ARGOS Sound Level Limiter USER MANUAL VERSION 1.0 - English APEX nv Schoebroekstraat, 62 B-3583 Beringen BELGIUM Tel. +32 11 28 61 91 Fax. +32 11 25 56 38 www.apex-audio.
© Copyright 1999 by APEX n.v. All rights reserved Ordering code for this manual : 90 40 20 0000 10 PRINTING HISTORY DISCLAIMER The information in this document is subject to change without notice. APEX n.v. has made every attempt to ensure that the information in this document is accurate and complete. However APEX n.v. assumes no liability for errors, or for any damage that results from use of this document or the equipment which accompanies it. TRADEMARKS • APEX is a registered trade mark of APEX n.v.
1 Contents. • General............................................................................................................................2 Printing history, Disclaimer, Trademarks. 1. Contents..........................................................................................................................3 2. Important notes concerning EMC.................................................................................5 EMC, Cautions. 3. Important safety notes............................
ARGOS - USER MANUAL 4
Important notes concerning EMC. 2 EMC This instrument has been designed to meet the requirements of the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC. Compliance was demonstrated by meeting the test limits of the following standards : Emission : EN50081-1 (1992) Generic emission standard for residential, commercial and light Industry. Test methods and limits used were : • EN 55022 • EN 55022 Conducted, Class B. Radiated, Class B.
3 Important safety notes. The Apex ARGOS was designed and manufactured to meet strict quality and safety standards. There are, however, some installation and operation precautions which you should be particularly aware of : READ AND RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS - All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the appliance is operated and retained for future reference. HEED WARNINGS - All warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.
DAMAGE REQUIRING SERVICE - The appliance must be serviced by an APEX approved service centre when : • Objects have fallen, or liquid has spilled into the appliance. • The appliance has been exposed to rain. • The appliance does not appear to operate normally or shows a noticeable change in performance. • The appliance has been dropped, or the enclosure has been damaged. SERVICING The user should not attempt to service the appliance other than is described in the operating instructions.
4 Installation and precautions. UNPACK THE ARGOS The following should be included with each ARGOS system : 1x 1x 1x 1x ARGOS Microphone Power cord This manual INSTALLATION • The ARGOS may be rack-mounted or free-standing. • The ARGOS will accept voltages from 220 to 240 Vac, 50 / 60 Hz. No voltage regulation setting is necessary. • As with all pieces of precision electronic equipment, follow the next rules when using the ARGOS : - Do not subject the equipment to shocks or vibration.
Definitions and abbreviations of terms. 5 dB Logarithmic ratio of voltages, currents or powers. dBm Logarithmic ratio of voltages with reference : 1 mW into 600 Ohm. dBu Logarithmic ratio of voltates with reference : 774,6 mV. dBV Logarithmic ratio of voltages with reference : 1 V. dBASPL Logarithmic ratio of the RMS value of the "A"-weighted sound pressure expressed in Pa and the lowest sound pressure a human ear can detect, being 20 µPa. 1 dBA = 20 * log (P/PRef ) with PRef = 20 µPa.
ARGOS - USER MANUAL + - - + + - - + Mu te Microp hone failu re detecto r Mic N orma l / Pin k N oise LS Line VC A "A"- filter R MS detecto r Gain R eduction So und L evel dBA-le vel trimmer LOG converter - + Line Outp ut to Po w er Amplifie r(s) R EF Inte grator N orma l Po w er Amplifier Me asu ring Microp hone Line In put from Prea mplifier or Mixing d esk Pink N oise Generato r Sile nce D ete cto r Mo de Sa mple&H o ld C lip Test ARGOS block diagram 6 Ma nual Au
7 Introduction. APPLICATIONS OF THE ARGOS The Apex ARGOS is a versatile apparatus which can be applied either as a : • Sound level limiter or • Sound leveler. Applied as a sound level limiter, the ARGOS guarantees that a certain preset maximum level won't be exceeded either to meet legal requirements or just to protect audio-equipment against damage caused by excessive sound levels. Applied as a sound leveler, the ARGOS will take care that f.e.
The ARGOS is inserted in the audio chain between the source (mixing desk or preamplifier) and the amplifier(s). If one uses an active system (separate amplifiers for different frequency ranges), the output of the ARGOS should be connected to the input of the electronic cross-over.
8 Operation modes. GENERAL The operation of the ARGOS can be based on three different sources : • Microphone • Line • Loudspeaker signal THE 3 OPERATION MODES Microphone: The best way is to base the operation on the actually measured sound level by means of a microphone placed in the room. The ARGOS measures the sound pressure level in exactly the same way as a sound level (dB) meter used by the authorities.
9 HOLD mode Hold Mode By means of the "MODE" pushbutton (7), ARGOS can be put in hold mode. The purpose of the hold-mode is to prevent a decrease in gain reduction when no signal is available at the input coming from the source (mixing desk). This feature reduces unwanted gain changes whenever there is no signal present at the line inputs. There are two methods to operate the hold mode , namely "automatic" and "manual". A sliderswitch (5) behind the cover determines if you are in automatic or manual mode.
10 The front panel 15 ARGOS - USER MANUAL 15
Description of the front panel. (1) dBA-trimmer : To calibrate the ARGOS to the desired or legally imposed maximum sound pressure level during installation of the ARGOS. (2) MODE SELECTION-switch : With this 3-positions-switch the operation mode can be set to : • LINE : (upper position) gain reduction will be based on the level of the Line-output • LS : (middle position) gain reduction will be based on the level of the LS-input.
12 The rear panel 17 ARGOS - USER MANUAL 17
13 Description of the rear panel. ( 16 ) Mains socket and fuse holder : Connects the plug of the mains lead and houses the primary fuse of the ARGOS. ( 17 ) Extension connector: This connector makes it possible to connect Argos to an optional microprocessor unit ( 18 ) Loudspeaker input : When the mode selection switch is set to LS, the ARGOS will base its limiting operation on the level measured on both loudspeaker-inputs.
Installation instructions. 14 GENERAL CONNECTIONS • Connect the LINE- or MASTER-output of the pre-amplifier or the mixing desk to the LINEinput of the ARGOS. • Connect the LINE-output of the ARGOS to the input of the power amplifier or if an active amplification system is used, to the input of the electronic crossover. MIC (MICROPHONE-BASED OPERATION) : When to use ? • When the use of a measuring microphone is desirable. • When the maximum admissible sound level is > 80 dBA.
• Adjust the dBA-level trimmer (1) to its maximum by turning it fully clockwise. • Adjust the volume on the amplifier to minimum. • Slide NORMAL / PINK NOISE switch (4) to the PINK NOISE-position (lowest position). • Use a sound level meter set to “dBA” and “slow or average response” to measure the sound pressure level at an appropriate position in the room. • Adjust the volume on the amplifier to about 10 dBA above the desired or allowed sound level.
15 Technical specifications. AUDIO SPECIFICATION. Frequency response ........................................10 Hz - 40 kHz THD + Noise @1kHz, 0dBm input level ................................. <0,1% Input impedance .................................................10 k Ohm Output impedance .................................................100 Ohm Speaker input impedance .................................................20 k Ohm Maximum input - output level balanced inputs-outputs........
Maintenance and service. 16 PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE. • Preventive maintenance consists of cleaning and visual inspection of the ARGOS. When accomplished regularly, preventive maintenance may prevent malfunction and lengthen the apparatus life. The severity of the environment in which the ARGOS is used determines the required frequency of preventive maintenance. Regular cleaning prevents dust from penetrating the apparatus. • The front panel can be cleaned with a soft cloth or a small soft-bristle brush.
17 Warranty. SUMMARY. We, Apex nv Bosdel 52, 3600 Genk Belgium warrant to you, the original purchaser and any subsequent owner of this Apex product, for a period of one year from the date of purchase by the original purchaser that the product is free of defects in components and factory workmanship under normal use and service. The date of purchase is the date appearing on the first end-user’s bill of sale or other proof of original purchase from an authorised Apex dealer. ITEMS EXCLUDED FROM WARRANTY.
18 Your suggestions. If you have any suggestions for the ARGOS, new features, manual, or whatever, please let us know. We would be very happy with your opinion. You can contact Apex through your local dealer, or contact us directly. NOTES. ............................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................... .............
APEX ARGOS SERVICE REQUEST FORM Please copy and complete this form as complete as possible and return it to APEX or an authorised APEX service centre together with the defective unit. Name / Company : ........................................................................................................................... Address : ........................................................................................................................... : ..................................................
APEX ARGOS EC DECLARATION OF CONFIRMITY We, APEX N.V. Schoebroekstraat, 62 B-3583 Beringen BELGIUM declare that the APEX ARGOS meets the intent of the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC and the Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC.
