Empath Mixer

Fader Response

The curves below represent the upper and lower limits for gain response vs fader position. Contour controls allow smooth and continuous adjustment between a slow fade and a fast cut.

Empath Mixer

Empath Mixers

The Empath mixer combines the vision of Grandmaster Flash and Rane technology. Compact size, exceptional performance and advanced features set the Empath mixer apart. The Empath is the most able 3-channel, 10" format mixer available. The name implies understanding, awareness and sensitivity to the needs of DJs.The top plate is durable Lexan™, available in 4 versions:

• Rotary Empath
• Original Blue
• Black on Black
• Grandmaster Flash Gold Signature Edition

All four versions have the same operating features. The Empath meets the requirements of all DJ genres: trance · downtempo · techno · breakbeat · hip-hop · scratch · house · drum & bass · live music · freestyle · reggae · hardcore · chill...

Features Important to DJs

• Universal internal power supply. When traveling, finding power supply adapters is difficult. The Empath accepts 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz power, for use anywhere in the world without adapters.
• Auto-Gain prevents performance-wrecking swings in program level when changing sources. The music is never too soft or clipped.
• FlexFX™ is a post-fader external stereo effects loop with individual Dry/Wet pan controls for Inputs 1, 2, 3 and the Mic.
• Penny & Giles™ faders are simply the best money can buy. Smooth, accurate and reliable mixing by employing the most respected name in audio faders.
• Two kinds of fader caps are provided for different preferences: soft rubber caps for smooth mixing, and hard plastic caps for fast mixing.
• Flash-Cue allows rapidly selecting Crossfader A-Cue-sum or Crossfader B-Cue-sum with one switch, more complicated on other mixers.
• Multiple Outputs. Nothing is more frustrating than arriving at a club with the wrong cables. Systems may have XLR, TRS or RCA connectors. The Empath provides all 3.
• Low and High headphone tone controls make your headphones sound better.
• Both ¼" and 3.5mm headphone jacks are simultaneously usable. More headphones are compatible with the Empath.
• Two assignable CD triggers work with any CD player with fader start ability.
• Accelerated-Slope™, full-cut, 3-band tone controls are the most flexible and highest quality available.
• Crossfader assign switches allow any Input Channel to be mixed on the A-side, B-side or Post Crossfader.
• Level meters view Stereo Cue, Stereo Master Mix, Split Cue or Main Output signals.

Empath Mixer

Auto-Gain looks at the input signal level (black line) and compares it to the ideal or “Target” level (0 dB). With Auto-Gain on, the gain is increased when it’s above -16 dB, and decreased when it goes over the 0 dB Target (red line). A 3 dB increase or decrease in input level results in 1 dB increase/decrease in output level. It turns the gain down at a rate of 32 dB per second, and turns the gain up at a rate of 5.33 dB per second. Once Auto-Gain is active and falls below -16 dB, it is held indefinitely (blue line).

The Level is monitored at the Cue point, after the Gain trim and after EQ, but before the channel fader. The Input 1-2-3 Auto-Gain switch affects all three channels or none.

To monitor Auto-Gain with the Cue meter system:

• Set A-CUE-B switch to CUE position.
• Select the desired Cue source.
• Set SPLIT CUE switch to “IN” position.
• Set CUE/MASTER Pan to center position.
• Set meter CUE/MAIN source switch “IN” to CUE.
• The level before Auto-Gain is shown on the left meter.
• The level after Auto-Gain is shown on the right meter.

Set the Input Gain trim so normal input levels result in 0 dB on the meter with or without Auto-Gain engaged.

CASE 2 Road Case This Pelican™ case is designed to accomodate any of Rane's performance mixers, including the Empath. There's added space beneath the mixer for headphones, cables, phono cartriges and other small items. The case measures 7.5" x 15.75" x 19.75" (19 x 40 x 50 cm). The empty weight is 9 pounds (4 kg). US customers may purchase the case from your dealer or at the Rane Online Store. Customers in other countries please contact your distributor. ™Pelican Products, Inc.

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UDG Creator Backpack Rane, Serato and UDG have combined forces to produce the Creator backpack. The Creator is the ultimate backpack for the touring DJ, with space for all your needs: Laptop SL 1 Interface Empath mixer Vinyl (up to 25 pieces) Headphones Needle case Cables Order from Ultimate-DJ-Gear.com

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MFC 1 Mixer Foam Cover

This dense foam cover is an inexpensive protection for all the knobs and sliders on your precious mixer. The cover installs easily with two velcro straps. Now you can put your Empath in a suitcase or backpack without fear of damaging the controls on the way to your show. The cover measures a thin 1" x 10.5" x 13.5" (2.6 x 26.7 x 34.3 cm). The cover weight is only 5.2 ounces (148 grams). Shipping weight is 1 pound (400 grams) and the box is 2.5" x 15.25" x 15.25" (76 x 465 x 465 cm).

USA customers may purchase from the Rane Factory Store.

Customers in other countries may purchase through their distributor.

Empath Mixer

User Comments

• Rane makes unmatched quality products. This is my 6th piece of Rane equipment, it's excellent. - John, MD
• Best fader on the market! - Robert, NY
• Love the company and the products. Will only use Rane mixers. - Mark, MD
• I've waited a long time for a Rane quality mixer, now that I have it, the possibilities seem endless. - Gabe, WA
• Best fader on the market! - Robert, NY
• Very rugged, great sound quality, and excellent EQs and sliders. - Late Night Production, CA
• Awesome mixer - nothing else like it on the market. - Steven, MA
• Very good sounding. Clean and sharp. - Justin, CA
• This truly is a great mixer. I've had a few before this and played with a couple more, and none of the others even comes close. - Justin, TX
• Flawless!! - Edwin, OR
• You guys make great gear and I stand by your products. Keep up the quality and I will be happy! - Gregory, CA
• The adjustable crossfaders are especially crisp. the best I've come across. - Johnathan, TN

Reviews

• BPM Magazine Review
• Remix Magazine Best of 2002 Awards
• Empath Review from Remix, March 2003 (400k)
• Empath Review from DJ Times, November 2003 (450k)
• Empath Review from Sono Magazine, France, November 2003 (1.5M)

Empath Specifications

Parameter	Specification	Conditions/Comments
Phono Inputs:	3 stereo unbalanced	RCA jacks
..........Response	RIAA	±1 dB
..........Input Impedance	47.5 kΩ, 200 pF	1 kHz
..........Gain	36 dB	1 kHz
Line Inputs:	3 stereo unbalanced	RCA jacks
.........Input Impedance	3.4 kΩ minimum	1 kHz
.........Gain	-12 to +12 dB	1 kHz
.........Tone controls, 3-band	Accelerated-Slope™	Full cut, see graph
Auxiliary Input:	1 stereo unbalanced	RCA jacks
.........Input Impedance	10 kΩ	1 kHz
.........Gain	Off to +10 dB	1 kHz
FlexFx Return:	Stereo unbalanced	¼" TRS jacks
.........Input Impedance	10 kΩ	1 kHz
.........Gain	Off to +6 dB	1 kHz
Mic Input:	Active balanced	¼" TRS jack
.........Input Impedance	1022 Ω	511 Ω each leg to ground
.........Gain	Off to +50 dB	1 kHz
.........Freq. Response	20 to 20 kHz	+0, -3 dB, Max gain
.........CMRR	>40 dB	1 kHz, Max gain
.........S/N	76 dB, Re +4 dBu	20-20k, gain 50 dB
.........Tone Control	2-band, ±12 dB	See graph
Main & Booth Output:	Stereo balanced	XLR jacks, ¼" TRS jacks
.........Maximum Output	+24 dBu
.........Output Impedance	100 Ω balanced each leg
.........Gain	Off to +6 dB
.........Freq. Response	20 Hz to 30 kHz	+0, -3 dB
.........THD+N	0.05%	Re +4 dBu, 20 kHz BW
.........S/N	88 dB at unity gain	Re +4 dBu, 20 kHz BW
Aux Output:	Stereo unbalanced	RCA jacks
.........Maximum Output	+20 dBu
.........Output Impedance	300 Ω	1 kHz
.........Gain	Off to 0 dB
FlexFX Send:	Stereo unbalanced	¼" TRS jack
.........Output Impedance	300 Ω	1 kHz
.........Gain	Off to +6 dB
Headphones:	Stereo	3.5mm and ¼" TRS jacks
.........Power output	150 mW	150 Ω load
1-2-3 Auto-Gain	Automatic gain, inputs 1-3	max adjust range ±12 dB
.........Target	0 dBu (775 mV)	no gain change
.........Threshold	–16 dBu (123 mV) AGC actions starts, Gain holds indefinitely below threshold
.........Ratio	3:1	Input : output change
.........Gain Increase	5.33 dB/second	see graph
.........Gain Decrease	32 dB/second	see graph
Power Requirement	100-240 VAC, ±10%	50/60 Hz, 20 watts
Ambient Temperature	50º C (122º F) maximum
Agency Listing: UL	UL6500	E193164
..........cUL (Canada)	CAN/CSAE60065-00
..........CE	LVD 73/23/EEC EN60065
EMI: CE EMC	Directive 89/336/EEC
.........FCC Part 15J	Certified Class B Device
Construction	All Steel
Unit: Size	13.3"H x 10"W x 3"D	(33.8 x 25.4 x 7.7 cm)
..........Weight:	9 lb	(4.1 kg)
Shipping: Size	7.75"H x 12.75"W x 19.25"D	(19.7 cm x 32.5 cm x 49 cm)
..........Weight:	12 lb	(5.5 kg)

Empath Mixers

• Empath Data Sheet (1.8M)
• Rotary Empath Cut Sheet (900k)
• Empath Signature Edition Cut Sheet (500k)
• Road Case Cut Sheet (300k)
• Empath Manual [fader versions] (600k)
• Rotary Empath Manual (1.1M)
• Empath Advertisement (2.2M)
• Empath Schematic (400k)

• Rane recommends CaiLube MCL fader cleaner and lubricant available from CAIG Laboratories

JPGs

• JPG: Blue Empath photo, 300 ppi (500k)
• JPG: Black Empath photo, 300 ppi (400k)
• JPG: Rotary Empath photo, 300 ppi (400k)
• JPG: Gold Empath photo, 300 ppi (800k)
• JPG: Rotary Empath graphic, 300 ppi (300k)
• JPG: Blue Empath graphic, 300 ppi (300k)
• JPG: Black Empath graphic, 300 ppi (300k)
• JPG: Gold Empath graphic, 300 ppi (300k)
• JPG: Empath front panel graphic, 300 ppi (100k)
• JPG: Empath rear panel graphic, 300 ppi (100k)
• JPG: Grandmaster Flash at the Rane factory (200k)

• Rane logos and use policy

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• MP 2S Compact Mixer with two buses, fits in one rack space.
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• MP 44 Rack Mixer with four buses, for club installations.
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• Discontinued Rane mixer manuals are found here.