background image

26 

PA-CP

 User Guide 

The AMPLIFIERS 

 

Overview

   The two built-in power amplifiers are 

called Amp A and Amp B.  You decide how you 
want to use them.  Different combinations of the LR, 
FB1 and FB2 mixes can be selected according to 
your preferred system setup.  Each channel includes 
a 4-band semi-parametric equaliser for precise 
speaker/room frequency shaping.  The level controls 
let you match the console signals to the speaker 
volume you require.  A row of LED indicators display 
important information about the amplifier status. 

   

The philosophy

    Our  objective  was  to 

produce a powerful, good sounding amplifier in a 
compact package for the high end audio 
application.  The result is a third generation design 
benefiting from many refinements and lessons 
learned, and adding a few unique touches of our 
own.  There are none of the common frequency 
boosting tricks to try to sweeten the sound from low 
quality speakers.  Instead we chose to provide a 
perfectly flat, accurate response with genuine 
performance figures. 

  

The design

  uses a bipolar assisted MOSFET 

Class AB configuration producing a total of 1kW 
continuous music power into 4 or 8 ohms.  A heavy 
duty linear power supply ensures rock solid bass 
and full range clarity.  The amplifier is fully protected.  
Short circuit protection is provided with precision 
sharp knee current limit.  A built-in program 
dependent clip limiter monitors the output easing 
psu stress and preventing harmful overload. 

 

Temperature is controlled using a 3 speed twin fan 
thermal management system with cut out on 
overload.  The fans run slow on power up, medium 
speed when 35 degrees C is reached, fast speed at 
50 degrees, and thermal cut triggers at 85 degrees.  
The speakers are protected using relays which 
activate if a fault is sensed and have a two second 
switch-on delay and instant power off. 

   

Constant power

  Most amplifiers produce 

their maximum output into 4 ohms with considerably 
less into 8 ohms.  The unique 

PA Series

 CP system 

achieves its full rated 500W+500W into either 
impedance.  This is done using a rear panel slide 
switch which sets the power supply for maximum 
current (4 ohms) or maximum voltage (8 ohms).  

LEVEL

   Sets the input level to each channel of 

the amplifier.  Turn the control fully off when 
plugging up the equipment.  For normal operation 
turn it up to the position where it produces loudest 
volume required when the console meters are 
reading around ‘0’. 

SIGNAL METERS

      Each  channel  provides 

two meter indicators.  The green SIG indicator turns 
on when audio signal presence is detected.  The red 
LIM indicator turns on when the built-in limiter starts 
to work and the amplifier is producing close to its 
maximum output.  If LIM lights then back off the 
amplifier LEV control until it turns off. 

SPK OFF

   The yellow SPK OFF indicator on 

each amplifier channel lights when the speaker relay 
is turned off.  This happens during the power up 
delay, when the amplifier has been put into standby 
mode, or when a fault condition is detected. 

TMP

   The TMP indicator lights when the amplifier 

operating temperature reaches 50 degrees C and 
the cooling fans are running at fast speed.  It is quite 
normal for this to light when the amplifier is working 
hard. 

 

FB1

FB2

MAX

FB1

L

L  R

+

R

SIG

TMP

SPK

OFF

OFF

SPK

LIM

MIN

2k5

7k

2k5

5k

-10

1k5

7k

+10

10k

2k5

+10

20k

10k

MAX

LIM

SIG

MIN

1k5

-10

2k5

10k

+10

5k

20k

+10

1k

1k

200

500

-10

500Hz

120Hz

-10

500

2k

+10

70

100

30

+10

70

200

-10

20Hz

1k

500Hz

-10

1k

120Hz

-10

200

2k

+10

+10

200

100

20Hz

-10

30

FB2

R

+

L  R

FB1

L

FB1

SOURCE SELECT

LM

HM

HF

LF

LM

HM

HF

4 BAND EQUALISER

LF

A

B

A

B

LEV

LEV

TEMP

PROTECT

SIGNAL

LIMITER

PROTECT
SIGNAL
LIMITER

STANDBY

SPK A

SPK B

AMP A

AMP B

RELAY

SLAVE OUT

AMP IN

8 OHM

4 OHM

Summary of Contents for PA-CP Series

Page 1: ...USER GUIDE Publication AP4956 PA CP Series Powered Mixer...

Page 2: ...t development Allen Heath Limited Kernick Industrial Estate Penryn Cornwall TR10 9LU UK http www allen heath com Limited One Year Warranty This product is warranted to be free from defects in material...

Page 3: ...le away from any equipment which produces heat such as power supplies power amplifiers and heaters Environment Protect from excessive dirt dust heat and vibration when operating and storing Avoid toba...

Page 4: ...d service agents You can also access our Web site on the Internet for full company and product information To help us provide the most efficient service please keep a record of your console serial num...

Page 5: ...nel pan 17 Using the channel faders 17 Using PFL 17 Using the stereo channels 18 Mixing two stereo signals into the channel 18 Sending ST1 3 direct to LR 18 Using the stereo channel equaliser 19 Effec...

Page 6: ...useable speaker power so achieving the full 500W per side into 4 ohms or 8 ohms Full protection is provided including isolating relays short circuit and over current protection output sensing clip li...

Page 7: ...e effects External stereo effects input to sum with internal effects AB amplifiers with slave output and amplifier breakpoint inputs 2 Track input for monitor and BGM replay 2 Track recording with ana...

Page 8: ...ADER parametric output equaliser MAX 5k 5k O O 6 O O 6 O O O O 6 O O OO 6 6 6 15 15 15 6 O O O O 15 60Hz 15 60Hz 15 15 6 15 O O 6 MIN O O 6 10 O O 3 0 10 10 12kHz O O 12kHz O O 10 20 30 30 10 20 5 0 1...

Page 9: ...rs Do not use bridged operation Set the rear panel CONSTANT POWER slide switch to the correct position for the speakers used 5 Plug in a music source Plug a CD player or similar test source into the S...

Page 10: ...ater in this user guide The console can be rack mounted in either of two positions as described below 4 Rack Position 1 Shows the ears fitted for top of rack mounting The controls are angled upwards a...

Page 11: ...qualified electrician If the supply earthing is solid to start with you are less likely to experience problems Do not remove the earth connection from the console mains plug The console chassis is con...

Page 12: ...pment such as CD players and domestic amplifiers The Speakon connector type is used to feed the output of power amplifiers to the loudspeakers It can handle high power levels and can be locked into po...

Page 13: ...diagrams Plugging into the line input automatically overrides the mic input Do not use Y adaptors to combine stereo L and R signals such as those from a CD player into one input Use the stereo or two...

Page 14: ...t is 3dB down at its 100Hz cut off point and reduces the frequencies below that by 12dB every octave halving of frequency Using the filter The high pass filter is an invaluable tool for cleaning up th...

Page 15: ...he equaliser It is best to keep the adjustments made using the equaliser as small as possible Use the microphones best suited for the application and ensure they are positioned carefully for optimum p...

Page 16: ...used to add effects such as electronically simulated reverb or echo to the mix Turning up the FX control sends a portion of the channel signal to the internal effects unit where it is processed before...

Page 17: ...monitors and house mix Press PFL You should hear the signal in your headphones and see its level displayed on the console meters Adjust the gain control so that the meters read an average 0 with loude...

Page 18: ...channel Use a pen or similar pointed object to press the switch if you want to route the ST1 3 signal direct to the LR mix instead of the stereo channel Mixing two stereo signals into the channel Swit...

Page 19: ...uieten a hissy keyboard some LF and HF cut to shape a reverb return and LF to cut back low frequency hum or resonance On the other hand a small amount of HF boost can brighten up a dull recording or a...

Page 20: ...or stereo output is plugged into the EXT FX IN sockets GAIN matches it to the operating level of the channel The external signal sums with the internal effects and is routed through the FX fader to th...

Page 21: ...ternal effects only MUTE Press this switch to turn the FX channel signal off This affects both the internal and external effects signals The large red LED lights to warn that the channel is muted Note...

Page 22: ...cts Start with the channel FX sends turned fully off and the FX channel fader set to its normal 0 position Make sure that FX MUTE is not selected or the MIDI bypass turned on Choose one of the 16 effe...

Page 23: ...reo chorus for guitars and keyboards FLANGE Classic stereo flange effect ROTARY SPK Rotary speaker emulation for organs and guitars PHASER Stereo phasing effect MIDI A standard 5 pin MIDI IN socket is...

Page 24: ...ow then you are likely to hear the residual hiss and noise that is present in all electronic circuits If it is too high then there is a danger that it will try to exceed the maximum output and therefo...

Page 25: ...e or post LR faders It affects both the analogue and digital SPDIF outputs In its normal up position the source follows the fader movements When the switch is pressed the LR faders can be used as the...

Page 26: ...te if a fault is sensed and have a two second switch on delay and instant power off Constant power Most amplifiers produce their maximum output into 4 ohms with considerably less into 8 ohms The uniqu...

Page 27: ...hy the parametric output EQ You are probably familiar with the 7 or 9 band graphic EQ used on traditional powered mixers These have a similar bell shaped response but set at fixed frequency points The...

Page 28: ...of the connected equipment to match the normal 0dBu operating level of the console Impedance balanced outputs like differential electronic balanced drivers use a 3 wire connection and provide the bene...

Page 29: ...s the signal path after the mix stage and before the LR fader With nothing plugged in the signal is routed through the switching contact within the socket The connection is unbalanced with both the in...

Page 30: ...nbalanced inputs Operating level is 0dBu The output follows the panel AB source selection and EQ settings It does not break the signal path to the AB amplifiers AB AMP INPUT TRS inputs to plug externa...

Page 31: ...trange phasing effects due to frequency cancellation If you hear this then check the wiring of the amps cables and speaker connections Speaker Impedance Live sound speakers are typically 4 ohm or 8 oh...

Page 32: ...dent with moulded mains plug supplied AC mains 100 to 240V AC 50 60Hz internally wired Consumption 1600W max peak Mains fuse rating 100 240V AC T10A 250V 20mm A H part number AL3455 Manufacturer Schur...

Page 33: ...AKER A B Speakon pin1 speaker positive pin1 speaker negative Minimum 4 ohms Do not bridge or common the pins Insert Connections Type Level Channel LR Unbalanced TRS tip send ring return 0dBu GAIN LM H...

Page 34: ...You can now lift the panel away and place it inverted on the work surface 3 Unscrew the 6x 6B pan head front trim fixing screws shown in the diagram Take care to avoid damage to the faders The front t...

Page 35: ...15 60Hz 15 FB1 O O FB2 6 O O AUX O O 6 6 O O FB2 O O O O AUX 250Hz 250Hz 250Hz 250Hz 12kHz LINE 10 10 30 10 10 30 10 10 10 30 10 30 10 10 30 10 30 10 O 6 R PAN O O L PAN PK PK O O L PAN 6 O O R L PAN...

Page 36: ...36 PA CP User Guide Check out our Internet site http www allen heath com...

Reviews: