ALLEN & HEATH SCEPTER Owner's Manual
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ALLEN & HEATH SCEPTER Owner's Manual

ALLEN & HEATH SCEPTER Owner's Manual

12 channel rack mount mixer
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SCEPTER
12 channel
Rack Mount Mixer
OWNER MANUAL
Allen & Heath
Publication:
APO093 Issue 3
October 92
OWNER MANUAL

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Summary of Contents for ALLEN & HEATH SCEPTER

  • Page 1 SCEPTER 12 channel Rack Mount Mixer OWNER MANUAL Allen & Heath Publication: APO093 Issue 3 October 92 OWNER MANUAL...
  • Page 2 ALLEN & HEATH This product continues ALLEN & HEATH’s commitment to provide high quality tools engineered to meet the exacting requirements of today’s audio business. It brings you the latest in high performance technology and offers the reassurance of over two decades of audio console manufacture and customer support.
  • Page 3 ALLEN & HEATH BRENELL LTD. LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY This product has been manufactured in the UK by ALLEN & HEATH BRENELL LTD and is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase by the original owner.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Allen & Heath PAGE CONTENTS 1 ..INTRODUCTION General Information .......... 1 Safety & Precaution .......... 2 installation ............3-4 User Service Information ........5 Electronic Performance ........6-7 ..PANEL CONTROL DIAGRAMS Input Channels ..........8-9 Master Section ..........12-13 Rear Panel ....
  • Page 5 Allen & Heath PAGE CONTENTS continued ..SERVICE INFORMATION DIAGRAMS Main IDC Ribbon Connector ....* ..*...,..Dimensions Diagram ...*..*..*..*.*..*.. System Block Diagram .,..*.*..*..*..,...

  • Page 6: Introduction

    11 O-1 20V AC 50/60 Hz USA 100 Volt AC 50/60 Hz 50VA Japan NOTE: The MPS-8R power supply is provided as standard with the Scepter. providing +15 Volts and -15 Volts for mixer operation, and +48 Volts for Phantom Power microphone operation.
  • Page 7 Audio Owner Manual Mains electricity is dangerous and can kill. Mains voltage is present within the power unit but not the Scepter unit. Check your mains wiring and earthing before connecting up and switching on. The purpose of the “earth” (ground) connection in a mains supply is for the prevention of electric shock from the mains voltage present.

  • Page 8: Installation

    Connect the DC power cord from the power supply into the rear panel of the Scepter unit. Ensure that it latches firmly. Earthing/Grounding in the audio system There two important reasons why it is necessary to ensure that your audio system is well earthed (grounded).
  • Page 9 Section 1 Audio Owner Manual The console is not connected to mains earth for the reasons mentioned above and under normal operating conditions it contains no dangerous voltages. The power supply chassis is connected to mains earth and must never be disconnected.

  • Page 10: User Service Information

    Section 1 Audio Owner Manual USER SERVICE INFORMATION There are no adjustments or alignment procedures required to maintain the performance standards of this Allen & Heath product. To preserve the working life of the unit and its presentation, avoid the use of chemicals, abrasives and solvents.

  • Page 11: Electronic Performance

    Section 1 Audio Owner Manual ELECTRONIC PERFORMANCE OVU = +4dBu = 1.23 Volts RMS Unreferenced dB represents Voltage Gain MAX VOLTAGE GAIN: Figures include 10dB input and group fader boost MIC IN to L/R Out ,.., ,,,..I*..*. +80dB LINE IN to L/R Out ..*..*..* +62dB FX RETURN to L/R Out .
  • Page 12 Section 1 Audio Owner Manual ELECTRONIC PERFORMANCE continued THD typically better than 0.04% NOISE PERFORMANCE: RMS noise 20kHz bandwidth L or R Output(all input faders closed)-83dBu L or R Output(1 input @ unity gain)-83dBu Aux Outputs(Unity gain)-90dBu Microphone Input equivalent noise-l 27dBu (200 Source)
  • Page 13 Allows the operator to create up to four different mixes to be used as foldback, effects or cue mixes as desired. The SCEPTER mixer is delivered from the factory with AUX SENDS A and B set for PRE-FADER operation. AUX SENDS C and D are set for POST-FADER operation.
  • Page 14 Section 2 Audio Owner Manual FRONT PANEL CONTROLS - INPUT CHANNEL (cant) HIGH PASS FILTER SWITCH Causes a gradual roll off in level of all frequencies below 80Hz at a rate of -12dB per octave. Useful in eliminating unwanted low frequency sounds. PAN CONTROL Positions input signal anywhere between the Left and Right outputs of the stereo mix.
  • Page 15 Audio Owner Manual Section 2 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS MONITOR LEFT/RIGHT SECTION (Left is Shown) References in ( ) are for Right Master L(R) MONITOR METERS These multipurpose meters monitor any source selected by the Monitor section of the Master Module. When no switch is selected within the monitor section, Left and Right outputs are displayed.
  • Page 16 Section 2 Audio Owner Manual FRONT PANEL CONTROLS - L/R CHANNEL (Cont) LEFT/RIGHT SECTION Left is Shown References in ( ) are for Right Master STEREO RETURN 1 & (2) The two STEREO RETURN inputs allow STEREO input signals (i.e. the output of stereo tape machines or stereo effects devices) to be mixed with the main outputs.
  • Page 17 Section 2 Audio Owner Manual FRONT PANEL CONTROLS - MASTER SECTION 12V LAMP LAMP BNC Connector to accept most of the popular goose neck lamps to illuminate the mixer work area. Master power switch for 48 Volt PHANTOM POWER (for use with CONDENSER microphones).
  • Page 18 When illuminated, the PFL signal is present in the SELECT Headphones, Monitor output, and visually on the LEFT/RIGHT meters. SCEPTER RACK HEADPHONE JACK Accepts stereo headphones of 75. ohms or greater. Output determined by the Monitor Select section. Headphone level is controlled by the front panel control labeled LEV (Monitor Level).
  • Page 19 Section 2 Audio Owner Manual MASTER MASTER CONNECTIONS PIN 1 LIFT PIN 1 Used to disconnect pin 1 from the MONO output connector. LIFT Used to eliminate ground loops. MONO BAL OUT Male XLR-3 (Pin 2 Hot). Self Compensating Electronically Balanced.
  • Page 20 Section 2 Audio Owner Manual LEFT & (RIGHT) CONNECTIONS LEFT PIN 1 LIFT Used to disconnect pin 1 from the LEFT(RIGHT) output connector. Use to eliminate ground loops. Male XLR3 (Pin 2 Hot). Seff Compensating Electronically Balanced. Capable of +27dBv output into 600 ohms or greater.

  • Page 21: Input Channels

    Section 2 Audio Owner Manual INPUT INPUT CHANNELS INDIVIDUAL PHANTOM POWER SWITCH When engaged, turns on the +48v phantom power for that channel if the Master +43v switch on Front Panel is on. MIC INPUT CONNECTOR (mic) level signals into the channel. LINE INPUT JACK Balanced l/4”...

  • Page 22: Master Section

    Phantom Power 1 The SCEPTER Series Mixers are factory wired for the +48 volt DC. phantom powering of condenser microphones. When the master phantom power switch is on and the individual channel phantom switch is on, +48 volts is present at XLR pins 2 and 3.
  • Page 23 For this reason, these mixes are normally used to feed external FX devices. SCEPTER Series mixers have been wired in this configuration at manufacture. However provision has been made within the mixer which allow the user to choose the point in the channel circuit from which the aux level control derives its source.
  • Page 24 Section 3 Audio Owner Manual Mid Frequency Equalizer This control provides 12dB of boost or cut at the frequency selected by the Mid Select control. This is a peak/dip type equalizer. It affects sounds both above and below the selected frequency within a range of approximately one octave (Q-l .4).
  • Page 25 Section 3 Audio Owner Manual PFL Button (Pm-Fader Llsten) Engaging the PFL allows you to listen to the Pre-Fader signal in the monitor and headphone outputs. The PFL system takes its signal after the EQ section but before the channel fader. This allows you to make signal level and quality checks before bringing up the channel in the mix.
  • Page 26 Section 3 Audio Owner Manual LEFT/RIGHT SECTION L/R Monitor Meters Each meter is a IO segment LED display which provide a visual indication of the source selected by the monitor select switches. Calibrated in 3dB steps from position indicating an output level of +4dBu (1.23~ RMS). EFX Returns 1,2,3,4 By use of the control marked LEVel these inputs can be used to bring signals from external effects devices back into the stereo mix.

  • Page 27: Master Section

    Section 3 Audio Owner Manual MASTER SECTION This BNC Connector will accept 12 volt D.C. goose neck lamps rated at 50mA to 150mA current consumption. Used to illuminate the mixer work area. Master power switch for +48 Volt PHANTOM POWER (for use with CONDENSER microphones).
  • Page 28 Section 3 Audio Owner Manual Monitor Select and Level This section selects the signal for the HEADPHONE OUTPUT on the front panel and the MONITOR OUTPUT on the rear panel. It also routes the selected signal to the LED Meters. If no switches are selected (and no PFL LED illuminated), this signal is the LEFT/RIGHT output of the console.

  • Page 29: Rear Panel Connectors

    By using the Post-fade/Pre-mute position and muting the channel to the Scepter L/R mix, each direct out can be treated as a 1 input mixer; the controls will function as indicated, but the signal will only be present at...
  • Page 30 Ohm for high level. Stereo Return 1,2 sources into the Scepter. The jack is wired for low level (-1OdBV) inputs; Tip being Left input and the Ring as right. Input impedance is 50k Ohm in stereo mode, dropping to 20k Ohm when the MONO switch is pressed(Tip & Ring inputs are mixed thru 1 Ok Ohm resistors with MONO).
  • Page 31 Section 4 Audio Owner Manual greater. The return impedance is 10k Ohm. L/R Bus In This l/4” unbalanced jack is used to inject signals into the Left & Right mix amps. Use this jack when stacking 2 mixers together. This allows the Slave mixer outputs to get to the Master mixer without tying up input channels or returns.

  • Page 32: Master Section

    Section 4 Audio Owner Manual MASTER SECTION CONNECTIONS Pin 1 Lift This recessed switch is used to disconnect Pin 1 from ground on the MONO output XLR connector. Used to eliminate ground loops when connecting up different pieces of equipment Use a pencil or other thin probe to activate the switch; Pin 1 is lifted when the switch is IN.
  • Page 33 Section 4 Audio Owner Manual jack to feed a mix to a Control room amp in a studio situation, or a performer mix for a keyboard player. Output level is variable, max output is +2ldBu into 600 Ohm or greater. Tip is Left, Ring is right. The Headphone jack on the front panel follows the same signal as this output but is designed to drive a pair of headphones (75 Ohm or greater).
  • Page 34 Allen & Heath is used. The Scepter is designed to allow. the user to lift the chassis from the audio ground. This is useful in rack mounting situations since the rack rails may be at a different potential than the audio ground.

  • Page 35: Access To Mixer Circuits

    Front panel to the Chassis. At this point the Handles screws are the only fasteners holding the Front panel Assembly to the Chassis. Support the Scepter on its front, but without using the handles for support. Use a foam block or similar item 2” or greater in height to clear the handles.
  • Page 36 Make sure that all pins on all Circuit cards are correctly inserted into the IDC sockets; it is easy to bend a pin or mistakenly shift over one pin when putting a socket on. When re-assembling the Scepter, follow the above steps in reverse order.

  • Page 37: Options Descriptions

    Audio Owner Manual USER CONFIGURED OPTIONS There are a number of User options available on the Scepter mixer. They are implemented with removable jumper links that the user can move to different combinations of header pins; no soldering is necessary. (except for the left and right Stereo Return options).
  • Page 38 Section 5 Audio Owner Manual Channel Aux Send Source Select Three choices are available for each of the four Auxiliary Sends. Aux A & B are set up as Monitor or Cue sends (Pre-EQ/Pre-Fader); Aux C & D are set as EFX sends (Post-Fader).
  • Page 39 Section 5 Audio Owner Manual The Pre-EQ source (1 of 3 selected above) can be set to follow the Channel Mute switch or to ignore it. It is normally set to follow the mute. If you desire the source to be active even when the channel is muted, configure the No Mute option. Pre-EQ source will mute with the Channel.

  • Page 40: Mono & Stereo Output

    Section 5 Audio Owner Manual Master Options The user can choose the sources for both the Balanced MONO out XLR connector and the STEREO OUT l/4” jack socket. These outputs are derived from some point in the main Left and Right audio path. The options are: Pre-Insert, Post- Normally both the Mono and Stereo outputs are set for Pre-Insert.
  • Page 41 Ext position. OPTIONS TABLE All the possible Scepter user options are listed in the table below with the factory defaults indicated with an X. Diagrams on the following pages show the Scepter circuit cards and where the various jumper links and default jumpers are located.
  • Page 42 This can lead to ground loops which may cause hum in a system. These ground loops can be eliminated in many casesby isolating the equipment audio ground from this metal rail. If you need to isolate the Scepter chassis then follow the procedure outlined below: The Scepter is also provided with Pin-l lifts on all its Balanced outputs.

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