User manual TL AUDIO 5001 MK-2

[. . . ] TLAudio user manual ® Ivory 2 Series 5001 QUAD VALVE PREAMP TL Audio Ltd, Letchworth, Herts, SG6 1AN, UK email: info@tlaudio. co. uk web: http://www. tlaudio. co. uk CONTENTS 1 2 3 3. 1 3. 2 3. 3 3. 4 3. 5 3. 6 3. 7 3. 8 INTRODUCTION PRECAUTIONS INSTALLATION AC Mains Supply Audio Operating Level Microphone Inputs Instrument Inputs Balanced Outputs Unbalanced Outputs Ventilation Rear Panel 4 4. 1 4. 2 4. 3 4. 4 4. 5 4. 6 4. 7 4. 8 4. 9 4. 10 4. 11 OPERATION Front Panel Microphone Inputs 30dB Pad Phantom Power Input Gain Drive and Peak LEDs 90Hz Filter Phase Reverse Instrument Input Output Level Optional DO-4 Digital Output Card 5 6 7 GETTING STARTED SPECIFICATIONS SERVICE 1. INTRODUCTION Congratulations on purchasing the Ivory 5001 Quad Valve Preamp by TL Audio!The T L Audio Ivory 2 Series consists of a range of hybrid valve signal processors, which utilise low noise solid state electronics in conjunction with classic valve circuitry to produce audio processing units offering very high quality signal paths with the unique valve audio character. The Ivory 2 Series units offer comprehensive control facilities, whilst remaining straightforward to operate, and represent excellent value for money. The 5001 Quad Valve Preamp is a four channel discrete valve microphone preamplifier that also offers an instrument DI input on each channel. [. . . ] The rear panel connectors are identified in Fig. 3. Make sure that all settings, mains and audio connections have been made as described above before attempting to operate the equipment. 4. 4. 1 OPERATION Front Panel. The front panel controls are identified in Fig. 2. When connecting instruments or microphones, always have the output gain set to the minimum position i. e. fully anticlockwise, to avoid sudden "thumps" that could potentially damage speakers. 4. 2 Microphone Inputs. The 4 XLR mic inputs are at the rear of the 5001. Virtually any low impedance professional microphone can be used. Condenser microphones will require the 48V phantom power to be engaged for correct operation, but before using Dynamic and Ribbon microphones ensure that the phantom power is switched off. 4. 3 30dB Pad Switch. Occasionally - when using sensitive condenser microphones - the source signal may be too loud for the input preamp. In this situation, to avoid any overloading or distortion of the mic preamp stage, the 30dB pad can be used to reduce the input gain to a more manageable level. The 30dB pad only applies to the microphone input. 4. 4 Phantom Power. Phantom power may be applied to the microphone socket by depressing the +48V switch. Do not attempt to connect any microphone that does not require phantom power, or any other equipment such as a DI box, to an input socket that has phantom power switched on, as damage may result. CAUTION: Never switch phantom power on or off, or plug / unplug a microphone with phantom power applied unless the output level control is turned down. Failure to do so may result in a thump in your monitor loudspeakers or PA system. 4. 5 Input Gain. The gain of the mic preamp stage is variable from +16 to +60dB. This is a very wide range, to cater for all types of microphone and recording situations, but care must be taken not to apply large, sudden changes in gain which may result in unexpectedly large output signals. It is quite normal to have to apply larger amounts of gain for less sensitive microphones, such as dynamic types, and similarly apply much less input gain for high output condenser mics: some of which may even need the 30dB pad activated when recording very loud sources. 4. 6 Drive and Peak LEDs. The yellow Drive LED provides a visual indication of the signal level through the valve stages, and therefore the extent of "warming" or valve character being introduced. The drive LED will gradually illuminate as the input level or gain is increased, over the range 0dB to +12dB: this should be accompanied by a `thickening' and `warming' of the audio signal, as more harmonic distortion is introduced. The red signal LEDs operate as a visual indication of output level, and are calibrated at +8dB, +12dB, +16dB and +20dB respectively, making them suitable for monitoring high level output signals such as those required to drive a digital recorder or soundcard. It is possible to cause the red LEDs to illuminate even if the Drive LED is not lit. This situation can occur if the input gain is relatively low but the output gain is relatively high. 4. 7 90Hz Filter. The high pass filter switch restricts the low frequency response of the preamp, to effectively remove rumble or LF noise from the signal. [. . . ] The pad is only normally used on very loud sources where even minimum gain settings will drive the 5001 preamp into distortion. The phase reverse switch should have no real effect unless you are using multiple mics through the 5001 and some phase cancellation is occurring. Try backing off the input gain and then steadily bringing its level up so that the Drive LED glows brighter - you should notice an audible change in sound character as the valve stage is driven harder. This variation in tone is one of the great strengths of the 5001 - you have the option of running it very clean, or nice and warm as you increase the valve drive. 6. SPECIFICATIONS +16dB to +60dB (-14dB to +30dB with pad). [. . . ]