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 powered PA-CP models and also provides tips and reference information to help you get the best from your system. We know you want to get started right away. For this reason we have kept the guide concise and to the point.
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 all 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 the speakers. All the control and processing you need to run a small PA system is built into the console.
The Range PA20-CP 16 mono MIC/LINE channels 2 dual stereo LINE channels PA12-CP 8 mono MIC/LINE channels Accessories 2 dual stereo LINE channels Rack Ears A pair of metal ears to replace the trims and fix the console into a 19” rack or custom furniture.
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-CP model can also be 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 wired for the local voltage required. Check that the correct mains lead with moulded plug has been supplied with your console, and that the marked voltage matches your local supply.
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.
The bigger the room the EXTERNAL INTERNAL more reverb is heard. The PA Series simulates reverb in the same way. The reverb is created electronically using the digital GAIN processor (wet) and then added to the direct (dry) signal. The...
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...
STAGE Short reverb typical of stage area The 16 Presets The factory default effects presets have pre-delay 0-99 decay 1-10 been configured to provide a variety of instantly accessible damping 1-10 effects types suitable for live sound mixing. The table shown ROOM Short reverb typical of medium sized room here lists these default effects settings.
MIDI A standard 5-pin MIDI IN socket is provided. This lets you control the internal effects via MIDI. For example, you could use a MIDI sequencer or controlling device to remotely change the preset type or bypass the effect. You can also use MIDI to interface to a computer running the Allen &...
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 A 100mm smooth travel fader adjusts the overall level of the mix.
AMP IN Constant power Most amplifiers produce PROTECT their maximum output into 4 ohms with considerably SIGNAL less into 8 ohms. The unique PA Series CP system LIMITER SPK A SPK B AMP B achieves its full rated 500W+500W into either impedance.
You may be using external amplifiers for a bigger house system and therefore use your PA Series amps for a pair of stage monitors. You may be using powered speakers throughout and so apply the amps to a different task altogether.
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 MAIN OUT Use these line outputs to drive the main house amplifiers if you are using the console AB amplifiers for the foldback monitors. If the AB amps are powering the house speakers you could also use the LR outputs to feed booster amplifiers for additional speakers in the system.
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.
4 ohms and therefore considerably less into 8 ohms. The PA Series features a unique facility that ensures you get full power output into either 4 or 8 ohm speakers. It does this by reconfiguring the power supply for optimum current (4 ohms), or voltage (8 ohms).
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...
Fitting the PA12-CP Rack Ears A pair of 19” rack ears is provided with the PA12-CP. The ears replace the front and side trims so that the console can be mounted in a 19” rack or case. The ears can fit in one of two positions depending on how you want to mount the console in the rack or other furniture.