User Guide - Radial Engineering
Contents
1. to lower all levels or turn audio systems off as this will prevent turn on or plug in transients from damaging more sensitive components such as tweeters Begin by connecting the left and right XLR outputs jacks of the Decoder to your audio interface or mixing console Ensure that your inputs are setup for 4dBu line level and balanced cables are used throughout Attach the included 15VDC power supply The Decoder does not have a power switch so it is always on when connected As an extra protective measure the Decoder is equipped with a cable lock that eliminates the risk of accidentally pulling out the power supply Using a hex key loosen the clamp and pass the power cable through the loop Then re tighten wow pre 3 pu SS Ee ET egea RES MID SIDE RECORDING The most common method if M S recording is to combine a cardioid or omni directional microphone with a figure 8 mic This is often used to capture a wonderful stereo image of an acoustic guitar solo violin or ambient recording of a quartet Cardioid Radial Engineering Ltd 4 Decoder Mid Side Matrix Radial ONE CARDIOID MICROPHONE ONE FIGURE 8 MIC da Setup microphones in the standard M S configuration The MID cardioid mic should be aimed at the source and the SIDE figure 8 directly below it at 90 off axis Try to place the capsules as close together as possible to minimize phase issues Ensu2. 2 1010 Email info radialeng com Radial Decoder User Guide Part R870 1032 00 Copyright 2015 Radial Engineering Ltd All rights reserved RoHS Specifications and appearance subject to change without notice GETE
3. D SIDE REAMPING OPERATING AT LINE LEVEL The Decoder features top mounted switches that let you change the input sensitivity from mic level to line level thus allowing you to send recorded 4dB nominal M S tracks from your workstation for Reamping This lets you apply M S techniques to change the stereo image of a track during mix down From the output of your recorder send the pre recorded MID track to the Decoder input 1 and the SIDE track to input 2a If you are using two SIDE sources patch the second line into input 2b Be sure that you are monitoring the return channels from the Decoders outputs to hear the processed stereo image 1 Set input level selector switches on top panel to LINE position up 2 Ensure that the GAIN controls are turned all the way down on the front panel before proceeding 3 Engage LINK button on the front panel if only two inputs are being used 4 Engage 180 button on the front panel if all three inputs are being used link off 5 Start playback on your recorder and slowly increase the GAIN on input 1 6 Once the signal is audible begin increasing the GAIN on inputs 2a and 2b 7 Change the stereo image by increasing or decreasing the relative levels of all three inputs 8 Experiment with Reamping different stereo recordings like overheads or room mics there are no rules Have fun Radial Engineering Ltd 1 Decoder Mid Side Matrix Radial USING THE DECO
4. DER AS THREE CHANNEL MIC PREAMP The Decoder is perfectly well suited to be used as a two or three channel microphone preamp with a mixed mono output This could be for field recording podium use or other applications where a high performance yet compact mic pre may be required Because the Decoder is able to produce as much as 65dB of gain it is well suited for condenser dynamic and most ribbon microphones You can also use the Decoder to power an active direct box like a Radial J48 OPTION 1 TWO CHANNEL MIC PREAMP IN THE STUDIO gt gt R gem arrera Lz Te E x P en e H SP erea Radial Engineering Made in Canade www radialeng com Left Output Mic 1 rro b zr Input 1 lei LEFT OUT Mic 2 nput 2b 1 Connect the first microphone to input 1 and the second microphone to input 2b 2 Connect the LEFT output to the input of your recording or PA system 3 Activate the phantom power if needed The 48V phantom power switches are recessed to prevent accidental use Note Some ribbon mics can be damaged if phantom is present Please check with the manufacturer to ensure safe use 4 Bring up the GAIN on the two channels as needed 5 To change the polarity of the second mic depress the 180 switch and then adjust the level using the 2b GAIN switch Changing the polarity can be used to widen stereo tracks or time align tracks to bring them into focus Try it Radial Eng
5. OM PREAMP HIGH POWER PASS INSERT FILTER TO PHASE INVERTER LINE O NONE O OFF O INVERTING MIXER LEFT OUT PHASE INVERTER PHASE INVERTER INVERTING MIXER RIGHT OUT PHASE INVERTER PHASE INVERTER Subject to change without notice Radial Engineering Ltd 11 Decoder Mid Side Matrix Radial SPECIFICATIONS Radial Decoder Audio Circuit type High grade Mic Preamp amp Op amp based M S Matrix Frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz Total harmonic distortion 0 00596 Dynamic range 96dB Input impedance 10K Mic input gain 65dB Line input gain 25dB su e 17dBu Ouput impedance 300 O Equivalent input noise EIN lt 115dBu Noise floor iese ee ie 804 404 of gain Intermodulation distortion lt 0 01 Features Controls Mic Line Gain 1 2a amp 20 Switches arat aate HPF Phantom Power 2a to 2b link 26 phase invert High pass filter 100Hz 124 octave General Construction 14 gauge steel chassis amp outer shell FINIS EE EE N Durable powder coat Size W x H 4 5 x 2 6 114 x 57 x 147mm V Jo MA 2 8lbs 1 3Kg Shi
6. Radial engineering Decoder Mid Side Matrix Radial Engineering Ltd 1588 Kebet Way Port Coquitlam British Columbia Canada V3C 5M5 Tel 604 942 1001 Fax 604 942 1010 Email info radialeng com Radial Decoder User Guide Table of Contents Page Front Panel Features AA OR AA EE EE 1 Rear and Top Panel Features 2 87 7 MN n 3 Making Connections sarra 4 MIBD SIDE RECON ING ss pate e e eue ov epo usua 5 Three Cardioid 6 MID SIDE FSI ESE rera tita anra er 7 Using as Mic gaiztua 8 Mu ziaz sutara 9 HPF 48V and Polarity Switen ra 10 Block Bila gela SA 11 e 62164 eznea E 12 Back cover Congratulations on your purchase of the Radial Decoder Mid Side Matrix The Decoder is designed to make Mid Side tracking and Reamping fun and easy This manual covers the setup and operation of the Decoder in the studio environment Please take a few minutes to read through this manual in order to familiarize yourself with the Decoder s features and applications Inside you will find important safety features along with tips on how to get the most out of your Decoder Should you have any questions on an application not covered in this manual we invite you to log onto the radial website at radialeng com to check the Decoder s FAQ section f
7. TURES 14 CABLE CLAMP Used to secure the power supply cable in mobile installations 15 POWER 15VDC power connection for external power supply 16 RIGHT amp LEFT OUTPUTS Balanced 4dBu XLR stereo outputs 17 1 Mic line input for main MID microphone or line source 18 INPUT 2a Mic line input for SIDE microphone or line source 19 INPUT 2b Mic line input for optional third microphone or line source 20 NOSLIP PAD A full pad covers the underside keeps the Decoder in one place and won t scratch your mixing console INPUT LEVEL SELECTOR TOP PANEL FEATURES 21 INPUT LEVEL SELECTOR Allows user to select mic or line level on each channel Switches are recessed to prevent accidental changes while recording Radial Engineering Ltd 2 Decoder Mid Side Matrix Radial OVERVIEW The Decoder is a multi channel microphone preamp and M S stereo matrix that allows the user to easily create M S recordings without having to configure a recording console The Decoder can be used for traditional M S recording with two microphones or with three microphones for a unique approach It can also be used to Reamp pre recorded tracks through its M S matrix during mix down MID d SIDE ba e Es dezka E CARDROID FIGURE 8 WHAT IS MID SIDE Mid Side is a stereo microphone technigue that has been around since the 1930 s and has been used on countless stereo recordings ever since The idea is that a c
8. ame effect Bringing the mic s as close together as possible will minimize phase issues INPUT 180 Phase Switch ON 1 Setup the MID microphone by aiming it directly at the source Connect this mic to input 1 on the Decoder 2 Setup your left SIDE microphone by placing it directly below and 90 off axis from the MID mic Connect this mic to input 2a on the Decoder 3 Setup your right SIDE microphone by aiming it directly opposite of your side mic Initially the goal is to replicate a figure 8 polar pattern so try and get the capsules as close together as possible Side address microphones work great 4 Engage the 180 phase reverse on input 2b button IN 5 Make sure the LINK button is set to the OUT position so that it does not receive the signal from input 2a 6 Apply phantom power on channels 1 2a and 2b if required Note that the phantom ON switch for channels 2a and 2b are combined and adjacent to the input 2a gain switch The 48V phantom power switches are recessed to prevent accidental switching 7 Start by bringing up the GAIN control on input 1 to an audible level on your system 8 Slowly start bringing up the GAIN controls of inputs 2a and 2b 9 Start experimenting with different placements of your SIDE mics Spacing mics far apart or even running stereo room mics through the Decoder can lead to some interesting results Radial Engineering Ltd 6 Decoder Mid Side Matrix MI
9. ardioid or Omni directional MID microphone is aimed directly at the source to capture the direct sound and a figure 8 SIDE microphone is pointed 90 off axis to capture the ambient energy The SIDE mic is then split into two separate channels and the phase is reversed on the second channel While it all sounds very complicated reversing the phase of the copied signal simply allows the user to hear a left and right stereo image as it is captured by the front and back of the figure 8 microphone The result is a stereo image that can be manipulated by adjusting the levels between the MID and SIDE microphones Raising or lowering the level of either will change the width of the stereo image and the MID microphone will act as a center channel keeping the source focused and present The engineer can quickly tailor the balance between MID and SIDE to create a stereo image that is perfect for their application M S is also popular in broadcast as it allows for better mono compatibility than any other stereo mic ing technique Because the SIDE channels are out of phase with one another they cancel one another out when the mix is collapsed to mono While other stereo mic ing options tend to disappear in mono mix downs M S allows the source microphone to become more focused and present in the mix The center is never lost Radial Engineering Ltd 3 Decoder Mid Side Matrix MAKING CONNECTIONS Before connecting it is good practice
10. e are two switches one for input 1 and the other is combined for inputs 2a and 2b These switches are recessed to prevent accidental use Make sure you turn levels down or audio systems off before activating phantom power as the turn on transients can create a loud pop that could damage components such as tweeters Although phantom power will not harm dynamic microphones or passive direct boxes some older ribbon microphones can be damaged if DC current is applied Please check with the manufacturer to ensure the use of phantom power is safe As a precaution always turn off phantom power when using ribbon mics POLARITY REVERSE SWITCH The Decoder is equipped with a 180 polarity reverse that is primarily used to replicate the sound of a figure 8 microphone when using two separate cardioid mics You can also use the polarity reverse when using the Decoder as a mic preamp by using the input 2b GAIN control and 180 switch to change the relative phase This can be particularly useful when combining a near and far mic to create a more solid rendering Radial Engineering Ltd 10 Decoder Mid Side Matrix CRadial BLOCK DIAGRAM ACCUSTATE PHANTOM MIC LINE PREAMP POWER SWITCH TO INVERTING MIXER NONE O LINE O OFF O ACCUSTATE PHANTOM HIGH MIC LINE PREAMP POWER p SWITCH LINK PASS INSERT FILTER TO PHASE INVERTING MIC 2A amp 2B 48V O O PHANTOM NONEO SWITCH ACCUSTATE PHANT
11. ineering Ltd 8 Decoder Mid Side Matrix Radial 2 PORTABLE FOR LIVE SOUND Right Output 1 gt Input 1 H RIGHT OUT Mic 2 P Input 2a OPTION 3 THREE MICROPHONES MIXED TO MONO OUTPUT Right Output Mic 1 gt Input 1 Mic 2 P Input 2a p RIGHT OUT Mic 3 b Input 2b Disable link to ensure Input 2a signal is not being duplicated and activate the 180 polarity reverse MIC LINE INPUT MIC LINE INPUT p 2a 48V HPF LINK Input 2a and 2b link OFF 4 t nput 2b reverse push OUT polarity push IN Radial Engineering Ltd 9 Decoder Mid Side Matrix Radial HIGH PASS FILTER There are two high pass filter switches on the Decoder for input 1 and 2a b High pass filters are extremely valuable when recording as they eliminate excessive low frequency rumble and can do wonders at cleaning up a mix Simply depress the HPF to audition Note that both 2a and 2b share the same HPF switch TT ITTTTTTTTT N v E ad E PF p E A B BATEE MONO STEREO ENCODER MODULE E 1 MIC LINE INPUT MIC LINE INPUT MIC LINE INPUT E EO E 48 HPF LINK a 180 eee GAIN 2a 2b GAIN Freguency 48V PHANTOM The Decoder is equipped with 48V phantom to remotely power condenser microphones and active direct boxes Ther
12. or the latest updates If you still do not find what you are looking for feel free to send us an email at info radialeng com Now have fun creating Mid Side stereo recordings quickly and more easily than ever before Radial rre TE MONO STEREO ENCODER MODULE MIC LINE INPUT MIC LINE INPUT MIC LINE INPUT HPF 48V 48V HPF LINK DOO 66 6666 FRONT PANEL FEATURES 1 Turns preamp 1 MID microphone on and off HPF High pass filter to reduce low frequency rumble EP 48V Input 1 phantom power switch is recessed to prevent accidental turn on which could damage certain mics GAIN Adjusts input level of mic line input 1 2a Turns preamp 2a SIDE microphone on and off GAIN Adjusts input level of mic line input 2a 48V Input 2a 2b phantom power switch HPF High pass filter for inputs 2a 2b LINK Duplicates pans and reverses the phase of input 2a for traditional M S operation O pm OW 10 2b Turns on the optional third preamp 11 GAIN Agjusts input level of mic line input 2b 12 180 Reverses the phase of input 2b when using with a third microphone 13 FRONT LIP Creates protective zone around switches and controls to prevent unintentional changes and protect the Decoder from damage when moving Radial Engineering Ltd 1 Decoder Mid Side Matrix CRadial PM E N Radial Enginejring Ltd Made in l anada A n EET UE a re Er za TT LEER SG SS o 6 OB REAR PANEL FEA
13. pping size L x W x D 4 75 x 2 5 x 10 75 121 x 64 x 273mm Shipping weight 3 05lbs 1 4Kg Saia 15V 400mA Power Adapter baiia For use dry locations only between 5 40 Warranty Radial 3 year transferable Subject to change without notice Radial Engineering Ltd 12 Decoder Mid Side Matrix YEAR TRANSFERABLE LIMITED WARRANTY RADIAL ENGINEERING LTD Radial warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship and will remedy any such defects free of charge according to the terms of this warranty Radial will repair or replace at its option any defective component s of this product excluding finish and wear and tear on components under normal use for a period of three 3 years from the original date of purchase In the event that a particular product is no longer available Radial reserves the right to replace the product with a similar product of equal or greater value In the unlikely event that a defect is uncovered please call 604 942 1001 or email service radialeng com to obtain a RA number Return Authorization number before the 3 year warranty period expires The product must be returned prepaid in the original shipping container or equivalent to Radial or to an authorized Radial repair centre and you must assume the risk of loss or damage A copy of the original invoice
14. re recessed switches on the Decoder s top panel are all set to Mic LINE ACTIVE MID SIDE STEREO MATRIX LINE DEE MICALINE 2a MICLINE 26 EE INPUT LEVEL SELECTOR MIXER DAW Connect the cardioid MID mic to input 1 and the SIDE mic to input 2a on the back of the Decoder Press LINK button on Decoder s front panel This sends input 2a figure 8 to the third channel and lets you use the gain control to adjust the stereo field MONO STEREO ENCODER MODULE MIC LINE INPUT Cardioid Mic gt Figure 8 Mic b bk sa d Apply phantom power on both channels if required Be careful to make sure audio signals are turned off to avoid a loud pop when turning on the phantom power The 48V phantom power switch is recessed to prevent accidental switching Start by bringing up the GAIN control of input 1 to an audible level on your system Slowly start bringing up the GAIN controls of inputs 2a and 2b You will notice the stereo image widens and narrows as you bring up the SIDE s Experiment by changing the level of MID mic as well Don t forget to watch the meters on your recorder it is easy to get carried away Radial Engineering Ltd 5 Decoder Mid Side Matrix Radial THREE CARDIOID MICROPHONES The Decoder is equipped with a third microphone input This allows the user to substitute the figure 8 mic with a pair of cardioid microphones to simulate the s
15. showing date of purchase and the dealer name must accompany any request for work to be performed under this limited and transferable warranty This warranty shall not apply if the product has been damaged due to abuse misuse misapplication accident or as a result of service or modification by any other than an authorized Radial repair center THERE ARE NO EXPRESSED WARRANTIES OTHER THAN THOSE ON THE FACE HEREOF AND DESCRIBED ABOVE NO WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE SHALL EXTEND BEYOND THE RESPECTIVE WARRANTY PERIOD DESCRIBED ABOVE OF THREE YEARS RADIAL SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSS ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS PRODUCT THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH MAY VARY DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE AND WHERE THE PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED To meet the requirements of California Proposition 65 it is our responsibility to inform you of the following WARNING This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer birth defects or other reproductive harm Please take proper care when handling and consult local government regulations before discarding engineering Radial Radial Engineering Ltd 1588 Kebet Way Port Coquitlam British Columbia V3C 5M5 Tel 604 942 1001 Fax 604 94
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search