MSX 8 Owner's Manual v 3 CE ©2010 ARX®
MSX 8 Owner's Manual v 3 CE ©2010ARX®
6
3
Introduction
Thank you for choosing this MSX 8 Active Microphone/Line Splitter. As with all ARX equipment, it has
undergone extensive factory calibration and ‘burn in’ before shipping. To ensure continued trouble free use,
please familiarise yourself with the contents of this manual before using the MSX 8.
About the MSX 8
Today’s venues face a growing need to provide a multiplicity of audio feeds from presentations, conferenc-
es, orchestral performances and lectures.
The advent of digital broadcasting, the growth of webcasts and direct-to-CD archiving highlight the
deficiencies in audio splitting systems more than ever before. Whether the end product is a broadcast feed
or CD sales of an unrepeatable lecture, performance or event, the end-users’ expectations of audio quality
are higher than ever. And the MSX 8’s channel linking enables it to instantly become a 1 to 8 press box at
the push of a button
With these requirements in mind, ARX has developed the MSX 8 Active Microphone/Line Splitter to deliver
the performance required by today’s standards of audio production.
Active microphone and line splitting has a number of benefits over passive splitters: primarily these are
improved sound quality, noise figures comparable to the best microphone inputs, increased resistance to
RFI, and a consistent microphone load. All of which translate into superb audio quality for your clients.
The MSX 8 consists of two channels of actively buffered ultra low noise Microphone/ Line Splitter. Each of
these channels has four electronically Balanced splits – two on the rear panel, plus two more on the front
panel. All four output splits have the option of transformer balancing if so specified.
Each channel has a –20 dB pad switch and a silently switchable 48V Phantom power with indicator LED. A
‘Link’ switch links channel 1 with channel 2, providing a maximum of 8 Outputs from a single input. An
indicator LED shows when this is active. A Clip LED indicates imminent signal overload through the
channel.
Gain through the MSX 8 can be set individually by the small DIP switches on the rear of each channel,
from 0dB through to +40 dB in 10 dB steps
A numbered marker panel on the front provides a space where individual channel connections can be noted.
Internally, powerful RF input filtering removes both common mode and differential interference at ultrasonic
frequencies and above. High CMRR is achieved with precision components, not vulnerable trimpots.
The MSX 8 has a low noise shielded transformer based power supply to obtain the maximum benefit from
the ultra low noise design of the splitter circuitry.
Summing up, the feature packed MSX 8 device is the answer wherever transparent signal buffering and
routing is required.
IMPORTANT
Check that the AC Power at the wall is in the same voltage range as that printed on the fuse holder door,
before connecting the MSX 8 to the AC supply. See Page 2 for further details.
Connecting the MSX 8
The original signal from the microphone is connected into the Input connector on the rear panel of the
chosen channel. From there it can go any or all of the following:
1: To the main Front of house console, out of the Main connector on the rear panel
2: To the Monitor console (or a second Main console) out of the Monitor connector on the rear panel
3: To either of the two front panel splits, for connection to remote trucks, OB vans, recording feeds, press
feeds, etc. In normally supplied configuration these two splits are electronically balanced, identical to
the Main and Monitor feeds. However, they can be optionally fitted with isolating transformers where
complete signal isolation is required.
48V Phantom power can be switched to the mic input from the front panel, and the channel Pad can be
switched in to cope with ultra hot signals. Overall Channel Gain is controlled by each channel’s DIP switch
on the rear panel. All switches Off (down) equals a Gain of 0dB. Only push up the switch of the Gain
setting you require. i.e. for a channel Gain of 20dB you would push up switch #2 only.
If more splits from a single microphone are required, eg. for use as a Press Box, then push in the Link
switch on the front panel. The signal from Channel 1 will then appear at all 8 outputs of the MSX 8
MSX 8 Options
Either just the front panel splits or all splits are available with isolating transformer balanced outputs if
required. Ideally these should be installed at the time of ordering the unit(s), but they are available as a
retrofittable kit. Contact ARX directly or the dealer at your point of sale for further information on obtaining a
tranformer balancing kit. The kit comes with complete details on the installation, testing and ground lift
wiring of the transformers.
Note:
This retrofitting involves opening the case of the MSX 8, so should only be done by a qualified
technician.
MSX 8
Electronically Balanced All Outputs
MSX 8 T/S
Electronically Balanced Main and Monitor Outputs,
Transformer Balanced Outputs Splits 1 and 2
MSX 8 T/ALL
Transformer Balanced All Outputs
Channel Gain setting
with DIP switches
