HA BRITSTIP QUICK START GUIDE This is a quick start guide on using the HA BRITSTRIP. For more info on it or more tips on how to use the unit, please check www.heritageaudio.net often, and make sure to follow Heritage Audio on Facebook, Instagram and You Tube. Dec 14th, 2020 Rev. 1.0. INSTALLING THE BRITSTRIP Thanks for purchasing the HA BRITSTRIP Channel Strip. Please make sure the following items are in the box when you open it.
• • • • This manual. HA BRITSTRIP main unit. Power Supply labelled HA-PSU03. IEC Cable. Depending on your system requirements, you will need several XLR and MONO jack cables to hook up your system. Please check your input sources and output destinations and purchase the correct cables. The power supply is of the auto switching type so it works worldwide without adjusting anything.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Heritage Audio BRITSTRIP is a professional channel strip comprising a 73 preamplifier, DI, equalizer and diode bridge-based dynamics processor in a convenient 1 RU format. It features transformer balanced inputs and outputs, and the outputs are driven by means of 73 type Class A amplifiers. The signal path consists of: - Preamplifier, being it the mic, line or instrument preamp. Equalizer. Compressor. Output stage. The DI input is ahead of the mic preamp.
Gain goes from 30 to 80 dB of gain in the white dotted dial of the double bar red knob. When in LINE mode, gain is in the orange dial of the same, from 10dB with unity gain at 3 o´clock. When in DI mode, there are provisions for using an external amplifier by means of the THRU jack, and its ground can be lifted by means of the LIFT switch to avoid ground loops. The level on the red knob must be set accordingly with the next stage in the chain.
THE SUCCESSOR-LIKE COMPRESSOR: Unlike vintage diode bridge designs, the Successor-like compressor in the BRITSTRIP has a range of release times that goes from ultra-fast, FET like values, to very slow, VCA like gentle timings, making this unit arguably one of the most versatile tracking compressor up to date. To make things even more versatile, a complex sidechain filter has been implemented, departing for the traditional high pass one.
CONNECTION FEATURES The HA BRITSTRIP has the following connections: • • • • • • • MIC INPUT: Transformer balanced, accessible on an XLR connector. LINE INPUT: Again, transformer balanced on XLR. OUPUT: Transformer balanced, 73 type class A amp driven, accessible on an XLR connector. SIDECHAIN SEND: Unbalanced at unity gain, able to drive up to 2Kohms. Allows to externally process the control signal.
GETTING STARTED WITH THE UNIT Please keep in mind that this manual is a brief guide of operation and is not intended to substitute a good old sound engineering course. With this being said, once you have made the right connections for your application, please POWER ON your unit and turn off DYN and EQL buttons to make sure the equalizer and compressor are not activated. Audio should pass unprocessed.
AN APPROACH TO USING THE BRITSTRIP Using the HA BRITSTRIP in the manner explained above will give you instant gratification, however the unit is way more powerful. Playing around with ATTACK and RELEASE will change the sound A LOT. Very fast attack and releases will eat up transients and may make your sounds less punchy but more detailed at the same time. BLEND Control can help you restore punchiness to your sounds.
The same applies on the Lo shelf, peak settings will enhance your low end without sounding muddy while the shelf setting may be too much when doing large boosts. Again, the best way is experimenting!! LIST OF CONTROLS The list of controls, from left to right, is as follows: - LIFT: Lifts the ground from the THRU input. LINE: Swaps the unit into LINE mode. +48v: Activates Phantom power. PAD: Lowers the input gain by 20dB in MIC mode. LOZ: Switches the input impedance from 1200 to 300 ohm in MIC mode.
- - - - - HIGH PASS FILTER: Sets the -3dB filter frequency. OUTPUT: Attenuates the EQ output signal. EQL: Activates the EQ section. PHASE: Turns the signal 180 degrees. SC. EXT: Takes the AC control signal from the Sidechain In connector. LINK: Sends the DC control signal to the RCA connector. DYN IN: Activates the Dynamics section. DYN PRE EQ: Places the dynamics section ahead of the equalizer. GAIN MAKEUP: Allows for restoring the gain loss up to 20dB. RATIO: From a very gentle 1.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS • • • • • • • • • Maximum input level: Over +22 dBu Maximum output level: Over +25.5 dBu into 600 ohms. MIC Input EIN: -125 dBu @ 60dB. Mic Input impedance: 300 or 1200 ohm selectable. DI Input impedance: Greater than 2 Megaohms. THD+N (50Hz- 20Khz): DYNAMIC IN not engaged, less than 0.07% at +20dBu. Frequency response: +- 0.5dB, 15Hz- 30Khz. Line Input impedance: 10Kohms, transformer balanced and floating.
LIMITED 2 YEAR WARRANTY Heritage Audio HA BRITSTRIP is warranted by Heritage Audio SL to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for the period of 2 years to the original purchaser. In the event of such defects, the product will be repaired without charge or, at our option, replaced with a new one if delivered to Heritage Audio prepaid, together with a copy of the sales slip or other proof of purchase date.
