Universal Audio LA-610 Mk II - Manual (Page 7)

The Two Page, Two Minute Guide To Getting Started
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Step 6: On the left side of the front panel (preamp section), turn the Level control to its minimum
(fully counterclockwise) position and set the Gain control to 0 (center position).
Step 7: On the right side of the front panel (compressor section), set the Peak Reduction knob to 0
(fully counterclockwise) and set the Mode switch to BYP (bypass). This bypasses the gain reduction
and makeup gain functionality of the LA-610. (

see page 6 for more information ) Finally, set the
Meter switch to PREAMP so that it shows the output level of the signal leaving the LA-610 preamp
section.
Step 8: Power on the LA-610. The jewel light to the left of the power switch will light up.
Step 9: If a microphone requiring 48 volts of phantom power is connected to the LA-610, turn on the
+48V switch (up position).
Step 10: Unmute your monitors. Use the LA-610 front-panel Input Select switch to select the
connected source and then apply input signal while slowly increasing the Level control to
approximately 7. You should now be hearing signal.
Step 11: While watching the LA-610 meter, set the preamp Gain switch (on the left side of the front
panel) so that sufficient signal strength is achieved.
Step 12: Experiment with differing degrees of preamp Gain and Level to hear the various amounts of
coloration the LA-610 can impart to your signal. For the cleanest, most uncolored signal, set the Gain
switch to its lowest usable setting with Level set between 7 and 10. If you hear distortion even at the
lowest Gain level, employ the -15 dB pad to reduce the input level. If you are using a connected
microphone or Hi-Z instrument input, experiment also with various impedance settings to achieve
optimum tonality for your source signal.
Step 13: Experiment with the effect of the LA-610’s high and low shelving filters on your source
signal.
Step 14: Now it’s time to activate the T4 Optical compressor section of the LA-610 on the right side
of the front panel and explore its controls. Begin by setting the Meter to GR (Gain Reduction) and the
Mode switch to COMP (Compression) and then slowly turn the Peak Reduction knob clockwise to hear
the effect of the optical compressor on your signal. Note that as you do so, the LA-610 meter reflects
the amount of gain reduction. Note also that as you increase the amount of compression (by raising
the level of the Peak Reduction control), the overall signal may be attenuated. If necessary, you can
make up the difference by turning the compressor Gain knob clockwise from its unity gain position
(approximately 6). Change the Meter switch to COMP in order to view the final output level. A meter
reading of 0 corresponds to an output level of +4dBm at the LA-610 output.
Step 15: Set the Mode switch to LIMIT in order to hear the effect of the optical compressor in limiting
mode, where a higher compression ratio is applied and only peak signals are reduced in level.

Because the LA-610 is a tube device, it needs several minutes to achieve stable operating
temperature. During warm-up, audio quality may vary slightly.