User manual SOUNDCRAFT SPIRIT 8

[. . . ] INTRODUCTION C ongratulations on your purchase of a SPIRIT 8 mixer. Owning a Soundcraft console brings you the expertise and support of one of the industrys leading manufacturers and the results of over 22 years experience supporting some of the biggest names in the business. Designed by engineers who understand the individual needs of musicians, SPIRIT 8 has been built to the highest standards using quality components and employing automated assembly techniques beyond the reach of most manufacturers of compact mixers. A rugged steel chassis is combined with moulded side trims to give protection and distinctive appearance. [. . . ] Rotation fully anticlockwise feeds the signal solely to the Left mix buss or Groups 1, 3, 5 and 7, while rotation clockwise sweeps the image to the Right buss or Groups 2, 4, 6 and 8. 2 3 4 9 ROUTING SWITCHES The input channel signal may be routed to the main Stereo MIX (L-R) or pairs of GROUP busses (1-2, 3-4 etc. ), by pressing the respective switches. These may be used in conjunction with the PAN control (8 above) to route the channel signal proportionately to any of the selected busses. 5 10 FADER This 100mm long-throw fader determines the proportion of the channel in the mix and provides a clear visual indication of channel level. Normal operating position is at the `0 mark, providing 10dB of gain above that point if required. 6 11 MUTING All outputs from the channel except Inserts may be muted by pressing the MUTE switch, and the associated LED illuminates to show that the channel is OFF. Alternatively the channel may be selected to any one or more MUTE BUSES to provide grouped muting under the control of the MUTE masters on the far right-hand side of the console. In either case the mute status is shown by the LED. 7 12 PFL/PEAK PFL When the PFL switch is pressed, the Pre-Fade signal is fed to the headphones and L & R meters, where it replaces the normal Mix L/R signal (the main Mix L/R output is unaffected). The PFL/AFL ON LED on the master section illuminates to warn that the headphones and the meters are now responding to the PFL/AFL selection and the PFL LED on the input channel lights to identify the active channel. This is a useful way of listening to any required input signal without interrupting the main mix, for making adjustments or tracing problems. 8 9 PEAK 10 11 When the PFL switch is released the LED on the channel serves as a PEAK indicator, to warn when an excessively high signal level is present in the channel. The signal is sampled at three points in the channel, immediately after the Hi-Pass Filter (Pre Insert), PRE EQ and POST EQ. The Peak LED will illuminate approximately 4dB before clipping and therefore give warning of a possible overload even if the peaks are removed by external equipment plugged into the Insert. 12 Page 12 STEREO INPUTS E ach Stereo Input section comprises two independent pairs of inputs. The Stereo Input feeds a full-facility input channel, very similar to the mono input. The second input is intended for a cassette or CD source, typically to provide background music before a performance and are fed to the stereo mix only and Aux 1 & 2. CASS/CD INPUT SECTION 13 13 GAIN The GAIN switch provides two input sensitivities. The LO setting (switch released) should be selected for -10dBV semi-professional equipment such as CD players or cassette, and the HI setting (switch pressed) should be selected for -20dBV Hi-Fi equipment. Start with the LO setting if the source level is unknown. 14 15 16 17 14 AUXILIARY SENDS These controls route a mono sum of the input channel signal to Auxiliary busses 1 & 2. These are separate from the main outputs and can therefore provide additional outputs for foldback, echo units or extra loudspeaker `fills. The sends are derived before the LEVEL TO MIX control and are therefore not affected by the position of that control. This makes them particularly suitable for foldback or monitor feeds, which need to be controlled separately from the main P. A. mix. 18 15 PFL When the PFL switch is pressed, a mono sum of the pre-fade signal is fed to the headphones and L & R meters, where it replaces the normal Mix L/R signal. The PFL/AFL ON LED on the master section illuminates to warn that the headphones and the meters are now responding to the PFL/AFL selection and the PFL LED on the input section lights to identify the active channel. This is a useful way of listening to any required input signal without interrupting the main mix, for making adjustments or tracing problems. 19 20 16 LEVEL TO MIX This control sets the level of the stereo signal to the stereo MIX. Important: The Stereo Input muting does not affect this section. It is therefore important that the knob should be left fully anticlockwise when not required. 21 STEREO INPUT SECTION 17 GAIN This knob allows you to match the input level to suit a wide variety of professional, semiprofessional and hi-fi sources. Start with a low setting, especially for professional equipment, checking the level on the meters using PFL, and increase it if you cannot reach an adequate signal level with the fader at maximum. 22 23 18 24 EQUALISER The Equaliser section has HF and LF shelving controls, each with a range switch to provide two centre frequencies for each control. [. . . ] an equaliser response curve affecting only a band of frequencies i. e. a function that allows the operator to monitor the pre-fade signal in a channel independently of the main mix. a term used to describe the relationship of two audio signals. In-phase signals reinforce each other, out-of-phase signals result in cancellation. [. . . ]