OPERATOR'S MANUAL Model MS3 Multi/Send Personal Mix System
The Multi/Send Personal Mix System was designed for service as a flexible tool, assisting you to achieve your best creative moments by making monitoring as easy as possible. This unique audio device brings new ease to monitoring situations - in recording and broadcast studio environments, live on stage and in rehearsal - for everyone... musicians, engineers and producers. With its three inputs and corresponding hard-wired "Thru" outputs, the MS3 yields flawless integration with a large number of audio systems... and with a monitor line output as well as 8Ω and 600Ω headphone outputs, the unit allows superior monitoring in the style to which you are accustomed. Whatever equipment you use, the MS3 will bring a new level of versatility, expressiveness and ease to your performances. This manual is designed to provide the information you will need to connect the MS3 to a large number of audio systems encountered in the real world of the working audio professional. You will find, as you tailor the MS3 to your specific requirements, that the unit's flexibility will give you unprecedented control over your monitoring needs, and will allow experimentation in technique that will help you get the most from any situation. Front Panel Controls. The MS3 is designed for ease of use and has all control functions and indicators located on the front the panel. There are three rotary controls, three switches and four LED indicators which cover all modes of operation. Their functions are described below: > The POWER Push-button switch applies dc power from the BE1 adapter to the MS3. > The POWER LED Indicator shows the ON/OFF status of the MS3. > The three signal present LED Indicators, located on the three MIX INPUTS, allow a quick visual check of incoming audio signals... especially helpful under low-light conditions. > The MIX 1, MIX 2, and MIX 3 rotary gain controls adjust the input source levels and effect the HEADPHONE mix and the PERSONAL MIX LINE OUTPUT only. Of course, using mono signals, he might also combine the house monitor mix and a mono keyboard mix with a vocal microphone (if he/she is a vocalist) and have a totally custom local monitoring environment. The same thing applies to backing vocalists placed slightly off stage. A custom "one-on, one-off" headphone mix is now readily available... with only one send. > The M/S push-button switch, located on the MIX 1 INPUT, selects MONO or STEREO operation. In MONO mode, the MS3 places all input signals in both LEFT and RIGHT headphone channels. In STEREO mode, the MIX 1 INPUT feeds the LEFT headphone channel, while the MIX 2 INPUT feeds the RIGHT. The MIX 3 INPUT is fed EQUALLY to LEFT and RIGHT channels in either mode of operation. > The MIC/LINE push-button switch, located on the MIX 3 INPUT, allows setting that input's sensitivity for either LINE LEVEL or MICROPHONE LEVEL. The MIX 3 INPUT passes phantom power from the corresponding THRU OUTPUT. Audio connections. The MS3 is designed to interface with all levels of audio equipment and has been provided with XLR and ¼" TRS connectors. We STRONGLY RECOMMEND the use of BALANCED LINE signal routing in your audio system. This will give you the best overall performance with any equipment... under ANY circumstances. All MS3 input and output functions are electronically balanced and are described below. > The MIX 1 INPUT has a ¼" TRS connector and a female XLR connector accepting balanced/unbalanced MONO line level input. > The MIX 2 INPUT has a ¼" TRS connector and a female XLR connector accepting balanced/unbalanced MONO line level input. > The MIX 3 INPUT has a female XLR connector accepting balanced/ unbalanced MONO signals at either line level or microphone level, depending on the position of the associated MIC/LINE switch. The MIX 3 INPUT passes phantom power, allowing the use of condenser microphones and other phantom powered devices. > The PERSONAL MIX LINE OUTPUT has a ¼" TRS balanced +4dB level output, delivering the combined personal mix signal. This output will drive balanced or unbalanced equipment via standard cabling. 2
> The MIX 1 THRU OUTPUT has a ¼" TRS connector delivering the MIX 1 INPUT source signal unchanged.. this output is hardwired to the input source, and may be conveniently used for "daisy-chaining" several units. > The MIX 2 THRU OUTPUT has a ¼" TRS connector delivering the MIX 2 INPUT source signal unchanged.. this output is hardwired to the input source, and may also be used for "daisy-chaining" several units. > The MIX 3 THRU OUTPUT has a male XLR connector delivering the MIX 3 INPUT source signal unchanged.. at either line level or microphone level, depending on the position of the associated MIC/LINE switch. The MIX 3 THRU OUTPUT passes phantom power to the appropriate input and connected devices. Connecting the MS3. Connecting the MS3 to an audio system is straight forward, and may be made in one of two modes: MONO or STEREO, depending on your console's output facilities, and your monitoring needs. > MONO Monitoring is typically accomplished by connecting a Mono Monitor LINE OUTPUT from your mixer to the MIX 1 INPUT of the MS3. Placing the STEREO/MONO switch located on the MIX 1 INPUT in the MONO position puts all input signals in both headphone channels. This leaves the MIX 2 INPUT and the MIX 3 INPUT unused, and ready to accept "local" input signals from an artist directly. All input signals are passed unchanged to the THRU OUTPUTS on the rear of the unit, and are also mixed by the three level controls and available at the PERSONAL MIX LINE OUTPUT and the HEADPHONE OUTPUTS. > STEREO Monitoring may be implemented by connecting two Mono Monitor Line Feeds (Left & Right) from your mixer to the MIX 1 INPUT and MIX 2 INPUT of the MS3. Placing the STEREO/MONO switch located on the MIX 1 INPUT in the STEREO position automatically puts the MIX 1 INPUT signal in the LEFT headphone channel, and the MIX 2 INPUT signal in the RIGHT channel. The MIX 3 INPUT signal, (mic or line level) remains equal in both headphone channels. All three signals are mixed by the three level controls and appear at the PERSONAL MIX LINE OUTPUT and the HEADPHONE OUTPUTS. The input signals are, of course, passed unchanged to the THRU OUTPUTS on the rear of the unit. A Recording Studio Application. Basic tracking in a live situation can pose some difficulties even as a session rolls along... For instance, a drummer may want to have a special mix to help with absolute timing while cutting his original tracks. Feeding a MONO overall cue signal to MIX 1 INPUT, a "click track" signal Into MIX 2 INPUT, and the kit's kick drum mic thru MIX 3 INPUT, the drummer now can adjust his own levels for timing and cue... Using the Multi/Send's "THRU" outputs, the MONO cue signal can be "daisy-chained" to another Multi/Send, and a bassist can combine it with his bass guitar signal (mic'd, DI or line out from a custom rig), giving him a totally different cue mix... all from one basic cue send. By simple daisy-chaining the Multi/Send can be a quick, easy way to solve monitoring problems and keep the session rolling. TYPICAL RECORDING STUDIO SETUP A Rehearsal Application. Rehearsing in a "residential" environment might involve several musicians, quite possibly NOT using a central mixing console. A MIDI 3
drummer, a guitarist, a bassist, and even a keyboardist - all wanting to tighten up an arrangement, or put together a new tune can input their respective instrument's signals to their own Multi/Send, and pass along the signals to the others. By using the THRU Outputs and the PERSONAL MIX output to daisy-chain signals, several players can quickly set up a TYPICAL REHEARSAL SETUP "rehearsal mix" and easily control levels in any "sensitive" environment. By using the THRU Output on the first MS3 and the PERSONAL MIX OUTPUT on the other units to daisy-chain and add signals, a MIDI drummer sends his signal 1st and sends it to the keyboardist, who adds his signal and passes it onward... Likewise for the bassist and the guitarist, who directs the whole mix back to the drummer. With this "closed circle" headphone monitoring, everyone monitors at his own personal level. TYPICAL BROADCAST SETUP A Broadcast Radio Application. The MS3 offers a quick and easy setup for small studio live talk show formats using headphones for the host and guest(s) monitoring needs. The basic studio feed (On Air, Mix Minus, etc.) is inputted to the MIX 1 INPUT, while, perhaps, a phone "call in" or Director Cue feed is inputted to the MIX 2 INPUT. The MIX 3 INPUT is used for the talent or guests microphone. Using the MS3's THRU Outputs, the studio feeds are passed on to the other people on the show, while their microphone signals are passed on directly to the broadcast engineers console. Each person now can easily control his/her individual cue mix and control the level in that mix. A Typical Live Sound Application. An on-stage keyboardist wants a clean, custom monitor mix that is slightly different from the separate feeds he may be sending to the HOUSE or MONITOR mix positions. Taking the line level cue feed from the monitor send arriving at the stage monitor amps, he can put this into MIX 3 INPUT while putting a stereo keyboard mix from a keyboard mixer into MIX 1 INPUT and MIX 2 INPUT. By setting the MONO/STEREO SWITCH to stereo, the musician now has a cue mix with stereo keyboard signal available for headphone monitoring. Using the PERSONAL MIX LINE OUTPUT on the rear of the MS3, he can also power a local speaker/amp monitor if he prefers monitoring from this more "performance oriented" source. 4
TYPICAL LIVE SOUND SETUP MS3 Accessories The MS3 Multi/Send Personal Mix System has available accessories to enhance its use in common, real world situations. Please contact your dealer for pricing and availability. Model BE1 External 120Vac power adapter NOTES: 5
SPECIFICATIONS INPUTS: Mix 1: ¼" TRS jack Mix 2: ¼" TRS jack. Mix 3: 3 pin XLR 3 pin XLR female. 3 pin XLR female. Line/mic selectable. mono/stereo selectable using Mix1 & Mix2. Separate level control for each Mix. Electronically balanced/unbalanced, optimized for -10dB and +4dB operation. XLR wiring: Pin 1 - Common ground isolated from chassis, Pin 2 - HOT, Pin 3 - Neutral. THRU OUTPUTS: (2) - ¼" TRS jack. (1) - 3 Pin XLR male. MONITOR (PERSONAL MIX) OUTPUT: ¼" TRS jack. HEADPHONE OUTPUTS: ¼" TRS jack - 8 Ω, ¼" TRS jack - 600 Ω CHANNEL SEPARATION: Typical; -57dB. Worst case; Ch1 & Ch2 at min, Ch3 at max -52dB POWER REQUIREMENTS: 12Vdc @ 500mA via 3.5mm jack, tip positive.. Power adapter supplied. SIZE (W x H x D); WEIGHT: 11½" x 1.75" x 4.625"; 3 lbs. CASE MATERIAL: Painted 1/8" Aluminum. WARRANTY and Factory Service GOLD LINE products are proudly made in the USA and are covered by a one year limited warranty. For details of this warranty, consult the enclosed warranty registration card or your local dealer. GOLD LINE Customer Service will help you get the most from your new Multi/Send Personal Mixer. For answers to questions regarding use of the unit, or for information not covered in this manual, please write us. If you are experiencing difficulties with your Multi/Send, please consult your dealer regarding factory service. If factory service is needed, you may call or fax us between 9:00am and 4:30pm US Eastern Time for instructions and a return authorization. Enter your serial# Enter your date of purchase P.O. Box 500 West Redding, CT. 06896 203-938-2588 phone - 203-938-8740 fax http://www.gold-line.com Email - sales@gold-line.com 12/23/98 6