User`s guide

APOGEE ELECTRONICS
4
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide
APOGEE ELECTRONICS
5
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide
While the POWER switch
options may appear overly
complicated, a commonly
encountered example will
demonstrate their utility.
Let’s imagine a recording session
where two performers are set up in
a room which serves both as control
room and recording area (as is the
case with most project studios) Monitor
speakers are connected to the Mini-
DAC’s XLR ANALOG Output (whose
jumper is set to VAR), performer no. 1
connects his headphones to the front
panel Output, while performer
no.2 gets his headphone feed from an
external headphone amp connected to
the 1/8” LINE OUT (whose jumper is set
to FIX).
While recording, the POWER switch
is set to ; the monitor speakers
are muted (to avoid bleed into the
microphones), performer no.1 connects
his headphone to the
Output and adjusts his listening level
with the front panel LEVEL control, and
performer no. 2 connects his external
headphone amp to the 1/8” LINE OUT,
allowing him to control his listening level
independently.
If both performers are using similar
headphones and can agree on listening
levels (which we all know is unlikely!),
the 1/8” LINE OUT may be used directly
as a second headphone output. Set the
1/8” Out jumpers to VAR, and control
both headphone sends with the front
panel LEVEL knob.
During playback, the POWER switch is
set to ALL, thereby activating the XLR
outputs feeding the monitor speakers, in
addition to the other two outputs.
Navigating the Front Panel - continued
3) SIGNAL indicators – The brightness of these LEDs displays the left (L)
and right (R) signal level of the selected INPUT SOURCE. The LEDs
begin to illuminate at a level of –30 dBFs and are at their brightest at
0 dBFs.
4) LOCK – These LEDs indicate the Lock status of Mini-DAC’s dual stage
clock. Two levels of lock precision are displayed, W(ide) and N(arrow).
5) POWER – The POWER switch not only turns the unit on and off, but
also selectively activates analog outputs according to the position of the
switch. FIGURE 1 displays the outputs activated at each switch position.
6)LEVEL – This knob always controls the Output level; the knob also
controls the XLR ANALOG and 1/8” LINE OUT output levels when each
output’s internal jumper is set to VAR. And of course, the knob goes to 11.
7) – This headphone output utilizes a discrete, high slew rate amplier
stage able to effortlessly drive modern low impedance headphones. As the
amplier can generate sound levels potentially damaging to hearing, please
reduce the LEVEL knob before connecting headphones.
POWER SWITCH POSITIONS
ALL
Ouput
Output On
LEVEL knob Active
Output On
LEVEL knob Active
XLR Output (XLR OUT
jumper on VAR)
Muted
Output On
LEVEL knob Active
Trimpots Active
XLR Output (XLR OUT
jumper on TRIM)
Output On
Trimpots Active
Output On
Trimpots Active
1/8” Output (1/8” OUT
jumper on VAR)
Muted
Output On
LEVEL knob Active
1/8” Output (1/8” OUT
jumper on FIX)
Output On
Fixed Output Level
Output On
Fixed Output Level
For more information on conguration of the XLR and 1/8” Outputs, see the
section of this manual entitled “INTERNAL ADJUSTMENTS”.
3
4 5 7
6
FIGURE 1
O
U
T
P
U
T
S