CARVIN S16 Operating Manual

Stereo USB recording
S16 Rear panel
This symbol is intended to alert CAUTION This symbol is intended to
the user to the presence of
alert the user to the presence
uninsulated "dangerous voltage"
of important operating and
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN
within the product's enclosure maintenance (servicing)
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
that may be of sufficient mag-
instructions in the literature
nitude to constitute a risk of DO NOT OPEN accompanying the appliance.
electric shock to persons.
IMPORTANT! FOR YOUR PROTECTION, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:
WATER AND MOISTURE: Appliance should not be used near water (near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a
wet basement, or near a swimming pool, etc). Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the
enclosure through openings.
POWER SOURCES: The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions
or as marked on the appliance.
GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION: Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of an appliance
is not defeated.
POWER CORD PROTECTION: Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by
items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where
they exit from the appliance.
SERVICING: The user should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other
servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.
FUSING: If your unit is equipped with a fuse receptacle, replace only with the same type fuse. Refer to replacement text on the
unit for correct fuse type.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (EUROPEAN)

The conductors in the AC power cord are colored in accordance with the following code.
GREEN & YELLOW—Earth BLUE—Neutral BROWN—Live
U.K. MAIN PLUG WARNING: A molded main plug that has been cut off from the cord is unsafe. NEVER UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU INSERT A DAMAGED OR CUT MAIN PLUG INTO A POWER SOCKET.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DAT Deck

LIMITED WARRANTY

Your Carvin product is guaranteed against failure for ONE YEAR unless otherwise stated. Carvin will service and supply all parts
at no charge to the customer providing the unit is under warranty. Shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer. CARVIN
DOES NOT PAY FOR PARTS OR SERVICING OTHER THAN OUR OWN. A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL INVOICE IS REQUIRED TO
VERIFY YOUR WARRANTY. Carvin assumes no responsibility for horn drivers or speakers damaged by this unit. This warranty
does not cover, and no liability is assumed, for damage due to: natural disasters, accidents, abuse, loss of parts, lack of reason-
able care, incorrect use, or failure to follow instructions. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied.
No representative or person is authorized to represent or assume for Carvin any liability in connection with the sale or servicing
of Carvin products. CARVIN SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
When RETURNING merchandise to the factory, you may call for a return authorization number. Describe in writing each
problem. If your unit is out of warranty, you will be charged the current FLAT RATE for parts and labor to bring your unit up
to factory specifications.

HELP SECTION

1) MIXER WILL NOT TURN ON
Check the power to the amp. Check for tripped circuit breakers, unplugged extension cords or power-strip switches that
may be turned off. Check the fuse. If a dark brownish color or no wire can be seen within the glass tube, then replace. The
mixer may be perfectly fine but occasionally a fuse may blow because of high AC voltage surges. After the fuse has been
replaced with the proper Slow Blow value and if the fuse fails again, the mixer will require servicing.
2) KEEP YOUR MIXER LOOKING NEW
Use caution to avoid spilling liquids or allowing any other foreign matter inside the unit. The top of the mixer can be wiped
from time to time with a dry or slightly damp cloth in order to remove dust and bring back the new look. A suggestion is
to cover the mixer when not in use. This can be done with a cloth or a small towel to reduce the amount of dust collection
on the mixer. Well cared for equipment is usually friendlier equipment in the long run.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL! THIS UNIT
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
CONTAINS HIGH VOLTAGE INSIDE!
DO NOT OPEN
CARVIN ENGINEERING DATA
Congratulations on your purchase of the S16 16 channel stereo mixer. Your new Studio
Series mixer demonstrates CARVIN's commitment to the pro audio world by offering
sophisticated signal mixing and processing in a compact easy to use console. The Studio
Series is designed to be a powerful tool for the home studio where limited space and high
performance are the main requirements. The S16's high quality construction and features
provide years of trouble-free performance, reproduceig your music flawlessly. It's ideal for
mixing to cassette, DAT or hard disk recording with a computer. Enjoy your new S16!

16 CHANNEL OVERVIEW

There are 8 MIC/LINE input channels with XLR and 1/4" LINE inputs and PATCH insert
jacks. There are also 4 STEREO input channels (8 mono) with two 1/4" LINE inputs each.
The XLR channels feature input GAIN controls and provide Phantom power for condenser
mics. There are 3 bands of EQ and 2 post fader effect SENDS on each channel. The master
section features 2 SENDS and 2 stereo RETURNS along with RCA tape IN's and OUTs that
can be used as a separate stereo channel with it's own level control. A master LEFT/RIGHT
level control also feeds a 1/4" stereo headphone jack. The stereo LED VU metering gives
you clear visibility of your output levels.
"SHELVING" EQ WITH ACTIVE TONE CIRCUITS
The S16 incorporates 3 bands of EQ's per channel that offer smooth tone curves so your
adjustments will sound natural and yet be effective. Depth is added to your bass due to the
90Hz for the LOW frequency EQ controls instead of the usual 100Hz. The HI EQ controls are
set at 11.5kHz, which is slightly higher than the normal 10kHz treble controls, giving more
top-end clarity. These are "shelving" type controls which cover the complete frequency band
from 90Hz down to 20Hz and from 11.5kHz up to 20kHz. The MID EQ controls are a "band
pass" type which peak at 2.2kHz for added presence to your mid range tones. Because
CARVIN uses "active" tone circuits, you are able to boost or cut your tones without any
signal loss in your mixer.

BLOCK dIAGRAM

CHANNELS 1-8 INSERT
THREE BAND
PAN
MIC CHANNEL TONE
CONTROLS
MIC
PRE
EFF 1
PAD
LINE
MAIN LEFT
LEVEL SUMMING AMP
line pad EFF 2
HI MID LOW
(-11dB) GAIN AND LEVEL
CHANNELS 9-16
THREE BAND
CHANNEL TONE
LEFT
CONTROLS
IN
PAN
EFF 1
LEVEL
HI MID LOW MAIN RIGHT
SUMMING AMP
THREE BAND
AND LEVEL
CHANNEL TONE EFF 2
RIGHT
CONTROLS
IN
HI MID LOW LEVEL
LEFT
TAPE IN
RIGHT
SEND 1
SUMMING AMP
LEFT
EFFECTS RETURNS
ONE AND TWO
SEND 2
RIGHT SUMMING AMP
RETURN
LEVEL
76-16200B 0607
S16 STUDIO SERIES 16CH STEREO MIXER
RECEIVING INSpECTION—read before getting started
INSPECT YOUR MIXER FOR ANY DAMAGE which may have occurred during shipping. If
any damage is found, please notify the shipping company and CARVIN immediately.
SAVE THE CARTON & ALL PACKING MATERIALS. In the event you have to re-ship
your unit, always use the original carton and packing material. This will provide the best
possible protection during shipment. CARVIN and the shipping company are not liable
for any damage caused by improper packing.
SAVE YOUR INVOICE. It will be required for warranty service if needed in the future.
SHIPMENT SHORTAGE. If you find items missing, they may have been shipped separately.
Please allow several days for the rest of your order to arrive before inquiring.
RECORD THE SERIAL NUMBER on the enclosed warranty card or below on this manual
for your records. Keep your portion of the card and return the portion with your name
and comments to us.
USA customers register online at: www.carvin.com/registration
All other countries register online at: www.carvinworld.com/registration

LOW NOISE SIGNAL pATH

Your balanced mic or instrument signal plugs directly into high quality XLR connectors
and is then routed into a differential circuit for excellent noise and hum cancellation. As
S16
your signal continues within the console, it passes through precision mounted parts
including 1% tolerance resistors and ultra low noise op-amps. On the back of the double
sided (FR-4 rated) printed circuit board are large areas of copper ground plating supply
an excellent shield from interference. Plated-through holes assure that components
which undergo physical stress, such as jacks and pots, are solidly mounted and have
exceptional electrical connection because they are soldered in three places (bottom, in
hole, and top of the PC card).

MORE HEAdROOM

Headroom is very important when designing a mixer—especially for recording. Lack of head-
room will cause your sound to become distorted and muddy. This can happen when you turn
the volume too high, if the input signal is too hot or if excess bass or treble is added. With most
mixers, you have to reduce the input gain to fight headroom problems, but this just increases
noise. That's why we have taken great care in the S16 to make sure that each gain stage is
properly designed and balanced with more headroom along the entire audio path. There is no
headroom "bottle necking" at the summing stages, ensuring clean, pure audio throughout.

SWITCHING pOWER SUppLY

Now you can use your S16 almost anywhere in the world, with voltages ranging from
100 - 250 VAC. The switching power supply is self-regulating and protects the signal
path from noise and level fluctuation. However, the most significant advantage is the
elimination of 50/60Hz hum, providing noise-free performance. CARVIN has spared no
expense to achieve studio quality performance.

pROfESSIONAL HEAdpHONES

The S16 is designed to be used with professional headphones such as Carvin's H40M Studio
Headphones. The impedance of the headphones should be between 40 and 100 ohms with
a sensitivity of at least or higher than 100 dBm at 1k Hz with 1mv input. 8 ohm or 1000 ohm
and higher headsets are not recommended.
For your records, you may wish to record the following information.
Serial No._____________________ Invoice Date_______________

MOdEL S16 SpECIfICATIONS:

Frequency Response:
LINE OUT
L - R Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than .009% MIC in - Master out
METERS LEFT
Equivalent Input Noise:
Output Noise:
TAPE OUT
TAPE OUT
RIGHT
LINE OUT Output Headroom:
Maximum Gain:
Crosstalk:
Common Mode Rejection: -80db at 1KHz
Phantom Power:
Channel EQ.:
CONTROL
ROOM
HEADPHONE HEADPHONE
OUTPUT OUTPUT
Power Consumption:
Size and Weight:
EFFECTS
Speaker Output:
SEND 1
OUTPUT
SEND 1
LEVEL
EFFECTS
SEND 2
OUTPUT
SPEAKER
OUTPUTS
SEND 2 12340 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
LEVEL
(800) 854-2235
www.carvin.com
OPERATING MANUAL
Mic or Line Inputs: 20Hz-20kHz ±1dB
150 ohm source: -114dBu
-90dBu Master Line Out
(All Levels Minimum)
+20dB 1/4" unbalanced
Mic in to Master Line Out: 70dB
Adjacent ch's: -60db at 1KHz
All XLR Mic in channels
3 band active, LOW: 90Hz ±12dB
MID: 2.2KHz ±12dB
HI: 11.5KHz ±12dB
10VA 100~250VAC 50-60 Hz
(8 lbs) 2.5"H x 16.2"W x10.2"D
22w @8 ohms/CH