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Z Systems z-Qualizer Operation Manual

Outboard digital eq

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z-Qualizer manual
z-Qualizer Operations Manual
Congratulations on purchasing the z-Qualizer, the first low-cost outboard digital EQ
capable of world-class mastering performance. The z-Qualizer comes from a distin-
guished lineage of mastering processors that Z-Systems has been making for nearly
a decade. You've already heard our EQ algorithms on countless recordings and now
you have the chance to hear what they can do for your very own projects.
We urge you to read the following manual before using the z-Qualizer. We're confi-
dent that anyone can learn to use it on their own, but it might be helpful to read the
manual and learn some of the finer points before diving in.
R
S
L
load
byp
MIDI
save
m-s & dither
ATTENTION/AVIS:
Risque de choc electronique.
Ne pas ouvrir.
To minimize risk of fire, use only the
specified power adapter.
9V DC
@ 500 mA
Plug the DC power adapter that was included with the unit into an AC power outlet
and connect the other end of the DC power adapter to the DC power inlet on the back
of the unit. The z-Qualizer will power up quickly. Next, connect the z-Qualizer to an
AES/EBU standard digital audio source. The signal LED will light to indicate the pres-
ence of a valid incoming signal.
We should mention a general rule at this point. The z-Qualizer is a stereo unit and it
can be operated in either dual-mono or stereo-linked modes. Dual-mono means that
the EQ parameters can be adjusted independently for the left and right channels. In
stereo-linked mode, the left- and right-channel EQ parameters track one another. The
L and R positions on the left knob are used to select between the left- and right-
Welcome!
S - 02. 4 2k50 0. 8
gain
freq
AES/ EBU
input
output
Designed and manufactured in
the US by Z-Systems Audio
Engineering.
Do not open. Risk of electrical
shock. No user-serviceable
parts inside.
Powering Up
Gain and Channel Offsets
1
Z-Systems Audio Engineering
2
1
signal
gain
Q
MIDI in
MIDI through
3
4
. S YS
Z
z-Qualizer

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Summary of Contents for Z Systems z-Qualizer

  • Page 1 Gain and Channel Offsets We should mention a general rule at this point. The z-Qualizer is a stereo unit and it can be operated in either dual-mono or stereo-linked modes. Dual-mono means that the EQ parameters can be adjusted independently for the left and right channels. In stereo-linked mode, the left- and right-channel EQ parameters track one another.
  • Page 2 In this mode, the only parameters showing in the alphanumeric display will be an S (indicating the z-Qualizer is stereo-linked) and a number above the gain knob indicating, in dBFS, the amount of gain (or attenuation) applied simultaneously to the left and right channels: +00.0...
  • Page 3 R filters. Important: You will notice that the “L” indicator in the display is blinking. This is to remind you that the z-Qualizer is in dual-mono mode. The same is true for the “R” when you are adjusting the right-channel parameters.
  • Page 4 For example, use 20 dith if the z-Qualizer is directly connected to a 20 bit ADAT. Use 16 dith or 16 pwr if the z-Qualizer is connected directly to a 16-bit storage medium such as DAT or CDR.
  • Page 5 The middle knob changes encode from no to yes, the right hand knob changes MS decode from no to yes. The MS encoder in the z-Qualizer is located in front of the gain, left and right channel adjustments and in front of the stereo equalizers. The MS decoder is located after all processing and before the dither.
  • Page 6 00 to 99 from which to load, memory 00 is a factory default, which is set to: MS N, N; 24 bits; all gains and eqs at 0 dB. Memories 1 through 99 are user-adjustable. To return the z-Qualizer to flat settings, simply use the following pro- cedure with preset #00.
  • Page 7 Z-Systems Audio Engineering Then rotate the Q knob (below the word load in the alphanumeric display). This loads memory #34 and places an arrow next to the preset number to let you know the memory has been loaded: a=34<...
  • Page 8 After all 99 memories have been sent to the sequencer, the display returns to dump. MIDI Program Change Connect the output of a MIDI sequencer to the MIDI in jack. Any time the z-Qualizer sees a program change whose value is from 00 through 99, it will load the corre- sponding memory.
  • Page 9 Z-Systems Audio Engineering  Digital filter architecture: proprietary minimum roundoff-noise structure  Dynamic range: better than 144 dB  Ergonomic Stereo-linked and dual-mono operation  Number of user-alterable presets: 99. Factory Preset: One (preset #00)  THD+N: better than -135 dB ...