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TECHNICAL INFORMATION 

10

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PreSonus 2007

 

 

3.1  MICROPHONES 

The DigiMax 96K works with all standard microphones including dynamic, ribbon and condenser microphones.  
 

3.1.1  Condenser 

Condenser microphones tend to generate a high-quality audio signal and are one of the most popular mic 
choices for today’s studio recording applications.  Because of their design technology, condenser microphones 
require a power source, which can be provided from a small battery, external power supply or from 
microphone inputs as 

phantom power.  The DigiMax 96K sends phantom power over XLR inputs only. 

 

3.1.2  Dynamic 

Dynamic microphones are possibly the most widely used microphone type – especially in live shows and when 
recording loud source signals such as guitar amplifiers and kick drums.  They are usually less expensive than 
condenser and ribbon microphones, resistant to physical damage and typically handle high sound pressure 
levels (SPL) very well.  Unlike condenser microphones, dynamic microphones do not require a power source.  
In the vast majority of cases, phantom power will have no effect on a dynamic microphone’s audio quality or 
sensitivity and will not damage the microphone.  You should consult your microphone’s documentation to 
confirm. 
 
Dynamic microphones, especially ribbon microphones, tend to generate low output voltages, so they typically 
need more preamp gain than a condenser microphone. 
 

Ribbon 

 
Ribbon microphones are a special type of dynamic microphone and get their name from the thin metal ribbon 
used in their design.  Ribbon microphones have very high quality sound reproduction qualities – especially 
higher frequencies sounds.  However, they are very fragile and typically cannot handle high SPL’s. 
 
The most important thing to note about Ribbon microphones is that nearly all Ribbon Microphones do not 
require phantom power.  PLEASE NOTE: 

unless a Ribbon microphone calls 

specifically

 for phantom power, 

sending phantom power to a ribbon microphone will severely damage it – usually beyond repair.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regardless of the microphone type you are using, we recommend reading your microphone’s user’s manual 
thoroughly before engaging phantom power or if any other usage questions may arise. 

Summary of Contents for DIGIMAX 96 K - V 2.0

Page 1: ...DIGIMAX 96K 2007 PreSonus Audio Electronics Inc All Rights Reserved 8 Channel Preamplifier with Dual Domain Limiters and Digital Outputs User s Manual Version 2 0...

Page 2: ...t at any time without prior notice This warranty does not cover claims for damage due to abuse neglect alteration or attempted repair by unauthorized personnel and is limited to failures arising durin...

Page 3: ...tical Lightpipe 11 3 2 2 BNC Sync 11 3 2 3 Master Slave and Multiple Digital Devices 11 3 2 4 Setting up your DAW Software 12 3 3 A Brief Tutorial on Dynamics Processing 13 3 3 1 Common Questions Rega...

Page 4: ......

Page 5: ...ny questions or comments you may have regarding your PreSonus DigiMax 96K PreSonus Audio Electronics is committed to constant product improvement and we value your suggestions highly We believe the be...

Page 6: ...x 96k is electronically balanced and features phase reverse on the first two channels as well as a 20dB pad and selectable 48v phantom power on each channel A unique feature is EQ Enhance which contou...

Page 7: ...ERVIEW 5 PreSonus 2007 1 3 WHAT IS IN THE BOX Your DigiMax 96K package contains the following DigiMax 96K Eight channel microphone preamplifier Custom built external power supply PreSonus Warranty Car...

Page 8: ...the selected Channel s signal by 180 The button will illuminate indicating that the phase inversion is in operation The Phase Inversion button can be used to correct audio signals that are out of pha...

Page 9: ...level without clipping engage the 20 dB pad o Limit The yellow LEDs will light up when a signal reaches or exceeds the threshold level of the Limiter The threshold determines the point at which the li...

Page 10: ...r wiring for Phantom Power Pin 1 GND Pin 2 48V Pin 3 48V o 52dB Headroom The DigiMax 96K microphone preamplifier has 52 dB headroom This feature gives you wide dynamic range and excellent transient re...

Page 11: ...e S PDIF breakout cable requires reconfiguring the jumpers on the output card of the DigiMax 96k While this is a very simple procedure care must always be taken when opening the chassis of your DigiMa...

Page 12: ...equire a power source In the vast majority of cases phantom power will have no effect on a dynamic microphone s audio quality or sensitivity and will not damage the microphone You should consult your...

Page 13: ...C cables used to deliver dedicated word clock in many quality studios and broadcast facilities worldwide BNC cables are rugged lock into position and can carry clock signals much farther than the stan...

Page 14: ...ne purpose only to be a Master clock Word clock generators usually have one BNC word clock input and multiple BNC word clock outputs sometimes TDIF S PDIF or ADAT outputs as well to make them compatib...

Page 15: ...erformance with an average dynamic range of 20dB You wish to add an un compressed vocal to the mix The average dynamic range of an uncompressed vocal is around 40dB In other words a vocal performance...

Page 16: ...en the loudest level and the softest level The peak signal can cause overload in the audio recording or reproduction chain resulting in signal distortion A compressor limiter is a type of amplifier in...

Page 17: ...before transmitting the audio signal This is commonly referred to as companding or COMPression followed by expANDING By far the most common use of expansion is downward expansion In contrast to compre...

Page 18: ...signal will be limited to an output of 0dB regardless of the level of the input signal Attack Attack sets the speed at which the compressor acts on the input signal A slow attack time fully clockwise...

Page 19: ...et by the range control If the threshold is set fully counter clockwise the gate is turned off always open allowing all signals to pass through unaffected Attack The gate attack time sets the rate at...

Page 20: ...in a BNC word clock cable from the Digi 003 BNC word clock output to the BNC input of the DigiMax 96K 3 Push the clock button on the DigiMax 96K three times until the yellow external LED is lit Please...

Page 21: ...DigiMax 96K with the FireStudio Lightpipe The DigiMax 96K is a great high quality solution to expand your FireStudio LightPipe for live or mobile recordings where a large number of simultaneous input...

Page 22: ...e 51 Panel Controls Gain 0 dB to 40 dB Limiter 0 dB to Off Phase Reverse Channels 1 2 only 0 180 Pad 20 dB Meters Signal Present 20 dBu Clip 22 dBu Limit Active Digital Audio Type ADAT AES EBU 4 pair...

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