Drawmer DA 6 User manual


DA 6
DISTRIBUTION AMP
OPERATORS MANUAL
CONTENTS
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS pa
g
e 1
INTRODUCTION pa
g
e 2
INSTALLATION pa
g
e 2
HEADPHONES pa
g
es 1, 4
ISOLATING TRANSFORMERS pa
g
e 3
CONTROL DESCRIPTIONS pa
g
e 6
IF A FAULT DEVELOPS pa
g
e 8
CONTACTING DRAWMER pa
g
e 8
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION pa
g
e 9
BLOCK DIAGRAM pa
g
e 10


COPYRIGHT
This manual is cop
y
ri
g
hted © 2002 b
y
Drawmer Electronics, Ltd. With all ri
g
hts
reserved. Under cop
y
ri
g
ht laws, this manual ma
y
not be duplicated in whole or in
part without the written consent of Drawmer.
ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
Drawmer Electronics Ltd., warrants the Drawmer DA6 audio processor to conform
substantiall
y
to the specifications of this manual for a period of one
y
ear from the
ori
g
inal date of purchase when used in accordance with the specifications detailed
in this manual. In the case of a valid warrant
y
claim,
y
our sole and exclusive
remed
y
and Drawmer’s entire liabilit
y
under an
y
theor
y
of liabilit
y
will be to, at
Drawmer’s discretion, repair or replace the product without char
g
e, or, if not
possible, to refund the purchase price to
y
ou. This warrant
y
is not transferable. It
applies onl
y
to the ori
g
inal purchaser of the product.
For warrant
y
service please call
y
our local Drawmer dealer. Alternativel
y
call
Drawmer Electronics Ltd. at [phone]. Then ship the defective product,
with transportation and insurance char
g
es pre-paid, to Drawmer Electronics Ltd.,
Coleman Street, Park
g
ate, Rotherham, S62 6EL UK. Write the RA number in lar
g
e
letters in a prominent position on the shippin
g
box. Enclose
y
our name, address,
telephone number, cop
y
of the ori
g
inal sales invoice and a detailed description of
the problem. Drawmer will not accept responsibilit
y
for loss or dama
g
e durin
g
transit.
This warrant
y
is void if the product has been dama
g
ed b
y
misuse, modification or
unauthorised repair.
THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER ORAL OR
WRITTEN, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY. DRAWMER MAKES NO
OTHER WARRANTY EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. PURCHASER’S
SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY UNDER THIS WARRANTY SHALL BE REPAIR
OR REPLACEMENT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN.
IN NO EVENT WILL DRAWMER ELECTRONICS LTD. BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIALDAMAGES
RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING LOST
PROFITS, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY
LAW, DAMAGE FOR PERSONAL INJURY, EVEN IF DRAWMER HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states and specific countries do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties
or limitations on how lon
g
an implied warrant
y
ma
y
last, so the above limitations
ma
y
not appl
y
to
y
ou. This warrant
y
g
ives
y
ou specific le
g
al ri
g
hts. You ma
y
have
additional ri
g
hts that var
y
from state to state, and countr
y
to countr
y
.
In the interests of product development, Drawmer reserve the ri
g
ht to modif
y
or
improve specifications of this product at an
y
time, without prior notice.

DA6 OPERATORS’ MANUAL 
DRAWMER DA6
Distribution Amp
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
CAUTION - MAINS FUSE
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE REPLACE THE MAINS FUSE ONLY WITH
THE SAME TYPE, WHICH MUST BE A CLASS 3, 230 VOLT, TIME DELAY
TYPE, RATED AT 160mA WHERE THE MAINS INPUT VOLTAGE SWITCH IS
SET TO 230 VOLTS AC. AND 315mA WHERE THE MAINS INPUT VOLTAGE
IS 115 VOLTS AC.
ALL FUSES MUST COMPLY WITH IEC 127-2.
THE FUSE BODY SIZE IS 20mm x 5mm.
CAUTION - MAINS CABLE
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE OR TAMPER WITH THE SUPPLIED MAINS
CABLE.
CAUTION - SERVICING
DO NOT PERFORM ANY SERVICING. REFER ALL SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
WARNING
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION - HEADPHONES
THE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER IN THIS UNIT IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
1 WATT INTO 8SPEAKERS. DRAWMER DO NOT ACCEPT ANY
RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE CAUSED TO OPERATOR HEARING OR
SPEAKER DEVICES BY USE OF EXCESSIVE OUTPUT LEVELS.

DA6 OPERATORS’ MANUAL

INTRODUCTION
The distribution of mono and stereo balanced audio si
g
nals from a sin
g
le source to
multiple destinations has man
y
applications, includin
g
: multi-zone sound reinforcement
installation; live sports events covera
g
e; broadcast studios; video suites; duplication
houses or where hi
g
h qualit
y
audio has to be distributed to a number of locations down
lon
g
cable runs.
The Drawmer DA6 is a six channel stereo output ( or twelve mono ) distribution amplifier
featurin
g
XLR balanced connections. Optional transformer balanced outputs are offered
for instanced where electrical isolation of remote equipment is required.
The electronicall
y
balanced stereo input features individual left/ri
g
ht level controls with
LED bar
g
raph meterin
g
enablin
g
the correct balancin
g
of stereo material or two mono
si
g
nals. Each of the six output pairs incorporate further left/ri
g
ht level controls and a
Mono/Stereo switch which will mix two stereo si
g
nals, or, connect a sin
g
le mono si
g
nal
to both stereo outputs.
The monitor section consists of a channel select so that the individual left/ri
g
ht output
level of each channel can is displa
y
ed on the output LED bar
g
raph and can be
simultaneousl
y
heard at the front-panel headphone jack.
An auxiliar
y
pair of balanced output jacks provide a facilit
y
to connect further DA6 units
where even more distribution is required. These outputs are post input
g
ain trim, and
ma
y
be fitted with optional output isolatin
g
transformers.
INSTALLATION
The DA6 is desi
g
ned for standard 19" rack mountin
g
and occupies 1U of rack space.
Avoid mountin
g
the unit directl
y
above power amplifiers or power supplies that radiate
si
g
nificant amounts of heat. Alwa
y
sconnect the mains earth to the unit. Use fibre or
plastic washers to prevent the front panel becomin
g
marked b
y
the mountin
g
bolts.
AUDIO CONNECTIONS
Input and Output audio connections are provided via balanced XLRs at a level of +4dBu.
This applies to both inputs and outputs. The wirin
g
convention bein
g
:
Pin 1 Ground; pin 2 Hot; and pin 3 Cold.
For use with unbalanced s
y
stems, the Cold pin 3 must be
g
rounded at both input and
output inside the XLR connectors.
The Stereo Aux. Outputs are balanced ¼" (TRS) jack sockets, where Tip connection is
Hot; Rin
g
is Cold; and Sleeve is Ground. These connections are offered for chainin
g
multiple DA6 units if there is a requirement for more than 6 stereo outputs. For use with
unbalanced s
y
stems, use mono jack plu
g
s, or connect the Rin
g
(Cold) to the Sleeve
terminal inside the Jack plu
g
s.

DA6 OPERATORS’ MANUAL 
Interference: If the unit is to be used where it ma
y
be exposed to hi
g
h levels of
disturbance such as found close to a TV or radio transmitter, we
su
gg
est that the unit be operated usin
g
an optional wirin
g
of the
balanced confi
g
uration. The screens of the si
g
nal cables should be
connected to the chassis connection on the XLR connector as
opposed to connectin
g
to pin1.
The DA6 full
y
conforms to the EMC standards.
Ground Loops: If
g
round loop problems are encountered, never disconnect the
mains earth, but instead, tr
y
disconnectin
g
the si
g
nal screen on
one end of each of the cables connectin
g
the DA6 to the patchba
y
.
If such measures are necessar
y
, balanced operation is
recommended.
ISOLATION TRANSFORMERS
The DA6 has the capabilit
y
of bein
g
isolated at its outputs usin
g
low impedance (600)
balanced transformers. Each output can be individuall
y
isolated, and it is possible to
have mixed confi
g
urations where some outputs retain their default connection of
electronicall
y
balanced. Isolatin
g
transformers can be factor
y
fitted, or alternativel
y
,
retro fitted b
y
a Drawmer appointed service a
g
ent, or a suitabl
y
qualified en
g
ineer.
Contact Drawmer for specifications.
An
y
warrant
y
will be void if isolatin
g
transformers are fitted b
y
non-approved
methods, or, if unspecified transformers are fitted.

DA6 OPERATORS’ MANUAL

MONITOR HEADPHONES
For the purposes of monitorin
g
each output, a stereo ¼" (TRS) jack socket is offered on
the front panel. This havin
g
the standard wirin
g
convention of Tip bein
g
Left; Rin
g
bein
g
Ri
g
ht; and Sleeve bein
g
common Ground. This output is capable of drivin
g
headphones
with an impedance between 8and 600. The amplifier has an output of approximatel
y
1Watt. Caution is required when operatin
g
at hi
g
h output levels with low impedance
headphones.
DRAWMER do NOT accept an
y
responsibilit
y
for dama
g
e caused to
operator hearin
g
or speaker devices b
y
use of excessive output levels.
POWER CONNECTION
The DA6 unit will be supplied with a power cable suitable for domestic power outlets in
y
our countr
y
. For
y
our own safet
y
, it is important that
y
ou use this cable to connect to
the mains suppl
y
earth. The cable must not be tampered with or modified.
The power suppl
y
socket has an inte
g
ral fuse drawer containin
g
the power fuse (and a
spare) both of the same value, to suit the mains volta
g
e for which the unit has been
supplied. Removal of the drawer is onl
y
possible with the power cord removed. The fuse
should never blow under normal operation. If the fuse is suspected of havin
g
blown,
then a fault will have occurred and this fault condition should be inspected b
y
a qualified
service en
g
ineer. When replacin
g
the fuse, alwa
y
s compl
y
with the Safet
y
Instructions.
If the unit is to be used with a mains input operatin
g
volta
g
e different to that for which
the unit is supplied, the followin
g
procedure must be carried out b
y
a technicall
y
competent person,
(see followin
g
dia
g
rams)
1: Disconnect the unit from the mains.
2: Usin
g
a number 1 size pozidrive screwdriver, remove the seven self
-tappin
g
screws that retain the top cover. Two screws are found alon
g
each side; two alon
g
the top ed
g
e at the rear; and the upper central screw
on the front facia panel.
3: Slide the volta
g
e chan
g
e-over switch (SW8) until the correct (or nearest)
mains input volta
g
e is visible on the switch actuator.

DA6 OPERATORS’ MANUAL 
For conversion to 115Volt AC (previousl
y
set to 230Volt AC).....
4a Exchan
g
e the 160mA fuse for a similar t
y
pe rated at 315mA.
For conversion to 230Volt AC (previousl
y
set to 115Volt AC).....
4b Exchan
g
e the 315mA fuse for a similar t
y
pe rated at 160mA.
In both cases:
5: Replace the top cover usin
g
the seven screws.
6: Re-connect to mains power source.

DA6 OPERATORS’ MANUAL

CONTROL DESCRIPTION
The DA6 has been desi
g
ned for ease of use. It operates on balanced or unbalanced
si
g
nal levels in the ran
g
e -15dB to +15dB.(ref. +4dBm)
Input L&R Used to set the optimal input
g
ain for both Left and Ri
g
ht si
g
nals.
Use the displa
y
above to ensure the correct operatin
g
levels are
bein
g
attained. Adjustment in the ran
g
e ±15dB is possible.
Separate controls are offered to permit the re-ali
g
nment of an
y
offset stereo ima
g
e.
These controls also adjust the output level of the auxiliar
y
‘link’
jacks, which implies that an
y
connected slave DA6 will onl
y
require
to have its input trims set to 0dB (verticall
y
).
Input Displa
y
Since the DA6 is normall
y
used as a line amplifier, then it is quite
acceptable to ‘see’ si
g
nals in the positive
g
ain re
g
ion of this
displa
y
. However, ensure that the +15dB LED never illuminates
other than for brief instances, otherwise distortion will occur.
Output L&R These controls should be used to set the optimal output level to
match the input section of the connected device, for both Left and
Ri
g
ht si
g
nals. Adjustment of ±15dB is possible. Normall
y
, an
y
stereo ima
g
e offset will have been corrected b
y
the Left/Ri
g
ht input
controls. However separate output controls are also offered to
g
ive
total control of the stereo ima
g
e.
Mono/Stereo Selects whether the channel output is to be separate Stereo
si
g
nals or ‘summed’ to produce a Mono si
g
nal. If onl
y
one input is
used, this will be output to both sockets if Mono is selected.
Caution should be used when operatin
g
the DA6 with two similar
stereo si
g
nals that are out-of-phase with each other. Under such
conditions, usin
g
the Mono mode will produce ver
y
little usable
output. LEDs show the status of the switch.

DA6 OPERATORS’ MANUAL 
Chan Select This rotar
y
switch selects which stereo (or mono) output is to be
routed throu
g
h to the stereo headphone amplifier.
H/Phone This control determines the amount of headphone amplifier drive.
Caution should be used when usin
g
hi
g
h output levels and low
impedance headphones.
Output Displa
y
This displa
y
shows the stereo output levels of the selected channel
feed to headphones, removin
g
the need to utilise headphones as
a method of monitorin
g
the output si
g
nals.

DA6 OPERATORS’ MANUAL

IF A FAULT DEVELOPS
For warrant
y
service please call Drawmer Electronics Ltd. Or their nearest authorised
service facilit
y
,
g
ivin
g
full details of the difficult
y
. On receipt of this information, service
or shippin
g
instructions will be forwarded to
y
ou. No equipment should be returned
under the warrant
y
without prior consent from Drawmer or their authorised
representative.
For service claims under the warrant
y
a
g
reement a service Returns Authorisation (RA)
number will be
g
iven. Write this RA number in lar
g
e letters in a prominent position on
the shippin
g
box. Enclose
y
our name, address, telephone number, cop
y
of the ori
g
inal
sales invoice and a detailed description of the problem.
Authorised returns should be prepaid and must be insured. All Drawmer products are
packa
g
ed in speciall
y
desi
g
ned containers for protection. If the unit is to be returned,
the ori
g
inal container must be used. If this container is not available, then the equipment
should be packa
g
ed in substantial shock-proof material, capable of withstandin
g
the
handlin
g
for the transit.
CONTACTING DRAWMER
Drawmer Electronics Ltd., will be pleased to answer all application questions to enhance
y
our usa
g
e of this equipment. Please address correspondence to:
Drawmer (Technical Help line) : Coleman St.: Park
g
ate : Rotherham : S62 6EL : UK
or, E-mail us on : [email protected]
Drawmer dealers, Authorised service departments and other contact information can be
obtained from our web pa
g
es on http://www.drawmer.com