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User’s Guide
SOURCE SOURCE SOURCE SOURCE SOURCE SOURCE SOURCE SOURCE Made in Germany
21 22 24 Hi Z Mic 21 22 24 Hi Z Mic 21 22 24 Hi Z Mic 21 22 24
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User’s Guide GainStation 8 Model 2383 Version 1.0 – 6/2003 Designer: Ruben Tilgner This user's guide contains a description of the product. It in no way represents a guarantee of particular characteristics or results of use. The information in this document has been carefully compiled and verified and, unless otherwise stated or agreed upon, correctly describes the product at the time of packaging with this document. Sound Performance Lab (SPL) continuously strives to improve its products
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Contents Introduction .................................................................. 4 Before you begin .......................................................... 7 Rear panel/connections ................................................ 8 Wiring ....................................................................... 8 General advices ......................................................... 9 Connectors and switches ........................................... 10 Control elements ............
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Introduction Input makes all the difference. Modern audio production relies increasingly on digital systems for recording and mixing processes (DAW‘s, digital consoles etc.). The advantages of digital audio are manifold and include affordable storage, comfortable editing, recall capabilities and automation. On the downside, digital systems still do not offer the same audio qualities and sound characteristics of high-end analog equipment. Especially digital equalizers and other aspects of
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Introduction Main technical features of the GainStation 8 • Custom-designed and built, fully discrete, class A op-amps (no off-the-shelf stuff here). The GainStation‘s op-amps feature 60-Volt operating voltage—twice as high as most common op-amps—for an incredible dynamic range. • An extremely high amplifier slew rate of 200 V/microsecond, ensuring clean transmission of high-frequency signal portions and rapid transients with virtually no cut-off. • An almost entirely DC-coupled signal path
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Introduction This cutting-edge technology ensures that signals recorded with the GainStation 8 have more presence and substance and will easily cut through a mix even at lower levels. Extremely low-frequency signals are tight and transparent with clear into- nation. Percussive transients are interpreted more precisely, which leads to a clearer rhythmic content and in turn a more solid rhythmic performance and perception. If the GainStation 8 is used as a preamp, musicians will imme- diately
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Before you begin It makes good sense to think about where you place your GainStation 8 before connecting it. It should be positioned so that you can easily reach it, but there are other considerations. Try not to place it near heat sources or in direct sunlight, and avoid exposure to excessive vibrations, dust, heat, cold or moisture. It should also be kept away from transformers, motors, power amplifiers and digital processors. IMPORTANT NOTE: When installing the GainStation 8 in a rack,
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Rear panel/connections Wiring 8 GainStation 8 Microphone (alternatively also balanced line level signals) XLR Wiring: Pin 1 = GND/ Pin 2 = High (+)/ Pin 3 = Low (–) JACK Wiring (Balanced): Tip = High (+)/Ring = Low (–)/ Sleeve = GND JACK Wiring (Unbalanced): Tip = High (+)/ Sleeve = GND POWER SUPPLY DC INPUT 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 MIC MIC MIC MIC MIC MIC MIC MIC INPUT INPUT INPUT INPUT INPUT INPUT INPUT INPUT OUT 1 OUT 1 OUT 1 OUT 1 OUT 1 OUT 1 OUT 1 OUT 1 (BAL. ) (BAL. ) (BAL. ) (BAL. ) (BAL. ) (BAL.
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General advices Rear panel/connections Again, while the GainStation 8‘s housing is EMV-proof and protects against HF-interference, placement of the unit is very important since it amplifies microphone signals as well as other unwanted signals. Thus, it is extremely important that the external power supply not be positioned near the GainStation 8. VOLTAGE/FUSE FUSE RATING IMPORTANT: Adjust the voltage setting on the back of the 220 V – 240 V/ 50 Hz 220 V – 240 V/ 50 Hz: external power supp
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Rear panel/connections MIC INPUT MIC Dynamic, condenser or tube microphones can be connected to INPUT the Mic Input. The 48 V switch provides the phantom power necessary for some microphones (see also „Control elements/ Phantom“ on page 13). The MIc Input can also be used as a balanced connection for professional audio equipment with a maximum output level of +20 dBu. The Clean Gain already delivers 10 dB of minimum preamplification, this leaves you with 4 dB of headroom. IMPORTANT NOTE: A
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F T L e u t b E O N e N f f V I + I A E A L G G T Control elements CLEAN GAIN 21 22 24 19 26 18 29 16 32 This potentiometer controls the amount of preamplification 15 35 14 38 provided by the class A solid-state stage. A range of up to +63 dB 13 41 12 46 is provided. For more information, please see “Setting levels on 11 54 10 63 dB the GainStation 8“ on page 16. Mic: +7dB w/transformer IMPORTANT NOTE: If a Lundahl input transformer is installed, add 7 dB to the printed values. TUBE GAIN 18
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Control elements SOURCE Hi Z Mic SOURCE This switch allows you to select between the Mic and Instrument inputs. Both inputs can remain connected at all times, regard- less of which input is selected. When first thrown after powering up the unit, this switch can cause a noticeable pop due to the discharge of residual current. This is normal and no cause for concern. HI PASS HI PASS Off 50 Hz This switch activates the integrated high-pass filter, which oper- ates at a 50-Hz center frequency an
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Control elements IMPED. Ω IMPED. Ω 1.2k 200 10k This 3-way switch allows you to select between three input impedances for the Mic Input. In general, higher impedances increase levels and emphasize high frequencies, while mids and bass frequenices are dampened. Conversely, a lower impedance causes lower levels and emphasizes bass and mid frequencies. The Imped. Ω-Wert does not have to be equivalent to the output impedance of the microphone. We recommend the highest impedance setting as sta
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Control elements LIMITER LIMITER Fet Off Peak The GainStation 8 offers two types of output level limiting: Peak and FET. The limiter is pre-output level control, so that the limited signal can be optimally adapted to an external converter. The peak limiter operates with special diodes that convert signal peaks into a type of saturation. Depending on the signal, this allows levels to be effectively and subtly limited. This type of limiting works very quickly, reliably limiting even microsec
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Control elements POWER POWER Switches the unit on or off. The switch illuminates with delay, because it is fed by the 250 V anode power – don’t panic. If the tube stage is active when the unit is switched on, it can take several seconds before a signal can be heard—this time is necessary for the tube to reach operating temperature. IMPORTANT NOTE: Never disconnect the GainStation 8 from its external power supply while the unit is switched on. Always turn it off first and wait at least one m
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Operation In spite of its quality and flexibility, the GainStation 8‘s trans- parent user interface allows quick, intuitive operation. The unit is suited for a wide variety of applications. The following sections will provide an overview of the most important opera- tional concepts and several application examples. Setting levels on the GainStation 8 Start with the limiter switched off. With a representative signal present at either the MIC or HI-Z input, set the desired combi- nation of Clea
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Operation Combining different amounts of clean and tube gain will create various effects. The GainStation 8 operates virtually distortion- free with the tube stage bypassed. The sound is clean and trans- parent with extreme detail and very low noise. The clean stage is ideal for most acoustic instruments, as well as jazz or clas- sical recordings. If you activate the tube stage and increase the gain setting slowly, you will notice that once you reach a certain level, harmonic distortion ente
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Operation Limiter To achieve the desired results with the integrated limiter, it is important to understand its operation. The threshold value is fixed at 20 dBu. The clean and/or tube gain settings determine the amount of limiting, so that these settings more or less work like a threshold control. When the limiter is activated, it levels everything above 20 dBu. The orange 18 dB LED, which displays this level range, varies in brightness depending on limiting. The actual amount of limitin
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Application examples The advent of digital recording and the fact that more and more material remains in the digital domain from start to finish have raised demands on preamplifiers. The GainStation 8 is predes- tined to act as a premium recording front end, ensuring that signals of all kinds are preamplified with the highest quality, whether as an alternative to existing console preamps or as a stand-alone solution between source and A/D converter. The quality of your recordings has a majo
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Application examples Vocals/speech The tube stage is well suited for adding presence to vocals. Exercise caution when setting levels, particularly with the clean stage, since vocals can be extremely dynamic. The FET limiter can be very helpful here to level peaks in a subtle, musical fashion and ensure safe levels for AD conversion. Once the limiter is properly set (see ”Limiter”, page 20), tube gain can be added as required. Acoustic instruments/orchestra The tube stage should be used ver
