CAI Countryman Type 10S Stereo Direct Box User manual
COUNTRYMAN
TYPE 10 STEREO
1
Thanks for choosing the Countryman Type 10S Stereo Direct Box. We’re confident you’ll
find it the most accurate and rugged two-channel direct box available.
The Type 10S DI uses an innovative circuit design to deliver unparalleled performance:
total harmonic distortion (THD) less than 0.001%, 122 dB of dynamic range, flat and
extended bandwidth from 10 Hz to 50 kHz (+/- 1 dB), less than 2 degrees of deviation
from linear phase for the entire audio range, and imperceptibly low inter-channel cross-
talk. And all of this performance comes in a rugged, nearly indestructable housing, built
to last for years on the road.
This booklet describes how to use the Type 10S to get the best performance in a variety
of different applications.
2
Input Connector Options 3
Padding Options 4
Powering the Type 10S 5
Power Test Feature 6
Ground Lift 7
Typical Applications
Keyboards 8
Multimedia Devices 9
Key Specifications 10
Declarations 11
Contents
3
The Type 10S includes several different connector
options on the input to accomodate a wide variety of
applications. Here are some things you should know
about the various connectors:
• If phantom power is available, all of the connectors
can be used. For battery operation, only the 1/4” jacks
are available, since the battery turns on only when you
connect a mono 1/4” plug to Channel A.
• The 1/8” jack is wired such that the tip routes to
Channel A, and the ring to Channel B.
• The 1/4” inputs have an input impedance of 10MΩ
since they are often used with piezo pickups, or other
high impedance sources. The RCA and 1/8” inputs
have an input impedance of 20kΩ since they are almost
always driven by low impedance sources.
Input Connector Options
4
Padding Options
The Type 10S offers three pad levels (0dB, -15dB,
and -30dB) on each channel.
0dB Pad Level: Use for most sources (levels less
than 5Vpp, or 7dBu), such as passive acoustic or
bass guitars, piezo pick-ups, and many keyboards.
-15dB Pad Level: Use for very hot sources (levels
between 5Vpp and 28Vpp, or 22dBu), such as some
keyboards and active instruments.
-30dB Pad Level: Use when you want to capture
the sound of your amp in the mix, and are plugging
the amp output into the Type 10S input. Remember
that, as with any DI box, the Type 10S will not provide
the required load to the output of a tube amplifier. Always
connect a speaker or dummy load to the tube amp
output to prevent damaging the amp.
5
Powering the Type 10S
The Type 10S is an “active” direct box, which means
it requires power to operate. To power the box, you
can either provide phantom power—which is available
on almost any modern mixing console—or use the
internal 9V battery. When used with a fresh alkaline
9V battery, the Type 10S will run for 130 hours.
You only need to provide phantom to Channel A to
power both channels of the device. And the battery is
only engaged when you plug a mono 1/4” cable into
the Channel A 1/4” input jack.
Your Type 10S continuously monitors phantom and
battery power levels, and seamlessly transitions
between them when necessary to achieve peak
performance.
6
The power test switch allows you to determine
whether your box is operating on phantom power or
battery, and if the battery voltage is low. This can be
an invaluable tool for quickly debugging problems at
a venue.
To operate this feature, press the power test switch
on the XLR side of the DI box, and read the LED
indicators. If the PHAN light is green, the box is
operating on phantom power. If the BATT light is
green, the box is operating on battery power. If the
BATT light is red, the battery is low and needs to be
replaced.
The box is
operating on 9V
battery power.
The battery is
low and needs
to be replaced.
The box is
operating on
48V phantom.
Power Test Feature
7
The ground lift switch isolates your input ground from
your XLR output pin 1. The Type 10S allows you to
lift or ground either channel indepedently. If you have
hum or buzz in your signal, try both positions of the
ground lift switches for both channels.
Ground Lift
8
Typical Applications—Keyboards
For keyboards, try the 0dB or -15dB pad settings of the Type 10S, and either the 1/4” or RCA jacks on
the input. Use the 1/4” thru connection to output your signal to your stage monitors or amplifier, or to a
digital recorder.
9
Typical Applications—Multimedia Devices
When using the Type 10S with multimedia devices (such as iPods®, laptops, DVD players, etc.), try the
0dB or -15dB pad settings and use the RCA or 1/8” jacks.
10
Frequency Response:
10Hz to 50kHz (+/- 1 dB)
Noise (Shorted Input, 22Hz to 20kHz):
1.8μVrms (-115 dBVrms)
Distortion (1Vpp, Typical Load):
THD: < 0.001% at 1 kHz
< 0.005% from 30Hz to 20kHz
IMD: < 0.002% (10kHz/60Hz, 4:1)
Deviation from Linear Phase:
+2° (30Hz), 0° (100Hz to 20kHz)
Transformer Isolation Voltage:
>500VAC, ground to either XLR Pin 1
Cross-Talk Rejection:
>105 dB (20Hz to 20kHz)
Maximum Input Level (1% THD):
5Vpp (No pad), 28Vpp (-15dB pad), 158Vpp
(-30dB pad)
Input Resistance:
10MΩ(0dB pad, 1/4” input), 20kΩ(0dB pad,
RCA or 1/8” inputs), 10kΩ(-15, -30dB pad)
Dimensions:
2 x 4 x 6.25 in. (50.8 x 101.6 x 158.8 mm)
Weight:
31.2 oz (0.88 kg)
Key Specifications (See Datasheet for Full List of Specs)
11
Declarations
We, Countryman Associates Inc., declare under our
sole responsibility that the following products:
Direct Box models DT10, DT85, DT10S and DT85S
To which this declaration relates are in compliance
with the essential requirements of:
2004/108/EC EMC
EN 55103-1
EN 55103-2
2002/96/EC WEEE
2003/108/EC
2002/95/EC RoHS
When used as specified.
RoHS
12
Notes
13
Notes
Countryman Associates, Inc. 195 Constitution Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Phone: (800) 669-1422 or (650) 364-9988 Fax: (650) 364-2794
Table of contents
