Mackie Quad Gate/Compressor Owner's Manual - Page 5

Owner's Manual Getting Started READ THIS PAGE!! Even if you never reads manuals, please read and digest the safety instructions on page 2, and this page before you begin using the Quad Comp/Gate. Oh go on, please. Connections If you already know how you want to connect the Quad Comp/Gate, go right ahead and connect the inputs and outputs the way you want them. As long as all safety rules and common sense are followed, nobody gets hurt, and there few, if any, hamsters involved. The following example describes how to use the Quad Comp/Gate in a simple stereo system using channels A and B (see the hookup diagram on page 7). 1. Turn off the power switch on the rear panel. Adjusting the Gate 1. To make the control knobs adjust the gate, press the GATE button at top left. The knobs can then adjust the gate's: THRESHOLD, RATIO (EXP button in) ATTACK, HOLD and RANGE (EXP button out). 2. The EXP button is used with the RATIO knob to set a downward expander, for smoother gating instead of using the RANGE knob. 3. Press the top BYPASS button if you want to well...bypass the gate section. 4. Press the top ON button to engage the key filter. Use the LP FREQ and HP FREQ knobs to adjust the signal used to trigger the gating, and prevent false triggering. 5. Press the LP or HP FREQ knobs for 2 seconds to listen to the key filter audio used for triggering. It will help you tune-in the signals. Press ON in and out to judge the best vales of the LP and HP FREQ. Adjusting the Compressor 2. Connect the left main mix-output from a mixer into 1. To make the control knobs adjust the compressor, the channel A input (XLR or TRS connectors). press the COMP button at bottom left. The usual 3. Connect the right main-mix output from a mixer into the channel B input (XLR or TRS connectors). compressor suspects are present: THRESHOLD, RATIO, ATTACK, RELEASE and GAIN. 4. Connect the channel A output of the Quad Comp/ Gate to the left main input of your powered speak- 2. Use the buttons along the bottom to adjust the compressor at any time: ers or amplifier. 3. SOFT KNEE applies a smoother transition into 5. Connect the channel B output to the right main compression as signals approach the threshold. input of your powered speakers or amplifier. 4. AUTO sets an automatic Attack and Release based 6. Plug in the detachable linecord to the Quad Comp/ upon the signal dynamics. Gate, and connect it to a live AC outlet. 5. SIDECHAIN engages any signals coming in the 7. Turn on your mixer and the Quad Comp/Gate. SIDECHAIN RETURN input to act as the trigger signal for compression. The compression of the 8. If you have powered speakers, turn them on. Otherwise, hook up your speakers to the amp and turn it current channel will then be triggered from this external signal. on. Adjust your powered speaker or amplifier level 6. Press the bottom BYPASS button if you want to controls to however the manufacturer recommends. bypass the compressor section. (This is usually all the way up.) 9. Play something and adjust your mixer's controls until your speakers are playing along nicely. 7. Press the bottom ON button if you want the key filter to work. The CENTER FREQ and BANDWIDTH knobs allow you to adjust the signal used to trigger 10. Select a channel by pressing the A or B buttons on the compression. the Quad Comp/Gate. To work in stereo, press and hold A and B at the same time, then any changes to the controls will affect both channels equally. 8. Press (2 sec) the CENTER FREQ or BANDWIDTH knobs to listen to the key filter audio used for triggering. It will help you tune-in on the signals. Press 11. The output meters will show the music levels play- ON in and out to judge the best vales of the knobs. ing through your Quad Comp/Gate. 9. The GAIN REDUCTION METERS show any re- 12. Unless you have Bypass pressed, the gate and compressor are now in-line with your signal, and ready for work. duction in overall signal level due to gating and compression. Adjust the GAIN knob to place your signals back in their rightful level. Owner's Manual 5