QSound UltraQ Operating instructions

LIMITED WARRANTY
This product is warranted against defects for 90 days from the date of purchase.Within this period, we will
repair it without charge for parts and labour, or, at our option, replace the defective item with a currently-available
equivalent.Warranty does not cover transportation costs, nor does it cover a product subjected to misuse,
improper connection or accidental damage.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, QSOUND LABS, INC.MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some
U.S. states do not permit limitation or exclusion of implied warranties; therefore the aforesaid limitation(s) or
exclusion(s) may not apply to the purchaser.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights and may also have other rights which vary from region to region.
SERVICE INFORMATION
If you feel your UltraQ needs service, first contact us to make certain that the problem is a defective product.
You must obtain a Returned Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number and shipping instructions rele-
vant to your geographical region from QSoundTechnical Support before shipping the product!
QSound Labs, Inc.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Web: www.qsound.com
Email: [email protected]
Telephone [phone]
Facsimile [phone]
This product incorporates technology protected by US patent numbers 5,105,462; 5,208,860; 5,440,638 and
various foreign counterparts.
UltraQ is a trademark, and QSound and the QSound logo are registered trademarks of QSound Labs, Inc.
© 1997 QSound Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
Welcome!
Congratulations on your purchase of the UltraQ 3D Audio Component! UltraQ delivers
remarkable 3D sound immediately from virtually any source, using any regular stereo
playback system such as powered multimedia speakers and compact or full-size home
stereos.The information inside this guide will help you get connected in minutes.
UltraQ uses QSound's patented technology—simply the most effective and best-sounding 3D
sound imaging enhancement available.This process was developed directly from QSound Labs’
ground-breaking 3D audio technology for professional recording applications.
UltraQ will make all your audio—whether from your PC, game console, CD or tape player,
laser disk, TV or VCR—sound bigger, better and more realistic than you've ever heard it
before. Thanks to UltraQ's outstanding Mono-to-3D capabilities, even your favorite old mono
games or mono movies will take on a fresh perspective.
For best results, refer to the Optimal Listening Setup guidelines (right) for information on
arranging your speakers.
A Word About Mono, Stereo and UltraQ Modes
To make the best use of your UltraQ processor, it's helpful to understand a bit about
monophonic and stereophonic audio signals.
Real stereo signals consist of two channels (left and right) which differ from each other to a
degree that is completely dependent on the recording and production methods used. The
differences between the channels create conventional stereo imaging, which gives us the
impression of various individual sounds coming from different locations between the speakers.
Monophonic means “single-channel”. Very few sound systems today are mono, but mono
sounds are often still delivered through two speakers. In this case, the same signal goes to
both left and right speakers, resulting in the impression that the sound is coming from a point
midway between them.In QMono mode, your UltraQ unit will create a 3D stereo image for you.
In QStereo mode, UltraQ will expand the inherent imaging in true stereo signals while
maintaining the relative position of various individual sounds. Although QMono mode will
work with stereo signals, QStereo mode uses this inherent imaging for superior effects.
QSound Optimal Listening Setup
For best experience of QSound (or even regular stereo!) imaging, the best advice is to try to
set up your speakers symmetrically, that is, so that you are positioned in the center and each
speaker operates under similar conditions.The following diagrams illustrate this concept.

Power In
12VAC Stereo Output Stereo Input Right Left
4
23
1
Power In
12VAC Stereo Output Stereo Input Right Left
PC Sound Card Line Out
VCR, CD etc. Line Out orTape Deck "Play"
(Note: will not work withTurntable. See 1c.)
Amp or receiver & speakers
AC Power Adaptor
Tape or CD Player
Line Out or
Headphone Out
6
Supplied Cable Existing Cable
5
Multimedia Speakers
Power In
12VAC Stereo Output Stereo Input Right Left
AC Power Adaptor
6
Supplied Cable
Existing Phono Cable
5
B
C
D
E
A
1. Turn on the UltraQ unit, using the Power Switch (B). The Power
Indicator (A) should light. If not, check your power adaptor.
2.Turn on the rest of your equipment.
3. Adjust the playback volume to a suitable level and start playback
from your sound source.
4. Adjust the UltraQ settings according to the following guidelines.
Expansion Mode Switch (C)
This switch provides two effect settings. The Music setting is
recommended for listening to CD audio, while the Game setting
provides more extreme expansion suitable for sound effects.
TheTranslation Mode Switch (D)
Bypass defeats the QSound effect and passes the input signal
directly to the output. (Power must still be present.)
QMono provides a Mono-to-3D function that synthesizes a QSound
3D stereo signal from mono or stereo input. (In this mode, any
stereo signals are combined to mono before being processed.)
QStereo provides a Stereo-to-3D mode, in which true stereo
signals will be translated to a wide QSound 3D image while the
respective positions of various component sounds is retained.
(Mono signals will be essentially unaffected in this mode.)
QAuto automatically chooses QMono or QStereo mode according
to the nature of the input signal. The Stereo Detector (E) indicates
that the input signal is stereo. This shows which mode will be
selected by the automatic feature, and may also be used as a guide
for manual mode selection. Note that a stereo signal
naturally has
brief periods of mono
; it is normal for the Stereo Detector to turn on
and off when monitoring stereo content. If automatic switching
occurs frequently, you may wish to select QStereo mode.
If your receiver or amplifier has a spare set of tape deck jacks,
connect the Output or "Rec" left and right tape jacks to the UltraQ
left and right input jacks using a dual phono-to-phono cable. Then
connect the amp Input or "Play" left and right tape jacks (phono) to
the UltraQ output (mini) using the supplied cable (5).
Now select "Tape Monitor" mode for the tape deck connectors you
have used on your amp or receiver. (See your amp manual.) Now all
sources including radio and turntable can be selected as you
normally do and UltraQ will enhance every signal in your system!
UltraQ Guide Rev. 2.0 07/97
1. Connecting UltraQ
1a. Connecting to a Mini Plug System
2. Using UltraQ
UltraQ is designed to be inserted between the sound source (computer, CD player, etc.) and a pair of amplified ("powered") speakers or a
suitable stereo amplifier / speaker combination. It is a
line level device, meaning that is intended to work with the intermediate signal levels
common in audio systems. UltraQ is not intended to drive unpowered speakers directly.
The most common connectors used for audio are the 3.5mm
mini plug and the phono plug . The mini plug is usually stereo, that is, one
connector carries both left and right signals. The phono plug is only capable of connecting a single signal, so in stereo audio systems
phono plugs are always used in pairs.They are often are colour-coded, e.g. black for left and red for right.The
barrel plug is never used for
audio connections but is almost exclusively used for AC power adaptors.
UltraQ uses phono-style jacks (panel connectors) for input and a 3.5mm mini jack for output. It is supplied with an audio connection cable
(5) having a 3.5mm mini plug at one end, and two phono plugs at the other. In most cases this combination will allow you to connect to all
common audio systems.Certain situations may require additional cables or adaptors.
The diagram at left shows the UltraQ connection panel.
The UltraQ AC power adaptor (6) connects at (1).
Use the supplied cable (5) to connect your sound
source (mini plug) to the UltraQ input (phono
plugs). Make sure the Red phono plug goes to
the Right UltraQ input (3) and the Black phono
plug goes to the Left input (4). Then use your
existing mini-plug-to-mini-plug cable to connect
your amplified speakers to the UltraQ output (2).
Connect the AC power adaptor (6) to a wall socket
and the UltraQ Power In jack (1) and you're done!
Connect the AC power adaptor (6) to a wall socket
and the UltraQ Power In jack (1) and you're done!
If your receiver or amplifier has an unused set of
tape deck connectors (usually marked "Play" and
"Rec") you can use these to connect UltraQ so
that it will work with
all the sound sources you
have available.See section 1c.
1b. Connecting to a Phono Plug System
1c. The "Tape Loop" Connection Method
First use your existing phono-to-phono cable
to connect your sound source output to the
UltraQ input, matching left and right. Then
use the supplied cable (5) to connect the
UltraQ output (mini plug) to your receiver or
amplifier (phono plugs - Red for Right, Black
for Left). Use the same input on your
amplifier that your tape deck, VCR, CD
player, game console, etc. was previously
connected to.
Sound Source
UltraQ
Amplifier / Speakers
!
Caution:
!
Caution:
UltraQ should not be connected to the output of a power amplifier. Serious damage may result!
3.5mm mini plug (stereo) phono plug barrel plug
The UltraQ power adaptor produces 12VAC. Use of any other
AC adaptor may cause malfunction or damage to the unit!
Output to your amplifier or amplified speakers is available from the 3.5mm mini jack at (2), while the right and left input signals from your
sound source connect at the phono jacks (3) and (4) respectively.