BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURES DISTRESSOR ¾ Classic knee sound - With modern noise specs and improved performance. Really grabs. ¾ Programmable analog distortion/warmth - helpful in the pristine but unforgiving digital world. Three audio modes providing user programmable, warm harmonic distortion. Emphasized tubelike, 2nd harmonic in clean and Distort 2 mode. In Distort 3 mode, the distortion becomes dominated by 3rd harmonic, more similar to tape.
e is e he s go st e " it n e BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS Using the Distressor for the first time Hookup is straightforward. Either the XLR's or phone plugs can be used. In relation to the phone jack tips, pin 2 is wired "hot" on the XLR's. But if you're using the XLR's in and out, it doesn't matter which pin is hot, as long as you're cabling is in phase. If you use a single ended XLR output, leave unused pin floating! The ground pin (pin 1 on XLR) should, of course, always be connected.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS Example settings Generally, it is difficult to make the unit sound unnatural due to its vintage topology. The ratio and release times are the most critical settings. Again, around 5 on the release knob is a good starting spot. The attack is variable from 50uS to 30mS. The release is variable from 50mS to 3 seconds. For percussive material, if you need to add attack, add attack. That is, slow the attack by turning the knob clockwise towards 10.
s d ly m l s nt d BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS The Ratios and their Curves Each "ratio mode" of the Distressor sets both the threshold and the ratio, in the standard sense of the word. This was done to provide an easy to set, yet versatile group of curves. The 1:1 mode provides no compression, but allows the audio to pass through the "warming" circuits of the unit (we'll get to the distortion modes in a moment). Ratio's 2 through 6 are general purpose curves great for tracking.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS The Audio Modes To switch between the "Audio" modes, press the button labeled Audio. The LED's above the switch will cycle through 6 states. In order of occurrence: 1) Norm - (No LED's lit) Low distortion and full frequency range. 2) HP - High-pass (Green LED) Smoothly cuts low "mud" audio frequencies. 3) Dist 2 - (Yellow LED) Emphasized 2nd harmonic distortion. 4) Dist 2 & HP - Combination of 2 and 3 above. 5) Dist 3 - (Red LED) 3rd harmonic emphasized.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS The Detector Modes The detector is the part of the compressor circuit (or software) that figures out how much and how fast to turn down a signal. The actual audio you finally hear is not passed through this circuitry, only adjusted by it. In fact, you can put entirely different audio into the Stereo Link input that will affect the main audio coming out, but not be heard itself. See block diagram below and stereo hookup in this manual.
26 26 Notes: 20 20 20 1:1 23 1:1 23 1:1 23 2:1 17 2:1 17 2:1 17 8 7 6 6:1 10 9 RATIO 4:1 8 BY 7 Opto 10:1 6:1 10 9 RATIO 4:1 8 BY 7 Opto 10:1 6:1 RATIO 4:1 BY Opto 10:1 PASS 4 5 4 4 20:1 NUKE 5 20:1 NUKE 6 PASS 5 20:1 NUKE 6 PASS GAIN REDUCTION 12 3:1 14 9 GAIN REDUCTION 12 3:1 14 10 GAIN REDUCTION 12 3:1 14 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 RATIO 1% THD REDLINE 2 RATIO 1% THD REDLINE 2 RATIO 1% THD REDLINE Link HP Link HP Link HP
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS Basic Wiring Wiring is straightforward. Connect AC line cord to 3 prong jack, plug in XLR or phone plug ins and outs, and you're wired. Both input jacks are differential but at the output, only the XLR is differential (balanced). The output phone jack tip is wired to pin 2 of the XLR out, and therefore is in phase with that pin. The only possible problem is if you attach one of the XLR output pins 2 or 3 to ground.
l l al n BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS Troubleshooting * No sign of life - Check power cord for firm connection. If still no life open top cover by removing all top screws and check fuse toward rear next to transformer. If it is blown, pry it out and replace it with extra fuse provided in fuse holder toward front of chassis. If fuse is OK, make sure your Voltage select switch is set to current wall outlet voltage (115, 230 VAC). * Unit keeps blowing fuses - Probably has short or power supply problem.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS Fuses, Operating Voltage & Non-Volatile Memory Caution: Always unplug unit before removing cover! Fuse In the case of a blown fuse, pull out the power plug from the AC outlet, open unit, and ensure fuse closest to rear of the Distressor is blown. Note: The fuse closer to the front panel is a spare fuse and is not connected to anything. A small screw driver may be helpful.
l r k t n BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS The Distressor "British Mode" Option Another Upgrade & Option for your Distressor! Basic Description -The original concept of the "British Mode" came from an unusual setting on the classic UREI 1176LN limiter. The unit was designed to have only four ratios, each ratio being engaged by selecting one of four buttons.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS Stereo Image Linking for the Distressor Basic Description - The original Distressor stereo link implementation used a summing and phase detection method which allowed stereo image shifting. "Image shifting" occurs when the interchannel balance (the relative volume between Left and Right channels) changes during compression.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS Customer Comments Comments About the DISTRESSOR "Every once in a while a product comes along with ‘classic’ written all over it. And in a certain sense of the word, this product actually is a classic already." Mix Magazine “Dear Empirical, I’m an LA based producer and an owner of a Distressor. The unit is really awesome! I've used it on guitars, bass, room mics, vocals it works great on everything.
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