information and useful tips on headphone

outputs and monitoring levels.

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InstallaInstalla

Installa

InstallaInstalla

General Precautions

Avoid storing or using the mixing console in conditions of excessive heat or cold, or in positions where it is likely to be subject to vibration, dust or moisture. Do not use any liquids to clean the fascia of the unit: a soft dry cloth is ideal. Avoid using the console close to strong sources of electromagnetic radiation (e.g. video monitors, highpower electric cabling): this may cause degradation of the audio quality due to induced voltages in connecting leads and chassis.

Handling and Transport

The console is supplied in a strong carton. If it is necessary to move it any distance after installation it is recommended that this packing is used to protect it. Be sure to disconnect all cabling before moving. If the console is to be regularly moved we recommend that it is installed in a foam lined flightcase. At all times avoid applying excessive force to any knobs, switches or connectors.

Power Cable

Always use the power supply cable supplied with the mixer: the use of alternative cables may cause damage and voids the warranty.

tiontion

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Caution! In all cases, refer servicing to qualified personnel.

W a r n i n g ! In the event of an electrical storm, or large mains voltage fluctuations, immediately switch off

the mixer and unplug from the mains.

Signal Levels

It is important to supply the correct input levels to the console, otherwise signal to noise ratio or distortion performance may be degraded; and in extreme cases, damage to the internal) circuitry may result. Likewise, on all balanced inputs avoid sources with large common mode DC, AC or RF voltages, as these will reduce the available signal range on the inputs. Note that OdBu =0.775V RMS. Refer to the Specifications section for details of input and output levels.

MAINS INSTALLATION

General Wiring Procedures

To take full advantage of the excellent signal to noise ratio and low distortion of Soundcraft consoles, care must be taken to ensure that incorrect installation and wiring does not degrade the performance of the desk. Hum, buzz, instability and Radio Frequency interference can usually be traced to earth loops and inferior earthing systems. In some areas, especially heavily industrial areas, the incoming mains earth will not be adequate and a separate technical earth for all the audio equipment must be supplied. However, check with your local electricity supply company to ensure that safety regulations are not infringed or negated. The successful, hum free, installation of a system requires forethought, and the establishment of a set of ground rules, which must be consistently adhered to at all stages of installation.

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Initial Wiring Considerations

For optimum performance, it is essential for the earthing system to be clean and noise free, as all signals are referenced to this earth. A central point should be decided on for the main earth point system, and all earths should be 'star fed' from this point. It is common electrical practice to `daisy chain' the earths to all electrical outlets but this method is unsuitable for audio installations. The preferred method is to run an individual earth wire from each outlet, back to the system star point to provide a safety earth screen reference for each piece of equipment.A separate earth wire should also be run from each equipment rack and area, to the star point. This may or may not be used depending on circumstances, but it is easier to install in the first place, than later when problems arise.The location of the star point should be a convenient, easily accessible place, preferably at the rear of the console or in the main equipment rack. Install separate 'clean' and 'dirty' mains outlets, wired individually back to the incoming mains distribution box. Use the 'clean' supply for all audio equipment and the `dirty' supply for all lighting, etc. Never mix the two systems. If necessary, to provide sufficient isolation from mains borne interference, install an isolating transformer. This should be provided with a Faraday Shield which must be connected with earth. Never locate the incoming mains distribution box near audio equipment, especially tape recorders, which are very sensitive to electro-magnetic fields. Ensure that all equipment racks are connected to earth, via a separate wire back to the star point. Equipment which has unbalanced inputs and outputs may need to be isolated from the rack to prevent earth loops.

Audio Wiring

Having provided all equipment with power and earthing connections, consideration must be given to the method of providing audio interconnection and adequate screening of those interconnections. This must be done in a logical sequence to avoid problems and assist in the localisation of problem equipment. Connect the FOH or Monitor system to the console and check for any hum, buzz, or RFI. Only when you are satisfied with the quietness of the console and the PA system should you proceed with the next step. Connect stereo or multitracktape recorders, FX and foldback sends one at a time, checking and isolating any connection which degrades performance. Connect all other peripheral devices. Connect all microphone lines. By following this sequence much time and future trouble will be saved, and the result will be a quiet, stable system.

Shielding

Audio equipment is supplied with a variety of input and output configurations, which must be taken into consideration when deciding where the screen connections should be made. There are three sources of unwanted signal being impressed on the screen, which are as follows: Extraneous electrostatic or electromagnetic fields. Noise and interference on the earth line. Capacitive coupling between the screen and signal wires. To minimise the adverse affects of the unwanted coupling to the signal wires, it is important that the screen is connected at one end only, i.e. the screen must not carry any signal) current. Any signal) on the wires within the screen will be capacitively coupled to the screen. This current will ultimately be returned to the source of the signal, either directly, if the screen is connected at the signal source end, or indirectly via the earthing system, if the signal is connected at the signal destination end. The indirect connection will cause an increase in high frequency cross-talk, and should be avoided wherever possible. Therefore, in general, always connect the shield only at the signal source end. In high RF areas, the screen can also be connected to earth via a 0.01 mF capacitor. This will present a short circuit at RF frequencies, thus lowering the effective shield impedance to ground. However, at low audio frequencies the reactance of the capacitor will be sufficiently high not to cause an earth loop problem.

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Points to Remember

In all cases, use good quality twin screened audio cable. Check for instability at the output. Always connect both conductors at both ends, and ensure that the screen is only connected at one end. Do not disconnect the mains earth from each piece of equipment. This is needed to provide both safety and screen returns to the system star point. Equipment which has balanced inputs and outputs may need to be electrically isolated from the equipment rack and/or other equipment, to avoid earth loops. It is important to remember that all equipment which is connected to the mains is a potential source of hum and interference and may radiate both electrostatic or electromagnetic radiation. In addition, the mains will also act as a carrier for many forms of RF interference generated by electric motors, air-conditioning units, thyristor light dimmers etc. Unless the earth system is clean, all attempts to improve hum noise levels will be futile. In extreme cases there will be no alternative but to provide a completely separate and independent `technical earth' to replace the incoming 'noisy earth'. However, always consult your local electricity supply authority to ensure that safety regulations are not being infringed.

WORKING SAFELY WITH SOUND

Although your new console will not make any noise until you feed it signals, it has the capability to produce sounds which when monitored through an amplifier or headphones can damage hearing over time. The table below is taken from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration directive on Occupational noise exposure (1926.52): PERMISSABLE NOISE EXPOSURE DURATION PER DAY, HOURS SOUND LEVEL dBA SLOW RESPONSE

890 692 495 397 2 100

1.5 102 1 105

0.5 110

<0.25 115 Conforming to this directive will minimise the risk of hearing damage caused by long listening periods. A simple rule to follow is the longer you listen the lower the average volume should be. Please take care when working with your audio - if you are manipulating controls which you don’t understand (which we all do when we are learning), make sure your monitors are turned down. Remember that your ears are the most important tool of your trade, look after them, and they will look after you. Most importantly - don’t be afraid to experiment to find out how each parameter affects the sound - this will extend your creativity and help you to get the best results.

Recommended headphone impedance is 50-600 ohms.

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Setting Up & Troubleshooting

Initial set-up

Once you have connected up your system (see the sections on connection and wiring earlier in this manual for guidance) you are ready to set initial positions for the controls on your mixer. Set up individual input channel as follows:

Connect your sources (microphone, keyboard etc.) to the required inputs and release the MUTE switches. Note: Phantom powered mics should be connected before the 48V is switched on. Set Master faders at 0, input faders at 0, route the channels to MIX and set power amplifier level to suit the application. Provide a typical performance level signal and press the PFL button on the first channel, monitoring the level on the bargraph meters. Adjust the input gain until the meter display is in the amber section, with occasional peaks to the first red LED at a typical maximum source level. This allows sufficient headroom to accommodate peaks and establishes the maximum level for normal operation (but see note below). Repeat this procedure on other channels as required. Listen carefully for the characteristic sound of `feedback’. If you cannot achieve satisfactory input level setting without feedback, check microphone and speaker placement and repeat the exercise. If feedback persists, it may be necessary to use a Graphic Equaliser to reduce the system response at particular resonant frequencies.

Note: The initial settings should only be regarded as a starting point for your mix. It is important to remember that many factors affect the sound during a live performance, for instance the channel EQ settings or even the size of the audience!

You are now ready to start building the mix and this should be done progressively, listening carefully for each component in the mix and watching the meters for any hint of overload. If this occurs, back off the appropriate Channel Fader slightly until the level is out of the red segments, or adjust the Mix Master Faders. This procedure will ensure that the mixer is set up correctly, with adequate headroom. If more amplification is needed, adjust the power amplifier level controls.

Troubleshooting No Power

Is the mains supply present? Is the mains lead firmly connected? Check the mains fusing If only one of the power indicators is illuminated, consult your Soundcraft dealer

Condenser Mic Not Working

Is the 48V turned on? Is the mic plugged into the Mic input? Is the mic cable a balanced 3-wire type?

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Meters not showing any signal

Has the input gain been set correctly? (see above.) Is the source connected to the appropriate input socket for the level of signal? Do you have something connecetd on the Inserts, and is that external device switched on? Are the Master faders set at max., are input faders set high enough and is the channel routed to the output being monitored? Is the MUTE switch released on the relevant channels? Is the appropriate monitor select switch pressed? Is there a PFL/AFL pressed on another channel?

No Mix output

Check that the Mix Master Fader is up?

No Monitor output

Are the Monitor + Phones controls set high enough? Is the appropriate monitor select switch pressed?

Headphones Distorting

Are the headphones less than 50Ω impedance? Is the Phones level set too high?

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