100-05-0/F, LIB 2/6/01 9:26 AM Page 1

Troubleshooting Guide
Having trouble with the sound system?
Condition
No sound (power LED not lit): Charge indicator doesnt light: No sound (power LED lights):

Possible Cause
power switch OFF batteries fully discharged (LED flashes briefly) blown fuse no output from source input cable unplugged input volume control low or off plug inserted into switched speaker output, but no speaker connected short in external speaker cable or speaker total external speaker impedance < 4 batteries not fully charged batteries need replacement

Shortened battery life:

Distorted sound: Excessive hum or noise:

poor connection on input cable input signal too strong input cable not shielded not using balanced microphone

Having trouble with the wireless system?

Condition
No sound (TX ON indicator lights):

Possible Cause
mute switch set to mute position wireless volume control low or off no mic plugged into belt-pack transmitter sound system not turned on transmitter power switch turned off low battery or no battery in transmitter

No sound (TX ON indicator off):

Owners Manual
ANCHOR Audio, Inc. (310) 784-2300
100-0005-000 / Revision F, 03/97

Liberty

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Important Safeguards
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN

Specifications
MPA-4500
Rated power output: Max SPL @ rated power: 70 watts @ 4 continuous 120 watts @ 4 dynamic 119 dB project mode, 109 dB music mode

CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the cover. No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel. WARNING: To prevent fire or electric shock, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture.
AVIS
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR

MPB-4500
Rated power output: Max SPL @ rated power: Batteries (two): 50 watts @ 4 continuous 117 dB project mode, 107 dB music mode 12 Volt rechargeable, 2.6 AH (7.0 AH with heavy duty batteries)

General
Frequency response: Speaker type: Inputs Microphone inputs (two): Auxiliary (line) input: Sensitivity for rated output: Microphone: Auxiliary (line): Outputs Line output (post fader): Speaker out; switched: Speaker out; unswitched: DC Output: AC power requirements: Export model: Lo-Z (< 1 k), buffered, 14"-phone 8, 14"-phone 4, 14"-phone 12 Volts DC, 300 ma max. 110-125 VAC, 50/60 Hz 208-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz (MPA: 120 watts max, 30 watts idle. MPB: 50 watts max) 22.5 x 13 x 10", 57 x 33 x 25 cm 31 pounds, 13 Kg. 36 pounds, 16 Kg. 44 pounds, 20 Kg.
Specifications subject to change without notice.

ATTENTION: Pour eviter les risques de choc lectrique, ne pas enlever le couvercle. Aucun entretien de pices intrieures par l'usager. Confier l'entretien au personnel qualifi. AVIS: Pour eviter les risques d'incendie ou dlectrocution, n'exposez pas cet article la pluie ou a l'humidit.

60 Hz - 15 kHz 3 dB music mode (project mode: + 10 dB from 1.5 - 12kHz) 8" woofer, titanium dome compression driver Lo-Z (1 k), balanced, XLR phantom powered, 12 VDC / 6.8 k Hi-Z (10 k), unbalanced, 14"-phone -52 dBV (2.5 mVrms) -14 dBV (200 mVrms)

EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the products enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to humans. The exclamation point, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

EXPLICATION DES SYMBOLES GRAPHIQUES

Le symbole clair avec point de flche l'intrieur d'un triangle quilatral est utilis pour alerter l'utilisateur de la presence l'intrieur du coffret de voltage dangereux non isol d'ampleur suffisante pour constituer un risque d'eltrocution. Le point d'exclamation l'intrieur d'un triangle quilatral est employ pour alerter les utilisateurs de la prsence d'instructions importantes pour la fonctionnement et l'entretien (ser vice) dans le livret d'instruction accompagnant l'appareil.

Dimensions (HWD) : Weight: MPA-4500: MPB-4500: MPB-4500H:

DATE OF MANUFACTURE
The date of manufacture of this Anchor Audio product can be determined by the seven or eight digit serial number code. The fifth and sixth digits from the right denote the year, the seventh digit (letter) from the right denotes the month (A=Jan, B=Feb, etc.) Example: "XD960083" states that the unit was manufactured in April of 1996. An "X" may or may not exist as the eighth digit (letter) and has no significance in the serial number or date code.

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Accessories
MIC-90 Handheld Microphone
Anchors dynamic, balanced, low impedance microphone with a unidirectional pick-up pattern. It has an on/off switch and comes with a 20' cable and mic clip.

Thank you for choosing an Anchor Audio portable sound system. Our products incorporate state-of-the-art design and the finest quality of materials and workmanship. Were proud of our products and appreciate the confidence which you have shown by selecting an Anchor system. I hope youll take a few of minutes to review this manual. Weve incorporated several unique features into our products, and your knowledge of how to use them will enhance the performance and your enjoyment of the system. David Jacobs, President on behalf of all Anchor employees

SS-450 Speaker Stand

Made of heavy duty structural aluminum.

MP-4501 Companion Speaker

Dual function (music/project) unpowered speaker which can be connected to the speaker outputs of a Liberty for increased crowd coverage. Speaker cable not included.

SC-50 Speaker Cable

Heavy duty 50' speaker cable.

Quick Use Guide

Liberty is a portable sound system with a built-in amplifier and multiple inputs. The dual-function feature makes it suitable for music or speech applications, indoors or out. Youll need a microphone or some other input source before you get started. If you have a battery-powered model, make sure the batteries are fully charged before use (see page 11).

VL-45 Storage Cover

Heady duty cover for Liberty.

MSB-201 Microphone Stand and Boom

Microphone floor stand with 33" adjustable boom.

FL-4500 Admiral Lectern

Floor model lectern with a center console to accommodate a Liberty sound system. It has a shock-mounted mic input.
Problems? Consult the troubleshooting section on the back page of this manual.

Heres how easy it is to use

1. Set the unit in front of your audience on the floor, table or on a speaker stand. 2. Plug a microphone into the Mic 1 or Mic 2 input, or plug an audio source into the auxiliary input. 3. Set all input level controls to minimum, and set the bass and treble controls to the 12:00 position. 4. Turn the power switch ON (plug in the power cord if youre using an AC model). Slowly increase the level control adjacent to the input used until desired volume is reached. 5. For music and indoor applications, set the mode switch to Music. For speech and outdoor applications, set the mode switch to Project. 6. Adjust the bass and treble for desired sound quality.
To operate the wireless mic system on wireless models, see Wireless Operation on pages 12 and 13. And for more detailed instructions, see the Operation section beginning on page 8.

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Getting Started
Inspection and inventory of your system
Check unit carefully for damage which may have occurred during transit. Each Anchor product is carefully inspected at the factory and packed in a special carton for safe transport.

Wireless Operation
Replacing the transmitter battery
Note: The transmitter power switch must be in the OFF position!

Save the shipping carton and packing materials. They were specially designed to ship your unit safely.

Inventory
Liberty sound system Warranty registration card

*Duracell MN1604 or equivalent.

All damage claims must be made with the freight carrier.

Notify the freight carrier immediately if you observe any damage to the shipping carton or product. Repack the unit in the carton and await inspection by the carriers claim agent. Notify your dealer of the pending freight claim.

HANDHELD: Unscrew the battery compartment cover on the lower end of microphone. Install a fresh 9 Volt alkaline battery* and replace the cover. BODY-PACK: Press the OPEN end of the battery cover, slide it back and lift the cover. Install a fresh 9 Volt alkaline battery* being sure to observe proper polarity. Close the cover.

Operating the wireless microphone system

The audio signal from the built-in wireless receiver is fed into the mixing bus. The wireless mic may be used simultaneously with any of the other inputs .

Returning your unit for service or repairs

Should your unit require service, contact your dealer or our Customer Service Department at (310) 784-2300 to obtain a Return Authorization (RA) number. All shipments to Anchor must include an RA number and must be shipped prepaid. C.O.D. shipments will be refused and returned at your cost.
WIRELESS MIC VOLUME

Operating the wireless microphone system:

1. Set the wireless volume control to minimum. 2. Turn the sound system power switch ON. 3. Slide the transmitter power switch to PWR. The sound systems TX ON indicator TX ON lights to indicate wireless signal (RF) is being transmitted and received. 4. Adjust the wireless control to desired volume.

CA

Warranty registration
Please fill out the warranty card and return it with a copy of your invoice to Anchors Customer Service Department. This will activate your limited two year warranty.
ON

Caution: Harmful feedback may occur when walking in front of a sound system or speaker with a wireless microphone. Always point mic away from speakers.

Using the microphone ON/MUTE switch:

When set to the ON position the mic operates normally. To prevent unwanted sounds from being picked up without turning the transmitter off, move switch to MUTE position. (The handheld mic/transmitter comes with a protective sleeve which fits over the power and mute switches to prevent accidental movement during use. To install it, unscrew the battery cover and slide the sleeve onto the microphone handle. Replace the cover.)

MUTE

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Wireless Operation
Setting up the wireless system
Checking the Frequency Code:
Now Featuring

Feedback Information
What causes feedback?
Feedback is a ringing, howling, or shrill sound that is selfgenerated by the sound system. It is the result of sound from the speakers being picked up by the microphone(s) in use and then re-amplified by the system. This can form a selfsustaining loop that can damage the sound system if allowed to continue.

WIRELESS

Before proceeding, you must first verify that the wireless frequency of your transmitter matches the frequency of the receiver installed in your Anchor sound system. 1. The control panel of the sound system should have the following label:
TX ON

Frequency Code label

CA

(Shure designates a one- or two-letter code which corresponds to the wireless frequency at which the component operates.)

2. The frequency code must match the code found on the transmitter as described below: HANDHELD: Unscrew the battery compartment cover on lower end of the microphone. Remove the battery (if installed) and check code on the label.
label on handheld mic/transmitter
SHURE BROTHERS INC. LX2 HANDHELD TRANSMITTER FREQUENCY CODE CA
176.200 MHz

How to prevent feedback

ALWAYS STAND BEHIND THE SPEAKER WHEN USING A MICROPHONE.

SHURE BROTHERS INC. TX FCC ID: DD4L11 CANADA: 616 C9398 LX1 CA 176.200 MHz

label on body-pack transmitter

BODY-PACK: Check the code on the label located behind the belt clip. 3. If the frequency codes dont match, locate the correct transmitter whose code matches the sound system.

CAUTION: Feedback can damage your equipment and may be hazardous to your hearing. To avoid feedback, always make sure volume controls are at minimum before turning unit on. If feedback occurs, immediately reduce the volume.

About the transmitter battery gauge/indicator

Operating times using a fresh 9 volt alkaline battery *Duracell MN1604 or equivalent.

Assuming a battery is installed in the transmitter, you can estimate the remaining operating time by sliding the power switch to the PWR position (first turn the sound system off, or set the transmitter mute switch to the MUTE position). Observe the color of the LED indicator(s) that light up: Battery LED Indicator Operating Time
green green & amber amber red 6 - 20 hours 4 - 6 hours 2 - 4 hours < 1 hour

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Set-Up
Setting up the Liberty sound system
Positioning of the speaker(s) is perhaps the most important consideration when setting up a sound system. You should survey the location prior to the activity and observe the seating arrangement and area of coverage.
Keep in mind, the best sound system set-up is when the audience is not conscious of a sound system being used.

Battery Operation (MPB-4500)

Caring for the built-in batteries
It is very important that you fully charge the batteries in your system before first use, and as soon as possible after each and every useeven if operated only briefly. IMPORTANT: Do not store system with a partially or fully discharged batteries, as this will reduce battery service life.
BATTERY
Flashing = low battery.

Basic principles of sound system set up:

Position your sound system in front of the audience and ahead of the microphone. This is especially important when a person is addressing the audience.
Sound System

When the Battery LED flashes or wont light:

The automatic protection circuit turns the unit off when the batteries approach their critical discharge point to prevent damage. When the Battery LED begins flashing, this indicates the batteries are low and the unit will shut off in 15 -30 minutes.

Charging the batteries

Your system has a built-in automatic charger designed to properly charge and maintain the batteriesthere is one thing you need to do, however: Plug the power cord into an outlet! But lets go through it step by step, just to make sure. 1. Turn the systems power switch off. 2. Plug the cord into an AC outlet (the Charger LED will light, indicating the batteries are being charged). When the batteries are fully charged (about 6-8 hours), the Charger LED will flash. Thats all there is to it! IMPORTANT: Always store your system with the batteries in a fully charged condition. During extended periods of storage, leave the system plugged into an outlet. If this is not possible, charge the system at least once each month for a minimum of 24 hours.

Elevate the sound system so the sound projects over the front listeners. This permits sound to reach the listeners in the rear without overpowering those in front. The Liberty is easily and safely elevated above the audience by using Anchors SS-450 speaker stand. For long, narrow seating arrangements, position your powered sound system in front and off to one side of the listeners. Then position an unpowered companion speaker mid-way back on the same side of the audience. Direct the speakers diagonally across the audience.
Companion Speaker Sound System

CHARGER
Plug cord into AC outlet. Light On = charging. Flashing = fully charged.

To squeeze a little more time out of a fullycharged unit, plug the AC power cord into an outlet while youre using the system.

Expected service time from the batteries

Battery service time will vary depending on the volume level, type of program usage and if a companion speaker is used with the system. You can expect about 6-8 hours of operation at medium volume, 2-4 hours at full volume of continuous music input (usually longer for speech applications). Service times are doubled on the MPB-4500H (heavy duty batteries).

There may be times when the crowd size requires more than one Liberty sound system, or when the overflow crowd is in a separate listening area. To use multiple powered systems, connect a shielded cable between the Line Out of the primary Liberty

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Operation
Mode (music/project) Switch
To control feedback, try attenuating the respective tone control
PROJECT

Set-Up
system to the Auxiliary Input of the secondary system (known as daisy chain operation). Set the volume of the second system, and thereafter the volume of the primary Liberty will control both units. For even more coverage, an unpowered companion speaker can be driven by each powered Liberty system.
LIBERTY Companion Speaker

Use the mode switch to tailor the sound output of the Liberty for your particular application:

MODE

MUSIC

Using the music mode:

Liberty provides flat, full-range frequency response for music/singing or indoor vocal applications.

Using the project mode:

Frequencies in the vocal range (800Hz-12KHz) are boosted for added clarity and efficient projection. Use for outdoor functions, large crowds and speech applications.
When using the MP-4501 speaker with a powered Liberty, verify that the mode switch of both units are set the same.
Powered Liberty Daisy Chained to the performers Liberty Sound System.

12 Volt DC Output
The DC output jack is used to power auxiliary equipment such as an outboard wireless receiver or Anchors Mini-Mix. It is rated output is 12 volts DC, 300 ma maximum (output available at jack may be lower depending on options installed).
+12 VDC

12 VDC OUT
(300 milliamp)

Setting up difficult rooms

Reverberant roomsthose with acoustically-reflective surfaces like glass or concrete (such as a gymnasium), can be troublesome when using a sound system. Proper care must be used during setup to minimize feedback, which is caused by the microphone hearing the sound reflected back from the walls, floors and ceilings.

Using the cassette tape player

The cassette player features auto reverse for continuous playback. The audio signal is fed directly into the mixing bus so the sound can be mixed with other inputs of the Liberty.
To change tracks (sides), push button half-way in. To eject tape, push button fully in.

Techniques to reduce feedback in difficult rooms:

A lapel mic will perform poorly under these conditions and should not be considered.

TAPE VOLUME
EJECT

AUTO REVERSE CASSETTE

Note: Use only high-quality tapes, and periodically clean the tape head with a cleaning kit.

The best microphones to use in feedback-prone rooms are handheld, CollarMic or headset boom types. They allow the mic element to be close to the mouth so the system sees more of the users voice and less of the room. The gain control can be turned down while still maintaining adequate volumeanother important factor in reducing feedback. Orienting the speakers directly at the crowd and away from the walls (and the user, or course) will help reduce feedback. Experimentation may be necessary.

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Operation
Liberty Control Panel
Mic Volume Controls Auxiliary Input
(1/4" phone jack)

Operation
Mic 1 and Mic 2 Inputs
Tone Controls

Liberty is equipped with two balanced, low impedance XLR microphone inputs. Use with a balanced microphone to help prevent hum or interference when using long cables. They have phantom power for use with condenser-type microphones.
Mode Switch

Auxiliary Input
The auxiliary (line-level) input is used for playback of a tape or CD player, musical instrument, VCR or similar source. It may be combined with the mic inputs for a composite output. Note: All line-level connections must be made with shielded cable to avoid hum, buzzing or radio interference.

MIC 1

MIC 2

AUX

BASS
PROJECT

TREBLE

Mic Inputs (XLR)

MODE

Line Output
(1/4" phone jack)
MUSIC

AUX IN
(line level)

LINE OUT

AUX IN

Charger Indicator
(battery models only)
CHARGER

(line level)

MPB-4500

Plug cord into AC outlet. Light On = charging. Flashing = fully charged.

DC Output
12 VDC OUT
(300 milliamp)

Line Output
The output signal is a composite of all the inputs. Use it to record your presentation, or to daisy chain another powered sound system to the Liberty for greater crowd coverage.

AC Receptacle
BATTERY
Flashing = low battery.

LINE OUT

1 VAC, 50/60 Hz 15
(1 00 watts)

Power/Battery Indicator Power Switch Speaker Output

(unswitched)

External Speaker Outputs

Use the speaker outputs to drive an unpowered speaker for greater crowd coverage. There are two output jacks located in the lower right corner of the back panel:

FUSE

OFF

250 V/2A (slo-blo)

ON

POWER

Using the unswitched speaker output.

SPKR OUT

SPKR OUT

Speaker Output
(switched)

SPKR OUT
(switched)

Use the unswitched output to power a companion speaker in addition to the speakers in the Liberty (for broader sound coverage and distribution). Use a speaker rated at 8, such as Anchors MP-4501.

Operating the sound system

1. Set all input level controls to minimum and bass and treble to 12:00 position before turning the power on. 2. Plug a microphone into either Mic input jack or connect an audio source to the auxiliary input. 3. Turn power ON (red LED above switch will light). On battery models, if the LED flashes or does not light, the batteries must be charged (see page 11). 4. Adjust the level control adjacent to the input used to desired volume level. 5. Adjust the bass and treble controls for desired sound.
SPKR OUT
(switched)

Using the switched speaker output.

When a plug is inserted into the switched speaker output, the Libertys internal speakers are disconnected and all amplifier power is routed to the auxiliary speaker only. Two unpowered companion speakers can be chained to the switched speaker output.
NOTE: When using an auxiliary speaker with battery models, additional power is required to drive the companion speaker which will shorten battery service time.