10ULTRAGAIN PRO MIC2200 User Manual

4.2Rear panel control elements

(16)

(17)

(19)

(18)

Fig. 4.2: Rear panel elements of the ULTRAGAIN PRO

(16)FUSE HOLDER / VOLTAGE SELECTOR. Please make sure that your local voltage matches the voltage indicated on the unit, before you attempt to connect and operate the ULTRAGAIN PRO. Blown fuses may only be replaced by fuses of the same type and rating.

(17)MAINS CONNECTION. Use the enclosed power cord to connect the unit to the mains. Please also note the instructions given in the “Installation” chapter.

(18)AUDIO IN. These are the audio inputs of your ULTRAGAIN PRO. The XLR connector is the common mic/line input. The line input is based on jack connection.

(19)AUDIO OUT. These are the audio outputs of your ULTRAGAIN PRO. Matching phone jack and XLR connectors are wired in parallel.

5. Applications

This section describes some typical applications of the BEHRINGER ULTRAGAIN PRO. Starting from the following basic settings you can use it to solve the majority of audio problems.

Please take your time to study the application examples, so as to be able to fully exploit the ULTRAGAIN PRO and its variety of features.

Basically, the ULTRAGAIN PRO can be used in five areas of application:

1.Using the ULTRAGAIN PRO as a high-quality microphone preamp.

2.Using the ULTRAGAIN PRO to convert home recording to studio levels, and vice versa.

3.Using the ULTRAGAIN PRO to balance unbalanced signals (DI box).

4.Using the ULTRAGAIN PRO as a parametric equalizer specifically “tweaking” the frequency response.

5.Using the ULTRAGAIN PRO to enhance the sound of the program material by adding “tube warmth”.

5.1The ULTRAGAIN PRO as a microphone preamplifier

Before you can use the BEHRINGER ULTRAGAIN PRO as a preamp, we recommend that you study the various functions of the device. The high gain factors provided by the microphone preamp can produce extreme levels on the output side, which may damage subsequent devices. So, you should start with the following basic setting:

5.1.1 Basic setting

Control elements

position

+48 V switch

OUT

MIC GAIN control

10 dB

MIC/LINE switch

LINE

PHASE REV. Control

OUT

LO CUT switch

OUT

EQ IN/OUT switch

OUT

OUTPUT control

0 dB

 

 

Tab. 5.1: Basic setting of the ULTRAGAIN PRO

Reduce the volume level of the subsequent audio system to a minimum, and connect a microphone to the XLR input connector on the BEHRINGER ULTRAGAIN PRO. Use either the jack or XLR output connectors to connect the audio system. Owing to its output-side servo balancing circuit, the ULTRAGAIN PRO detects whether you use a balanced or unbalanced configuration and adjusts the level internally.

Now, power up the entire equipment and press the MIC/LINE switch to activate the microphone preamp. If you wish to use a condenser mic requiring +48 V phantom power, please press the +48 V switch (to avoid electrical damage, please read chapter 5.1.5 “+48 V switch” below).

5.1.2 MIC GAIN control

Configure the equipment according to the application on hand, speak into the microphone and turn the GAIN control clockwise until the 0 dB LED lights up. If your DAT recorder, mixing console or other subsequent devices have high-precision level meters, you can use these to verify the correct level setting.

The maximum output level depends on the device that follows next in the audio chain, and must therefore be set specifically. The high-precision level meter on the ULTRAGAIN PRO indicates the current operating level. The CLIP LED lights up at a level of +18 dBu signaling that you have an additional headroom of

5 dB available, before the microphone preamp starts overloading. If distortion/ overloading occurs at high volume levels, you should reduce the gain with the MIC GAIN control.

5.1.3 PHASE REV. switch

The PHASE REV. switch reverses the audio signal’s phase by 180°. Usually, you won’t need this switch. However, in some cases, it might be necessary to reverse the signal phase, for example, if a microphone cable has been connected incorrectly (pins 2 and 3 interchanged), or if several microphones are used and specific circumstances with regard to room acoustics are causing problems (e.g. frequency cancellations are usually caused by phase problems). The phase reverse function will help you locate and eliminate any such problem.

5.1.4 LO CUT function

When you pick up acoustic signals with microphones, it is usually necessary to eliminate low-end signal portions, such as rumble or pop noise, or other interference frequencies. Often, such frequencies have very high amplitudes and do not only deteriorate the sound quality but can also damage the power amps or speakers. Your ULTRAGAIN PRO features a tunable high-pass filter with a very high slope. Press the LO CUT switch and adjust the FREQUENCY control, so that any disturbing frequencies are faded out as much as possible, with the least damage done to the actual audio signals. Press/release the LO CUT switch several times to make an A/B comparison.