Crate PA-6 Manual

User’s Guidefor the

CRATE AUDIO

PA6FX / PA8FX

Box Mixer with Digital Effects

High

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Mid

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1 2 3 4 5 6

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100

Mon

100

High

+15dB 15dB

Mid

+15dB 15dB

Low

+15dB 15dB

Main

100

Monitor

100

Tape In Level

100

DSP

MultiSAR

LAR

SPR

Delay

Aux/EffRet

100

DSP Ret

100

EffectsReturn

MonitorOut

EffectsSend

Aux In

TapeIn

TapeOut

MicMicMicMicMicMic

Congratulations!You are now the proud owner of one of the most versatile and economical powered mixers available, the Crate Audio

PA6FX/PA8FX Box Mixer with Digital Effects. These compact units feature Crate’s legendary performance and high quality con-struction in rugged and easy to operate packages. Each mixer features a combination 1/4” and XLR-type balanced input jackon every channel. The Master control section features a three-band EQ, DSP Return, Main Level control, an Effects Loop withReturn Level control, Aux In, Monitor Out with Level control, Tape In/Out jacks and a rotary DSP Effects Selector. The internalpower amplifier is capable of delivering 150 watts into 4 ohms and 220 watts into 2 ohms. Rear-panel Line In/Line Out jacksand dual 1/4” speaker outputs give you even greater flexibility and performance from these small but power-packed units!

Your PA6FX/PA8FX is designed by musicians and built using only the best components. Extensive testing and Crate’s Five-Year Warranty assure you that your new mixer is the absolute best it can be. In order to get the most out of it, we stronglyurge you to read this guide before using the mixer.

And thank you for choosing

2

Table of Contents:

The Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,4

The Digital Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

The Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Basic Connections and Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .back cover

PA6FX/PA8FX Box Mixer with Digital Effects

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS• READ, FOLLOW, HEED, AND KEEP ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS.

• DO NOT OPERATE NEAR ANY HEAT SOURCE AND DO NOT BLOCK ANY VENTILATION OPENINGS ON THIS APPARATUS. FOR PROPER OPERATION, THIS UNIT REQUIRES 3”(75CM) OF WELL VENTILATED SPACE AROUND HEATSINKS AND OTHER AIR FLOW PROVISIONS IN THE CABINET.

• DO NOT USE THIS APPARATUS NEAR SPLASHING, FALLING, SPRAYING, OR STANDING LIQUIDS.

• CLEAN ONLY WITH LINT-FREE DAMP CLOTH AND DO NOT USE CLEANING AGENTS.

• ONLY CONNECT POWER CORD TO A POLARIZED, SAFETY GROUNDED OUTLET WIRED TO CURRENT ELECTRICAL CODES AND COMPATIBLE WITH VOLTAGE, POWER, ANDFREQUENCY REQUIREMENTS STATED ON THE REAR PANEL OF THE APPARATUS.

• PROTECT THE POWER CORD FROM DAMAGE DUE TO BEING WALKED ON, PINCHED, OR STRAINED.

• UNPLUG THE APPARATUS DURING LIGHTNING STORMS OR WHEN UNUSED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

• ONLY USE ATTACHMENTS, ACCESSORIES, STANDS, OR BRACKETS SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR SAFE OPERATION AND TO AVOID INJURY.

• THIS APPARATUS DOES NOT OPERATE NORMALLY AND REQUIRES SERVICE WITH ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE FROM IMPACT OR ANY EXPOSURE TO MOISTURE.

• SERVICE MUST BE PERFORMED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

• OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMA-NENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED IF UNIT IS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME.

CAUTIONRISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSETHIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICSHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFERSERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

PRECAUCIONRIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO

NO ABRA

PRECAUCION: PARA REDUCIR EL RIESGO DE INCENDIOS O DESCARGAS ELECTRICAS, NO PER-MITA QUE ESTE APARATO QUEDE EXPUESTO A LA LLUVIA O LA HUMEDAD. PARA DISMINUOIR ELRIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO. NO ABRA LA CUBIERTA. NO HAY PIEZAS ADENTRO QUE EL USARIOPUEDO REPARAR DEJE TODO MANTENIMIENTO A LOS TECHNICOS CALIFICADOS.

ATTENTIONRISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION

NE PAS OUVRIR

ATTENTION: PROTÉGEZ CET APPAREIL DE LA PLUIE ET DE L'HUMIDITÉ AFIN D'ÉVITER TOUTRISQUE D'INCENDIE OU D'ÉLECTROCUTION. POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS ENLEVERLE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTEREPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.

"IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL"

“ES NECESARIO QUE EL USUARIO SE REFIERA AL MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES.”

"REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION"

EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:

EXPLICACION DE SIMBOLOS GRAFICOS:

EXPLICATION DES SYMBÔLES GRAPHIQUES:

"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE"

“VOLTAJE PELIGROSO”

"DANGER HAUTE TENSION"

= =

3

High

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Mid

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Low

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1 2 3 4 5 6

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Mon

100

DSP/Eff

100

DSP/Eff

100

DSP/Eff

100

DSP/Eff

100

DSP/Eff

100

DSP/Eff

100

High

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Mid

+15dB 15dB

Low

+15dB 15dB

Level

100

Mon

100

High

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Mid

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Mon

100

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Mon

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High

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Mid

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Mon

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+15dB 15dB

Low

+15dB 15dB

Level

100

Mon

100

High

+15dB 15dB

Mid

+15dB 15dB

Low

+15dB 15dB

Main

100

Monitor

100

Tape In Level

100

DSP

MultiSAR

LAR

SPR

Delay

Aux/EffRet

100

DSP Ret

100

EffectsReturn

MonitorOut

EffectsSend

Aux In

TapeIn

TapeOut

MicMicMicMicMicMic

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

The Front Panel:

EACH CHANNEL:1: MIC: Use this jack to connect the input signal to the mixer. This combi-nation jack allows the use of a balanced 1/4” Hi-Z or XLR-type Lo-Z con-nector. The wiring for this jack is as follows: 1/4” Tip = signal +, Ring = sig-nal –, Sleeve = signal ground; XLR pin 1 = signal ground, pin 2 = signal +,pin 3 = signal –.

2: LEVEL: Use this control to adjust the signal level of each channel.

3. LOW EQ: Use this control to adjust each channel’s low frequency output.The center position is flat - no boost or cut. Rotating the control counterclockwise reduces the low frequency output; rotating it clockwise increasesthe low frequency output. The Low control provides 30dB of boost or cut at80Hz.

4. MID EQ: Use this control to adjust each channel’s midrange frequencyoutput. The center position is flat - no boost or cut. Rotating the controlcounter clockwise reduces the midrange frequency output; rotating it clock-wise increases the midrange frequency output. The Mid control provides30dB of boost or cut at 600Hz.

5. HIGH EQ: Use this control to adjust each channel’s high frequency out-put. The center position is flat - no boost or cut. Rotating the control count-er clockwise reduces the high frequency output; rotating it clockwiseincreases the high frequency output. The High control provides 30dB ofboost or cut at 10kHz.

6. MON: Use this control to adjust the level of the signal from each channelto the Monitor bus. This signal is post-level, pre-eq.

7. DSP/EFF: Use this control to adjust the level of the signal sent to the inter-nal DSP and the Effects Send jack (#19).

MASTER SECTION:The Master tone controls serve as a three-band EQ to adjust the output of themixer to compensate for room acoustics or to fine-tune the overall sound.The Low control is useful to reduce boominess. The Mid control greatlyenhances the vocals and helps control feedback. The High control helpscompensate for heavily draped, acoustically absorbent rooms, or barewalled, acoustically reflective rooms, and can be used to help control feed-back.

8: LOW EQ: Use this control to adjust the mixer’s low frequency output. Thecenter position is flat - no boost or cut. Rotating the control counter clock-wise reduces the low frequency output; rotating it clockwise increases thelow frequency output. The Master Low control provides 30dB of boost or cutat 50Hz and below.

9: MID EQ: Use this control to adjust the mixer’s midrange frequency out-put. The center position is flat - no boost or cut. Rotating the control count-er clockwise reduces the midrange frequency output; rotating it clockwiseincreases the midrange frequency output. The Master Mid control provides30dB of boost or cut at 600Hz.

10: HIGH EQ: Use this control to adjust the mixer’s high frequency output.The center position is flat - no boost or cut. Rotating the control counterclockwise reduces the high frequency output; rotating it clockwise increasesthe high frequency output. The Master High control provides 30dB of boostor cut at 10kHz and above.

11. POWER LED: This LED illuminates when the mixer is turned on.

12. DSP: Use this control to select one of the sixteen on-board digital effects.These effects are described in the chart on page 4.

13. DSP RET: Use this control to adjust the level of effected signal comingfrom the internal DSP.

14. AUX/EFF RET: Use this control to adjust the level of the signal from theAux In jack (#22) and the Effects Return jack (#20).


4

The Digital EffectsThe PA6FX/PA8FX features sixteen built-in digital effects. Rotate the DSPcontrol (#12) to select the desired effect. Each channel’s DSP/Eff control(#7) adjusts the amount of effect applied to its channel. The main DSPRet control (#13) determines the overall amount of internal effectsapplied to the output signal.

The Front Panel - continued:

DSP

MultiSAR

LAR

SPR

Delay


The following chart provides a list of the DSP settings along with a briefdescription of each effect.

SAR: Small Room 8’ x 8’ empty room w/hardwood floor

Small Rehearsal Hall 20’ x 40’ hall, wood floors, hard walls

LAR: Large Hall 50’ x 100’ hall, about 50 persons

Concert Hall 5000-seat hall, full crowd

SPR: Plate Reverb Simulates studio steel plate reverb

Spring Reverb Simulates multi-spring reverb tank

Delay: Slapback, short 125ms delay + reverb

Slapback, Med-short 240ms delay + reverb

Slapback, Medium 350ms delay + reverb

Slapback, Long 557ms delay - 630’ travel time

Multi: Short Med. Surface 280ms delay w/21.8% regen + reverb

Medium Hard Surface 335ms delay w/26.5% regen + reverb

Chor-Delay 400ms delay with modulation

Chor-Verb Hall reverb w/modulated pre-delay

Slap-Verb Medium hall w/200ms pre-delay

Instrument Doubler Simulates second track slightly out-of-sync

*1

*2

*3

*1SAR - Small Area Reverbs

*2LAR - Large Area Reverbs

*3SPR - Special Reverbs

15. TAPE IN LEVEL: Use this control to adjust the level of the signal from thetape In jacks (#21).

16. MAIN: Use this control to adjust the main mixed signal level sent to themixer’s internal power amplifier. To avoid overdriving the amplifier, this con-trol should be set around 6 or 7 to allow sufficient headroom for peaks in theprogram material.

17. MONITOR: Use this control to adjust the level of the signal from eachchannel’s Mon control (#6) sent to the Monitor Out jack (#18).

18. MONITOR OUT: Use this jack to send the monitor signal to your moni-tor amp and speakers.

19. EFFECTS SEND: Use this jack to send the signal from the DSP/Eff bus(from each channel’s DSP/Eff control, #7) to the input of an external effectsdevice. This signal is post-channel level, post-channel eq, pre-master.

20. EFFECTS RETURN: Use this jack to return the output signal of an externaleffects device back into the mixer for processing.21. TAPE IN/TAPE OUT: Use these jacks to connect a tape recorder to themixer. Connect the Tape Out jacks to the recorder’s In/Record jacks. Connectthe Tape In jacks to the recorder’s Out/Play jacks. To avoid feedback, turndown the Tape In Level control (#15) when recording.22. AUX IN: Use this jack to connect an auxiliary source (such as a tape play-er, CD payer, etc.) to the mixer. This jack is a mono input - a stereo signal willhave to be mixed down to a mono signal by means of a summing device. Thisinput is especially useful for expanding the channel count of your P.A. byadding an external mixer (see page 6).

23. POWER: Use this heavy duty switch to turn the mixer ON (top of theswitch depressed) and OFF (bottom of the switch depressed). The front-panel “ON” LED (#11) illuminates when the power is on.

24. POWER CORD: The grounded power cord should only be pluggedinto a grounded power outlet that meets all applicable electrical codesand is compatible with the voltage, power, and frequency requirementsstated on the rear panel. Do not attempt to defeat the safety groundconnection.

25. SPEAKER OUTS: Use these jacks to connect the output of the mixerto your speaker cabinets. Be sure to use heavy gauge speaker cable –NOT instrument patch cords – for these connections. These jacks arewired together in parallel.

The internal amplifier of the PA6FX/PA8FX can deliver its full outputinto as low as 2 ohms. The chart below can help you determine the totalimpedance load when connecting various combinations of speakers inparallel. NEVER CONNECT THE MIXER TO ANY COMBINATION OFSPEAKERS THAT HAVE A TOTAL IMPEDANCE BELOW 2 OHMS!

SPKR IMP. # OF SPKRS TOTAL IMP. SPKR IMP. # OF SPKRS TOTAL IMP.

4 ohms 2 2 ohms 16 ohms 2 8 ohms



26. EFFECTS LOOP 2 LINE IN: Connecting an external signal processor,such as an equalizer or compressor, can be accomplished through theLine In and Line Out jacks. Connect the OUTPUT of the external deviceto the Line In jack using a shielded cable with mono 1/4” plugs. Thisreturns the line level signal into the mixer’s internal power amplifier.

27. EFFECTS LOOP 2 LINE OUT: This carries a pre-amplified, post-EQsignal to an external effects device. Connect the Line Out jack to theINPUT of the device using a shielded cable with mono 1/4” phoneplugs. This sends a line level signal out from the mixer. The rear panel effects loop is post-Main EQ and post-Main Level, there-fore its tone and output level are governed by the setting of the MasterEQ and Main level controls.

5

7 43565 15531 9 GFX65

(21) SERIAL# BMCDN20083Line: 120V Freq: 60 Pwr: 22VA

23 24

25 26 27

The Rear Panel:


6

*1: There are two basic types of mics: Hi-Z (Z = imped-ance) and Low-Z. Hi-Z connectors plug into the “Hi-ZLine” inputs, Low-Z connectors plug into the “Lo-ZBalanced” inputs. For Hi-Z mics, set the Level controlaround “9.” For Lo-Z mics, set the Level controlaround “4.”

*2: Most guitars have an “instrument level” signal and work best with the Level control setat “5” or less.

*3: Most keyboards, drum machines, etc. have a “line level” signal and work best with theLevel control set around “2” or “3.”

*4: The Aux In jack sends its signal into the mixer just prior to its Master Level and Tonecontrols.

Basic Connections and Settings: The illustration below offers some basics for using the box mixer. Actual connectionsand settings will vary depending on the application. These are merely guidelines.

High

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1 2 3 4 5 6

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DSP/Eff

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Main

100

Monitor

100

Tape In Level

100

DSP

MultiSAR

LAR

SPR

Delay

Aux/EffRet

100

DSP Ret

100

EffectsReturn

MonitorOut

EffectsSend

Aux In

TapeIn

TapeOut

MicMicMicMicMicMic

EFFECTS

SPEAKERS

TO SPEAKERJACKS ON BACK

TO EFFECTS LOOP 2JACKS ON BACK

IN OUT

REC

MONOOUT

PLAY

LO-ZMIC

*1

HI-ZMIC

*1

GUITAR*2

BASS*2

KEYBOARD*3

CD ORTAPE

PLAYER(OUTPUTS

SUMMED TOMONO SIGNAL)

TAPE PLAYER/RECORDER

2Ω MIN. LOAD(UP TO FOUR

8Ω SPEAKERS)SEE THE CHART

ON PAGE 5

(PE1510H, PE15H,PSM15, etc.)

SM1-SP, etc.

CMX62,CSX8, etc.

EQLS1-131, etc.

EQLS1-131, etc.

POWER AMPSPA1400, etc.

MONITORSUFM15H, etc.

D.I. BOX or AMPLINE OUT

DRUM MIX*4

Typical Hi-Z (1/4”) mic connector:

Typical Lo-Z (XLR) mic connector:


7

System Block Diagram:

EFFECTSRETURN

MAINAUX/EFF

RET

POWERAMP

SPEAKER

LINE OUT LINE IN

AUX IN

BUFFER

DSP

EFFECTSSEND

MONITOROUT

LEVEL DSPRET

DSP/EFF

MON

LOW MID HIGH

TYPICAL INPUT CHANNEL

MONITOR

LOWMID

HIGH

TAPE INLEVEL

TAPEIN

TAPEOUT


www.crateaudio.com

©2002 SLM Electronics, Inc. • A Division of St. Louis Music, Inc.1400 Ferguson Avenue • St. Louis, MO 63133

47-608-01 • 092602


Technical Specifications

Due to ongoing product development and improvement, the specificationscontained herein are subject to change without notice.

Output Power Rating 150 watts RMS @ 5% THD, 4 ohm load, 120VAC220 watts RMS @ 5% THD, 2 ohm load, 120VAC

Channel EQs Low ±15dB @ 80HzMid ±15dB @ 600HzHigh ±15dB @ 10kHz

Master EQs Low ±15dB @ 50HzMid ±15dB @ 600HzHigh ±15dB @ 10kHz

Input Impedance High Z 10k ohmLow Z 1k ohm

Input Sensitivity High Z 20mV RMSLow Z 2mV RMSAux In/Effects Return .25V RMS

Max. Input Signal High Z 4V RMS (11.25V peak-to-peak)Low Z 40mV RMS (1.25V peak-to-peak)Aux In/Effects Return 10V RMS (30V peak-to-peak)

Line Out/Line In Levels 1V RMSAux In/Tape Out Levels 1V RMSEffects Return/Effects Send Levels 1V RMS

Power Requirements 120VAC, 60 Hz, 160VA100/115VAC, 50/60Hz, 160VA230VAC, 50/60Hz, 160VA

Size and Weight PA6FX PA8FX10”H x 18”W x 9.5”D 10”H x 20.25”W x 9.5”D29 lbs. 34 lbs.

The PA Series Box Mixers are covered with a durable, high quality carpet-like material. Brush clean as needed.Never spray cleaning agents onto the cabinet. Avoid abrasive cleansers which would damage the finish.

Declaration Of Conformity#17, Effective 01-01-2001

Manufacturer’s Name: SLM Electronics Production Facility: 11880 Borman Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146, USAProduction Facility: 700 Hwy 202 W, Yellville, AR 72687, USAShipping Facility: 1400 Ferguson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133, USAOffice Facility: 1400 Ferguson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133, USA

Product Type: Audio Amplifier

Complies with Standards:LVD: 92/31/EEC, 93/68/EEC, & 73/23/EWGSafety: EN60065EMC: EN55013, EN55020, EN55022, EN61000-3-2,

& EN61000-3-3

Supplementary information provided by:SLM Electronics - R & D Engineering

1901 Congressional Drive, St Louis, MO 63146, USATel.: 314-569-0141, Fax: 314-569-0175

Crate PA-6 Manual

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