Rane SEQ 30L User manual

Manual-1
QUICK START
If this is your first equalizer, please do yourself and
your speakers a favor and read at least the first five
pages. “An ounce of prevention...,” and all that.
The SEQ 30L is a stereo equalizer, so adjusting
any slider affects both channels simultaneously. Begin
by setting all sliders to their center detent (0 dB), and
the INPUT LEVEL to its center detent (0 dB). Try to
make more cuts than boosts. After equalizing, use the
EQ switch to compare equalized and non-equalized
signal. While EQ is switched to Active (BYPASS
button out), adjust the INPUT LEVEL to the same
level as when EQ is switched to BYPASS (in).
You may use either the XLR or ¼" connectors for
Inputs or Outputs. Connect only one INPUT type per
channel. The XLR and ¼" TRS inputs do not sum.
You may, however, use both types of OUTPUTS
simultaneously if desired.
WEAR PARTS: This product contains no wear parts.
OPERATORS MANUAL SEQ 30L
STEREO GRAPHIC EQUALIZER
12-12
6-6
0
STEREO
EQUALIZER
0
+
12
6
9
9
6
3
3
12
0
+
12
6
9
9
6
3
3
12
SEQ 30L
40031.525 40 6350 10080 160125 250200 315 12.5k1k630500 800 1.6k1.25k 2k 3.15k2.5k 5k4k 8k6.3k 10k 20k16k
INPUT
POWER
+4 OL
LEVEL BYPASS

Manual-2
햲INPUT LEVEL control and indicators
This controls the overall level. 0 dB gain is reached at the center detent with all sliders centered at their 0 dB detents. Set
the INPUT LEVEL to give equal volumes with the EQ switched to ACTIVE or BYPASS, after setting the sliders (see EQ
BYPASS switch below). Apply sufficient signal to the input to occasionally light the +4 dBu indicator. Flashing of the OL
(overload) LED during peaks can be avoided by turning the INPUT LEVEL or boosted filters down.
햳EQ BYPASS switch
When pressed to BYPASS, the filter sliders have no effect. Since actual unity gain depends on varying slider settings, use
the BYPASS switch to determine the unity gain position of the INPUT LEVEL control by comparing ACTIVE and BYPASS
volumes.
햴Filter level slide controls
Each of these sliders control the output level of both channels of the 30 bandpass filters. Center position is grounded for
guaranteed flat response.
햵POWER switch and LED
Your basic, straightforward power switch. When the yellow LED is lit, the SEQ 30L is ready to go.
12-12
6-6
0
STEREO
EQUALIZER
0
+
12
6
9
9
6
3
3
12
0
+
12
6
9
9
6
3
3
12
SEQ 30L
40031.525 40 6350 10080 160125 250200 315 12.5k1k630500 800 1.6k1.25k 2k 3.15k2.5k 5k4k 8k6.3k 10k 20k16k
INPUT
POWER
+4 OL
LEVEL BYPASS
1 2 3 4
FRONT PANEL DESCRIPTION

Manual-3
햲LEFT & RIGHT INPUTS
Choose between the balanced XLR or the balanced/unbalanced ¼" tip-ring-sleeve jacks, but only use one. Inserting a ¼"
tip-sleeve jack will work, however—always use balanced lines when connecting cables over 10 feet (3 meters) in length.
Consult the Sound System Interconnection section included in this booklet.
In agreement with IEC and AES/ANSI standards, XLR wiring convention is pin 2 Positive (hot), pin 3 Negative (cold), and
pin 1 Signal ground (for unbalanced use). Pin 1 and the connector case or shell are tied to chassis ground.
햳LEFT & RIGHT OUTPUTS
Use the balanced XLR or the unbalanced ¼" tip-sleeve jacks. It is permissible to simultaneously use both types of Outputs
to drive two devices, such as an amplifier and a recorder. XLR wiring is the same as the Inputs.
REAR PANEL DESCRIPTION
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
OUTPUTS
SEQ 30L
INPUTS
RIGHT RIGHTLEFT LEFT
UNBALANCED BAL / UNBALUNBALANCED BAL / UNBALBALANCED BALANCEDBALANCED BALANCED
ACN 001 345 482
50/60 Hz
12 WATTS
120 V
FOR CONTINUED
GROUNDING PROTECTION
DO NOT REMOVE SCREW
WARNING
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK DO
NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT
TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO
NOT REMOVE COVER. NO
USER SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
WIRING
3-PIN XLR:
PIN 2 = (+), PIN 3 = (–), PIN 1 = CHASSIS, SHIELD
¼" PHONE, BALANCED:
TIP = (+), RING = (–), SLEEVE = CHASSIS, SHIELD
¼" PHONE, UNBALANCED:
TIP = SIGNAL, RING = GROUND, SLEEVE = CHASSIS, SHIELD
2 1

Manual-4
SEQ 30L CONNECTION
Exactly where you install your SEQ 30L into a sound
system significantly affects such things as noise, system
headroom, compressor/limiter performance and other factors
influencing overall sound quality. Both what and why you are
equalizing determines where you install it.
WHAT AND WHY
Tone contouring is accomplished primarily by ear. This
you know how to do. Be careful though, not to boost too
much bass. Be aware that the SEQ 30L is capable of boosting
signals up to 12 dB (4 times as large!)—a level at which great
care should be taken to prevent seismic disturbances. Optimal
gain setting is indicated by the +4 dBu indicator lighting
occasionally, while the OL indicator does not light.
The SEQ 30L can be used to align crossovers and flatten
speaker response. The best way to “see” what your sound
system is doing, is to use a realtime analyzer, such as the
Rane RA 30. A 1/3-octave realtime analyzer is an accurate
means for setting a 1/3-octave equalizer properly.
WHERE
For tone contouring, the equalizer may be used at any
point in the signal chain, such as insert loops in a mixer to
equalize a single instrument, sweeten a tape recording, etc.
When an equalizer is used for acoustical correction, the
equalizer should be one of the last pieces of gear in front of
the amplifiers and active crossover. Here are a few general
guidelines to decide where to install the EQ in the system.
Downstream of the Compressor
Since system EQ is aimed at controlling acoustic prob-
lems, install it after any compressor, which is designed to
operate on electrical signal. For one thing, the equalizer slider
settings will change in each room location, which in turn
affects the control voltage and threshold responses of the
compressor, rendering it inconsistent. Secondly, large
amounts of boost often cause tone differences by causing
some frequencies to limit or compress before others.
After any System Gain
The best configuration is: mixer, compressor/limiter,
equalizer, crossover, then power amplifier. Whenever
headroom allows, try to take all the gain at the mixer, and run
unity levels from then on. This also gives better noise
performance through the system. Connect the SEQ 30L
before the amplifier or active crossover. Take any required
line gain before the SEQ 30L. Avoid taking a lot of gain in
the crossover or power amps as this may create noise prob-
lems. The SEQ 30L operates at unity gain with the INPUT
LEVEL control at the 0 dB center detent when sliders average
to center (0 dB). You can test this with the EQ BYPASS
switch—adjust the INPUT LEVEL control so that volume
does not change when switching between Active and BY-
PASS. For details, read “Setting Sound System Level Con-
trols” available from the Rane website.
Send/Receive Loops
Mixers, mixer/preamps and the like often provide send/
receive loops for additional effects or EQ, and the SEQ 30L
works well in this situation. Just be sure to keep input trim or
gain controls turned up as far as the mixer input headroom
will allow, to avoid taking excessive gain downstream and
creating noise problems.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
The SEQ 30L is an accurate, professional quality instru-
ment capable of precise equalization down to a fraction of a
dB. You can expect several advantages from your constant-Q
equalizer over conventional designs: Moving one slider will
not affect neighboring filters as much, so you won’t spend
time re-adjusting sliders (we call this “equalizing the equal-
izer”). You’ll be able to obtain better feedback control
without losing sound quality. All sliders maintain smooth,
consistent and accurate calibrated control over filter levels.
Because of this, the overall EQ adjustment process is signifi-
cantly easier and more effective.
Equalizing a sound system by ear is very difficult to
achieve successfully, especially in a timely manner. Although
the human ear is very sensitive, it is not calibrated, nor
consistent, and frankly the odds against a well behaved, clear
sound system are very great when tuned by ear. Most people
know when a sound system doesn’t sound good, unfortu-
nately they just can’t tell exactly why and where it’s not right.
Because of this, we strongly recommend the use of a
realtime analyzer to properly equalize your system.
A realtime analyzer helps you quickly achieve things
nearly impossible by ear: flatten speaker response, minimize
feedback, reduce room resonance and achieve accurate
crossover alignment. In most cases, simply “normalizing” or
“flattening” a sound system is a surprisingly drastic improve-
ment, but don’t stop there:
Remember this Rane proverb: “Look, don’t stop, and
listen.” Once you have aligned the system by looking at the
analyzer, don’t stop at this point. Listen to the music
program and make additional adjustments to suit your taste,
the type of music and your audience. Fatten the bass, sweeten
the highs, brighten the mids. Since you are starting from a
“tuned” system, your ear will not be fooled into thinking bass
is too high when actually mids are too low, or that highs are
too weak when really the mids are too strong.
Fact: analyzers don’t have good taste—people do.
Analyzers consistently and accurately “tell it like it is,” but
ultimately, personal judgment determines what sounds good
or appropriate for the program material. In fact, final opti-
mum EQ settings, made after analyzer testing, will vary
greatly depending on the type of music, sound pressure level,
size of the venue and disposition of the audience.
Conclusion: To consistently obtain the best sound from
your system, use an analyzer and then your ears, in that
order. The analyzer supplies the consistency and calibration
while your ears supply the good taste.
We of course recommend the very fine and affordable
Rane RA 30 Reatime Analyzer. Check it out.
All features & specifications subject to change without notice.107081
©Rane Corporation 10802 47th Ave. W., Mukilteo WA 98275-5098 USA TEL [phone] FAX [phone] WEB http://www.rane.com