Gain And Operating Levels - ALLEN & HEATH XONE 02 User Manual

Gain and Operating Levels

It is most important that the system gain and level settings are correctly set. It is well known that many
DJs push the gain to maximum with meters peaking hard in the belief that they are getting the best from
the system. THIS IS NOT THE CASE ! The best can only be achieved if the system levels are set
within the normal operating range and not allowed to peak. Peaking simply results in signal distortion,
not more volume. It is the specification of the amplifier / speaker system that sets the maximum volume
that can be achieved, not the console. The human ear too can fool the operator into believing that more
volume is needed. Be careful as this is in fact a warning that hearing damage will result if high listening
levels are maintained. Remember that it is the QUALITY of the sound that pleases the ear, not the
VOLUME.
Use the LEVEL control to match the input source to the normal operating level of the console. Adjust
this so that the CUE METER averages 0dB with loudest moments reading +6. Listen to the signal on
headphones. Adjust the VCA MASTER LEVEL so that it normally operates near the top of its travel.
Make sure the amplifier/speaker system has been correctly calibrated for the loudest volume required at
the channel fader top position. Boosting the EQ also adds gain to the system. Reduce by turning back
the LEVEL control if the meter red peak LEDs flash. Adjust the HEADPHONES and BOOTH monitor
controls for safe listening levels.
The diagram illustrates the operating range of the audio
signal.
NORMAL OPERATING RANGE.
signal should range between –6 and +6 on the meters with
average around 0dB. This allows enough HEADROOM for
unexpected peaks before the signal hits its maximum
CLIPPING voltage and distorts. It also achieves the best
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE-RATIO by keeping the signal well
above the residual NOISE FLOOR (system hiss).
DYNAMIC RANGE is the maximum signal swing available
between the residual noise floor and clipping.
XONE:02 provides a massive 108dB dynamic range.
A final note ... The human ear is a remarkable organ with
the ability to compress or 'shut down' when sound levels
become too high. Do not interprete this natural response
as a reason to turn the system volume up further ! As the
session wears on ear fatigue may set in, and the speaker
cones may become hot so reducing the effectiveness of the
system and listeners to gain any benefit from increased
volume.
Using the Channel EQ
With the 3 EQ controls set to their centre detented position the EQ has no affect on the sound. The
asymmetric EQ design provides a huge amount of cut to suck out selected frequencies for dramatic
effect, and a restricted amount of boost to enhance frequencies without overloading the system. Move
the sliders up to boost the selected band of frequencies by up to 6dB. Pull them back to cut the
frequencies by up to 26dB.
Cutting low, mid or high frequency bands can be very effective when layering one track on another.
This lets you enhance the sounds you want while cutting those you don't want. For example, you could
fade in the high frequency cymbal line of the CH2 track on top of the currently playing CH1 track by
cutting the MID and LO EQ on CH2. Learn what the EQ can do by playing a selection of tracks and
experimenting with the controls.
+10
+5
0dB
-5
-10
-15
-20
-25
-30
XONE:02 User Guide
For normal music the
BE SENSIBLE, BE SAFE WITH SOUND LEVELS
LO
10 100
The
The
MID HI
1kHz 10k
+6dB BOOST
-26dB CUT
20k
13