OPERATING / SERVICE MANUAL
FPS 28
QUICK START
This section has been provided as a convenience for those without enough patience to read the
entire manual. If you are experienced with this unit or other Rane Flex modules, these few words
should help refresh your memory.
Inputs may be mic or line level. The choice between the two is made by setting the pushbuttons
on the rear of the unit near each input. Balanced inputs use pin 2 as hot, pin 3 as return and case
as shield ground. Unbalanced inputs should be connected to pin 2 for hot and pin 1, signal
ground, for return. The 1/4" expand outputs are to be used for daisy-chaining the inputs to
another destination. These are tip ring sleeve connectors where the tip is hot, ring is return and
sleeve is ground. Alternatively these may be used as inputs.
The outputs are 1/4" tip ring sleeve jacks where the tip is A output, ring is B output and sleeve is
ground. Signal for these outputs may be sourced either before or after the
A
and
B MASTER
level controls. The switches which determine this are located within the confines of the unit’s
covers. All FPS 28s are shipped from the factory with the switches in the
POST
fader position.
Once inputs and outputs are satisfactorily connected, set the input gains as high as possible
without causing the A and B overload indicators to illuminate steadily with very high input levels.
If 1 x 8 splitter operation is required, only one input is used and the
STEREO / MONO
switch should
be in the
MONO
position. If 1 x 4 stereo operation is chosen the switch should be in the opposite
position.
NEVER CONNECT ANYTHING EXCEPT AN APPROVED RANE POWER SUPPLY TO
THE RED THING THAT LOOKS LIKE A TELEPHONE JACK ON THE REAR OF THE FPS
28. This is an AC input and requires special attention if you do not have a power supply EXACT-
LY like the one that was originally packed with your unit. See the full explanation of the power
supply requirements elsewhere in this manual.
S Y S T E M C O N N E C T I O N
When connecting the FPS 28 to other components in your system for the first time, LEAVE
THE POWER SUPPLY FOR LAST. This gives you a chance to make mistakes and correct them
without damage to your fragile speakers, ears and nerves.
INPUTS. The two inputs on the FPS 28 are balanced. They may also be used in an unbalanced
configuration. Use only shielded cable for inputs. This wire should always be two-conductor plus
shield, even for unbalanced operation. Balanced inputs should be connected to both the “+” pin
2 and “–” pin 3 for signal hot and return. The shield should be tied to case ground. A neutral “pin
1” ground is not necessary (except when using phantom power). For unbalanced use, connect the
hot side of the input cable to pin 2 and signal return to pin 1. It is never necessary on any Rane
Flex module to ground the pin 3 input in the unbalanced mode. It won’t, however, hurt anything if
you do. If the input is coming from another piece of equipment in the signal path, connect the
shield only at the receiving end to help prevent ground induced hum. If a microphone is being
connected to the unit, the shield may be connected to the case of the mic as well as to the ground
terminal on the unit.
OUTPUTS. The FPS 28’s outputs are unbalanced. Channel A is present on the tip of these jacks,
channel B is the ring. Use two conductor shielded cable for this purpose with the shield con-
nected to the sleeve.
Shield must be connected on both ends of the cable.
