Rane DA216S User manual

Manual-1
DA 216S
DISTRIBUTION AMPLIFIER
OPERATORS MANUAL
Quick Start
is section is for those that just can’t wait to get started. is
Distribution Amplifier has a powerful feature not found on most
DA’s – Output assignment switches. If your application calls
for a single channel set-up with one Input driving all Outputs,
set all of the switches to the appropriate Input (Aor B). To mix
both inputs, set them all to A+B. In this mode, both Inputs drive
all Outputs with the Inputs summed. e MASTER LEVEL
controls set the input level. Occasionally blinking OL indicators
are okay. e individual OUTPUT LEVEL controls set the level
for each Output channel.
For a stereo application, decide how the stereo Outputs are to
be assigned and set the assignment switches accordingly. Eight
stereo outputs are possible.
Set the back panel switches for either LINE or MIC Inputs.
When using microphones that require a “phantom” voltage, turn
WEAR PARTS: is product contains no wear parts.
DA 216S
DISTRIBUTION
AMPLIFIER
POWER
MASTER LEVELS
1
OUTPUT LEVELS
OL OL A+B
A B
2
A+B
A B
3
A+B
A B
4
A+B
A B
5
A+B
A B
6
A+B
A B
7
A+B
A B
8
A+B
A B
9
A+B
A B
10
A+B
A B
11
A+B
A B
12
A+B
A B
13
A+B
A B
14
A+B
A B
15
A+B
A B
16
A+B
A B
A B
on the PHANTOM POWER switch, illuminating its rear panel
LED. Because the phantom voltage is applied to both Inputs,
don’t mix phantom powered and non-phantom powered mics in
the same DA 216S. Never engage the phantom voltage when using
an unbalanced mic—doing so may damage the mic. If the mic is
too “hot”, press the INPUT GAIN switch in to reduce the gain
by 20 dB. Incidentally, the INPUT PAD switch reduces the gain
40 dB when in the LINE position (pressed in). When using the
Inputs for line-level, pressing in both the INPUT PAD and the
INPUT GAIN switches provides a nominal gain of 0 dB. An
additional 16 dB of gain is available when both the MASTER
LEVEL and OUTPUT LEVEL controls are turned all the way
up (clockwise).
e internal universal supply allows operation in almost any
part of the world. All that is required in different countries is the
correct IEC line cord.

Manual-2
DA 216S Front Panel
1 MASTER LEVELS: ese screwdriver adjustable controls set the level of each Input to be routed to bus A, B, or A+B.
e Overload (OL) LEDs illuminate whenever either Input section (both pre-gain and post-gain) approach clipping.
Each MASTER LEVEL may be adjusted from off to +10 dB gain.
2 OUTPUT LEVEL controls: Each Output channel has an independent LEVEL control.
Each Output may be adjusted from off to +6 dB gain.
3 Output Assign switches: Each switch has three positions, which assign the Output to the A-Input, the B-Input, or A+B (sum).
is powerful feature allows the DA 216S distribution amplifier to be set up as 1 Input to 16 Outputs.
Or 1 stereo Input pair to 8 stereo Output pairs. Or 1 Input to 3 Outputs, with the other Input to 13 Outputs. And so on.
For those of you that like impressive numbers, that amounts to 43,046,721 possible combinations (316)! Go ahead – count
them. By the way, for those that really like this stuff, if we allow turning the gain all the way down on any Output as part of the
combination, the number jumps to 4,294,967,295 (416). Fortunately, most users will only be concerned with one or two of these
possibilities.
4 POWER Indicator: When this yellow LED is illuminated power is running through the DA 216S.
3 4
1 2
DA 216S
DISTRIBUTION
AMPLIFIER
POWER
MASTER LEVELS
1
OUTPUT LEVELS
OL OL A+B
A B
2
A+B
A B
3
A+B
A B
4
A+B
A B
5
A+B
A B
6
A+B
A B
7
A+B
A B
8
A+B
A B
9
A+B
A B
10
A+B
A B
11
A+B
A B
12
A+B
A B
13
A+B
A B
14
A+B
A B
15
A+B
A B
16
A+B
A B
A B

Manual-3
DA 216S Rear Panel
1 INPUT Euroblocks: Attach either Microphone or Line-level sources here. Euroblocks accept any #14 to #26 guage wire.
Connect balanced sources to the respective “+” and “–”terminals, and tie the shield to chassis ground.
For unbalanced sources use two-conductor shielded cable as described in DA 216S Connection on page Manual-4.
2 Output Euroblocks 1-16: Balanced Outputs are provided for each of 16 channels.
Connect two conductor shielded cable to “+” and “–” terminals, and connect the shield to the ground terminal.
For unbalanced use, do not connect “–” to chassis ground. See the Outputs section on page Manual-4.
3 INPUT PAD switches: In the MIC position (out), the gain is appropriate for a microphone Input (40 dB or 60 dB). In the LINE
position (in), the gain is line-level (0 dB or 20 dB). When this switch is in the LINE position, PHANTOM POWER (5) for the
channel is disabled.
4 INPUT GAIN switches: Changes the gain by 20 dB. at is, with mic Input, the INPUT GAIN switch sets the gain to 60 dB
(out) or 40 dB (in). With a line-level Input, it sets the gain to 20 dB (out) or 0 dB (in).
5 PHANTOM POWER switch: When activated (in), 15 VDC Phantom Power appears at each mic-level Input and the LED
illuminates. If an Input is selected for line-level, the Phantom Voltage is disabled for that channel, even when the PHANTOM
LED is lit.
6 Power connector: e internal universal switching power supply operates on any AC mains 100 to 240 VAC, 50 or 60 Hz (most
places in the world). All that is required when traveling is the appropriate IEC line cord.
6 5431
2
INPUT B
MICMIC
PADPAD GAINGAIN
INPUT A
40
60
dB
0
PHANTOM
POWER
20
40
60
dB
0
20
LINE LINE
AB
INPUT
A
INPUT
B
4 3
2 1
- + - +
- + - +
- + - +
8 7
6 5
- + - +
- + - +
12 11
10 9
- + - +
- + - +
16 15
14 13
- + - +
- + - + - + - +
ACN 001 345 482
COMMERCIAL AUDIO
EQUIPMENT 24TJ
R
100-240 V
DA 216S
50/60 Hz 7 WATTS
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference
received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.

Manual-4
©Rane Corporation 10802 47th Ave. W., Mukilteo WA 98275-5098 USA TEL [phone] FAX [phone] WEB www.rane.com
Operating Instructions
Using the 3-position Output Assign switches, select either the
A Input, the B Input, or A+B Inputs. If the sum of both Inputs is
selected, but only one Input is driven, the Output is reduced by
6 dB compared to the Output being assigned to only the driven
Input. Since normally the Output would be assigned to both
Inputs only if both Inputs are driven, this isn’t usually an issue.
With the sum of the Inputs available in this way, the DA 216S
may be used as a two-input mixer with 16 assignable Outputs.
Each Output has an independent Gain control which ranges
from off to +6 dB gain in the output stage. Coupled with a maxi-
mum gain of +10 dB for the MASTER LEVEL controls, a total
of +16 dB gain is available with the OUTPUT LEVEL controls.
e INPUT GAIN switch provides for an additional 20 dB gain
increase.
MIC-LEVEL
For optimum noise performance with microphones, obtain as
much gain as possible in the Input stage of the DA 216S without
overdriving the unit.
1. Set the appropriate INPUT PAD switch to MIC (out).
2. Set the appropriate INPUT GAIN switch to 40 dB (in).
3. Set the MASTER LEVEL controls fully counterclockwise.
4. Set the OUTPUT LEVEL controls midway.
5. Adjust the MASTER LEVEL clockwise until the OL
LED just blinks on the loudest expected program material. If
the MASTER LEVEL is turned all the way up and the OL LED
is not lighting, set the INPUT GAIN to 60 dB and adjust the
MASTER LEVEL again. Adjust the OUTPUT LEVELs for
the desired output level. If the OL LED is not lit, adjusting the
OUTPUT LEVEL cannot cause clipping within the DA 216S.
e user may still want to turn down the OUTPUT LEVEL to
avoid overloading downstream equipment.
LINE-LEVEL
In the LINE-level configuration, start with unity gain.
1. Set INPUT PAD switch to LINE position (in).
2. Set appropriate INPUT GAIN switch to 0 dB.
3. Set MASTER LEVEL controls fully counterclockwise.
4. Set OUTPUT LEVEL controls midway.
5. Adjust the MASTER LEVEL clockwise until the OL
LED just blinks on the loudest expected program material. If
the MASTER LEVEL is turned all the way up and the OL LED
never comes on, set the INPUT GAIN switch out to the 20 dB
position. Adjust the MASTER LEVEL control as before for
optimum gain, then adjust the OUTPUT LEVEL controls for
the desired output level.
DA 216S Connection
When connecting the DA 216S to other components in your
system, leave the power supply for last. is gives you a chance to
make mistakes and correct them without announcing what you
did to the whole world and without damaging “downstream”
equipment. Remember this when setting INPUT PAD, INPUT
GAIN and PHANTOM POWER switches. ese switches
should never be changed in a live system. Suddenly changing
the gain by 40 dB can have a profound impact on the ears of the
listening audience.
INPUTS
e two Inputs on the DA 216S are balanced. ey may also be
used in an unbalanced configuration. However, if used unbal-
anced, do not engage Phantom Power. Use only shielded cable
for the Inputs. is cable should always be two conductors plus
shield, even for unbalanced operation. If you must use shielded
single conductor, keep the cable as short as possible (under 10
feet [3 meters]) to avoid hum or radio pick up.
When connecting Inputs, use all three Input terminals. For
unbalanced, the “hot” Input goes to the “+”, and the common
wire goes to the “–” while the shield connects the ground. Since
the common wire and shield are to be tied together at one end
in an unbalanced system, this connects the “–” Input to chassis
ground. In a balanced system (highly preferred), the “+” Input
connects to the “+” Output of the previous equipment. e “–”
Input then connects to the “–” Output and the shield goes to the
chassis ground. ese Input connections may be reversed if it is
necessary to reverse the polarity of the Input signal.
Be aware, if a microphone is used which requires Phantom
Power, the shield must be connected to chassis ground to complete the
Phantom Power circuit. Remember, a dynamic mic will likely be
damaged if used unbalanced while the Phantom Power is turned
on. At the very least, it will saturate the mic’s output transformer
and spoil the sound quality. With the INPUT PAD switched to
LINE, Phantom Power is disabled for that Input only. at is, a
balanced, Phantom Powered mic may be used at one Input and a
line input at the other without problems.
See the RaneNote “Sound System Interconnection” for ad-
ditional information on grounding and shielding.
OUTPUTS
e DA 216S’s Outputs are balanced and quite substantial. ey
will easily drive long cables and 600 Ω loads to full level. e
same wiring conventions as the Inputs apply. For unbalanced
Outputs, “hot” goes to the “+”, and the shield connects to chassis
ground. When wiring unbalanced Outputs, do not tie the un-
used terminal (normally “–”) to Ground — leave it floating.
32 Unbalanced Outputs Tip: e (“–”) Output may also be
used as an unbalanced line driver, albeit inverted. e balanced In-
put terminals of the next stage must be reversed (+) for (–) to correct
for the inversion. is nets a total of 32 Outputs!
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