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Alesis DEQ830 Reference Manual

Alesis deq830 equilizers: reference guide
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Summary of Contents for Alesis DEQ830

  • Page 1 Reference Manual...
  • Page 2 This page intentionally left blank. 100%...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Installing in a Rack ... 19 Thermal Considerations in Rack Mounting ... 19 AC Power Hookup... 20 Using the DEQ830 in another country... 20 Connecting Inputs and Outputs ... 21 Connecting to the Channel or Main Inserts of a mixing console...
  • Page 4 Chapter Five: Troubleshooting ...61 Line Conditioners and Protectors ... 61 Care and Maintenance... 61 Troubleshooting Index ... 62 ...65 Specifications Audio Performance ... 65 Mechanical ... 65 Warranty/Contact Alesis ...67 Alesis Limited Warranty... 67 Alesis Contact Information... 68 ... 48...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    But even beyond explaining each feature and parameter, this manual can be a key that unlocks an application for the DEQ830 that you may not have considered. So we try to write our manuals as carefully as we build our products.

  • Page 6: Deq830 Key Features

    Introduction DEQ830 Key Features 1. Offers the best of digital technology and analog-style control: a graphic display with instant editing of any band or combination of bands, plus the ability to store programs 2. 100 user-definable programs, each of which holds 8 channels of EQ settings 3.

  • Page 7: How To Use This Manual

    Chapter 4: Applications. Skip to this section for tips on using the DEQ830 in a variety of settings. You’ll also find a blank chart representing the DEQ830’s 30 bands of EQ. You can make copies of this chart and use them to keep track of some of your favorite settings.
  • Page 8 Introduction This page intentionally left blank.

  • Page 9: Important Safety Instructions

    Important Safety Instructions Important Safety Instructions (English) Safety symbols used in this product This symbol alerts the user that there are important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying this unit. This symbol warns the user of uninsulated voltage within the unit that can cause dangerous electric shocks.
  • Page 10 Important Safety Instructions 12. Use only with a cart, stand, bracket, or table designed for use with professional audio or music equipment. In any installation, make sure that injury or damage will not result from cables pulling on the apparatus and its mounting. If a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

  • Page 11: Instructions De Sécurité Importantes (French)

    Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French) Symboles utilisés dans ce produit Ce symbole alèrte l’utilisateur qu’il existe des instructions de fonctionnement et de maintenance dans la documentation jointe avec ce produit. Ce symbole avertit l’utilisateur de la présence d’une tension non isolée à l’intérieur de l’appareil pouvant engendrer des chocs électriques.
  • Page 12 Important Safety Instructions 12. N’utilisez qu’avec un stand, ou table conçus pour l’utilisation d’audio professionnel ou instruments de musique. Dans toute installation, veillez de ne rien endommager à cause de câbles qui tirent sur des appareils et leur support. 13. Débranchez l’appareil lors d’un orage ou lorsqu’il n’est pas utilisé...

  • Page 13: Lesen Sie Bitte Die Folgende Sicherheitshinweise (German)

    Lesen Sie bitte die folgende Sicherheitshinweise (German) Sicherheit Symbole verwendet in diesem Produkt Dieses Symbol alarmiert den Benutzer, daß es wichtige Funktionieren und Wartung Anweisungen in der Literatur gibt, die diese Maßeinheit begleitet. Dieses Symbol warnt den Benutzer der nicht isolierten Spannung innerhalb der Maßeinheit, die gefährliche elektrische Schläge verursachen kann.
  • Page 14 Important Safety Instructions 12. Verwenden Sie ausschließlich Wagen, Ständer, oder Tische, die speziell für professionelle Audio- und Musikinstrumente geeignet sind. Achten Sie immer darauf, daß die jeweiligen Geräte sicher installiert sind, um Schäden und Verletzungen zu vermeiden. Wenn Sie einen Rollwagen benutzen, achten Sie darauf, das dieser nicht umkippt, um Verletzungen auszuschließen.

  • Page 15: Ce Declaration Of Conformity

    Important Safety Instructions CE Declaration of Conformity See our Web site at: http://www.alesis.com FCC Compliance Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
  • Page 16 Important Safety Instructions This page intentionally left blank.

  • Page 17: Chapter One: Quick Start Guide

    If you're experienced with signal processors, this chapter is a “shorthand” guide for those who want to start using the DEQ830 right away. If you have questions about any of the features, don’t worry – all the details will be covered in later chapters.

  • Page 18: Step 2: Try Some Equalization

    1. Put the mixer’s main faders all the way down so you don’t distort the unit by sending it too much signal. 2. Select program 00 on the DEQ830. This will call up a program with all frequencies set to 0 dB, allowing you to hear the changes you make to the audio more easily.

  • Page 19: Step 4: Save An Eq Curve

    4. Press the [VALUE] encoder to save the curve to the new location. You can retrieve any one of the 100 curves for use in any of the DEQ830’s 100 programs. For a detailed explanation on how to use this mode, see page 41.

  • Page 20: Deq830 Diagram

    Quick Start Guide DEQ830 Diagram...

  • Page 21: Chapter Two: Connections

    • AC power cable • This instruction manual Installing in a Rack The DEQ830 may be simply set on a table, or installed in a standard 19" audio equipment rack. Thermal Considerations in Rack Mounting The DEQ830 can be mounted in an equipment rack (occupying one rack space) or placed on a table or shelf.

  • Page 22: Ac Power Hookup

    Using the DEQ830 in another country Your DEQ830 was supplied with the correct power cord for your country or local area. If you plan to travel with it to another country, obtain an Alesis AC power cord compatible with the outlets used in the other country and use it in place of the supplied cord.

  • Page 23: Connecting Inputs And Outputs

    These are typically Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS) jacks with the send and return on the same jack. To use the DEQ830 as an effects insert device, you will need an insert cable (not included). This cable splits the TRS insert jack into two unbalanced mono connectors.
  • Page 24 You can use this method to connect eight mono sources to source. You can use this method to connect eight mono sources to the DEQ830. You would need eight insert cables to make all of the DEQ830. You would need eight insert cables to make all of these connections.

  • Page 25: Connecting To The Inserts On An Instrument Amplifier

    ADAT Optical jacks found on the rear panel. The jacks are labeled ADAT Optical In/Out. Each carries eight channels of audio, so all eight of the DEQ830’s channels are handled by a single cable in each direction. Using the ADAT Optical jacks to connect to an external device...
  • Page 26 If an analog mixer has limited channel EQ capabilities, you could If an analog mixer has limited channel EQ capabilities, you could run the digital signal from an ADAT into the DEQ830, and from run the digital signal from an ADAT into the DEQ830, and from there take it to your mixer’s analog inputs.

  • Page 27: About Audio Cables

    About Audio Cables The connections between the DEQ830 and your studio are your music’s lifeline, so use only high quality cables. These should be low-capacitance shielded cables with a stranded (not solid) internal conductor and a low-resistance shield. Although quality cables cost more, they do make a difference.
  • Page 28 Connections This page intentionally left blank.

  • Page 29: Chapter Three: Basics Of Equalization

    DEQ830’s controls. What is equalization? An equalizer boosts or cuts a frequency range. The DEQ830 is a graphic equalizer, which means it has many fixed frequency bands that can be cut or boosted. The term “graphic” is appropriate because the combined settings of the bands often resemble a curve, or “graph.”...

  • Page 30: Description Of The Front Panel

    This section will give you an overview of the front panel’s features. Not all features are labeled, so you may want to refer to the diagram of the DEQ830 on page 18 as you read this section. Band Select There are 31 buttons side-by-side on the left half of the DEQ830’s front panel.

  • Page 31: Basics Of Equalization

    Save Curve Press [SAVE CURVE] to save a channel’s EQ curve to the DEQ830’s curve bank so that it can be retrieved at a later time. We’ve provided 100 locations (00-99) in which to save curves. Curves 00-49 contain factory presets, and curves 50-99 are blank.
  • Page 32 This LED tells you that the value in the display pertains to a gain change. The only time that none of these LEDs will be lit is when the DEQ830 is in Utility mode.

  • Page 33: Description Of The Basic Modes

    • The individual Channel Level settings for channels 1 – 8 If the DEQ830 has been in some other mode, pushing the [PROGRAM] button will return it to Program mode. If the LED above the [STORE] button is flashing, that means the program has been edited.
  • Page 34 Say you have two or three channels of works well for male vocals. Say you have two or three channels of male vocals feeding into the DEQ830. To EQ these, just retrieve male vocals feeding into the DEQ830. To EQ these, just retrieve...

  • Page 35: Link Mode

    This mode also allows you to visually compare the audio signal before and after it is processed by the DEQ830. For more on Real Time Analyzer mode, see page 43.

  • Page 36: Basic Operation: Program Mode

    Program mode is where to be if you want to call up another program, or if you just want to know the number of the program you are using. The DEQ830 has 100 programs in all. Programs 00- 24 contain factory presets that you can use as starting points for your own programs.
  • Page 37 Band Solo The DEQ830 has a handy feature called Band Solo that allows you to “isolate” a given frequency while you are editing. This can help you determine exactly which band you need to highlight or de- emphasize. It’s simple to do: Select a band by pressing and holding its [BAND SELECT] button.
  • Page 38 Basics of Equalization Gain Change + 12 dB 11.5 – 12.0 dB + 10 dB 9.5 – 11 dB + 8 dB 7.5 – 9.0 dB + 6 dB 5.5 – 7.0 dB + 4 dB 3.5 – 5.0 dB + 2 dB 0.5 –...
  • Page 39 Multiple Band Edit Selecting an Edit Group Pressing a [BAND SELECT] button puts the DEQ830 into Edit mode. And until you turn the [VALUE] encoder to boost or cut the gain, you can keep pressing [BAND SELECT] buttons until you have several of them selected simultaneously. This is called selecting an Edit Group.
  • Page 40 But what about the band that was set to 0 dB originally...was it boosted to +24 dB? The answer is, “Yes and no.” It was, in the sense that the DEQ830 keeps track of the proportional values of the bands, even if they exceed the +/-12 dB limit of gain change for a frequency.
  • Page 41 24. This is because the DEQ830 takes into account the gain setting of all of the bands when an Edit Group is formed. If the highest gain setting of any band in the Edit Group is + 6 dB, then from there down to -12 dB is only 18 dB.
  • Page 42 The Release Edit Group function The Release Edit Group function Once you have changed the value of the Edit Group, the DEQ830 Once you have changed the value of the Edit Group, the DEQ830 will react one of two ways to further presses of the [BAND will react one of two ways to further presses of the [BAND SELECT] buttons.

  • Page 43: Basic Operation: Store Mode

    Basic operation: Store mode Once you have created a program you would like to save, press the [STORE] button to enter Store mode. This will cause the Numerical LED Display to blink with the number of the current program. Turning the [VALUE] encoder allows you to choose a program number between 00-99 as the destination for your edited program.

  • Page 44: Basic Operation: Channel Level Mode

    [VALUE] encoder to adjust the level of the currently selected channel or Link Group. The DEQ830 will allow each channel to be boosted up to +12 dB or cut to -12 dB. If you want another 6 dB of gain (for a total of 18 dB), you will find that in the Master Level function in Utility mode.

  • Page 45: Basic Operation: Real Time Analyzer Mode

    Basic operation : Real Time Analyzer mode The DEQ830 is capable of a “light show” that is even more useful than it is entertaining. Real Time Analyzer (RTA) mode uses the Band Gain LEDs to show you exactly which frequencies are present in the audio signal that is passing through the DEQ830.
  • Page 46 Metering modes Metering modes The DEQ830 allows you to choose how the Band Gain LEDs will The DEQ830 allows you to choose how the Band Gain LEDs will respond in RTA mode. This is done in Utility mode, where you respond in RTA mode.

  • Page 47: Basic Operation: Utility Mode

    Basic operation: Utility mode This is where you will find some of the features that govern the way the DEQ830 operates in the other modes. They are what you would call “global” settings, in that their status is not stored with a program.
  • Page 48 Basics of Equalization When a hot line level signal comes in, the DEQ830 has plenty of When a hot line level signal comes in, the DEQ830 has plenty of headroom to deal with it. But if you perform some radical headroom to deal with it.
  • Page 49 Edit Time Out is a feature you will appreciate. On the other hand, if you prefer to have the DEQ830 remain in Edit mode so you will not lose your chosen Edit Group when the unit returns to Program mode, you may want keep the Edit Time Out function off.

  • Page 50: System Exclusive Transmit (Send?)

    ADAT Optical input and slaves its internal clock to that, whether the rate is 44.1k or 48k. But if you need the DEQ830 to serve as an A/D converter, then it will need to be the master clock for the receiving device.

  • Page 51: Receiving System Exclusive Bulk Dumps

    MIDI jack is set to Out or Thru. Receiving System Exclusive bulk dumps The DEQ830 is always ready to receive a new bank of programs and curves into its internal memory. Once an external device begins sending the proper sys-ex data, the DEQ830 will display the message “Rcving,”...

  • Page 52: The "Hidden" Modes

    Lock mode To access Lock mode, first you must turn off the DEQ830. Then turn the unit back on, wait until you see the letters “DEQ830” in the display, and then hold down the [UTILITY] button. After a couple of seconds you will see the word "Lock" appear in large letters above the [BAND SELECT] buttons.

  • Page 53: Equalization Artifacts

    If you boost too many frequencies too high, you will distort the output. If this happens, the channel’s red CLIP LED will light. To avoid this, turn down the signal being sent to the DEQ830. Other options include adjusting the Channel Level settings in Edit mode, or adjusting the Master Level setting in Utility mode.

  • Page 54: Constant Q Vs. Variable Q

    What makes the DEQ830 unique? Early graphic equalizers relied solely on a form of equalization known as “Variable Q.” The DEQ830, on the other hand, is what is known as a “Constant Q” equalizer. This method of equalization is a relatively recent development in the history of sound reinforcement and recording technology.
  • Page 55 Basics of Equalization Variable Q In the next illustration, the wider and more gradual curve represents a lower gain setting for a Variable Q equalizer. The narrower and more steep curve represents a higher gain setting at the same frequency: The previous illustration has been exaggerated somewhat to make the point, but you can see how a lower gain setting also boosts frequencies that overlap to some extent into the regions affected...
  • Page 56 Basics of Equalization Multi-band application and results So far we have only dealt with cutting or boosting single frequency bands. The differences between the Constant Q and Variable Q methods become more “graphic,” if you will, when adjacent frequency bands are involved. In this example, three adjacent bands are used.
  • Page 57 Variable Q equalizers out of hand; in some applications either would do the job nicely. But when a greater degree of control over the program material is needed, a Constant Q equalizer like the DEQ830 offers a significant advantage.
  • Page 58 Basics of Equalization This page intentionally left blank.

  • Page 59: Chapter Four: Applications

    Applications This section is designed to get you started with the DEQ830 by giving some sample settings. These are merely suggested settings; experiment and find your own once you begin to hear what the DEQ830 does to your sound. In a way, it’s absurd to suggest EQ settings without knowing what the source sounds like.

  • Page 60: Filtering Effects

    A popular vocal effect is to filter the voice to a limited frequency range. This “telephone” effect can be used on any instrument or mix. Here’s how to get that sound on the DEQ830: 1. Press all of the [BAND SELECT] buttons in the ranges from 25 Hz to 630 Hz and from 6.3 kHz to 20 kHz on the...

  • Page 61: Settings Chart

    We've provided the chart on the next page because we know some of you prefer to have a hard copy of your favorite settings. And thanks to the digital heart of the DEQ830, you'll always be able to reconstruct the curve exactly as it was using the numbers you write down.
  • Page 62 Applications...

  • Page 63: Chapter Five: Troubleshooting

    Care and Maintenance Cleaning Disconnect the AC power supply, then use a damp cloth to clean the DEQ830’s metal and plastic surfaces. For heavy dirt, use a non-abrasive household cleaner such as Formula 409™ or Fantastik™. DO NOT SPRAY THE CLEANER DIRECTLY...

  • Page 64: Troubleshooting Index

    Press encoder to confirm program selection, or change Program Fast setting in Utility mode. Refer to page 48. Unlock DEQ830 in Lock mode. Refer to page 50. Unlock DEQ830 in Lock mode. Refer to page 50. Set Release Edit Group function to On in Utility mode.

  • Page 65: Refer All Servicing To Alesis

    Troubleshooting Refer All Servicing to Alesis We believe that the DEQ830 is one of the best signal processors that can be made using current technology, and should provide years of trouble-free use. However, should problems occur, DO NOT attempt to service the unit yourself unless you have training and experience.
  • Page 66 Troubleshooting This page intentionally left blank.

  • Page 67: Specifications

    Specifications Rear Panel I/O (switchable) Analog: Input Connectors: Output Connectors: Digital: Input Connector: Output Connector: Switch set to +4: Nominal input level: Maximum input level: Nominal Output Level: Maximum Output Level: Switch set to –10: Nominal input level: Maximum input level: Nominal Output Level: Maximum Output Level: Input impedance:...
  • Page 68 Specifications This page intentionally left blank.

  • Page 69: Warranty/Contact Alesis

    For the most effective service, the purchaser should register the purchase on the ALESIS website at http://www.alesis.com/support/warranty.htm. During the warranty period ALESIS shall, at its sole and absolute option, either repair or replace free of charge any product that proves to be defective on inspection by ALESIS or its authorized service representative.

  • Page 70: Alesis Contact Information

    Alesis DEQ830 Reference Manual Revision A by Randy Lee, Taiho Yamada and Edwin Erdmann Revision B by Bret Victor Copyright 2003, Alesis Distribution, LLC. All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. Specifications subject to change without notice.

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