Samson S83 manual

SAMSON ® S83 / S63 AMPLIFIER MIXER[...]

Introduction 1 S83/S63 F eatures 2 Guided T our - S83 4 Overview 4 Channel 5 Main Section 6 Rear Panel 8 Guided T our - S63 10 Overview 10 Channel 11 Main Section 12 Rear Panel 14 Connecting The S83/S63 - General Suggestions 15 Setting Up and Using the S83/S63 16 Setting the Correct Gain Str ucture 17 Suggested P erformance Applications 20 S83 20 S[...]

Introduction Congratulations on purchasing the Samson S83/S63 Mixer Amplifier! In this manual, we’ll take you on a guided tour through all the features of this powerful and flexible device, and we’ll tell you how to get the most out of the S83/S63. Although designed for easy operation, we suggest you take some time out first to go through these[...]

S83/S63 F eatures The Samson S83/S63 utilizes state-of-the-art technology in integrated mixer/amplifier design. Here are some of its main features: • Standard 19” rack-mount design (taking just four rack spaces) allows the S83 and S63 to be easily integrated into any setup. • Multiple channels (eight in the S83; six in the S63) and mic and li[...]

S83/S63 F eatures • A phantom power switch enables you to use the S83 and S63 with high- quality condenser microphones. When turned on, 48 volts of phantom power is provided to the mic connectors of all input channels. • Protection relay circuitry prevents “thumps” when powering on or off. This means that you can use the S83/S63 with a sing[...]

Guided T our - S83 Over view The following illustration shows an overview of the front panel of the S83: 4 -12 +12 2.5K 0 -15 +15 HIGH 0 -12 +12 500Hz 0 -15 +15 LOW 0 +15 LEVEL 0 +10 EFF1 MON 0 +4 -40 TRIM 0 10 +10 EFF2 REV 0 LINE MIC CHANNEL 1 PEAK LOW +15 LEVEL 0 +10 EFF1 MON 0 +4 -40 TRIM 0 10 +10 EFF2 REV 0 LINE MIC CHANNEL 2 PEAK LOW +15 LEVEL[...]

Guided T our - S83 Channel 1: Level (white) - This knob determines the final signal level being sent by a channel to the main speaker outputs as well as to Effect send 1 (see #2 below). In practice, this will be used to adjust the levels of the various signals being blended together by the S83. The “ 0 ” position indicates unity gain (no level [...]

Guided T our - S83 Main Section 1: Meter - This seven-segment bar meter shows the continuous output level of the S83. For optimum signal-to-noise ratio, try to adjust all levels (channel and main) so that program material is usually at or around 0 VU, with occasional but not steady excursions to the +2 segment. See the “ Setting Up and Using the [...]

Guided T our - S83 Main Section output signal. At the fully clockwise ( “ +10 ” ) position, approximately 10 db of gain is being added by the mixer to the output signal. For more information, see the “ Setting Up and Using the S83/S63 ” section in this manual. 5: Phantom switch - When this switch is pressed in, the S83 delivers 48 volts of [...]

Guided T our - S83 Rear P anel 1: Power switch - As you may have guessed, this is what you use to turn the S83 on and off. The built-in protection relay circuitry (which mutes the outputs for approximately five seconds after powering on) prevents power-on “ thumping, ” which can potentially damage connected speakers. 2: Fuse holder - Insert a 6[...]

Guided T our - S83 Rear P anel 5: Amp In - This unbalanced input allows you to connect any external mono- phonic line-level signal directly to the S83 power amplifier. This input is not affected by either the ten-band graphic master equalizer or the S83 ’ s Main Level control. The Amp In jack can optionally also be used as an insert patch point a[...]

Guided T our - S63 Over view The following illustration shows an overview of the front panel of the S63: 10 Main Section Channels -12 +12 1 kHz 0 -15 +15 HIGH 0 -15 +15 LOW 0 +15 LEVEL 0 +10 EFF1 MON 0 +4 -40 TRIM 0 10 +10 EFF2 REV 0 LINE MIC CHANNEL 1 30Hz 64Hz 125Hz 250Hz 500Hz 1K 2K 3K 5K 10K +15dB 0dB -15dB 30Hz 64Hz 125Hz 250Hz 500Hz 1K 2K 3K [...]

1: Level (white) - This knob determines the final signal level being sent by a channel to the main speaker outputs as well as to Effect send 1 (see #2 below). In practice, this will be used to adjust the levels of the various signals being blended together by the S63. The “ 0 ” position indicates unity gain (no level attenuation or boost). Movi[...]

1: Return 1-2 Level (green) - This knob determines the input level of signal arriving via Effects returns 1 and 2 (mixed together in mono). This signal is at unity gain (no boost or attenuation) when the knob set to the 0 position and is boosted when the knob is turned to the right of 0 and attenuated when turned to the left of 0. For information o[...]

4: Ten-Band Graphic Master EQ - These sliders allow you to add ±15 db of boost or attenuation to ten different frequency areas, affecting the main output signal of the S63. When a slider is at its center detented ( “ 0 db ” ) position, the selected frequency area is unaffected (it is said to be flat ). When a slider is moved up (above the “ [...]

1: Power switch - As you may have guessed, this is what you use to turn the S63 on and off. The built-in protection relay circuitry (which mutes the outputs for approximately five seconds after powering on) prevents power-on “ thumping, ” which can potentially damage connected speakers. 2: Fuse holder - Insert a 6 amp fuse here for 120 volt ope[...]

Guided T our - S63 Rear P anel 5: Amp In - This unbalanced input allows you to connect any external mono- phonic line-level signal directly to the S63 power amplifier. This input is not affected by either the ten-band graphic master equalizer or the S63 ’ s Main Level control. The Amp In jack can optionally also be used as an insert patch point a[...]

16 The actual connections you ’ ll make to and from the S83/S63 will vary according to the environment you use it in and the particular equipment you have. However, here are a few basic rules concerning connections that will apply in pretty much all situations: • In general, it ’ s best to make all connections with the S83/S63 turned off — [...]

17 Setting up your S83/S63 is a simple procedure which takes only a few minutes: 1. Remove all packing materials (save them in case of need for future service) and decide where the unit is to be physically placed — it can be mounted in any standard 19 ” rack, requiring four rack spaces. Be careful when handling the S83/S63 — the rear heat sin[...]

18 You ’ re now ready to establish the correct gain structure — the key to getting the best performance from the S83/S63, or from any mixer, for that matter. This is a simple procedure that ensures optimum input and output levels so that no unnecessary noise (caused by too low a signal) or overload distortion (caused by too high a signal) is cr[...]

19 i. Repeat step (g) above for each instrument connected to the S83/S63 channel line inputs. j. The procedure for setting optimum microphone levels is virtually identical; sing or speak into the mic at the level you expect to use in performance while slowly raising the level control for that channel to its “ 0 ” position. Then adjust the input[...]

20 Suggested P erformance Application - S83 The following illustration shows the basic interconnections between an S83 and external equipment when used in a typi- cal live performance application: The main connections here involve connecting the S83 speaker outputs to PA speakers and the Monitor output to the input of an external amplifier driving [...]

21 Suggested P erformance Application - S63 The following illustration shows the basic interconnections between an S63 and external equipment when used in a typi- cal live performance application: The main connections here involve connecting the S63 speaker outputs to PA speakers and the Monitor output to the input of an external amplifier driving [...]

22 Grounding T echniques Hum and buzz are the biggest enemies you face when interconnecting a large number of different pieces of equipment to a central audio mixer. This is because each piece of equipment may operate at a mar- ginally different voltage (this difference is called potential ) and, when two devices at slightly different potential are[...]

23 Using Equalization One of the most exciting aspects to using a mixer such as the S83 or S63 is hav- ing the ability to shape a sound, using a process called equalization . But there are few areas of sound engineering more misunderstood than equalization, and, just as good EQ can really help a sound, bad EQ can really hurt it, so read on... Every[...]

24 Using Equalization until the ringing or feedback disappears. Don ’ t lower the frequency area any further than you need to, or the quality of the overall sound may suffer. If you don ’ t specifically need to utilize the ten-band graphic master equalizer in a partic- ular environment, leave it completely flat (all sliders at their center dete[...]

25 Using The Effects Sends and Retur ns The two Effects sends provided by the S83 and S63 allow you to combine the signal from multiple channels and send the resulting mix to the rear panel Monitor output jack, to the internal reverb unit, or to external devices such as effects processors. When an Effects send knob is at the “ 0 ” position, the[...]

26 Using the Monitor Output and Inter nal Re verb Using the Monitor Output In live performance, it is usually desirable to have onstage monitor speakers that allow the performer to clearly hear the music being played. Often, however, the performer requires a different mix than that being sent to the house speakers. The S83 and S63 Monitor output ac[...]

27 Specifications Mixer / Pre Amp Section: Total Harmonic Distortion (with 30 kHz LPF, trim center) S83 0.045% S63 0.01% Signal To Noise Ratio (both models, with 30 kHz LPF, trim center) 78 dB Maximum Voltage Gain (both models) Mic in to Pre Amp out: Eff send 1, 2, mon out 62 dB Line in to Pre Amp out: Eff send 1, 2, mon out 52 dB Tape in to Pre Am[...]