Mackie FRS Manual Download Page 5

5

Owner’s Manual

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. 

Summary of Contents for FRS

Page 1: ...E AND THE RUNNING MAN FIGURE ARE TRADEMARKS OF LOUD TECHNOLOGIES INC CHANNEL 2 CHANNEL 1 BRIDGED BRIDGED CH 1 CH 2 CLIP LIMIT FILTER SUBSONIC 30Hz PIN 1 1 PIN 1 2 1 1 PIN 2 2 PIN 1 1 FAST RECOVERY POWER AMPLIFIER WARNING TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE DO NOT REMOVE COVER NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PER...

Page 2: ... or relocate the receiving antenna Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help CAUTION Changes or modifications to this device not expressly approved by LOUD Technologies Inc could void the user s authority to ...

Page 3: ...www mackie comandclickSupporttofind FAQs manuals addendums anduserforums Emailusat techmail mackie com Telephone1 800 898 3211tospeakwithoneofoursplendid technicalsupportrepresentatives MondaythroughFriday from7a m to5p m PST 22 Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hearing loss Individuals vary considerably in susceptibility to noise induced hearing loss but nearly everyone ...

Page 4: ...transport ing FEATURES Professional lightweight power amplifier with high power low distortion design Fast Recovery circuitry for clean undistorted sound even at clipping Ultra light switching power supply for maxi mum efficiency and minimal heat Available in three powerful models with continuous power 4 ohms bridged of FRS 1300 1300 W FRS 1700 1660 W FRS 2800 2800 W Selectable dual mono stereo or...

Page 5: ...ables 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...

Page 6: ...EFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL AVIS RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR SPEAKER OUTPUTS Use only class 3 wiring FROM MIXING CONSOLE MONO OUT AMP MODE SWITCH MONO CH 1AND CH 2 PLAY THE SAME TO SPEAKERS OPTIONAL CONNECTION USING BINDING POSTS Passive loudspeakers Mackie S215 Confused cat Passive loudspeakers Mackie S215 In MONO mode both gain controls are used to acheive a nice balance OL...

Page 7: ... FIGURE ARE TRADEMARKS OF LOUD TECHNOLOGIES INC CHANNEL 2 CHANNEL 1 BRIDGED BRIDGED CH 1 CH 2 CLIP LIMIT FILTER SUBSONIC 30Hz PIN 1 1 PIN 1 2 1 1 PIN 2 2 PIN 1 1 FAST RECOVERY POWER AMPLIFIER WARNING TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE DO NOT REMOVE COVER NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL AVIS RISQUE DE...

Page 8: ...output power by 3 dB 6 dB 9 dB and 20 dB SIG is short for signal present These LEDs indicate when a signal is present after the level controls at the output stage of the power amplifier If the level controls are turned all the way down fully counterclockwise these indicators will not light 4 LEVELCONTROLS These two knobs control the levels of channels 1 and 2 The knobs are detented to make it easy...

Page 9: ...s Normally you would use either the binding posts or the Speakon connectors Since the connectors are wired in parallel e g channel 1 binding post and Speakon are in parallel and channel 2 binding post and Speakon are in parallel you can connect a speaker to each con nector as long as the total impedance per channel is not less than two ohms Two 8 ohm speakers in parallel equals 4 ohms Two 4 ohm sp...

Page 10: ... this switch on at all times However if you are working at quiet levels or you have already placed a compressor limiter in the signal path you can leave this switch off The limiter senses when the amplifier is about to be overdriven and attenuates the overall level just enough to keep the signal from clipping Clipping occurs when the output voltage no longer linearly follows the input voltage As t...

Page 11: ... If the amplifier should overheat a thermal switch turns off the power amplifier allowing the heatsink to cool down Once the amplifier has cooled to a safe operating temperature the thermal switch resets and reactivates the amplifier If this should occur identify the cause of the problem and take corrective action For example Provide better ventilation Install a fan in the rack to move more air Ma...

Page 12: ...er serviceable See next page about service If you think your Mackie product has a problem please check out the following troubleshooting tips and do your best to confirm the problem Visit the Support section of our website www mackie com support where you will find lots of useful information such as FAQs documentation and user forums You may find the answer to the problem without having to send yo...

Page 13: ...sure the signal cable is not routed near AC cables power transformers or other EMI inducing devices Is there a light dimmer or other SCR based device on the same AC circuit as the amplifier Use an AC line filter or plug the amplifier into a different AC circuit If possible listen to the signal source with headphones plugged into the console If it sounds noisy there the problem is not in the amplif...

Page 14: ... will result in higher power losses 2 2 3 1 1 SHIELD COLD HOT SHIELD COLD HOT 3 SHIELD COLD HOT 3 2 1 SLEEVE TIP SLEEVE TIP RING RING TIP SLEEVE RING SLEEVE TIP TIP SLEEVE TIP SLEEVE Minimum AWG 4 ohm 8 ohm 18 10 ft 25 ft 16 25 50 14 25 75 12 50 125 10 100 200 Min Metric WG 4 ohm 8 ohm 12 3 m 8 m 14 8 15 16 8 25 20 15 40 25 30 60 COLD HOT 1 1 1 1 2 2 Use a high quality 3 conductor shielded cable t...

Page 15: ...t Doing load calculations with series configurations is easy just add the loads For instance two 4 ohm speakers in series equals 8 ohms 4 4 8 Parallel Parallel means that the positive amp output con nects to the positive terminals of all the speakers and the negative amp output connects to the negative terminals of all the speakers If one speaker opens in a parallel configuration the others will s...

Page 16: ...right to change these specifications at any time without notice Mackie and the Running Man are registered trademarks of LOUD Technologies Inc All other brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective hold ers and are hereby acknowledged 2007 2008 LOUD Technologies Inc All Rights Reserved Specifications Continuous Sine Wave Average Output Power per channel both cha...

Page 17: ...TER BRIDGE STEREO MONO BRIDGE SUBSONIC FILTER ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON HVDC POWER AMP 1 POWER AMP 2 PROTECTION DC OFFSET OVER TEMP SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT LIMIT AMPLIFIER LVDC LVDC HVDC HVDC LVDC LVDC HVDC METER DISPLAY OFF CHANNEL 1 SPEAKER OUT BRIDGED SPEAKER OUT CHANNEL 2 SPEAKER OUT 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 TEMP SENSOR ON HEATSINK FAN VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL VDC POWER SWITCH SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY HVDC LVD...

Page 18: ...ding to the WEEE Directive 2002 96 EC and your national law This product should be handed over to an authorized collection site for recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment EEE Improper handling of this type of waste could have a possible negative impact on the environment and human health due to potentially hazardous sub stances that are generally associated with EEE At the same time y...

Page 19: ...rn ground shipment is covered for those units deemed by us to be under warranty Note You must have a sales receipt from an authorized Mackie dealer for your unit to be considered for warranty repair IMPORTANT Make sure that the Service Request Number is plainly written on the shipping carton No receipt no warranty service E LOUD Technologies reserves the right to inspect any products that may be t...

Page 20: ... Road NE Woodinville WA 98072 USA United States and Canada 800 898 3211 Europe Asia Central and South America 425 487 4333 Middle East and Africa 31 20 654 4000 Fax 425 487 4337 www mackie com E mail sales mackie com ...

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