Page 3 - Contents
PEQ-450 Manual PEQ-450 Reference Manual 3 Contents Welcome! ........................................................................................................................6 How to Use This Manual ........................................................................... 7Important Safety I...
Page 7 - How to Use This Manual
PEQ-450 Manual PEQ-450 Reference Manual 7 How to Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing thevarious functions and applications for the PEQ-450. While it's agood idea to read through the entire manual once carefully, thosehaving general knowledge about studio equ...
Page 8 - Important Safety Instructions; Please follow these precautions when using this
PEQ-450 Manual 8 PEQ-450 Reference Manual Important Safety Instructions Safety symbols used in this product This symbol alerts the user that there are important o p e r a t i n g a n d m a i n t e n a n c e i n s t r u c t i o n s i n t h e l i t e r a t u r eaccompanying this unit. This symbol warn...
Page 10 - Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French)
PEQ-450 Manual 10 PEQ-450 Reference Manual 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 avecce produit. Ce symbole avertit l’utilisateur d...
Page 11 - Beim Benutzen dieses Produktes beachten Sie bitte
PEQ-450 Manual PEQ-450 Reference Manual 11 10. Evitez de marcher sur le cordon secteur ou de le pincer, en particulier au niveau de la prise, et aux endroits où il sor del’appareil. 11. N’utilisez que des accessoires spécifiés par le constructeur. 12. N’utilisez qu’avec un stand, ou table conçus pou...
Page 13 - CE Declaration of Conformity
PEQ-450 Manual PEQ-450 Reference Manual 13 CE Declaration of Conformity See the Internet site: www.alesis.com
Page 15 - Chapter 1; Quick Start Guide; Step 1: Hook it up to a mixer
Chapter 1 PEQ-450 Reference Manual 15 Quick Start Guide If you can't wait to get started: The Alesis PEQ-450™ is a unique product, but its basic hookup andoperation is similar to other equalizers in most respects. If you'reexperienced with signal processors, this chapter is a "shorthand"guid...
Page 16 - Step 2: Try some equalization
quick start guide • chapter 1 16 PEQ-450 Reference Manual Step 2: Try some equalization Play some signal into the unit While learning the unit, you should play a CD or a multitrack sourceinto the equalizer. Choose a song or part that doesn’t change much,so that you can take your time experimenting w...
Page 17 - Step 3: Try some filtering
chapter 1 • quick start guide PEQ-450 Reference Manual 17 Step 3: Try some filtering Find a "peaky" signal A popular vocal effect is to filter the voice to a small frequency band.This "telephone" effect is also called "futzing" and can be used on anyinstrument or mix. Here’s ...
Page 18 - Front Panel Diagram
quick start guide • chapter 1 18 PEQ-450 Reference Manual Front Panel Diagram 4.5k 4.5k 4.5k 4.5k 4.5k 4.5k 4.5k 4.5k 4.5k 4.5k 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 2.0 0.25 16 8.0 4.0 1.0 0.5 2.0 0.25 16 8.0 4.0 1.0 0.5 2.0 0.25 16 8.0 4.0 1.0 0.5 2.0 0.25 16 8.0 4.0 1.0 0.5 2.0 0.25 16 8.0 4.0 ...
Page 19 - Chapter 2; Connections; Unpacking and Inspection; Installing in a Rack; Thermal Considerations in Rack Mounting
Chapter 2 PEQ-450 Reference Manual 19 Connections Unpacking and Inspection Your PEQ-450 was packed carefully at the factory. The shippingcarton was designed to protect the unit during shipping. Pleaseretain this container in the highly unlikely event that you need toreturn the PEQ-450 for servicing....
Page 20 - Power; AC Power Hookup; AC Grounding
connections • chapter 2 20 PEQ-450 Reference Manual Power Make sure you read the initial Important Safety Instructions chapter at the front of this manual. AC Power Hookup Plug the female end of the power cord into the PEQ-450’s POWER INPUT socket and the male (plug) end into a good quality, noise-f...
Page 22 - Connecting inputs and outputs
connections • chapter 2 22 PEQ-450 Reference Manual Connecting inputs and outputs ✪ When connecting audio cables and/or turning power on andoff, make sure that all devices in your system are turned off and the volume controls are turned down. Connecting to the Channel Inserts of a mixingconsole: Unb...
Page 25 - Dual Channel Operation
chapter 2 • connections PEQ-450 Reference Manual 25 Connecting to equipment with XLR inputs andoutputs: If you are connecting the PEQ-450 to a product with XLR balancedinputs and outputs, you will need to convert this signal to a TRSbalanced connector. Make sure that Pin 2 of the XLR connector is co...
Page 26 - About Audio Cables
connections • chapter 2 26 PEQ-450 Reference Manual About Audio Cables The connections between the PEQ-450 and your studio are yourmusic’s lifeline, so use only high quality cables. These should be low-capacitance shielded cables with a stranded (not solid) internalconductor and a low-resistance shi...
Page 27 - Chapter 3; Basics of Equalization; What is equalization?; Chapter 4
Chapter 3 PEQ-450 Reference Manual 27 Basics of Equalization This section will explain how equalization works, and explain thefunctions of the PEQ-450’s controls. What is equalization? An equalizer boosts or cuts a frequency range. The PEQ-450 is aparametric equalizer, which means that you can sweep...
Page 28 - Description of Controls
basics of equalization • chapter 3 28 PEQ-450 Reference Manual Description of Controls There are five groups of knobs in vertical rows on each channel ofthe PEQ-450. These are labeled BAND 1 through BAND 5. Theirfunction is as follows: Gain The GAIN G knob specifies the amount of boost or cut for th...
Page 30 - HPF; LPF
basics of equalization • chapter 3 30 PEQ-450 Reference Manual HPF The H P F button turns Band 1 into a highpass filter. This button disables the GAIN and Q knobs for Band 1. When this function is on, all audio below the Band 1 Frequency setting will be filtered out at aslope of 12dB per octave. Thi...
Page 31 - Input
chapter 3 • basics of equalization PEQ-450 Reference Manual 31 Input The INPUT knob trims the level coming into the PEQ-230. It should be set so that the average level is around –15dB, but not so high so thatthe INPUT METER hits the red CLIP light. Output The OUTPUT knob boosts or cuts the overall l...
Page 32 - Equalization Artifiacts; Distortion; Noise
basics of equalization • chapter 3 32 PEQ-450 Reference Manual Equalization Artifiacts When you apply a lot of EQ (6dB or more), you may hear someconsequences on the output. Here are a few common side effects toapplying a lot of equalization and some ways to avoid them. Distortion If you boost the l...
Page 33 - Chapter 4; Applications; Rock Kick Drum
Chapter 4 PEQ-450 Reference Manual 33 Applications This section is designed to get you started with the PEQ-450 bygiving some sample settings. These are merely suggested settings,experiment and find your own once you begin to hear what thePEQ-450 does to your sound. In a way, it’s absurd to suggest ...
Page 34 - Hum Removal; Tape hiss removal; Eliminating feedback
applications • chapter 4 34 PEQ-450 Reference Manual Hum Removal You may need to use a recorded performance with ground humpresent on the track. This hum can be decreased or even eliminatedusing EQ: • Band 1 set for narrow Q, cutting –18dB at 60Hz• Band 2 set for narrow Q, cutting –18dB at 120Hz• Ba...
Page 37 - Troubleshooting; Troubleshooting Index
PEQ-450 Reference Manual 37 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Index If you experience problems while operating your PEQ-450, pleaseuse the following table to locate possible causes and solutions beforecontacting Alesis Product Support for assistance. Symptom Cause Solution No audio fromoutputs No inpu...
Page 38 - Avoiding ground loop noise
troubleshooting • chapter 5 38 PEQ-450 Reference Manual Avoiding ground loop noise In today’s studio, where it seems every piece of equipment has itsown computer chip inside, there are many opportunities for groundloop problems to occur. These show up as hums, buzzes orsometimes radio reception and ...
Page 39 - Line Conditioners and Protectors
chapter 5 • troubleshooting PEQ-450 Reference Manual 39 TO ELIMINATE HUM IF THE ABOVE HAS FAILED: A) Disconnect the power from all outboard devices and tape machines except for the PEQ-450, the mixer and control roommonitor power amp. B) Plug in each tape machine and outboard effects device one at a...
Page 40 - Care and Maintenance; Cleaning
troubleshooting • chapter 5 40 PEQ-450 Reference Manual power line fails completely. Intended for computer applications, aUPS allows you to complete an orderly shutdown of a computersystem in the event of a power outage. In addition, the isolationit provides from the power line minimizes all forms o...
Page 42 - Specifications
42 PEQ-450 Reference Manual Specifications Subject to change without notice AUDIO INPUTInput Connectors: 4 Balanced 1/4" TRS jacks Nominal Input Level: Adjustable from <= -10dBV to>= +4dBu = -15dBFS Maximum Input Level: +20dBu (7.78 Vrms) Input impedance: 10 kOhm AUDIO OUTPUT+4dBu/-10dBV S...
Page 43 - Alesis Limited Warranty
PEQ-450 Reference Manual 43 Alesis Limited Warranty ALESIS STUDIO ELECTRONICS ("ALESIS") warrants this product to be free of defects in material and workmanship for aperiod of one (1) year for parts and for a period of one (1) year forlabor from the date of original retail purchase. This war...