L-Acoustics LA12X User manual

LA12X
user manual (en)

Document reference: LA12X user manual (en) version 2.0
Distribution date: October 3, 2016
© 2016 L-Acoustics. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means without the express written consent of the
publisher.

Contents
Safety................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Important safety instructions....................................................................................................................... 6
Additional important safety instructions....................................................................................................... 7
Symbols................................................................................................................................................... 8
System components...........................................................................................................................................10
Technical description......................................................................................................................................... 11
Main features......................................................................................................................................... 11
Internal components.......................................................................................................................11
Front and rear panels....................................................................................................................11
Signal processing and amplication......................................................................................................... 12
Signal inputs.................................................................................................................................12
DSP architecture............................................................................................................................13
Power supply and amplier section.................................................................................................14
Speaker outputs............................................................................................................................ 14
Speaker protection........................................................................................................................ 14
Monitoring and control............................................................................................................................14
User interface............................................................................................................................... 14
L-NET remote control network......................................................................................................... 14
Installation........................................................................................................................................................15
Mounting................................................................................................................................................15
Ventilation.............................................................................................................................................. 17
Connecting to AC mains......................................................................................................................... 17
Electrical specications.................................................................................................................. 17
Planning the power of the electrical generator................................................................................. 18
Power cord...................................................................................................................................18
Plugging the amplied controller.....................................................................................................19
Power consumption........................................................................................................................19
Heat power calculation..................................................................................................................19
Audio and network cabling..................................................................................................................... 20
Connection panels.........................................................................................................................20
Analog audio............................................................................................................................... 23
Digital audio................................................................................................................................ 24
L-NET........................................................................................................................................... 25
Speaker........................................................................................................................................25
Operation........................................................................................................................................................ 30
Powering on...........................................................................................................................................30
3

Powering off...........................................................................................................................................30
Setting to standby mode..........................................................................................................................31
Interpreting the front panel LEDs...............................................................................................................31
STATUS........................................................................................................................................ 31
L-NET........................................................................................................................................... 31
Meters..........................................................................................................................................32
OUT.............................................................................................................................................32
Main screen description.......................................................................................................................... 33
Using quick access functions....................................................................................................................34
Locking/Unlocking the front panel.................................................................................................. 34
Muting/Unmuting an output channel............................................................................................... 34
Modifying gain............................................................................................................................. 35
Identifying an amplied controller...................................................................................................35
Displaying input level, input selection, input mode and group information........................................... 36
Using the main menu.............................................................................................................................. 37
LOAD PRESET............................................................................................................................... 38
STORE PRESET..............................................................................................................................40
DELETE PRESET............................................................................................................................. 41
PRESET PARAMETERS.................................................................................................................... 41
CLEAR GROUP PARAMS................................................................................................................43
INPUT SETTINGS.......................................................................................................................... 44
MONITORING & INFO.................................................................................................................48
OPTIONS..................................................................................................................................... 51
Settings protection...................................................................................................................................55
Maintenance.................................................................................................................................................... 57
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................57
Presentation.................................................................................................................................. 57
Troubleshooting and diagnosis................................................................................................................. 58
Interface issues..............................................................................................................................58
L-NET network issues..................................................................................................................... 59
Error messages............................................................................................................................. 60
Sound issues.................................................................................................................................64
Exploded view........................................................................................................................................66
Exploded view - external modules...................................................................................................66
Glossary................................................................................................................................................ 66
Specications................................................................................................................................................... 67
General................................................................................................................................................. 67
Input Signal distribution........................................................................................................................... 68
Analog Input.......................................................................................................................................... 69
Digital Input........................................................................................................................................... 69
4

Latency...................................................................................................................................................70
Remote control and monitoring.................................................................................................................70
Physical data..........................................................................................................................................70
Approvals........................................................................................................................................................ 71
5

Safety
Safety
Important safety instructions
Explanation of graphical symbols
The lightning ash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user
to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of
sufcient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of
important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus
(including ampliers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding-type plug. A grounding-type plug has two blades
and a third grounding prong. The third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not
t into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specied by the manufacturer.
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specied by the manufacturer, or sold with the
apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid
injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or
objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not
operate normally, or has been dropped.
15. WARNING: To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, this apparatus should not be exposed to rain or
moisture and objects lled with liquids, such as vases, should not be placed on this apparatus.
16. To completely disconnect this equipment from the mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from
the receptacle.
Pour déconnecter complètement l'appareil du secteur, débranchez la prise de la che secteur.
17. The main plug of the power supply cord shall remain readily accessible.
La prise principale du cordon d'alimentation doit rester totalement accessible.
LA12X user manual (en) version 2.0 6

Safety
Additional important safety instructions
Verify the electrical conformity and compatibility of the mains supply.
Only connect the product to an AC power outlet rated 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz, with the following current values:
100-120 V: 30 A
200-240 V: 16 A
WARNING: The product is of CLASS 1 construction and shall be connected to a mains socket outlet with a
protective connection to earth.
When the product is used in a three-phase circuit, verify the electrical conformity and
compatibility of the three-phase circuit.
Verify that the three phases work, and balance the loads between the three phases.
Verify that the neutral and earth work.
Never try to emulate a 230 V circuit connecting an apparatus to two live wires of a 120 V three-phase circuit.
Never try to emulate a 200 V circuit connecting an apparatus to two live wires of a 100 V three-phase circuit.
Always interconnect a Class C circuit breaker between the product and the mains supply.
The circuit breaker current rating depends on the mains voltage rating, as follows:
100-120 V: 30 A
200-240 V: 16 A
Electrical generator
You must power on the generator before powering on the product.
Verify that the product is turned off before powering on the generator.
Terminals marked with the lightning ash symbol are HAZARDOUS LIVE.
The external wiring connected to these terminals requires installation by an instructed person or
the use of ready-made leads or cords.
Never attempt to touch any exposed speaker wiring while the product is operating: rst disconnect the
connector from the product.
Mute all output channels before connecting a speaker to an amplied controller.
Do not connect a speaker output in parallel or series with any output of another amplied controller.
Do not connect the speaker outputs to any other voltage source, such as a battery, power mains, or
power supply, regardless of whether the amplied controller is turned on or off.
Never incorporate equipment or accessories not approved by L-Acoustics.
Read all the related PRODUCT INFORMATION documents shipped with the products before
exploiting the system.
Beware of sound levels.
Do not stay within close proximity of loudspeakers in operation.
Loudspeaker systems are capable of producing very high sound pressure levels (SPL) which can instantaneously
lead to permanent hearing damage to performers, production crew and audience members. Hearing damage
can also occur at moderate level with prolonged exposure to sound.
Check the applicable laws and regulations relating to maximum sound levels and exposure times.
Beware of over power risks.
Only use compatible loudspeakers with appropriate presets to avoid damage to the loudspeakers.
Inspect the product before operation.
If any sign of defect or damage is detected, immediately withdraw the product from use for maintenance.
This product is intended for use by trained personnel.
7 LA12X user manual (en) version 2.0

Safety
Do not use the product outside its operating temperature range.
The product operates at a room temperature between 0° C / 32° F and 50° C / 122° F.
Do not expose the product to direct sun.
Only use the product in a conformed electro-magnetic environment.
Conformed environments are specied in EN55103-2 standards as E1 (residential), E2 (commercial and light
industrial), E3 (urban outdoors), and E4 (controlled EMC environment, ex. TV studio).
Avoid radio interference.
This product has been tested and complies with the limits indicated in the EMC directive (Electro Magnetic
Compatibility). These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference from
electrical equipment, but it cannot be guaranteed that interference will never occur.
Read the maintenance section of this document before servicing the product.
Shipping
Use the original packaging for shipping the product, unless it is mounted in a rack with the front and rear panels
xed to the rack, as described in this manual.
Symbols
The following symbols are used in this document:
This symbol indicates a potential risk of harm to an individual or damage to the product.
It can also notify the user about instructions that must be strictly followed to ensure safe installation or operation of
the product.
This symbol indicates a potential risk of electrical injury.
It can also notify the user about instructions that must be strictly followed to ensure safe installation or operation of
the product.
This symbol noties the user about instructions that must be strictly followed to ensure proper installation or
operation of the product.
This symbol noties the user about complementary information or optional instructions.
Do not open unless authorized.
This symbol indicates the presence of electrical shock hazards.
It also indicates that no maintenance performed by the end user requires access to internal components.
LA12X user manual (en) version 2.0 8

Welcome
Welcome
Thank you for purchasing the L-Acoustics LA12X amplied controller.
This document contains essential information on using the system properly.
As part of a continuous evolution of techniques and standards, L-Acoustics reserves the right to
change the specications of its products and the content of its document without prior notice. Please
check www.l-acoustics.com on a regular basis to download the latest document and software updates.
LA12X amplied controller
L-Acoustics amplied controllers offer high performance and efcient loudspeaker amplication, digital signal processing
and comprehensive system protection in a single ergonomic package. The onboard preset library allows for rapid system
optimization with minimum EQ correction and delivers a unique sonic signature across all L-Acoustics systems.
The LA12X is the most powerful unit in the range. Thanks to its DSP-controlled, universal Switched Mode Power Supply
with advanced Power Factor Correction, it delivers high output power with outstanding hold times even on less-than-
ideal A/C mains. It offers maximum versatility with its 4x4 architecture and its ability to drive all L-Acoustics loudspeaker
enclosures including the KS28 reference subwoofer.
9 LA12X user manual (en) version 2.0

System components
System components
A complete L-Acoustics system includes loudspeaker enclosures, amplied controllers, cables, rigging system, and
software applications. The main components of an L-Acoustics system that includes the LA12X are the following:
Loudspeaker enclosures
Refer to the user manuals of the loudspeaker systems for detailed instructions about the enclosures and their
connection to the amplied controllers.
Powering and driving system
LA12X amplied controller with DSP, preset library and networking capabilities
LA-RAK II touring rack containing three LA12X, LA-POWER II for power distribution and LA-PANEL II for
audio and network distribution
L-CASE 2U Electronics transport and protection case
Loudspeaker cables
Refer to the user manuals of the loudspeaker systems for detailed instructions about the enclosures and their
connection to the amplied controllers.
Software applications
LA Network Manager software for remote control and monitoring of amplied controllers
Refer to the LA Network Manager video tutorial.
Illustrations
LA Network Manager
LA-RAK II
LA12X user manual (en) version 2.0 10