MONO INPUT CHANNEL - EFX shown
1 Mic Input
The MIC input accepts XLR-type connectors and is designed to suit a wide range of BALANCED or UNBALANCED signals. Professional dynamic, condenser or ribbon mics are best because these will be LOW IMPEDANCE. You can use low-cost HIGH IMPEDANCE mics, but the level of background noise will be higher. If you turn the PHANTOM POWER on (top right-hand side of the mixer) the socket provides a suit- able powering voltage for professional condenser mics.
ONLY connect condenser microphones with the +48V powering OFF, and ONLY turn the +48V powering on or off with all output faders DOWN, to prevent damage to the mixer or external devices.
TAKE CARE when using unbalanced sources, which may be damaged by the phantom power voltage on pins 2 & 3 of the XLR connector.
Unplug any mics if you want to use the LINE Input. The input level is set using the GAIN knob.
2 Line Input
Accepts 3-pole ‘A’ gauge (TRS) jacks. Use this input for sources other than mics, such as keyboards, drum machines, synths, tape machines or DI’d guitars. The input is BALANCED for low noise and top quality from professional equipment, but you can use UNBALANCED sources by wiring up the jacks as shown below, although you should then keep cable lengths as short as possible. Unplug anything in the MIC input if you want to use this socket. Set the input level using the GAIN knob.
3 Insert Point
The unbalanced, pre-EQ insert point is a break in the channel signal path, allowing limiters, compressors, special EQ or other signal processing units to be added in the signal path. The Insert is a 3-pole ‘A’ gauge jack socket which is normally bypassed. When a jack is inserted, the signal path is broken, just before the EQ section.
The Send may also be tapped off as an alternative pre-fade, pre-EQ direct output if required, using a lead with tip and ring shorted together so that the signal path is not interrupted (see below).
4 Gain
This knob sets how much of the source signal is sent to the rest of the mixer. Too high, and the signal will distort as it overloads the channel. Too low, and the level of any background hiss will be more noticeable and you may not be able to get enough signal level to the output of the mixer.
18 | Soundcraft EFX/EPM User Guide Issue 1210 |