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.
INITIAL OPERATION
5-1