The Rane DA216S Distribution Amplifier is a two-input, sixteen-output splitter/distribution amplifier. The DA216S is capable of providing sixteen discrete balanced outputs from one or two balanced mic-level or line-level inputs. The level of each output is individually adjusted via one of the sixteen screwdriver Output Level controls on the front panel. Each output may be assigned to either or both inputs via front panel accessible slide switches.
The Master A and B Level controls affect the overall level of each input. In other words, they allow all assigned outputs to be turned up or down at once. LEDs indicate an Overload (OL) at either the inputs or at the internal gain stages.
Each input is set to either Mic or Line level via the rear panel Input Pad pushbutton. The separate Input Gain pushbutton switches provide a microphone input with +60 or +40 dB of gain, or a line input with +20 or 0 dB of gain. With Input Gain, Master Levels and Output Levels, any reasonable input signal may be adjusted to a nominal +4 dBu and still have 17 dB of headroom. The Phantom Power switch provides +15 VDC for condenser microphones. Any input assigned to line-level has this phantom voltage turned off automatically. A rear-panel LED indicates when the Phantom Power is engaged.
Each output stage incorporates a high-current balanced output line driver for driving long lines with optimal performance. Euroblock wire range is #14 to #26 stranded or solid. The DA216S incorporates a 100-240 VAC internal universal voltage power supply, operable nearly anywhere in the world.
Fully balanced low-noise mic preamplifiers receive the signal to be split or distributed. The Input Pad pushbuttons change the input gain range. Additional Gain pushbuttons increase either Mic or Line level inputs another +20 dB.
The Master Level controls allow level matching and balancing as required. When operating unbalanced, a 6 dB loss of signal must be taken into account when setting the gain structure of the system. When wiring an Output for unbalanced operation do not ground the unused terminal (i.e. usually the “–”). Unbalanced uses only the “+” and ground terminals.
The (“–”) Output may also be used as an unbalanced line driver, albeit inverted. The balanced Input terminals of the next stage must be reversed (+) for (–) to correct for the inversion. This nets a total of 32 Outputs! However, the penalty for 32 outputs is that unbalanced operation will not drive long lines and individual control is lost.
Each unit is shipped with a booklet containing all of the above, the RaneNote "Sound System Interconnection," Declaration of Conformity, and Rane's 2+ Year Warranty information.
Not without adding external pads. The DA216S outputs at line level so reducing the signal to mic level requires an outboard attenuator.
With "Line" & "0" dB of gain selected on the rear, the front panel Input gain is unity at full clockwise. There is 10 dB of gain between this point and the output, so with the inputs set in this manner, the output trims are unity at 12:00 noon.
The ("–") Output may also be used as an unbalanced line driver, albeit inverted. The balanced Input terminals of the next stage must be reversed (+) for (–) to correct for the inversion. This nets a total of 32 Outputs! However, the penalty for 32 outputs is that unbalanced operation will not drive long lines and individual control is lost.
RaneNote: "Sound System Interconnection" RaneNote: "Setting Sound System Level Controls" RaneNote: "Practical Line-Driving Current Requirements"If the above doesn't answer your question:
Phone the Rane Factory at 425-355-6000, 8:30 AM to 5 PM PST, Monday to Friday.
Email is answered most weekdays from the Rane Factory Contacts.
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DA216S User Guide
DA216S high res front
DA216S high res rear
DA216S front DWG