(e.g., the A 5360 is connected directly between an audio source and the mixer input, or the A 5360 is connected to mixer
inserts that are “pre-fader”), you can boost or cut the input level by adjusting the source’s volume control (e.g., a
synthesizer’s volume control) and boost the track’s output level using the A 5360’s OUTPUT GAIN control or the mixer’s
volume fader (the latter here is great for track fade-outs). However, if the A 5360 is connected to “post fader” mixer inserts,
adjusting the mixer’s volume fader changes the input level and the amount of compression. If you would rather have this
volume fader control output, we suggest that you set up the compressor directly between the source and the mixer
channel’s input. This way, you can use the instrument’s volume control to define the input level and amount of
compression and the mixer’s volume fader to change only the overall volume of the track.
Musical Instruments (e.g., Electric Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Electric-Acoustic
Instruments)
The output of an electric guitar is sometimes not “hot” enough to drive the A 5360’s INPUT. When this is the case,
switch the rear panel +4/-10 switch to the IN position which will boost the low level signal by approximately 12dB.
Microphones, bass guitars, and electric-acoustic instruments, also typically have low-level outputs. With most setups
they require signal boost to drive the A 5360’s INPUT. For example, when recording voice directly to a portable tape deck,
a mic preamp placed between the mic and the A 5360 (which is then fed to one of the recorder’s inputs) can boost the
signal for the A 5360 as well as provide a high level signal to the tape deck.
Keyboards, samplers, drum machines and sound modules typically produce a line-level signal and can be connected
directly from the instrument’s output to the A 5360’s INPUT.
Note:
DO NOT CONNECT the A 5360’s input to the speaker output of an instrument or power amplifier. Severe damage to system components may result.
Patch Bay
In the studio, the A 5360 may be connected to a patch bay to allow it to be used anywhere in the studio system. If your
studio is not fully balanced, you must ground the unused balanced output conductor: XLR pin (either pin 2 or 3) or the ring
of a 1/4” stereo phone jack. Note that grounding pin 2 of the XLR jack reverses the phase through the A 5360.
dbx 166XL COMRESSOR / GATE
Sound Reinforcement
To compress a live mix or to protect loudspeakers, connect the A 5360 between the source (mixing board or distribution
amp) and the power amp(s). If multi-way loudspeakers with low-level electronic crossovers are used, the A 5360 should go
after the crossover(s). For a stereo system, you can separately stereo couple the two high band crossovers, low band
crossovers, etc. If limitations require that you use a single A 5360 channel before a crossover, adding an equalizer to the
sidechain may provide some additional protection to your high frequency components.
I
NSTALLATION
C
ONSIDERATIONS
Input/Output Cable Configurations
Hookups and Cabling
The A 5360 is a balanced (differential) unit designed for n4dBu or -10dBV levels; inputs and outputs are 1/4”
tip/ring/sleeve (TRS) phone jacks and XLR-type jacks. The A 5360 can be used with either balanced or unbalanced
sources and outputs can be used with either balanced or unbalanced loads, provided you use proper cabling.
A balanced line is defined as two-conductor shielded cable with the two center conductors carrying the same signal but
of opposite polarity with respect to ground. An unbalanced line is generally a single-conductor shielded cable with the
center conductor carrying the signal and the shield at ground potential.
Input Cable Configurations
The A 5360 has an actual input impedance of >40k
Ω
in balanced or unbalanced configurations. This makes the A 5360
audio input suitable for use with virtually any source impedance, low or high. The A 5360’s input jacks are wired in parallel.
The phone jack TIP (+) connection is internally wired to the XLR pin 2, the RING (-) is wired to pin 3, and the SLEEVE
(shield) is wired to pin 1.
Reversing the input wires to the input terminals will result in the output signal polarity being the opposite of the input
signal (“180° out of phase”).
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