20 XONE:62 Service Manual
82 Gain and Operating Levels
It is most important that the system gain and level settings are correctly set. It is well
known that many DJs push the gain to maximum with meters peaking hard in the belief
that they are getting the best from the system. THIS IS NOT THE CASE ! The best can
only be achieved if the system levels are set within the normal operating range and not
allowed to peak. Peaking simply results in signal distortion, not more volume. It is the
specification of the amplifier / speaker system that sets the maximum volume that can be
achieved, not the console. The human ear too can fool the operator into believing that
more volume is needed. Be careful as this is in fact a warning that hearing damage will
result if high listening levels are maintained. Remember that it is the QUALITY of the
sound that pleases the ear, not the VOLUME.
Use the GAIN TRIM 1 to match the input source to the normal operating level of the console. Adjust this so that
the CHANNEL METER 4 averages 0dB with loudest moments reading +6. Press the CUE SWITCH 3 to
listen to the signal on headphones and check the level on the expanded range MAIN METERS 9 . Adjust the
CHANNEL FADER 5 and MASTER FADER 6 so that they normally operate in the shaded area near the top.
Make sure the amplifier/speaker system has been correctly calibrated for the loudest volume required at the fader
top position. Boosting the EQ 2 also adds gain to the system. Reduce by turning back the GAIN TRIM 1 if
the meter red peak leds flash. Adjust the HEADPHONES 8 and BOOTH 7 monitor controls for safe
listening levels.
A final note … The human ear is a remarkable organ with the ability to compress or ‘shut down’ when sound
levels become too high. Do not interprete this natural response as a reason to turn the system volume up further
! As the session wears on ear fatigue may set in, and the speaker cones may become hot so
reducing the
effectiveness of the system and listeners to gain any benefit from increased volume.
BE SENSIBLE, BE SAFE WITH SOUND LEVELS
The diagram above illustrates the operating
range of the audio signal.
NORMAL OPERATING RANGE. For normal
music the signal should range between –5 and +5
on the meters with average around 0dB. This
allows enough HEADROOM for unexpected
peaks before the signal hits its maximum
CLIPPING voltage and distorts. It also achieves
the best SIGNAL-TO-NOISE-RATIO by keeping
the signal well above the residual NOISE FLOOR
(system hiss). The DYNAMIC RANGE is the
maximum signal swing available between the
residual noise floor and clipping. The XONE:62
provides a massive 110dB dynamic range.
!
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