EAW MX8700, Owner'S Manual

SUB MONO

When the 

SUB Mono

indicator light is illuminated, the sub-low frequencies of the left and right chan-

nels in the processor are electronically mixed together and then fed to the 

SUB 

outputs.  Thus both

the left and right 

SUB 

outputs carry a mono mix of the sub-low frequencies.  

4.2.4 Gain switches

Each output of the MX8700 has a pair of 

GAIN

dip switches that MUST be programmed to match the

power amplifier’s voltage gain in dB.  The MX8700 uses the gain setting to determine threshold for limit-
ing each output.  Essentially, this is equivalent to electronically sampling the amplifier’s output.

Normally the amplifier’s gain is when its input level control is set to maximum, usually meaning fully clock-
wise.  One of four different gain settings can be programmed for each of the eight outputs.  The graphic
at the top of the front panel decal shows the available settings for these switches.

When setting the gain switches, you may have to approximate the gain setting of the processor versus the
actual gain of the amplifier.  For compression drivers, pick the lower of the gain values nearest the actual
gain.  For cone drivers, pick the higher gain nearest the actual gain.  For example suppose your amplifier
has a gain of 37 dB gain.  The gain switches allow 32 dB or 38 dB gain.  If the load is a compression driv-
er, pick 32 dB gain.  If the load is a cone speaker, pick 38 dB gain.

4.2.5 Mute Switches

Each output channel has a 

MUTE 

switch and a mute LED.  The 

MUTE 

switch mutes that output and the

MUTE 

LED glows red when that output has been muted.  

4.2.6 Signal Indicators

Each output channel has a 

sig 

LED.  This LED glows green for any signal at that output.  If the output

level exceeds the limiting threshold, it glows red at the limit threshold.   

Note: the 

sig 

LEDs will indicate

this threshold even when the limiters are bypassed.

Occasional flashing is OK.  However, if the 

sig

LED

is rapidly flashing red or a steady red a large percentage of the time, the system is exceeding its capabil-
ity and the volume should be reduced.

4.3

Rear Panel Controls and Connectors

4.3.1 Balanced Inputs

Each of the two XLR-F connectors is a transformerless balanced input designed to accept line level signals.  

4.3.2 Channel Outputs

Each of the eight XLR-M connectors is a transformerless balanced output designed to deliver line level signals.

4.3.3 Power Switch

This switch turns the MX8700 on or off.  The outputs are temporarily muted during turn on to protect the
loudspeaker from turn-on transients.  

4.3.4 IEC 230 connector

The male IEC connector accepts a standard IEC female connector.  Ensure that the MX8700’s voltage rat-
ing (see rear panel markings) matches your local mains voltage. 

4.3.5 RS232 connector

The DB9-F connector is for connection to a COM port on a computer.  This connector is for downloading
preset information from a computer running EAW’s MXLoader program.

Page 4