Model 710 Twin-Finity Mic/Line/Hi-Z Preamplifier Universal Audio Part Number 65-0029 Revision 1.0 Universal Audio, Inc. Customer Service & Tech Support: 1-877-MY-AUDIO Business, Sales & Marketing: 1-866-UAD-1176 www.uaudio.
Notice This manual provides general information, preparation for use, installation and operating instructions for the Universal Audio 710. The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. Universal Audio, Inc. makes no warranties of any kind with regard to this manual, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Universal Audio, Inc.
A Letter From Bill Putnam, Jr. ___________________________________________________________ Thank you for purchasing the Model 710 Twin-Finity Mic/Line/Hi-Z Preamplifier— a radically new UA pre-amp design which combines both the classic retro warmth of UA tube design and the transient bite of solid-state in a 2U, half-rack, all-metal chassis. The 710 was created specifically to add the tonal versatility and sonic inspiration missing from generic audio interface preamps.
Important Safety Instructions ___________________________________________________________ Before using this unit, be sure to carefully read the applicable items of these operating instructions and the safety suggestions. Afterwards, keep them handy for future reference. Take special care to follow the warnings indicated on the unit, as well as in the operating instructions. 1. Water and Moisture - Do not use the unit near any source of water or in excessively moist environments. 2.
Table of Contents __________________________________________________________ A Letter From Bill Putnam, Jr. ................................................................................................................ i Important Safety Instructions ................................................................................................................ii Two Page, Two Minute Guide To Getting Started ....................................................................................
The Two Page, Two Minute Guide To Getting Started __________________________________________________________ No one likes to read owner’s manuals. We know that. We also know that you know what you’re doing—why else would you have bought our product? So we’re going to try to make this as easy on you as possible. Hence this two-page spread, which we estimate will take you approximately two minutes to read.
The Two Page, Two Minute Guide To Getting Started __________________________________________________________ Step 8: Set the Gain control to “0” and the Level control to approximately “5”. Step 9: Set the Blend knob to its twelve o’clock position. This ensures an equal blend of both of the 710 preamplifiers (solid-state and vacuum tube). Step 10: Make sure the Power switch is off (left position) and then connect the supplied IEC power cable to the rear panel AC power connector. Step 11: Power on the 710.
Front Panel __________________________________________________________ (1) Gain - Adjusts the gain of the input stage. Turning this knob clockwise raises the amount of gain applied to the input signal. (2) Level - This is the 710’s master volume control. It determines the amount of signal sent from the rear panel LINE OUTPUT. ( see #2 on page 7) The numeric values for the Gain and Level knobs are relative scale markings and do not represent specific dB values.
Front Panel __________________________________________________________ (3) Hi-Z Input - Connect high impedance signal from an instrument such as electric guitar or bass to this standard unbalanced 1/4" jack connector. The 710’s jack detection circuitry automatically switches from the selected rear panel MIC or LINE input to the front panel Hi-Z input whenever a plug is inserted into this jack.
Front Panel __________________________________________________________ meter reading of 0 VU corresponds to a level of +4 dBm at the rear panel LINE OUTPUT jack. ( see #2 on page 7) (10) Low Cut - When enabled (placed in the up position), the input signal passes through a 75Hz low cut filter. This is normally used to eliminate rumble and other unwanted low frequencies from an incoming signal.
Rear Panel __________________________________________________________ 710 Twin-Finity UNIVERSAL AUDIO, INC • SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIF. USA POWER 100-240VAC 0.60A 50/60Hz (1) AC Power Connector - Connect a standard, detachable IEC power cable (supplied) here. (2) LINE OUTPUT - A balanced XLR connector that carries the line-level output signal of the 710. Note that Pin 2 is positive when the front panel Polarity switch is off (INø). Pin 3 is positive when the front panel Polarity switch is engaged (OUTø).
Interconnections __________________________________________________________ 48V mic line inst source 1 gain peak source mic line inst 2 gain peak spdif USB input mix playback mono headphon e For most applications, we recommend setting the 710 Gain and Level controls at approximately “5” (their twelve o’clock position). Adjustments can then be made to the Gain, Level, and Blend controls to achieve the optimum sound for your signal source.
Insider’s Secrets __________________________________________________________ The Best of Both Worlds There’s a reason why tube preamplifiers have long been favored by audio engineers (especially in this age of digital recording): they impart a warmth and richness that makes most sounds larger than life. However, there is no denying that tube preamps also tend to color the incoming signal somewhat, albeit in a way which most listeners find pleasant and desirable.
The Technical Stuff __________________________________________________________ from a slight bark to total grunge. Set the Blend control all the way to TRANS for that overloaded console effect, or all the way to TUBE to emulate the grittiness and bite of an overdriven guitar amp... or anywhere in-between for a custom guitar sound perfectly crafted to the context of the song.
The Technical Stuff __________________________________________________________ History of the Model 710 Like the microphone, preamplifiers come in all shapes, sizes and colors. And, like a microphone, the preamp is one of many devices that may impart a sound to a recording... or may conversely attempt to avoid coloration.
The Technical Stuff __________________________________________________________ recording consoles. It featured input and output transformers, with connections for modular equalizers such as the UA 508 EQ. This amp design became the basis for the enormously popular 1176 limiter, which utilized the same output transformer. Interestingly, the 1108 has probably been used on many more classic recordings than the 610, due to its broad popularity.
The Technical Stuff __________________________________________________________ Model 710 Overview The Universal Audio 710 Twin-Finity Mic/Line/Hi-Z Preamplifier combines our highly revered analog tube and solid state preamplification technology... but with a twist. Its unique phase-aligned Blend control allows the user to literally dial in the desired sound, from precise ultra-clean solid state tones to fat tube presence and overdriven crunch, or anywhere in between.
The Technical Stuff __________________________________________________________ About “Class A” Most electronic devices can be designed in such a way as to minimize a particularly unpleasant form of distortion called crossover distortion. However, the active components in “Class A” electronic devices such as the 710 draw current and work throughout the full signal cycle, thus eliminating crossover distortion altogether.
The Technical Stuff __________________________________________________________ Other double-mic applications often requiring phase inversion include piano soundboards, drum heads (one mic on top of the drum and the other below it), and acoustic guitar miking, where one mic is placed close to the soundhole and another further away or behind the guitar. Low Cut Filtering A common method for optimizing mixes is to apply low-cut filtering whenever possible.
The Technical Stuff __________________________________________________________ - - 16
The Technical Stuff __________________________________________________________ Maintenance Information The 710 contains no user-serviceable parts. Repair should be performed only by qualified service personnel. Fuse There is no user accessible fuse for the 710. It contains an internal power supply circuit board with its own fuse.
- 18 - HiZ IN ¼ inch Mic IN XLR (+48V Not Shown) Line IN XLR JFET Buffer 15dB Pad (Mic Only) Gain Pot - Gain Stage 1 + Hi-Pass Drive Meter Solid-State Amp Tube Amp Blend Pot 310VDC Level Pot Output Meter Phase Switch Line Out XLR The Technical Stuff __________________________________________________________ Block Diagram
Glossary of Terms __________________________________________________________ Balanced - Audio cabling that uses two twisted conductors enclosed in a single shield, thus allowing relatively long cable runs with minimal signal loss and reduced induced noise such as hum. Class A - A design technique used in electronic devices such that their active components are drawing current and working throughout the full signal cycle, thus yielding a more linear response.
Glossary of Terms _______________________________________________________________________ translates to 1.23 volts), while consumer and semiprofessional audio equipment typically utilize line level signals of -10 dBV (which translates to 0.316 volts). Low cut filter - An equalizer circuit that cuts signal below a particular frequency. Mic level - Refers to the very low level signal output from microphones, typically around 2 millivolts (2 thousandths of a volt).
Recall Sheet __________________________________________________________ - 21 -
Specifications _______________________________________________________________________ Microphone Input Impedance 2k Balanced Line Input Impedance 10k Hi-Z Input Impedance 2.
Additional Resources/Product Registration/Warranty/Service & Support __________________________________________________________ Additional Resources We’ve got a pretty cool website, if we may say so ourselves. Check us out at http://www.uaudio.com.
