TL Audio A1 - Manual (Page 10)

9
OPERATION.
Microphone Input
The 2 XLR mic inputs are at the rear of the Ebony A1. Virtually any low impedance
professional microphone can be used. Condenser microphones will require the 48V
phantom power button to be engaged for correct operation, but before using Dynamic
and Ribbon microphones ensure that the phantom power is switched off.
Instrument Input
The front panel instrument input socket is suitable for low level sources such as hi
impedance microphones, pick ups or passive guitars, and higher level sources such as
active guitars and keyboards, as it is switchable to high or low sensitivity.
Input Gain.
The gain of the mic preamp stage is variable from +16 to +60dB. This is a very wide
range, to cater for all types of microphone and recording situations, but care must be
taken not to apply large, sudden changes in gain that may result in unexpectedly large
output signals. It is quite normal to have to apply larger amounts of gain for less
sensitive microphones, such as dynamic types, and similarly apply much less input
gain for high output condenser mics: some of which may even need the 30dB pad
activated when recording very loud sources.
30dB Pad Switch.
Occasionally - when using sensitive condenser microphones - the source signal may
be too loud for the input preamp. In this situation, to avoid any overloading or
distortion of the mic preamp stage, the 30dB pad can be used to reduce the input gain
to a more manageable level. The 30dB pad only applies to the microphone input.
Phantom Power.
+48V phantom power is available at the mic socket, selected by a front switch.
Phantom power should only be used in conjunction with suitable microphones.
CAUTION: Operation of the phantom power switch, or plugging a microphone in or
out with phantom power applied, may cause a click or thump in your loudspeakers.
To prevent this happening, ensure that the system gain is set to minimum (e.g. on your
mixing console fader or power amplifier), before operating the switch or plugging in a
microphone.