8
Now that your system is installed you are ready to begin enjoying the convenience and flexibility of the MC-86 whole-house
audio control system.
When you first get started, it is a good idea to let everyone know which components are available and the Source Input
number to which each of those components has been assigned. Example:
Source Input 1: Component in Zone 1 (Michael’s MP3 player)
Source Input 2: Component in Zone 2 (Brandon’s CD player)
Source Input 3: Component in Zone 3 (Kimberly’s computer)
Source Input 4: Centralized Component (DVD Player)
Source Input 5: Component in Zone 5 (TV in game room)
Source Input 6: Centralized Component (Satellite Receiver)
Source Input 7: Centralized Component (CD Player)
Source Input 8: Open
Using the Keypad
The Keypad is designed to be user-friendly so that it is not intimidating and anyone can use it the first time.
Volume:
(two buttons) The top button increases volume and the bottom button decreases volume. The volume level
is displayed on the keypad with a range of 00 to 99. This wide range is designed to accommodate audio components
of varying fixed output levels. In most situations, volume can be heard from a setting of 40-99 with most of the volume
achieved from 60-92.
The output level from some sources may be significantly weaker than most. To accommodate for this, the gain from the
volume level between 92 and 99 increases exponentially. While this increased gain is helpful for weaker signals, it will
sometimes add audible distortion for more typical sources. For the cleanest sound, keep the volume level at 92 or below.
Source:
(two buttons) Use the top button to scroll up through the Source selection, i.e. 1, 2, . . . 8; use the bottom button to
scroll down through the Source selection, i.e. 8, 7 . . . 1.
Mute/Power:
Press this button to turn the keypad on. Once powered on, press the button to mute the speakers in that zone.
When muted, the keypad will display two horizontal lines. When a zone is muted, the speakers in that zone are still available
for the doorbell and paging. Press and hold this button for approximately 3 seconds to turn off power to the keypad. When
off, the speakers in that zone are not available for the doorbell and paging.
Page:
Press and hold this button down to override every zone. Speak with your mouth about 4” to 12” away from the
Keypad’s built-in microphone (labeled “mic”). Release the button to resume music listening. Note that if you experience
feedback (a high pitched squeal) in the zone in which you are paging from, you may need to turn the volume down in that
zone before paging.
Using the Remote Control
We provide a simple infrared remote control that has the same functionality (without the page feature) as the Keypad. The
one exception is separate Power and Mute buttons.
Using Your Own Remote Control
You may want to use your own universal or learning remote control to control the Keypad functions as well as the functions
of the centralized components. To do this, you will need to purchase at least one of our Remote Controls and then follow the
instructions provided with your learning remote control to teach it to control volume, source selection, power, and mute.
Using Hand-Held Audio Components with Variable Output
Mobile or hand-held audio components, such as an MP3 player or iPod
®
, can easily be connected to a Source Input Panel
using a patch cable with a 3.5mm (1/8”) stereo plug on one end and stereo RCA-type plugs on the other end. These devices
can also be connected directly to the 3.5mm (1/8”) input jack on the Keypad using a patch cable with a 3.5mm (1/8”) stereo
plug on both ends. The “output” on these devices is often the stereo headphone output jack. This output level is variable,
meaning the output level is controlled by the component’s volume control. It is usually best to set the volume on these
devices somewhere between half-way up and maximum when using them with the MC-86 system. However, in some cases
you will need to reduce this output level in order to prevent distortion (especially if operating on battery power).
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