Soundcraft GIGRAC 300, GIGRAC 600 BROCHURE

GREAT SOUND MADE EASY

Soundcraft

HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES LTD
CRANBORNE HOUSE, CRANBORNE ROAD, POTTERS BAR, HERTS, EN6 3JN, UK

TEL: [phone] FAX: [phone] EMAIL: [e-mail]

Soundcraft USA

8500 BALBOA BLVD., NORTHRIDGE, CA 91329, USA
TEL: [phone] FAX: [phone] EMAIL: [e-mail]

For all the latest GigRac news and information, visit:

www.gigrac.com

Soundcraft reserves the right to improve or otherwise alter any information supplied in this document or any other documentation supplied hereafter.E&OE 01/04.
This equipment complies with the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC

Part No: ZL0612

Ever since 1973, Soundcraft live sound mixing
technology has been at the heart of thousands
of memorable concert and festival performances.
Soundcraft products are relied upon daily by
discerning sound engineers to deliver the
performances of leading artists the world over.
GigRac benefits directly from everything we’ve
learned in 30 years in the business, so when
you’re on stage with a GigRac, you’re always in
good company.

Texas: On tour with Soundcraft

Soundcraft

At the heart of live sound

PROFESSIONAL POWERED MIXER

GIGRAC 300 / GIGRAC 600

Even if you’ve never touched a PA

system before, you’ll be

creating a great live sound

for you and your band in

minutes with GigRac.

Packed with professional

features like combined jack/XLR

inputs, precision mic preamps,

superbly musical equalisation, studio quality digital effects, graphic EQ

and independent Main and Monitor mixes, GigRac is also refreshingly

easy to set up, leaving you free to concentrate on your performance.

With GigRac, the amplifier is built-in, with both 300 and 2 x 300 Watt

versions available. Just plug in your mics, instruments, speakers and

monitors, and you’re ready to go.

And while you’re waiting to make it

big, you can relax in the knowledge

that GigRac comes from Soundcraft, the

name behind the live sound mixing consoles used on

many of the world’s major tours and festivals.

The switchable 7-band

graphic equaliser

section lets you

optimise the tonal

quality of your mix to

suit the acoustics of

the venue.

Just like a professional

mixing console, +48V

phantom power on

channels 1-4 enables

you to use high quality

condenser microphones

with GigRac.

GigRac has eight

high-quality digital

effects

programmes built-

in, ranging from

stunning reverbs to

fat delays.

Professional sound

No experience necessary

GREAT SOUND MADE EASY

The front panel monitoring

section offers an additional

range of output options to the

power amplifier outputs on the

rear of the unit, providing an

almost limitless range of

monitoring options. You can even

record your performance via the

dedicated RCA/phono outputs.

Simply connect a footswitch and it’s

easy to turn GigRac effects On and

Off during the performance. And the

FX bus output gives you the flexibility

to connect an external effects

processor which can then be

plugged back into a spare channel

or into the submix input.

Stereo RCA/phono

inputs make it easy to

plug in a CD, MiniDisc or

MP3 player.

You might want your audience to
hear your voice bathed in digital

reverb, while you hear it ‘dry’ through

your monitors. That’s why GigRac’s

digital effects controls enable you to

turn the effects On or Off, and to

add different amounts of effects to

the Main and Monitor mixes.

Master Main and

Monitor level controls

provide independent

control over the

volume your audience

hears, and the volume

of your own monitor

mix on stage.

Stereo jack inputs

allow connection of

stereo keyboards,

samplers, sound

modules and MIDI file

players, along with

other audio equipment

such as effects

processors.

10-segment precision LED
metering gives you a clear
indication of how hard the

amplifier is working,

allowing you to achieve the

best results.

Amplifier overload

warning LED(s) enable

you to precisely control

the volume of your

performance.

And protection circuitry

means you’ll never have

to worry about distortion.

The Monitor volume

controls can be used to

create an independent

headphone mix.

The amplifier assignment

switch featured on the

GigRac 600 provides an

additional level of flexibility

with the option to power

both the Main and Monitor

mixes with the internal

power amplifiers.

Comprehensive channel controls
include Bass and Treble for tone

shaping, an FX send to control the

amount of signal sent to the digital FX

processor, and separate Main and
Monitor volume controls which allow
you to create independent band and

audience mixes.

GigRac lid with storage space

for microphones and cables.

GREAT SOUND MADE EASY

Some high-output microphones
and other devices can overload a
mixer’s inputs, causing distortion.

With GigRac it’s no problem,
thanks to the Pad switches which
reduce the level of problem input

signals by 20dB.

Combination jack/XLR sockets

make it possible to plug virtually

any type of microphone into

GigRac, along with electric

guitars, basses, electro-acoustic

guitars and other ‘electric’

instruments.

And these inputs are balanced,

just like a studio mixing console,

so noise and interference are

kept to a minimum.

Creating a great live performance sound just got easy.

Available in two models (GigRac 300 and GigRac 600), GigRac combines

a fully-featured 8 channel mixer with studio-quality digital effects and potent

power amplification in a portable package that sets up in minutes.

GigRac is built into a tough, portable, protective case,

and it can also be rack-mounted.

GREAT SOUND MADE EASY GREAT SOUND MADE EASY

Everything you need for perfect performance sound

Soundcraft equalisation (EQ) is a legend amongst
professional sound engineers and renowned the
world over for its precision and musicality. At the top
of all 8 GigRac input channels you’ll find a classic
Soundcraft 2-band EQ section comprising of treble
and bass rotary controls, allowing sophisticated tone
shaping of the microphone or instrument connected.

Next comes an FX control, used to set the signal level
sent from each channel to the GigRac’s digital effects
processor (see Studio Quality Effects). The higher the
FX send level, the more of the effect is added to the
sound of that channel. For example, you may want a
lot of reverb on the vocal mics plugged into channels
1 and 2, less on the vocal mics plugged into 3 and
4, and less still on the instruments plugged into the
remaining channels. With GigRac, you’re in control.

Beneath the FX controls are the blue and red Monitor
and Main channel level controls. These control the
individual volume levels of all eight channels in 2
separate overall mixes: Monitor being what you and
the band hear on stage via your monitor speakers
and Main being what the audience hears via the
main speakers. It’s important to have independent
Monitor and Main mixes as performers often need to
hear certain elements of the mix louder (for example
a keyboard or main instrument for reference),
whereas the audience would require a balanced mix.
The overall volume level of the Monitor and Main
mixes is controlled via the master volume controls to
the right of the channel strips.

All 8 GigRac input channels have combined balanced
jack/XLR input sockets to accommodate the widest
possible range of microphones and instruments, and
to minimise distortion and noise. The Pad switch at
the bottom of channels 1 to 4 is used to reduce the
level of particularly high input signals which could
cause distortion by overloading the input.

Channels 5 and 6 of the
GigRac feature alternative
stereo RCA/phono inputs
beneath the combined

XLR/jack connector, making
it easy to plug in a CD, MD, MP3 or MIDI file player.
Perfect for playing pre-recorded backing tracks or
music before and after your performance, this facility
also makes GigRac ideal for use in a wide variety of
other applications including fitness clubs, hotels,
outdoor events, etc.

Channels 7 and 8 have an additional
single jack input designed to be used
in conjunction with the combined

XLR/jack connector. This allows direct
connection of stereo keyboards, samplers and other
audio devices.

Even with the same setup, a performance can sound very different
from one venue to the next. The way in which sound waves reflect and
interact with surfaces and objects within a room (the acoustics)
change the tonal quality of the overall sound, boosting some
frequencies (sometimes to the point of feedback) and reducing others.

That’s why the GigRac is equipped with a graphic equaliser, designed
by the Soundcraft sister-company and world leaders in professional
signal processing, BSS Audio. The graphic EQ enables the operator
to boost and cut frequencies at 7 points to ‘tune’ the overall sound
to suit the acoustics of the particular venue.

It’s a process that professional sound engineers are familiar with as
they tour from venue to venue.And because GigRac’s so easy to use,
a little practise is all you’ll need to achieve professional results too.

GigRac has a total of 8 studio-

quality digital effects

built-in, adding a

professional finish to

your performance.

You can select

from 5 reverbs,

a chorus/reverb
and 2

echo/delays,
used to
‘thicken’ vocal

performances.

Crucially, GigRac

allows the digital

effects to be added

individually to the Main

and the Monitor mixes, so you

can hear the mix ‘dry’ on
headphones and via monitors, while the audience hears the Main
mix complete with stunning digital effects. And by connecting a
footswitch, it’s possible to turn the effects On and Off during a
performance.

If you want to use an external effects processor, it’s easy to connect
via the FX outputs on the front panel. The FX send level controls on
the channel strips can then be used in the usual way and the output
of the external processor can be plugged into either a channel or the
submix input.

To help achieve optimum volume levels, the
GigRac uses a precision, 10-segment, front
panel LED meter display, just as you’d find on a
professional live sound mixing console. And a
further indication that the volume level is too
high is provided by an amplifier overload
warning LED(s).

A pair of RCA/phono outputs are perfect for
recording the Main mix onto an external DAT or
CD recorder, or for recording your performance
on computer using an appropriately-equipped
soundcard.

GigRac is packed with a comprehensive and
flexible range of monitoring options. You can
plug in a pair of headphones for precision­listening during soundchecks and there are
independent outputs for both the Main and
Monitor mixes for the connection of additional
‘powered’ speaker cabinets.

A brief live-sound glossary

Bus: a route by which signals from one or more sources are added

and sent to one or more destinations. For example, GigRac’s FX bus
sends the FX send level from each channel strip to the digital
effects unit and also to the FX bus out socket.

Condenser microphone: requiring power from a DC voltage

(phantom power), condenser microphones generally have a warm
sound with a wide frequency response, making them ideal for use
on vocals and acoustic instruments.

dB: abbreviation for ‘decibel’. This is the industry standard method

and term for representing the ratio of different audio levels.

Dynamic microphone: robust microphones that do not require

power, so can plug into most mixers. They can handle higher sound
pressure levels, making them ideal for use on drums, etc. Dynamic
microphones also tend to feed back less (see below).

Feedback: sound from a loudspeaker picked up by the microphone

feeding it, and re-amplified out of the same loudspeaker only to
return to the same microphone to be re-amplified again, and so on.
Each time the signal becomes larger until the system feeds back,
producing a ‘squeal’. This happens at particular frequencies called
feedback frequencies.

Phantom power: a system of providing +48 volt power from the

mixer to a condenser microphone, sharing the same cable as the
audio signal.

Reverb: short for reverberation. The sound remaining in a room after

the source signal is stopped. It is caused by the sound reflecting
from the walls and surfaces in the room.

Speakon: a registered trademark of Neutrik for their original design

loudspeaker connector, now considered an industry standard.

XLR: an industry standard, 3-pin connector, used extensively in

professional audio.

Professionally equipped input channels 7-band graphic EQ Studio quality effects Sophisticated monitoring

GREAT SOUND MADE EASY GREAT SOUND MADE EASY

Typical Specifications

Plugging Out

GIGRAC 300:

The GigRac 300 contains a high-quality 300 Watt internal amplifier.
Each speaker output can be used to power a single 8Ω speaker.
Alternatively, one of the two output connectors may be used to connect
to two 8Ω speakers that have been ‘daisy-chained’ together.

GIGRAC 600, CONFIG 1:

The GigRac 600 incorporates two 300 Watt internal amplifiers. With the
front panel amplifier assignment switch in the Up position, the Main mix is
sent to both amplifiers. Each speaker connector can be used to power a
single 8Ω speaker, or two 8Ω speakers in parallel - a total of four
speakers.

GIGRAC 600, CONFIG 2:

With the front panel amplifier assignment switch in the Down position, the
Main mix is sent to amplifier 1 and the Monitor mix is sent to amplifier 2.
The Main mix connector can be used to power a single 8Ω speaker or two
8Ω speakers in parallel, while the Monitor mix connector may power up to
two wedges in parallel.

Noise EIN 150Ω 20 –22kHz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -123 dBu

Main out (Level control mid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -78 dBu

Mon out (Level control mid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -80 dBu

Amp out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -57 dBu

Crosstalk Main cutoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -80 dB

Mon cutoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -80 dB

Frequency Response 20 – 22kHz rel 1kHz Line in to Main out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +0.2/-2.5 dB

THD+N Mic I/P –20dB Pad 0dBu I/P at Main out (22Hz-22KHz) . . . . . . . . 0.15%

Mic I/P to Amp Out @ full power (22-22KHz) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.15%

Inputs Ch1 – Ch4 Mic Input Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 kΩ

Line Input Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 kΩ

Max Input Mic (20dB pad) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -3.5 dBu

Max Input Line(20dB pad) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 dBu

Max Mic gain to Main out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 dBu

Inputs Ch5 – Ch8 Mic Input Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4 kΩ

Line Input Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 kΩ

Max Input Mic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -18 dBu

Max Input Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 dBu

Max Mic gain to Main out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 dBu

Outputs Max out Main / Mon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 dBu

Power Output GigRac 300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300W ref 4Ω

Power Output GigRac 600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 X 300W ref 4Ω

Connectors Mic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Balanced XLR connectors

(All Jacks

1

/

4") Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack / RCA phono

FX bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack

Submix in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack

Main out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack

Mon out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack

Record out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RCA phono

Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack

Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Speakon / Jack

Dimensions (Cased, inc. lid) Width x Height x Depth . . 495 x 222 x 322mm / 19.5 x 8.75 x 12.7 inches

Weight GigRac 300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.5kg / 25.3lbs

GigRac 600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.7kg / 27.9lbs

All the power of the GigRac 300 can be used to amplify either the Main mix (typically) or the Monitor mix (if you are using self-powered speakers for the audience). The GigRac 600 can
be switched from the front panel to deliver full power to the Main mix, or split the power between the Main and Monitor mixes to power both main and monitor speakers.

GigRac accommodates inputs from a wide variety of sources, making it ideal for
use in applications as diverse as live music, churches, schools, outdoor events,
meetings and conferences, and health and fitness clubs.

Plugging In