TL Audio 5060 - Manual (Page 9)

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- Ring = Ground.
3.6
Unbalanced Line Outputs.
An dedicated unbalanced line output is provided for each channel, on a 0.25” mono jack socket.
- Tip = Signal Phase (“+” or “hot”).
- Screen = Ground.
These outputs may be used simultaneously to the balanced line outputs, and are useful for monitoring purposes particularly in
a computer based system where latency free monitoring is necessary.
3.7
Nominal Operating Level.
A switch on the rear panel allows the line inputs and outputs to be matched to equipment at a nominal operating level of
+4dBu or -10dBu. Most professional equipment requires +4dBu (approximately 1.2V rms), but some small mixing consoles,
portable tape recorders or domestic audio equipment require -10dBu (approximately 225mV rms). If the operating level is
not known, the switch should be set to the position which results in the best signal to noise ratio, whilst preserving sufficient
headroom.
3.8 Ventilation.
The 5060 generates a small amount of heat internally, mainly due to the valve heater. Do not locate the compressor where
it will be subject to external heating, for example, in the hot air flow from a power amplifier or on a radiator.
4. OPERATION
4.1
What is Compression?
Compression is an essential but often misunderstood process in modern recording. Put simply, compression reduces the ratio
between the loudest and the quietest levels of an audio signal, which is known as reducing the “dynamic range” of that
signal. Before the introduction of compressors the only way this could be achieved was by “gain riding”, whereby an engineer
would control the fader manually in order to try and anticipate very large levels (which might distort the signal) or very low
levels (which may get lost in noise). The introduction of compression devices meant that this process could be controlled
automatically, allowing the engineer to get on with more productive jobs!
Many instruments and voices have a very wide dynamic range, which needs to be controlled. A singer, for instance, may be
singing quietly one moment and very loudly the next, and unless compression is applied the vocal won’t “sit” correctly in the
mix, in addition to the problems of distortion on loud passages and noise on quiet ones. Thus with compression you are
effectively turning down the loud bits and turning up the quiet bits, to achieve a more even and controllable level.
But there are other benefits of compression as well - applied properly, it can add punch and excitement to music, as well as
fattening up sounds and creating a more professional sounding recording. With the 5060, you have the added benefit of valve
stages in the signal path, which create a warmth and presence just not obtainable with solid state or digital products.