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"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 |