SoundCraft B400 manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    [...]

  • Page 2

    © Harman International Industries Ltd. 1997, 1998 All rights reserved Parts of the design of this product may be protected by worldwide patents. Part No. ZM0215 Issue 1 Soundcraft is a trading division of Harman International Industries Ltd. Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not repre- sent a commitment on the[...]

  • Page 3

    B400 Contents i B B 4 4 0 0 0 0 C C o o n n t t e e n n t t s s 1 . Introduction 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Warranty 1.3 2 . Installation 2.1 Dimensions 2.2 Earthing the Console 2.3 Meterbridge 2.3 Rear Connector Panel EDAC Connectors 2.4 Rear Connector Panel D-type Connectors 2.6 Jumper Options 2.8 Internal Monitor Source Selection 2.11 Block Diagrams 3[...]

  • Page 4

    ii B400 Contents Specifications 5.1 B400 Typical Specifications 5.2[...]

  • Page 5

    B400 Introduction 1.1 B B 4 4 0 0 0 0 I I n n t t r r o o d d u u c c t t i i o o n n 1[...]

  • Page 6

    1.2 B400 Introduction I I n n t t r r o o d d u u c c t t i i o o n n Congratulations on purchasing a Soundcraft console. The B400 has been designed to meet the needs of Live TV & Radio Broadcast and Production Facilities including OB vehicles. Based on the highly successful B800, the B400 delivers a level of configurability unrivalled in its c[...]

  • Page 7

    B400 Introduction 1.3 P P o o w w e e r r S S u u p p p p l l y y l The B400 uses the CPS275 Power Supply. W W a a r r r r a a n n t t y y 1 Soundcraft is a trading division of Harman International Industries Ltd . End User means the person who first puts the equipment into regular operation. Dealer means the person other than Soundcraft (if any) f[...]

  • Page 8

    1.4 B400 Introduction[...]

  • Page 9

    B400 Installation 2.1 B B 4 4 0 0 0 0 I I n n s s t t a a l l l l a a t t i i o o n n 2[...]

  • Page 10

    2.2 B400 Installation D D i i m m e e n n s s i i o o n n s s 24-Module 833.72mm / 32.82" 32-Module 1087.72mm / 42.82" 40-Module 1341.72mm / 52.82" 48-Module 1595.72mm / 62.82" 56-Module 1849.72mm / 72.82[...]

  • Page 11

    B400 Installation 2.3 E E a a r r t t h h i i n n g g t t h h e e C C o o n n s s o o l l e e Important Notice. The console has two earth posts on the rear connector panel. They are located near to the power supply connectors. The un-insulated metal post is the chassis ground, and the insulated post is the system ground. The console is supplied wit[...]

  • Page 12

    2.4 B400 Installation R R e e a a r r C C o o n n n n e e c c t t o o r r P P a a n n e e l l E E D D A A C C C C o o n n n n e e c c t t o o r r s s There are two female 90-way EDAC connectors on the rear connector panel. The illustration below shows the pin labelling (as viewed from the outside of the console). The pins are listed in circuits bel[...]

  • Page 13

    B400 Installation 2.5 9 9 0 0 - - W W a a y y E E D D A A C C 1 1 & & 2 2 C C o o n n n n e e c c t t o o r r s s EDAC 1 Circuit Number Function CCT 1 not used CCT 2 Ext Cue I/P CCT 3 Prod T/B I/P CCT 4 T/B to Ext CCT 5 Oscillator L CCT 6 Oscillator R CCT 7 Ext Mon I/P L CCT 8 Ext Mon I/P R CCT 9 Stud Spkr L CCT 10 Stud Spkr R CCT 11 PH1L S[...]

  • Page 14

    2.6 B400 Installation R R e e a a r r C C o o n n n n e e c c t t o o r r P P a a n n e e l l D D - - T T y y p p e e C C o o n n n n e e c c t t o o r r s s There are a number of 25-way D-type female connectors (depending upon the number of input channels) on the rear connector panel. The connector layout varies with the configuration of input mod[...]

  • Page 15

    B400 Installation 2.7 STEREO INPUT REMOTES Pin Function Pin Function 1 REMOTE START #4 (Ch 4, 8, 12 etc.) 14 REMOTE START #3 (Ch 4, 8, 12 etc.) 2 REMOTE STOP #4 (Ch 4, 8, 12 etc.) 15 REMOTE STOP #3 (Ch 4, 8, 12 etc.) 3 REMOTE START #4 (Ch 3, 7, 11 etc.) 16 REMOTE START #3 (Ch 3, 7, 11 etc.) 4 REMOTE STOP #4 (Ch 3, 7, 11 etc.) 17 REMOTE STOP #3 (Ch [...]

  • Page 16

    2.8 B400 Installation J J u u m m p p e e r r O O p p t t i i o o n n s s * = DEFAULT M M O O N N O O I I N N P P U U T T Audio SW19 Released = Insert Point is Pre-fade (see links 1 to 4) Depressed= Insert Point is Post-fade (links 1 to 4 have no effect, but they must be present) LK1-4 Pre-fade Insert 1-2 = Pre Eq 2-3 = Post Eq* J1,2 HF EQ 1-2 = Be[...]

  • Page 17

    B400 Installation 2.9 Logic SW21-A Closure disables dual action of Cue sw. Open SW21-B Closure enables Cue Cancel from fader open Closed SW21-C Open enables latching start line 1 Open SW21-D Closure enables momentart start in line 1 Closed SW21-E Closure enables latching start in line 2 from fader/On and PFL Open SW21-F Closure enables momentary st[...]

  • Page 18

    2.10 B400 Installation S S T T E E R R E E O O M M A A S S T T E E R R J1 Remote Common 1-2 = Local * 2-3 = Rem com J2 - J3 Mono Output post fade,pre limiter/post limiter 1-2 = Post limiter* 2-3 = Pre limiter J4 Talkback replaces or mixes with Program Fit = Replaces* Omit = Mixes J5, 6 Limiter Pre-emphasis Fit = On Omit = Off* M M O O N N I I T T O[...]

  • Page 19

    B400 Installation 2.11 I I n n t t e e r r n n a a l l M M o o n n i i t t o o r r S S o o u u r r c c e e S S e e l l e e c c t t i i o o n n The DESK 'A' bank of switches, on the Monitor Module, allows you to select 1 of 6 internal signals as the internal monitor source. The 6 are selected via the scramble card (SC3556) in the console. [...]

  • Page 20

    2.12 B400 Installation[...]

  • Page 21

    B400 Block Diagrams 3.1 B B 4 4 0 0 0 0 B B l l o o c c k k D D i i a a g g r r a a m m s s 3[...]

  • Page 22

    3.2 B400 Block Diagrams 48V LINE MIC LINE OPTION GAIN HPF HF MF LF Centre Freq. Cut/Boost 3-Band, Semi-Parametric EQ EQ PA D MUTE VCA FADER * Note: the Insert Point may be configured to be in one of two other places which are marked thus - PA N INSERT SEND INSERT RETURN GROUPS STEREO ROUTE 48V PHANTOM -30dBu TONE ST LEFT GRP PA N to groups R L INS [...]

  • Page 23

    B400 Block Diagrams 3.3 MONO R MONO L LEFT INPUT Option RIGHT INPUT Option VCA CONTROL EXT MUTE CTL EXT VCA CTL AUX1 AUX2 AUX3 PEAK LED 2 x 3-INPUT PEAK DETECT OVERPRESS OVERPRESS OVERPRESS CTL OVERPRESS CTL CUE CTL CUE CTL CUE CLEAR CUE CLEAR PFL/AFL CTL PFL/AFL CTL CUE R CUE R CUE L CUE L AFL/PFL CONTROL CUE AUX2 & 3 CIRCUITS ARE IDENTICAL TO[...]

  • Page 24

    3.4 B400 Block Diagrams GROUP OUTPUT EXT MUTE CTL MUTE FADER * OVER- PRESS OPTION FADER DOWN RELA Y CONTROL LOGIC LEFT RIGHT STEREO T APE RETURN BUS AS INPUT LEVEL P AN ROUTING TO MAIN STEREO MIXES ST LEFT ST RIGHT GRP Note: the Insert Point may be configured to be in an alternative place which is marked thus - * INSERT SEND INSERT RETURN INS REMOT[...]

  • Page 25

    B400 Block Diagrams 3.5 AUX 2 AND AUX 3 CIRCUITS ARE IDENTICAL TO AUX1 ON-AIR CTL TB ST CTL TO MONITOR & METERBRIDGE AUX 1 OUTPUT AUX 4 L OUTPUT AUX 4 R OUTPUT CUE L CUE R CUE L CUE R CUE CTL CUE CTL TONE ST CTL TONE ST RIGHT TONE ST LEFT T ALK ST1 (or ST2) REM COM EXT MUTE ST L MIX ST R MIX AUX 1 MIX AUX 4 L MIX AUX 4 R MIX LIMITER IN LIMITER [...]

  • Page 26

    3.6 B400 Block Diagrams OPT 1 CTL #1 & 2 EXT CUE I/P CALL 2 CALL 1 OPT 2 CTL #1 & 2 PROD TB TO ENG CTL PROD TB TO STUDIO CTL PROD TB TO ENG CTL PROD TB TO ENG PROD TB TO ENG MIC OPEN STUDIO MUTE PROD SW TB ( PIN ON MOTHERBOARD ) PROD T/B TO EXT CTL PROD T/B TO GUEST CTL TB TO OPT 1 TB TO OPT 2 -30dB -30dBu TONE ON-AIR CTL ON-AIR CTL SLATE T[...]

  • Page 27

    B400 Block Diagrams 3.7 A/B R EXT EXT A/B L LHS SELECT RHS SELECT INT ’A’ SOURCE A/B LHS SELECT RHS SELECT 8 BALANCED EXTERNAL ’B’ L INPUTS EXT ’B’ 8 BALANCED EXTERNAL ’B’ R INPUTS ST MONITOR FEEDS FROM ST MODULE GROUP 1 GROUP 2 GROUP 3 GROUP 4 GROUP 5 GROUP 6 GROUP 7 GROUP MONITOR FEEDS FROM GROUP MODULES AUX MONITOR FEEDS FROM ST [...]

  • Page 28

    3.8 B400 Block Diagrams[...]

  • Page 29

    B400 Functional Description 4.1 B B 4 4 0 0 0 0 F F u u n n c c t t i i o o n n a a l l D D e e s s c c r r i i p p t t i i o o n n 4[...]

  • Page 30

    4.2 B400 F unctional Description M M o o n n o o I I n n p p u u t t M M o o d d u u l l e e + + 4 4 8 8 V V The 48V switch applies 48V Phantom power to the MIC I/P XLR on the rear con - nector panel. The switch illuminates to indicate that it is switched on. T T O O N N E E The TONE switch replaces the mic/line signal with the desk oscillator, all[...]

  • Page 31

    B400 F unctional Description 4.3 M M F F The upper, larger knob of the MF section allows you to cut or boost the High Mid- Range bell-response filter by up to 15dB. The Mid-point frequency is sweepable, using the lower knob, between 250Hz and 4kHz. The Q-factor of the filter is fixed at 1.4. L L F F The LF knob provides 15dB cut or boost of the LF [...]

  • Page 32

    4.4 B400 F unctional Description When the input is in line level mode and the CUE switch is pressed, this will (optionally) trigger the remote start/stop facility which has two sets of relay con- tacts, available via the rear panel D-type connector. These relays can be set to either latching or pulsed operation via internal jumpers, enabling most t[...]

  • Page 33

    B400 F unctional Description 4.5 R R e e a a r r C C o o n n n n e e c c t t o o r r P P a a n n e e l l XLR-type connectors are provided for the main audio connections to the module. Pinouts are as follows: D D i i r r e e c c t t O O u u t t p p u u t t Pin1 Chassis Pin2 Hot Pin3 Cold I I n n s s e e r r t t S S e e n n d d Pin1 Chassis Pin2 Hot [...]

  • Page 34

    4.6 B400 F unctional Description S S t t e e r r e e o o I I n n p p u u t t / / T T e e l l c c o o M M o o d d u u l l e e T T O O N N E E The TONE switch applies a -60dBu signal to the modules pre-amplifier circuit. This allows you to check the operation of the module. The switch illuminates to indicate that TONE is active. Note that if the m[...]

  • Page 35

    B400 F unctional Description 4.7 H H P P F F The High-Pass Filter is switched on when the button is pressed. The switch illumi- nates to indicate that it is switched on. The filter has a slope of 18dB/Octave and a cut-off point of 100Hz. E E q q u u a a l l i i s s e e r r - - H H F F The Equaliser is a 3-band semi-parametric design. The HF shelvin[...]

  • Page 36

    4.8 B400 F unctional Description When the input is in line level mode and the CUE switch is pressed, this will (optionally) trigger the remote start/stop facility which has two sets of relay con- tacts, available via the rear panel D-type connector. These relays can be set to either latching or pulsed operation via internal jumpers, enabling most t[...]

  • Page 37

    B400 F unctional Description 4.9 R R e e a a r r C C o o n n n n e e c c t t o o r r P P a a n n e e l l XLR-type connectors are provided for the main audio connections to the module. Pinouts are as follows: D D i i r r e e c c t t O O u u t t p p u u t t Pin1 Chassis Pin2 Hot Pin3 Cold I I n n p p u u t t Pin1 Chassis Pin2 Hot Pin3 Cold[...]

  • Page 38

    4.10 B400 F unctional Description M M o o n n o o G G r r o o u u p p M M o o d d u u l l e e There are up to eight Mono Group Modules in the console. The module compris - es a Group Master section and a Stereo Return section. S S t t e e r r e e o o R R e e t t u u r r n n The stereo return normally receives inputs via two XLR sockets on the rear [...]

  • Page 39

    B400 F unctional Description 4.11 F F a a d d e e r r The Fader controls the overall Group level, with 10dB of gain in hand at the top of the fader. A set of relay contacts to start an external machine is available on the rear connec- tor panel. These contacts close when the fader is away from the fully-down posi- tion. Under no circumstances shoul[...]

  • Page 40

    4.12 B400 F unctional Description P P K K The PK LED monitors pre-insert and post-fade signal levels. If either of these points rises to 6dB below clipping the LED will illuminate. S S P P ( ( S S i i g g n n a a l l P P r r e e s s e e n n t t ) ) The signal present circuit monitors the output of the mix amp. The SP LED illumi- nates when a signal[...]

  • Page 41

    B400 F unctional Description 4.13 R R e e a a r r C C o o n n n n e e c c t t o o r r P P a a n n e e l l XLR-type connectors are provided for the main audio connections to the module. Pinouts are as follows: G G r r o o u u p p O O u u t t p p u u t t Pin1 Chassis Pin2 Hot Pin3 Cold I I n n s s e e r r t t S S e e n n d d Pin1 Chassis Pin2 Hot Pin[...]

  • Page 42

    4.14 B400 F unctional Description S S t t e e r r e e o o G G r r o o u u p p M M o o d d u u l l e e There are up to four Mono Group Modules in the console. The module compris - es a Group Master section and a Stereo Return section. S S t t e e r r e e o o R R e e t t u u r r n n The stereo return normally receives inputs via two XLR sockets on th[...]

  • Page 43

    B400 F unctional Description 4.15 F F a a d d e e r r The Fader controls the overall Group level, with 10dB of gain in hand at the top of the fader. A set of relay contacts to start an external machine is available on the rear connec- tor panel. These contacts close when the fader is away from the fully-down posi- tion. Under no circumstances shoul[...]

  • Page 44

    4.16 B400 F unctional Description P P K K The PK LED monitors pre-insert and post-fade signal levels. If either of these points rises to 6dB below clipping the LED will illuminate. S S P P ( ( S S i i g g n n a a l l P P r r e e s s e e n n t t ) ) The signal present circuit monitors the output of the mix amp. The SP LED illumi- nates when a signal[...]

  • Page 45

    B400 F unctional Description 4.17 R R e e a a r r C C o o n n n n e e c c t t o o r r P P a a n n e e l l XLR-type connectors are provided for the main audio connections to the module. Pinouts are as follows: I I n n s s e e r r t t S S e e n n d d Pin1 Chassis Pin2 Hot Pin3 Cold I I n n s s e e r r t t R R e e t t u u r r n n Pin1 Chassis Pin2 Hot[...]

  • Page 46

    4.18 B400 F unctional Description S S t t e e r r e e o o M M a a s s t t e e r r M M o o d d u u l l e e P P O O W W E E R R S S U U P P P P L L Y Y S S T T A A T T U U S S The three LEDs provide visual confirmation that the 48V phantom power, +17V & -17V Audio Supplies, and the +5V Logic Supply are all present. O O N N - - A A I I R R The ON-[...]

  • Page 47

    B400 F unctional Description 4.19 M M o o n n o o O O u u t t p p u u t t The mono output may either be derived from a mono sum of the pre-mute, pre- insert left and right signals, and therefore is also unaffected by the limiter, or, by changing internal jumpers, may be derived post-limiter. L L E E V V E E L L The LEVEL control sets the final outp[...]

  • Page 48

    4.20 B400 F unctional Description R R e e a a r r C C o o n n n n e e c c t t o o r r P P a a n n e e l l XLR-type connectors are provided for the main audio connections to the module. Pinouts are as follows: I I n n s s e e r r t t S S e e n n d d L L Pin1 Chassis Pin2 Hot Pin3 Cold I I n n s s e e r r t t R R e e t t u u r r n n R R Pin1 Chassis [...]

  • Page 49

    B400 F unctional Description 4.21 C C o o m m m m u u n n i i c c a a t t i i o o n n M M o o d d u u l l e e O O s s c c i i l l l l a a t t o o r r F F R R E E Q Q H H z z The internal oscillator may be set to one of 4 different frequencies by the FREQ switch, ranging from 100 to 10kHz O O N N The ON switch enables the oscillator when pressed and[...]

  • Page 50

    4.22 B400 F unctional Description When the switch in question is released the talkback output carries, depending on link settings, either no signal or the signal from the EXT CUE contacts which are also available on the Comms Module EDAC. When the switch is pressed the appropriate output carries the console Talkback signal. T T a a l l k k b b a a [...]

  • Page 51

    B400 F unctional Description 4.23 G G U U E E S S T T P P H H O O N N E E S S This control sets the level of the Guest Heaphones output. The source is selected as described in (16) above. S S T T U U D D I I O O P P H H O O N N E E S S This control sets the level of the Studio Heaphones output. The source is selected as described in (16) above. If [...]

  • Page 52

    4.24 B400 F unctional Description M M o o n n i i t t o o r r M M o o d d u u l l e e The Monitor Module provides facilities for mono and stereo monitoring of many internal and external sources. M M o o n n i i t t o o r r S S o o u u r r c c e e s s S S O O U U R R C C E E A A / / B B The SOURCE A/B switch selects either the DESK A or the EX[...]

  • Page 53

    B400 F unctional Description 4.25 H H / / P P S S P P L L I I T T If the H/P SPLIT switch is pressed, and a CUE is operated from anywhere on the console, the monitor signal (in mono, summed if it is stereo) is sent to the left side of the headphones only. The Cue signal is fed to the right side of the headphones. A A L L T T S S P P K K R R There a[...]

  • Page 54

    4.26 B400 F unctional Description M M A A S S T T E E R R A A F F L L The Cueing system may be set to monitor PFL or AFL signals from the various CUE switches on the console. This is done via the MASTER AFL switch, which selects AFL mode when pressed. A A F F L L A A D D J J Note that when AFL is selected, the AFL ADJ preset is switched into operat[...]

  • Page 55

    B400 F unctional Description 4.27 M M e e t t e e r r b b r r i i d d g g e e M M o o d d u u l l e e s s M M e e t t e e r r b b r r i i d d g g e e S S p p e e a a k k e e r r The meterbridge speaker is sourced from the Monitor Module, and has its own local volume control. T T a a l l k k b b a a c c k k M M i i c c The talkback mic socket is rou[...]

  • Page 56

    4.28 B400 F unctional Description M M e e t t e e r r S S e e l l e e c c t t o o r r P P a a n n e e l l This panel allows you to monitor a variety of console signals. The meters which would be used in conjunction with this panel may be chosen from a range of Soundcraft meter panels which are available from your dealer. It is suggested that a suit[...]

  • Page 57

    B400 Specifications 5.1 B B 4 4 0 0 0 0 S S p p e e c c i i f f i i c c a a t t i i o o n n s s 5[...]

  • Page 58

    5.2 B400 Specifications B B 4 4 0 0 0 0 T T y y p p i i c c a a l l S S p p e e c c i i f f i i c c a a t t i i o o n n s s C C o o n n n n e e c c t t i i o o n n s s Mic Input (XLR) >1.5k Ω balanced -72dBu to -10dBu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +20dBu max Line Input (XLR) >10k Ω balanced -20dBu to +10dBu .[...]

  • Page 59

    B400 Specifications 5.3 C C M M R R R R Mono Input Stereo Input Min Gain Max Gain Mic Input 65dB @ 50Hz 90dB @ 50Hz 55dB @ 1kHz 80dB @ 1kHz 50dB @ 10kHz 60dB @ 10kHz Line Input 45dB @ 1kHz 55dB @ 1kHz 40dB @ 10kHz 50dB @ 10kHz C C r r o o s s s s t t a a l l k k Channel muting 95dB @ 1kHz 90dB @ 1kHz 90dB @ 10kHz 85dB @ 10kHz Channel fader attentio[...]

  • Page 60

    5.4 B400 Specifications Inputs Outputs Insert points Mono Input Mono Input Mono Group Mono Input Mono Group Stereo Master Monitor Comms Stereo Input Stereo Master Mono Group Comms Module Signal Mic Line T ape Return TB MIC Left/Right A & B Send & Return Send & Return Send & Return L/R Direct Output Group Output ST Left & Right C[...]