Studio Technologies 58 2000 - Manual (Page 41)

Issue 4, December 2000 Model 58/59 User Guide
Page 42 Studio Technologies, Inc.
for Surround
level by a preset amount. The dim button
is always set to “latch” the function on and
off. Dim activity applies no matter whether
the monitor output level is being set by the
rotary control, the reference button, or, if
configured, the remote level control. The
dim level can be configured for 10, 15, 20,
or 25dB, so one of those values will apply
when dim is active. The LED associated
with the dim button will light whenever dim
is active. Note that if dim is enabled via the
remote dim function, the dim LED will
flash, along with the remote activity LED.
What’s not so self-explanatory is the auto-
dim-off function. Whenever dim is enabled
due to the dim button being pressed, and
reference mode is not active, changing the
rotary level control or, if configured, the
remote level control, will automatically turn
off dim. The auto dim off function is a
unique attempt at protecting the health of
audio engineers. No longer will there be
a heart-stopping blast of audio when the
dim button is pressed, supposedly to
enable dim, but actually turning it off
because dim was already enabled. It’s
hard to explain unless you’ve used an
audio console and experienced this in
person—trust us, this situation does hap-
pen! Auto dim off is a wonderful “real-
world” function.
Note that the auto dim off function is not
active whenever dim is on due to the
remote dim function being active. This
allows remote control equipment, such
as a talkback system, to reliably dim the
monitor outputs.
Rotary Level Control
The rotary level control is used to manu-
ally adjust the monitor output level. It is
active any time the reference level function
is not active. When the rotary level control
is set to give the same output level as the
preset reference level, the reference LED
will flash. Note that when the level control
is set to its fully counterclockwise position,
maximum attenuation is achieved, but
don’t expect a full mute. The mute all
function should be used to fully mute the
monitor outputs.
The rotary level control and, if configured,
the remote level control work together in
an interesting fashion. The control which
is turned last sets the monitor output level.
This makes it very simple to move from
using one control to the other, with no
remote enable/disable buttons or switches
to activate.
As a visual aid, if the monitor output level
is changed using the remote level control,
the remote activity LED on the Model 59
will flash. This LED will continue to flash
until a monitor-output-level-related param-
eter on the Model 59 changes. Level-
related parameters include turning the
rotary level control, or enabling the refer-
ence level, mute all, or dim function. The
remote activity LED flashes in this manner
as a warning, preventing an operator from
wondering why the level has “mysteri-
ously” changed. A change in monitor level
can have serious consequences to an
audio mix, so this LED serves as an alert
that something has changed. Remember,
if you are worried about the monitor level
being changed remotely during an impor-
tant mix, use the reference level function
to “lock out” the local and remote level
controls.
Mute/Solo
The mute/solo mode button and the eight
monitor output channel buttons, along with