UNION AUDIO A5 FX Master Sounds Premium Boutique FX Unit User Manual
- June 5, 2024
- UNION AUDIO
Table of Contents
FX
Operation Manual
Important safety instructions – Read first
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS – Read and retain these instructions for future
reference. Adhere to all warnings printed here and on the console and its
power unit.
COVERS – Do not remove the power unit cover. Operate the console with its
cover correctly fitted. Refer servicing work to authorized personnel only.
MAINS POWER – Connect the console power unit to a mains power supply only
of the type described in this user guide and marked on the unit. The power
source must provide a good ground connection. Do not remove or tamper with the
ground connection in the power cord. Use the power cord with a sealed mains
plug appropriate for your local mains supply is provided with the console.
Route the power cord so that it is not likely to be walked on, stretched, or
pinched by items placed upon or against it.
INSTALLATION – Install the console and its power unit in accordance with
the instructions printed in this user guide. Do not connect the output of
power amplifiers directly to the console. Use audio connectors and plugs only
for their intended purpose.
VENTILATION – Ensure adequate ventilation around the console and its
power unit. Do not obstruct the ventilation slots or position the unit where
the airflow required for ventilation is impeded.
MOISTURE – To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock do not expose the
equipment to rain or moisture or use it in damp or wet conditions. Do not
place containers of liquids on it, which might spill into any openings.
ENVIRONMENT – Locate the units away from direct sunlight and any
equipment which produces heat, such as power supplies, amplifiers, and
heaters. Protect from excessive dirt, dust, heat, and vibration when operating
and storing. Avoid tobacco ash, drink spillage, and smoke, especially that
associated with smoke machines. Do not mount the power supply on any surface
subject to resonance or vibration.
HANDLING – To prevent damage to the controls and cosmetics avoid placing
heavy objects on the console surfaces, scratching the surface with sharp
objects, or rough handling and vibration. Protect the controls from damage
during transit. Use adequate packing if you need to ship the unit.
Overview
The new MasterSounds FX unit is designed to perfectly integrate with the
entire MasterSounds DJ mixer catalogue, maximising the use of both the Aux
send system and mix insert feature in a way no other FX unit can. FX offers
three products in one box – an analogue emulating
FX section with analogue output, an analogue filter unit, and an analogue
distortion system. Analogue emulation provides 8 high-quality FX, 3 delays, 3
reverbs a subtle noise effect and a pitching delay.
The FX is designed to blend into the mix rather than dominate the music,
though there is considerable scope for adjustment of various effect parameters
(delay regen, filter frequency etc) using the additional controls provided.
The interface is pure MasterSounds, with effect selection on a rotary control
(though there is a 3-bit binary LED counter), giving the unit a classic feel.
Below the FX section is an analogue filter, offering 3 filter types (high-
pass, low-pass and band-pass) along with controls to adjust the cut-off
frequency and resonance.
As the Filter section uses the insert function found on MasterSounds mixers,
the entire mix is routed through it, expanding the feature set of each mixer.
When the Filters are switched off the output from the FX processor is still
fed through the low-pass section, providing additional scope for effect
manipulation. The high-pass and low-pass filters are each activated by
pressing the large illuminated switches and selecting both switches the filter
to band-pass. Zero crossing detection circuits help to minimise filter clicks
during activation. Finally, the stereo distortion circuit is a sophisticated
DC controlled, analogue asymmetric signal clipper, operated by a single rotary
control. Additional circuitry monitors the level of the pre and posts clipped
signal, automatically applying make-up gain when needed, as indicated by the
side-chain LED. The distortion control adjusts the level from off (fully CCW)
to subtle warmth (midway) to hard clip (fully CW), but because the clipping is
asymmetric it retains some warmth and character.
Both Aux-In and Insert connections are on ¼” TRS jacks, with the Aux-In being
fully balanced. Two pairs of high quality balanced Neutrik leads are supplied
with the unit, as well as a universal power supply, enabling plug and play use
anywhere in the world.
Front panel controls
TIME – Select the FX time signature you wish to achieve by turning the
rotary dial.
FX SELECT – Rotate the FX select knob from 1-8. Each number represents a
different effect. (See FX section on pg 6 for a description of each effect).
Effect No| Effect Type| Time| Parameter| Fitter|
FX Description
---|---|---|---|---|---
FX1| Stereo Pitched Delay| Delay Time| Feedback| HPF Frequency| Analogue style
delay with a high-pass filter
FX2| Delay Non Pitched| Delay Time| Feedback| HPF Frequency| Mono delay with a
high-pass filter
FX3| Delay Pitched Echo| Delay Time| Feedback| HPF Frequency| Mono delay with
revert on feedback
FX4| Reverb| Hall Size| LF Level| HF Level| General-purpose reverb
FX5| Bass Reverb| Reverb Size| LF Level| HF Level| Revert with huge low-end
response
FX6| Gated Reverb| Reverb Size| Threshold| HF Level| Gated revert with
adjustable gate
FX7| Gated/Delay Noise| Delay Time| Filter Resonance| Filter Frequency| Gated
and delayed noise with a band-pass filter
FX8| Pitched Repeat| Pitch| Filter Resonance| Filter Frequency| Pitched repeat
with HPF and res
FX NO| LIGHT CODE
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|
Below the FX Select Knob shows 3 LED indicator lights with the FX number and light code shown in the diagram above.
PARAMETER – You can select the amount of feedback/LF level, filter resonance or threshold each effect has by turning the knob from MIN (no feedback) to MAX, where the effect will have greater sustain in the mix.
FILTER – The filter knob enables high pass filtering on each effect, from LOW to HIGH. WARNING! When set to LOW effects can be very powerful. Experiment with FX frequency in the mix by tweaking the filter knob on the fly.
RESONANCE – This knob adds resonance to the filter frequency knob. When the knob is set to MIN and the filter frequency knob is turned clockwise the filter will sound very natural. Turning the knob clockwise will add resonance to the sound giving a more dramatic filter sweep in both HPF & LPF modes.
DISTORTION – The distortion knob adds distortion to the signal when turned clockwise from MIN to MAX, and is linked to the filter, so will not work if one of the filter buttons isn’t selected. WARNING! The DISTORTION knob is very powerful if set above MIN while the RESONANCE is set around MAX. Take time to learn this feature.
SIDE CHAIN – When the DISTORTION knob is turned clockwise you will see the SIDE CHAIN flash with a red LED (you will still be able to hear the distortion circuit when the side chain doesn’t flash and may need to add more input trim to the signal to enable side chain). This indicates that the circuit is being driven (see the overview section of the manual for a description of how the circuit works).
FILTER FREQUENCY – This is the main control knob of the FX unit and lets
you control the amount of filtration sent to the EFFECTS section and FILTER
section.
Use the filter frequency knob to adjust the HPF, LPF & BPF (see below) when
each filter is activated, from 20hZ to 20khZ. Have fun tweaking the frequency
whilst adjusting the RESONANCE & DISTORTION knobs to create intricate filtered
effects.
HPF ON – Switch the HPF (high pass filter) on and off by pressing the HPF
button which illuminates the red LED.
LPF ON – Switch the LPF (low pass filter) on and off by pressing the HPF
button which illuminates the red LED.
BPF – Switching both HPF & LPF on at the same time activates the BPF
(bandpass filter).
The filter frequency knob is linked to the EFFECTS section, and by turning the
knob from 20hZ to 20khZ you adjust the amount of selected effect that’s sent
to the main mix. There are 2 ways to use the FILTER FREQUENCY knob. You can
set up the AUX send knob on your MasterSounds DJ mixer to the desired level,
then use the FILTER FREQUENCY knob to add the desired effect into the mix. At
20, no effective sound will be heard, and by turning the knob clockwise the
effect will be added to the mix.
You can also adjust the FILTER FREQUENCY knob prior to opening the AUX knob on
your MasterSounds DJ mixer. For instance, if you want to create a delay in the
mix simply select the delay you wish on the FX SELECT knob, then set the
FILTER FREQUENCY knob to the desired frequency and turn the AUX knob to hear
the effect in the mix.
You can turn on the HPF, LPF or BPF when adding effects to the mix. This
creates a filter over the desired effect. Turn the FILTER FREQUENCY knob
clockwise to hear the effect, then press the desired filter. Experiment with
the RESONANCE & DISTORTION controls to create stunning filtered FX. You can
also experiment with the PRE button on your MasterSounds mixer. The PRE
button switches the Aux to send a feed from Post Fader to Pre Fader (i.e. set
to Pre Fader it will still send to the Aux Mix Buss with the rotary fader
down). Try experimenting with this feature to create some great pre-fader
effects.
Rear panel controls
Each MasterSounds FX is supplied with four quality TRS jack leads. These are
for connecting to your MasterSounds DJ mixer, and back into the FX.
To set up your FX unit simply follow the instructions below:
Insert two of the supplied TRS jack leads to the AUX OUT on the rear of your
MasterSounds DJ mixer: L for the left channel and R for the right channel.
Then connect the leads to the corresponding L & R on the AUX RETURN of the FX
unit.
Once you have connected the AUX RETURN, insert two of the supplied TRS jack
leads to the AUX RETURN/INSERT on the rear of your MasterSounds DJ mixer, once
again L for the left channel and R for the right channel. Then connect the
leads to the corresponding L & R on the INSERT of the FX unit.
Press the INSERT ON button on the rear of your MasterSounds DJ mixer ,
Plug in the FX unit’s supplied power supply and attach it to the mains. The FX
unit doesn’t have an on/off switch.
Warranty
MasterSounds warrants that the Mixer shall be free of defects in workmanship and materials for a period of twelve months from the date of purchase. In the event that the product fails to operate as intended, MasterSounds will repair or replace the product subject to the following conditions.
- That the failure was not due to improper installation, operation, cleaning or maintenance, accident, damage, misuse, abuse, or nonapproved modifications to the Mixer.
- The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear or any other event, act, default or omission outside MasterSounds control.
- Faulty products must be returned to MasterSounds or an authorised service agent along with the original invoice or proof of purchase, and the mixer must be returned packed in the original shipping box. Please contact MasterSounds before shipping a faulty unit.
- The warranty applies only to the original purchaser and is not transferrable.
- At their sole discretion, MasterSounds may either repair the defective product or replace it with an equivalent service exchange item.
- This warranty constitutes the purchaser’s sole remedy. MasterSounds shall not be liable for any other repair or replacement cost or any damage or loss directly or indirectly related to the malfunction of this mixer.
MasterSounds FX complies with the European Electromagnetic Compatibility directives 2014/30/EU and the European Low Voltage directives 2014/35/EU.
Technical specification
Dimensions
Weight
Packed Dimensions
Packed weight| 80W x 190D x 80H
0.8KG
290W X 220D 180H
1.8KG
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Power Requirement
External Power Supply
DC Internal Power Rails| Universal 90V – 265V AC 50/60Hz
12V 5W MAX
+/- 18V DC
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Audio Performance
Noise
Distortion THD+N
Maximum Signal Level
Frequency Response
Filter Range| <-95dBu 20Hz to 20kHz unweighted
0.003% Insert IN to Insert OUT 0dBu
±21dBu
10Hz – 50kHz +0/-1dB
20Hz to 20kHz
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MasterSounds reserves the right to change the specification without notice.
FX Operation Manual
Copyright © 2018 MasterSounds Audio. All rights reserved
www.mastersounds.co.uk