Rane SEQ 30S User manual

Manual-1
QUICK START
is manual is for both the SEQ 30s and the SEQ 30L. e only difference is the length of the sliders. e units are electrically
and functionally the same. is manual will refer to “SEQ 30” for either unit.
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 pre-
vention...,” and all that.
e SEQ 30 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 IN-
PUT 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. e XLR and
¼" TRS inputs do not sum. You may, however, use both types of OUTPUTS simultaneously if desired.
WEAR PARTS: is product contains no wear parts.
OPERATORS MANUAL SEQ 30S & 30L
STEREO GRAPHIC EQUALIZERS
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
STEREO
EQUALIZER
0
+
12
•
6
•
•
•
6
12
0
+
12
•
6
•
•
•
6
12
12-12
6-6
0
SEQ 30S
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
1 INPUT LEVEL control and indicators
is controls the overall level. 0 dB gain is reached at the center detent with all sliders centered at their 0 dB detents. Set the IN-
PUT 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.
2 EQ BYPASS switch
When pressed to BYPASS, the filter sliders have no effect. Since actual unity gain depends on varying slider settings, use the BY-
PASS switch to determine the unity gain position of the INPUT LEVEL control by comparing ACTIVE and BYPASS volumes.
3 Filter level slide controls
Each of these sliders control the output level of both channels of the 30 bandpass filters. Center position is grounded for guaran-
teed flat response. ese are all at ⅓-octave intervals at official ISO center frequencies.
4 POWER switch and LED
Your basic, straightforward power switch. When the yellow LED is lit, the SEQ 30 is ready to go.
FRONT PANEL DESCRIPTION
STEREO
EQUALIZER
0
+
12
•
6
•
•
•
6
12
0
+
12
•
6
•
•
•
6
12
12-12
6-6
0
SEQ 30S
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
1234
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

Manual-3
1 LEFT & 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.
2 LEFT & 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
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANE CORP
.
OUTPUTS
SEQ 30S
INPUTS
RIGHT RIGHTLEFT LEFT
UNBALANCED BAL / UNBALUNBALANCED BAL / UNBALBALANCED BALANCEDBALANCED BALANCED
N108
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 1 = CHASSIS, SHIELD,
PIN 2 = (+), PIN 3 = (–).
¼" PHONE, BALANCED:
TIP = (+), RING = (–),
SLEEVE = CHASSIS, SHIELD.
¼" PHONE, UNBALANCED:
TIP = SIGNAL, RING = GROUND,
SLEEVE = CHASSIS, SHIELD.
2 1

Manual-4
SEQ 30S & 30L CONNECTION
Exactly where you install your SEQ 30 into a sound system
significantly affects such things as noise, system headroom, com-
pressor/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. is you
know how to do. Be careful though, not to boost too much bass.
Be aware that the SEQ 30 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 in-
dicated by the +4 dBu indicator lighting occasionally, while the
OL indicator does not light.
e SEQ 30 can be used to align crossovers and flatten
speaker response. e best way to “see” what your sound system
is doing, is to use a realtime analyzer, such as the Rane RA 30.
A ⅓-octave realtime analyzer is an accurate means for setting a
⅓-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 equal-
izer 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 problems,
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
e best configuration is: mixer, compressor/limiter, equal-
izer, crossover, then power amplifier. Whenever headroom
allows, try to take all the gain at the mixer, and run unity levels
from then on. is also gives better noise performance through
the system. Connect the SEQ 30 before the amplifier or active
crossover. Take any required line gain before the SEQ 30. Avoid
taking a lot of gain in the crossover or power amps as this may
create noise problems. e SEQ 30 operates at unity gain with
the INPUT LEVEL control at the 0 dB center detent when slid-
ers average to center (0 dB). You can test this with the EQ BY-
PASS switch—adjust the INPUT LEVEL control so that volume
does not change when switching between Active and BYPASS.
For details, read “Setting Sound System Level Controls” provided
later in this booklet or at the Rane website.
Send/Receive Loops
Mixers, mixer/preamps and the like often provide send/re-
ceive loops for additional effects or EQ, and the SEQ 30 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
e SEQ 30 is an accurate, professional quality instrument
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 equalizer”). You’ll be able to
obtain better feedback control without losing sound quality. All
sliders maintain smooth, consistent and accurate calibrated con-
trol over filter levels. Because of this, the overall EQ adjustment
process is significantly easier and more effective.
Equalizing a sound system by ear is very difficult to achieve
successfully, especially in a timely manner. Although the hu-
man 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, unfortunately 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 equal-
ize 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 align-
ment. In most cases, simply “normalizing” or “flattening” a
sound system is a surprisingly drastic improvement, 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, per-
sonal judgment determines what sounds good or appropriate for
the program material. In fact, final optimum 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. e
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 Analyzer.
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 www.rane.com