As contractors and venues demand maximum return on investment, dual-purpose FOH and Monitors flexibility is now essential in a live sound console. MH2, the third desk in Soundcraft’s acclaimed MH Series, delivers all the critical mixing features of its siblings in a fixed frame format, achieving a performance/price ratio unheard of in any other console in its class.

Group or Aux on fader operation is selected at the touch of a button for familiar and uncomplicated operation. Soundcraft sound quality is guaranteed with the same mic preamp design used in the MH4 and MH3, classic British EQ and meticulous circuit design. And with important new features like separate line inputs on every channel, the argument for mixing with MH2 is compelling.

Four frame sizes are available, all with an integrated switched mode PSU which can be removed for easy maintenance. Naturally, a rear panel connector is provided to fit an external power supply for complete dual redundancy assurance.

KEY FEATURES

• Frame sizes: 24+4, 32+4, 40+4 and 48+4
• Styling based closely on MH3/4, with a single-piece front panel
• MH3/4 mic amp design with 50dB range plus -20dB level shift and separate 1/4" Line input
• Swept high-pass filter and 4-band EQ (all bands swept)
• 10 Auxes, of which 2 can be switched to create 1 x stereo send
• Pre/post fader switching in pairs (except 5-8 as one block of 4)
• 8 full-time Group busses with paired routing
• LCR panning on inputs-mix
• 8 VCAs and 6 Mute Groups
• 4 Stereo Input channels with mic/line capability
• 4 stereo line returns with 3-band fixed EQ, returns can route to output channels
• 11x4 Matrix built-in
• 10 x linear 60mm output faders, plus 8 rotary output faders with SWAP facility to allow linear faders to control either all 10 Auxes or 8 Grps and 2 Auxes
• Inserts on Groups and Mix outputs (Group insert moves between Grp & Aux)
• 12-segment Input and Output metering
• Central assignment of VCA Groups, with individual LED displays per channel

MH2 adopts the same operational philosophy as its bigger brother the MH3 to achieve flexible dual-purpose operation. This uses a reversible signal path which allows either the group or the aux output signal to be controlled by a linear fader, and have access to an insert point.

For FOH applications, the groups are required on faders for subgrouping duties, and the insert point allows external EQ or dynamics to be used on the group. The aux sends in this application will be used for FX sends, so rotary master controls are appropriate. By pressing the recessed GRP/AUX ON FDR button, thereby changing it to AUX mode, the console is set up for stage monitor use, where the aux output is controlled by the fader, and has use of the insert point for EQ insertion. Meanwhile the group output is swapped to the rotary fader. It is possible to swap the fader mode for each of the 8 outputs individually, allowing any combination of subgroups and monitor sends on faders. This flexibility is essential when doing monitor mixes from FOH.

Fader Output Section

Each of the 8 fader master sections comprises a 60mm fader which feeds either the group or aux signals to their respective XLRs on the rear panel. A pre-fade balanced insert point, via separate 1/4" jacks, allows insertion of EQ and/or dynamics. Each fader knob is colour co-ordinated with its aux bus send control for easy identification when controlling monitor mixes, and the 12- segment bargraph meter at the top of the section provides line-of-sight metering of any fader-controlled output. The TB button routes talkback or tone from the central talkback/oscillator section to whichever output is being controlled by the fader.

Illuminated MUTE and AFL SOLO buttons are provided for each fader. If stereo subgroups or in-ear sends are in use, the AFLs can be linked as a stereo pair by pressing both adjacent buttons at the same time; when linked, the AFL appears as a stereo AFL in the stereo wedge & phones outputs.

Rotary Output Section

Each of the 8 rotary master sections is equipped with a colour-coded rotary fader, and AFL SOLO and MUTE controls.

Group to Mix Section

The group signal path, regardless of whether it is controlled by the fader or not, can always be routed to the main mix busses using the MIX and C switches and the PAN control.

Stereo FX Return with EQ

Located above each pair of group/aux output sections is a stereo FX return section (four in total). A line input from balanced rear panel jacks is fed via a 0-10dB gain switch, via a stereo 3-band EQ section (see below) to a rotary level fader. Illuminated PFL and MUTE switches are provided.

The stereo return signal can be routed to the main MIX and C busses, outputs 9&10, or to the pair of output faders directly below the return. This gives a number of possible uses for the return in addition to that of a standard FX return to the main mix: In monitor applications when Aux 9&10 may be feeding a stereo in-ear mix, the return can provide an individual reverb return for that mix only. Alternatively, if any of the 8 subgroups are not being used in a FOH application, the return can be routed to the output faders and then to mix, allowing control of the return level by linear faders.

The 3-band stereo EQ section comprises fixed shelving HF and LF bands, at 12kHz and 80Hz respectively, with a mid band fixed at 1kHz. 15dB of cut or boost is available on all bands.

Aux 9-10 Outputs Section with EQ

Aux outputs 9 & 10 have their own dedicated output section and are always controlled by linear faders. Each fader feeds the aux signal to rear-panel XLR outputs, via a stereo 4-band EQ section.

The EQ is designed for sweetening of in-ear monitor mixes, and comprises fixed frequency bands with shelving HF & LF and peak/ dip mid bands. Each output has a pre-fade insert point with separate jacks, and TB, MUTE and AFL buttons are provided. The AFL buttons can be stereo linked if aux 9-10 are being used as a stereo pair. The 12-segment LED bargraph meters at the top of the section normally meter the LR Monitor outputs, but can be switched to meter the aux 9-10 outputs by pressing the AUX 9-10 button below the meters.

Master Section

The master section contains the main L, R and C output faders, plus a sine wave test oscillator and internal talkback functions. This section also contains the monitor and headphone outputs, 2-track return and monitor source controls.

Main Output Faders

Three 100mm high quality faders control the stereo mix L, R and mono (C) mix output levels. These are fed to balanced XLRs on the rear panel. The C fader can be used to control the monitors level for feeding wedges in a stage monitor application by using the USE C FADER button in the monitor section.

Insert Points

Pre-fade MIX L, R and mono (C) insert points use balanced sends and returns on separate 1/4" jacks on the rear panel.

Matrix 1-4 Outputs Section

An 11x4 matrix section is located at the top right of the master section. Each of the 4 outputs has a rotary master fader with MUTE, AFL and TB buttons, and 11 receive knobs controlling the mix levels fed to that matrix output from each of the 8 groups and the L,R and C main outputs. The matrix output signal itself appears on a rear panel XLR.

Talkback and Oscillator Section

The talkback and oscillator sections share a common set of TB routing buttons, allowing them to access any of the fader-controlled outputs and the matrix outputs. The talkback section has a front panel XLR for a dynamic mic input, with adjustable gain from 20-50dB. The mic signal is routed to selected internal busses, by pressing the master TB button and the local TB button on the required output(s). The oscillator generates a variable frequency sinewave sweepable from 63Hz to 10kHz. It is routed to internal console busses by pressing both the OSC ON switch and the local TB switches on the desired output.

Monitor and Headphones Outputs

Separate level controls are provided for engineer’s monitor speakers and headphones. The signal source for these outputs is common and can be selected from the post-fade MIX signal, the mono (C) MIX signal (to both L and R outputs), or the 2TK replay inputs, and may be summed by simultaneous selection if required. These sources are automatically overridden by an input or output solo signal. The level of the PFL signal only can be adjusted by ±15dB using the PFL TRIM control. The monitor level rotary control can be replaced with the centre output master fader, by pressing the USE C FADER button adjacent to the rotary control. The stereo monitor/phones signal can be summed to mono if required by pressing the MNO button and canbe muted using the MUTE button. The headphones output socket is a stereo 1/4" jack, discretely mounted in a recessed socket in the fader panel fascia; the phones Volume control is located adjacent to the socket. Three 12-segment LED bargraph meters read the stereo and mono mix output levels. In the presence of a solo, the LR meters switch to show the solo signal. A clearly visible blue LED indicates the solo condition.

2-track Replay Input

For replay of stereo tape, CD or minidisc sources, a rotary level control adjusts the signal level from the balanced 1/4" jack stereo inputs. These can either be routed to the MIX bus with the MIX switch, or monitored on the monitor/phones outputs as described above.

Record Output

The rear panel contains two ¼” jack outputs which are a buffered parallel feed from the Mix L & R Outputs. This can be used for recording or as another fixed-level mix bus feed.

PSU Status Indicators

Three red PSU Status LEDs indicate normal PSU rail operation.

Solo Controls The MH2 incorporates the same advanced solo system as used in the MH3 and 4. The blue-illuminated SOLO CLEAR button not only gives unmistakable indication that a solo has been selected, but also allows any solo(s) on the console to be cancelled at the touch of a button. The Autocancel mode allows any solo button selected to cancel the previous solo, otherwise solos can be selected additively. Alternatively, pressing and holding any solo button for more than 0.5 seconds will result in automatic momentary operation of the switch. Inputs normally solo as PFL, (with stereo inputs giving a stereo PFL) and outputs as mono or stereo AFL, but inputs can alternatively be soloed as stereo AFL (if assigned to a VCA group) by using the VCA master SOLO. The PFL trim control gives ±15dB of gain adjustment to the PFL signals fed to the monitor/phones outputs.

The INPUT PRIORITY button, when selected, allows an input solo to temporarily override any output solo which may be present. When the input solo is released, the original output solo will reappear on the monitors. The solo-In-place (SIP) enable button (which needs to be held for at least 2 seconds to activate it, for safety) selects ‘destructive’ in-place solo rather than mono PFL or stereo AFL. Group, aux and matrix output AFLs always remain in AFL mode, regardless of this switch setting. A VCA solo will perform a solo operation on all channels assigned to that VCA group, and give a stereo AFL solo. If SIP mode is engaged, the VCA solo will trigger a solo-in-place solo as if all member channels’ SIP switches had been pressed.

VCA System & Mute Groups

The availability of VCA subgrouping has traditionally been associated with expensive consoles, but MH2 changes this, introducing a new level of sophistication to VCA grouping functionality in this class of console. Channels may be assigned to any of 8 VCA groups using the VCA ASSIGN master mode switch and the channel SOLO switches. Any VCA master then controls all the associated channel levels and their mutes and solos (although they can still be operated locally). The current status of all VCA assignments can be instantly and permanently viewed across the console with no button-pressing required, on the 8 VCA Assign LEDs clearly positioned by each input fader.

Up to 6 mute groups can be created by setting the channel mutes required and pressing STORE and the required MUTE master button. These groups may then be recalled by the MUTE master buttons, and can be freely layered. To prevent inputs or FX Returns being muted by a mute group, VCA mute or a SIP solo, a SAFE mode can be activated for each channel using the EDIT SAFES function. This is indicated locally on each channel by a SAFE LED. A PREVIEW mode allows mute group assignment settings to be checked without actually muting any signal paths.

INTEGRATED CONTROL OF BSS AUDIO VARICURVE™/DBX DRIVERACK™ 480

The MH2 continues the Soundcraft innovation of providing remote MIDI control of external system EQ from the output AFL switches - owners of BSS Audio Varicurve™ or dbx DriveRack™480 systems can automatically select the correct EQ page on the remote controller, corresponding to the soloed output channel. For Monitor applications, this allows slicker operation and less chance of adjusting the wrong output EQ.

PSU

All frame sizes of MH2 are supplied with an internal high-efficiency switched-mode Power Supply unit. The PSU is easily removable for ease of servicing on slide-out rails from the rear of the console, and incorporates automatic mains voltage switching to allow operation anywhere in the world. For additional peace of mind, the console is also fitted with a DC connector allowing connection of an additional external supply – the DPS4, for use as redundant backup. When the DPS-4 is connected, it operates in parallel with the internal supply, with seamless switchover in the event of a failure of the internal unit. As a further alternative, two DPS-4’s can be linked allowing redundant operation even if the console’s internal PSU has been removed.

• Frame sizes: 24+4, 32+4, 40+4 and 48+4
• Styling based closely on MH3/4, with a single-piece front panel
• MH3/4 mic amp design with 50dB range plus -20dB level shift and separate 1/4" Line input
• Swept high-pass filter and 4-band EQ (all bands swept)
• 10 Auxes, of which 2 can be switched to create 1 x stereo send
• Pre/post fader switching in pairs (except 5-8 as one block of 4)
• 8 full-time Group busses with paired routing
• LCR panning on inputs-mix
• 8 VCAs and 6 Mute Groups
• 4 Stereo Input channels with mic/line capability
• 4 stereo line returns with 3-band fixed EQ, returns can route to output channels
• 11x4 Matrix built-in
• 10 x linear 60mm output faders, plus 8 rotary output faders with SWAP facility to allow linear faders to control either all 10 Auxes or 8 Grps and 2 Auxes
• Inserts on Groups and Mix outputs (Group insert moves between Grp & Aux)
• 12-segment Input and Output metering
• Central assignment of VCA Groups, with individual LED displays per channel