Soundmatters MAINstage Quick Setup Guide

start here – quick set-up guide

You should have a MAINstage unit, owner’s manual, remote control, batteries, optical cable, stereo 1/8” mini-jack cable,
stereo RCA cable, three Angle-Ease™ feet + one extra-long threaded post, and a power cord.

NOTE: We have supplied three commonly needed connecting cables. For some applications you may need to acquire additional
cables/adapters (i.e., a digital RCA coax cable or a mini-to-RCA adapter. See steps below for details.).

Place one “foot” in the rear and two “feet” in the front (using the widest
possible spacing). If mounting on a TV with a steep sloping back, use the
4" screw provided, adding the sleeve and rubber foot from a shorter screw.

TV Sound

n From Cable TV

If there’s a digital audio out, connect either the RCA or the
optical cable (remove optical input dust cover) to one of the
digital inputs of the MAINstage. Note: The digital audio output
of some HDTV Cable Boxes only works when an HDTV channel
is being watched. This means you will need to connect both
the Digital (Best) and Analog Direct (Good) connections.

If no digital audio out, connect the analog left and right RCA
output to the Analog 2 RCA inputs on the MAINstage.

Alternately, if your cable signal runs into your stereo VCR, and
then to your TV, connecting your VCR audio to the MAINstage

will allow both your cable and VCR signals to be accessed from
a single MAINstage input. (see VCR Connection instructions) Note: this hookup
does not allow for watching one channel while recording another on your VCR.

If your cable connects directly to your TV with no cable box (and

you have no stereo VCR in the system), you will need to connect

the audio out from your TV (RCA pair) to one of the two audio

inputs on the MAINstage. (Analog 2 uses RCA pair. For Analog 1

use RCA pair to 1/8” mini-jack Y-adapter such as Radio Shack

catalog #42-2550 or longer 6-ft #42-2551.) If available, use

the fixed (not variable) audio connection. It may need to be

selected via TV’s set up menu

p

Cable

Box

Best – Digital 5.1 Direct

Good – Analog Direct

Basic – Analog via TV

STEP

Unbox and check contents

Adjust Angle-Ease

™

feet

Connect inputs

The MAINstage has 4 inputs for connecting 4 different sound sources.
Use the following guide to optimize your connections.

RCA cable

Mini 1/8” cable

Optical cable

one

STEP

two

STEP

three

Use AngleEase™ feet

to aim MAINstage

at your ears

Cable Box

Digital Audio Out

(optical)

OR Digital Audio Out (RCA)

R L

Cable Box

Analog L+R Audio Out Analog RCA In

Optical In

OR RCA In

MAINstage

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

L

sub

sens

level

R

low hi

digital analog

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

L

sub

sens

level

R

low hi

digital analog

analog 1

analog 1

sub
out

sub
out

LR

Cable

Cable

Box

Box

TV

Analog

L+R Audio Out

digital 2

digital analog

Analog RCA In

digital 1 analog 2

L

sub

level

R

OR Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack In

using Y-ada

sens

low hi

ter

analog 1

sub
out

g

Use either the single Digital “coax” RCA or the optical output

(optical cable included) to the appropriate digital input of the

MAINstage. (If you use the Digital 2 optical jack, be sure

to remove dust cover.)

Best – Digital 5.1 Direct

If no digital audio out, connect the analog left and right

RCA output to the Analog 2 RCA inputs on the MAINstage

Basic – Analog Direct

Connect the audio out from your TV (RCA pair) to one of the

two audio inputs on the MAINstage. (Analog 2 uses RCA

pair. For Analog 1 use RCA pair to 1/8” mini-jack Y-adapter.

(i.e., Radio Shack #42-2550 or longer 6-ft version #42-2551)

If available, use the fixed (not variable) audio connection.

It may need to be selected via TV’s set up menu

Use either the single Digital “coax” RCA or the optical

output (optical cable included) to the appropriate digital

input of the MAINstage. (Be sure to remove Digital 2 optical

jack dust cover)

Important DVD notes:

See your DVD Player Owner’s Manual for details.

1. Your DVD player cannot play 5.1 surround unless a digital output is used
and Dolby

®

Digital 5.1/Surround is selected in the menu (NOT 2.0)

2. If you get no sound out of the digital outputs, you may need to activate

the digital output circuit in the setup menu of your DVD player.

n From Satellite TV Box

n From TV Antenna

Best –

Digital 5.1 Direct

p

If your DVD player has no digital audio output, we highly
suggest that you upgrade to one that does. Otherwise,
connect the analog left and right RCA output to the Analog
2 RCA inputs on the MAINstage. If that input is in use,
connect to Analog 1 using stereo 1/8” mini-jack to RCA pair
Y-adapter. (i.e., Radio Shack #42-2550 or longer
6-ft version #42-2551.)

Basic – Analog Direct

DVD Player

p

Connect the audio out from your VCR (RCA pair) to one of the
two audio inputs on the MAINstage. (Analog 2 uses RCA
pair. For Analog 1 use RCA pair to 1/8” mini-jack Y-adapter.
(i.e., Radio Shack #42-2550 or longer 6-ft version #42-2551.)

VCR

Satellite Box

MAINstage

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

L

sub

level

R

digital analog

sens

low hi

analog 1

sub
out

Digital Audio Out

(optical)

OR Di

ital Audio Out (RCA)

R L

Satellite Box

Analog L+R Audio Out Analog RCA In

LR

From TV

Antenna

ANTENNA

INPUT

Analog

L+R Audio Out

TV

DVD Player

Optical In

OR RCA In

digital 2

digital analog

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

digital analog

Analog RCA In

OR Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack In

using Y-adapter

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

digital analog

digital 1 analog 2

L

sub

level

R

L

sub

level

R

L

sub

level

R

sens

low hi

sens

low hi

sens

low hi

analog 1

analog 1

analog 1

sub
out

sub
out

sub
out

Digital Audio Out

(optical)

OR Digital Audio Out (RCA)

R L

DVD Player

Analog L+R Audio Out Analog RCA In

R L

VCR

Analog L+R Audio Out Analog RCA In

Optical In

OR RCA In

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

L

sub

level

R

digital analog

OR Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack In

using Y-ada

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

L

sub

level

R

digital analog

sens

low hi

ter

sens

low hi

analog 1

analog 1

sub

out

sub
out

OR Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack In

using Y-ada

ter

Use either the single Digital “coax” RCA or the optical
output (optical cable included) to the appropriate digital
input of the MAINstage. (If you use the Digital 2 optical
jack, be sure to remove dust cover.)

Important note: DVR won’t playback 5.1 digital

surround unless a digital output is used.

Best – Digital 5.1 Direct

Digital Video Recorder

(i.e., TiVo®, replaytv®)

digital 2

digital analog

digital 1 analog 2

sub

level

L

R

sens

low hi

sub
out

analog 1

Computer

(optical)

OR Digital Audio Out (RCA)

Optical In

OR RCA In

If your Mac or PC has a digital audio out use either the
single Digital “coax” RCA or the optical output (optical cable
included) to the appropriate digital input of the MAINstage.
(Be sure to remove optical jack dust cover)

Important note:

Playback in 5.1 digital surround

requires digital output to be used.

Best – Digital 5.1 Direct

Using a digital portable? Connect with either digital optical
or RCA “coax,” if available. (If you use the Digital 2 optical
jack, be sure to remove dust cover.)

Best – Digital Direct

Connect headphone or audio out to Analog 1 using
stereo 1/8” mini-jack cable provided. Use Analog 1
Low/Hi Sensitivity switch for best volume matching
with source.

Basic – Analog Direct

Computer

Connect “headphone” output to Analog 1 using stereo 1/8”
mini-jack cable provided. Use Analog 1 Low/Hi Sensitivity
switch for best volume matching with source.

MAINstage is not recommended for use with AM radio band.

Basic – Analog Direct

Portables & Radios

p

Connect the audio out from your TV (RCA pair) to one of the
two audio inputs on the MAINstage. (Analog 2 uses RCA
pair. For Analog 1 use RCA pair to 1/8” mini-jack Y-adapter
(i.e., Radio Shack #42-2550 or longer 6-ft version #42-2551.)

Basic – Analog Direct

DVR

Digital Audio Out

(optical)

OR Digital Audio Out (RCA)

R L

DVR

Analog L+R Audio Out Analog RCA In

MAINstage

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

L

sub

level

R

digital analog

Optical In

OR RCA In

digital 2

digital analog

OR Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack In

using Y-ada

digital 1 analog 2

L

sub

level

R

sub
out

sens

low hi

analog 1

sens

low hi

analog 1

sub
out

ter

Digital Audio Out

(optical)

Computer

Analog L+R Audio out

or Headphone out

(Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack)

Headphone out

(Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack)

OR Digital Audio Out (RCA)

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

sub

level

digital analog

Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack In

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

sub

level

digital analog

Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack In

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

digital analog

sub

level

Optical In

OR RCA In

sens

low hi

sens

low hi

sens

low hi

analog 1

analog 1

analog 1

L

R

L

R

L

R

sub

out

sens

low hi

sub
out

sens

low hi

sub
out

Connecting optional subwoofer

n Select source and enjoy

soundmatters, inc. san francisco, california
tel [phone] toll-free (usa) 800.698SOMA (7662)
fax [phone]
email [e-mail] www.soundmatters.com

©2004 soundmatters, inc. – rev 01.04-n8-8.5x11

A

To adjust subwoofer output level
while standing in front of the
MAINstage, turn the knob counter­clockwise to increase, and clock­wise to reduce.

Note: this adjustment affects
internal subwoofer even when an
external unit is been connected.

n Connect power cord

n Load batteries into remote

n Confirm that master

power switch is on

n Set bass level for internal subwoofer

Important note: Connect only the RIGHT RCA connector (typically RED) from the adapter out of the MAINstage

to the MONO input of your subwoofer.

Additional Hook-up/Operation Tips

a) When the MAINstage “turns-on” it always starts
up in SURROUND mode.

b) Master power switch should normally be left on.
c) If you need to convert one of your digital sources

to either Coax or Optical out to match MAINstage’s
available input, Digital Signal Converters are
available, i.e., RadioShack #15-1228.

Option A

Subwoofer

Audio Input

Analog RCA In,

use MONO channel

Option B

Subwoofer

Audio Input

Analog RCA In,

use MONO channel

Option C

Subwoofer

Audio Input

Analog RCA In,

use MONO channel

Don't use

LEFT (white) RCA

Subwoofer

Connection Panel

MONO

Male-to-male RCA

Subwoofer

Connection Panel

MONO

Subwoofer

Connection Panel

MONO

extension cable

Male-to-female RCA

extension cable

Long Y-adapter – Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack

to RCA pair , use RIGHT (Red) channel only

MAINstage Connection Panel

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

L

sub

level

R

digital analog

Female-to-female

RCA barrel coupling

analog 1

sens

low hi

Don't use LEFT (white)

MAINstage Connection Panel

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

L

sub

level

R

digital analog

analog 1

sens

low hi

Don't use LEFT (white)

MAINstage Connection Panel

digital 2

digital 1 analog 2

L

sub

level

R

digital analog

sens

low hi

analog 1

sub
out

MAINstage “Sub Out”
1/8" Mini-jack Out

Y-adapter – Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack
to RCA pair, use RIGHT (Red)
channel only

sub
out

MAINstage “Sub Out”
1/8" Mini-jack Out

Y-adapter – Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack
to RCA pair, use RIGHT (Red)
channel only

sub
out

MAINstage “Sub Out”
1/8" Mini-jack Out

STEP

four

djust subwoofer output

(view from back shown here)

sub

level

Full

Off

maximum