User Manual

XONE:32 User Guide 13
Gain and Operating Levels
It is most important that the system gain and level settings are correctly set. It is well known that many DJs
push the gain to maximum with meters peaking hard in the belief that they are getting the best from the system.
THIS IS NOT THE CASE ! The best can only be achieved if the system levels are set within the normal
operating range and not allowed to peak. Peaking simply results in signal distortion, not more volume. It is the
specification of the amplifier / speaker system that sets the maximum volume that can be achieved, not the
console. The human ear too can fool the operator into believing that more volume is needed. Be careful as this
is in fact a warning that hearing damage will result if high listening levels are maintained. Remember that it is
the QUALITY of the sound that pleases the ear, not the VOLUME.
Use the LEVEL TRIM to match the input source to the normal operating level of the console. Adjust this so that
the CHANNEL METER averages 0dB with loudest moments reading +5. Press the CUE SWITCH to listen to
the signal on headphones. Adjust the CHANNEL FADER and MASTER LEVEL so that they normally operate in
the near the top of travel. Make sure the amplifier/speaker system has been correctly calibrated for the loudest
volume required at the fader top position. Boosting the EQ also adds gain to the system. Reduce by turning
back the LEVEL TRIM if the meter red peak LEDs flash. Adjust the HEADPHONES and BOOTH monitor
controls for safe listening levels.
The diagram illustrates the operating range of the audio
signal.
NORMAL OPERATING RANGE. For normal music the
signal should range between –5 and +5 on the meters with
average around 0dB. This allows enough HEADROOM for
unexpected peaks before the signal hits its maximum
CLIPPING voltage and distorts. It also achieves the best
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE-RATIO by keeping the signal well
above the residual NOISE FLOOR (system hiss). The
DYNAMIC RANGE is the maximum signal swing available
between the residual noise floor and clipping. The
XONE:32 provides a massive 108dB dynamic range.
A final note … The human ear is a remarkable organ with
the ability to compress or ‘shut down’ when sound levels
become too high. Do not interprete this natural response
as a reason to turn the system volume up further ! As the
session wears on ear fatigue may set in, and the speaker
cones may become hot so reducing the effectiveness of the
system and listeners to gain any benefit from increased
volume.
BE SENSIBLE, BE SAFE WITH SOUND LEVELS
Using the Channel EQ
With the 3 EQ controls set to their centre detented position the EQ has no affect on the sound. The asymmetric
EQ design provides a huge amount of cut to suck out selected frequencies for dramatic effect, and a restricted
amount of boost to enhance frequencies without overloading the system. Turn the controls clockwise to boost
the selected band of frequencies by up to 6dB. Turn them anticlockwise to cut the frequencies by up to 26dB.
Cutting low, mid or high frequency bands can be very effective when layering one track on another. This lets
you enhance the sounds you want while cutting those you don’t want. For example, you could fade in the high
frequency cymbal line of the CH3 track on top of the currently playing CH1 track by cutting the MID and LO EQ
on CH3. Learn what the EQ can do by playing a selection of tracks and experimenting with the controls.

10 100 1kHz 10k 20k
0dB
+5
+10
-5
-10
-15
-20
-25
-30
HIMIDLO
+ 6dB BOOST
-26dB CUT