Dynacord DRM 4000 owner manual Initial Operation, Power-On Operation, Level Settings

INITIAL OPERATION

5. INITIAL OPERATION

5.1 Power-On Operation

The POWER-switch (12) switches the power of the DRM 4000 on. The ON-LED (13) starts to light and after a short period of initialization (approx. two seconds), the DRM 4000 is ready for operation. When switching the DRM 4000 on for the first time, it is factory-pre-configured for 8-in-2-mixer operation. If the appliance had previously been operated, it may start-up in another configuration.

Make sure to set the MASTER A / B volume controls to their counterclockwise margin before switching the appliance’s power on, to prevent unintentionally outputting extreme high signal levels or even feedback noise. For configuring the DRM 4000 according to your system setup, please consult the enclosed information sheet “DRM 4000 FACTORY CONFIGURATION” for a matching configuration. If so, you can easily select the configuration by establishing the corresponding assignment of the CONTROL INPUTS at the DRM 4000 (see chapter 4.4.1). Alternatively, you can use the DRM 4000 Editor software together with an optionally available remote interface, to create and store y our own configurations. For further detail, please refer to chapter 7.

5.2 Level Settings

The DRM 4000 needs to match the gain-structure of the entire audio system to achieve maximum headroom as well as minimal noise interference. One of the most important facts is that the DRM 4000 is optimally modulated starting with its first stage. Achieving the desired output volume by use of the MASTER controls while at the same time leaving the input channels under-modulated, means not optimally utilizing the unit’s outstanding S/N-ratio and might lead to an increase in the audible system noise. The following chapters explain how to optimally set the levels of MIC/LINE and AUX inputs.

5.2.1 Level Adjustment for MIC/LINE-inputs

∙The four MIC/LINE-inputs are provided via balanced XLR-type connectors. To optimally match a signal source to a channel input, please proceed as follows:

∙Set the according channel control (4) on the unit’s front panel as well as its gain control (24) on the rear of the appliance to their counterclockwise minimal positions.

∙When connecting a microphone, make sure that the correspondent channel’s PAD-switch (26) is not engaged (high input gain). In case you want to connect a balanced Line-level signal source, engage the PAD-switch (low input gain).

∙When utilizing a microphone that needs phantom power, engage the correspondent channel’s +24V-switch (27). For all other cases, the 24V-switch has not to be engaged. Especially when connecting unbalanced signal sources, do not activate phantom power. Your external units may otherwise be damaged.

∙Now, connect the desired audio signal source to the DRM 4000.

∙Start the playback of your external signal source with the highest signal level or talk / sing into the microphone at the loudest pitch possible, while holding the microphone as close as possible.

∙Use the gain control (25) to control the level, so that even at the loudest signal peaks the red PEAK-LED just does not light, while the SIGNAL-LED lights constantly.

∙In doing so, you have established the basic setting, where the channel is well modulated, leaving at the same time sufficient headroom of at least 6dB as a reserve.

∙Completing your settings, use the channel control (3) to adjust the desired volume of the individual channel and use an input channel’s balance control to position the corresponding audio signal in the stereo mix. Ideally, volume controls are set to a position somewhere in the area of their center mark (0 dB), leaving you enough reserve for compensating level differences between the audio signals of various input channels.

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