Alesis DEQ230 manual

Ref er ence Manual[...]

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Table Of Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................. 3 W elcome! ...................................................................................................... 3 DEQ230 Key Fe atures .................................................................... 4 How to Use Th is Manual .................[...]

Table Of Contents 2 Basic operation: Store mode......................................................... 38 Channel Copy .............................................................................................. 39 Basic operation: Audition mode .................................................. 40 Basic operation: Channel Level mode ..........[...]

Introduction 3 W elcome! Thank you for purchasing the Alesis DEQ230. It is a versatile product, and whether it be comes a part of you r studio or finds its place in your liv e setup, w e kn ow it will serve you well. Since 1984, we'v e been designing and building creative tools for the audio commu nity . W e believe in ou r products , because [...]

Introduction 4 DEQ230 Key F eatures 1. Offers the best of digital tec hnolog y and analog-style control: a graphic display with instant edi ting of any band or combination of bands, plus the ability to store prog rams 2. 60 prog rams total: 30 preset and 30 user-programmab le 3. 48 KHz sampling rate, 24-bit A/D/A, 28-bit internal processing 4. T w [...]

Introduction 5 How to Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various functions of and app lications for the DEQ230. While it's a go od idea to read through the entire ma nual once carefully , those having general knowledge about au dio equipme nt should use the table of contents to look up speci fic f[...]

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Important Safety Instructions 7 Important Safety Instructions (English) Saf ety symbols used in this product This symbo l alerts the user that th ere are important operating and maintenance i nstr uctions in the literature accompanying this un it. This symbol war ns the user of uninsulated voltage within the unit that can cause dang erous electric [...]

Important Safety Instructions 8 12. Use o nly with a cart, stan d, brack et, or table designed for use with professional audi o or music equipment. In any installation, make sure that injur y or damage will not result from cables pulling on the app aratus and its mounting . If a cart is us ed, use caution when moving the car t/apparatus combination[...]

Important Safety Instructions 9 Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French) S ymboles utilisés dans ce pr oduit Ce symbole alèr te l’utilisateur qu’il existe des instr uctions de fonctionneme nt et de maintenance dans la documentati on jointe avec ce produit. Ce symbole avertit l’utilisat eur de la présence d’une tension non isolée [...]

Important Safety Instructions 10 12. N’utilisez qu’avec un stand, ou table conçus pour l’utilisation d’audio professionne l ou instruments de musiqu e. Dans tou te installation, veillez de ne rien endommager à cause de câbles qui tirent sur de s appareils et leur support. 13. Débran chez l’appareil lors d’un orage ou lorsqu’il n?[...]

Important Safety Instructions 11 Lesen Sie bitte die folgende Sicherheitshinweise (German) Sicher heit Symbole v erwendet in diesem Pr odukt Dieses Symbol alar mier t den Benutzer, daß es wic htig e Funktioniere n und W ar tung Anweisungen in der Lite ratur gibt, die diese Maßeinheit begleitet. Dieses Symbol w ar nt den Benutze r der nicht i soli[...]

Important Safety Instructions 12 12. V erwenden Si e ausschl ießlich W agen, Ständer, oder Tisc he, die speziell f ür professionell e Au dio- und Musikinstrumente geeignet sind. Achten Sie immer darauf, daß die jeweiligen Geräte sicher installiert sind, um Schäden und V erletzungen zu vermeiden . W enn Sie einen Rollwagen benutzen, achten Sie[...]

Important Safety Instructions 13 CE Declaration Of Conformity See our website at: http://www .alesis .com FCC Compliance Statement This device complies with P ar t 15 of the FCC r ules . Operation is subject to the f o llo wing two conditions: (1) This devi ce may not cause har mful interference an d (2) this device must accept any interference rec[...]

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1 Quick Start Guide 15 If you can't w ait to g et start ed The Alesis DEQ230 is a unique pr oduct, but its basic hookup and operation are similar to othe r equalizers in most respects . If you're experienced with signal processo rs , this chapter is a “sho rthand” guide for those who want to star t using the DEQ230 right away . If you[...]

1 Quick Start Guide 16 Step 2: Try some equalization Play some signal int o the unit While lear ning the unit, you should play a CD or a multitrac k source into the e qualizer . Choose a song or musical passage with a fairly consistent level, so you can take y our time experimen ting with the different features. 1. Put the mixer’ s main faders al[...]

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2 Connections 19 Unpacking and Inspection Y o ur DEQ230 was pac ked carefully at the factory . The shipp ing carton was designed to protect the unit during transit. Please keep this car ton in the highly unlikely event that you need to return the DEQ230 for ser vicing . The shipping carton should contain the fol lowing items: • DEQ230 with the sa[...]

2 Connections 20 AC P ower Hookup The DEQ230D has what’ s known as a “switching powe r supply .” This means it will detect any stan dard line voltage from 90 to 230 volts , 50-60 Hz, and adapt itself to that. All you need is the proper A/C cable for the coun try in wh ich y ou fin d yourself . Just plug the "female" end of the power[...]

Connections 2 21 Connecting Inputs and Outputs Connecting t o the Channel or Main Inser ts of a mixing console Unbalanced I/O Most mixing consoles ha ve insert jac ks near the main outputs and for each channel as well. These are typically Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS) jacks with the send and return on the same jack. T o use the DEQ230 as an effects inser t[...]

2 Connections 22 Mono connections This example shows how to connect the DEQ230 to one mono source . Y ou can use this me thod to connect two mono sour ces or one stereo source to the DEQ230. Y ou would need tw o inser t cables to mak e both of these connec tions. Stereo connections Use two insert cables to connect the DEQ230 to th e main L/R bus in[...]

Connections 2 23 Connecting t o the inser ts on an instr ument amplifier Unbalanced I/O The insert sends on a guitar or bass amp are usually l abeled "effects send and return" or "inser t send and return." T his allows your i nstr ument to be boosted to l ine level be fore the signal is sent to the equalizer, processed, and retu[...]

2 Connections 24 There are three ways to connect the DEQ230D with anot her digital audio device: Analog Signal In, Digital Signal Out A potential use f or this setup w ould be if you are running your recorded tracks into a mix er that only has an analog output, but your mix down deck has S/PDIF inputs . Use the DEQ230D to put that finishing touc h [...]

Connections 2 25 About Audio Cables The conn ections between the DEQ230 and your studio are your music’ s lifelin e, so use only high quality cables. These should be low-capacitance shielded cables with a stran ded (not solid) inter nal conductor and a low-resistance sh ield. Although quality cables cost more, they do mak e a difference. Route ca[...]

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3 Basics of Equalization 27 This section will exp lain how equalization w orks, and explain the functions of the DEQ230’ s controls . What is equalization? An equalizer boosts or cuts a frequency range. The DEQ230 is a graphic equalizer , which means it has many fix ed freque ncy bands that can be cut or booste d. The ter m "graphic" is[...]

3 Basics of Equalization 28 Description of the Controls There are thirty buttons side-by -side on each c hannel of the DEQ230. These are the [BAND SELECT] buttons. Abo ve eac h button is a number like "25" or "8k." These stan d for the audio frequencies, measured in Hertz (Hz), which are selected for editing by th e [BAND SELECT[...]

Basics of Equalization 3 29 Description of the Basic Modes Progr am mode When this manual refers to Program mode, w e mean the very top level of functionality of the DEQ230. Prog ram mode is where you are when it is poss ible to use the [DOWN/UP] buttons to sel ect betwee n the different programs that reside in the unit. In this mode, you hav e acc[...]

3 Basics of Equalization 30 Bypass mode This mode is nearly as simple as it sounds: p ush the [BYP ASS] button and the DEQ230 will let you hear the non-equalized audio . But there’ s a bit more to it than that. T here are also two gain adjustment stag es that can be used to comp ensate for a reduction or increase in signal level caused by the equ[...]

Basics of Equalization 3 31 Basic operation: Program mode Program mode is where to be if you w ant to call up another program, or if you ju st want to kno w the number of the prog ram you are using . The DEQ230 h as 60 prog rams in all: 30 Preset programs and 30 User prog rams . The Preset prog rams are the ones numbered 00-29, while the User pro g[...]

3 Basics of Equalization 32 Basic operation: Edit mode If you're not already there , exit to Program mode by using the [LINK/EXIT] button. T hen select prog ram 00 on the DEQ230 by pressing the [DOWN] and [UP] buttons at the same time. Prog ram 00 is a "flat" prog ram, and it's easy to see why it's called that: the g ain se[...]

Basics of Equalization 3 33 Band Gain Cut/Boost Ranges Whether y ou are cutting or boosting a band, the first 10 dB of change happens in 0.5 dB increments . The last 2 dB of change, going from +/-10 dB to +/-12 dB , happens in increme nts of 1.0 dB . So as you make the c han ge, the Numeric LED Display will show you v alues like this: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5[...]

3 Basics of Equalization 34 Multiple Band Edit Selecting an Edit Group Pressing a [BAND SELECT] button puts the DEQ230 into Edit mode. And u ntil you press one of the [DOWN/UP] buttons , you can ke ep pressing [BAND SELECT] buttons until y ou hav e several of them selected simultaneo usly . T his is called selecting an Edit Group . An Edit Group ca[...]

Basics of Equalization 3 35 upward until it reaches 24. This is because that's how far the ban d that was set to -12 dB had to trav el un til it hit the "ceiling," or + 12 dB (see fig . 2). But what about the band that was set to 0 dB originally ...was it boosted to +24 dB? The answer is , "Y es and no ." It was , in the se[...]

3 Basics of Equalization 36 One important note, though; Proportional Gain Memory is only temporary . If you hav e r un one or more bands "past" the +/-12 dB limit and then you exit Edit mode for any reason (such as to store the prog ram), the g ain value of those bands will b e remembered as +/-12 dB (whichever w a s the value that w as l[...]

Basics of Equalization 3 37 Likewise , if the lowest gain setting of any band in this same Edit Group is -4 dB , then the largest number you will see in the Relati ve Gain display go ing all the way up is 16 (see fig . 5). So if you run the Relativ e Gain display up and down repeatedly with this Edit Group , th e display will hit the "ceiling&[...]

3 Basics of Equalization 38 Basic operation: Store mode Once you hav e created a pro gram you would like to sav e, press the [STORE] button to enter Store mode. This will cause the Numeric LED Display to blink with the number o f the cur rent program. If you were on a Preset prog ram while editing, you will not be able to store the program until yo[...]

Basics of Equalization 3 39 Channel Copy Y o u can use the Link function while editing to help set up identical curves on both channel s. But at some poi nt the curves may need to div erg e slightly (or significantly). Rather than un linking the channels and starting all o ver again on Channel B , we hav e included a handy feature cal led Channel C[...]

3 Basics of Equalization 40 Basic operation: Audition mode No doubt there will be times when you want to switch back and forth between diff erent prog rams to deter mine whic h one is best suited for the audio source. But as easy as it is to navigate between the DEQ230's prog rams in Prog ram mode, it's still difficult to focus on what&ap[...]

Basics of Equalization 3 41 A udition A utomation There are two wa ys to tog gle between the prog rams in the Audition List: manually and automatically . T he DEQ230 defaults to the automatic method, whic h w e call A udition Automation. Once y ou hav e finished adding programs to the Audition Li st, the DEQ230 begins cycling through the p rograms [...]

3 Basics of Equalization 42 Basic operation: Channel Level mode Channel Level mode allows y ou to adjust the output level of channels A and B independently o r simultaneously . Use this feature to compensate fo r a reduction or increase of signal level due to the equalization cur ve you hav e selected. T o enter this mode you must start from Prog r[...]

Basics of Equalization 3 43 The "Hidden" Modes There are sev eral sub-leve ls of operation that can be acce ssed from Program mode by pressing dif ferent buttons . W e cov ered Channel Level mode and Audition mode on the preceding pa ges; here are tw o more “hidden” modes: Demonstr ation mode Sometimes it’ s fun to hav e a lot of li[...]

3 Basics of Equalization 44 Setup mode This is where you will find some of the features that g ove rn th e way the DEQ230 operates in the other modes . They are what you would call "Global" settings , in that their status is n ot stored with a prog ram. No matter which program you call up , these settin gs will not change. And since they [...]

Basics of Equalization 3 45 Here's a descripti on of what each function does . Button 1: Master Level (+/- 6 dB) The Master Level function is one way to customize the DEQ230 to your environment. If th e equipm ent in your setup tends to send ve ry hot signals, y ou can use this fu nction to prev ent the output of the DEQ230 from clipping. When[...]

3 Basics of Equalization 46 If th e R elease Edit G roup feature is off, the next [BAND SELECT] button you pre ss after y ou hav e changed the lev el of the Edit Group will simply add that band to th e Edit Group . T he upside of this is the convenience of being able to edit three frequenc ies +3 dB , for example, and then add another freq uency to[...]

Basics of Equalization 3 47 current prog ram, and/or storing a differe nt program on top of the one you ha ve create d for a par ticular applicati on. Before y o u try this feature , make sure you 're happy with the prog ram you had selected prior to turn ing the unit off. It will be the program you are "stuck" with when you turn the[...]

3 Basics of Equalization 48 Button 9: System Exclusi ve Receiv e (W aiting) As long as this page is active , the DEQ230D will allow an external device such as a computer to transmit a new ban k of 30 User prog rams into its User memo ry space. Once the exter nal device begins sending the prop er sys-ex data, the DEQ230D displays the messag e “Rcv[...]

Basics of Equalization 3 49 “ Auto” is the default value . T o force the DEQ230D to listen o nly to the balanced inputs , switch this setting from Auto to Analog . But ton combinations Here is a list of the combinations of buttons that are possible in the DEQ230 and what they do: Hold: Press: Result [UP] (First pre ss) Re sets value [DOWN] [UP][...]

3 Basics of Equalization 50 Equalization Artifacts When you appl y a lot of EQ (6dB or more), y ou may hear some consequences on the output. Here are a few common s ide effects to applying a lot of equalizati on and some wa ys to avoid the m. Distor tion If you boost too many frequencie s too high, you will distort the output. If this happens, the [...]

Basics of Equalization 3 51 Constant Q vs. V ariable Q What mak es the DEQ230 unique? At their ince ption, g raphic equalizers relied solely on a for m of equalization known as "V ariable Q ." T he DEQ230, on the other hand, is what is known as a "Constant Q" e qualizer . T his method of equalization is a relativ ely recen t dev[...]

3 Basics of Equalization 52 In the next illustration, the difference b etween a narrow Q and a wide Q is seen: Va r i a b l e Q Now we're ready for a visual defini tion of the ter m V ariable Q . In the next illustration, the wider and more g radual cur ve represents a lower gain setting for a variable Q equalizer . Th e narrower and more stee[...]

Basics of Equalization 3 53 Multi-band application and r esults So far we ha ve only deal t with cutting or boosting single frequ ency bands . T he diffe rences between the constant Q and v ariable Q methods become more "g raphic," if you will, when adjacent frequency bands are involved. In this example, three adjacent bands are used. T h[...]

3 Basics of Equalization 54 T o fur ther illustrate the differences, here is a pair of examples in which three adjacent bands have settings of + 3 dB , -3 dB , and + 3 dB , respectiv ely: Remember that at low er g ain settings, there is an even wider Q for a giv en frequen cy band on a variable Q equalizer . T he center frequency band needs to be e[...]

4 Applications 55 This section is designed to get you started with the DEQ230 by giving some sample se ttings . T hes e are merely sugg ested settings; experiment and fi nd your o wn once you begin to hear what the DEQ230 does to your sound. In a wa y , it’ s absurd to sug ges t EQ settings without knowing what the source sou nds like . EQ is a t[...]

4 Applications 56 Eliminating Feedbac k During a live perform ance, y ou may experience feedback if a microphone is pl aced too close to a monitor . Howev er, thi s feedbac k often occurs at one fre quency before it happens at others . Y ou can "ring out" the m onitor b y using EQ to cut the frequency that’ s feeding back. The following[...]

Applications 4 57 Comb filter ing Y ou'll understand how this effe ct process g ot its name once y ou see the way it looks when recreated on the DEQ230: 1. F ollow the instr uctions for items 1 an d 2 from Step 2. 2. Star ting from the far lef t of Channel A, press ev er y other [BAND SELECT] button and take those bands all the w ay down to -1[...]

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5 Program Charts 59 Note for all program char ts An "L" in the middle of the picture of the front panel indicates that a program’ s LINK function is ac tiv e. # Title Description 0 Flat The DEQ230 will not affect th e signal; the output s ignal will sound the same as the input signal. 1 Smile The smile curve is a time-tes ted technique [...]

5 Program Charts 60 6 Loudness Plus This curve approximat es what happens when you press the “Boost” button on some consumer-l evel stereo equipment. It makes for a nicely balanced sound w hen listening at low levels. 7 Techno This setting emphasizes the extremes to get the dancing bodies really moving. 8 Com b Filter - 125 Hz Feed a signal int[...]

Program Charts 5 61 12 Cross-Over Split a full-ra nge mono signal into both ch annels; send the output of Channel A to an amplifier feeding the woofers and send Channel B to an amplifier feeding the tweeters. 13 Hum Reduction Some signals have 60Hz hum no matter what you do. This program de-empha sizes 60Hz and i ts harmoni cs without taking a noti[...]

5 Program Charts 62 18 Narrow Boost 3 (800Hz) See not e for programs 16-20 and 22-26 19 Narrow Boost 4 (2.5kHz) See note for programs 16-20 and 22-26 20 Narrow Boost 5 (8kHz) See not e for programs 16-20 and 22- 26 21 Low Shelf Use this to eliminate the low rumb le and leave everything else untouched (corner frequen cy is approximately 75Hz). 22 Na[...]

Program Charts 5 63 25 N arrow Cut 4 (2.5kHz) See note for programs 16-20 and 22-26 26 Narrow Cut 5 (8kHz) See not e for programs 16-20 and 22-26 27 High Shelf Use this to eliminate t h e high end and leave everything else untouched (corner frequen cy is approximately 7kHz). 28 Sine Wave Pattern I Mostly for show, but because Channel A & B are [...]

5 Program Charts 64 31 Tape Hiss Reduction This is a way to deal with noisy source material that originates from magnetic media. 32 Mini TV If you want to ma ke your au dio sound as if it’s coming from one of those portable tele visions, try this one. 33 Megaphone Bandlimit Sounds lik e what the name implies. 34 Air Boost Just the opposite of the[...]

Program Charts 5 65 38 Electric Guitar Bandlimit Very often a really hot guitar track has to find a place in a crowded mix. This is one place to start looking for that special fit. 39 Rap Drums Hype If you've got a drum ma chine or drum mix that calls for woof and hot treble, send it through this curve. 40 Sizzle Cymbals Red uce any live drum [...]

5 Program Charts 66 45 11kHz Sample Rate If you want to digitize your sig nal at a very low sample rate like 11kHz for effect, bandlimiting it to half the sample rate (approximately 5kHz) will help you avoid som e nasty sounding artifacts of the sampling pr ocess. 46 Next Door Neighbor This is what it sounds like when there's a party going on [...]

Program Charts 5 67 51 Proximity Effect This cu rve is meant to mimic the physics phenomenon that the closer your ear (or a microphone) gets to a sound source, the more the bass is emphasized. 52 Presence This curve gives the signal a little more life wh en you want to get the listener's attention. 53 Distance Sometimes y ou want the signal to[...]

5 Program Charts 68 57 Blank Store one of your programs here. 58 Blank Store one of your programs here. 59 Blank Store one of your programs here. Notes regarding the Settings Char t on the next page Let’ s face it; 30 User Memory locations is a l ot (not so very long ago , that was unheard of for a g raphic EQ!), but it’ s entirely possible you[...]

Program Charts 5 69 DEQ230 Settings Chart[...]

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6 Troubleshooting 71 Restoring the Factory Programs & Defaults There is a power-up button combination that will restore the DEQ230's User prog rams to the factor y default programs. This same combination of buttons will reset all of the Setup functions to their default values . T his procedure is called "reinitializing ." T o rei[...]

6 Troubleshooting 72 T r oubleshooting Index Sympt oms Cause Solution No audio at outputs . No input audio . T est with a known good input. Bad cables. Replace the cables. Destinatio n is turned down. Check the conn ections and the level of the mixer or amp to which the DEQ230 is connected. W eak output signal. Input level weak. Increase lev el fro[...]

Troubleshooting 6 73 Ref er A ll Servicing to Alesis W e believe that the DEQ230 is one of the best signal processors that can be made using c ur rent technology , and should provide years of trouble-free u se. How ev er , should problems occur , DO NOT attempt to ser vice the unit yo urself unless you have training and experience . Ser vice on thi[...]

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Specifications 75 DEQ230D Analog I/O (switchable) Input connectors: 2 balanced 1/ 4” TRS jac ks Output Connectors: 2 balanced 1/4” TRS jac ks Switch set to +4: Nominal input level: +4dBu (-15dBFS) Maximum input lev el: +19dBu (6.9 V r ms) Nominal Output Lev el: +4dBu (-15dBFS) Maximum Output Lev el: +19dBu (6.9 V r ms) Switch set to –10: Nomi[...]

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Warranty / Contact 77 Alesis Limit ed W ar ranty ALESIS CORPORATION ("ALESIS") w ar rants this product to be free of defects in material and workmanship fo r a period of one (1) year for par ts and for a period of one (1) year for labor from the date of or iginal retail purchase. This war ranty is enforceable only by the original retail p[...]

Warranty/Contact 78 Alesis Contact Infor mation Alesis Distributi on, LLC Los Angeles , CA USA E-mail: support@alesis .com W ebsite: http://www .alesis .com Alesis DEQ230/DEQ230D Reference Man ual Re vision A by Randy Lee , with thanks to Mike Murphy Re vision B by Randy Lee Copyright 2003, Alesis Distribution, LLC. All rights reser ved Reproduc ti[...]