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FEATURES & SETUP- 

SIDE PANEL SWITCHES: 

POWER LIMITER  (continued from previous page)

FAST-

 Set both 

POWER LIMITER SPEED

 switches to 

FAST

. This setting produces 20 milliseconds (0.020 seconds) of release time. The AVG mode will produce 8 milliseconds of

attack time, and PEAK mode will produce less than 1 millisecond of attack time. This setting will have low distortion down to about 1 kHz. It is suitable for high frequency protection,
but will cause a distinctly “muddy” effect when used on full range material.

MED-

 Set the upper 

POWER LIMITER SPEED

 switch to 

MED

 and the lower switch to 

FAST

. This setting produces 200 milliseconds of release time. The

 

AVG mode produces 80

milliseconds of attack time and the PEAK mode produces 10 milliseconds of attack time. This setting is the fastest possible setting for full range material and may still produce some
IM distortion for extremely low frequencies.

SLOW-

 Set the lower 

POWER LIMITER SPEED

 switch to 

SLOW

 and the upper switch to 

FAST

. This setting provides 4 seconds of release time. The AVG mode produces 1.6

second of attack time and the PEAK mode produces 180 milliseconds of attack time. This setting will change the gain very gradually in the AVG

 

mode, and sudden peaks may clip for

1 to 2 seconds. The PEAK mode will push overloads down quickly, but recovery time will still take many seconds.

14

POWER LIMITER TRACKING-

 Each channel’s power limiter operates independently, with its own threshold and time constants.

Four tracking modes are available for your use:

1- No Tracking--

 switch section 9 of 

both limiter adjustment DIPs should be set to 

OFF

. This is the “usual” mode where neither channel’s limiting effects the other.

2- CH 1 tracks the limiter activity of CH 2-- 

switch section 9 of channel 1’s limiter adjustment DIPs should be set to 

TRACK CH 2 

and switch section 9 of channel 2’s limiter

adjustment DIPs should be set to 

OFF

. This tracking mode is not often used, but is applied to paging environments with high ambient noise levels. Limiting on channel 2 will cause

limiting to occur on channel 1. Channel 2 is set up for a vocal-range horn and carries the voice page; its limiter is set for MED speed and PEAK mode with a power threshold and
gain setting that produces proper paging level. Channel 1 is set up for a full-range music speaker with its level set for comfortable listening against the ambient noise. When a
page drives channel 2 into limiting, channel 1 is driven “down” also, making the page more audible against the background noise. Some experimentation with channel 2’s gain and
threshold  will be required for best performance with a range of paging voices & levels.

3- CH 2 tracks the limiter activity of CH 1 (

bi-amp tracking) --

 switch section 9 of channel 2’s limiter adjustment DIPs should be set to 

TRACK CH 1 

and switch section 9 of

channel 1’s limiter adjustment DIPs should be set to 

OFF

. This tracking mode is useful for high frequency bi-amping , using fast protection on the horn without “ducking” the low

frequencies. When used carefully, this mode can protect each driver in a two-way system , while preserving musical dynamics and balance.

We offer the following suggestions as a starting point for bi-amp tracking:

TWO-WAY SPEAKER WITH A FAIRLY HIGH CROSSOVER FREQUENCY- Most of these systems have a large cone low frequency driver and a comparatively delicate high frequency
driver. The limiting is tailored for each driver; higher power threshold and slower limiter speed for the low frequency driver and a lower power threshold and faster limiter speed for
the high frequency driver.

The low frequency driver can handle short time overloads, so its limiter can be set to the slower responding

 AVG

 (average) mode with

 MED

 to 

SLOW

 overall limiting times. Short

peaks may clip, but the overall limiting will be smooth and gradual with no low frequency distortion and a minimum of “ducking”. If there is too much clipping, try the 

CLIP

LIMITER

 or use the 

PEAK

 mode and 

MED

 speed.

Summary of Contents for PL218A

Page 1: ...User Manual Manuel de l utilisateur Bedienhandbuch Manual del Usario PL218A PL224A PL230A PL236A PL2A Audio Power Amplifiers with Analog Signal Processing POWERLIGHT 2A TD 000089 00 Rev B TD 000089 00...

Page 2: ...interference in a residential installation This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance to the instructions may cause harmful inter...

Page 3: ...cy Delay and HF ATTEN 11 HORN BOOST 12 POWER LIMITER 13 CLIP LIMITER 15 Crossover Delay SIP Networks 16 DataPort Front Panel LEDs Gain Controls Basic Overview 18 INSTALLATION Rack mounting Mounting Di...

Page 4: ...0 and 3 of available power The limiters have a gentle limiting knee which preserves a sense of signal dynamics In bi amplified systems a slower attack release time can be used on the low frequency cha...

Page 5: ...socket J4 3 Subaudio filter push button switches 1 per channel 4 Subaudio filter on indicator LEDs 1 per channel 5 DIP switch for subaudio filter frequency select low frequency delay enable HF attenua...

Page 6: ...the front panel clearly indicates when the amplifier in configured for PARALLEL input When to use PARALLEL input configuration Use PARALLEL when you need one signal to drive both channels STEREO Each...

Page 7: ...s full frequency signals no crossover and is independently controlled gain processing output connection BI AMP This puts the amplifier into a crossover mode CH 1 receives the low frequencies and CH 2...

Page 8: ...the DataPort input signals will not reach the amplifier PRE PROC This setting will insert the DATAPORT signals ahead of the amplifier s signal processor If you are using external processing on the DA...

Page 9: ...16 dB of headroom for the rest of the signal processing NOTE The GAIN SENSITIVITY SELECT setting does not effect DataPort gain in any mode FEATURES SETUP REAR PANEL SWITCHES GAIN SENSITIVITY SELECT 1...

Page 10: ...he speaker s limits The OFF position should be used only for subwoofer systems with rated frequency response below 30 hertz or if low frequency filtering is provided by other devices CH1 SUBAUDIO FREQ...

Page 11: ...efer to the SIP network value selection chart for more information HF ATTEN These switches are active only when the amplifier is in BI AMP mode These four switches section 3 4 5 and 6 of the left most...

Page 12: ...de These switches work in combination to control the amount of high frequency horn boost The horn boost is adjustable from 0 to 14dB in 2dB steps as measured at 20 kHz Add the values of the selected s...

Page 13: ...etermine the desired percentage of power and consult the table at right to convert this to the nearest dB setting Then combine switch settings to obtain the desired setting EXAMPLE You want limiting t...

Page 14: ...to OFF This tracking mode is not often used but is applied to paging environments with high ambient noise levels Limiting on channel 2 will cause limiting to occur on channel 1 Channel 2 is set up fo...

Page 15: ...eakers Clip limiter switches are at the bottom of each LIMITER ADJUSTMENT DIP switch 1 per channel 15 POWER LIMITER TRACKING continued The high frequency driver requires a lower power threshold and fa...

Page 16: ...ter choosing the desired values from the selection chart locate the plastic bag containing the SIP networks and locate the desired value DECODING SIP NETWORK RESISTANCE VALUES see note below decoding...

Page 17: ...install the side cover plate after installing the SIPs Before installing the SIP as shown right ensure that the pins are straight This will ease insertion into the jack and help to avoid damaging the...

Page 18: ...or which connects to accessory products to enhance your amplifier application The CM16a Amplifier Network Monitor can remotely control and monitor your PL2A amplifier The DSP 3 digital signal processo...

Page 19: ...rear is important especially for mobile and touring use Rear rack mounting ear kits are an accessory item and are available from QSC s Technical Services Department or from your dealer or distributor...

Page 20: ...GE AC mains The correct AC line voltage is shown on the serial number label Connecting to the wrong line voltage is dangerous and may damage the amplifier The power cord attaches to the IEC connector...

Page 21: ...frequency loss in long cables Balanced inputs Use the XLR or the detachable terminal blocks Proper connection for balanced input options are shown at right Unbalanced inputs Connect the unused side o...

Page 22: ...Monobr ckenbetrieb Mono puente SPEAKER CABLING Always use the largest wire size and shortest length of wire practical for any given installation Larger wire sizes and shorter lengths minimize power lo...

Page 23: ...from the side then the knurled retaining nut is tightened banana plug inserted into the post Banana plug capability is provided on non European models ONLY Bridged mono Mono pont Monobr ckenbetrieb M...

Page 24: ...h security panel installed A droite le panneau avant avec plaquette protectrice install e Rechts ein POWERLIGHT 2A Verst rker mit Sicherheitsabdeckung Derecha un amplificador PL2 Acon el panel de segu...

Page 25: ...LED indicates that the amplifier is operating Half brightness indicates the amp is in its start up sequence or STANDBY mode As the input signal strength increases the green SIGNAL 20dB and amber 10dB...

Page 26: ...LED is at full brightness yet the signal LEDs indicate no signal check the input Make sure the signal source is operating and try another input cable Connect the source to another channel or amplifie...

Page 27: ...sition Move the MODE switch to the 2 CH position This assumes you do not want to be in BI AMP mode and that you are operating in a 2 channel mode PROBLEM HISS Unplug the amplifier input to confirm tha...

Page 28: ...upply provides power to start up the main supply After three seconds a relay bypasses the inrush limiting and full power operation is enabled The audio circuitry mutes for one second to eliminate star...

Page 29: ...he DataPort for remote monitoring with QSC s CM16a Processor The output circuitry is actively clamped during clipping for smooth and very fast recovery The clamp also feeds a proportional clip limiter...

Page 30: ...itch INPUT SENSITIVITY V RMS switch position 26dB 1 2Vrms 32dB 26dB 1 2Vrms 32dB 26dB 1 2Vrms 32dB 26dB 1 2Vrms 32dB for rated power into 8 ohms 2 57 1 28 1 28 3 05 1 20 1 53 3 84 1 22 1 93 3 95 1 24...

Page 31: ...or CH 1 can be used for one or both channels and for bridged mono COOLING all models Continuously variable speed fan back to front air flow provision for optional air filter AMPLIFIER PROTECTION all m...

Page 32: ...ift Direcci n postal QSC Audio Products Inc 1675 MacArthur Boulevard Costa Mesa CA 92626 1468 USA Telephone Numbers Num ros de t l phone Telefonnummern N meros de tel fono Main Number Num ro principal...

Page 33: ...______________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ____________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ________...

Page 34: ...______________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ____________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ________...

Page 35: ...QSC Audio Products Inc 1675 MacArthur Boulevard Costa Mesa California 92626 USA QSC and the QSC logo are registered with the U S Patent and Trademark Office 2000 2007 QSC Audio Products Inc...

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