Checking And Setting Levels; Humbuster Cables - Fractal Audio AX8 Owner's Manual

CHECKING AND SETTING LEVELS

Setting proper levels is critical. Two meters (one mono and one stereo) plus two
front panel LEDs inform you about levels on the AX8. Setting levels is easy.
INPUT 1 [ INSTRUMENT ] LEVELS
The AX8 comes ready-to-use for the typical guitar with passive pickups. Connect a
guitar to INPUT 1. Choose your loudest pickup setting and set all the guitar controls
to "wide open. " Play loud, open chords to push the levels as you watch the IN 1
[INSTRUMENT] meter LEDs. It's OK to tickle the red LED once in a while, but if you
push too hard, the input will clip and you'll need to pad the input as follows:
 Press SETUP followed by footswitch 2 for the "I/O" menu. It should open to the "LEVELS" page.
 Turn E/NAV to select
6dB, 12dB or 18dB. Be aware that as you increase this PAD setting you also increase the noise floor,
so set it as low as possible. Conversely, if you can set this to 0dB for a guitar with quiet output,
you'll get even better signal-to-noise performance.
OUT 1 LEVELS
OUT 1 [MAIN] XLR and 1/4" Humbuster™ jacks are ready to be connected to professional line-level
+4dBu inputs. If you are connecting to consumer-grade equipment operating at -10 dbV, please set
the nominal output level as follows:
 Press SETUP; Press footswitch 2 for the I/O menu; Turn to the LEVELS page.
 Turn E/NAV to select
FRONT PANEL "CLIP" LEDS
If the MAIN OUT CLIP or FX SEND CLIP LEDs light, see
for more information about the various controls and settings used to solve clipping problems.

HUMBUSTER CABLES

Standard 1/4" guitar cables are fine for all audio connections to and from the AX8, but there is a better
option for connecting its outputs to your amp, modeler or other device. Humbuster™ technology on all
AX8 outputs can significantly reduce unwanted noise due to the common problem of a ground loop. For
this to work, you need to use a special Humbuster™ cable you can buy or make yourself.
A Humbuster™ cable has one TRS end (like a balanced cable) and one TS end (like a guitar cable). The TRS
end connects to the AX8. The TS end connects to your amp.
Humbuster™ cables are available from
following the diagram below. Be sure to use high-quality connectors and shielded cable.
INSTRUMENT INPUT PAD
MAIN OUT NOMINAL LEVEL
http:/www.fractalaudio.com/cables
. Turn the "A" knob to Increase this setting beyond
and change this setting to "-10 dBV".
"Checking and Setting Levels" on p. 17
5
1 IntroductIon
or you can make your own by