Electro-Harmonix NY-2A Reference Manual

User Reference Manual

NY-2A

32-33 47th Avenue
Long Island City, New York 11101
ph: 718 937 8300 fx: 718 937 9111
www.ehx.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GREETINGS FROM MIKE MATTHEWS 2

PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE USE 2

SPECIFICATIONS 4

USING YOUR NY-2A 5

THEORY OF OPERATION 7

INPUT TO OUTPUT FLOW CHART 9

FRONT PANEL 10

BACK PANEL 12

AUDIO PRECISION GENERATED SPEC GRAPHS 13

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS 19

USER SHEETS FOR PRESET STORAGE 21

Manual Notice:

This manual is provided as both a
guide for instruction, as well as a
reference to be kept near by to aid you
in everyday use. In it you will find
general information, regarding the
NY-2A Compressor as well as
instructions for setup, use and suggested
operating procedures. This manual is
subject to change without notice.
Electro-Harmonix is not liable for
errors–direct, indirect, coincidental,
or as a consequence of material
contained within this manual.

Copyright
2005 Electro-Harmonix. All rights reserved.
NY-2A and Electro-Harmonix and logo are
trademarks of New Sensor/Electro Harmonix.
Product and company names used within the
manual are trademarks of their respective
companies.

GREETINGS FROM MIKE MATTHEWS

NY-2A Optical Vacuum Tube Compressor by Electro-Harmonix

Thank you for selecting the Electro-Harmonix NY-2A, a professional compressor that was designed to meet the
demanding requirements necessary to attain the highest level of audio quality for recording and professional mastering.

We have learned, through our years as the world’s leading manufacturer of vacuum tubes (used by every leading
audiophile and musical instrument company) as well as our 30 plus years as the world leader in quality and creative
instruments (used on countless recordings and performances) that it is the components that are the foundation of quality
sound. When each component is critical, there are no second best choices. We use the best.

We are proud to present you with a superior audio tool that is the result of brilliant designers, access to the finest
components and a company that cares about sonic excellence. Your investment in the NY-2A will last a lifetime.

We came up with the best compressor ever made.

Rock and Roll,

Mike Matthews

2

PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE USE

Please read the manual carefully, as it was written to help you understand the capabilities and system requirements of your
new instrument. Carefully review the safety precautions as they not only ensure long and trouble-free life of your NY-2A, but
also ensure your own long and trouble-free life. Instead of neatly tossing it to the side once it comes out of the box, keep
your manual in a convenient place for quick reference.

The following instructions, on this page, are WARNINGS that must be followed:

1. Fluids and moisture: Do not operate this, or any, electrical instrument near a water source. This is an instrument; do

not place drinks or fluids on top of it. If any fluid is spilled into the NY-2A, immediately remove power and do not
reapply until checked by a responsible service person.

PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE USE (Continued)

2. Placement and ventilation: The NY-2Ais a rack-mount instrument and thus may be placed in a 3-space rack location.

In this type of installation, it is recommended that a minimum of one rack space be left above the unit for ventilation.
It may also be placed on a support or table that is designed to handle the weight, while still leaving an unobstructed
space for proper ventilation. Proper ventilation ensures long life and far less stress on other nearby rack-mounted instruments.
Vacuum tubes normally get hot and this is essential to their operation. Many other types of studio equipment can be far
less heat-tolerant. Placement must be balanced and even. Rack fans may be necessary in highly populated racks. Again,
keep all fluids away from the storage location. All bracket mountings must be able to bear the weight of the NY-2A as
its minimum rating (26 lbs.). Because there are 8 vacuum tubes used in the NY-2A, it is not only recommended

but also seriously suggested that a minimum of one rack space (two if possible) be left open above the top of this
instrument. The NY-2Agets hot on the surface. This is not a problem; as it is the result of the audio tubes utilizing
their full voltage potential.

3. Cleaning: Extreme care must be taken when cleaning both the exterior and interior of the NY-2A. The exterior may be

wiped down with a damp sponge and an extra mild detergent. Damp means slightly moist but not wet of saturated.
Internal cleaning can best be done with a soft brush (such as a watercolor brush), and/or very focused and light suction.
Dust-OFF, also works very well. BE GENTLE with ALL of the interior components, as if you were dusting priceless
china. UNPLUG THE INSTRUMENT before any cleaning, exterior or interior.

4. Heat: As suggested in note #2 above, the NY-2A generates heat because of the vacuum tubes and voltage regulation

circuitry used within it. It gets hot! This does not impact the operation of the NY-2A if all precautions are adhered to.
Covering the ventilation holes or enclosing the rack in a sealed cabinet will increase the ambient temperature signifi­cantly. If this occurs, the safety shutdown in the high voltage regulator will terminate power to the unit until the tem­perature returns to a normal operating range. In addition, the heat generated by this unit is most likely more of a prob­lem for nearby equipment than it will ever be for the NY-2A. Proper ventilation will insure trouble-free operation.

5. Power Sources: Utilize a grounded wall connector. When the unit remains unused for extended periods, disconnect the

3-pronged power cable from the outlet. Be careful that the power cord is out of the way and specifically away from
traveled areas. When connecting or disconnecting the cable, grasp the plug firmly and push or pull. Do not pull from
the cable. Make sure that your hands are dry with no moisture.

6. Service Situations: The following situations must be immediately addressed when encountered.

In the event that any of the above occurs, do not attempt to restart until any potential damage is either found or
ruled out.

Note: All electrical failures must be handled by an authorized service technician. Do not attempt user service. A
qualified technician will handle it swiftly, accurately and corr ectly. Foryour safety and properrepair, call: Electro­Harmonix at 718-937-8300. Ask to speak with a service representative and you will be instructed on how to pro­ceed. You must call in orderto receive correct and prompt service.

1. Damage to the power cord. Immediately shutdown and disconnect the power cable.

2. Water or any fluids or material (any amount) that has fallen on the surface or the interior of the
NY-2A. Immediately shutdown.

3. Exposure to natural elements such as rain.

4. Sudden impact of the instrument, such as dropping or a hard external impact.

5. Sudden and noticeable differences in performance and consistency.

6. Functional change where a marked difference in operation is noticed.

3

• Gain Reduction: 45dB

• THD+ Noise: 20hz .437%, 100HZ .370%, 1K .383%, 10K .388% 25K .384%

• Bandwidth: 15hz- 40Khz

• Gain: max gain 53dB

• Signal to Noise ratio: greater than 65dB @ 0 dBu in / 0dBu out, greater than 80db @ 10dBu in/ +20dBu out.

• Attack Time: Depending on Light Source and De-emphasis, 10mS, 30mS, 50mS and 100mS

• Decay Time: Dependent on Light Source

• Input Impedance: 10K Ohms Balanced

• Output Impedance: 600 Ohms Balanced

• Panel Size: 19" x 5-1/4"

• Chassis Depth: 14.25"

• Weight: 25.7 pounds

• Panel Controls: Pre Gain, Compress, Post Gain, Light Source Select (x2), link, attack, squash, bypass,

gain reduction, meter calibration, trim (x2), power

• Metering: Output Level (dBu), Gain Reduction / Magic Eye rapid ballistic EM-80 tubes

• Tubes: EH-1 (x2), EH-2 (x2), EH-3 (x2), EM80 (magic eye) metering tubes

SPECIFICATIONS

4

USING YOUR NY-2A

IMPEDANCE MATCHING FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE:

In many situations the issue of impedance matching will not be a problem, however there are many
home studios, (which may be first rate and professional in almost every aspect) that may not be set
up for the correct 600 Ohm impedance that the NY-2A requires. All transformer-coupled equipment
needs to be correctly terminated in order to get the best and most predictable performance. Peaking

or “loading-down” of the NY-2A can result from ignoring this advice. This can add distortion, high

frequency grunge, or ringing.

INPUT

The input impedance is 10K Ohms and this easily connects to most professional and low-cost
recording/musical equipment. Some “pro-sumer” and low cost signal processors, including “pedals”
and mic preamps, are actually high impedance equipment (greater than 10K output impedance) and
will be “loaded down” trying to drive the NY-2A. This will make for a distorted result with attenuated
bass. A “line amp” or active direct box will be needed to best match this kind of equipment to the
input of the NY-2A.

OUTPUT

The output must also be terminated correctly in order to avoid peaking or spurious noise anomalies or
distortion. The NY-2Ahas a nominal output impedance of 600 Ohms. This allows for long cable runs
and good immunity from external noise sources.

The home recording studios of today have elevated to a level of sophistication that allows music to be
created with excellent and professional sounding results. However, in many situations, even for those
who use serious professional and semi professional equipment, an impedance mismatch problem is
very possible. Many of today’s home mixers and equipment, in general, are not set up for a 600 Ohm
load and indeed are made up of a random group of impedances. The vast majority of today’ s equipment
is op-amp coupled, often with higher impedances both at the input and output and “false” or “fake”
balance (not actual balanced i/o). This can cause a variety of problems with the NY-2A. We suggest
that the 600 Ohm load be switched in (this is located on the rear panel) if there is any doubt about
termination. If your recording chain is already carefully matched and terminated, you will not want to
do this as loading the NY-2Atwice (two 600 Ohm loads in parallel will load the NY-2Adown with 300
Ohms) can also cause some problems. Although chances are you won’t hear them!

WHY IS THIS NECESSARY?

If the load on the transformer is too low (i.e., less than 600 Ohms), then the output transformer will be
forced to source more current than the tubes are capable of delivering. This affects the frequency
extremes and increases harmonic distortion. Less treble and bass, as well as a compressed (!) sound are
the result.

5

USING YOUR NY-2A (Continued)

If the load impedance is too high, the transformer is under-damped. Some of the energy supplied by the
tubes is stored in the transformer and released later at higher frequencies (this is called “peaking”). This
will place an unwanted resonance in the signal path, which can and most likely WILLshow up as audio
artifacts, including distortion. The peaking not only adds a crispy edge but can also exaggerate clicks
and pops when using the “BYPASS” switches. The NY-2Adoes not cause pops. That is one advantage
of transformer-coupled equipment. But if there was a small DC offset in a previous piece of equipment
(hard disk recorders and converters often have small amounts), that energy can be stored in the
transformer coils only to be “peaked” into the following equipment when switching between the effect
and true-bypass. This is pretty unlikely under most circumstances but it is still annoying if it happens
to you. Terminating the output transformer with the 600 Ohms it is looking for will help prevent any
of this.

A careful and correct impedance match will guarantee full bandwidth sound with the gorgeous
compression that the NY-2A can produce.

LEVEL MATCHING

Another important consideration for setting up your new compressor is making sure the NY-2Ais getting
the right amount of signal—neither too much or too little—to do its job. One of the problems for today’s
recording work is that there are several formats and they are changing almost daily. The old “line level,”
or 0.707 VRMS for “0 VU,” still exists on some new consoles and most older ones. The 1.22VRMS
“0dBU” format is of course the most common on analog boards from recent times. However, digital
recorders and converters often put out 2-4 VRMS and up to 10VRMS (+18dBU). How does anyone
accommodate such a wide range of input level? Once again, a quick look at the rear panel of the NY-2A
will reveal switches for a 20dB input pad (10:1). If you are coming from a hard disk recorder, chances are
you will want to make sure these switches are IN (in the up position).

The first gain stage in the NY-2A is a tube voltage amplifier (gain of 10) with a bias of not less than 2.2
Volts. This means that an RMS input voltage of greater than 1.6 Volts AC (2.2 V peak) will clip the out­put. You will notice that this bias level is perfect for the “line level” of the past, but a horror show if you
were to try and squeeze the output of a converter in there. The close match is necessary for getting
maximum gain on weaker signals, but easy to clip if you don’t pay attention. If you are using the NY-2A
and hear a problem, please check to make sure the level matching is correct before assuming something
is going wrong with the compressor.

6