Crane Song FLAMINGO - Manual (Page 5)

CLASS A DISCRETE TOPOLOGIES
Flamingo has a Class A audio path, which is significantly different than designs that use integrated
circuits. Class A circuits sound better because their distortion components tend to be Second Harmonic;
musically pleasing. IC Op-Amps do not have class A output circuits and their distortion components tend
to be high order odd harmonics; not musical. The most important thing to remember about Class A
circuits is that they sound better.
This type of technology has 2 disadvantages when compared to IC designs. 1) Due to the large number
of parts in discrete circuits; they are costly. 2) Class a circuits run warm.
FLAMINGO must have adequate ventilation. Vent holes must not be blocked. Do not set anything
directly on top of Flamingo. When mounting Flamingo in a rack, provide as much air flow as possible.
Leaving the back of the rack open is another option. If you provide adequate ventilation, you will be
rewarded with years of reliable operation.
All precision electronic equipment has an operating temperature that when reached will result in best
performance.
Flamingo should be allowed a 10 to 15 minute warm up period before use.
CONTROL DESCRIPTION
THE SOUND SWITCH
The “sound” switch changes the amplifier type in the Flamingo. This alternative amplifier path creates a
different sound. In the “Fat” mode Flamingo has a much higher level of second and third harmonic distor-
tion than in the non fat setting. The amount of color heard will depend on the type of signal and the oper-
ating level. With some material the change will be heard with the flip of the switch: and with other material
more listening may be required. Hearing a color change may take time and some ear training. With the
second harmonic being an octave it can have small or great effect depending on the purity of the sound.
For example, it will be easier to hear second harmonic distortion on a flute than on a guitar chord. The
main use of the sound switch is to fatten, thicken and warm up sound. If the idea of distortion seems a
bit scary, remember that the reason two different amplifiers with the same frequency response sound
different is because of their distortion characteristics. With careful circuit design we have created distor-
tions that sound pleasing. The types of distortion that the “fat” setting generates are similar to the distor-
tion that tubes generate.
The sound switch is very useful on vocals, bass, drums, and any other instruments that could benefit from
a richer sound. Vocal arrangements may require a thicker sound on some parts but not on others. As an
example; using the fat sound for the lead line and the harmonies, but not on the high vocal line can help
separate the parts in a vocal mix comprised of a lead vocal, vocal harmonies, and a high answer/echo
line.
A trick that can be tried in order to get more color is to turn up the gain switch by 6 db, antennuate the
output by 6 db. The higher signal level in the fat amplifier will result in more harmonic content being
generated. This same idea holds true with the iron amplifier.
5