AIRMATE TECHNICAL INFORMATION

The Airmate is equipped with 8 low-noise triple input modules with the following features.

* Two line inputs with optional R.I.A.A.  pre-amp

* A professional low noise balanced mic pre-amp

* A gain control

* A three band equalizer

* A start (ON) switch

* A stereo CUE switch for pre fade listening

* Eight 100 mm professional faders.

* Stereo 51mm master fader.

* Special broadcast section with Self-op switch

* Clean feed outputs/Announcer output and Talkback circuit

* Red Light output

INPUT MODULES

Every module has three selectable inputs. There is a microphone input on XLR, and two stereo line inputs on cinch connectors and a Start connector.

MIC INPUT

The mic input is a professional balanced input circuit, this means that you now have a studio-class microphone-channel at your disposal. A microphone is an instrument that turns acoustical signals in electrical ones, without any amplification (in most cases). These very small signals have to be amplified without any noise and interference from the mixing table.

The Airmate is equipped for this purpose. Instead of one sensitive connection at the input channel, the Airmate has 2 connections per channel (balanced). This is a major difference between the Airmate and other mixers. It is now possible to connect the 2 wires in your microphone cable to the balanced input as follows:

- One wire to pin 2 of the XLR connector.

- The other wire to pin 3 of the XLR connector.

- The shielding on the remaining pin 1 of the connector.

A microphone cable connected in this way is much less sensitive to outside interference.

STEREO LINE INPUTS

The stereo line inputs need to be connected as follows.

The left cinch connector is the left input and the right Cinch connector is the right input. The shield needs to be connected to the ground.

The START switch has two active connections to be wired. The tip and ring are shorted when the ON switch or optional fader switch is activated.

INPUT MODULE CONTROLS

The controls of the input modules have the following functions.

With the gain, the source level is adjusted to the internal mixer level.

The module has a three band equalizer to control the high and low frequencies individually in bad acoustic environments.

Below the equalizer you will find the stereo CUE switch (Pre Fader Listening), this switch gives you the possibility to check the signal before you mix it with your other signals .

The ON switch is used to start turntables and cassette decks as well as jingle machines.

Last control is the 100mm channel fader, this is the actual control to mix the signals. All channels have long throw stereo faders.

INPUT CONNECTORS

On the back of your Airmate you find six connectors, one has already been discussed, that was the balanced or symmetrical microphone input, the other two are the stereo line inputs.

On line B you can buy an optional available R.I.A.A. correction amp to be able to mix turntables. The level can be set by the gain control to match with every available cartridge.

There is a stereo "CUE " switch on the front to cue the incoming signal. Once you have done this, you can start the turntable with the ON switch. These switch quick start turntables through the remote jack at the back of the mixer, if your turntable only needs a pulse to start, ask your dealer to remove the latching spring from the START switch to change it into a momentary switch, so you can use it as a pulse-start switch.

*NEVER CONNECT THE MAINS TO THIS REMOTE-JACK*

Connections on the START connector can only be made with a maximum of 24 Volts by 500mA. Please contact your dealer in case of doubt.

SPECIAL AVAILABLE OPTIONS IN THE AIRMATE MIXER

On the input PCB of your Airmate are several jumpers that can be changed to enable different configurations of the channel settings.

We advise you to have this done by your local dealer if the need arises.

The following jumper settings can be selected:

1. R.I.A.A. correction amp on Jumper J 12 and J 13.

2. Low cut filter on Mic input only through Jumper J 3.

3. Aux send pre or post selectable via Jumper J6 (post is default).

4. Start jack de-activating by Jumper J 11 (1-2).

5. Monitor Muting active by On switch via Jumper J 11 (3-4) (for broadcast).

THE MASTER SECTION

The Airmate master section houses all the controls for the summing amps and master inputs such as Aux return, 2-Track return, and master outputs. All individual functions we shall describe here.

LED BAR METERS

The master section has two large 21 segment meters (VU meters) reading all in and outgoing signals. The attack and release time constants are conform international standards, being 300mSec for attack and decay. The green area in the led bar is the safe area, and the yellow area the range that normally would be on when properly aligned. The output of your Airmate is +4dBu (1.22v) when the last green led is on.

MASTER MONO SWITCH

This switch turns the stereo signal into mono for both main outputs. It is a convenient way of balancing the left right signal before going to stereo. Also when one side of the stereo signal is missing the mono switch is very helpful.

AUX SEND

The Aux send master controls the sum of all the individual Aux send signal coming from the input channels.

AUX CUE

The Aux cue redirects the master output signal and led bar indication to the Aux output that gives you the total outgoing signal of the Aux master. It is necessary to turn the master control up to have an outgoing signal.

MONITOR

The monitor control is fed by the master outputs pre master fader. It is an extra stereo output for another sound system or recording device.

FOLLOW PHONES

This switch actually is an input selector for the monitor output. Instead of listening to the main outputs, it is also possible to listen to the phones output. This feature is often used by DJ's that do not want to use headphones.

2-TRACK

This switch replaces the incoming left/right signal or Cue signal by an externally connected source on the 2 track input connectors. Its sensitivity is -10dBv (300mV). Note: The Cue system will interrupt the 2 track when activated.

AUX RETURN

This stereo input is intended to be used for returning reverbs. This input is directly connected to the stereo main mix buss and can be used to connect other mixers without losing valuable input channels.

CUE AUX RETURN

This switch enables you to stereo pre listen to an incoming Aux return signal.

BALANCE

The balance knob controls the balance between the main stereo output and the stereo Cue signal when selected.

Note: The split switch de-activates the balance control. With the balance control anywhere between Cue and L/R you always have control over the main output signal even when a Cue switch is activated.

SPLIT

When the split function is activated the following listening situation is created.

The left side of the phones output gives the summed Cue signal and the right output gives the summed left/right signal (pre fader). The balance control has no influence on this configuration anymore.

PHONES

The phones output (located on the front panel) has an automatic input selector. Normally the left/right output is heard until a Cue switch is activated anywhere in the console that immediately takes over the left/right signal. The led bar switches accordingly with this action. We advise you to use headphones with an input impedance not lower than 400 Ohm to avoid distortion. An 8 Ohm headphone will produce lots of distortion when cranking up the level due to its low impedance load. It is a load equivalent to the load that loudspeakers normally present to power amps and as you know the Airmate is no power-amp, sorry.

MASTER FADER

The Airmate master fader is a 51mm model controlling both left and right signals at the same time.

SELF-OP

This switch mutes the monitor output (your control room monitor) as soon as a microphone input is opened. At the same time a relay is activated which is connected to the Red Light output connector.

CLEAN FEED OUTPUT

The Clean feed output sums all signals coming from the input modules (except for those inputs where jumper J7 is not activated). Clean feed signals are equivalent to Aux send signals, but are always post fader. By Jumpering only those channels that are not returning Telephone Hybrid signals you avoid feedback and have a perfect set-up for talk shows.

CUE CLEAN FEED

All outgoing signals from the Clean feed output can be monitored by way of the Cue switch.

ANNOUNCER OUTPUT

In the up position of the "follow phones" switch, the input of the announcer is fed by the main left/right signal pre master fader. In the depressed mode of the "follow phones" switch the Announcer output is fed by the same signal as the phones output is.

FOLLOW PHONES

This switch is the input selector of the announcer output, see above description.

TALKBACK

The Talkback circuit has a built in electret microphone with extensive routing to most of the outputs. By selecting one or more of the routing switches you can communicate to the outputs. The Talkback level is independent upon settings of the master controls of the Clean feed and Announcer outputs. It is however subjected to the master level of the master Aux output control. The Talkback switch has a momentary action to avoid being unwillingly in the talkback mode.

MASTER CONNECTORS

The master connector panel houses 12 Cinch connectors 2 jacks and 2 male XLR connectors where all interfacing takes place. Furthermore the mains connector with integrated fuse holder is located in this section. A ground terminal completes the back panel connector section.

TAPE OUTPUTS

The first connectors on the left are the tape output connectors for left and right for connecting a tape deck or DAT recorder. Output level is -10dBv (300mV), the signal is pre master fader.

CLEAN FEED OUTPUTS

Direct beneath the Tape outputs are the Clean feed cinch connectors (some Airmate models indicate RIGHT/LEFT beneath these Cinch connectors).

RED LIGHT

Direct beneath the Clean feed cinch connectors is a stereo jack (some models indicate Clean feed) that can control a red light indicator. This stereo jack is connected to a change over relay. This relay is capable of controlling external Red light circuits as long as it does not take a higher voltage than 24 volt and the current does not exceed 500mA.

NEVER CONNECT 220 VOLT AC TO THIS JACK!!

The C.C. (Center Contact) of the internal relay is connected to the Tip of the stereo jack. The N.O. (Normally Open) contact is connected to the ring of the jack. The N.C. (Normally Closed) contact is connected to the "ground" of the jack.

AUX RETURN

Right from the tape connectors you see the Aux return connectors. These inputs are controlled by the Aux return knob. The signal is directly connected to the master main mix busses. You can connect reverb returns or other stereo signals without using any input module. The input level should -10dBv as a minimum.

AUX OUTPUTS

The aux outputs are two paralleled Cinch connectors giving the signal coming from the aux sends in the channels. The level is +4dBu (1.22 volt). You can connect inputs to reverbs to this Cinch connector or use it as a monitor output, when you have jumpered the Aux send in the channels pre fader.

2-TRACK INPUTS

These inputs are intended to return stereo machines in the monitor section. Signals from DAT machines or tape decks. The level needs to be -10dBv (300mV) as a minimum for optimum signal to noise.

MASTER OUTPUTS

The master outputs are on male 3 pin XLR connectors in a ground compensated arrangement. Ground compensated means that all advantages of balancing are maintained when connected to a balanced input of a power amp or professional tape deck or DAT recorder. The output level is +4dBu (1.22 volt).

GROUND CONNECTOR

This terminal is intended for grounding phono players or it is to be used as central ground pin is complex set-up.

MAINS CONNECTOR

The mains inlet is a euro type connector with built in fuse. Your Airmate can accept voltages between 200 volts and 230 volts 50/60Hz. The built in fuse is a slow blow type of 1 Amp. never replace this fuse by higher values. In case of 115 volt local power the value of the fuse needs to be increased to 2 Amps.

WIRING SUMMARY OF ALL CONNECTORS

MIC INPUTS XLR connector balanced impedance 2kOhm. sensitivity -60dBu.

Pin 1 = ground.

Pin 2 = hot (in phase).

Pin 3 = cold (out of phase).

LINE A/B Cinch connector, sensitivity -20dBu to +20 dBu. sleeve =ground.

DISC INPUTS On B inputs only when optional R.I.A.A. pre-amp is installed. 47kOhm, 0.5 mV to 10 mV.

START REMOTE Stereo jack, Tip is a change over contact between sleeve and ring.

MASTER OUTPUT CONNECTORS

MAIN XLR male connector for left and right.

pin 1 = ground.

pin 2 = in phase.

pin 3 = out of phase.

output level = +4dBu/100Ohm.

TAPE Two cinch connectors for left and right. -10dBv (300mV) /10kOhm. Sleeve=ground.

2 TRACK INPUTS Cinch connectors.

-10dBv (300mV) / 10kOhm. Sleeve = ground.

AUX RETURN Cinch connectors for left and Right.

-10dBv (300mV) / 10kOhm. Sleeve = ground.

CLEAN FEED OUTPUTS Cinch connectors paralleled

+4dBu (1.22volt) output / 47 Ohm. Sleeve = ground.

RED LIGHT Stereo jack connected to internal change over relay.

Center Contact = Tip

Normally Closed = Ground

Normally Open = Ring

ANNOUNCER OUTPUT Stereo jack for left and right

Tip = left

Ring = right

Sleeve = Ground

AUX OUTPUTS Cinch connectors (paralleled). + 4 dBu (1.22 volt) / 100 Ohm Sleeve = ground.

MONITOR OUTPUT Cinch connectors for left and right. + 4 dBu (1.22 volt) / 100 Ohm. Sleeve = ground.

PHONES: Preferable 400 Ohms or higher!

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

INPUTS

Mic input balanced 2 kOhm.

Mic noise -122 dBr (A-weighted).

Sensitivity: -70dB min, 0dB maximum.

Line inputs: unbalanced, 10kOhm, Cinch gain range 40dB.

Phono inputs: unbalanced, 47kOhm, 1-10 mV.

2 Track return: -10dBv at 10kOhm.

Aux return: -10dBv at 10kOhm.

OUTPUTS

Left/Right/Monitor/Aux: +4dBu (1.55volt) at 47 Ohm.

Tape output: -10dBv at 1kOhm.

Headphone: 400-600 Ohm, 500mW.

EQUALIZER

High: +/- 12 dB at 12kHz shelving curve.

Mid: +/- 12 dB at 1 kHz bell curve.

Low: +/- 12 dB at 60 Hz bell curve.

OVERALL

Frequency response 10-60.000 Hz (+/- 0.5dB).

Distortion: <0.009% max at 1 kHz.

Dimensions: 483x356x95 mm ( 8U ) .

Weight: 9 kg.

E & O.E. Eastern Electronics 2000