User Manual
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Table Of Contents Introduction..........................................................3 Welcome!...................................................................................................... 3 About the GRIP ...................................................................4 GRIP Key Features .................................................................................... 4 How to Use This Manual ...................................................5 Important Safety Instructions..............
Table Of Contents LO CUT Knob ........................................................................................... 21 OUTPUT Knob ......................................................................................... 21 BYPASS Button .......................................................................................... 21 Rear Panel............................................................................22 INPUT Jacks .........................................................................
1 Introduction Welcome! Thank you for making the Alesis GRIP a part of your setup. Since 1984, we've been designing and building creative tools for the audio community. We believe in our products, because we've heard the results that creative people like you have achieved with them. One of Alesis' goals is to make high-quality studio equipment available to everyone, and this User Manual is an important part of that.
1 Introduction About the GRIP The GRIP offers you advanced methods for processing and generating low frequencies for live or recorded music. It does this via two different methods of signal processing. First, it gives you several different means of adjusting the character and level of the low frequencies of the input signal. Second, it includes a proprietary sub-harmonic synthesizer that creates sub-bass signals harmonically related to—but not present in—the original signal.
Getting Started 1 How to Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various functions and applications for the GRIP. While it's a good idea to read through the entire manual once carefully, those having general knowledge about studio equipment should use the table of contents to look up specific functions. Helpful tips and advice are highlighted in a shaded box like this. Chapter 3: Getting Started.
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2 Important Safety Instructions Important Safety Instructions (English) Safety symbols used in this product This symbol alerts the user that there are important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying this unit. This symbol warns the user of un-insulated voltage within the unit that can cause dangerous electric shocks. This symbol warns the user that output connectors contain voltages that can cause dangerous electrical shock.
2 Important Safety Instructions When the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. 10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus. 11. Use only attachments or accessories specified by the manufacturer. 12. Use only with a cart, stand, bracket, or table designed for use with professional audio or music equipment.
Important Safety Instructions 2 Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French) Symboles utilisés dans ce produit Ce symbole alèrte l’utilisateur qu’il existe des instructions de fonctionnement et de maintenance dans la documentation jointe avec ce produit. Ce symbole avertit l’utilisateur de la présence d’une tension non isolée à l’intérieur de l’appareil pouvant engendrer des chocs électriques.
2 Important Safety Instructions sécurité. Si le cordon secteur ne rentre pas dans la prise de courant, demandez à un électricien qualifié de remplacer la prise. 10. Evitez de marcher sur le cordon secteur ou de le pincer, en particulier au niveau de la prise, et aux endroits où il sor de l’appareil. 11. N’utilisez que des accessoires spécifiés par le constructeur. 12. N’utilisez qu’avec un stand, ou table conçus pour l’utilisation d’audio professionnel ou instruments de musique.
Important Safety Instructions 2 Lesen Sie bitte die folgende Sicherheitshinweise (German) Sicherheit Symbole verwendet in diesem Produkt Dieses Symbol alarmiert den Benutzer, daß es wichtige Funktionieren und Wartung Anweisungen in der Literatur gibt, die diese Maßeinheit begleitet. Dieses Symbol warnt den Benutzer der nicht isolierten Spannung innerhalb der Maßeinheit, die gefährliche elektrische Schläge verursachen kann.
2 Important Safety Instructions 9. Verfehlen Sie nicht den Zweck des grounging Terminals auf dem Netzstecker. Dieses Terminal wird für Ihre Sicherheit zur Verfügung gestellt. 10. Verlegen Sie das Netzkabel des Gerätes niemals so, daß man darüber stolpern kann oder daß es gequetscht wird. 11. Benutzen Sie nur das vom Hersteller empfohlene Zubehör. 12. Verwenden Sie ausschließlich Wagen, Ständer, oder Tische, die speziell für professionelle Audio- und Musikinstrumente geeignet sind.
Important Safety Instructions 2 CE Declaration Of Conformity See our Web site at: http://www.alesis.com FCC Compliance Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
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3 Getting Started Hooking Up the GRIP The following diagram shows you the standard method of integrating the GRIP into your audio setup. See the next section, “Applications,” for more about the connections in this diagram, as well as some hints on other ways to use the unit. R C LI S T ED US XXXXXXX Applications The GRIP is a versatile tool that can be used in a variety of musical scenarios.
3 Getting Started DJ Setup When using the unit in a DJ setup, you should connect the GRIP between the main outs of your mixer and the inputs of your amplifier. The XOVER OUT should be connected to a separate amplifier and subwoofer that can handle very low frequencies. Recording When using the GRIP in a recording scenario, you can connect the unit to the inserts on one or two mixer channels, or to the mixer’s main inserts to cover the entire mix.
Getting Started 3 Stabilizing Your Turntable and CD Player Because a turntable is a delicate instrument, it is extremely susceptible to audio vibrations that occur nearby, especially low-frequency vibrations. The increased levels of bass produced by the GRIP could cause your turntable to vibrate, producing unwanted feedback. To avoid this problem, make sure your turntable is a good distance away from your speakers. You can take further precaution by installing shock absorbers on your turntable.
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4 A Tour of the GRIP Front Panel POWER Button Press this to turn the GRIP on and off. The button is lit blue when the GRIP is receiving power. This is a “soft” power switch that does not actually interrupt power, but simply suspends operation and turns off the front-panel LEDs. INPUT Knob This knob adjusts the level of the input signal. INPUT LEVEL LED Meter This is the green meter that you see on the right side of the front panel.
4 A Tour of the GRIP When using the GRIP on program material – such as a CD or LP - you should set the XOVER knob to a low setting so that the unit doesn’t process the vocals or other lead instruments. For your reference, the graphs at the right provide examples of typical frequency response curves for bass, kick drums and vocals. XOVER OUT Button This button toggles a highpass filter on the main outputs.
A Tour of the GRIP 4 GAIN REDUCTION LED Meter The red LED meter displays the amount of gain reduction applied by the bass limiters. An increase in gain reduction – by turning the BASS DRIVE Knob clockwise - will cause the meter to light from right to left. BASS LEVEL Knob This knob adjusts the level of the frequencies that fall below the crossover point set by the XOVER knob, except for the sub-bass. BASS LEVEL LED Meter This meter indicates the level of the GRIP’s main output signal.
4 A Tour of the GRIP Rear Panel INPUT Jacks The GRIP’s two input jacks give you analog stereo inputs using TRS balanced 1/4” connectors. If you are using a mono instrument, plug it into the left input jack. The nominal input level, with the INPUT knob at 12 o’clock, is +4 dBu (1.23 VRMS). Input impedance is 10 kOhms. OUTPUT Jacks These two jacks provide analog stereo output using TRS impedance-balanced 1/4” connectors.
5 Suggested Settings LARGE PA: Give those big sub-woofers something to do! SMALL PA: A little extra bass embiggens the smallest speakers. Try to match the LO CUT setting to your speakers’ specified frequency response. SYNTH BASS/BASS GUITAR: More is better. BASS EXTENSION: Add clear, natural sub-bass to older CDs and LPs. Mastering for vinyl meant stripping away the lowest frequencies. Bring them back. STUDIO CROSSOVER: Separate the highs and lows for discreet processing.
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6 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Index Symptoms Cause Solution Unit does not function (no display or audio). Unit not plugged in. Make sure the power cord is connected to the GRIP and plugged into an electrical outlet. Audio distorted, even in BYPASS. Input level too high. Reduce input level. Output level too high. Turn down master volume. Incorrect input/output connections. Refer to chapter 3. Master volume set too low. Change level setting. Bass level or sub-bass level set too low.
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7 Specifications Audio Input Input Connectors: Nominal Input Level (Input Knob at 12:00): Input Impedance: Stereo balanced 1/4” TRS jacks +4 dBu (1.23 VRMS) 10 kOhms Audio Output Output Connectors: Nominal Output Level: dBFS Maximum Output Level: dBFS Output Impedance: All measurements done with INPUT knob turned fully clockwise with a 1kHz sine wave at -1.78 dBu (-1 dBFS) input. Impedances are measured at 1 kHz. 3 balanced 1/4” TRS jacks +4 dBu (1.23 VRMS) = -1 +19 dBu (6.
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8 Block Diagram 29
Index 4-track, 16 ADAT, 16 amplifier, 16 BASS DRIVE knob, 20 BASS LEVEL knob, 20 BASS LEVEL meter, 20 BYPASS button, 21 CD player, 17 CLIP indicator, 20 connecting the GRIP, 16 controls BASS LEVEL knob, 20 BASS-DRIVE knob, 20 BYPASS button, 21 INPUT knob, 19 LO CUT knob, 20 OUTPUT knob, 21 POWER button, 19 SUB-BASS LEVEL knob, 19 XOVER knob, 19 XOVER OUT button, 19 digital audio workstation (DAW), 16 DJ setup, 15 effect loop, 16 feedback, 17 front panel, 19 GAIN REDUCTION meter, 20 grounding, 7 high-pass fi
Warranty / Contact Alesis Alesis Limited Warranty ALESIS CORPORATION ("ALESIS") warrants this product to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year for parts and for a period of one (1) year for labor from the date of original retail purchase. This warranty is enforceable only by the original retail purchaser and cannot be transferred or assigned. For the most effective service, the purchaser should register the purchase on the ALESIS website at http://www.alesis.
