MSX 32 Owner's Manual v 3.0 CE ©2010 ARX®
MSX 32 Owner's Manual v 3.0 CE ©2010 ARX®
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Introduction
Thank you for choosing this MSX 32 Active Microphone/Line Splitter. As with all ARX
equipment, it has undergone extensive factory calibration and ‘burn in’ before shipping. To
ensure continued trouble free use, please familiarise yourself with the contents of this manual
before using the MSX 32.
About the MSX 32
Active microphone and line signal splitting has a number of benefits over using passive
splitters. Primarily these are: improved sound quality, noise figures comparable to the best
microphone inputs, and increased resistance to RFI.
With these benefits in mind, the ARX MSX 32 Active Microphone/Line Splitter has been
developed to deliver the performance required by the increasing complexity of today’s
standards of audio production.
The MSX 32 consists of eight channels of actively buffered ultra low noise Microphone/Line
Splitter. Each of these channels has four electronically Balanced splits – two outputs on the
rear panel for Main and Monitor, plus two more output splits on the front panel. All splits have
the option of transformer balancing if so specified.
Each channel has a –20 dB pad switch plus silently switchable 48V Phantom power with
indicator LED. A PFL switch and 6 LED metering enables each channel to be easily checked
with headphones for signal monitoring, and also for line tracing when system troubleshooting.
Gain through the MSX 32 can be set individually by the small DIP switches on the rear of each
channel, from 0dB through to +40 dB in 10 dB steps
A ‘Link’ switch links each channel to the one on its left, providing an ultimate maximum of 32
Outputs from a single input. An indicator LED shows when this is active. A Clip LED indicates
imminent signal overload through the channel.
A numbered marker panel on the front provides a space where individual channel connections
can be noted.
Internally, powerful RF input filtering removes both common mode and differential interference
at ultrasonic frequencies and above. High CMRR is achieved by the use of precision compo-
nents throughout.
Advanced user options include internally jumper linking Inputs to Main outputs, and Ground
lifting Output Pins 1 as required.
The MSX 32’s uses an internal toroidal transformer based power supply to get the maximum
benefit from the ultra low noise design of the splitter circuitry.
An illuminated power switch on the front panel provides visual confirmation of AC power
connection to the unit.
The headphone output and the 6 LED PFL metering are both mounted on the right hand side
of the front panel. Rear panel connectors enable this function to be linked when using multiple
MSX 32 units.
To sum up, this feature packed two RU device is the answer wherever transparent signal
buffering and routing is required.
IMPORTANT
Check that the AC Power at the wall is in the same voltage range as that printed on the fuse
holder doors, before connecting the MSX 32 to the AC supply. See Page 2 for further details.
Connecting the MSX 32
The original signal from the microphone is connected into the Input connector on the rear
panel of the chosen channel. From there it can go any or all of the following:
1: To the main Front of House console out of the Main connector on the rear panel
2: To the Monitor console (or a second Main console) out of the Monitor connector on the rear
panel
3: To either of the two front panel splits, for connection to remote trucks, OB vans, recording
feeds, press feeds, etc. In normally supplied configuration these two splits are electroni-
cally balanced, identical to the Main and Monitor feeds. However, they can be optionally
fitted with isolating transformers where complete signal isolation is required.
48V Phantom power can be switched to the mic input from the front panel, and the channel
Pad can be switched in to cope with ultra hot signals. Overall Channel Gain is controlled by
each channel’s DIP switch on the rear panel. All switches Off (down) equals a Gain of 0dB.
Only push up the switch of the Gain setting you require. i.e. for a channel Gain of 20dB you
would push up switch #2 only.
If more splits from a single microphone are required, eg. for use as a Press Box, then each
channel can be linked to its predecessor by pushing in the Link switch on the front panel. The
signal from the original channel will then appear at all outputs of the channels that have been linked.
Pressing any PFL switch will cause the audio from that channel to appear at the Headphone
socket, and will also show up on the PFL LED metering immediately below the Headphone
socket. The PFL In and Out XLR connectors on the rear panel can link the PFL busses when
multiple MSX 32 units are being used.
MSX 32 Options
Either just the front panel splits or all splits are available with isolating transformer balanced
outputs if required. Ideally these should be installed at the time of ordering the unit(s), but they
are available as a retrofittable kit. Contact ARX directly or the dealer at your point of sale for
further information on obtaining a tranformer balancing kit. The kit comes with complete details
on the installation, testing and ground lift wiring of the transformers.
Note:
This retrofitting involves opening the case of the MSX 32, so should only be done by a
qualified technician.
MSX 32
Electronically Balanced All Outputs
MSX 32 T/S
Electronically Balanced Main and Monitor Outputs,
Transformer Balanced Outputs Splits 1 and 2
MSX 32 T/ALL Transformer Balanced All Outputs
Channel Gain setting
with DIP switches
