USER GUIDE Publication AP8769
Limited One Year Warranty This product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for period of one year from the date of purchase by the original owner. To ensure a high level of performance and reliability for which this equipment has been designed and manufactured, read this User Guide before operating.
PACKED ITEMS Check that you have received the following: MIC MIC LINE MIC LINE TEL IN MIC LINE LINE ST2 TEL IN CLF OUT CLF OUT TELCO 1 TELCO 2 MIX B OUT ST4 CRM SPEAKERS L L L L R R R R L/M L/M L/M L/M AUD OUT INSERT L L L R MAIN PGM OUT INSERT R EXT MON IN R L AUX M2 M3 M4 INSERT INSERT INSERT ST1 ST3 ST5 ST7 R R R GUEST PHONES 1 M2 0 20 3010 10 GAIN 0 MIC LINE 63 26 M3 0 20 3010 10 GAIN 40 50 -10 -6 0 MIC LINE 63 26 M4 0 20 3010 10 GAIN 40
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WARNINGS - Read the following before proceeding : CAU TION ATTENTION: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE – NE PAS OUVRIR Read instructions: Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference. Adhere to all warnings printed here and on the console. Follow the operating instructions printed in this User Guide. Do not remove cover: Operate the console with its covers correctly fitted.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Important Mains plug wiring instructions The console is supplied with a moulded mains plug fitted to the AC mains power lead. Follow the instructions below if the mains plug has to be replaced.
CONTENTS Thank you for purchasing your Allen & Heath XB-14 mixer. To ensure that you get the maximum benefit from the unit please spare a few minutes familiarizing yourself with the controls and setup procedures outlined in this user guide. For further information please refer to the additional information available on our web site, or contact our technical support team. http://www.allen-heath.com http://www.allen-heath.com/xb Warranty .............................................. Packed Items ...........
PANEL DRAWINGS This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: CAU TION (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN ALLEN&HEATH AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR. CAUTION: FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION AGAINST RISK OF FIRE REPLACE FUSE WITH SAME TYPE AND RATING.
INTRODUCTION TO THE XB-14 Background overview: The Allen & Heath XB-14 mixer has been carefully and lovingly designed in the beautiful county of Cornwall in the UK and is manufactured alongside a wide range of professional audio mixing consoles.
INTRODUCTION TO THE XB-14 USB: Getting audio to and from a computer easily is now a common requirement for sound and music production and broadcast applications. The way we have implemented this on XB-14 is super-flexible and super-easy! No longer do you need to fiddle around the back of your computer to get to the soundcard inputs, only to find that the levels are all wrong and noisy.
SPECIFICATIONS Operating Levels Input Mono channel Mic input (XLR) +6 to –63dBu for nominal (+17dBu in max) Mono channel Line input (TRS Jack socket) +10 to –26dBu (+30dBu maximum) Insert point (TRS Jack socket) 0dBu nominal +21dBu maximum Stereo input (TRS Jack sockets) 0dBu nominal (control = Off to +10dB) Stereo input (RCA phono sockets) 0dBu nominal (control = Off to +10dB) Telco channel input (XLR) +10 to –26dBu (+30dBu maximum) External monitor inputs (RCA phono sockets) 0dBu Nominal Out
SPECIFICATIONS Headroom Analogue Headroom from nominal (0Vu) Outputs 21dB Analogue Headroom from nominal (0Vu) Mix point 24dB USB in & out headroom from nominal (0Vu) 14dB Crosstalk & Attenuation (dB 22-22kHz) Mono fader attenuation (dB relative to +10dBu) 1kHz/10kHz -95/-95 Mono ON switch attenuation (dB relative to +10dBu) 1kHz/10kHz -95/-95 TELCO fader attenuation (dB relative to +10dBu) 1kHz/10kHz -95/-95 TELCO ON switch attenuation (dB relative to +10dBu) 1kHz/10kHz -95/-95 Stereo fader a
Dimensions MIC MIC MIC TEL IN MIC CLF OUT LINE LINE LINE LINE M1 M2 M3 M4 INSERT INSERT INSERT INSERT ST2 TEL IN CLF OUT MIX B OUT ST4 CRM SPEAKERS AUD OUT INSERT L L L L L L R R R R R L/M L/M L/M L MAIN PGM OUT INSERT R EXT MON IN L/M R L AUX ST1 ST3 ST5 ST7 TELCO 2 R R R GUEST PHONES 1 M2 0 20 3010 10 0 MIC LINE -10 -6 GAIN 40 0 50 MIC LINE 63 26 M3 0 20 3010 10 -10 -6 GAIN 40 0 50 MIC LINE 63 26 100Hz 0 20 10 M4 10 30 -10 -6 GAIN
BLOCK DIAGRAM R L PP + + - GAIN GAIN HPF INSERT TALK HF HF 3 BAND EQUALISER HM LOW= FADER UP PEAK SIGNAL MUTE REMOTE MUTE METER ON PFL DISABLE ON SWITCH LOGIC PEAK SIGNAL ON DISABLE ON PFL OPTIONAL OPERATION STANDARD OPERATION MIX B PAN PRE MIX B 3 4 AUX AUX ON ON ON ON AUD AUD AUD MONO PGM AUX L INSERT R INSERT MAIN PGM EXT METER USB RETURN FADER AUX + MONO MIX B AUDITION USB RTN EXT MON AUX AUD PRIORITY SWITCHING AUDITION LEVEL MIX B LEVEL AUX MONO PGM
MONO INPUT CHANNEL Mic Input Socket MIC Standard 3-Pin XLR socket wired as Pin 1=Chassis, Pin 2=hot (+), Pin 3=Cold (-). Line Input Jack Socket Standard 1/4” (6.25mm) Jack socket for balanced or unbalanced line level signals. Wired Tip=Hot (+), Ring=cold (-), Sleeve=Chassis. The Line input overrides the Mic input, so if you want to hear something plugged in to the xlr socket, make sure nothing is plugged into the Line input. LINE Insert Jack Socket Standard 1/4” (6.
MONO INPUT CHANNEL M1 HF EQ 0 20 3010 10 GAIN 0 MIC LINE 40 50 -10 -6 The HF (High Frequency) equaliser affects the frequency response of the higher audible frequencies. The corner frequency of 12kHz is around 3dB from the maximum cut or boost of the circuit. It has plenty of gain and actually gives slightly more that the +/-15dB legend suggests. 63 26 dBr 20.00 100Hz 15.00 10.00 5.00 HF 0.00 12kHz -5.00 -10.00 -15.00 -15 + 15 -20.00 10.00 Hz 500 650 1k 1000.00 10000.00 30000.
MONO INPUT CHANNEL Aux This control sends a signal to an auxiliary bus. The signal is sourced pre-fade or post-fade depending on the PRE switch position. The pre-fade source selection will be affected by the channel ON/OFF switch if active. The send control varies the signal level to the bus from off (fully attenuated) to +6dB, with unity gain at the arrow.
TELCO CHANNELS TEL IN TEL IN The Telephone Communication channel input XLR socket. Wired as Pin 1=Chassis, Pin 2=hot (+), Pin 3=Cold (-). CLF OUT Standard XLR output connector for the Clean-Feed output from the Telephone Communication channel. Wired Pin 1=Chassis, Pin 2=hot (+), Pin 3=Cold (impedance balanced ground). CLF OUT TELCO Input Gain The Telephone Communication channel input gain control. Varies the gain applied to the TELCO input channel from –10dB to +26dB.
TELCO CHANNELS TALK The TALK switch enables the presenter or operator to communicate with the telephone caller with the presenters channel fader down so the presenters voice does not go to the program mix. The source for the TALK signal is one of the mono channels, pre-selected by links set within the XB-14, the factory default is mono channel 1. The signal source is pre-fade and pre-mute on the selected mono channel.
TELCO CHANNELS AUDITION Switch AUD REM MUTE Pressing the audition button illuminates the red LED and switches the signal from the program bus to the audition bus. The signal is post fade and follows the PAN control. The AUD switch is after the MIX B switch in the signal chain and so has no effect on the MIX B selection. ON Switch PEAK SIGNAL PFL PGM FDR 0 This mechanically latching switch operates the channel mute circuitry, turning the signal to the PGM, Audition, MIX B and Aux buses on or off.
STEREO INPUT CHANNELS ST1 & ST2 FOR CLARITY ONLY ST1 CHANNEL IS DESCRIBED HERE ST2 L ST2 Inputs Standard RCA phono sockets for ST2 L & R inputs. Unbalanced. Nominal input level = 0dBu. R ST1 Inputs L/M ST1 Stereo source selector switch R ST2 Standard 1/4” jack sockets for input signals to ST1 L & R inputs. Wired Tip=Hot(+), Ring=cold (-), Sleeve=Chassis. Fully balanced. Nominal input level = 0dBu. Selects either ST1 or ST2 stereo inputs to the stereo channel ST1.
STEREO INPUT CHANNELS ST1 & ST2 FOR CLARITY ONLY ST1 CHANNEL IS DESCRIBED HERE = BAL BAL L The balance control adjusts the relative levels of the left & right signals in the stereo input channel as they are sent to the PGM, Audition and MIX B buses. Set to the mid position, the signals are balanced equally. With the balance control set fully anticlockwise the right channel will be fully attenuated and the left channel will increase by approximately 3.5dB.
STEREO INPUT CHANNELS ST3 & 4 MIX B OUT L SIMILAR TO THE ST1 & 2 CHANNELS— THE DIFFERENCES ARE DETAILED HERE. R MIX B OUT L/M Standard RCA phono sockets for the MIX B bus output. The output level can be controlled by the MIX B Level control. Nominal level = 0dBu, unbalanced. ST5 USB RTN (ST6) level R ST6 The source for the ST6 input is from the USB audio device, in other words from an external computer.
MASTER SECTION Audition Out Standard RCA phono sockets for the Audition bus output. The output level can be controlled by the AUD Level control. Nominal level = 0dBu, unbalanced. External Monitor Input Standard RCA phono sockets for a stereo signal which can be routed to either the engineers’ CRM monitor headphones & speakers, or the guest headphones. It can be used for monitoring the program transmission or switching any external stereo source to the engineers or guests monitors.
MASTER SECTION 48v Phantom Power switch Press this in to switch 48v Phantom Power to the 4 Mic input xlr connectors, if any of the microphones attached require power. Dynamic microphones won’t mind being connected to a phantom powered input, but care is needed to ensure that 48v is not switched on if an xlr is used to input a signal from an electronic circuit (ie. Another mixer or keyboard).
MASTER SECTION CRM Speakers level Adjusts the level of the signal to the control room speaker outputs from off (fully attenuated) to unity gain. DIM & Cut CRM Speakers CRM SPEAKERS PFL ENABLE TO GUEST MIN MAX TALK TO GUEST DIM SPKS The Dim switch reduces the level of the control room speakers by 20dB.
REMOTE INTERFACE CONNECTORS 15 Way D socket connector REMOTE A PIN FUNCTION 1 M1 FADER UP LOGIC (OPEN COLLECTOR OUTPUT) 2 M3 FADER UP LOGIC (OPEN COLLECTOR OUTPUT) 3 T1 FADER UP LOGIC (OPEN COLLECTOR OUTPUT) 4 M1 EXTERNAL MUTE (INPUT, ACTIVE LOW) 5 M3 EXTERNAL MUTE (INPUT, ACTIVE LOW) 6 T1 EXTERNAL MUTE (INPUT, ACTIVE LOW) 7 CUT CRM SPEAKERS (INPUT, ACTIVE LOW) 8 GROUND 9 M2 FADER UP LOGIC (OPEN COLLECTOR OUTPUT) 10 M4 FADER UP LOGIC (OPEN COLLECTOR OUTPUT) 11 T2 FADER UP LOGIC (OPEN
REMOTE INTERFACE CONNECTORS 9 Way D socket connector EXTERNAL METER PIN FUNCTION 1 +15V POWER 2 -15V POWER 3 GROUND 4 LEFT METER 5 RIGHT METER 6 GROUND 7 GROUND 8 GROUND 9 +10V POWER External Meter socket This can be used to feed the main Program PGM L & R signals to external metering equipment. These are line level analogue signals, the level at 0VU will be 0dBu. +/- 15V power is also available to power meter circuits, current draw should be kept under 100mA or so.
REMOTE INTERFACE CONNECTORS REMOTE A Connector wiring The REMOTE A connector is used for the “Fader Up” logic signals from the Mono and Telco channel faders. It is also used for remote muting of channels and control room speakers.
USB CONNECTION MIX B OUT ST4 L CRM SPEAKERS AUD OUT L L R R R L/M L/M L/M INSERT L L R L MAIN PGM OUT INSERT R EXT MON IN R L AUX ST3 ST5 ST7 MONO OUT R R R R 5 SEND GUEST PHONES 1 GUEST PHONES 2 CRM PHONES ST4 ST6 0 0 USB 5 -15 -15 RETURN ST6 (USB) 3/4 5/USB ST3 ST3 ST5 0 ST5 -15 + 15 + 15 HF 2kHz 12kHz 12kHz -15 + 15 LF LF LF 80Hz 80Hz 80Hz + 15 -15 PRE AUX 0 5 HF -15 ON ST7 -15 + 15 + 15 48V MIX B 5 HF -15 AUDITION PGM MIX 0 5 -15
APPLICATION DIAGRAM: SELF OPERATION Guests Operator R MF LF 650 MIC 2k 100Hz 63 26 50 40 0 20 3010 10 -15 120Hz 80Hz L OO -15 PAN AUX GAIN M4 R LF MF 80Hz -15 120Hz L OO -15 PAN AUX = MIC 40 50 3k 2k 100Hz 63 26 4k 1k + 15 + 15 + 15 R MIX B BUS +6 PRE 650 0 20 3010 10 -10 -6 0 MIC LINE 500 +6 MIX B BUS 200 -15 3k 1k + 15 4k + 15 + 15 PRE AUD REM MUTE TEL IN TEL IN 20 AUDITION 20k 6kHz 26 10 TELCO2 TALK 3k 120Hz 5 CLF OUT -1O
APPLICATION DIAGRAM: STUDIO+CONTROL ROOM Telephone caller Telephone caller Studio Guest Presenter KEY Microphone signals to mono inputs Telephone line in (or exchange) Line level to/from telephone module Line level stereo signals Headphone signals Telephone call handling PGM inserts to limiter Program mix for transmission Telephone Hybrid Module USB lead Control Room Control Room Monitor Speakers Amp CD Music sources CD Sound sources Jingle Limit MIC MIC MIC TEL IN MIC LINE LINE M1 M2
APPLICATION TIPS: OFF-AIR CALL RECORDING This diagram shows the basic mixer setup using the Audition bus to record an interview with a telephone caller off-air, whilst playing music through stereo channel ST1. The interview could be recorded from the Audition out phono connectors or via the USB port as shown here.
FIXING TO A RACK OR FURNITURE The XB-14 can be fitted to a 19” rack or incorporated into studio furniture using the optional 19” rack fixing kit. The following pictures give you an idea of how the rack fixing kit is fitted to the XB-14. Should you decide to purchase the kit, please follow the fitting instructions provided with the kit.
WIRING NOTES Insert cable wiring PROCESSOR RETURN S INSERT T OUT T R S R SEND GROUND RETURN SEND S T R IN LINK RING TO SLEEVE TO UNBALANCE General Wiring Information Y-Adapter Y-Adapter RCA phono jacks 2 Outputs to 1 Input 1 Output to 2 Inputs adapter RCA PHONO CABLE UNBALANCED No ! UNBALANCED INSTRUMENT CABLE UNBALANCED BALANCED TRS JACK CABLE BALANCED Sleeve= ground Sleeve= ground Ring= cold (-) Ring= cold (-) Tip= hot (+ ) Tip= hot (+ ) TO INPUT Yes 2= hot (+ ) 1= grou
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SERVICE OPTIONS CAUTION These servicing instructions are for use by qualified service personnel only. To reduce the risk of electric shock do not perform any servicing other than that contained in the operating instructions unless you are qualified to do so. CAUTION The XB-14 mixer has a versatile architecture which should satisfy most applications that you may encounter without modification. However, the following internal options provide alternative settings for those applications that may demand them.
SERVICE OPTIONS AUX Pre ON switch / Pre fade option (Mono, Telco and stereo Cut and solder option channels) This is a cut and solder link that sets the action of the AUX pre switch when it is in the down position. The default setting is prefade which sources the audio signal after the ON switch but before the channel fader. The option when modified sources the signal pre ON switch and post EQ.
