SERIES

Onyx 80 Series Features

ONYX 80

Channel Strips

Depending on the model that you purchased, there are 24, 32, 40, or 48 channel strips. Each channel has a mic and line input connector and an insert jack for connecting an external signal processor.

1. 48V Phantom Power Switch
3. Low-Cut Switch

The Low-Cut switch, often referred to as a high-pass filter, cuts bass frequencies below 100 Hz at a rate of 18 dB per octave.

We recommend that you use the Low-Cut filter on every microphone application except kick drum, bass guitar, bassy synth patches, or recordings of earth- quakes. These aside, there isn’t much down there that

1

48V LINE

0

100Hz

30

U

2040

U 60

-20dB +40dB

GAIN

UEQ

HIGH

12 kHz

Most professional condenser microphones require phantom power, which is a low-current DC voltage delivered to the microphone on pins 2 and 3 of the XLR microphone connector. Push in the 48V button if your microphone needs phantom power. An LED lights just above the button to indicate that phantom power is active on that channel.

Dynamic microphones, like Shure’s SM57 and SM58, do not require phantom power. However, phantom power will not harm most

you want to hear, and filtering it out makes the low stuff you do want much more crisp and tasty. Not only that, but the Low-Cut filter can help reduce the possibility of feedback in live situations and it helps to conserve amplifier power.

Another way to use the Low Cut filter

is in combination with the LOW EQ on

vocals during live performances. Many

times, bass shelving EQ can really ben-

efit voices. Trouble is, adding LOW EQ also boosts stage rumble, mic handling clunks, and breath pops. Low Cut removes all those prob-

lems so you can add LOW EQ without losing a woofer.

-15 +15

2k

FREQ

400Hz 8kHz

U

HIGH

MID

-15 +15

dynamic microphones should you accidentally plug one in while the phantom power is turned on. Be careful with older ribbon micro- phones. Check the manual for your microphone to find out for sure whether or not phantom power can damage it.

+15

+10

+5

0

–5

–10

–15

20Hz

100Hz

1kHz

10kHz 20kHz

Here’s what the combination of LOW EQ and Low Cut looks like in terms of frequency curves.

400

FREQ

100 2k

U

LOW

MID

-15 +15

U

LOW

80 Hz

-15 +15

EQ OUT

IN

Note: Be sure the MAIN MIX faders [60] are turned down when connecting microphones to the MIC Inputs, especially when phantom power is turned on, to prevent pops from getting through to the speakers.

Low Cut with Low EQ Boosted
4. Polarity Switch

Pushing in this switch simply reverses the polarity of the signal. This provides an easy way to correct a microphone or line source whose polarity is opposite from the other microphones, either from a miswired cable or from not following the AES standard for Pin 2/Pin 3.

5. GAIN Control
2. MIC/LINE Switch

This button switches between the MIC and LINE in- puts. When the button is out (MIC), the XLR MIC input is used and the LINE input is disconnected. When the button is pushed in, the 1/4" input is used and the XLR MIC input is disconnected.

If you haven’t already, please read “Set the Levels” on page 5.

The GAIN control adjusts the input sensitivity of the mic and line inputs. This allows the signal from the outside world to be adjusted to optimal internal operating levels.

If the signal is plugged into the XLR jack, there is 0 dB of gain (unity gain) with the knob turned all the way down, ramping up to 60 dB of gain fully up.

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ONYX 80 SERIES