Manual-
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Now it is knob twisting time! Power up the system in the
normal fashion, always turning on the power amplifiers last. It is
good practice to start at the head of the system, turning on any
sound sources and mixers first, equalization devices next, and
finally power amplifiers. Following this power-up sequence mini-
mizes the change of high gain stage turn-on transients finding
their way to the loudspeakers.
PE 17 CONNECTION
The PE 17 is compatible with all line-level (-10 dBV and +4
dBu) interfaces and products. However, you must amplify micro-
phones and other mic-level products before connecting them to
the PE 17.
The proper connection of this unit to a system is a relatively
simple matter, the specifics of which may vary greatly depending
on the application. Use a PE 17 anywhere line-level frequency
contouring is required. This includes live sound reinforcement
systems, recording studios, dance clubs, etc.
For live or recorded sound systems the most common loca-
tion to insert a parametric equalizer is immediately preceding the
active crossover or power amplifier. This provides the means to
correct loudspeaker deficiencies required in any system for high
quality reproduction. Many systems employ both a graphic and
parametric equalizer connected in series. The graphic finds use in
personal preference or program equalization, while the paramet-
ric helps with sources, loudspeaker compensation and feedback
control. In these situations, the order of placement is not critical,
however the PE 17 does feature servo cross-coupled balanced
Outputs which allows use in installations requiring very long
cable runs between the equalizers and the power amplifiers or
crossovers.
The ¼" TRS and XLR Input connectors are wired in parallel
and are actively balanced. These Inputs are provided primarily to
give the user a choice between two types of connectors.
They will
not function as a summing type of input for two different sources.
For further information on this subject, please consult the Rane-
Note, “Why Not Wye?,” available from the Rane website. The
two Inputs may be used in a daisy chain application where the
Input to the PE 17 also must feed another piece of equipment.
The Outputs of the PE 17 offer the same connector choice.
They also are wired in parallel and are actively balanced. How-
ever, both Outputs may be used simultaneously if desired.
All XLR connectors used by Rane are wired per the IEC/
ANSI/AES standard as follows: pin 2 positive, pin 3 negative
and pin 1 chassis ground. Unbalanced use of a PE 17 is not rec-
ommended. See the “Sound System Interconnection” RaneNote
included with this manual.
103051
©Rane Corporation 080 7th Ave. W., Mukilteo WA 9875-5098 USA TEL 5-55-6000 FAX 5-7-7757 WEB www.rane.com
Going from left-to-right along the front panel, make the fol-
lowing initial settings:
Slide both GAIN controls all the way to the top.
Slide both FILTER controls all the way to the bottom.
Set the five LEVEL controls to their center detents.
Disengage all (6) BYPASS pushbuttons (
out
, LEDs off).
Check that the POWER LED is lit.
With either a canned or live source applied, observe the OL
(OverLoad) light (located at the extreme left-hand side of the
front panel) for a few moments to see if it lights occasionally, or
all the time. If the OL light stays lit most of the time, then slide
both
sliders (grasp together) down just enough for the lights to
only light every so often. This is the proper setting for the best
signal-to-noise performance. Now you are ready to make some
adjustments.
PE 17s often find themselves in recording studios, but some
get used for room equalization. Details lie outside the scope of
this manual; however, a few words can’t hurt.
Experienced sound people almost always use some sort of
analyzer as an aid in setting equalization. Professional system
analysis tools are available that can discriminate between room
acoustics and system response. SIA Software Company, Inc.,
have developed tools, including SmaartLive and SIA Acoustic
Tools, that allow sound system measurement and acoustic analy-
sis. The software is designed for serious pro audio and acoustical
consultant engineers. For more information visit
www.siasoft.
com
. Once the system is tuned, lock the PE 17 behind a security
cover (available separately).
As a notch filter, the PE 17 works very well in increasing sys-
tem headroom by attenuating system peaks that create feedback
problems. The obvious goal in notching is to remove only the
problem areas and nothing else. With this in mind, it is always
a good idea to first try to notch out feedback with the BAND-
WIDTH controls set to their full counterclockwise positions.
The acoustic resonance points causing feedback are generally so
narrow that a filter bandwidth set at .03 octave easily cures the
problem. To chase down the feedback frequency, start with the
filter LEVEL control set to its full -15 dB position. With the BW
still set to minimum, tune the FREQ control until the feed-
back goes away. It shouldn’t take too much fine tuning to find
the center of the resonance. Once you have achieved stability,
advance the system level until feedback starts to reappear, then
back it down slightly. If a -15 dB cut won’t cure the problem, the
resonance is extreme and must be dealt with in other ways. For
example, move the speakers or the mics; hang some drapes; move
some walls; burn down the building—no, chill out. Rane makes
some other great parametrics such as the PEQ 55 and in the
RPM series that may solve some of your other system issues.
OCTAVE
dB
Hz
-15
12
-6
9
6
.03
100
2k
150
1k
0.3
2.0
1.8
-12
3
235 460
0.6
1.0
-3
OCTAVE
dB
Hz
-15
12
-6
9
6
.03
100
2k
150
1k
0.3
2.0
1.8
-12
3
235 460
0.6
1.0
-3
OCTAVE
dB
Hz
-15
12
-6
9
6
.03
100
2k
150
1k
0.3
2.0
1.8
-12
3
235 460
0.6
1.0
-3
OCTAVE
dB
Hz
-15
12
-6
9
6
.03
100
2k
150
1k
0.3
2.0
1.8
-12
3
235 460
0.6
1.0
-3
OCT.
dB
Hz
-15
12
-6
9
6
.03
100
2k
150
1k
0.3
2.0
1.8
3
235 460
0.6
1.0
-3
–12
0
0
–12
30k
40k
10k
5k
3k
20
10
35
80
180
250
EQUALIZER
PARAMETRIC
+12
+12
BYPASS
x1
x10
BYPASS
x0.1
OL
GAIN
1
POWER
CUT FILTERS
OUT
IN
LOW
HIGH
BANDWIDTH
LEVEL
FREQUENCY
x1
x10
x0.1
x1
x10
x0.1
x1
x10
x0.1
x1
x10
x0.1
BYPASS
2
BANDWIDTH
LEVEL
FREQUENCY
BYPASS
3
BANDWIDTH
LEVEL
FREQUENCY
BYPASS
4
BANDWIDTH
LEVEL
FREQUENCY
BYPASS
5
BANDWIDTH
LEVEL
FREQUENCY
PE 17
FREQ
FREQ
FREQ
FREQ
FREQ
