Alesis MICROSERIES User Manual

THE

ALES'S

MICRO

SERIES

USER'S GUIDE

FEATURING

NN,trEi,||/I'EE/R'IJ

aJaa-a f-

^rr,trDl'ltt t;rrrlF'D.@

aJaa-a tv -ltaaa

A'i',,!E,'|)'F,frJE'

aJaaata

ft'r|'t'l)Ecl

aJaa-a rlt

^,I,^Ef)El'/l'AIIAED@

aJaa-a tv-taa all' !v-t

rt'r|l'if1),trrrE

aJaa-ra

t-

rv

vtt-

J

- a-

tlltlt

--

t-

-! I

a

-

,.',tD

G.tJa.

I

INTRODUCTION

THE

ALESIS

The Essential

Signal Processing/Music

MICRO

SERIES

Production

System

MIcRoVERS9I,

MICRO ENHANCERPanO
represent
the most
production

contained in
space
hassle.

With

now

the exception
fast,

Below
setup
your gear...

MICROVERB
providing

controlled
processing,

of

any engineer,

seasoned

the culmination

musical

tools

package
the Micro

be

achieved.

trouble-free

you'll

hints

and application ideas

so

the single most important

creation of ambience. Utilizing 16

MICROVERB ll

professionals

mlcno

functions

into

a

compact,

-

designed

Series in

And,

MICRO

of

operation.

find

a

you

can

ll has revolutionized

from 4

LIMITER9MIcRo

MICRO
years

of

powerful,

a

cost-effective, interlocking

for

your

of course,

EQ), full

brief description

get

the

places

track

working in

GATEPMIcRo EQ.

AMP.

CUE
research

of

of the six most

integrated

maximum

studio, record

six

all

to

most from

bedroom studio

world

units are

bandwidth,

of each unit,

help

the

awesome

class

by

system. Each

efficiency with minimum

quality

and designed for

get

you

your

music.

recording industry

aspect

power

recording

Togerher

Alesis

essential music

one-third rack

sounds can

full

stereo

followed

the most from

music

of

linear PCM

bit

in

hobbyists

rhey

to refine

unit

(with

by

by

-

the

hands

the

to

facilities.

is

The MICRO

compressor/limiter,

improves

smooths out fluctuating

ratio

searching

The MICRO

processor
noise

gated

the signal to

adjust automatically

for

between

reverb,

LIMITER,

punch

adds

noise ratio

dynamics. Attack

the most musically

GATE

that

musical

and

is

is

useful

for

tightening up

a combination

passages,

a soft-knee,

vocals

to

of tape

you

so

for

eliminating

won't waste valuable

correct settings.

for

creating

loose

program-dependent

instruments,

and

recorded

time and compression

noise

gate/special

incessant

special effects

timing in rhythm

greatly

tracks,

effects

background

tracks.

and

time

like

INTRODUCTION

(especially
controls allow
open and

kick

drums

you

to set

the slope of

and bass

gate

the

cont'd

guitars).

length of time

the

it

as

begins

The delay and

that the

to close.

gate

rate

stays

MIGRO EO

The
switchable
requirements of stage and studio,
with
alteration.

The
equalizer, used
add brilliance

in

lost
this
enhancers.

The
that allows
also
keyboard for
CUE
outputs that

Next
hearing
be using all six

your

electric

any

MICRO

recording

the

without

MICRO CUE AMP is

you

features

AMPS

time

the

next live

is

a 3 band

bandwidth controls.

instrument or

ENHANCER

during

instruments

to

adding distortion, a

to expand

a second

private practicing.

together

you

need for

you

listen

Alesis MICRO

MICRO

performance.

tracking

process.

input which

to

to a

parametric

can be thought

and

and to

And

the

problem

a two channel

your

headphone

And

give

you

bigger sessions.

great

SERIES

recording,

SERIES

products

This manual will

equalizer complete

Perfectly suited

MICRO

the

microphone

mixdown when
restore

MICRO ENHANCER does

can be used

you

can even chain

all the additional

in

use.

EQ

requiring tonal

of as an automatic

presence

found in

headphone amplifier

monitoring system.

with

you

will very likely

Certainly

your

in

you

show

for

be used

can

you

need

and clarity

other signal

guitar

a

headphone

you

studio and

how.

with

the

to

lt

or

MICRO

be

should

in

ACKNOWLEDGETAENTS

FOR lr,ilCRO
Reproduced whh

Recording Technioues

p.37-/o

EA

permission

ol the

by Robert

publisher,

E. Runstein copyright 1974.

Howard

W. Sams and

Co.

Modern

Reprinted with
Engineer/Pmducer.
Park,

Kansas.

pemission

@yright

from the

NovemberDecember

1 972, Intertec Publishing

issue of Recording

Corporalion,

Ovedand

TABLE

OF

CONTENTS

INSTALLATION

Before
moment
brief
might

some

Each

you
we've

get

unpacking your

look

to

through

and informative

have.

application

the highest

the most

some

MlcRo

made

hints

sERlEs

level

each

your

from

new

this

and it

helpful

for

each

unit is

professional

of

unit musical

music

Alesis

instruction

will

answer

setup

thoughts

unit.

designed
and

with

MlcRo

manual.
any

are inctuded

and

performance

easy

to use

the least

amount

sERlEs

unit,

we've

questions

that

along

engineered

and

so

that

of effort.

take

made

you

with
give

to

quatity.

you

can

a

it

lnstruments,

The

Alesis

ideally

suited for
signals.
of the

MICRO
connected
MfCRO

Microphones

MlcRo

Although

SERIES

to a mixing

SERIES

operation.

Of
MICROVERB
ENHANCER,
only appear
output)
tigure

FIGURE
INSTRUMENT

MICRO

the

either

on the

since both lett

1

-

1

INSTRUMENTOR

ll,

MONO

OR MICROPHONE

SERIES

use

either with

microphones

has high

can

units, it is

console

as described

SERIES

MICRO

left

same

units that
LIMITER,
right

or

side

and right

inputs
channels

MICRO

impedance

instrument

pickups

be connected

recommended

first

and

then

in

Figures

are

MTCRO

may

output

SERIES

TO

2

stereo,

GATE,

be used,

(example:

are

totally isolated.

CONNECTION

AMPLIFIER

LEFT

inputs

or

that

line

direcily into

that

they

connected

or 3 for

quietest

such

as the

and MTCRO

but

signalwill

left

input-left

OR MIXING

OUTPUT

CONSOLE

level

to

See

are

any

be

the

TO

INSTALLATION

This is
only
mono

NOT true of

of the

MICROVERB

(present

Mixing Consotes

All of the
sends
SERIES

having
low

signal

The
console

In

the case of

unit can be
the auxiliary
connect an

of the

connected

ENHANCER

MICRO SERIES

can

system

easily

at all
enough

levels of budget

MICRO SERIES units

in several

used to effect

send and

aux send of the

MICRO ENHANCER

to both the

or
connect the output
back to either
this situation, the

(clockwise)

right

the

in

channels)

both

levels.

handle +4dBv

input or output

ways.

MICRO ENHANCER or

the

MICROVERB

of the

mix

returns

control

the aux

for maximum

cont'd

left input

MICROVERB

ll is

used,

at the

units can

ll, however'

input signal

the

dry side

handle

The input circuitry

(+20dBv

interface

gain

levels

to

recording systems.

may be connected

several

instruments at once by

return controls of the console.

mixing

or

left and

console

MICROVERB ll

right inputs of the

ll for

stereo operation)

to either

MlcRo ENHANCER or

input

or

channels.

should always be set

effect. See

figure 2

lf the

will

appear

of the

mix control'

mono or

the

of

peaks),

with the extremely

the

to

MICROVERB

of the

(or

2

aux sends

and

MICROVERB

Remember,

fully

as

stereo

MICRO

while

mixing

ll,

the

using

Simply

inputs

MICRO

then

ll

in

to the

FIGURE 2.

CONSOLE

STEREO

CONNECTION

VIA AUX SENDS

rry1622m

AUXSEND2

TO MIXING

LEFTINPUT

RIGHT INPUT

MICRO

SERIES

INSTALLATION

The

recommended

LlMlrER,
directly
that

ENHANCER
only

one

See tigure

MlcRo

to

the insert

is

to

be

instrument

3

effected.

and

method

EQ,

or MlcRo

send

MICROVERB

(in

mono

contd

of interfacing

GATE is

and receive

This

method

ll

as

or

stereo)

patch

will

work

well,

but keep

at

a time will

for

to

connect

points

of

for

the MIGRO

the

unit

the

channel

the MlcRo

in

mind

that

be

effected.

FIGURE
CONSOLE

ln

units
greater

reverb
same space for

3. STEREO
VIA

the case of

individual

to

control

can then

CONNECTION

CHANNEL

INSERT

SEND INSERT RETURN

MICROVERB

the

voices

over the

be used

uniformity.

or

ambience

to tie all of

See figwe 4

INSERT

as

1622

u

ll, however,

instruments

of each sound. An

the sounds together into

TO MIXING

PATCH

allows

POINTS

LEFT

OUTPUT

dedicating

you

separate

to

exercise
"overall"

the

INSTALLATION

Another way
recording
mixing

needed

console would

console. See figure 4 This would

effect

to

appropriate use for

in

and

some cases,

interface

to

the entire

the

the

MICROVERB

cont'd

MICRO

in-line

be

mix

MICRO

SERIES units to a

across the output of

be the case

would

and

be an especially

mixer

your

you

if

or

ENHANCER, MICRO LIMITER,

ll.

FIGURE
USING THE

The

-

4

STEREO

MAIN

a'*.'1622re

MICRO
are especially
units

are truly

"center

towards

stereo

shifting", which

one side

program.

CONNECTION TO THE

OUTPUTS

MAIN

SERIES

units

designed for

stereo with

common

means

due to

OUT LEFT

LEFT

OUTPUT

(with

stereo

short

MICRO

SERIES

the exception

program

material

parameter

that the

term

balance

peaks

MICRO

RIGHTOUTPUT

SERTES

of MTCRO

as all of

controls to

prevent

briefly leans

on one side

Ee)

the

of the

The

MICRO

be used

connected

monitori

since

in

ng

capabilities.

EQ

can

also be

it

is a mono

this manner

connected
unit. MIGRO

well

as

to expand

6

this way

but 2 units must

CUE AMP(s)

your

can be

headphone

INSTALLATION

Mounting

All

of the

in

the Micro Rack
Assembly
device in
allows
or to

Power

volts AC
approach

level
(220V),
panel
powered

could

noise

the devices

stand alone

The MIGRO

signals,

and

space.

by a single supply, this

possibly
in the system,

in

units

quick

is

place.

SERIES

through a 3.5mm

keeps

allows

further reduces

Although

occur between

Alesis

the

Adapter,

and

simple with a

The

unique

lock

to

as single units.

is

stray

magnetic fields from interfering with low

easy conversion

many MICRO

cont'd

MICRO

where

design of

together to form

powered

plug.

the unit's

units,

SERIES
any three

single screw

the

remote

by a

This

to alternate

physical
SERIES

is not

advisable as

leading

rack-mountable

are

units

securing

MICRO

a solid

external

to excessive

SERIES case

rack

supply

power

power

size and

devices could be

ground

perfectly.

fit

each

package,

providing

supply

sources

valuable

loops

hum

and

9

MICROVERBYI

zlr-sts

ltlGlllllrEEtZ"

aE-z

.\

.@:

@@T@m

(X

POWEN DEFEAT

oa-\

\-/

(

nuoc

o

\_/ \-/ \-/

ALESlscoRpoRATroN

LOS ANGELES,

Description

is a revolution in the development

MICROVERB

reverb
while
what

programs

in

that
reducing the
you

in
research by
naturally

in
unobstructed
ll

offers

polish

a

the sound of

Utilizing the

architecture,

professional

spring

units.
a single chip,
specifically

ll

represents

it

physical

now hold in the

can

MICROVERB ll are the

Alesis

space.

into
From small,

spaces to useful

powerful

level

any

Alesis R.l.S.C.

MICROVERB

the

digital

The

reverberation

entire

developed

for

the
complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor
processing,
cards of components

The reverb

simulation

reverberation

of

and development

MICROVERB

the

while consuming

programs

is

to enhance

R

l{

CA

}( )( tt

ee25

)t

rN

a SEBVcE

u s

MADE

phenomenal

a

from large, bulky

size

palm

\_/

*#tE1::8yi8.,,j8.,.""6,11i,ilrt6".

price/performance

of

result of

phenomenon

the

intimate

gated

of sonic

flexibility that

reverb effects,

of sound as

room settings to

recording.

(Reduced

digital

processing

by the

MlcRovERB

ll

Instruction Set Computer)
provides

ll

with

the

system

Alesis

Research

ll.
replaces several

chip

very little

were developed on our

system.

Philosophically, the

a dramatic

\-/

PERSoNNEL

o

hardware

your

hand.

years

of

MICROVERB

will

expand

clean,

cost and simplicity

is

contained

Department

Using

high

(CMOS)

power.

interactive

performance,

of digital

ratio

to

The 16

exhaustive

it occurs

large

and

quiet,

of

on

speed

silicon

circuit

room

objective

adding

MICROVERBYI

space,
pleasing
plates,

our
qualities,

reverse

Controls
The
MlcRovERB
reads

The
dqy

to

all
heard.

to reverbed
The

MICROVERB
MICROVERB

power,

than

and for

programs.

and include

types.

Input

Mix

signal

the

control

in

the red

control

sent to

right,

the way

The

Output

and
the
this

The

sets

ll

and

only

determines

the

then

only reverb

to

the left,

12

o'clock

signal.

control

ll. This
ll is not

depth.
simulated
reason,

programs

should

on

output.

position

sets

should

overloaded.

contd

Natural

reverb

we

such

unnatural

the level

be

occasionaltransients.

the

lf

will

then

only

the

be

spaces

types

use room

cover

terminology

wide

a

concepti

of

signal

set

so the

amount
the Mix
be

will result

of

control

heard.

dry

lf

(uneffected)

in

output level

set

so that the

tend

such

range

that is

overload

wet

the Mix

a 50/50 mixture

of

both

to

sound

as

springs

in

of

as

applied

more

desiribing

sizes

gated

to

Indicator

signal

is

(reverb)

set

all the way

control is

signat will

of

channels

unit being fed

and

and
and

the

or

set

be

dry

of

by

The

Program

Select

selects

programs.

ntCnOYERBllPrograms

SIALLI
SXALL2 AMBIENCE
STALL3
SIALT' SMAI I PI ATF

ED|UT T
TEDIUT2

several
input
should
presently

When

AMBIENCE
SMALLROOM

SMALL/MEOIUM
SMALL/MEOIUM

The

Overload Indicator

input

signal

be

ROOM
ROOM

conditions.

to the MICROVERB
increased.
being fed

indicator glows

the

TEDIUU3
TEDIUT'

TEDIUT5 MEDIUM/LARGE
T€OIUX 6 MEDIUM

When

to the MICROVERB

one of MICROVERB

MEDIUMROOM
MEDIUM

PLATEi

IMMEDIATE ATTACK

DELAYED

is

actually

When

STRONG

ROOM

PLATE/SOFTER

ATTACK

a

the indicator

ll is

too

the indicator

LANGE
LARGE2 MEDIUM/LARGE
LARGE3
LANGE4 ENDLESSSPACE

GATE.I POWERGATE
GAT€2 BRIGHTGATE

3 colored

low
glows

ll is

red,

the MICROVERB

ll's

16 reverb

1 LOW DIFFUSION

LARGE ROOM

LED

glows

and

the lnput

green,

VOCAI

ROOM

that shows

amber,

the signal

a usable level.

ll is

ROOM

the

level

being

MICROVERBYI

contd

the

overloaded

The Bypass Jack,
reverb signal
SPST type
sometimes

Operation

MICROVERB

do the

1. Apply

a single

2. Increase the
occasional

on

most
maintain a

3.

level.

4.

signal

MTCROVERB
console, the

wet

signal).

5. Select

and

and allows

footswitch

comes

ll is

following:

a signal

instrument), or both

program peaks.

of the

Increase the Output control until

Adjust the

time.

good

signal

Mix control until the desired

is achieved.

lt is used

Mix control should

program

your

Input control

located on the

only
(such

with

amplifiers)

easy to

to either the

Input control until

This indicates

noise ratio.

to

REMEMBER:

of

should

the dry signal

as

will

in

use

left

with

choice.

almost

left input

and

The LED should

that

the aux sends

remain allthe

be decreased.

panel,

rear

at the

reverb

the

work for

right

the

there

this

any application.

jack

for mono

jacks

for

LED

ReC

is

there

is sufficient output
ratio

ln

cases

way to the

bypasses
outputs.

footswitch that

function.

(used

stereo.

briefly lights

remain

sufficient level

of dry

were the

recording

of a

the

Any

Simply

with

"green"

wet

to

(ail

right

to

As
instruments
repeating) type

Long melodic lines and
rooms. Remember,

your

How

The 16

ambient spaces.

the smallest

ll. One of the

good

a

ears and select

to use

rule of

such as

patterns

however, that

MICROVERB

programs

lts

4 track studio can own

greatest

thumb

drums and

the

in MICROVERB

compact,

differences between

for

instruments

usually

pads

program

work best

generally

your

ll in

atfordable

10

selecting

is

this

that sounds

studio

more

programs,

with

with

sound

only a starting

ll

offer

format

than

home

ostinato

smaller

better

best to

a

means

one

with

you!

wide range of

MIGROVERB

recordings and

rhythmic

(quickly

programs.

larger

point.

that

Use

even

MICROVERBYI

flight

top

record

performance
have

a lot

MICROVERB

The

illustration

duction.

efforts, it

16
line

musical
occupied
indicate
due to the
small

wider, more
gram

ption_q1d
lines.
MICROVERB

alone
sole.
control
console

SNAREDRUM

LEAOVOCAL

BACKGROUNDVOCAIS

LEAD

RHYTHMGUfTARANDKEYBOARDS...

HORNSECTION...,,
STRINGS
PERCUSSIONANDCYMBALS.

while

does illustrate

processor

bit

clarity and

programs

These

performance.

by

each

physical

the

psychoacoustic

programs

open

Recornmended progralrs

suggestions

please

This

mix

Ileasily

The

mix

control

operation,

IMPoRTANT!

on MIORoVERB

panned

.

INSTRUMENTS

productions

reverb

of

digital reverbs

ll

shows

this setup

in

MlcRor/ERB

great

instrument:

have more

and spacious.

are
experiment.

uses

settings

or the

when

hard left

(guitiar,

processors.

changes

a typical

may

why

modern

resolution.

were

chosen for

There

is

placement

imaging
of a centered

are

based

on

I MlcRovERB

.....

Musical

brings

at least

apply to

settings

used with

II

should a lways

and right

sax,

svnth, etc.)

contd

is in

and

ail

that.

reverb

not represent

recordings

II allorvs

the

a well

defined

left

to right

of

each instrument,

characteristics

listed

by number

popular

current

style,

programs

II

portion

a

either the mix

can apply

the

sends and receives

for

the full

........MEDIUM4ORLARGE1

quality

the
Simply

the smaller

assignment for

the

capabilities

sound

you

to

create this

purpose

and

spatial image while

to the sends

of creating

sense

front

to

nelit to

uses

of digital

personal

simultaneously.

of this mixwithin

control

and number

stated,

studios

a no hotds

so spacioui

sense

of three

taste

dimensional

The

back.

and

the spreading

of each

program.

each

rwerb,

and creativity

MICRoVERB

on

receives

and

the big

your

of

of space with

'sound

a
blocks

the large

instrument.

but use

The

the reach

of a mixing

be

fully

set

clockwise,

and the returns

stereo effect.

PROGRAT

GATEI

oT2

.. MEDIUMs

LARGE 1

..

SMALLlor2 so-o 50-100

.ARGE2
LARGE 1 50-10()

..

LARGEl OR

MEDIUM

2

UIXCONTROL

%Dty

60

of high

studios

usually

barred record

and

in the illustration

of a mixing
console

don't.

own recording

dramatic. Th6

crystal-

stage'

for

space

that is

of the

Notice

are
attoroaoifity

sound

that

programs

These
yor

imagF

guid-e-

1rcur

of a//studios.

II lor

stand

thb mix

on the

%h

40-50

pro-

the

the

are

pro-

ot

con-

BASSGUITAR...

H1H4T.............

SMALL2

SMALLT or2

11

Rcldrlr dcFr

l-l o*

I.-,'

I

*tr

Mtffi

I

I.IIfiNTil

-

^-

-

W

-

nh reUo

fre rclalirre

blod(

dwcudy

represents

Soundd{p(afurcdon

otttp

Thewithof €dlHod<rcprcen0stplefr
dimersirn

d each

HHT3ffiffiS'#ffi.ffi'ffiffi

ild d.ill

btit*sbr€oi.ttEFg.Thefiontbbad(

serce cf

mbqwtidrbdePedentmthe

pogrrn}

ltvub

ot

deptt ct€aied

by €a.tl

MICROVERBYI

STACKING

lf

16
together
starting

then

let

FIGURE

MICROVERB

programs

for
with
your

5.

aren't
a nearly
a

small

imagination

STACKING

endless

Room

rcrr

"@:.@:-.@i*'6j@?

cont,d

ils

enough,

feeding

run

MICRoVERB

try stacking

number

into

wild.

See ligure

TO

OR AMPLIFIER

tl

oureur

\

/

I

| |

/ \ /

2

of revbrb

Medium

a

5

IIs

CONSOLE

*#ffih-a

\

MrcRovERB
possibilities.

or Large

RIGHTOUTPUT

S-_, I

Room,

ils

Try

FROM

MIXER

INSTRUMENT

N

OR

13

MICRO

LIMITER'

POWEN

r-\

svrc

\-/

"f&1R'"?tPS:^"'l"r

BACK

R

OulPUI L

{){)

\ ,/ \ ,/

4#F

*"?r+HilFAmUi'A:tr

Description

Alesis MICRO LIMITER is

The
compressor/limiter
limiting,
and

and special

vocals.

which is

effects on both

used

a true stereo

for

automatic

live

recorded

and

in/stereo out

gain

riding,

instruments

peak

A compressor/limiter, which can be thought of as an automatic
fader, very
exceeds a

input

quickly

predetermined

signal

needed

reduces

to cause a 1 dB

of the compressor/limiter

ratio

a

of 4 to

increase in

1,

output.

an 8

The MICRO LIMITER

the

green

LED

s are

lit
to 8:1). A compressor
fluctuations

effects

of an

(See

A compression

instrument

Applications).

ratio

into a limiter. A limiter is

little information

add
amplifiers or tapes.
special effects
fired,

the unit becomes a true

(See

gain

level.

is

called the compression

increase

dB

attenuates the signal once

and

The number

of dB

increase in

increase of the

the output

rafio.

of input

produces

Thus, for

can be thought of as a compressor

because of the

is

usually used to

vocal

or

of 10:1 or

used

to the

lt

also can be

Applications).

above changes

prevent

to

program

Once the

limiter with

low

compression

even out the

and sometimes

the compressor

short term

material) from overloading

for

used

certain types

yellow

fourth LED indicating

the

ratio

for

peaks (which

LED

signal

2 dB

a

when

(2:1

volume

special

s are

it

of

14

MICRO

a

compression
MICRO
listening,
panel

of

The

MICRO
means
signals, regardless

for

low

fevel

increases.

FIGURE

5

F
l

o

INPUT LEVEL

The

MICRO
time which
compressor/limiters
characteristics
especially
thought
with

very few

with

compressor/limiters.

Unlike many
require
LIMITER

both

quick

is

LIMITER@contd

ratio

LIMITER

we

have

the unit.

LIMITER

that there

level

signals

See figure

6

LIMITER

allows

tailored for

of as

extensive

was

the

of its

"power

a

of the

other

technical knowledge

designed

and

easy

of

about 16:1.

is

more

eliminated

employs

is

always

level,

of

and

also employs

unit

on

detection

use with

undesirable

compressor/limiters

specifically

to use

the desired results.

since we

easily

these

the

some

but

the

automatically

quickty

and

designations

"soft-knee"

compression

compression

increases

6

program

to be more musical

the market.

Because

circuitry, which

rhythm

box",

a

adding

section,

punch

side effects normally

on

for

operation,

with

the musician

and requires

little

Alesis

at

sounding

to bass

feel

that

set

up

by

from

the front

approach,

applied

ratio

is

very

as

the

dependent

than

of the

unique

have

the unit

and

can be

drums

which

to

signal

attack

other

been

associated

the market which

the MICRO

in

mind

training

to

achieve

the

just

all

low

so

it

Controls

The

input

LllllTER,
be applied. Therefore,

control

but

also determines

sets not

the more

only the level
the

the amount

input

to the unit,

15

entering

limiting

of

the higher

the MICRO

which

will
the

MICRO

compression
conjunction

LIMITER@cont'd

ratio.

with

This ratio

graph

the

is indicated by the

front of the unit.

the

on

input LED's

in

quickly

The release time control determines

recovers from a signal applied

fastest release time

the
The output control

signal
An in/out

comparison
Operation
instrument or effect desired, basic operation of

LIMITER is
input
side

meters

This is

aware that
seem dulland

level is lost due to the effects of

switch

purposes,

Although specific operation of the

the same.

jack

(or

both

for

the output.

To

determine the

your

on

covered

console or

more in

too much limiting will

lifeless.

while full to the

provided

is

allows

if necessary.

First,

jacks

Depress

right

amount of

to the

for

you

to bypass the

apply a signal to

for

stereo),

in/out

the

tape machine

next

the

cause the

how

input. Farthest to

right is the slowest.

matching levels so that

limiting.

MIGRO

MICRO LIMITER

the unit's

taking care to use

listen

and

(see

program

to the

best to

application).

switch

limiting, it is

section

limiter

the

the

LIMITER

will vary

MICRO

the

right

the

"in"

position.

look

to the

results.

material

left is

no

for

per

left

or

same

at the

Be

to

Next,

adjust the release time
(counterclockwise).

left

the

must

it
signals that are
drums) should
more
(like

bass) should

more

to the

Care should be taken

left

the

made

be

to the

right.

(release

carefully

percussive

have a

left. Program

have a longer release

time too short) as

by starting

This is

for

shorter

that contains a

when

the

best

have a high

or

release

release

the

with

the control

most

critical adjustment

results. As

treble

time,

lot

time, or the control

control

this setting

general

a

or the control set

low

of

is

may result

full

so

rule,

content

frequencies

set too

(like

set

far to

in

to

a

MICRO

LIMITER@contd

slight
"pumping"

succession
synth

the

increased
product

However,
use
MICRO

setting

bit to

"breathing"

long),

squashed

control, it's
since fhe MICRO
point

Finally,
then
regardless

amount

or

of

part,

for

signal,

as they

lf

the

out, and adjust

causing
after

of

the

these

are

LIMITER,

of the release

right

the

will

release

program

the

dynamics.

better

you

and

set the

of

the

of

"breathing"

peaks
instance),

each

limiting

conditions

dependent

and either

go

control is

will most

output

position

harmonic

were fed

rapid

a

and

away!

may

keep

to

LIMITER

the

distortion.

might

the limiter

rise in

peak.

process

may

on

the

style of music

control.

the

set too

sound

When in

it

on a shorter
is most forgiving

likely

control by

output control

of the

Also,

occur. This

into

the limiter

would

background

Both

of these

and can

never

the type
Simply turn

slight distortion

far
dull and lifeless

doubt as to how

get

the desired results.

switching the in/out

switch.

respond

occur with

occur

instrument

of

played,

to the

right

setting

until the level is

phenomena

a

means

(a

conditions

during

the release

that if

staccato

to each

noise

as

the

any limiter.

your particular

fed into

well

as

"pumping"

or

(release

as a

to set

in

the

(towards

operation

called

a rapid

guitar

are a

control

time too

result

control in,

the

or

peak

of

gain

is

by-

the

as

the

a

and

of

release

left)

the

at this

same

Application
The

MICRO

functions,

1.

Even
instruments.
strings are louder
MICRO LIMITER
volumes

2.

Minimize

instrumentalist

LIMITER

depending

out the volume

An

example

produces

of the different notes.

the changes

momentarily

can be made

upon

control settings. These

of this would

than

others

perform

to

differences

on some

a

smoother bass line

in volume when

changes his

17

between

be that

instruments.

distance from

several

are:

some bass

by matching

a vocalist

different

registers

The

use of a

the mike.

on

guitar

the

or

MICRO

Allow an

3.

preventing

transients

LIMITER@cont'd

instrument

(high

to be

level

recorded

peaks)

hotter onto

pinning

from

the

tape

meter.

by

vocal or

4. Make

decreasing
parts.

louder
only slightly

drums,

limiting the

by

transients.

explanations
will

least amount of
MICRO
begins to brighten

be at about
much
careful as
bass
limiter on the
and drums)
keeping

This actually

lncrease the

5.

lncrease the sustain

6.
compressing

7. Stop distortion

In the examples

get you

Adjust the

as

=

a

the signal

in

mix while

the

by allowing

rest.

its

by simply

the best

hassle.

LIMITER

it will

to the setting

longer setting).

undesirable

for adding

input

first red LED.

the

start to

market,

allowing

instrument

peaks

enables

increasing

"punch"

peak

the

dynamic

due to temporary

below,

watching the

results from

control

on the attack

become
of the

is

you

side effects to

and

the signal

certain

of

portion

of an

The

optimized

instrument such as electric

range.

we

can

punch

until the

portion

Be

careful

very dull and

Release control

MICRO

to add

"sit"

better

increasing

be

to

the overall

instruments such

of the

overloading

bypass the

meters

your

MICRO LIMITER

to an

for rhythm section

a

instrument

instrument

the signal.

of

not

LIMITER, unlike

maximum

the

minimum. See

in the

lower

the
made significantly

signal

signal

to

through

normal technical

listening.

and

(or

limit

lifeless.

(Remember:

by

mix

volume

level meter

as bass

by controlling

instruments)

This

the signal

Also,

any other

work

punch

figure 7

or

while

guitar

This

with the

should

too

be

more

(bass

while

18