Soundcraft MH3 User Manual

Name: Soundcraft MH3
Brand: Soundcraft
SKU: 2532906
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

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MH3 User Guide

Preliminary Issue

IMPORTANT

Please read this manual carefully before using your mixer for the first time.

Parts of the design of this product may be protected by worldwide patents.

Part No. ZM0278

Issue: Preliminary 8/1/03

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

Tel: +44 (0)1707 665000

Fax: +44 (0)1707 660742

http://www.soundcraft.com

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MH3 User Guide

Introduction

MH3 User Guide

Preliminary Issue

Key Features

·Versatile design allows FOH, Monitors, or Monitors from FOH

·Semi-modular for flexible layouts and easy serviceability

·Frame sizes 24 mono/4 stereo, 32 mono/4 stereo, 40 mono/4 stereo, 48 mono/4 stereo, 56 mono/4 stereo

·Flexible Auxiliary Bus structure with 2 stereo sends for in-ear monitoring

·8 group busses and 12 aux busses in FOH mode

·12 monitor busses (8 mono, 2 stereo) in Monitor mode

·Swap mode allows fader control of Aux outputs in Monitor mode

·Integral 12x4 matrix, can be expanded to 12x8 with optional matrix module

·3-band EQ on FX returns 1-8, can be flipped into output fader path

·New Mic Amp design with high headroom and outstanding CMRR

·New EQ design with focused response

·LCR panning on inputs

·8 VCA groups and 8 Mute groups with snapshot automation and MIDI control

·Integrated control of BSS Audio Varicurve™ and dbx DriveRack™

·Integral LED bargraph metering for all inputs and outputs

·Optional VU output meterbridge

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MH3 User Guide

Warranty

1Soundcraft is a trading division of Harman International Industries Ltd.

End User means the person who first puts the equipment into regular operation. Dealer means the person other than Soundcraft (if any) from whom the End User purchased the Equipment, provided such a person is authorised for this purpose by Soundcraft or its accredited Distributor.

Equipment means the equipment supplied with this manual.

2If within the period of twelve months from the date of delivery of the Equipment to the End User it shall prove defective by reason only of faulty materials and/or workmanship to such an extent that the effectiveness and/or usability thereof is materially affected the Equipment or the defective component should be returned to the Dealer or to Soundcraft and subject to the following conditions the Dealer or Soundcraft will repair or replace the defective components. Any components replaced will become the property of Soundcraft.

3Any Equipment or component returned will be at the risk of the End User whilst in transit (both to and from the Dealer or Soundcraft) and postage must be prepaid.

4This warranty shall only be available if:

a)the Equipment has been properly installed in accordance with instructions contained in Soundcraft's manual; and

b)the End User has notified Soundcraft or the Dealer within 14 days of the defect appearing; and

c)no persons other than authorised representatives of Soundcraft or the Dealer have effected any replacement of parts maintenance adjustments or repairs to the Equipment; and

d)the End User has used the Equipment only for such purposes as Soundcraft recommends, with only such operating supplies as meet Soundcraft's specifications and otherwise in all respects in accordance Soundcraft's recommendations.

5Defects arising as a result of the following are not covered by this Warranty: faulty or negligent handling, chemical or electro-chemical or electrical influences, accidental damage, Acts of God, neglect, deficiency in electrical power, air-conditioning or humidity control.

6.The benefit of this Warranty may not be assigned by the End User.

7.End Users who are consumers should note their rights under this Warranty are in addition to and do not affect any other rights to which they may be entitled against the seller of the Equipment.

MH3 User Guide

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MH3 User Guide

Installation

MH3 User Guide

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Dimensions and Configurations

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MH3 User Guide

Precautions and Safety Instructions

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 brush is ideal. Use only water or ethyl alcohol to clean the trim and scribble strips. Other solvents may cause damage to paint or plastic parts.

Avoid using the console close to strong sources of electromagnetic radiation (e.g. video monitors, high-power electric cabling): this may cause degradation of the audio quality due to induced voltages in connecting leads and chassis. For the same reason, always site the power supply away from the unit.

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

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 Supplies & Cables

Always use the power supply and cable supplied with the mixer: the use of alternative supplies may cause damage and voids the warranty; the extension of power cables may result in malfunction of the mixing console.

W a r n i n g ! Always switch the power supply off before connecting or disconnecting the mixer power cable, removing or installing modules, and servicing. In the event of an electrical storm, or large mains voltage fluctuations, immediately switch off the PSU and unplug from the mains.

W a r n I n g ! Always ensure that you use the correct PSU (CPS800) for your mixer.

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.

MH3 User Guide

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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.

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.

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MH3 User Guide

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.

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.

MH3 User Guide

Preliminary Issue