Operation - Art HEADAMP 6 Operation Manual

OPERATION

Start with the MASTER VOLUME and LEVEL controls on all channels set fully counter-clockwise. Set the
BALANCE controls to their 12 o'clock positions. Set all MUTE and MONO switches to their "OUT" position.
Using the appropriate balanced or unbalanced cables, (unbalanced cables will work in the rear panel inputs
as well, but with the remote possibility of increased noise), connect the rear panel BALANCED MAIN Inputs to
the audio monitor signal source to be distributed to the headphones. Alternatively connect the audio signal
source to the front panel DIRECT IN jack using a stereo TRS 1/4-inch plug.
If connecting more than one HeadAmp6 to the same audio monitor signal source, simply daisy-chain the
units by connecting from the BALANCED MAIN THRU connectors of the first unit to the BALANCED MAIN
INPUT connectors of the next unit, etc. (NOTE: Daisy chaining only works with the rear panel connectors. The
front panel DIRECT IN jack only feeds its respective HeadAmp6 unit directly.)
Connect headphones, or leads to additional headphone amps, (like the ART HeadAmp 4) to either the front
or rear panel HEADPHONE OUTPUT jacks (or both) using stereo 1/4-inch TRS plugs.
If using the HeadAmp6 Auxiliary Mixer function, connect the stereo signals that are to be mixed into individual
output channels to the appropriate AUX IN jacks using a stereo 1/4-inch TRS plug. (NOTE: For a mono signal
use a TRS plug with the Tip and Ring tied together, or use one of the front panel MONO buttons to create a
mono output to the headphones.) The AUX IN signal will only be heard in that specific channel depending on
the position of the BALANCE and LEVEL controls for that particular channel.
Turn on the POWER switch and with the audio monitor signal active and playing increase the MASTER
VOLUME control to achieve a reading on the MASTER LED bar-graph level indicator which is high enough to
light the green and yellow LEDs yet avoid lighting the RED CLIP LED on loud passages and audio peaks.
Doing this will assure that a strong signal is available to drive each of the six individual channel amplifiers, and
subsequently each channel amplifier will be able to run with less gain (a lower setting of the individual channel
LEVEL controls), thereby optimizing the signal-to-noise ratio at the headphone outputs.
Next set the LEVEL control on each channel to a comfortable listening level for the particular headphones
being used on that channel.
NOTE: When using the Auxiliary Mixer to add a signal such as a direct vocal into an individual headphone
channel, in order to enhance that particular vocal in the mix (providing "More Me") for the person listening to
that headphone channel, the relative phase of the signal coming into the stereo AUX IN will determine whether
the stereo AUX IN signal sums or subtracts from the main signal bus. The "More Me" effect will only result if
the two signals add together in phase. If they are antiphase (180 degrees out of phase), the stereo AUX IN
signal will actually subtract the vocal out of the mix in the headphones for that one channel. Most consoles and
microphone preamps will have a phase invert switch with which to set the desired operating mode if this is an
issue.
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