TL Audio 5060 - Manual (Page 10)

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4.2
Why Valve Compression?
Valve compression yields a particularly special sound, which has become very sought after, particularly with the widespread use
of digital products. The reason valve equipment sounds special is due to two things: harmonic distortion and natural
compression. When the signal through a valve is increased, it tends to generate a particular type of subtle and desirable
distortion, called “second harmonic” distortion. This has the effect of thickening and warming the sound, and the more the
level you feed to the valve stages, the more of this harmonic distortion will be produced. You should be able to hear this
effect as you increase the Input Gain on the 5060.
Secondly, valves will tend to naturally compress an audio signal, again particularly as the signal level is increased. This itself
also contributes to the warmth produced by the 5060.
4.3
Overview of Compressor Operation.
The 5060 offers two distinct ways of working: manual or preset modes. In manual mode, all the compressor controls are
active and adjustable, so that compression settings can be created from scratch to suit the user’s taste. In the fifteen preset
modes, the Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release and Knee controls are disabled and each is fixed internally at a value that is
selected to give the best results with that particular instrument (the presets are titled ‘vocal’, ‘bass’, ‘guitar’, ‘snare’ etc. to
indicate the recommended application).
The 5060 functions by reducing the gain of the signal when it rises above a certain level, known as the Threshold. Any signal
below the threshold passes through the unit unaffected. Above the threshold the gain of the signal is reduced, and the degree
of gain reduction is determined by the Ratio control. The Ratio control is calibrated in dBs and is simply the change in
output level that results from a given change in input level.
The Attack and Release switches are used to control how fast the compressor reacts to the audio signal. The Attack switch
governs how quickly the 5060 acts to compress the signal once it has risen above the threshold, while the Release switch
controls how quickly the signal returns to normal once it has dropped back below the threshold level.
The Knee switch controls the shape of the 5060 compression curve. In “Soft Knee” mode, the response curve of the
compressor around the threshold is gentle, so that the compression effect is more subtle and musical. In “Hard Knee” mode,
the curve is more severe, so that signals above the threshold are “squashed” more aggressively. This yields a more audible
and pronounced compression effect.
The Gain Make-Up control is positioned at the output of the compressor stage, and allows the signal level to be brought back
to the same loudness as the uncompressed signal.
4.4 Input Source Selection.
The input source and phantom power selection are controlled on a four position rotary switch. The selections are:
MIC +48V: For condenser mics that require 48V phantom power
MIC: For most dynamic or ribbon mics
LINE: Line inputs
INST: Front panel Instrument inputs
CAUTION: Never switch phantom power on or off, or plug/unplug a microphone with phantom power applied unless the
output level control is turned down. Failure to do so may result in a thump in your monitor loudspeakers or PA system.