Samson MPL 1640 - Manual (Page 12)

Connecting The MPL 1640
The actual connections you’ll make to and from the MPL 1640 will vary accord-
ing to the environment you use it in and the particular equipment you have. In
the “Applications” sections at the conclusion of this manual (pages 24 - 27),
you’ll find some suggested setups. Here we present a few basic rules concern-
ing MPL 1640 connections that will apply in pretty much all situations:
• In general, it’s best to make all connections with the MPL 1640 and all
power amplifiers turned off. If you must make connections with the power
on, make sure that both the Main Mix and 3/4 output levels are completely
down. Whenever powering down, turn both output levels completely down
and then turn off all power amps first. Wait a few seconds for their power
supplies to discharge and then turn off all connected equipment, turning the
MPL 1640 off last.
• Try to use balanced connectors and cabling wherever possible. These kind
of connections do a better job of rejecting extraneous noise and hum and
generally provide a cleaner signal. Although the MPL 1640 will accept
unbalanced connectors throughout, it specifically provides electronically
balanced connectors for all sixteen mic and line inputs and for its Main Mix
outputs. The wiring diagram below shows how 1/4" TRS (Tip/Ring/Sleeve)
plugs should be wired for use with these inputs and outputs:*
Unbalanced cables use standard 1/4" phone plugs, wired as follows:
• Make one connection at a time and then monitor the incoming signal. If you
hear a distinct hum or buzz, you may have a grounding problem with that
particular device. See the section on page 15 entitled “Grounding
Techniques” for information on how to avoid grounding problems.
• NEVER connect a microphone and line level input to the same channel
simultaneously—use one or the other. You can have some channels con-
nected to microphones and others to line level signals (for example, you
might want to plug mics into channels 1 - 6 and line level signals into chan-
nels 7 - 10)—just don’t have both kinds of inputs connected to the same
channel. The diagram below shows how your XLR mic connectors should
be wired:*
* You’ll also find this information silk-screened on the MPL 1640 rear panel.
10
TIP +
GROUND
RING - RING
TIP
SLEEVE
+ SIGNAL
GROUND
+ SIGNAL
GROUND
3 - SIGNAL
1 GROUND
2 + SIGNAL
TO MIXER