Waves Maxxbass 107 User manual

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Fax: [phone] www.waves.com
USER GUIDE

MaxxBass 107 is a bass-enhancement hardware tool that utilizes
Waves’ award-winning psycho-acoustic technology to extend perceived
bass frequency response by up to 1½ octaves.
Overview
The MaxxBass 107 system is a two-channel unit and includes an external 16V AC
power supply.
The front panel features controls for Input Trim, MaxxBass Frequency, and MaxxBass
Intensity. Front panel LEDs provide indication of signal presence, independently for
left and right channels, as well as Bypass, Lock, and Power.
The rear panel features a Lock button which disables the Frequency and Intensity
front panel functions while locking in the current settings. This reduces the possibility
of accidental changes to your settings. To change the parameters after setting, simply
release the lock button to re-enable the front panel controls.
A Bypass button switches OFF the bass enhancement system. Each input features
a terminal block connector, balanced or unbalanced (in 2 hot), at +4dBu sensitivity.
Each output features terminal block connectors, balanced or unbalanced (in 2 hot),
at +4dBu sensitivity.
1

Figure 1:
Front Panel Figure 2
Figure 1:
From Left to Right
1. Input trim knob ranges from minus infinity up to unity gain
2. Left/right LEDs indicate Input signal presence
3. Bypass button deactivates the MaxxBass effect (with LED indicator)
4. Intensity knob controls the amount of MaxxBass added to the signal
5. Frequency knob selects the frequency range for MaxxBass to effect
6. Lock button locks the front panel parameters and disables the
Frequency and Intensity control knobs (with LED indicator)
7. Power button (with LED indicator)
Use the MaxxBass Frequency control to determine your frequency crossover point
(from 50 Hz to 170 Hz). The Intensity knob controls the amount of MaxxBass effect
(Low to High). Depressing the Bypass button bypasses the MaxxBass effect processing.
Operating Instructions
The MaxxBass 107 is easily integrated into professional sound installation and public
address installations, as shown in Figure 1. It includes balanced and unbalanced
stereo analog inputs and outputs for easy installation in commercial sound systems.
Figure 1:
Figure 1
MaxxBass 107
Audio Source Amplifier
Speakers
2

How MaxxBass Works
MaxxBass is a patented psycho-acoustic bass enhancement technology which uses
the psycho-acoustics of human perception to improve bass response.
The technology behind MaxxBass goes back hundreds of years, when makers of pipe
organs heard low deep tones coming from short pipes. They soon discovered that the
short pipes were producing the harmonics of much lower tones. People heard the
lower tones…even though they weren’t actually there. That’s the effect of the missing
fundamental.
Today, MaxxBass uses this same missing fundamental to improve your sound. Here’s
how it works:
First, MaxxBass determines the frequency crossover point. Then, it separates the low
bass frequencies which can’t be reproduced by the speaker. The low frequencies are
analyzed to create a complex set of harmonics which can be reproduced by the
speaker. These harmonics are added back to the rest of the audio, replacing the
original low frequency energy.
Figure 1:
Rear Panel Figure 3
From Left to Right
1. 16V AC Input
2.Output
+4 balanced terminal block (Ground, +, -)
Right-Left ¼” TRS Jack connectors
Right-Left XLR +4 balanced outputs
3. Input
+4 balanced terminal block (Ground, +, -)
Right-Left ¼” TRS Jack connectors
Right-Left XLR +4 balanced input connectors
Block Diagram
3
3

Power Saver
Typical speakers may have a low frequency cutoff of 100 Hz. Better speakers may
go down to 60 Hz. Yet even these can’t reproduce certain sounds accurately. Kick
Drums, Bass Guitars, and Pianos all have fundamental tones lower than 60 Hz. The
speakers simply can’t reproduce those frequencies. It wastes the energy from those
tones, turning them into heat.
MaxxBass transforms this energy into higher frequency harmonics that the speakers
can handle. The result is a richer, deeper bass sound, without excessive power
consumption.
Crossover@
MaxxBass
Frequency
DSP
Harmonics
Generation
HPF@
MaxxBass
Frequency
High Pass Out
Frequencies the speaker can reproduce OutputInput
Low Pass Out
Frequencies below the
speaker can reproduce
Creates perceptual
Bass using Missing
Fundamental
harmonics
Removes Frequencies
below the speaker can
reproduce
LR – Active Balanced:
Pin 2 hot Wire Terminal – Active
Balanced 1/4" TRS – Active balanced/unbalanced
10 k
+22 dBU
-inf – 1:1 ratio
XLR – Active Balanced: Pin 2 hot Wire Terminal – Active
Balanced 1/4" TRS – Active balanced/unbalanced
600
+22 dBU
10Hz - 40KHz ± 0.3dB
-84 dBAw
-96 dBAw
88 dBAw
100 dBAw
-92 dB
19 x 9.5 x 1.5
2.5
Connector Type
Impedance
Max Level
Input trim
Connector Type
Impedance
Max Level
Frequency Response
Effect enabled
Effect bypassed
Effect enabled
Effect bypassed
CrossTalk@1KHz
Size
Weight
Specification
Inputs:
Outputs:
THD+Noise:
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
49

Installation
MaxxBass 107 occupies one U rack space, and comes with an external 16VAC power
supply. The power supply and all signal connectors are on the rear of the unit as shown
in Figure 3.
Setting input levels
Once you have a signal going through the MaxxBass 107, use the Input Trim to adjust
gain level. When the Signal LED is blinking, this means you have achieved a satisfactory
input signal level.
Setting MaxxBass Frequency
To set your Frequency Crossover point, tune it to the approximate cutoff frequency
of your loudspeaker. Typical speaker cutoff frequencies and perceived bass generated
by MaxxBass for several types of speakers are listed below.
Speaker Type Speaker Cutoff Freq Virtual Cutoff Freq
Compact subwoofers 50 Hz 20 Hz
Mini/shelf systems 75 Hz 25 Hz
Televisions 100 Hz 33 Hz
PC multimedia 120 Hz 40 Hz
Flat panel 160 Hz 53 Hz
Setting Intensity
Set the Intensity knob set to Low and gradually turn it up. You will slowly hear your
audio signal becoming fuller and deeper as more MaxxBass effect is added to your
signal.
MaxxBass 107
Lecture Hall System
Computer VCR Cassette Tape
Mixer
Power Amp
Stereo System
Speakers
Boardroom System
MaxxBass 107 MaxxBass 107
Computer VCR Cassette Tape
Mixer Resource
Mixer
Board Table Mics
Power AmpPower Amp
Speech System
Speakers
Stereo System
Speakers
85

Application
MaxxBass 107 is ideal for a variety of systems, spaces, and purposes.
Below are several typical 107 set-ups.
Use MaxxBass 107 between the crossover and the subwoofer. If your system
doesn’t use a crossover unit, install MaxxBass 107 between the equalizer and
the main speakers.
For restaurants, stores and public events, position MaxxBass 107
between the mixer and amplifier.
*Connect the computer's audio output to MaxxBass 107's inputs and the
MaxxBass 107 outputs to the kiosk's amplifier.
MaxxBass 107
Club System
MaxxBass 107
CD Player Phono 1
Mixer Equalizer
Crossover
Amplifier
Amplifier
Amplifier
Sub Woofer Main
Speakers
Booth
Speakers
Mic
House of Worship System
MaxxBass 107 MaxxBass 107
Public Lectem ChoirCassette Tape
Mixer
Power Amp Power Amp
Under Balcony
Speakers
main Hous
Speakers
Public Address System
MaxxBass 107 MaxxBass 107
Information Desk
Cassette Tape
Mixer
Power Amp Power Amp
Area Two
Speakers
Area One
Speakers
Multimedia Kiosk System
MaxxBass 107
Power Amp
Computer
System
Speakers
67