f. CONTENTS 2 3 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 13 INTRODUCTION Block Diagram PRECAUTIONS INSTALLATION AC Mains Supply Audio Connections Mic Inputs Line Inputs InsertionPoints Direct Output Main StereoOutput Monitor Outputs Aux Outputs Stereo2T Returns EffectsReturn Headphone Outputs Meter Calibration Digital Modules OPERATION Input Selection Input Gain Control Line Input MicrophoneInput Phase Reverse High PassFilter 30dB Pad Equalisation InsertionPoints Aux Sends Direct Output Track Level Control PanControl Mute Switch PFL Switch ChannelFader Drive andPeakLEDs StereoMix Aux Masters Effects Return Monitor and 'phonesLevel PFL BalanceLevel 2-TrackReturns Loudspeaker Mute Metering Digital OutputOption Wordclock Input A Final Word! SERVICE SPECIFICATIONS 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 15 16 16 16 16 16 16 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 19 20 21 CONGRATULATIONS! 1 ~ CONGRATULA TIONS! Congratulations you purchaseof a TL Audio M 1 TubetrackerMixer, the perfect on solution for the modem day studio. Anyone who has used or heard our outboard equipment,will be familiar with its ability to createa warm, smooth,and cleansound that caninject wonderful 'feel' into your recordings. Our acclaimedVTC and M4 consoleshave also now been acceptedas a great soundingmusthavein the professional recordingenvironment,with manyhigh profile users. The Ml offers you the TL Audio quality, in a desk that is modular,yet more compactand affordablethan the VTC and M4 - and still offers you the samegreat sound. The M 1 Tubetracker ideal for the homeandproject studio aswell asbroadcast is and recordingapplications wherespace limited. is The Ml offersyou quality valve mic preamps eachchannel,3 bandmusicalEQ on with sweepable on eachchannel,2 auxiliary sends channelaswell aseffects mid per returnsandalternate monitoring options! It has been designed to maximise today's recording techniques, with the addition of an optional ADA T interface for easy digital connection to your recording device and software. It makes the perfect front end to any digital recording set up, taking away that 'clinical, sterile' sound whilst adding warmth and depth to your recordingsgiving you the sound that you have been longing for. The M I Tubetracker is compact in size and features all its connectors on the back of the top panel for easy connectivity and quick cable changes! Available in 8 and 12 channel options the Ml combines that classic valve sound with modern functionality. 2 INTRODUCTION The T L Audio Ml Tube Consolecombinesclassicvalve techniques with low noise solid state circuitry to construct a mixing consoleoffering high specificationsignal pathswith the uniquevalve soundquality. 8 or 12input channels provided,all with are mic and line inputs, switchable 48V phantom power, three band EQ, balanced insertion send and return, 2 Aux sends,Pan and lOOmmFader. Each channel also featuresa balancedDirect Output, which is pre EQ and independent the channel of fader. Mixing is via balanced busses valve mix amplifiers.The stereooutput is controlled to by a stereo lOOmmfader, and monitoredby illuminated moving coil VU meters.A stereoeffectsreturn, two 2-track returnsand independent headphone output complete the monitoringfacilities. The M 1 Tube Consoleis an ideal complimentto a digital audio workstation,but may also be usedfor direct to stereorecording,as outboardanalogue during mixdown, EQ and as a completestudio, stageor PA mixer. The consoleis table-topmounting and supplied with a free standing power supply. There are no fans in either the power supplyor console. The block diagramof the M I Tube Consoleis shown in fig. 1. A discretesolid state, electronicallybalanced input amplifier is used,to achievestateof the art performance with very low noise,low distortion and wide bandwidth.The mic input is via an XLR socket and is suitable for low impedance(150-600 ohm) microphones, with a gain control range of + 16 to +60dB plus a 30dB pad. A front panel switch selects48V phantompower. The line input has an effective overall gain rangeof -20 to +20dB, allowing the valve stages be fully driven from line level signalsin the range-20 to to +20dBu. The input stageis directly coupledto a secondstagetriode valve amplifier. Increasingthe gain at the input stageallows the unique overdrivenvalve soundto be graduallyintroduced,as indicatedby the "Drive" and "Peak" LEDs. Phase reverse and 90Hz high passfilter switchescompletethe input section. A balancedinsertionpoint is providedenablingthe connectionof externalequipment (a compressor, example)into the channel.The insert sendsocketmay alsobe used for as an independentoutput. The Direct Output from the channel is pre-fade and balanced. is taken after the valve stage,insertionpoint and EQ, but is unaffected It by the channelfader. The equalisersectionprovides shelving LF and HF filters and swept frequencymid peakingfilter. The EQ stages maybe bypassed easyA-B comparison. for Mixing to the stereobus is via 100mmlinear faderswith rotary pan control. PFL and channelMUTE switchesare also provided. Two Aux sendsare available;Aux 1 is switchab1e or post fade, with Aux 2 permanently pre post fade. The stereoreturn can also sendto Aux 1. The busses balanced, are with hybrid solid state/ triode valve mix 3 amplifiers busses. on the stereobuss and solid state mix amplifiers on the Aux and PFL . The monitoring outputsnormally follow the stereooutput,but may be switchedto the 2 track return inputs, for example to check workstation outputs. Any PFL signal automaticallyover-ridesthe monitor output. The PFL level relative to the stereolevel may be adjusted,and the overall monitor level is controlledby a high quality matched pot with 29mm diameterknob. Dual moving coil VU metersfollow the monitor outputs.The metersarefactory setfor OdB indication = +4dBu, but may be recalibratedusing presetsaccessible from the front panel. The Aux outputsare controlledby masterlevel controls,and the stereoeffectsreturn providesa line level input, with gain and balancecontrols.All are equippedwith PFL switches. Optional digital modulesareavailable,providing multiples of 8 inputs and outputsfor the channelsections, plus the stereomain output. Please readthis manualfully beforeinstalling or operating Ml Tube Console. the 4 PRECAUTIONS As with all electricalequipment,caremust be taken to ensurereliable, safeoperation of your mixer. The following points shouldalwaysbe observed: - All mainswiring shouldbe installedandchecked a qualified electrician, by - The mixing consoleis heavy,andmay requiremore thanonepersonto lift andplacein position, - Ensurethe correctoperatingvoltageis selected the power supply on beforeconnecting the mainssupply, to - Connectthe power supplyto the mixer beforeswitchingon, - Neveroperatethe mixer or powersupplywith anycoverremoved, - Do not exposeto rain or moisture,asthis maypresentan electric shockhazard. - Replace fuseswith the correcttype andrating only, the - Referanyservicerequirementto qualifiedpersonnel. Warning: This equipment must be earthed. Caution: Ensure adequateventilation of the power supply and mixer. Failure to observetheseprecautions may invalidate your warranty. 6 AC Mains Supply. The mixer should be placed on a solid, flat surface.Adequateventilation must be provided,with free spacebehind the cooling slots in the rear panel and immediately above the ventilation slots along the top of the front panel. Care must be taken to provide appropriate supportfor the mixer and the cableswhich will be connected it. to Do not locate the mixer near a source of heat, or where it may be subjectedto interference from otherelectricalor radio frequencygenerating equipment(e.g.mobile telephones). Brown: Live. Blue: Neutral. Green/Yellow: Earth (Ground). All mains wiring must be performed by a qualified electrician with all power switched off, and the earth connection must be used. The power supply generates a certain amount of heat during use, which must be allowed to dissipate from the ventilation slots in the sides of the unit. Never cover the power supply or locate it near a source of heat, for example a radiator or power amplifier. 7 Warning: attemptedoperationon the wrong voltage setting,or with an incorrectfuse, will invalidatethe warranty. Audio Connections. Mic Inputs. Balanced inputs: - Pin 1 =Ground (screen). - Pin 2 =Signal Phase("+" or "hot"). or "cold"). - Pin 3 =Signal Non-Phase ("-" Unbalanced inputs: - Pin 1 =Ground (screen) - Pin 2 =Signal Phase("+" - Pin 3 =Signal Ground or "hot"). 8 Line I~put. A 3 pin, 0.25" jack plug is required, which is also compatible with balancedor unbalanced sources, whenwired asfollows: Balancedinputs: - Tip = SignalPhase ("+" or "hot"), - Ring =SignalNon-Phase or "cold"), ("-" - Screen =Ground. Unbalanced inputs: - Tip = SignalPhase ("+" or "hot"), - Ring =Ground, - Screen =Ground. Insertion Points. The insertion points are also interfaced via 3 pin, 0.25" switched jack. The pin connections are: - Tip = SignalPhase("+" or "hot"), - Ring =Signal Non-Phase C"-" or "cold"), - Sleeve =Ground, The insertion point is balanced,with send and return on separate jacks. A cable inserted into the send socket only may be used as an additional output without breakingthe channelsignalpath. A cableinsertedinto the return socketwill breakthe insertion loop. The insertion sendsand returns automaticallyadjust for balancedor unbalanced connection. 9 Direct Output. The Track Output connectoris a 3 pin, 0..25"jack socket.The output automatically adjustsfor balanced unbalanced or connection. The matingconnectorshouldbe wired asfollows: Balanced outputs: SignalPhase ("+" or "hot"), - Ring =SignalNon-Phase or "cold"), ("-" - Screen =Ground. Unbalanced outputs: - Tip = SignalPhase (~~+" or "hot"), - Ring =Ground, - Screen Ground. = Main StereoOutput. The main outputs are via balanced, 3 pin male XLR connectors. The mating connectors shouldbe wired asfollows: - Pin 1 =Ground (screen). - Pin 2 =SignalPhase("+" or "hot"), - Pin 3 =SignalNon-Phase or "cold"). ("-" If anunbalanced outputis required,pins 1 and 3 shouldboth be connected ground. to Monitor Outputs. The monitor outputs are via balanced,3 pin jack connectors.The mating connectors shouldbe wired asfollows: - Sleeve =Ground (screen), =SignalPhase("+" or "hot"), - Ring =Signal Non-Phase ("-" or "cold"). 10 If an unbalanced output is required,the sleeveand ring should both be connectedto ground. Aux Outputs. The Aux outputsare also via balanced, pin jack connectors.The mating connectors 3 shouldbe wired asfollows: - Sleeve =Ground (screen), - Tip =Signal Phase("+" or "hot"), - Ring =SignalNon-Phase or "cold"). ("-" If an unbalanced output is required,the sleeveand ring should both be connected to ground. Stereo2T Returns. Two stereoinputs are provided to the monitor section,to allow off-tape monitoring, etc. The inputs are via balanced, pin jack connectors. 3 The mating connectors should be wired asfollows: - Sleeve =Ground (screen), - Tip - Ring =SignalPhase("+" or "hot"), =SignalNon-Phase or "cold"). ("-" If an unbalancedsignal is used, the sleeve and ring should both be connectedto ground. Effects Return. A stereo input is provided, for effects returns or other line level sources.The connectorsare 3 pin jack sockets,and the mating connectorsshould be wired as follows: - Sleeve =Ground (screen), - Tip =SignalPhase("+" or "hot"), or "cold"). - Ring =Signal Non-Phase ("-" 11 If unbalanced signalsareused,the sleeveandring shouldboth be connected ground. to The right input of the return is norrnalledto the left input, allowing the left input to be useda monoreturn. HeadphoneOutputs. The front paneljack socketis suitablefor driving headphones 32 ohms or higher of impedance. standard A 0.25" jack plug shouldbe used. Meter Calibration. The meter"ovu" trims may be usedto re-adjustthe calibrationof the VU metersif a setting other than OVU = +4dBu is required. A steadysignal of the desiredline up level shouldbe applied, and a small screwdriverinsertedthrough the front panel to adjustthe meterto the line up point on the scale. Digital Modules. Optional DO-8 digital modulesare available for the MI. An 8 channelinput/output modulemay be fitted, providing a digital input which is normalledto the channelline inputs (i.e. inserting an analogueinput cable into the line socket will override the digital input), plus digital outputsthat follow the channelDirect outputs.When fitted to the 12 channelversion of the Ml, the digital input and output connectionsare to channels1 to 8 only. Thereis a separate DO-2 moduleavailablefor the mastersection, which providesthe stereooutput in digital format. The specifications userinstructionsfor the digital modulesaresuppliedseparately. and 12 OPERATION Input Selection You must ensurethat the correct input connector,mic or line, is being usedfrom the requiredsource. You can selectthe type of input by pressingthe ...