User manual TL AUDIO 5060

[. . . ] TLAudio user manual ® Ivory 2 Series 5060 PRESET VALVE COMPRESSOR TL Audio Ltd, Letchworth, Herts, SG6 1AN, UK email: info@tlaudio. co. uk web: http://www. tlaudio. co. uk CONTENTS 1. 4. 1 4. 2 4. 3 4. 4 4. 5 4. 6 4. 7 4. 8 4. 9 4. 10 4. 11 4. 12 4. 13 4. 14 4. 15 4. 16 4. 17 4. 18 4. 19 4. 20 4. 21 5. Mains Supply Microphone Input Line Inputs Instrument Inputs Balanced Line Outputs Unbalanced Line Outputs Nominal Operating Level Ventilation OPERATION What is Compression?Overview of Compressor Operation Input Source Selection Mic Gain Input Gain 90Hz Low Cut Filter Drive & Peak LEDs Program Control Table 1: Presets Threshold Ratio Attack and Release Gain Make Up Knee Comp On Output Gain Meter Meter `+10dB' Fat EQ DO-2 Digital Output Card GETTING STARTED Connections In Use Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) SERVICE SPECIFICATIONS FIG 1: BLOCK DIAGRAM 1. INTRODUCTION Congratulations on purchasing the Ivory 5060 Preset Valve Compressor by TL Audio! [. . . ] The Threshold control is only active when the Program control is set to Manual mode. In all of the Preset modes it is disabled and the Threshold value is fixed internally. 10 Figure 4 PRESETS 1. Slam Mix CONTROLS Input Gain Output Gain Gain MakeUp Threshold* Ratio* Knee* Soft Soft Hard Hard Soft Soft Soft Soft Hard Hard Soft Soft Soft Hard Hard Attack* Fast Fast Fast Fast Slow Slow Fast Fast Fast Slow Fast Fast Fast Fast Fast Release* Fast Slow Slow Fast Slow Slow Fast Fast Fast Slow Fast Fast Slow Slow Slow * The settings shown for these controls are fixed internally for each preset and are non-adjustable (except in manual mode). The Input Gain and Output Gain are user adjustable at all times, the Gain Make-up is user adjustable when the compressor is active. 4. 12 Ratio. Once the input signal has crossed the threshold, the degree of gain reduction is determined by the Ratio control. The Ratio control is calibrated in dBs and is simply the change in output level that results from a given change in input level. An uncompressed signal will have a 1:1 compression ratio - every 1dB change in input level results in the same 1dB change in output level. A compression ratio of 1:3, for instance, means that a 3dB change in input level will only give a 1dB change in output level. The 5060 offers a wide range of ratios from 1:1. 5 (gentle compression) through to 1:30 (limiting). Limiting effectively clamps the input signal at the threshold level no matter how much the signal is increased: this can be useful when trying to ensure that the signal doesn't exceed a certain level - for instance to prevent a digital recorder distorting through overload. The Ratio control is only active when the Program control is set to Manual mode. In all of the Preset modes it is disabled and the Ratio value is fixed internally. 4. 13 Attack and Release. The Attack time of the 5060 is switchable between 0. 5mS (`Fast') and 5mS (`Slow'). At 0. 5mS attack, the compressor is fast enough to compress a 1kHz signal in less than half a cycle, effectively preventing the overload of any following equipment which has limited headroom, such as a digital processor, tape machine or transmitter. Fast attack times are used to compress a signal quickly, so are suitable for audio signals with sharper transients such as drums. However, if you want the initial leading edge of the signal retained (for instance the initial click of a bass guitar or bass drum) then a slower attack time can be employed, and slow attack times can also be useful on sustained sounds like synth pads. The Release time of the 5060 is switchable between 0. 2S (`Fast') and 1. 5S (`Slow'). The Release setting is important because if it is too short, the compressor gain recovers too quickly with the result that there is an audible `pumping', `breathing', and sometimes low frequency distortion. Adjustment of the attack and release times allows unobtrusive compression to be applied to virtually any audio signal, but should very short transients occur the time constants become signal dependent, generally reduced, to prevent a slow release leaving a `hole' in the signal after the transient. Also, a fast release setting will be extended by a slow attack setting. This type of automatic control means that the flexibility of the 5060 is greatly extended without the extra complication of fully variable attack and release controls. The Attack and Release controls are only active when the Program control is set to Manual mode. In all of the Preset modes they are disabled and the Attack and Release values are fixed internally. [. . . ] To operate in mono mode, simply run your mono signal through the left channel input/output (either the line input, or the instrument input if applicable). Q: A: The Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release and Knee controls aren't working. This is because the Program control is not set to Manual mode, and these parameters are all fixed within the 5060. Q: A: Why is it I occasionally get some LF distortion on certain settings? This happens when a Fast Release time is selected on certain bass-heavy sources. The compressor is then forced in and out of gain reduction within an individual cycle, and thus distortion is caused on the lower frequencies. Selecting a slow attack/release time will cure the problem. Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Can I use the preset settings on instruments other than those recommended? Absolutely. If it sounds good, use it! The Gain Make-Up control isn't working. This control is only active when the `Compressor On' switch is engaged. The 5060 is a stereo unit but there is only one valve in it. [. . . ]