RPM870 Owner's Manual

8-Channel 6000W Powered Mixer w/ USB, Effects, and 8 XDR2 Mic Pres

Important Safety Instructions

• To reduce risk of electric shock, never open the unit. There are no serviceable parts; refer service to the Rockville service center.
• Do not expose this unit to any kind of moisture.
• Please ensure that the unit is situated in a properly ventilated area.
• Make sure the unit is placed on a level and stable surface.
• This unit can operate with either 110V or 220V.

Input Channel Section

1. Balanced XLR Mic Input: Connect a microphone via 3-pin XLR cable.
    
2. Unbalanced 1/4" Line Input: Connect a line level audio source via shielded 1/4" instrument cable.
    
3. 1/4" Insert Output: The insert is a break point in the input channel signal path. It allows the signal to be taken from the mixer, through an external device, and back to the mixer to continue to the final mix output.
    
4. Gain Control: Adjust input sensitivity from -60dB to -20dB when the -20dB Pad button is depressed and -40dB to 0dB when the -20dB Pad button is pressed.
    
5. Pad Button: Press to attenuate the input signal -20dB.
    
6. Hi: Controls the high frequency tone of each channel. Always set this control to the 12 o'clock position.
    
7. Hi Mid/Lo Mid: Controls the mid range frequency tone of each channel. Always set this control to the 12 o'clock position.
    
8. Lo: Controls the low frequency tone of each channel. Always set this control to the 12 o'clock position.
    
9. Send: Allows access to a portion of each channel's signal which provides a monitor mix that can be fed to stage monitors, independent of the main mix. The control is off when fully turned down, delivers unity gain at the 12 o'clock position, and can provide up to 15dB of gain when turned up fully.
    
10. FX: Allows access to a portion of each channel's signal which provides an FX mix feeding the internal FX processor and external processors via the FX output. The control is off when fully turned down, delivers unity gain at the 12 o'clock position, and can provide up to 15dB of gain when turned up fully.
     
11. Pan: The Pan control sends continuously variable amounts of the post fader signal to either the left or right main busses. In the center position equal amounts of signal are sent to either bus."
     
12. Mute: Pressing this button will turn off the channel's signal output
    .
13. Peak Level Indicator: The green LED indicates the signal level at the insert return point, premaster fader, and illuminates at 5dB below clipping.
     
14. Channel Fader: This slider adjust the level of each channel into the signal mix. The U mark indicates unity gain, meaning no increase or decrease of signal level.
     
15. Solo: This switch allows you to hear signals through your headphones without having to route them to the main mix. Use solo to preview channels before they are fed into the mix. You can solo as many channels at a time as you like.

Master Section

16. Auxiliary Return: This control sets the overall level of line signals received from the aux/return jacks. Signals passing through this control goes directly to the main mix and monitor mix where they are combined with signals from the channels.

17. Auxiliary Send: This control sets the overall level of the Aux send prior to it going into the external effects device

18. FX: This control determines how much of the effects processor's signal should be added to the main mix.

19. Phones: This knob controls the levels of the headphones and the main monitors.

20. Digital Effects Processor: Features 16 effect presets with variable parameters. To select a specific effect, use the preset select knob (a). To control that effects parameters, use the knobs marked Param 1 (b) and Param 2 (c). To control how much of the effect is applied to the main mix, use the FX send knob (see item 18). To mute the FX processor, use the FX Mute button (d). The chart below shows the effects and the adjustable parameters. This chart is also printed on the mixer for your convenience.

21. Hi: Controls the high frequency tone of channel 7/8 (MP3). Always set this control to the 12 o'clock position.

22. Low: Controls the low frequency tone of each channel. Always set this control to the 12 o'clock position.

23. Stereo Graphic Equalizer: Two 7-band graphic equalizers provide control over frequencies ranging from 63Hz to 15KHz.

24. EQ Kill Switch: This button allows you to quickly engage or disengage the equalizer.

25. Limit Right/Limit Left: The yellow Limit LED of the corresponding channel will shine dimly at the onset of clipping and increase in brilliance as the clipping becomes more severe, staying on until the clipping ceases. If the LEDs are flashing quickly and intermittently, the channel is at the clip threshold. A steady bright glow means the amp is clip limiting or reducing gain to prevent severely clipped waveforms from reaching the speakers.

26. Phantom Power Switch: Depressing this switch applies 48V DC across all microphone input channel connectors for remote powering of condenser microphones. The LED will turn on once phantom power is engaged.

27. Output Level Indicator: This peak level meter is made up of 10 LEDs with 3 colors to indicate the different ranges of signal level. The meters will show 0dB when there is 0dBu (.775V) present at the main left and right TRS outputs. When soloing a channel, the left meter shows the specific channel's signal level (pre-fader). The 0dB LED indicates where the level should be when adjusting the channels gain. During solo operation the right meter will remain inactive.

28. Power Indicator LED: Indicates when the unit is on.

29. Solo Indicator LED: This LED flashes green when one or more solo switches are engaged. This will remind you that what you are hearing in your headphones or control room is the soloed channel(s).

Master Section

30. FX Level: This slider is used to adjust the signal level of echo, repeat, and exterior effects.

31. Output Main Fader (Left/Right): These are master faders for adjustment of volume for the left and right outputs. Unity gain is at the top of their travel.

32. 7/8 Volume (MP3): This slider adjust the level of channel 7/8 (MP3) into the signal mix. The U mark indicates unity gain, meaning no increase or decrease of signal level.

33. Main Stereo L/R Outputs: The male XLR connectors provide a balanced line-level signal. Connect these to the left and right inputs of your main power amplifiers, powered speakers, or serial effects processor (like a graphic equalizer or compressor/limiter). The XLR outputs are 6dB hotter than the TRS outputs.

The 1/4" TRS output connectors provide balanced or unbalanced line-level signals. Connect these to the next device in the signal chain like an external processor (compressor/limiter), or directly to the inputs of the main amplifier. This is the same signal that appears at the XLR main outputs, but 6dB lower.

34. Input: These stereo unbalanced RCA inputs allow you to play a CD player, MP3 player, or other line-level source. The RCA jacks accept an unbalanced signal using standard RCA cables.

35. REC Output: The stereo unbalanced RCA outputs allow you to record the main stereo mix onto a hard disk recorder or automatic CD burner. The tape output is the stereo main mix, and it is not affected by the main mix fader. This output can also be used as an extra set of main outputs for feeding another zone.

36. MP3 Digital Controller: This interface controls input via the USB interface or Bluetooth connection. It accepts standard USB memory sticks and supports MP3, WMA, and WAV formats. The signal output is mixed to the main via the channel 7/8 (MP3) volume slider (item 32).

Button:	Function:
	Play/pause tracks from USB device.  Long press to make selections in main menu.
	Short press to choose previous/next tracks.  Long press for volume -/+.
	Active Repeat modes: single, all, random.
	Select from 7 EQ modes: normal, pop, rock, jazz, classic, soft, DBB (USB mode).
	Press to enter recording mode.

Bluetooth

To listen to music via the Bluetooth wireless connection, you must pair the RPM870 with your Bluetooth enabled device.

a. Press the play/pause button to enter the main menu.

b. Use the previous/next buttons to navigate to the Bluetooth menu. Press play/pause button to select Bluetooth. The unit will automatically enter pairing mode.

c. Make sure your Bluetooth enabled device is discoverable. Search for and select RPM870 in the list of available devices.

d. If pairing is successful you will see this graphic: [Bluetooth Icon]

Music playback can be controlled via the MP3 digital controller or your device.

USB: For USB playback, simply plug your thumb drive into the USB slot and the unit will automatically begin to play music.

Record to USB

a. Press the record button or navigate through the main menu to the record function. Please make sure there is sufficient space on your USB drive.

b. Short press the play button to begin or end recording.

c. After recording short press the rec button to save the current recording and prepare for the next recording. Or long press the play button to save the current recording.

d. After recording long press the rec button to playback the previous recording.

Please note: The Main L+R output fader sets the recorded volume when you're recording to USB. If your recordings are too low or too loud in volume, check the master fader level and adjust it accordingly.

Computer Playback

a. Connect the computer to the mixer via the USB port.

b. Long press play to enter the main menu and select USB Audio.

c. Open music player on the computer to commence playback.

37. Headphone Output: This 1/4" TRS output is used for monitoring the master signal and individually monitoring each channel via the Output Main L/R sliders.

38. Foot Switch: This 1/4" jack allows for the connection of a foot switch to toggle digital effects on and off.

39. AUX/Return: If you wish to connect a processor like a Gate or compressor or other signal processor to the main mix you you can send the signal from the Aux send out to the input of the processor device and then send the signal back from the output of the processor device into the Aux return.

Rear Panel

40. Power Switch

41. L/R Speakon / 1/4" Outputs: These plugs provide a balanced line-level fully mixed. Connect them to your main power amplifiers, powered speakers signal accept 4 ohm or 8 ohm speakers.

42. Power Socket: IEC AC power socket with user serviceable T10A/250V fuse.

43. Variable Voltage Switch: 110/220V switchable power supply.

44. Cooling Fan: This fan helps dissipate heat from the unit. Be sure to keep it clear of any obstructions.

Connections

Balanced vs. Unbalanced Lines

A balanced line is a three-conductor system in which two signal wires carry an equal, but opposite voltage with respect to the ground wire. The ground wire acts only as a shield and does not carry any audio signal current. Outside interference is either shielded from the internal signal conductor, or if it gets into the cable is cancelled out by the opposite signals at the receiving end. Balanced connections are preferred for long cable runs.

An unbalanced cable is a two-wire system where the shield (ground wire) acts as one of the current carrying signal conductors. The center conductor enclosed by the shield is commonly known as the "hot" conductor. Unbalanced audio cables do not reject noise as well as balanced lines. Unbalanced lines are typical in home hi-fi type systems and on the outputs of electronic musical instruments. These work well if the distance between the components is short, the signal level is relatively high and all of the electronics used in the system are plugged into the same AC outlet.

Typical Live Sound Set-Up

Typical Studio Set-Up

Features/Specifications

• RMS Power Output:

  750w x 2 @ 4 Ohm

  500w x 2 @ 8 Ohm

• Program Power Output:

  1500w x 2 @ 4 Ohm

  1000w x 2 @ 8 Ohm

• Peak Power Output:

  3000w x 2 @ 4 Ohm

  2000w x 2 @ 8 Ohm

• 8 Channel mixer section: 6 mono channels, 1 stereo channel
• 8 high-quality XDR2 mic preamps with switchable +48V phantom power for condenser microphones.
• XDR2 mic preamps are low-noise and low distortion. These are some of the best sounding mic pre's on the market.
• 1 dedicated USB input to play back music or record the main mix.
• USB supported formats are MP3, WAV, WMA.
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 24 BIT digital effects processor with 16 preset digital effects including (reverb, chorus, delay, chorus, phaser, flanger and various multi-effects).
• Effects level control can adjust signal level of each effect.
• Effects mute button.
• FX footswitch input lets you turn your effects on or off.
• 4-Band EQ (high, high-mid, low-mid, low) per channel.
• Each channel is equipped with Pad, Mute, and Solo buttons with LED's.
• Each channel has Gain, AUX control, FX control, Pan control, & Volume control.
• Red Peak LED indicates a signal level that is 5dB below clipping.
• Dual 7-band Graphic EQ allows for precise frequency correction of monitor and main outputs (with EQ kill switch).
• Aux send and Aux returns on every channel to connect all types of external effects and processors.
• You can control your monitor mix and check levels through your headphones.
• Limit L and Limit R LED indicators. These limiters are designed to go brighter as clipping gets stronger and will remain lit up until the channels stop clipping. We recommend lowering the gain if you see these LED's lit up.
• Power and Output level LED indicators.
• Main output fader allows you to fade the sound between the left and right channel.
• RCA input, RCA output, and USB player.
• Headphone jack for monitoring the master signal and individually monitoring each channel with PFL, L/R.
• Gain control adjusts the sensitivity from -60dB to -20dB when the pad button is in the out position.
• When the pad button is pressed in the gain will adjust from -40dB to 0dB
• Solo button allows you to hear the signals through your headphones or in the control room without having to route them to the main mix. This works even with the fader turned down. You can use this to preview channels before they are let into the mix or just to check out a channel during a live performance. You can solo as many channels at a time as you want.
• Built in cooling fan and ventilation system.
• USB input supports unlimited capacity (as many GB as you want).
• 110/220V switchable power supply.
• Dimensions: (L*W*H) 15.16" x 17.72" x 7.09" / 38.5 x 45 x 18 cm
• Weight: 23.06Lbs. (10.46kg)

Troubleshooting