Samson TM 500 Musical Instrument User Manual


 
Guided Tour - Channels
1: Mic inputs - Provided in mono channels only. Use these electronically balanced XLR
jacks to connect microphones to the TM500. These are intended to accept signal from
low-level, low-impedance mics but can also be used for signal from other sources (such as
direct injection boxes) if the channels Trim control (see #5 below) is turned down.
WARNING: Do not connect a channels microphone input if you already have something
connected to its line input (see #2 below); all channels are designed to accept only one
source or the other.
2: Line inputs - Use these electronically balanced 1/4" jacks to connect line-level sources
such as synthesizers, drum machines, CD players, tape decks, or effects processors to
any of the TM500s twelve channels. Stereo devices should be connected to the stereo
channels (9/10 and 11/12). Use balanced three-conductor cabling and Tip/Ring/Sleeve
(TRS) plugs wherever possible (unbalanced two-conductor plugs can also be inserted into
these inputs, but youll get better signal quality and less outside noise and hum if you use
balanced lines). The Connecting the TM500 section on page 10 in this manual provides
more information on how best to use channel inputs.
WARNING: Do not connect a
channels line input if you already have something connected to its microphone input
(see #1 above); all channels are designed to accept only one source or the other.
3: Channel Inserts - Provided in mono channels only. Use these to insert an external
effects processor (such as outboard equalizer, compressor/limiter or noise gate) into any of
the TM500s mono channels in an effects loop configuration. These jacks accept 1/4"
TRS plugs, with the ring carrying the send signal and the tip carrying the return signal.
Normally, this will be connected to a Y-cord; see the Connecting The TM500 section on
page 10 in this manual for more information and a wiring diagram.
4: Peak LED - This warning light indicates an overload situation. It lights whenever a
channels signal is 3 dB short of clipping. To stop it from lighting (and to eliminate the
accompanying sonic distortion), turn down the channels input Trim (see #5 below) or
reduce the amount of equalization boost (see #6 below).
5: Trim - Determines the input level of the connected signal. In mono channels, this is a
knob which is continuously adjustable from +14 dB to -30 dB (in the case of line-level
inputs) or from -6 to -50 dB (in the case of mic-level inputs); the input signal is boosted
when the knob is turned clockwise and attenuated when turned counterclockwise. In
stereo channels, this is a three-position switch, with settings at +4 dB, -2 dB, and -10 dB.
For information on how to properly set this for each channel, see the section on page 14
entitled Setting The Correct Gain Structure.
6: Equalizer - These knobs determine the amount of boost or attenuation in each
frequency band (up to 15 dB for low and high frequencies, and up to 12 dB for the mid
frequency). Mono channels provide 3-band eq, while stereo channels provide 2-band eq.
The mid frequency control (centered at 1.8 kHz) utilizes a resonant (bell) peaking curve,
while the high and low frequency controls (centered at 10 kHz and 100 Hz, respectively)
utilize shelving curves. A center detent in each knob (at the 0 position) indicates no boost
or attenuation (that is, flat response). As each knob is turned clockwise from the 0
position, the frequency area is boosted; as it is turned counterclockwise from the 0
position, the frequency area is attenuated. For more information on the application of EQ,
see the Using Equalization section on page 17 in this manual.
7: Auxiliary sends - These knobs allow you to route signal to either or both of the
TM500s two monophonic Auxiliary outputs. These are typically used to create submixes
(for example, a headphone cue mix) and to feed signal from single or multiple channels to
outboard effects devices. At the 0 (2 oclock) position, the signal is routed with unity gain
(that is, no boost or attenuation). As each knob is turned clockwise from the 0 position,
6
1
2
3
4
5
7
6
8
10
11
40
O
O
OO
OO
35
30
25
20
15
10
0
PEAK
+14
TRIM
L
I
N
E
0
M
I
C
-6
-50
-30
MIC
1
INSERT
LINE
HIGH
-15
+15
0
MID
-12
+12
0
LOW
-15
+15
0
AUX1
+10
PRE
AUX2
+10
PAN
L
R
PFL
0
0
Mono Channel
ENGLISH