Samson TM300 - Manual (Page 6)

Guided Tour - Channels
1: Mic inputs - Use these electronically balanced XLR jacks to connect microphones to
the TM300. These are intended to accept signal from low-level, low-impedance mics but
can also be used for signal from other sources (such as direct injection boxes) if the
channel’s Trim control (see #5 below) is turned down. WARNING: Do not connect a
channel’s microphone input if you already have something connected to its line input (see
#2 below); all channels are designed to accept only one source or the other.
2: Line inputs - Use these electronically balanced 1/4" jacks to connect line-level sources
such as synthesizers, drum machines, CD players, tape decks, or effects processors to
any of the TM300’s channels. We recommend the use of balanced three-conductor
cabling and Tip/Ring/Sleeve (TRS) plugs wherever possible (unbalanced two-conductor
plugs can also be inserted into these inputs, but you’ll get better signal quality and less
outside noise and hum if you use balanced lines). The “Connecting the TM300” section on
page 10 in this manual provides more information on how best to use channel inputs.
WARNING: Do not connect a channel’s line input if you already have something connected
to its microphone input (see #1 above); all channels are designed to accept only one
source or the other.
3: Channel Inserts - Provided in channels 1 - 4 only. Use these to insert an external
effects processor (such as outboard equalizer, compressor/limiter or noise gate) in an
“effects loop” configuration. These jacks accept 1/4" TRS plugs, with the ring carrying the
send signal and the tip carrying the return signal. Normally, this will be connected to a
Y-cord; see the “Connecting The TM300” section on page 10 in this manual for more
information and a wiring diagram.
4: Peak LED - This warning light indicates an overload situation. It lights whenever a
channel’s signal is 3 dB short of clipping. To stop it from lighting (and to eliminate the
accompanying sonic distortion), turn down the channel’s input Trim (see #5 below) or
reduce the amount of equalization boost (see #6 below).
5: Trim - Determines the input level of the connected signal. This knob is continuously
adjustable from +14 dB to -30 dB (in the case of line-level inputs) or from -6 to -50 dB (in
the case of mic-level inputs). The input signal is boosted when the Trim control is turned
clockwise and is lowered (attenuated) when turned counterclockwise. For information on
how to properly set this for each channel, see the section on page 14 entitled “Setting The
Correct Gain Structure.”
6: Equalizer - These knobs determine the amount of boost or attenuation in each
frequency band (up to 15 dB for low and high frequencies, and up to 12 dB for the mid
frequency). The mid frequency control (centered at 1.8 kHz) utilizes a resonant (“bell”)
peaking curve, while the high and low frequency controls (centered at 10 kHz and 100 Hz,
respectively) utilize shelving curves. A center detent in each knob (at the “0” position)
indicates no boost or attenuation (that is, flat response). As each knob is turned clockwise
from the “0” position, the frequency area is boosted; as it is turned counterclockwise from
the “0” position, the frequency area is attenuated. For more information on the application
of EQ, see the “Using Equalization” section on page 17 in this manual.
7: Auxiliary sends - These knobs allow you to route signal to either or both of the
TM300’s two monophonic Auxiliary outputs. These are typically used to create submixes
(for example, a headphone cue mix) and to feed signal from single or multiple channels to
the internal DSP or outboard effects devices. At the “0” (2 o’clock) position, the signal is
routed with unity gain (that is, no boost or attenuation). As each knob is turned clockwise
from the “0” position, the signal is boosted; as it is turned counterclockwise from the “0”
position, it is attenuated. Aux send 1 is pre-eq and pre-fader; that is, the level of the signal
is determined solely by its Trim control (see #5 on the previous page). In contrast, Aux
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1
1
2
3
4
5
7
6
8
9
10
INSERT
LINE
MIC
1
0
L IN
E M
IC
TRIM
–6 –50 +14 –30
PEAK
HIGH
–15 +15
0
MID
–12 +12
0
LOW
–15 +15
0
AUX 1 PRE
+10
AUX 2
+10
0
0
0 0
L R
PAN
PFL
40
0
O O O O
35
30
25
20
15
10
ENGLISH