Owner`s manual

STT-1

(16) EQUALIZER IN/OUT SELECT SWITCH "EQ IN"

Pushbutton switch which places the single (yes, only one) active EQ amplifier in the signal path.

Because of this equalizer's unique design, the four bands of active filters are not technically 'in' the

direct audio signal path. Rather, the filter bands exist within the shunt network of a single audio

amplifier. Hence, an active filter is only effecting audio when its associated Boost/Cut control

is in a position other than "0" — that is, when a Boost/Cut control is boosting or cutting. If all

Boost/Cut controls are set to "0" (12:00 o'clock position), even though the EQ IN switch and all

four EQ Band switches are engaged, there will be no noticeable sonic difference until a Boost/Cut

control is adjusted away from its "0" position.

(17) TWIN TOPOLOGY

SELECT SWITCH "EQ/COMP TT"

Pushbutton switch which selects the amplifier topology to be used by the equalizer and com-

pressor, vacuum tube or solid state. When switch is depressed and LED is illuminated, EQ and

compressor are routed via a 100% Class-A solid state FET amplifier. When switch is not de-

pressed and LED is not illuminated, EQ and compressor are routed via a 100% Class-A vacuum

tube amplifier. EQ and compressor amplifier path topologies cannot be selected separately. Not

a gimmick, Twin Topology is designed around two world class, musically optimized amplifiers

— one amplifier is based upon twin triode 300+ Volt vacuum tubes, while the other is based

upon all discrete Class-A biased J-FET servo amplifiers. Like having two distinctly different

equalizer path amplifiers and two distinctly different opto-compressor path amplifiers in one

chassis. We do not "match" inherent gains between the vacuum tube and solid state amplifiers

— a small gain differential between topologies (generally 1 or 2 dB) is not unusual.

COMPRESSOR / LIMITER SECTION

(18) THRESHOLD CONTROL "THRESH"

Conductive plastic rotary potentiometer offering a continuously variable compression thresh-

old adjustment range of approximately -20 dBu to +20 dBu. Threshold is most sensitive when

control is turned fully CW.

(19) ATTACK TIME CONTROL "ATTACK"

Conductive plastic rotary potentiometer offering a continuously variable attack timing. When

fully CCW, the fastest attack time is achieved (2 mS). When fully CW, the slowest attack time is

achieved (100 mS). Opto-resistive gain reduction, as found in the Origin STT-1, is ideal for vir-

tually all program material, including tracking of vocals, guitars, keyboards, and most acoustic

music. Moreover, when a pair of STT-1 units are combined, the opto-compressor can be used

for stereo program mixing, post production, and so forth. Opto-electronic gain reduction is not

the fastest known method of compression attack, but based on many years of listening experi-

ence with every gain reduction technology, we feel that well designed opto-resistive compres-

sion is the most sonically transparent method.

(20) RELEASE CONTROL "RELEASE"

Conductive plastic rotary potentiometer offering continuously variable compression release

timing. When fully CCW, the fastest release is achieved (20 mS). When fully CW, the slowest

release is achieved (3 seconds). Note that release times below 80 mS are normally used only

during de-essing. It is recommended that broadband compression use >80 mS release times.