Samson MPL 1640 manual Setting Up and Using the MPL, Setting the Correct Gain Structure

Setting Up and Using the MPL 1640

MAIN MIX OUT

(BALANCED 600Ω + 4dB)

L

SAMSON

R

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ON

P

O

W

E

R

OFF

Setting up your MPL 1640 is a simple procedure which takes only a few minutes:

1.Remove all packing materials (save them in case of need for future service) and decide where the unit is to be physically placed—it can be used on a tabletop or mounted in any standard 19” rack, requiring 8 rack spaces.

2.Before even plugging the unit into an AC socket, begin by connecting the MPL 1640 Main Mix outputs (or secondary 3L/4R outputs) into a switched- off power amp and the amp into loudspeakers. It is never a good idea to power up any amplifier that is not connected to loudspeakers.

3.Next, make all signal connections to the mic or line inputs of the various channels and to the MPL 1640’s Aux sends and returns and insert points as required. WARNING: Do not connect a channel’s line input if you already have something connected to its microphone input, or vice versa; each channel is designed to accept only one source or the other.

4.Bring all channel faders and the Main L/R faders completely down (to their “-∞” setting) and turn the 3/4 Level knob fully counterclockwise (to its “-∞” setting). Then connect the EEC main power cord and plug the MPL 1640 into any grounded AC socket.

5.Press the MPL 1640’s rear-panel Power switch. Once power is received, the “Power” LED in the meter section will light up.

Setting the Correct Gain Structure

You’re now ready to establish the correct gain structure—the key to getting the best performance from the MPL 1640, or from any mixer, for that matter. This is a simple procedure that ensures optimum input and output levels so that no unnecessary noise (caused by too low a signal) or overload distortion (caused by too high a signal) is created. Here’s a step-by-step description of how to do so:

aTurn off the MPL 1640 and all connected power amplifiers. Set all power

amplifier volumes to minimum. On the MPL 1640, bring all channel faders down to the bottom-most “-∞” position, and set both Main L/R faders to their

center detent “0” position. If any devices are connected to the secondary 3L/4R outputs, turn the 3/4 Level knob fully counterclockwise (to its “-∞” setting).

b. Set all channel input trim knobs to their fully counterclockwise (+4) position.

c. Set all channel equalizer and pan knobs as well as all three Aux return balance knobs to their center detent “0” positions.

d. Set all channel Aux send knobs and all three stereo Aux return level knobs to their fully counterclockwise (“-∞”) position.

e. Turn on all devices connected to channel line inputs and Aux returns and set their output level controls to unity gain or, if there is no unity gain indi- cated on their output control, to maximum. If you’ve got outboard effects processors connected to MPL 1640 Aux returns, make sure they are send- ing completely “wet” (processed) signal, with no “dry” (unprocessed) signal mixed in.

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