User manual ART TUBE CHANNEL

[. . . ] TUBE CHANNEL USER'S MANUAL FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 OVERVIEW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 DESIGN NOTES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 SETTING UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ] Once the levels are the same (use your ears and the VU Output Level meter), you've reached the unity setting for the compressor. Compressor Threshold and Output Controls The compressor's Threshold and Output controls are ganged together on a dual concentric pot. The outer control is the Threshold level and the inner control is the Output level. Compressor Threshold Control (outer control) The Threshold control sets the point at which the compressor circuit will act on the input signal. Turning this control counterclockwise lowers the threshold (adding more compression to a signal). Setting the Threshold control is dependent on the Preamp Output control (or the output of the device plugged into the compressor return insert point). The easiest way to set the threshold control is to start with the control fully clockwise. After setting the Preamp Output control, slowly turn the Threshold control counter-clockwise (lowering threshold) until you see the yellow (0dB) Threshold LED light in the gain reduction display. Now adjust the control (either lower or higher) until you have the amount of compression you desire. Use the Gain Reduction meter as a visual guide to the amount of compression applied. Compressor Output Level Control (inner Control) The Compressor Output level control sets the output level from the compressor circuit. Typically, the output level of a compressor is used to add gain to compensate for the amount of compression applied to a signal. The output level is set to achieve unity gain (no change in level when compressor is active or bypassed). See Compressor Bypass Switch for more details on achieving unity gain. 10 When the control is fully counter-clockwise, the output is attenuated by ­20dB. Turning the control clockwise increases the level to a maximum of +20dB of gain. While you can use the compressor to add gain to a signal, it is better to add gain before the compressor for the best signal to noise ratio. If you want to use the compressor to add more gain, refer to the output level VU meter, or the meter on your recorder or mixer to make sure you won't clip the next piece of equipment in the chain. Clip Indicator The Clip LED is located in the equalizer circuit. It will illuminate 6dB before the headroom of the circuit is exceeded. When this Clip indicator lights, the level into the equalizer is too high. Turn down either the Preamp Output control, the Compressor Output control or the output level of the device plugged into the compressor return insert point. Equalizer Circuit The equalizer circuit in the Tube Channel is a tube--based, semiparametric, four-band equalizer. The "Q" (or bandwidth) of each of the filters is purposely wide to provide a very musical sound. Low Frequency Control The Low Frequency control adjusts a shelving filter with a selectable corner frequency of either 40Hz or 120Hz. The low shelving filter affects all frequencies below the corner frequency when applying boost or cut. 40Hz is great for enhancing sub-low frequencies such as those in bass guitars and kick drums. Cutting 40Hz can also help to "clean up" mixes that sound muddy or "loose" in the low end. Boosting 120Hz can add "weight" or "beef" to a week vocal and cutting it can "thin out" a signal that takes up too much room in the low end. Low Shift Switch The Low Shift switch selects the corner frequency of the Low Frequency control. [. . . ] Once again, "if it sounds good, print it!" Trust your ears -- nevermind where the knobs are pointing. Tube Replacement The Tubes in your Tube Channel should last for many years. In the event that you need to replace them, A R T suggests that you do so with tubes available from A R T. These are matched to the Tube Channel and will yield consistent sonic results. You can replace the tubes with other brands, however A R T has no responsibility for the resulting sound quality. [. . . ]