Rane FPM 44 Operating And Service Manual

QUICK START

This section provides for those with limited reading patience, and/or a high level of technical
expertise. It familiarizes you enough with the FPM 44 to allow operation without wading through
the rest of the text. You owe it to yourself to read at least this section to ensure reasonable
operation of the unit.
Begin with the INPUTS. They are to be connected to the terminal strips on the rear. Follow
the indications screened adjacent to the connectors. Balanced sources connect to the respective
"+" and "–" INPUTS. Connect all incoming shields to the nearest GND terminal. Unbalanced
inputs connect between the "+" terminal and GND.
Connect the AUX A/B OUTPUTS as required to the piece of equipment to be driven. Use the
unbalanced "+" outputs and the nearest GND terminal. Set the internal Pre/Post Aux Assign
switches as necessary (shipped "PRE"). The A and B MASTER OUTPUTS may drive balanced
or unbalanced sources. Unbalanced output uses only the "+" and GND terminals.
Connect the Flex bus cables to the appropriate source for the FLEX BUS IN and the next unit
for FLEX BUS OUT.
Set the GAIN switches on the front of the module so the desired level is obtainable from your
sources without illuminating the red OL (overload) LEDs on the channels. Set the A and B
LEVEL controls on each input for the desired level. The single AUX SEND level control routes
signal from each input channel to both AUX A and B OUTPUTS equally.
The MASTER A/B output level controls affect only the signal level at the direct outputs of
the unit. They have no affect on the main output added to the FLEX BUS OUT.
NEVER CONNECT ANYTHING EXCEPT AN APPROVED RANE POWER SUPPLY
TO THE RED THING THAT LOOKS LIKE A TELEPHONE JACK ON THE REAR OF
THE UNIT. This is an AC input and requires special attention if you do not have an operational
power supply exactly like the one that was originally packed with your unit. See the full explana-
tion of the power supply requirements elsewhere in this manual.

SYSTEM CONNECTION

When connecting the FPM 44 to other components in your
system for the first time, leave the power supply for last. This
gives you a chance to make mistakes and correct them
without damage to your fragile speakers, ears and nerves.
INPUTS. The four channel inputs on the FPM 44 are
balanced. They may also be used in an unbalanced configura-
tion. It is a good idea to use crimp-on spade connectors on the
ends of the cables connected to the Ins and Outs of the mixer.
Using stripped or tinned wire makes an unreliable union. Use
only shielded cable for inputs and outputs. This wire should
always be two-conductor plus shield, even for unbalanced
operation. Balanced inputs should be connected to both the
"+" and "–" for signal hot and return. The shield should be
tied to the nearest ground terminal on the strip. A neutral "pin
1" ground is not necessary. For unbalanced use, connect the
hot side of the input cable to "+" and signal return and shield
to a ground terminal. It is never necessary on any Rane Flex
module to ground the "–" Input in the unbalanced mode. It
won't, however, hurt anything if you do. If the input is
coming from another piece of equipment in the signal path,
connect the shield only at the receiving end to help prevent
ground induced hum. If a microphone is being connected to
the unit, the shield may be connected to the case of the mic as
well as to the ground terminal on the unit.
OUTPUTS. The FPM 44's MASTER A and B OUTPUTS
are balanced. Connect a shielded cable to the device(s) being
OPERATING / SERVICE MANUAL
driven. If an unbalanced characteris-
tic is what you desire, use the "+"
terminal and one of the grounds for
return. Do not short the "–" terminal
to ground.
FLEX BUS IN. The 7-pin DIN
bus connectors are used primarily
with other Flex modules. These are
not MIDI connectors. Use only the
supplied DIN cable. If for some reason there is not a cable in
the FPM 44 box, please contact Rane for a replacement. If
you are in a bind, a 5-pin DIN may be used instead of a 7-pin.
The two outside pins (6 & 7) are spares on the FPM 44 and
have been included for possible future compatibility reasons.
All pins should be wired straight through, i.e., 1 to 1, 2 to 2,
etc. This Input is to be used when combining the FPM 44 with
the bus outputs of other modules such as another FPM 44, an
FMI 14, etc. Bringing in bus signals allows the FPM 44's mix
to add to the bus and be routed on to the next unit, and so on.
FLEX BUS OUT. Cable precautions covered in the
preceding paragraph apply to the outputs as well. The FLEX
BUS OUT of the FPM 44 may be connected to other Flex
mixer modules to complete a system. The receiving device
may be any Flex module with a FLEX BUS IN. See the Flex
Users Guide for additional details.
FPM 44
PROGRAM MIXER