Input Controls and Smartgain

Use the numbered input buttons to select a channel before changing its gain, phantom-power or mute setting. EVO 4 can set the input gain automatically with Smartgain or manually with the Control Knob.

Input controls

Input selection, Smartgain and gain control

Select the channel before changing its input settings

Select an input

Press input button 1 or 2 to select that channel. The meter ring around the Control Knob displays the selected input signal. When the gain is adjusted, the ring indicates the approximate gain setting.

Set the gain manually

1. Press input button 1 or 2.
2. Turn the Control Knob to adjust the gain.
3. Perform at the loudest level expected during the recording.
4. Check that the signal is strong without reaching an overloaded or distorted level.

EVO 4 provides 58 dB of gain adjustment for its microphone and line inputs.

Set the gain with Smartgain

Smartgain analyses the selected input signals and sets their gains automatically. It can set one input or both inputs during the same process.

1. Press the green Smartgain button.
2. Press input button 1, 2, or both to select the channels to be adjusted.
3. Press Smartgain again to begin listening.
4. Perform the loudest section of the material that will be recorded.
5. Continue performing while the Smartgain button flashes red and the meter ring moves.
6. Wait for the Smartgain button to flash green, confirming that the gains have been set.

After Smartgain finishes, select an input and turn the Control Knob when a small manual adjustment is required.

note

If Smartgain flashes red instead of completing, it has not detected a suitable signal. Check the source and cable connections, increase the source level where appropriate, and confirm that phantom power is enabled when the microphone requires it.

Link the inputs as a stereo pair

Press input buttons 1 and 2 at the same time to link or unlink them.

When linked, the inputs use the same gain setting. Stereo linking is useful for stereo line-level equipment or an instrument recorded with two microphones.

Enable phantom power

Some microphones, normally condenser microphones, require 48 V phantom power.

1. Press the numbered button for the required microphone input.
2. Press 48V.
3. Check that the 48 V button remains illuminated red.

Repeat the procedure to disable phantom power on the selected input.

caution

Check the microphone manufacturer's instructions before enabling phantom power. Only enable 48 V when the connected microphone requires it.

Set the instrument-input gain

Connecting a cable to the front instrument input routes the instrument to channel 1 and overrides the rear input 1 connection.

Set its gain in the same way as the other inputs:

• Press input button 1 and turn the Control Knob for manual gain adjustment.
• Select input 1 during the Smartgain procedure for automatic gain setting.

See Hardware and Connections for instrument cable and routing information.

Mute an input

Press and hold input button 1 or 2 to mute the selected channel. The button flashes while the input is muted.

Press and hold the same button again to unmute the channel.

Next steps

Continue to Monitoring and Output Controls to configure the listening level and direct-monitoring balance.