28. MAIN/AUX 1 EQ SWITCH

This switch allows you to add EQ either to your main mix, or to your monitors.

In the UP (MAIN) position, the EQ (27) only affects the main mix, phone or tape outs.

In the DOWN (AUX 1) position, the EQ only affects the AUX SEND 1/MON (7) output; with no effect on the main mix, phone or tape outs.

29. BYPASS EQ SWITCH

Use this switch to quickly compare the effect of your EQ settings.

In the UP position, the EQ (27) section is in line with the signal path, (either main mix or monitor, depending on the position of the MAIN/AUX 1 (28) switch).

In the DOWN position, the EQ section is bypassed and has no effect on any outputs.

30. POWER LED

This LED turns on when the mixer is switched on, and (as you can probably guess) it turns off when the mixer is switched off.

31. PHANTOM POWER SWITCH and LED

Press this switch to turn on the pretty LED. It also supplies phantom power to all of the mono channels’ XLR MIC inputs. Phantom power is required to operate most condenser microphones (some condenser microphones are battery-powered). With the switch pressed in, the DFX Mixers provide +48 VDC phantom powering on pins 2 and 3 of the XLR connectors.

Note: The stereo channels do not have phantom power on their XLR connectors.

If you have dynamic, ribbon, or tube mics that do not require phantom power, leave the switch out. If you are using both condenser and dynamic mics, don’t worry. Phantom power will not hurt most dynamic mics. Check the microphone’s user manual if you’re not sure. Caution: Turn all output

levels down before operat-

ing this switch to avoid the

possibility of a “pop” in your

speakers.

32. METERS

The DFX Mixer’s metering system is made up of two columns of twelve LEDs each, with thresholds ranging from –30 dB up to “CLIP.”

The 0 dB LEDs correspond to an output level of +4 dBu (=1.23 V). The “CLIP” LEDs turn on when the output reaches +20 dBu. There is a fair margin of safety before actual clipping distortion occurs, but you should turn things down if you see it come on.

The meters display the level of the main mix, after the MAIN MIX (34) faders.

You can get a good mix with the meter’s peaks flashing anywhere between –20 and

+8 dB. Most amplifiers clip at about +10 dB, and some recorders aren’t so forgiving either. For best real-world results, try to keep your peaks between “0” and “+8.”

If your meters are too high, you will get dis- tortion. If they are too low, then your signal/ noise will suffer. Use the meters to help you adjust the mixer for optimum performance without distortion or noise, then you can adjust your amplifiers for good overall volume.

33. PHONES

This control allows you to adjust the headphone levels without disturbing the main mix.

Turn this down before connecting and putting on your headphones. Bring it up slowly.

Please see the “Safety Instructions” on page 2 for information on hearing protection.

34. MAIN MIX FADERS

These two faders control the final level of the signals sent to the MAIN (5) outputs.

The TAPE (12) and PHONE (6) outputs also receive the main mix, but are not affected by these faders.

All active mono and stereo channels that are not turned fully down will appear in the main mix. Other signals feeding these faders include: AUX 1 RETURN(9), AUX 2 RETURN

(10)including the EMAC internal effects, and the CD/TAPE (11) inputs.

The faders, set fully up, provide 10 dB of gain. A “U” unity gain point is just below that. When set fully down, the main mix is effec- tively muted. These are the faders to pull down at the end of the song when you want The Great Fade-Out.

35. CD/TAPE RETURN FADER and MUTE

If you have a CD or Tape player connected to the CD/TAPE (11) inputs, the signals pass through the MUTE switch, through this stereo fader, and then into your main mix. This is like a channel fader, except it is adding the CD/TAPE input to the main mix, instead of adding a channel.

Set this fader to minimum, then play your selection and increase the fader as desired. Assuming the MAIN MIX (34) faders are set, you should hear the music. Press down the VOCAL ELIMINATOR (37) if you like to remove centered vocals, and BREAK (36) if you want to play soothing CDs or tapes while the band is breaking up the bar.

15