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Interconnection-1

Introduction

This note, originally written in 1985, continues to be one 

of our most useful references. It’s popularity stems from 

the continual and perpetual difficulty of hooking up audio 

equipment without suffering through all sorts of bizarre 

noises, hums, buzzes, whistles, etc.— not to mention the 

extreme financial, physical and psychological price. As tech-

nology progresses it is inevitable that electronic equipment 

and its wiring should be subject to constant improvement. 

Many things 

have

 improved in the audio industry since 

1985, but unfortunately wiring isn’t one of them. However, 

finally the Audio Engineering Society (AES) has issued a 

standards document for interconnection of pro audio equip-

ment. It is AES48, titled “

AES48-2005: AES standard on 

interconnections —Grounding and EMC practices — Shields 

of connectors in audio equipment containing active circuitry

.”

Rane’s policy is to accommodate rather than dictate. 

However, this document contains suggestions for external 

wiring changes that should ideally only be implemented by 

trained technical personnel. Safety regulations require that 

all original grounding means provided from the factory be 

left intact for safe operation. No guarantee of responsibility 

for incidental or consequential damages can be provided. 

(In 

other words, don’t modify cables, or try your own version of 

grounding unless you really understand exactly what type of 

output and input you have to connect.)

Rane Technical Staff

RaneNote 110

© 1985, 1995, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2015 Rane Corporation

Sound System 
Interconnection

•   Cause & prevention of ground loops

•   Interfacing balanced & unbalanced

•   Proper pin connections and wiring

•   Chassis ground vs. signal ground

•   Ground lift switches

RaneNote

SOUND SYSTEM INTERCONNECTION

Summary of Contents for MLM82S

Page 1: ...rtant Safety Instructions MLM82S Manual MLM82S Data Sheet Sound System Interconnection Warranty Declaration of Conformity 22356 10 0 2 4 8 6 10 0 2 4 8 6 10 0 2 4 8 6 10 0 2 4 8 6 10 0 2 4 8 6 10 0 2...

Page 2: ...he power cord is the AC mains disconnect device and must remain readily operable To completely disconnect this apparatus from the AC mains disconnect the power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle...

Page 3: ...r le courant alternatif AC et doit absolument rester accessible Pour d connecter totalement l appareil du secteur d branchez le c ble d alimentation de la prise secteur 16 Cet appareil doit tre branch...

Page 4: ......

Page 5: ...front panel Internal switches allow setting output signal levels for MIC or LINE The factory default setting is LINE If the MLM82S is connected directly to a power amplifier equalizer or recorder inpu...

Page 6: ...A and B Inputs for that channel have exactly the same level 6 OUTPUT OverLoad LED illuminates within 3 dB of an approaching overload condition To avoid this the associated OUT PUT LEVEL control may be...

Page 7: ...andle either balanced or unbalanced signals In most cases an unbalanced signal may use a mono plug Tip Sleeve See the Sound System Interconnection RaneNote included with this manual for proper connect...

Page 8: ...ue to clipping is occurring or imminent Check these conditions A The LEVEL control may be turned too high B The Output of the preceding device may need to be reduced C The Input may be switched to MIC...

Page 9: ...output signal to Mic level The factory default is Line level Features Four balanced Mic Line Inputs XLR with 15V Phantom Power Bi Color Signal Present Overload indicators Trimless Mic Stage Preamplif...

Page 10: ...Stereo Line Input Impedance 20k min Gain Range off to 12 1 dB Signal To Noise Ratio 90 typ dB Unity gain output 4 dBu 22 kHz BW Frequency Response 10 Hz 35 kHz 3 dB THD Noise 0 007 max 4 dBu at 1 kHz...

Page 11: ...TPUT A OUTPUT B LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL 40 dB PAD RFI FILTER RFI FILTER RFI FILTER RFI FILTER RFI FILTER RFI FILTER RFI FILTER RFI FILTER RFI FILTER RFI FILTER RFI FILTER RFI F...

Page 12: ...able for the B mix A and B mix outputs shall feature overload indicators independent A B level controls internally selected 40 dB pad for microphone level output and XLR output jacks Security features...

Page 13: ...onnections Grounding and EMC practices Shields of connectors in audio equipment containing active circuitry Rane s policy is to accommodate rather than dictate However this document contains suggestio...

Page 14: ...connect is not compat ible with unbalanced The small physical nature and short cable runs of completely unbalanced systems home audio also contain these ground loop noise currents However the currents...

Page 15: ...CTICE RECOMMENDED PRACTICE OPTIONAL CASE 1 2 3 3 1 2 CHASSIS GROUND SIGNAL GROUND CHASSIS GROUND CHASSIS GROUND The Next Best Right Way To Do It The quickest quietest and most foolproof method to con...

Page 16: ...ounded and therefore immune to ground loop hums and buzzes Ground lifts are simply another Band Aid to try in case of grounding problems It is true that an entire system of properly grounded equipment...

Page 17: ...guarantee that a hum free intercon nect can be achieved nor is there a definite scheme that will assure noise free operation in all configurations References 1 Neil A Muncy Noise Susceptibility in An...

Page 18: ...20 24 24 19 18 17 B B B B A A A A A A FEMALE BALANCED XLR NOT A TRANSFORMER NOR A CROSS COUPLED OUTPUT STAGE FEMALE BALANCED XLR EITHER A TRANSFORMER OR A CROSS COUPLED OUTPUT STAGE BALANCED TRS NOT A...

Page 19: ...RED SHIELD RED SHIELD SHIELD RED RED BLACK N C N C N C RED BLACK RED SHIELD N C BLACK RED BLACK RED 3 NC 2 RED 1 SHIELD 2 RED 1 SHIELD 3 BLACK 2 RED 1 NC 3 BLACK 2 RED 1 NC 3 BLACK 2 RED 1 SHIELD SHIE...

Page 20: ...3 BLACK 2 RED 1 SHIELD 3 BLACK 2 RED 1 SHIELD SHIELD BLACK SHIELD RED BLACK SHIELD RED BLACK RED SHIELD SHIELD BLACK RED SHIELD BLACK RED SHIELD BLACK RED SHIELD BLACK RED SHIELD BLACK RED SHIELD RED...

Page 21: ...ECTS IN MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP THE SPECIFIC PERIOD OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE THAT WHICH IS DESCRIBED TO THE ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASER BY THE AUTHORIZED RANE DEALER OR DISTRIBUTOR AT THE TIME...

Page 22: ...IN THE USA If the product is being sent to Rane for repair please call the factory for a Return Authorization number We recommend advance notice be given to the repair facility to avoid possible need...

Page 23: ...for compliance with the LV directive and EMC directive in the event that the equipment is modified without written consent of the manufacturer This declaration of conformity is issued under the sole r...

Page 24: ...LINE LINE 15V PHANTOM POWER MLM82S 5 B A 6 B A 7 B A 8 A B OUTPUTS 1 3 4 2 LINE INPUTS MIC LINE INPUTS BALANCED PIN 3 PIN 2 PIN 1 G CLASS 2 WIRING BALANCED PIN 3 PIN 2 PIN 1 G CLASS 2 WIRING 100 240...

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