302 Compact Production Mixer User Guide and Technical Information Sound Devices, LLC E7556 State Rd. 23/33 • Reedsburg, WI • USA +1 (608) 524-0625 • fax: +1 (608) 524-0655 Toll-Free: (800) 505-0625 www.sounddevices.com support@sounddevices.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Table of Contents Quick Start Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Powering the 302 3 Interconnection 3 Setting Output Gain Structure 3 Setting Input Levels 3 Monitoring 3 Front Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Input Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Output Panel Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
02 User Guide and Technical Information Quick Start Checklist Proper setup of sound sources and input devices is quick and easy with the 302. Follow the steps outlined below for basic interconnection. Powering the 302 1. Insert three AA-batteries with + side first into the mixer battery tube. 2. Slide the power switch to the INT position to power the 302. The power LED will illuminate solid green with good batteries. Interconnection 1.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Front Panel Descriptions 1 2 9 3 10 4 5 6 11 1. Fader Primary control for adjusting the input level during operation. 2. Peak LED When illuminated, indicates that the channel level is approaching the clipping point. 3. Limiter LED When illuminated, indicates that the channel limiter is active and is reducing the channel gain to prevent overload. 4. Gain (Trim) Coarse input gain control.
302 User Guide and Technical Information 14. Headphone Selector Switch Sets the signal source sent to headphones. Options include: input PFL 1, 2, 3; left output bus; right output bus; Mono (summed left and right); STereo master; RTN - stereo monitor return; MS-mono; MS-stereo; RTN-MS. 15. Headphone Volume Adjusts the overall volume of the headphones. NOTE: the headphone output is capable of ear-damaging levels. Take care when adjusting among signal sources. 17.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Output Panel Descriptions 1 3 4 1. XLR Master Outputs Active-balanced outputs. Pin-1 = ground; pin-2 = ‘hot’; pin 3 = ‘cold’. Can be unbalanced by using pin-2 for signal and pin-1 for ground. 2. Battery Tube Holds three-AA batteries for internal powering. Accepts alkaline, lithium, or NiHM rechargeable cells. 3. Return (Channel 4/5) Level Control Adjusts the gain of the return feed to balance program and monitor signals in headphones. 4.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Inputs The 302’s inputs consist of three, full-featured microphone preamplifiers. Each input has a wide gain range to accommodate nearly all signal types. The 302 easily accepts signals from low-sensitivity ribbon and dynamic microphones, medium-level wireless and condenser mic outputs, and “hot” line-level signals. The XLR inputs of the 302 are transformer-balanced.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Phantom and T- Microphone Powering This switch selects the type of power that will be applied to the adjacent input XLR. The 302 provides both Phantom and T-power on each channel respectively. If neither Phantom or T-power are required, with dynamic microphones for instance, it is good practice to turn off microphone powering (DYN position). Phantom Power Phantom powering is a fixed DC voltage between 12 and 48 volts.
302 User Guide and Technical Information When possible, attempt to equalize at the sound source with microphone selection, use of windscreens, microphone placement, and on-board microphone filtering. Many microphones have on-board high pass filters, and the high-pass filters on the 302 can be used in conjunction with the microphone’s filters to increase the filter’s slope. The high-pass filter is defeated when the switch is in the center position.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Stereo Linking of Inputs 1 and 2 Stereo linking allows Inputs 1 and 2 to be controlled as a single, stereo input. This is useful when stereo microphones or stereo line level signals are used with the 302. Stereo linking allows the user to control the overall signal of both inputs with a single fader. There are two modes of operation for stereo linking, X/Y link and MS stereo. Stereo linking is activated in the Setup Menu.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Outputs The 302 is a two-bus mixer. Each input can be “hard panned” between the left and right output bus making it easy to use the 302 in either stereo or dual-mono operations. Because dialog is often recorded in mono, each output connector can be used to feed a separate camera or recorder. The 302’s Master XLR Outputs and Tape Outputs share the same program content. There is no master level control on the 302. The master is factory-set to unity gain, or “0” dB.
302 User Guide and Technical Information 5. Step through all Setup Menu options by pressing the PK/VU button until the meters “dance”. The setting is now saved and the Output Attenuation LED should now be lit. Tape Out (Mix Output) The Tape Output is typically used to interface with consumer inputs such as MiniDisc, DAT, and compact cassette recorders. The 302 has an unbalanced, two-channel tape level output on a single, locking Switchcraft TA3M-type connector.
302 User Guide and Technical Information HP Monitor Selection Several signal sources can be sent to the headphones. The front panel rotary switch selects the signal. HP Sources Description (PFL) 1 PFL solo monitoring of the Channel 1 input signal. The channel is monitored in dual-mono. Pre-Fader, postLimiter, and post-High-Pass. Useful for setting the channel gain. (PFL) 2 PFL solo monitoring of the Channel 2 input signal. The channel is monitored in dual-mono.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Tone Oscillator/Slate Microphone A single 3-position switch controls the Tone Oscillator and Slate Microphone. The Tone/Slate switch is located in the upper right corner of the front panel. The switch is protected from inadvertent engagement by the end panel. When the Tone Oscillator is engaged the inputs are muted. Tone Oscillator Tone is used to set gain levels between the 302 and the next device in the signal path.
302 User Guide and Technical Information The Meter The 302’s meter provides a great deal of audio signal information to the operator. The ability to view multiple ballistics, peak levels (PPM), average levels (VU), or a combination of both, is unique to Sound Devices LED-based meters. The 302 meters do not share the inherent limitations of LCD and mechanical meters. LCD-based meters can have sluggish indications in cold temperature. Mechanical meters can be fragile and not ideal for field use.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Peak An important setting used to display the absolute peak signal level to prevent overload of downstream devices. Peak-only is commonly used in Europe, but is being replaced by the PPM/VU combination metering. VU Calibrated to display the average loudness of audio signals. This setting is useful when connecting to analog recorders or in combination with peak readings.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Mixer Linking 302A Link two 302 mixers together for higher input channel counts by connecting the Tape Out/Mix Out of 302A to the Mix In of 302B. 302B The Stereo Output program of 302A is sent directly to the Stereo Output program of 302B. To add inputs to the 302, an additional mixer can be connected (linked) into its Mix In connection. The unbalanced Mix In connection is directly compatible with Sound Devices MixPre, 302, and 442 mixers.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Internal Batteries The 302 uses a unique battery tube to hold 3-AA batteries. This robust tube is sealed to prevent potential battery leakage from ruining internal circuitry. The threaded-nickel cap extends beyond the panel to make battery changes easy and quick.The battery tube extends no farther than adjacent XLR connectors. Remove batteries when the unit is stored for extended periods. External DC Sources For extended mixer runtime use an external DC source.
302 User Guide and Technical Information The Setup Menu The 302 has 18 available setup features. See the Setup Menu Chart for all available options. Setups, typically set-and-forget features, are infrequently changed. With the Setup Menu, these features are easily accessed directly on mixer’s the front panel. Entering the Setup Menu To access the Setup Menu perform the following steps: 1. Turn off the mixer, if already on. 2. Press and hold the Peak/VU selection switch while switching power on. 3.
302 User Guide and Technical Information User Default A memory location is available to store user-defined default settings. The user default is helpful to save a baseline of settings different than the factory default settings. To save a user default perform the following: 1. Hold down both the meter brightness button and battery check button while powering the mixer. 2. The current settings will be saved as the user default.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Advanced Gain Structure and Interconnection The 302’s unique output attenuator circuit is adjusted in the Setup Menu. This can be thought of as a master gain control which comes after the 302’s output meter. This circuit allows the user to match the 302’s output level to any recording device. When properly set, the dynamic range of the system is maximized and the 302’s meters will “match” the recorder’s meters.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Setup Menu (v 3.6) Below is the chart of setups for the 302. See Setup Menu on page 15 for instructions on how to enter and navigate the setup menu. Factory default settings are displayed in bold. Meter Setup Name Setting (value on R Meter) Descripion –30 XLR Attenuation Level Line-level (0), add the indicated values on left and right meter for attenuation amount Selects the amount of attenuation from Line level on the XLR Outputs. –26 Output Limiter Thres.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Specifications Measurement settings (unless otherwise specified): Gain controls for the channel being measured at mid point, all other channels gains fully down; pan switches centered; high-pass off; inputs in ‘mic’ position; outputs in ‘line’ position. Mic input driven with 150 ohm source. Outputs measured with 100k ohm load. Temperature at 25º C.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Outputs Line Output Clipping Level (1% THD) 20 dBu minimum 18 dBu minimum with 600 ohm load Output Noise –100 dBu (–102 dBV) maximum (22 Hz to 22 kHz bandwidth, flat filter, master gain fully up, faders fully down) Output Limiters affects the Line Output and Tape Out, threshold selectable from +4 dBu to +20 dBu, 1 dB steps, 20:1 limiting ratio, 1 mS attack time, 200 mS release time Impedance: (Ohms Actual) Type: For use with: Max Output Level: XLR, factory
302 User Guide and Technical Information Accessories Several high-value accessories are available for the 302 mixer, including a carry-case, cables, and power accessories. For a full list of Sound Devices products and accessories, visit our web site www.sounddevices.com/products. CS-3 Production case with high-quality strap for use with 302, 7-Series recorders and MixPre; NP-type battery compartment and accessory pouch for wireless. Built for Sound Devices by CamRade.
302 User Guide and Technical Information CE Declaration of Conformity According to ISO/IEC Guide 22 Sound Devices, LLC 300 Wengel Drive Reedsburg, WI 53959 USA declares that the product, 302 Production Field Mixer is in conformity with and passes: EN55103-1, 1997 EMC-product family standard for audio, video, audiovisual and entertainment lighting control apparatus for professional use.
302 User Guide and Technical Information Warranty and Technical Support Warranty Sound Devices, LLC warrants the 302 Production Mixer against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE (1) year from date of original retail purchase. This is a nontransferable warranty that extends only to the original purchaser. Sound Devices, LLC will repair or replace the product at its discretion at no charge. Warranty claims due to severe service conditions will be addressed on an individual basis.
302 firmware revision 3.6- Printed in U.S.A.
