Important Safety Instructions – Read First Read instructions: Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference. Heed all warnings printed here and on the console. Follow the operating instructions printed in this User Guide. Do not open: There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer any service work to competent technical personnel only.
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Introduction Welcome to the Allen & Heath PA Series professional audio mixing system. This user guide describes the functions of the unpowered models and also provides tips and reference information to help you get the best from your system. For information on the powered PA-CP models with built-in amplifiers refer to user guide AP4956.
Contents Main Topics Information Phantom power..........13 Important Safety Instructions ....3 Balanced and unbalanced connections ..13 The mic preamp ..........14 Overview ..........6 The HPF (high pass filter) ........14 The mono channel equaliser ......15 The PA Range........7 Pre and post-fade aux sends......16 Effects sends............16 Key Features........7 Foldback sends..........16...
Overview PA Series consoles provide the tools you need to run a small PA system in an easy ‘walk up and go’ format. You simply plug in your microphone and line sources and connect to your amplifiers or powered speakers. All the control and processing you need is built into the console.
The Range PA20 16 mono MIC/LINE channels PA12 2 dual stereo LINE channels 8 mono MIC/LINE channels 2 dual stereo LINE channels PA28 24 mono MIC/LINE channels 2 dual stereo LINE channels Accessories All Models Balanced XLR AB outputs LR main TRS outputs Rack Ears Mono output summed from LR A pair of metal ears to replace the...
Quick Start Ensure your safety First read and understand the Important Safety Instructions printed earlier. Make sure that all your equipment is set for your local mains supply voltage and correctly grounded to ensure your safety. Check that the console rear panel ON/OFF switch is in its out position (off). Plug in the mains power using the power cord supplied with the console.
Installing the Console The PA Series is portable and designed for stand alone operation. The smaller PA12 model can also be 19” rack mounted by replacing the trims with the rack ears provided. Either way, ensure adequate ventilation around the unit and heed all warnings regarding mains power safety and earthing.
Mains Power and Earthing Connecting Mains Power Read the SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS printed at the front of this user guide and on the rear panel. The power supply is a high performance switched mode type with universal mains input to accept voltages from 100 to 240 V.AC. Check that the correct mains lead with moulded plug has been supplied with your console.
Cable and Connector Information You are likely to encounter the following audio connector types: The XLR connector is 3 wire balanced. This has 3 connector pins: Pin 1 = ground (screen), Pin 2 = signal hot (+), Pin 3 = signal cold (-). The jack sockets are the 3 pole TRS type. These are wired to work with either the balanced TRS or the unbalanced 2 pole TS type plugs without cable modification.
The MONO Channel MIC INPUT XLR input for connecting microphone level signals in the range -63 to +5dBu. These are balanced and wired pin 2 hot. Use low impedance microphones (less than 600 ohms) and professional grade mic cables (2 core with shield) for best performance.
The mic preamp is probably the most important stage 100Hz in the console signal path. Its performance is often the measure of how good the console is. The PA Series uses a high grade dual stage design developed from our top end 12kHz consoles.
(bass) frequencies by up to 15dB. It has most effect from 60Hz and lower. The EQUALISER featured in the PA Series is a semi- parametric type similar to those found in top end live sound consoles. The four band design provides frequency control far 1kHz more powerful than that found in most competitive consoles.
AUX SENDS The PA Series has four auxiliary sends. These provide independent mixes from the channels. They have many applications, the most common being foldback monitor and effects sends. They can also be used for additional special feeds such as recording or clean feed.
Adjusts the stereo position of the channel The PFL switch LED also provides a channel signal in the main LR mix. At the centre position signal peak indication. The indicator lights brightly equal signal is sent to the L and R outputs. Fully when the pre-fade signal reaches +16dBu.
The STEREO Channel Dual Stereo Inputs Each stereo channel has two independent stereo inputs, ST1(3) ST2(4). convenience, one uses RCA phono connectors, the other uses TRS jacks. The two inputs mix together to feed the channel strip, or ST1(3) can be routed direct to the LR mix instead, leaving ST2(4) to feed the channel.
EQUALISER The stereo equaliser allows independent adjustment of the low and high frequency bands. 12kHz The high frequency band has a shelving response that cuts or boosts the higher (treble) frequencies by up to 15dB. It has most effect from 12kHz and higher. 60Hz The low frequency band has a shelving response that cuts or boosts the lower (bass) frequencies by up to 15dB.
(dry) and also the acoustic reflections (wet) as the voice reverberates around the room. The bigger the room the FX CHANNEL more reverb is heard. The PA Series simulates reverb in the EXTERNAL INTERNAL same way. The reverb is created electronically using the digital processor (wet) and then added to the direct (dry) signal.
EXT FX INPUT TRS jack inputs for connecting the line level stereo output from an external effects processor. The inputs are unbalanced but can also accept balanced sources without modification. The ring connection grounds the –ve (cold) signal to unbalance a connected balanced source. GAIN Adjusts the sensitivity of the input preamp to match the connected source to the 0dBu operating level of the FX...
The 16 Presets The effects presets have been configured to provide a variety of instantly accessible effects types suitable for live sound mixing. Listen to each preset so that you become familiar with how they sound. You may soon identify a few favourites. Power Up Memory The effects processor remembers the last preset selected on power down.
PRESET TYPES The following table lists the 16 effects available and their typical application. Try these with different instruments and sounds to create new and interesting effects. HALL1 A bright hall reverb for drums, guitars and vocals. HALL2 A warm hall reverb for acoustic guitars, pianos and vocals. ROOM1 Hardwood studio for acoustic instruments ROOM2...
The MASTER SECTION Controls Master Control For accurate control, the main house and two foldback mixes are controlled using full length faders and include mute and headphone monitoring functions. These faders act as volume controls for the mix. FB1, FB2, LR FADERS 100mm smooth travel faders adjust the overall level of the mixes.
WARNING: To prevent damage to your separate crossover unit. The PA Series adds the hearing start with the headphones level set to switchable 100Hz filter for situations where no filter is minimum.
The AB Output Channels 20Hz 120Hz 500Hz parametric output equaliser 20Hz 120Hz 500Hz Overview LEVEL Two output channels labelled A and Trims the level feeding the XLR outputs. B are provided. These include 4 band semi- Does not affect the AB slave outputs. Turn the parametric equalisers, TRS jack slave outputs, level control fully off when plugging up the equipment.
You may be using an external speaker processor for a bigger house system and therefore use your PA Series AB channels for a pair of equalised stage monitors. The Output Equalisers Each AB output channel features a 4-band semi-parametric EQ.
0dBu (0.775V) or +4dBu (1.23V), while semi-professional or consumer equipment often works at the lower -10dBV (0.31V). The PA Series has a very wide dynamic range making its 0dBu referenced outputs well suited to working with these standards.
LR TRS MAIN OUT Use these line outputs to drive the main house amplifiers if you are using the console AB outputs for the foldback monitors. Alternatively, use them to feed booster amplifiers for additional speakers in the system if the AB outputs are driving the main house speaker amplifiers.
2TRK INPUT A pair of RCA phono sockets accepts the input from a stereo playback devices such as a CD, MiniDisc, DAT or tape player. Use it to monitor a stereo recording in the console headphones, or to route a stereo source to the LR mix for background music.
Fitting the PA12 Rack Ears A pair of 19” rack ears is provided with the PA12. The ears replace the front and side trims so that the console can be mounted in a rack, plinth or case. Note that the PA12 can fit into a standard 19”...
System Block Diagram METERS PEAK MONO CHANNEL GAIN PFL/AFL +48V PHONES LR / 2TRK MUTE MONITOR 4 BAND EQUALISER FADER HEADPHONES MIC IN LINE IN INSERT 100Hz DIR OUT SPDIF DIGITAL 2TRK 2TRK OUT 2TRK IN ANALOG POST 2TRK TO LR MAIN LR L INSERT MUTE...
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