Samson PL2404 - Manual (Page 11)

9
Guided Tour - Rear Panel
7: Mic inputs (channels 1 and 3) - Use these electronically balanced XLR jacks
to connect a microphone to channel 1 and/or channel 3. These are intended to
accept signal from low-level, low-impedance mics but can also be used for signal
from other sources (such as direct injection boxes) if the channel’s Trim control
(see #8 below) is turned down. WARNING: Do not connect a channel’s micro-
phone input if you already have something connected to its line input (see #9
below); these channels are designed to accept only one source or the other.
8: Trim control (black) - This knob determines the input level of the mic signal
connected to channel 1 and/or channel 3. Continuously adjustable from +4 dB
to -50 dB, the trim control is at unity gain (no boost or cut) when set to the “0”
(9 o’clock) position. The input signal is boosted when the trim is turned to the
right of “0” and attenuated when turned to the left of “0.” For information on how
to properly set this, see the section on page 13 entitled “Setting The Correct
Gain Structure.”
9: Line inputs - Use these electronically balanced 1/4" jacks to connect line-
level sources such as synthesizers, drum machines, CD players, tape decks, or
effects processors to any of the PL 2404’s twenty-four channels. Use balanced
three-conductor cabling and Tip/Ring/Sleeve (TRS) plugs wherever possible
(unbalanced two-conductor plugs can also be inserted into these inputs, but
you’ll get better signal quality and less outside noise and hum if you use
balanced lines). When connecting monophonic (as opposed to stereo) signal
sources, use the left (odd-numbered) inputs; the Balance control for that channel
pair will then act as a constant level pan control—see the “Using the Balance
Control” section on page 18 for more information. The “Connecting the
PL 2404” section on page 10 provides more information on how best to use
channel inputs. WARNING: Do not connect the channel 1 or 3 line input if you
already have something connected to that channel’s microphone input (see #7
above); these channels are designed to accept only one source or the other.
10: Channel Inserts (1 - 4) - Use these to insert an external effects processor
(such as outboard equalizer, compressor/limiter or noise gate) into any of the
PL 2404’s channels 1 - 4 in an “effects loop” configuration. These jacks accept
1/4" TRS plugs, with the ring carrying the send signal and the tip carrying the
return signal. Normally, this will be connected to a Y-cord; see the “Connecting
The PL 2404” section on page 10 for more information and a wiring diagram.
11: Bus Inserts (1 - 4) - Connect the output from another device to these in
order to “submix” in their signal to the PL 2404 at unity gain. This can be used to
link multiple PL 2404s or to add the output from another mixer to the PL 2404
without taking up channel line inputs. The Bus Insert jacks accept unbalanced
1/4" plugs. See the “Linking the PL 2404” Application on page 26 for more
information.
12: Aux Returns (1 - 4) - These unbalanced 1/4" inputs allow you to route
signal from external devices such as effects processors to any of the four stereo
Aux Returns. These jacks accept 1/4" TRS plugs, with the tip carrying the left
signal and the ring carrying the right signal (sleeve is common ground). See the
“Using Aux Sends and Returns” section on page 20 for more information.
13: Aux Sends (1 - 4) - These unbalanced 1/4" outputs allow you to route
signal from any of the four discrete Aux Sends to external devices such as
effects processors. All four PL 2404 Aux sends are post-fade. See the “Using
Aux Sends and Returns” section on page 20 for more information.