® TLAudio user manual Ivory 2 Series 5050 MONO VALVE PREAMP & COMPRESSOR TL Audio Ltd, Letchworth, Herts, SG6 1AN, UK email: info@tlaudio.co.uk web: http://www.tlaudio.co.
CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 2 PRECAUTIONS 3 INSTALLATION 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 A.C. Mains Supply Audio Operating Level Microphone Input Line Input Instrument Input Output Mounting Rear Panel 4 OPERATION 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.
7 SERVICE 1. INTRODUCTION Congratulations on purchasing the Ivory 5050 Mono Preamp & Compressor by TL Audio! The 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 output is via a balanced jack socket at a nominal level of +4dBu. Metering of the output is by an 8 segment LED bargraph. Please read this manual fully before installing or operating the 5050.
2. PRECAUTIONS The T L Audio 5050 requires very little installation, but like all electrical equipment, care must be taken to ensure reliable, safe operation.
3. INSTALLATION 3.1 AC Mains Supply. The unit is fitted with an internationally approved 3 pin IEC connector. A mating socket with power cord is provided with the unit, wired as follows: Brown: Live. Blue: Neutral. Green/Yellow: Earth (Ground). All mains wiring should be performed by a qualified electrician with all power switched off, and the earth connection must be used. Before connecting the unit to the supply, check that the 5050 is set for the correct mains voltage.
- Pin 3 = Signal Non-Phase (“-” or “cold”). Unbalanced inputs: - Pin 1 = Ground (screen) - Pin 2 = Signal Phase (“+” or “hot”). - Pin 3 = Signal Ground. 3.4 Line Input. The line level input is via a TRS jack socket, suitable for balanced or unbalanced line sources at a nominal level of -10dBu or +4dBu. The mating connector should be appropriately wired as follows for balanced or unbalanced operation: Balanced inputs: - Screen = Ground (screen). - Tip = Signal Phase (also known as “+” or “hot”).
The instrument input has a 1MΩ impedance and is suitable for direct connection of instruments including guitars, bass guitars and keyboards. Good quality screened cable should be used, particularly for microphone or low level sources, to prevent hum or noise pickup. 3.6 Output. A balanced line output is provided on a 0.25” TRS jack socket, at a nominal level of +4dBu. The mating connector should be appropriately wired as follows for balanced or unbalanced operation: Balanced outputs: - Screen = Ground.
FIG 2: FRONT PANEL GAIN REDUCTION BARGRAPH OUTPUT LEVEL BARGRAPH GAIN REDUCTION dB 0 -2 -4 -6 -8 POWER ON COMPRESSOR ON OUTPUT LEVEL dB -10 -14 -20 -40 -30 -20 -12 THRESHOLD 0 INSTRUMENT MIC LINE MIC -30dB MIC 48V RATIO 1:5 FAST SLOW 1:10 HARD SOFT ATTACK RELEASE 90Hz +20 dB dB +6 +12 5050 0 LINE 0dB 16 0 OUTPUT COMPRESSOR INPUT IVORY -6 -20 1:1.
4.1 Front Panel. The front panel controls are identified in Fig.2. 4.2 Input Selection. The input source is selected by the push button adjacent to the input gain control. It selects either the mic or line inputs. If a connector is plugged into the instrument input, it will take priority over the mic and line inputs, which then become disabled. 4.3 30dB Pad. Occasionally - when using sensitive condenser microphones - the source signal may be too loud for the input preamp.
input gain can then be gradually increased until the output level LED bargraph illuminates to about 0dB on normal signal level. The master output level should then be adjusted to produce the required output. 4.6 Line Input. A line level signal should already be at about the correct operating level, but this may be checked by monitoring the level on the output meter, with the compressor bypassed and the output gain at 0dB.
controlled automatically, allowing the engineer to get on with more productive jobs! Many instruments and voices have a very wide dynamic range that need to be controlled. A singer, for instance, may be projecting quietly one moment and very loudly the next, and unless compression is applied the vocal won’t “sit” correctly in the mix, in addition to the problems of distortion on loud passages and noise on quiet ones.
To operate the 5050 successfully, an understanding of each control will help to obtain the best results. If you are unfamiliar with the effect of compression it may help to adjust each individual control to extreme settings and listen to the sonic effect. Generally compressors are used in two different ways: either to enhance the signal and control the dynamic range as unobtrusively as possible, or used more severely to specifically create an effect. 4.12 Threshold.
drops back below the threshold. The 5050 Attack and Release controls each allow a choice of ‘Fast’ and ‘Slow’ modes. The Attack times are 0.5mS (Fast) and 20mS (Slow), while the Release control is set for 40mS (Fast) and 2S (Slow). There is an element of automatic operation of the Attack and Release on the 5050: for instance, should a very short transient occur the time constants tend to become shorter, to prevent a slow release leaving a “hole” in the signal after the transient.
adjusted, use the Output Level control to set the overall output level of the 5050. 4.17 Compressor On. This switch enables or disables the compressor stage, thus allowing an A/B comparison to be made between the original untreated signal and the compressed signal. Any gain make up applied to the signal only becomes active when the “Compressor On” is enabled. An associated status LED indicates when the compressor is active.
44.1kHz or to 48kHz, and the card can be clocked to an external digital source via the BNC wordclock input. When clocking the DO-2 to an external source the sample rate setting on the DO-2 needs to be set to match the external sample rate, otherwise correct locking may not occur and audible clicking may appear on the digital output. In terms of gain, the DO-2 will generate a signal level of 0dBfs in the digital domain when +18dBu of output level is generated at the balanced line output of the 5050. 5.
returns, then connecting the 5050 into the relevant console channel insert point. The off-tape signal will then be fed into the 5050’s line input via the mixer insert ‘send’ connection. The line output of the 5050 connects back to the insert ‘return’ connection, thus returning the processed signal to the mixer and ensuring continuous signal flow. Group insert points are used to process sub-grouped signals such as drums or backing vocals.
place. Aim to get around a maximum 3-4dB of gain reduction occurring as a starting point, by lowering the Threshold further if necessary. You should also notice that increasing the Ratio setting causes more gain reduction to occur. 5. When gain reduction is taking place, you should notice that the output level is reduced. By switching the compressor ‘in’ and ‘out’, you can compare the levels and the subjective sound quality of the original and compressed signals.
Phantom Power: +48V at 10mA maximum. High Pass Filter: -3dB at 90Hz, 12dB per octave. Balanced Line Input: Electronically balanced, unbalanced compatible, with input impedance greater than 5Kohm. Gain range -20dB to +20dB. Nominal input level +4dBu. Maximum input level +26dBu. 3 pole 0.25” jack socket. Auxiliary Input: Gain control range 40dB. Maximum input level +12dBu. 2 pole 0.25” jack socket. Compressor: Threshold -20dBu to +20dBu, Attack 0.5msec to 20msec, Release 40msec to 2 seconds, Ratio 1:1.
10Hz to 40KHz, +0, -1dB. Noise: -80dBu, 22Hz to 22KHz, line input selected at 0dBu input and output gain. Dynamic Range: 100dB (Line input @ 0dB gain). Power Requirements: Internally set for 220-240V 50Hz or 110-120V 60Hz operation. Rear panel fuse 20mm, 1AT, 250V. Power consumption 20VA typical. Detachable 3 pin IEC connector, mating connector and cable supplied. Front panel On/Off switch with green LED. Dimensions: 19” rack mounting, 2U high. 483mm wide x 88mm high x 200mm deep. Shipping Weight: 6Kg.
7. SERVICE Should the 5050 require service, it must be taken or posted to an authorised dealer. Please retain the original packing for possible future use, and ensure the unit is suitably protected during transit. The manufacturer cannot accept responsibility for damage caused during transportation. The 5050 is supported by a limited warranty for a period of one year from the date of purchase. During this period, any faults due to defective materials or workmanship will be repaired free of charge.