KAMESAN KS-342 (01) PDF DOCUMENT

The key features of the KAMESAN KS-342 mixer include:

A wide range of input options, including +48V phantom powering.

Switchable support for MS operation.

AES/EBU digital output, together with a wide range of balanced and unbalanced analog outputs with compression.

Flexible monitoring.

Further expansion possible through the Kamesan range of modular audio components.

Please observe the following notes and warnings when using the KAMESAN KS-342:

External Power Supplies:

Make sure the polarity of the external powering device is correct.

Make sure it is properly connected to the KS-342. Damage to units may result if connectors are not properly fitted and the power is turned on.

General Precautions:

Do not allow liquids to come into contact with the unit or be spilled inside. Should this occur, fire, damage or malfunction may result.

Make sure that no metal objects or easily inflammable substances inadvertently get inside the unit through holes or slots. Should this occur, the unit may become damaged or start to behave erratically.

Do not attempt to disassemble the unit as damage or malfunction may result.

Avoid using this unit in places with high heat or high humidity as damage or malfunction may result. When using in an exceptionally cold environment, battery service life may be shortened, and there may be a drop in performance. If at all possible, use this unit in the temperature range as indicated in the specifications.

When connecting this unit to external devices, be sure to read all related operation manuals and connect the devices correctly to each other. If there are mistakes in the connections, it is possible that either the KS-342 or the other unit(s) will be damaged.

In the event that smoke or odors come from the unit, turn off the power and remove all batteries and external power supply sources at once. Contact your dealer or service representative.

WARNING: To prevent hazard or damage, ensure that only microphone cables and microphones designed to the IEC 268-15A standard are connected.

When using microphones, make sure that the phantom power is set appropriately for the microphones. Use of +48 V phantom power with microphones not designed for this may result in damage to the microphones, and to the Kamesan KS-342.

Before operating the Kamesan KS-342, you should be aware of the following points:

All XLR-3 connectors (male and female) are wired with the following pinouts: 1=ground, 2=hot, 3=cold.

The AC adaptor jack is a tip-negative connection. DO NOT attempt to make any connection to this jack except using AC adaptors authorized by Kamesan.

Always remove any dead batteries immediately from the Kamesan KS-342, and remove any batteries from the unit if it will not be used for some time. Corroded and leaking batteries can cause severe damage to the unit.

The Kamesan KS-342 can be powered in several ways:

Batteries: The mixer can use any standard type of battery: manganese, alkaline, nickel-cadmium, or nickel-hydride cells. Eight type 3 (AA) size batteries are required, fitted in a BP-3/8 battery holder (supplied with the KS-342). Alternatively, a special NP-1 NiCd battery pack can be used. In normal use, a set of alkaline batteries provides about six hours of operation.

External DC Power: The Kamesan KS-342 can accept power from a suitable power adaptor connected to the DC power input. This power should be between 10V and 15V DC, with a maximum current of 500mA. The connector is tip negative.

While the Kamesan KS-342 is supplied with everything you need to start work, you can purchase the following to increase its capabilities and functionality:

Power adaptors: You can use the Kamesan PS-M12 mini power supply.

Spare battery holders: Use the BP-3/8 battery holder for dry cell batteries, and the BH-1 for the NiCd NP-1 battery.

Expansion units: It is possible to fit a KS-6001 4-channel sub-mixer, and/or a KS-6002 4-channel EQ/compressor unit. Both integrate neatly into the KS-342 system without the use of cables.

The case is designed to hold and protect the Kamesan KS-342. Even though the mixer is rugged, you should not drop it or subject it to violent shocks. Always keep the mixer in its case to avoid damage.

You can loosen the straps on the case to expand its size and allow the side strap holders on the mixer to be freed from the retaining panels.

If you remove the mixer from the case and then replace it, always make sure the four case clips fit over the lip at the top of the mixer front panel.

The touch fasteners at either side can be used to tidy cables or restrain the mixer in its case.

Use the pocket in the case to store spare batteries or adaptors.

The top flap can be secured with the touch fastener when folded back for operation. It can also form a convenient rain hood to protect the controls from the elements while allowing access.

The left side panel of the KAMESAN KS-342 contains the main inputs:

INPUTS 1 through 4: Connect microphones or line level sources to these XLR jacks.

INPUTS 1+2: This XLR-5 jack is used to connect a stereo microphone to the 1 and 2 inputs. The wiring is: 1= ground, 2=L +, 3=L-, 4=R +, 5=R -.

Battery locking lever: Pull down to release the battery pack.

Coaxial power supply: Connect a suitable power supply (tip negative, between 10V and 15V, approximately 0.5A).

DC 12V OUT: This connector is used to supply external power to other equipment.

AUX IN: This connector is used to connect an auxiliary input, such as a camera’s audio signal.

Aux level control and routing switch: The level control sets the level of the AUX IN signal. The routing switch sends this signal to the main L and R output busses (AUX MIX), to the monitor bus only (AUX MONI), or turns it completely off (center position).

The right side panel of the KAMESAN KS-342 contains the main outputs:

MAIN outputs L and R: Balanced XLR-3 connectors providing the main analog output signals.

MAIN level controls: Rotary controls to adjust the level of the signals sent from the main outputs.

MAIN compressor controls: These controls apply compression to the main output busses. Triggering can be set to L, R, ST LINK (either bus triggers), or L•R (both busses must trigger). The trigger level can be set to +3, +6, +9, or +12 dB.

SUB output: This XLR-5 connector provides the main output busses as balanced sub outputs. It can also be used as direct outputs from channels 3 and 4. Output level is selectable between -20dB and -60dB.

ST OUT: An unbalanced 3.5mm stereo jack output at –60 dB, for feeding devices like a camera.

SOURCE SELECT switch: Chooses whether the MAIN and SUB connectors output the mixed left and right busses (MIX) or individual channels in pairs (DIRECT OUT).

AES/EBU: A digital stereo output. The sampling frequency is selectable between 44.1K, 48K, or 96K Hz. The • position is off. Note that this uses battery power, so turn it off when not in use.

DC IN: Use this to connect a DC power supply between +10V and +15V at no more than 600mA.

The front panel of the KAMESAN KS-342 contains the primary mixing controls:

Channel routing switch (x4): Routes a channel’s output to the left (L), right (R), or both (C) output busses. Channels 1 and 2 have an additional MS setting for stereo MS mode operation.

LCF/PFL switch (x4): This control sweeps the low-cut filter frequency from 20Hz to 200Hz. Pressing the non-latching button performs a pre-fade listen (PFL) for that channel, with the level shown on the right meter.

Channel faders (x4): Adjusts the level for each channel. The nominal position is at about 2 o’clock, pointing to the channel number.

Slate microphone: A built-in mic for adding comments or clapperboard signals to the main mix.

Input selector (x4): Selects the input type: P48 (condenser mics needing +48V phantom power), Dy-M (dynamic mics), LINE (line-level sources), or A-B (A-B type mics).

Input trim control (x4): Adjusts the input signal level. Use the blue figures for line-level settings and the white figures for microphone levels.

Fader link (FD LINK) switch (x2): When on (pushed right), the even-numbered fader controls the levels of both linked channels (e.g., fader 2 controls channels 1 and 2). This does not function in MS mode.

Battery check button: Press this momentary button to check battery health on the left meter. More deflection means more life.

Meter light/Oscillator switch: In the up position, it illuminates the meters. In the down position, it activates the built-in 1kHz line-up oscillator. The center position is off.

Master level controls: Recessed controls to adjust the final output level.

Monitor selection, level and headphone jack: The selection control chooses what is heard in the headphones (AUX, L, R, L/R stereo, or L+R mono). The level control adjusts headphone volume. Plug headphones into the standard 1/4″ stereo jack.

Power switch and indicator: Push up to turn on. The indicator is green for internal batteries, orange for external power. It flashes when batteries are low.

COMP indicator: Lights when the main output compressor is active.

SLATE button: Push to activate the internal slate microphone.

To see the output level using the oscillator, follow these steps:

1. Make sure that both the OUTPUT level switches are set to the correct value (usually +4).

2. Turn the power on (up), and then turn the oscillator switch on (down).

3. To monitor both channels together, set the monitoring selection switch to the L/R setting.

4. Adjust the level of the outputs so that the meter reads 0 dB (or the equivalent, depending on the meter type).

5. Remember to turn the oscillator off when the adjustment has been made.

There are three different factory-fitted, non-user-replaceable meter types available for the Kamesan KS-342. Your model may have one of the following:

VU scale: These meters conform to the VU standard, providing an averaged level reading. 0 VU marks the reference position.

BBC scale: A peak meter standard from 1 to 7 (each step is 4 dB) with a fast rise and slow fall time. The reference level is “6”.

Nordic scale: Another peak meter type, with 0 as the reference level, and readings from –42 to +12 dBu.

In each case, a peak LED is also provided, which lights at 6dB below the maximum level.

To use the MS (Mid-Side) recording facility on the Kamesan KS-342, follow these guidelines:

1. Ensure that both channels 1 and 2 have their output destination selected as MS on the front panel routing switches.

2. You can use a specialized MS microphone connected to the dedicated XLR-5 connector or use individual microphones connected to the XLR-3 inputs for channels 1 and 2.

3. In MS mode, the channel faders have different functions: the fader for channel 1 becomes the width control for the MS signal, and the fader for channel 2 is the overall level control.

4. The fader gang switch (1-2) does not gang the faders in MS mode; instead, it inverts the phase of the signal fed to channel 2.

5. When monitoring, select the L+R mode on the monitor selection switch to hear the decoded left and right stereo signals.

Note: The AUX inputs cannot be used for cascading in this mode.

The Kamesan KS-342 can be used with expansion units like the KS-6001 sub mixer or the KS-6002 compressor/EQ module.

Attaching Units:

1. Remove the rectangular connector cover on the top panel of the KS-342, keeping it and the screws in a safe place.

2. Fit the expansion unit so that its male connector on the bottom plate mates with the female connector on the top of the KS-342.

3. The locating pins on the bottom of the expansion unit should match the locating holes on the top panel of the KS-342.

Detaching Units:

1. To detach a sub-unit from the KS-342, move both locking levers on the top center sides of the KS-342 forwards and lift the unit off.

Input levels (all continuously variable and electronically balanced)	MIC	-70 to -30 dBs
	LINE	-20 to +4 dBm
	AUX	-20 to +4 dBm
Input impedance	MIC	3.0 kΩ
	LINE	600 Ω
	AUX	10 kΩ
Headroom	32 dB (pre-fader input)
Analog output levels	MAIN	+4/0/-20/-60 dBm switchable (600 Ω load) transformer balanced XLR-3 type
	SUB	-20/-60 dBm switchable (600 Ω load) electronically balanced XLR-5 type
	UNBAL	-60 dBs (10 kΩ load) 3.5mm unbalanced stereo jack
	MONI	0 dBs/50 Ω (max load 8 Ω)
Maximum output levels	MAIN	+24 dBm (600 Ω load, +4 selected @ 12V) +20 dBm (600 Ω load, +4 selected @ 8V)
	SUB	-+8 dBm (600 Ω load, -20 selected @12V)
	UNBAL	-60 dBs (10 kΩ load) @ 12V
	MONI	+6 dBs (50 Ω load, @ 12V)
Digital output	AES/EBU format, XLR-3 type connector. FS: 44.1/48/96 (Selectable), resolution, 20 bits

Microphone power	P-48V (maximum power 10mA)
	A-B 12V (maximum power 30mA)
LCF (low-cut filter)	20 Hz – 200 Hz, continuously variable, –12 dB/octave
Oscillator	1 kHz (±10%)
Compressor	Threshold level	+3/+6/+9/+12 dB
	Attack time	2 ms (approx)
	Release time	300 ms (approx)
	Ratio	2:1 (approx)

Frequency response	MAIN OUT & SUB OUT	30Hz — 40kHz (within 1dB)
Noise level	MIC (-70)	< -54 dB (22 kHz LPF/RMS)
	LINE (+4)	< -70 dB (22 kHz LPF/RMS)
	MONI	< -65 dB (22 kHz LPF/RMS)
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)		< 0.1% (50Hz — 15 kHz +4dBm)

8.5 x 6.7 x 2.4 (in)

Internal power supply	8 x type 3 (AA) dry-cell batteries, carried in standard battery holder
	1 x NP-1 NiCd battery, carried in optional battery holder
External power supply	+10V to +15V (maximum current 0.5 A)
Current	Nominal	160 mA
	Digital output on	240 mA
Battery life (normal temperature, no additional modules, digital output off)	Manganese cells	> 4 hours
	Alkaline cells	> 8 hours
	NP-1 NiCd	> 12 hours
Dimensions (excl. protrusions)	w x d x h	215 x 170 x 60 (mm)
Weight (approx)	inc. batteries	2.4 kg (5.3 lbs)
	excl. batteries	2.0 kg (4.4 lbs)