the t racks DSP 4×4 Mini Amp Controller User Manual
- June 16, 2024
- the t racks
Table of Contents
DSP 4×4 Mini Amp Controller
User Manual
DSP 4×4 Mini Amp Controller
General information
This document contains important instructions for the safe operation of the
product. Read and follow the safety instructions and all other instructions.
Keep the document for future reference. Make sure that it is available to all
those using the product. If you sell the product to another user, be sure
that they also receive this document.
Our products and documentation are subject to a process of continuous
development. They are therefore subject to change. Please refer to the latest
version of the documentation, which is ready for download under
www.thomann.de.
1.1 Symbols and signal words
In this section you will find an overview of the meaning of symbols and signal words that are used in this document.
| Signal word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| DANGER! | This combination of symbol and signal word indicates an |
immediate dangerous situation that will result in death or serious injury if
it is not avoided.
NOTICE!| This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a possible
dangerous situation that can result in material and environmental damage if it
is not avoided.
Warning signs| Type of danger
---|---
| Warning – high-voltage.
| Warning – danger zone.
Safety instructions
Intended use
This device is intended to be used for amplification, mixing and playback of
signals from musical instruments and microphones. Use the device only as
described in this user manual. Any other use or use under other operating
conditions is considered to be improper and may result in personal injury or
property damage. No liability will be assumed for damages resulting from
improper use.
This device may be used only by persons with sufficient physical, sensorial,
and intellectual abilities and having corresponding knowledge and experience.
Other persons may use this device only if they are supervised or instructed by
a person who is responsible for their safety.
Safety
DANGER!
Risk of injury and choking hazard for children!
Children can suffocate on packaging material and small parts. Children can
injure themselves when handling the device. Never allow children to play with
the packaging material and the device. Always store packaging material out of
the reach of babies and small children. Always dispose of packaging material
properly when it is not in use. Never allow children to use the device without
supervision. Keep small parts away from children and make sure that the device
does not shed any small parts (such knobs) that children could play with.
DANGER!
Danger to life due to electric current!
A short circuit could lead to a fire hazard and risk of death. Do not modify
the mains cable or the plug! In case of isolation damage, disconnect
immediately the power supply and arrange repair. If in doubt, seek advice from
a qualified electrician.
DANGER!
Danger to life due to electric current!
Within the device there are areas where high voltages may be present. Never
remove any covers. There are no user-serviceable parts
inside. Do not use the device when covers, safety equipment or optical
components are missing or damaged.
NOTICE!
Risk of fire due to covered vents and neighboring heat sources!
If the vents of the device are covered or the device is operated in the
immediate vicinity of other heat sources, the device can over‐heat and burst
into flames. Never cover the device or the vents. Do not install the device in
the immediate vicinity of other heat sources. Never operate the device in the
immediate vicinity of naked flames.
NOTICE!
Damage to the device if operated in unsuitable ambient conditions!
The device can be damaged if it is operated in unsuitable ambient conditions.
Only operate the device indoors within the ambient conditions specified in the
“Technical specifications” chapter of this user manual. Avoid operating it in
environments with direct sun‐ light, heavy dirt and strong vibrations. Avoid
operating it in environments with strong temperature fluctuations. If
temperature fluctuations cannot be avoided (for example after transport in low
outside temperatures), do not switch on the device immediately. Never subject
the device to liquids or moisture. Never move the device to another location
while it is in operation. In environments with increased dirt levels (for
example due to dust, smoke, nicotine or mist): Have the device cleaned by
qualified specialists at regular intervals to prevent damage due to
overheating and other malfunctions.
Features
- Ultra-compact 4-channel DSP and 4-channel power amplifier
- Ideal for small installations and in combination with ceiling speakers
- Inputs: 4 × 1/4″ jack socket (balanced)
- Outputs: 4 ×1/4″ jack socket (balanced) and screw terminals
- USB connection for control via PC using the supplied software (cable included)
- Comprehensive setting options for optimal sound
– Parametric Equalizer
– Graphic Equalizer
– High- and low-pass filters
– Noise Gate
– Limiter
– Phase inversion
Installation and starting up
Unpack and check carefully there is no transportation damage before using the
unit. Keep the equipment packaging. To fully protect the product against
vibration, dust and moisture during transportation or storage use the original
packaging or your own packaging material suitable for transport or storage,
respectively.
Create all connections while the device is off. Use the shortest possible
high-quality cables for all connections. Take care when running the cables to
prevent tripping hazards.
Configuration example
The figure schematically shows how the device can be controlled via a
computer’s USB port.
Connections and controls
Front
1| LEDs [1], [2], [3], [4] | The LED lights up when a signal is present at the
respective input.
2| Inputs [CH 1] … [CH 4], designed as 6.35-mm jack socket (mono, balanced).
3| [USB] | USB interface
4| [POWER] | The LED lights when the device is on.
Back
5| [SPEAKER OUTPUT] | Screw terminal strip
6| [PASSIVE OUTPUT] | Outputs [CH 1] … [CH 4], designed as 6.35-mm jack
sockets (mono, balanced).
7| Power cord
Operating on the computer
Install and start the software.
-
Insert the software CD into the disk drive of your Windows PC and start the installation programme that matches the device version.
-
Follow the instructions of the installation programme to completion.
-
Connect your PC to the device via a USB cable and turn on the device.
The operating system detects the newly added USB device. -
Open the PC programme. It automatically detects the connected device.
In the upper right corner of the programme window the marking ‘Online’ appears.
Exit software
- Click on the ‘Online’ button in the programme window.
- Close the programme window.
Components of the programme window
All tabs of the programme window have a similar structure and are divided
into the following areas:
| 1 | Tab for selecting a function group |
|---|---|
| 2 | Main menu |
| 3 | Button for the status of the connection to the PC |
| 4 | Display area |
| 5 | Control area |
| 6 | Buttons for quick access to important presets |
Main menu
| Menu item | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ‘File’ | Loading user presets and saving them on the PC |
| ‘Link’ | Assignment of input to output channels |
| ‘Copy’ | Copying parameter settings from one input or output channel to another |
| ‘Lock’ | Changing device password |
| ‘Test Tone’ | Setting the internal test tone generator: Pink noise, white |
noise, sine wave 20 Hz…20 kHz
‘Language’| Language selection for the user interface of the programme
(English or German)
‘About’| Information about the programme version
Buttons for quick access to important presets
| Range | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ‘ Address’ | Display of the marking of the device |
| ‘Preset’ | Display of the current user’s preset |
| ‘Store’ | Saving user preset |
| ‘Recall’ | Recalling user preset |
‘Gain’ tab
| Range | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Display area | The waveform of input and output channels is graphically |
displayed. Use the radio buttons ‘Inx’ and ‘Outx’ to determine the inputs and
outputs to be displayed.
Control area| Drag the faders with the mouse to adjust the levels for the
input and output channels. The ‘Mute’ button mutes or unmutes the respective
channel. The ‘Normal’ / ‘Inverse’ button inverts the phase of the respective
channel by 180° when needed.
‘Gate’ tab
| Range | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Display area | Shows the current settings of the noise gate for the respective |
channel, with a symbolic level indicator symbol appearing next to it for the
input channels. The red dot represents the threshold level at which the noise
gate opens.
Control area| Drag the faders with the mouse to set the noise gate parameters
for all input and output channels: Threshold, hold, attack, release
‘Comp’ tab
| Range | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Display area | Shows the current settings of the compressor function for the |
respective output channel, with a symbolic level indicator symbol appearing
next to it for all output channels. The red dot marks the threshold from which
the compressor operates.
Control area| Drag the faders with the mouse to set the compressor parameters
for the output channels: Threshold, ratio, knee, attack, release
‘Delay’ tab
| Range | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Display area | Shows the set delays for all output channels. |
| Control area | Drag the faders with the mouse to adjust the delay for the |
respective channel. In the Unit area, you can select the measuring unit milliseconds (ms), meters (m) or feet (ft).
‘Matrix’ tab
| Range | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Display area | Shows the current interconnection of input to output channels. |
Input and output channels can be renamed. Click on a function area (such as
‘PEQ’ or ‘DELAY’ ) to open the tab. Here you can enter the corresponding
parameters directly.
Control area| With a mouse click you can interconnect each input with each
output channel. To each output channel, an input channel or the mix of several
input channels can be freely assigned. The green input channels are assigned
to the respective output channel. You can adjust the level for each
combination of input and output channel.
‘Out 1’ – ‘Out 4’
| Range | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Display area | Use the radio buttons ‘Mag’ or ‘Phase ’ to switch the diagram |
from Cartesian coordinates (level vs. frequency) to polar coordinates (angle
vs. frequency).
Use the radio button ‘ SHOW ALL EQ’ to show the parameters for all seven of
the frequency bands. The corner points of the equalizer can be moved in the
display area with the mouse.
Control area| You can enter the parameters of the parametric equalizer for
each input channel and all seven frequency bands (numbered with ‘PEQ’ ) in
the left part of the window directly as numerical values: Centre frequency,
filter quality, slope, filter type. With the ‘Bypass’ button, the equalizer
for the respective frequency band and the respective channel can be turned off
temporarily.
In the middle part of the window ( ‘PEQ Parameter’ ) you can set the
parameters centre frequency, filter quality, and slope using the faders. The
setting refers to the frequency band that is highlighted green in the left
part of the window.
You can select the cut-off frequency and the filter type for the low pass and
the high pass filter. Use the ‘Bypass’ button to temporarily turn off the
filter.
Drag the fader in the right part of the window using the mouse to set the
level for the input channel. The ‘Mute’ button mutes or unmutes the
respective channel. The ‘Normal’ / ‘Inverse’ button inverts the phase of the
respective channel by 180° when needed.
Technical specifications
| Amplifier class | D |
|---|---|
| Input connections | USB interface |
| Audio signal | Type |
| Level | +12 dBu |
| Impedance | 20 kΩ (stereo), 10 kΩ (mono) |
| Output connections | Speaker |
| Audio signal | Type |
| Level | +12 dBu |
| Impedance | < 500 Ω |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz … 20 kHz |
–0.3 dB
Total harmonic distortion (THD)| < 0.5% (1 kHz, 0 dBu)
Signal-to-noise ratio| > 95 dBu
Crosstalk| > 70 dBu
20 Hz … 20 kHz
Digital signal processing| Digital signal processor| 32 bit
---|---|---
A/D-D/A converter| 24 bit
Sampling rate| 48 kHz
Output power| 8 Ω| 4 × 50 W RMS
4 Ω| 4 × 60 W RMS
Supply voltage| 230 V 50 Hz
Dimensions (W × H × D)| 240 mm × 160 mm × 43 mm
Weight| 1.6 kg
Ambient conditions| Temperature range| 0 °C…40 °C
Relative humidity| 20%…80%, non-condensing
Further information
| 2-way stereo | Yes |
|---|---|
| 3-way stereo | No |
| Digital | Yes |
| Delay | Yes |
| EQ | Yes |
| Limiter | Yes |
| Computer remote | Yes |
| Suitable for rack mounting | No |
| Bridged operation | No |
| Temperature-controlled fan | No |
| Convection cooling | Yes |
Plug and connection assignment
Introduction
This chapter will help you select the right cables and plugs to connect your
valuable equipment in such a way that a perfect sound experience is ensured.
Please note these advices, because especially in ‘Sound & Light’ caution is
indicated: Even if a plug fits into the socket, an incorrect connection may
result in a destroyed power amp, a short circuit or ‘just’ in poor
transmission quality!
1/4″ TRS phone plug (mono, balanced)
| 1 | Signal (in phase, +) |
|---|---|
| 2 | Signal (out of phase, –) |
| 3 | Ground |
Protecting the environment
Disposal of the packaging material
For the transport and protective packaging, environmentally friendly materials
have been chosen that can be supplied to normal recycling.
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are properly disposed of.
Do not just dispose of these materials with your normal household waste, but
make sure that they are collected for recycling. Please follow the notes and
markings on the packaging.
Disposal of your old device
This product is subject to the European Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment Directive (WEEE) in its currently valid version. Do not dispose with
your normal household waste.
Dispose of this device through an approved waste disposal firm or through your
local waste facility. When discarding the device, comply with the rules and
regulations that apply in your country. If in doubt, consult your local waste
disposal facility.
Thomann GmbH
Hans-Thomann-Straße 1
96138 Burgebrach Germany
Telephone: +49 (0) 9546 9223-0
Internet: www.thomann.de
04.12.2023, ID: 495806 (V2)