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Manual-6

SOUND SYSTEM INTERCONNECTION

properly, connecting both ends of the shield is not often
practiced, since doing so can create noisy interconnections.

A common solution to these noisy hum and buzz problems

involves disconnecting one end of the shield, even though one
can not buy off-the-shelf cables with the shield disconnected
at one end. The best end to disconnect is a matter of personal
preference and should be religiously obeyed; choose inputs or
outputs and always lift the side you choose (our drawings
happen to disconnect the outputs). If one end of the shield is
disconnected, the noisy hum current stops flowing and away
goes the hum — but only at low frequencies. A one-end-only
shield connection increases the possibility of high frequency
(radio) interference since the shield may act as an antenna.
Many reduce this potential RF interference by providing an
RF path through a small capacitor (0.1 or 0.01 microfarad
ceramic disc) connected from the lifted end of the shield to
the chassis. The fact that many modern day installers still
follow this one-end-only rule with consistent success indi-
cates this and other acceptable solutions to RF issues exist,
though the increasing use of digital and wireless technology
greatly increases the possibility of future RF problems.

See the following page for suggested cable assemblies for

your particular interconnection needs. Find the appropriate
output configuration from either your mixer output or the MQ
302 output (down the left side), and then match this with the
correct balanced or unbalanced input to the MQ 302 or the
amplifer (down the right side.) An “off-the-shelf” cable may
be available or modifiable. Soldering should only be at-
tempted by those trained in the art.

SUMMARY

If you are unable to do things correctly (i.e. use fully

balanced wiring with shields tied to the 

chassis

 at the point of

entry, or transformer isolate all unbalanced signals from
balanced signals) then there is no guarantee that a hum free
interconnect can be achieved, nor is there a definite scheme
that will assure noise free operation in all configurations.

WINNING THE WIRING WARS

•   Use balanced connections whenever possible.
•   Transformer isolate all unbalanced connections from

balanced connections.

•   Use special cable assemblies when unbalanced lines cannot

be transformer isolated.

•   Any unbalanced cable must be kept under ten feet (three

meters) in length. Lengths longer than this will amplify
the nasty side effects of unbalanced circuitry's ground
loops.

This information was condensed from Rane Note 110,

“Sound System Interconnection”. If you would like the
complete note, call or email the factory, download it from
Rane's web site (

http://www.rane.com

) , or ask your dealer for

a copy.

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.)

THE ABSOLUTE BEST RIGHT WAY TO DO IT

Use balanced lines and 

tie the cable shield to the metal

chassis (right where it enters the chassis) at both ends of the
cable

.

A balanced line requires three separate conductors, two of

which are signal (+ and –) and one shield. The shield serves
to guard the sensitive audio lines from interference. Only by
using balanced line interconnects can you 

guarantee 

(yes,

guarantee

) hum-free results. Always use twisted pair cable.

Chassis tying the shield at each end also 

guarantees

 the best

possible protection from RFI [radio frequency interference]
and other noises [neon signs, lighting dimmers].

THE NEXT BEST RIGHT WAY TO DO IT

The quickest, quietest and most foolproof method to

connect balanced and unbalanced is to 

transformer isolate

all unbalanced connections

. Your audio dealer can recom-

mend such a transformer.

The goal of transformer adaptors is to allow the use of

standard cables.

 With these transformer isolation boxes,

modification of cable assemblies is unnecessary. Virtually
any two pieces of audio equipment can be successfully
interfaced without risk of unwanted hum and noise.

Another way to create the necessary isolation is to use a

direct box.

 Originally named for its use to convert the high

impedance, high level output of an electric guitar to the low
impedance, low level input of a recording console, it allowed
the player to plug “directly” into the console. Now this term is
commonly used to describe any box used to convert unbal-
anced lines to balanced lines.

THE LAST BEST RIGHT WAY TO DO IT

If transformer isolation is not an option, special cable

assemblies are a last resort.

 The key here is to prevent the

shield currents from flowing into a unit whose grounding
scheme creates ground loops (hum) in the audio path (i.e.,
most audio equipment). Do not be tempted to use 3-prong to
2-prong “cheater” adapters to lift grounds. This is a danger-
ous and illegal practice.

It is true that connecting both ends of the shield is theo-

retically the best way to interconnect equipment – though this
assumes the interconnected equipment is internally grounded
properly. Since most equipment is 

not

 internally grounded

Содержание MQ 302S

Страница 1: ... INPUT LEVEL to its center detent 0 dB Try to make more cuts than boosts After equalizing use the EQ switch to compare equalized and non equalized signal While EQ is switched to ACTIVE out adjust the INPUT LEVEL to the same level as when EQ is switched to BYPASS in You may use either the XLR or connectors for Inputs or Outputs Connect only one INPUT type per channel The XLR and TRS inputs do not s...

Страница 2: ... and AES ANSI standards XLR wiring convention is pin 2 Positive hot pin 3 Negative cold and pin 1 Signal ground for unbalanced use Pin 1 and the connector case or shell are tied to chassis ground INPUT LEVEL control and indicators This controls the overall level 0 dB gain is reached at the center detent with all sliders centered at their 0 dB detents Set the INPUT LEVEL to give equal volumes with ...

Страница 3: ...d TS jacks Using both types of Outputs are permissible to drive two devices such as an amplifier and a recorder LEFT RIGHT INPUTS Choose between the balanced XLR or the balanced unbalanced TRS jacks but only use one Inserting a TS jack will work however always use balanced lines especially when connecting cables over 10 feet in length Consult SOUND SYTEM INTERCONNECTION on page Manual 6 ...

Страница 4: ...wer amps as this may create noise problems The MQ 302S operates at unity gain with the INPUT LEVEL control at the 0 dB center detent when sliders average to center 0 dB You can test this with the EQ BYPASS switch adjust the INPUT LEVEL control so that volume does not change when switching between ACTIVE and BYPASS For more information read RaneNote 135 Setting Sound System Level Controls available...

Страница 5: ...don t have good taste people do Analyzers consistently and accurately tell it like it is but ultimately personal judgment determines what sounds good or appropriate In fact final optimum EQ settings made after analyzer testing will vary greatly depend ing on the type of music sound pressure level size of the venue and disposition of the audience Conclusion To consistently obtain the best sound fro...

Страница 6: ...all or email the factory download it from Rane s web site http www rane com or ask your dealer for a copy 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 intac...

Страница 7: ...Manual 7 VARIOUS XLR CABLE ASSEMBLIES ...

Страница 8: ...erm downward expander describes this type of applica tion ground Any electrical reference point for measuring voltage levels Usually a large conducting body such as the earth or an electric circuit connected to the earth Chassis should always be at earth potential WARNING SHOCK HAZARD Never use an AC line cord ground lift adapter or cut off the 3rd pin It is illegal and dangerous headroom The leve...

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