Mackie DLM8 Owner's Manual
Owner’
s Manual
15
Owner’s Manual
Smart Protect
There are advanced DSP protection mechanisms
designed into the DLM8/12 to safeguard the
loudspeakers and amplifiers from inadvertent damage.
loudspeakers and amplifiers from inadvertent damage.
The protection circuits are designed to
protect the loudspeakers under reasonable
and sensible conditions. Should you choose
protect the loudspeakers under reasonable
and sensible conditions. Should you choose
to ignore the warning signs [e.g. excessive distortion],
you can still damage the speaker by overdriving it past
the point of amplifier clipping. Such damage is beyond
the scope of the warranty.
you can still damage the speaker by overdriving it past
the point of amplifier clipping. Such damage is beyond
the scope of the warranty.
Limiting
The driver has its own compression circuit which
helps protect it from damaging transient peaks.
The compressor is designed to be transparent and
is not noticeable under normal operating conditions.
The front LED will pulse when in limit. Turn the
volume down!
The compressor is designed to be transparent and
is not noticeable under normal operating conditions.
The front LED will pulse when in limit. Turn the
volume down!
Overexcursion Protection
A 36 dB/octave high-pass filter just prior to the low-
frequency amplifier prevents very low frequencies from
being amplified. Excessive low-frequency energy can
damage the woofer by causing it to “bottom out,” also
know as overexcursion, which is equivalent to a
mechanical form of clipping.
being amplified. Excessive low-frequency energy can
damage the woofer by causing it to “bottom out,” also
know as overexcursion, which is equivalent to a
mechanical form of clipping.
Thermal Protection
All amplifiers produce heat. DLM loudspeakers are
designed to be efficient both electrically and thermally.
The amplifier module has internal heatsinks and
a digitally controlled variable speed fan. As the DSP
recognizes varying internal heat levels, it will turn
on at an appropriate speed to draw cool air in over
the amplifier and exit via the side vents.
recognizes varying internal heat levels, it will turn
on at an appropriate speed to draw cool air in over
the amplifier and exit via the side vents.
In the unlikely event of the amplifier overheating,
a built-in thermal switch will activate, muting the
signal and ramping the fan up to top speed. An error
message will also appear on the OLED Display:
signal and ramping the fan up to top speed. An error
message will also appear on the OLED Display:
When the amplifier has cooled down to a safe
operating temperature, the thermal switch resets itself,
and the DLM loudspeaker resumes normal operation.
and the DLM loudspeaker resumes normal operation.
If the thermal switch activates, try turning down the
level control a notch or two on the mixing console (or
the back of the loudspeaker) to avoid overheating the
amplifier. Be aware that direct sunlight and/or hot stage
lights may be the culprit of an amplifier overheating.
the back of the loudspeaker) to avoid overheating the
amplifier. Be aware that direct sunlight and/or hot stage
lights may be the culprit of an amplifier overheating.
FYI
The FYI screen displays the latest UI version, DSP
version, Amp B+ [voltage] and current temperature.
Nothing may be changed or updated here, just an FYI
as stated. This screen is displayed when pressing the
Channel 1 [11] and MEM buttons [14] simultaneously.
Nothing may be changed or updated here, just an FYI
as stated. This screen is displayed when pressing the
Channel 1 [11] and MEM buttons [14] simultaneously.
AC Power
Be sure the DLM loudspeaker is plugged into an
outlet that is able to supply the correct voltage specified
for your model. It will continue to operate at lower
voltages, but will not reach full power.
for your model. It will continue to operate at lower
voltages, but will not reach full power.
Be sure the electrical service can supply enough
amperage for all the components connected to it.
We recommend that a stiff (robust) supply of AC
power be used because the amplifiers place high
current demands on the AC line. The more power that is
available on the line, the louder the speakers will play
and the more peak output power will be available for a
cleaner, punchier bass. A suspected problem of “poor
bass performance” is often caused by a weak AC supply
to the amplifiers.
current demands on the AC line. The more power that is
available on the line, the louder the speakers will play
and the more peak output power will be available for a
cleaner, punchier bass. A suspected problem of “poor
bass performance” is often caused by a weak AC supply
to the amplifiers.
Be aware of any error messages that may be displayed
on the OLED Display:
Never remove the ground pin on the power
cord or any other component of the DLM
loudspeaker. This is very dangerous.
cord or any other component of the DLM
loudspeaker. This is very dangerous.