Alesis DEQ230D - Manual

Introduction 3 Welcome! Thank you for purchasing the Alesis DEQ230. It is a versatile product, and whether it becomes a part of your studio or finds its place in your live setup, we know it will serve you well. Since 1984, we've been designing and building creative tools for the audio community. We ...

Introduction 5 How to Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various functions of and applications for the DEQ230. While it's a good idea to read through the entire manual once carefully, those having general knowledge about audio equipment should use the t...

Important Safety Instructions 7 Important Safety Instructions (English) Safety symbols used in this product This symbol alerts the user that there are important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying this unit. This symbol warns the user of uninsulated voltage within t...

Important Safety Instructions 8 12. Use only with a cart, stand, bracket, or table designed for use with professional audio or music equipment. In any installation, make sure that injury or damage will not result from cables pulling on the apparatus and its mounting. If a cart is used, use caution w...

Important Safety Instructions 9 Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French) Symboles utilisés dans ce produit Ce symbole alèrte l’utilisateur qu’il existe des instructions de fonctionnement et de maintenance dans la documentation jointe avec ce produit. Ce symbole avertit l’utilisateur de la prése...

Important Safety Instructions 11 Lesen Sie bitte die folgende Sicherheitshinweise (German) Sicherheit Symbole verwendet in diesem Produkt Dieses Symbol alarmiert den Benutzer, daß es wichtige Funktionieren und Wartung Anweisungen in der Literatur gibt, die diese Maßeinheit begleitet. Dieses Symbol w...

Important Safety Instructions 13 CE Declaration Of Conformity See our website at: http://www.alesis.com FCC Compliance Statement 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 d...

1 Quick Start Guide 15 If you can't wait to get started The Alesis DEQ230 is a unique product, but its basic hookup and operation are similar to other equalizers in most respects. If you're experienced with signal processors, this chapter is a “shorthand” guide for those who want to start using the ...

1 Quick Start Guide 16 Step 2: Try some equalization Play some signal into the unit While learning the unit, you should play a CD or a multitrack source into the equalizer. Choose a song or musical passage with a fairly consistent level, so you can take your time experimenting with the different fea...

2 Connections 19 Unpacking and Inspection Your DEQ230 was packed carefully at the factory. The shipping carton was designed to protect the unit during transit. Please keep this carton in the highly unlikely event that you need to return the DEQ230 for servicing. The shipping carton should contain th...

2 Connections 20 AC Power Hookup The DEQ230D has what’s known as a “switching power supply.” This means it will detect any standard line voltage from 90 to 230 volts, 50-60 Hz, and adapt itself to that. All you need is the proper A/C cable for the country in which you find yourself. Just plug the &#...

Connections 2 21 Connecting Inputs and Outputs Connecting to the Channel or Main Inserts of a mixing console Unbalanced I/O Most mixing consoles have insert jacks near the main outputs and for each channel as well. These are typically Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS) jacks with the send and return on the same ...

2 Connections 22 Mono connections This example shows how to connect the DEQ230 to one mono source. You can use this method to connect two mono sources or one stereo source to the DEQ230. You would need two insert cables to make both of these connections. Stereo connections Use two insert cables to c...

2 Connections 24 There are three ways to connect the DEQ230D with another digital audio device: Analog Signal In, Digital Signal Out A potential use for this setup would be if you are running your recorded tracks into a mixer that only has an analog output, but your mixdown deck has S/PDIF inputs. U...

Connections 2 25 About Audio Cables The connections between the DEQ230 and your studio are your music’s lifeline, so use only high quality cables. These should be low-capacitance shielded cables with a stranded (not solid) internal conductor and a low-resistance shield. Although quality cables cost ...

3 Basics of Equalization 27 This section will explain how equalization works, and explain the functions of the DEQ230’s controls. What is equalization? An equalizer boosts or cuts a frequency range. The DEQ230 is a graphic equalizer, which means it has many fixed frequency bands that can be cut or b...

3 Basics of Equalization 28 Description of the Controls There are thirty buttons side-by-side on each channel of the DEQ230. These are the [BAND SELECT] buttons. Above each button is a number like "25" or "8k." These stand for the audio frequencies, measured in Hertz (Hz), which are ...

Basics of Equalization 3 29 Description of the Basic Modes Program mode When this manual refers to Program mode, we mean the very top level of functionality of the DEQ230. Program mode is where you are when it is possible to use the [DOWN/UP] buttons to select between the different programs that res...

3 Basics of Equalization 30 Bypass mode This mode is nearly as simple as it sounds: push the [BYPASS] button and the DEQ230 will let you hear the non-equalized audio. But there’s a bit more to it than that. There are also two gain adjustment stages that can be used to compensate for a reduction or i...

Basics of Equalization 3 31 Basic operation: Program mode Program mode is where to be if you want to call up another program, or if you just want to know the number of the program you are using. The DEQ230 has 60 programs in all: 30 Preset programs and 30 User programs. The Preset programs are the o...

3 Basics of Equalization 32 Basic operation: Edit mode If you're not already there, exit to Program mode by using the [LINK/EXIT] button. Then select program 00 on the DEQ230 by pressing the [DOWN] and [UP] buttons at the same time. Program 00 is a "flat" program, and it's easy to see why it...

Basics of Equalization 3 33 Band Gain Cut/Boost Ranges Whether you are cutting or boosting a band, the first 10 dB of change happens in 0.5 dB increments. The last 2 dB of change, going from +/-10 dB to +/-12 dB, happens in increments of 1.0 dB. So as you make the change, the Numeric LED Display wil...

3 Basics of Equalization 34 Multiple Band Edit Selecting an Edit Group Pressing a [BAND SELECT] button puts the DEQ230 into Edit mode. And until you press one of the [DOWN/UP] buttons, you can keep pressing [BAND SELECT] buttons until you have several of them selected simultaneously. This is called ...

Basics of Equalization 3 35 upward until it reaches 24. This is because that's how far the band that was set to -12 dB had to travel until it hit the "ceiling," or + 12 dB (see fig. 2). But what about the band that was set to 0 dB originally...was it boosted to +24 dB? The answer is, "Ye...

3 Basics of Equalization 36 One important note, though; Proportional Gain Memory is only temporary. If you have run one or more bands "past" the +/-12 dB limit and then you exit Edit mode for any reason (such as to store the program), the gain value of those bands will be remembered as +/-12...

Basics of Equalization 3 37 Likewise, if the lowest gain setting of any band in this same Edit Group is -4 dB, then the largest number you will see in the Relative Gain display going all the way up is 16 (see fig. 5). So if you run the Relative Gain display up and down repeatedly with this Edit Grou...

3 Basics of Equalization 38 Basic operation: Store mode Once you have created a program you would like to save, press the [STORE] button to enter Store mode. This will cause the Numeric LED Display to blink with the number of the current program. If you were on a Preset program while editing, you wi...

Basics of Equalization 3 39 Channel Copy You can use the Link function while editing to help set up identical curves on both channels. But at some point the curves may need to diverge slightly (or significantly). Rather than unlinking the channels and starting all over again on Channel B, we have in...

3 Basics of Equalization 40 Basic operation: Audition mode No doubt there will be times when you want to switch back and forth between different programs to determine which one is best suited for the audio source. But as easy as it is to navigate between the DEQ230's programs in Program mode, it's s...

Basics of Equalization 3 41 Audition Automation There are two ways to toggle between the programs in the Audition List: manually and automatically. The DEQ230 defaults to the automatic method, which we call Audition Automation. Once you have finished adding programs to the Audition List, the DEQ230 ...

3 Basics of Equalization 42 Basic operation: Channel Level mode Channel Level mode allows you to adjust the output level of channels A and B independently or simultaneously. Use this feature to compensate for a reduction or increase of signal level due to the equalization curve you have selected. To...

Basics of Equalization 3 43 The "Hidden" Modes There are several sub-levels of operation that can be accessed from Program mode by pressing different buttons. We covered Channel Level mode and Audition mode on the preceding pages; here are two more “hidden” modes: Demonstration mode Sometime...

3 Basics of Equalization 44 Setup mode This is where you will find some of the features that govern the way the DEQ230 operates in the other modes. They are what you would call "Global" settings, in that their status is not stored with a program. No matter which program you call up, these se...

3 Basics of Equalization 48 Button 9: System Exclusive Receive (Waiting) As long as this page is active, the DEQ230D will allow an external device such as a computer to transmit a new bank of 30 User programs into its User memory space. Once the external device begins sending the proper sys-ex data,...

Basics of Equalization 3 49 “Auto” is the default value. To force the DEQ230D to listen only to the balanced inputs, switch this setting from Auto to Analog. Button combinations Here is a list of the combinations of buttons that are possible in the DEQ230 and what they do: Hold: Press: Result [UP] (...

3 Basics of Equalization 50 Equalization Artifacts When you apply a lot of EQ (6dB or more), you may hear some consequences on the output. Here are a few common side effects to applying a lot of equalization and some ways to avoid them. Distortion If you boost too many frequencies too high, you will...

Basics of Equalization 3 51 Constant Q vs. Variable Q What makes the DEQ230 unique? At their inception, graphic equalizers relied solely on a form of equalization known as "Variable Q." The DEQ230, on the other hand, is what is known as a "Constant Q" equalizer. This method of equali...

3 Basics of Equalization 52 In the next illustration, the difference between a narrow Q and a wide Q is seen: Variable Q Now we're ready for a visual definition of the term Variable Q. In the next illustration, the wider and more gradual curve represents a lower gain setting for a variable Q equaliz...

Basics of Equalization 3 53 Multi-band application and results So far we have only dealt with cutting or boosting single frequency bands. The differences between the constant Q and variable Q methods become more "graphic," if you will, when adjacent frequency bands are involved. In this exam...

4 Applications 55 This section is designed to get you started with the DEQ230 by giving some sample settings. These are merely suggested settings; experiment and find your own once you begin to hear what the DEQ230 does to your sound. In a way, it’s absurd to suggest EQ settings without knowing what...

4 Applications 56 Eliminating Feedback During a live performance, you may experience feedback if a microphone is placed too close to a monitor. However, this feedback often occurs at one frequency before it happens at others. You can "ring out" the monitor by using EQ to cut the frequency th...

Applications 4 57 Comb filtering You'll understand how this effect process got its name once you see the way it looks when recreated on the DEQ230: 1. Follow the instructions for items 1 and 2 from Step 2. 2. Starting from the far left of Channel A, press every other [BAND SELECT] button and take th...

5 Program Charts 59 Note for all program charts An "L" in the middle of the picture of the front panel indicates that a program’s LINK function is active. # Title Description 0 Flat The DEQ230 will not affect the signal; the output signal will sound the same as the input signal. 1 Smile The ...

Program Charts 5 61 12 Cross-Over Split a full-range mono signal into both channels; send the output of Channel A to an amplifier feeding the woofers and send Channel B to an amplifier feeding the tweeters. 13 Hum Reduction Some signals have 60Hz hum no matter what you do. This program de-emphasizes...

Program Charts 5 63 25 Narrow Cut 4 (2.5kHz) See note for programs 16-20 and 22-26 26 Narrow Cut 5 (8kHz) See note for programs 16-20 and 22-26 27 High Shelf Use this to eliminate the high end and leave everything else untouched (corner frequency is approximately 7kHz). 28 Sine Wave Pattern I Mostly...

5 Program Charts 66 45 11kHz Sample Rate If you want to digitize your signal at a very low sample rate like 11kHz for effect, bandlimiting it to half the sample rate (approximately 5kHz) will help you avoid some nasty sounding artifacts of the sampling process. 46 Next Door Neighbor This is what it ...

5 Program Charts 68 57 Blank Store one of your programs here. 58 Blank Store one of your programs here. 59 Blank Store one of your programs here. Notes regarding the Settings Chart on the next page Let’s face it; 30 User Memory locations is a lot (not so very long ago, that was unheard of for a grap...

6 Troubleshooting 71 Restoring the Factory Programs & Defaults There is a power-up button combination that will restore the DEQ230's User programs to the factory default programs. This same combination of buttons will reset all of the Setup functions to their default values. This procedure is ca...

6 Troubleshooting 72 Troubleshooting Index Symptoms Cause Solution No audio at outputs. No input audio. Test with a known good input. Bad cables. Replace the cables. Destination is turned down. Check the connections and the level of the mixer or amp to which the DEQ230 is connected. Weak output sign...

Troubleshooting 6 73 Refer All Servicing to Alesis We believe that the DEQ230 is one of the best signal processors that can be made using current technology, and should provide years of trouble-free use. However, should problems occur, DO NOT attempt to service the unit yourself unless you have trai...

Specifications 75 DEQ230D Analog I/O (switchable) Input connectors: 2 balanced 1/4” TRS jacks Output Connectors: 2 balanced 1/4” TRS jacks Switch set to +4: Nominal input level: +4dBu (-15dBFS) Maximum input level: +19dBu (6.9 Vrms) Nominal Output Level: +4dBu (-15dBFS) Maximum Output Level: +19dBu ...

Warranty / Contact 77 Alesis Limited Warranty ALESIS CORPORATION ("ALESIS") warrants this product to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year for parts and for a period of one (1) year for labor from the date of original retail purchase. This warranty is en...

Warranty/Contact 78 Alesis Contact Information Alesis Distribution, LLC Los Angeles, CA USA E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.alesis.com Alesis DEQ230/DEQ230D Reference Manual Revision A by Randy Lee, with thanks to Mike Murphy Revision B by Randy Lee Copyright 2003, Alesis Distribution...