Universal Audio UAD POWERED PLUG-INS ver.6.1 - Manual (Page 166)

UAD Powered Plug-Ins Manual - 166 - Chapter 12: Ampex ATR-102
Manual Cal Knob The Manual Cal knob performs two functions: it sets the
signal level of the “external” test tone generator for
record calibration, and specifies when alignment tapes
are to be used for playback calibration.
When set to –16 dB, –6 dB, or +4 dB, a generated sine wave test tone at the
frequency specified by the Tones buttons is sent to the input of the record cir-
cuitry. This mode emulates sending external test tones into the system. The
level of the test tone is set by the knob position and remains static regardless
of other parameter values.
When set to MRL, a test tone from the “alignment tape” is sent into the play-
back circuitry. The MRL frequency is also specified by the Tones buttons, but
the levels used are from the calibrated alignment tape. Therefore the MRL tone
levels are dependent on other tape parameter values.
Tones The Tones buttons set the frequency of the “external” test
tone generator and the MRL tape test tones. Tone fre-
quencies of 50 Hz, 100 Hz, 1 kHz, 2.5 kHz, 5 kHz, 10
kHz, 15 kHz, and 20 kHz are available.
Click a button to specify that frequency; the active frequency’s button is shad-
owed gray as if in the “down” position.
Distortion Meter The red numerical display, between the Manual Cal
knob and the Tones buttons, represents the amount (dis-
played as a percentage) of third harmonic distortion
present in each of the left and right channels. This feature can be useful for
custom calibration techniques.
When the Manual Cal knob is set to –16 dB, –6 dB, or +4 dB, the value rep-
resents third harmonic distortion in the tape playback circuit. Generally
speaking, increasing
Record (input) will increase distortion while in this
mode, as tape saturation increases. If Bias is set very low, distortion may in-
crease at lower Cal Levels.
Note: When the Manual Cal knob is set to MRL, the Distortion Meter is inac-
tive (there is no distortion display in this mode).