Manual

INTRODUCTION
The STC-8 is a high quality compressor combined with a remarkably dependable peak limiter,
that provides overload protection critical to digital recording and broadcast transmitters. The
STC-8’s compressor is engineered to provide musically transparent gain control, but is
also capable of emulating vintage equipment and creating distinctive new sounds.
In addition, a switchable enhancement circuit creates “analog” and “tube-like” warmth to enrich
lifeless audio and digital recordings. This vast flexibility is simplified by the inclusion of several
optimized presets, allowing fast, easy set-up on a wide variety of sounds. It can operate in true
stereo or discrete independent mono, accessible by a front panel switch.
The STC-8’s sophisticated side-chain allows both compression and peak limiting to take place
simultaneously, using the same proprietary gain control circuit. High signal quality is maintained
by utilizing a discrete class A audio path, and by eliminating any VCA or optical gain control
elements.
The STC-8 requires 2 rack spaces. All inputs and outputs are transformer-less and balanced.
The toroidal power transformer is UL approved and allows four line voltages for international use.
The STC-8 delivers consistent gain control without sacrificing musical definition or har-
monic richness.
CLASS A DISCRETE TOPOLOGIES
The STC-8 has a Class A audio path which is significantly different than designs that use inte-
grated 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 compaired to IC designs. 1) Due to the large
number of parts in discrete circuits; they are costly. 2) Class A circuits run warm.
HEATING AND WARM-UP
The STC-8 must have adequate ventilation. Make sure the vent holes are not blocked. Do
not set anything directly on top of the STC-8. When mounting the STC-8 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. The STC-8 should be allowed a 10 to 15 minute warm up period before
use.
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