Owner manual

5.2 In Use - Mono tracking mode
Having connected the 5052 - checking that the input operating level switch is at the
most suitable setting (see section 3.9) - it’s time to put it into action! Here’s a simple
step by step guide, starting with single channel processing of a mic signal.
1. We’ll assume that a condenser microphone is connected to the channel 1 5052
mic input, and the +48V phantom power is engaged by choosing the ‘MIC
+48V’ setting of the input selector switch. The first stage is to set up the gains
of the 5052. With the compressor, EQ and limiter stages switched out, start
with the 5052 input gain at minimum and output gain at 0dB.
2. Gradually bring up the 5052 input gain until the Drive LED illuminates with the
chosen source material - this should also generate a healthy reading on the
5052 VU (when set to ‘I/P’). Then switch to meter ‘O/P’ and check that
around 0VU is being produced, and adjust the 5052 output level control if
necessary. To get the most benefit from the valve stages it’s normal to keep
the Drive LED glowing most of the time, with the Peak LED illuminating on
transient peaks only. For a cleaner sound you can back off the input gain
and thus reduce the drive to the valve stages, which will cause the Drive LED
to glow much less frequently.
3. Try engaging the 30dB pad and 90Hz filter switches. You should notice that
the pad greatly reduces the mic gain and the filter reduces the LF response
of the mic (try those ‘B’ and ‘P’ letter sounds as outlined in section 4.6).
4. Now depress the Compressor ‘On’ switch on channel 1, and select the Meter
switch to read Gain Reduction (‘Comp G/R’). Using the compressor’s
controls you will need to adjust settings to suit the source you are listening
to. A good starting point is set the Attack and Release to ‘Fast’, Ratio to
1:3, Knee to ‘Soft’, and Threshold to +20dB.
5. As you start turning the Threshold control clockwise towards 0dB, the 5052
meter should now register that some gain reduction is taking place. Aim to get
around a maximum 3-4dB of gain reduction occurring as a starting point, by
lowering the Threshold further if necessary. You should also notice that
increasing the Ratio setting causes more gain reduction to occur.