CONTENTS INTRODUCTION THE FRONT PANEL and SIGNAL FLOW Input Selection Input/Output Level Trims Inserts 1-3 (SUM-DIFFERENCE processing) Inserts 4, 5 (swap!) Inserts 6-8 Mix/Fade Knob THE BACK PANEL THE GUTZ Top Board Bottom Board INTERNAL TRIMS SOME THOUGHTS FROM OUR LAB TROUBLESHOOTING SPECIFICATIONS WARRANTY WARRANTY REGISTRATION APPENDIX 1 – EXAMPLE SETTINGS APPENDIX 2 – TEMPLATE FOR STORING SETTINGS
INTRODUCTION THANK YOU!… …for purchasing the Manley Laboratories Mastering Insert Switcher. This product is the culmination of many custom Manley mastering consoles and mastering processors. It all started back around 1990 when the only option for mastering houses was to commission custom pieces needed for their art. Several of the top mastering engineers approached us and requested audiophile grade consoles and special mastering versions of our compressors and EQs.
THE FRONT PANEL A D B C F E I G K H J A. Input selector switches: Choose which of the three inputs to run through the Backbone. This switch also determines what input comes out of the “SEL INPUT” XLR on the back panel. B. Left-Right Reverse: Allows you to swap left and right channels. Gains: When lit, bypasses all active electronics for the input and output gains. Polarity: Changes the absolute polarity of the signal. For more on this, see page ??? C.
SIGNAL FLOW The signal-flow through the console is simple enough to describe and mostly follows the front panel left-to-right layout. Three pairs of XLRs on the back panel are balanced line inputs associated with the client‘s source format. These could typically be a superb DAC (or two) and an analog tape machine. INPUT SELECTION Next come a pair of XLRs that are direct outputs of the chosen input.
Generally the INPUT and OUTPUT LEVELS are meant to correct for any losses or unintentional gains from the source machines or in any of the outboard processing gear. However, these controls really open a lot of possibilities in terms of driving gear hotter or softer especially when one considers combining that concept with setting up outboard gain settings away from a standard unity gain setting.
INSERTS 4 & 5…SWAP! INSERT 4 and INSERT 5 are also special. You can reverse the order of these two using the button below marked SWAP. With the button pushed, Insert 5 precedes Insert 4. Whatever processors you choose for these inserts, verify that with both units NOT bypassed and “flat” (e.g. zero compression), that there are no unwanted effects related to the patch order, including other processors potentially in the chain (especially Inserts 3 and 6 which are nearest 4 & 5).
OUTPUT LEVEL SWITCHES Right after the FADER/MIX stage is the final active stage, which are the OUTPUT LEVEL switches. Like the INPUT LEVEL switches, you have 24 ½ dB steps filling a -5.5 dB to +6dB range. And this stage together with the INPUT LEVEL controls can be bypassed/engaged with the button marked GAINS. Now, it’s time for an... *IMPORTANT PARAGRAPH* Note that both the FADER/MIX and OUTPUT LEVEL controls precede INSERT 8.
THE BACK PANEL *Note: The panel shown is for the Sub-D connections option. For the other configuration, connectors F, G and H are replaced with a pair of 56-pin ELCO connectors. A B C D E F G H I J A. Power Switch: Where the IEC power cable is inserted, the fuse is placed, and the power is switched off and on. Complex, yes, but most users should be familiar with this feature set. B.
BACK PANEL As previously described, you have 3 Input XLRs per side followed by an Output XLR that reflects the chosen input. These are factory set-up as AC coupled (the inputs are protected by capacitors, which may prevent some clicks or pops when switching), which implies the signal has to flow through capacitors. If these capacitors are unwanted, there are jumpers (no soldering required) to bypass them and provide DC coupled inputs (similar jumpers exist for the outputs).
THE GUTZ GUTZ There is a 4-deck sandwich arrangement of printed circuit boards that make up the active electronics that process audio. Two long boards are so-called motherboards that hold 5 small PCBs each. There are separate motherboards for left and right, and the left is the top board, while the bottom takes care of the right. Each mother has about 36 relays and a dozen connectors, plus about 4 ICs that feed a fake signal to bypassed inserts.
GUTZ cont’d: TOP WIRES
GUTZ cont’d: BOTTOM WIRES
INTERNAL TRIMS
SOME THOUGHTS FROM OUR LAB GEAR SEQUENCE Another interesting quality of much analog gear is the optimum sequence of gear. While there is some validity to ideas of “EQ before compression” or “EQ after compression”, the practical reality is trickier. For example, Box #1 may seem to sound best only if it drives into another box that does not have a transformer input – it likes to see a relatively simple load and maybe really shines driving into just one particular box for unknown reasons.
“WIDTH” cont’d... So we’ve all heard some “big” sounds before that result from mid-side tweaks. But did you know this? Let’s say you increase the width by just 1 dB (which is pretty subtle). What begins with maybe 100 dB dB of separation between left and right diminishes quickly. Now a sound that was panned hard left will also be on the right side but out-of-phase and down about -20 dB. So, what seems only a hair wider actually reduced left-right separation from 100 dB to 20 dB.
MORE ON THE MIX/FADE KNOB Traditionally, mastering engineers used a mix function when cross-fades between two analog tape machines were used to segue between songs. Now that is much easier done in the workstation. But in recent years, with the availability of convolution reverb programs and sizable libraries of impulse responses (IRs) on the internet, some mastering engineers are finding that a touch of convolution reverb helps gel dryer mixes.
MAINS CONNECTIONS Your BACKBONE has been factory set to the correct mains voltage for your country. The voltage setting is marked on the serial badge, located on the rear panel. Check that this complies with your local supply. Export units for certain markets have a moulded mains plug fitted to comply with local requirements.
WARRANTY All Manley Laboratories equipment is covered by a limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 90 days from date of purchase to the original purchaser only. A further optional limited 5 year transferrable warranty is available upon proper registration of ownership within 30 days of date of first purchase.
WARRANTY REGISTRATION We ask, grovel and beg that you please fill out this registration form and send the bottom half to: MANLEY LABORATORIES REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT 13880 MAGNOLIA AVE. CHINO, CA 91710 USA OR you may FAX this form in to: +1 (909) 628-2482 OR you may fill in the online warranty registration form found in the Tech Support section of our website (www.manleylabs.
Notes: EXAMPLE SETTINGS