Getting Started - Mackie FRS-1300 Owner's Manual

Getting Started

The following steps will help you set up your
amplifier, and get the levels just right.
Settings:
1. Be sure the amplifier's power switch is off.
2. Turn down both level controls.
3. On the rear panel, set the subsonic filter switch
off and the clip limit switch on.
4. Determine which amp mode is best for your
application:
Stereo mode is the typical setup for amplify-
ing stereo signals. Input 1 is routed to channel
1 output, and input 2 is routed to channel 2
output.
Mono mode is used for sending a mono signal
to both outputs, with separately adjustable
level controls. Input 1 is used in mono mode
(leave input 2 disconnected).
Bridge mode uses both amplifier channels to
power one speaker (or set of speakers). Input
1 is used in bridge mode (leave input 2 discon-
nected and its level control turned down).
Note: 4 ohms is the minimum speaker
impedance you should connect to the
amplifier in bridge mode.
5. Set the amp mode switch according to your ap-
plication and delicate sensibilities.
Connections:
1. Using balanced cables, make connections from
your mixer (or other signal source) main out to
your amplifier's inputs.
2. In stereo mode, connect the cables from your
signal source to the amplifier's combo input
jacks, either XLR or 1/4" TRS. The XLR and TRS
inputs for each channel are wired in parallel.
• The balanced XLR inputs are wired as follows:
Pin 1 = shield (ground)
Pin 2 = hot (+)
Pin 3 = cold (–)
• The 1/4" TRS inputs are wired as follows:
Tip = hot (+)
Ring = cold (–)
Sleeve = shield (ground)
3. In mono mode and bridge mode, connect one
cable from the input source to input 1, and con-
nect nothing to input 2.
4. In stereo and mono modes, connect speaker
cables to the speaker outputs, either the bind-
ing posts or the Speakon connectors.
• The binding post connectors are wired as fol-
lows:
Red = hot (+ speaker terminal)
Black = cold (– speaker terminal)
• The speakon connectors are wired as follows:
1+ = hot (+ speaker terminal)
1– = cold (– speaker terminal).
5. In bridge mode, if using the binding post out-
puts:
Ch 1 red post = hot (+ speaker terminal)
Ch 2 red post = cold (– speaker terminal)
Do not use the black terminals.
If using a speakon, connect it to the center
bridged speakon connector. This is wired as fol-
lows:
1+ = hot (+ speaker terminal)
2+ = cold (– speaker terminal)
6. Plug all the sound system components into suit-
able AC outlets, properly grounded and capable
of delivering adequate current.
7. Make sure your signal source is powered up and
delivering signal to the amplifier.
8. Turn the power amplifier's switch on. Verify that
the power LED lights.
9. Slowly turn up both level controls on the ampli-
fier. You should hear music and see the meters
and sig LEDs flashing. If the OL (overload)
LEDs are flashing, turn down either the level
controls on the amp or the source signal's out-
put level controls (i.e., master faders), until the
OL LEDs either blink occasionally or not at all.
10. For quieter listening, it is preferable to adjust
the amp's level controls rather than the source
signal's output level (unless you have the
source's control all the way up!).
Things to remember:
• Never plug amplifier outputs into anything
except speakers (unless you have an outboard
box specifically designed to handle speaker-
level signals). Pumpkins are right out.
• Before making connections to an amp or recon-
figuring an amp's routing, turn the amp's level
controls down, turn the power off, make the
changes, turn the power back on, and then turn
the level controls back up.
• If you shut down your equipment, turn off the
amplifiers first. When powering up, turn on the
amplifiers last.
Owner's Manual
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