12
Setting up your SD8 is a simple procedure which takes only a few minutes:
1. Remove all packing materials (save them in case of need for future service)
and decide where the SD8 is to be physically placed—if desired, remove the
carrying handle and install the supplied rack ears so that it can be mounted in
any standard 19" rack (it requires four rack spaces). Be careful when handling
the SD8—the rear heat sink fins and side rack panels have sharp edges.
Make sure that the rear heat sink fins are unobstructed and that there is good
ventilation around the entire unit. If the SD8 is mounted in a rack that contains
multiple amplifiers, we recommend that you avoid potential overheating
problems by using spacer panels to ensure that the amps are not directly on top
of one another—remember, heat rises!
2. Before even plugging the SD8 into an AC socket, begin by making its speaker
connections. It is never a good idea to power up any amplifier that is not
connected to loudspeakers. Any loudspeakers with a minimum impedance load
of 4 ohms (that is, 4 ohms or greater) can be used, but we recommend the use
of 4 ohm speakers for long-term usage. In order to ensure correct phase
correlation, be sure that the connection from the tip of the SD8 speaker jack
goes to the “+” (hot) input of your loudspeaker, and that the sleeve of the SD8
speaker jack is connected to the “-” (ground) input of your loudspeaker.
3. Next, make the signal input connections to the mic or line inputs of the
various channels. WARNING: Do not connect a channel’s line input if you
already have something connected to its microphone input, or vice versa; each
channel is designed to accept only one source or the other.
4. Turn all channel Trim and Level controls as well as the Main Level control
fully counterclockwise, to their “∞” setting. Set the rear-panel Phantom switch
to its “off” (out) position unless you are absolutely certain that all connected
microphones require 48 volt phantom power; if so, set the Phantom switch to
its “on” (in) position.
5. Plug the unit into any grounded AC socket using the supplied IEC cord.
Because of the special relay protection circuitry built into the SD8, you can even
plug it into the same power strip that other audio devices are connected to.
You can then turn on all devices at once with the single power strip on-off switch,
with no danger of damaging connected speakers by generating “thumps.”
6. Press the rear panel Power switch in order to turn on the unit. The Protection
LED will go on for approximately five seconds, and then switch off (you’ll hear a
click when it does).
Setting Up and Using the SD8
