|
"The Box that Rocks" - 1000 watts of GigRac power.
Portable, full-featured, 8-channel mixer with 10 studio-quality
digital effects built-in, adding a professional finish to your
performance.
Launched to much acclaim, the very easy to use GigRac family
of powered mixers for gigging bands and presentation systems
has been joined by the most powerful version yet — the stereo
GigRac 1000st, which delivers a massive 1000 watts of output
power (500 watts per channel into 4 ohms).
Dubbed "The Box that Rocks", the new family member
has the same cool styling of the GigRac
600, but is a more powerful full stereo version, featuring
expanded 3-band EQ on the inputs, two 7-band graphic
equalisers and 10 studio-quality preset digital effects.
The GigRac 1000 makes it easy to set up your own PA, needing
just speakers and cables to complete a system which delivers
awesome power and performance. Get from mic or guitar to a great
sound in no time at all. Everything you need is provided, in
a stylish and professional package that comes in a robust
case which protects your GigRac on the move, stores your cables
and allows you to carry it over your shoulder.
As with the GigRac 600 model, there are two output signal
paths, one for the main front-of-house output and one for
stage monitors. In normal stereo use, the two power amps deliver
a full 500W of power (@ 4 ohms) to the Main (FOH) output, but
the 1000st can be switched to provide 500 watts to the Main output
and 500 watts to the Monitor outputs.
Other additional features include pan controls for
the inputs to the stereo bus, a stereo graphic EQ on the
main output and a 7-band mono graphic EQ on the monitor output,
12-segment bar graph meters for both Main and Monitor
outputs, a stereo playback input (for CD playback, for example)
and a stereo submix input. In standby mode all channels are muted
until the band is ready to play, while the playback input remains
active for interval music.
Don’t worry about the weight, however, as the 1000st
features a lightweight switched-mode PSU, derived from years
of successful switched-mode design at Soundcraft and BSS. |
FEATURES:
Amplifier Assignment Switch
The amplifier assignment switch on the GigRac 1000 allows both
the main and monitor mixes to be powered through the 2 internal
500 Watt amplifiers, giving you completely flexible monitoring
options for any performance situation.
In small venues, it may be desirable to use one of the internal
amplifiers to power a monitoring wedge for the band to hear,
while the other amplifier powers a speaker for the audience.
This is simple to set up on GigRac, by pressing the amplifier
assignment switch in.
For larger venues or outdoor use, it will be preferable to
provide as much front-of-house (audience) sound as possible.
In this case, both internal amplifiers can be used to power the
main mix, by having the amplifier assignment switch out.
To further enhance monitoring options, additional main and
monitor mix outputs for the connection of additional 'powered'
speaker cabinets are provided on GigRac's front panel.
Soundcraft's Studio digital quality effects
GigRac 1000 has a total of 10 studio-quality digital effects
built-in, adding a professional finish to your performance. You
can select from 5 reverbs simulating 5 different room sizes,
a chorus/reverb and 2 echo/delays, used to ‘thicken’
vocal performances.
Crucially, GigRac allows the digital effects to be added individually
to the Main and the Monitor mixes, so you can hear the mix ‘dry’
on headphones and via monitors, while the audience hears the
Main mix complete with stunning digital effects. And by connecting
a footswitch, it’s possible to turn the effects on and off
during a performance.
In addition to the GigRac’s own built-in digital effects,
it’s also easy to connect an external effects processor
via the FX outputs on the front panel. The FX send level controls
on the channel strips can then be used in the usual way and the
output of the external processor can be plugged into either a
channel or the submix input.
Tip: Digital reverb is best used in venues which don't have
a big acoustic - i.e. where the sound stops immediately after
the signal source is taken away. In these cases, adding reverb
enriches the performance. However, if you're performing in a
venue which is already quite reverberant (such as a large concert
hall), don't add any more reverb. This will just make your performance
sound 'muddy'.
Tip: Avoid adding too much reverb to the monitor mix. While
the audience may benefit from reverb, it is better for the band
to hear their performance 'dry' - without too many effects added.
FX outputs and Submix input (Send and Return)
In addition to the GigRac’s own built-in digital effects,
it’s also easy to connect an external effects processor
via the FX outputs on the front panel. The FX send level controls
on the channel strips can then be used in the usual way and the
output of the external processor can be plugged into either a
channel or the submix input.
If you want to turn the effects on and off during the performance,
GigRac's FX footswitch socket makes connection easy. It accepts
all standard single-throw footswitch designs.
The Submix input can be used as either a return for an external
effects processor or as an additional, fixed level input for
equipment such as CD and MP3 players.
7- band Graphic EQ
Even with the same setup, a performance can sound very different
from one venue to the next. The way in which sound waves reflect
and interact with surfaces and objects within a room (the acoustics)
change the tonal quality of the overall sound, boosting some
frequencies (sometimes to the point of feedback) and reducing
others.
That's why the GigRac 1000 is equipped with 2 graphic equalisers,
enabling the operator to boost and cut frequencies at 7 points
to 'tune' the overall sound both for the front of house and monitor
outputs to suit the acoustics of the particular venue.
It's a process that professional sound engineers are familiar
with as they tour from venue to venue. And because GigRac's so
easy to use, a little practise is all you'll need to achieve
professional results too. If you've never used a graphic equaliser
before, follow these guidelines:
Start with all sliders on their '0' mark. Now listen to your
overall mix and analyse what the sound lacks or has too much
of. If it sounds too piercing, that's an indication that the
high frequencies are too loud. If it sound boomy, it's an indication
that the low frequencies are too loud. Next, use the faders to
boost or reduce the level of the fader that most closely matches
the frequency you think is a problem. The trick is to move the
faders by small amounts initially. Don't push them too far or
you'll end up with an unbalanced mix.
To get rid of feedback, start with all sliders on their '0'
mark and set the master volume to a level just below where feedback
occurs. Moving only one slider at a time, slowly boost the level
until feedback occurs (if at all) and then move it back to '0'.
Do this for all 7 sliders. Now reduce the level of the slider
which had to be boosted the least before feedback occurred. It
will now be possible to increase the master volume without feedback.
Professional Equipped Input Channels
Soundcraft equalisation (EQ) is a legend amongst professional
sound engineers and renowned the world over for its precision
and musicality. At the top of all 8 GigRac input channels you'll
find a classic Soundcraft 3-band EQ section comprising of treble
and bass rotary controls, allowing sophisticated tone shaping
of the microphone or instrument connected.
Next comes a line of 8 FX controls, used to set the signal
level sent from each channel to the GigRac's digital effects
processor (see Studio Quality Effects). The higher the FX send
level, the more of the effect is added to the sound of that channel.
For example, you may want a lot of reverb on the vocal mics plugged
into channels 1 and 2, less on the vocal mics plugged into 3
and 4, and less still on the instruments plugged into the remaining
channels. With GigRac, you're in control.
Beneath the FX controls are the blue and red Monitor and Main
channel level controls. These control the individual volume levels
of all eight channels in 2 separate overall mixes: Monitor being
what you and the band hear on stage via your monitor speakers
and Main being what the audience hears via the main speakers.
It's important to have independent Monitor and Main mixes as
performers often need to hear certain elements of the mix louder
(for example a piano or main instrument for reference), whereas
the audience would require a balanced mix. The overall volume
level of the Monitor and Main mixes is controlled via the master
volume controls to the right of the channel strips.
All 8 GigRac input channel have combined balanced jack/XLR
input sockets to accommodate the widest possible range of microphones
and instruments, and to minimise distortion and noise.
The Pad switch at the bottom channels 1 to 4A is used to cut
the level of particularly high output microphones which can cause
distortion by overloading the input.
Channels 5 and 6 of the GigRac feature alternative stereo
phono inputs beneath the combined XLR/jack connector, making
it easy to plug in a CD player, record deck, MP3 player of MIDI
file player. Perfect for playing pre-recorded music before and
after your performance, this facility also makes GigRac ideal
for use in a wide variety of other applications including fitness
clubs, outdoor events, etc.
Channels 7 and 8 have an additional single jack input designed
to be used in conjunction with the combined XLR/jack connector.
This allows direct connection of stereo keyboards, samplers and
other audio devices.
Precision LED Metering
10-segment precision LED metering gives a clear indication of
how hard the amplifier(s) is working and helps you keep an eye
on your levels. As the main and monitor master volume levels
are increased, more signal is sent to the amplifier(s). For the
best results, the master volume should be set so that all the
white LEDs are illuminated most of the time, and one or both
of the red LEDs are illuminated very occasionally.
The signal level sent to the amplifier is a product of the
individual channel levels and the master volume settings. There
are different ways of achieving the same results on the LED metering.
The master volume controls could be boosted to compensate for
low individual channel levels and vice versa. The way in which
these controls are balanced against each other will affect the
'signal-to-noise ratio' of the output. Signal-to-noise ratio
is the amount of direct, performance sound that you can hear
compared to the amount of unwanted background hiss. The following
guidelines will help you configure GigRac to get the best signal-to-noise
ratio (i.e. the least unwanted background hiss).
Before building up a mix, position the master volume control(s)
half-way between 0 and 10. Now create a mix so that the white
LEDs on the metering are illuminated most of the time during
performance. You now have the flexibility on the master volume
control(s) to increase the level if required without overloading
the amplifier. The master volume(s) can also be turned down if
the performance sound is too loud, without adversely affecting
the signal-to-noise ratio of the mix.
In the event of dangerously high signal levels, GigRac has
failsafe protection circuitry, so you'll never have to worry
about distortion in your performance. If the signal level(s)
is too high, the clip/protect LED(s) will illuminate until the
signal has returned to an acceptable level. While the clip/protect
LED(s) is illuminated, protection circuitry prevents the audio
signal from distorting.
Record, headphone and mix outputs
GigRac is packed with a comprehensive and flexible range of monitoring
options. You can plug in a pair of headphones for precision-listening
during soundchecks and there are independent outputs for both
the main and monitor mixes for the connection of additional ‘powered’
speaker cabinets.
A pair of RCA/phono outputs are perfect for recording the
main mix onto an external DAT or CD recorder, or for recording
your performance on computer using an appropriately-equipped
soundcard.
Phantom Power
Just like a professional mixing console, GigRac provides the
+48V phantom power required by high quality condenser microphones.
Phantom power is a system of providing 48 volts of power from
the mixer to the microphone. It's referred to as 'phantom' because,
although it's sent along the same wiring as the audio signal,
there are no audible effects to the audio. So it's effectively
invisible.
Phantom power is supplied to the first four channels of GigRac.
Don't worry if you're using both condenser microphones and other
microphones which don't need this power. Phantom power is only
'seen' by microphones which need it. It can be supplied to other
microphones without any damage or audible side effects.
And so you're never left in doubt, a red LED illuminates on
GigRac's front panel to make it clear that phantom power is turned
on.
Master volume controls back to top
GigRac lets you adjust the overall volume of the main and monitor
mixes independently, for total flexibility in live performance
situations. If the venue is small and the audience are close
to the band, it may be wise to keep the monitor mix volume as
low as possible. With the audience further away in a larger venue,
you have the option to turn up the monitor mix for the band to
listen to.
GIGRAC 1000 Specifications:
Noise
EIN 150 ohms 20 -22khz (CH1 - CH4)
-123 dBu
EIN 150 ohms 20-22khz (CH5 - CH6)
-123 dBu
Main out (Level control mid)
-78 dBu
Mon out (Level control mid)
-80 dBu
Amp out
-57 dBu
Crosstalk
Main cutoff
-80 dB
Mon cutoff
-80 dB
Frequency Response
20 - 22Khz rel 1Khz Line in
to Main out
+0.2/-2.6 X dB
THD+N Mic i/p -20dB Pad 0dBu I/P at Main out (22Hz-22KHz)
0.15%
Mic i/p to Amp Out @ full power (22-22KHz)
0.15%
Inputs Ch1 - Ch4 Mic Input Impedance 5.5 K ohm
Line Input Impedance 30 K ohm
Max Input Mic ( 20dB pad ) -3.5 dBu
Max Input Line( 20dB pad ) 10 dBu
Max Mic gain to main out 60 dBu
Inputs Ch5 - Ch8 Mic Input Impedance 2.4 K ohm
Line Input Impedance 40 K ohm
Max Input Mic -18 dBu
Max Input Line 3 dBu
Max Mic gain to main out 50 dBu
Outputs Max out main / mon
18 dBu
Power Output Gigrac 1000
2 X 500W ref 4 ohm
Connectors Mic
Balanced XLR combi connectors
All Jacks are 3 - pole ¼"
Line
Jack / combi connectors / RCA phono
FX bus Jack
Submix in Jack
Main out Jack
Mon out Jack
Record out RCA phono
Phones Jack
Speakers
Speakon
Dimension Width x Height x Depth (mm)
495 x 267 x 322
Weight GigRac 1000 (kg)
12kg |