Summit TLA-50 Operating Manual

Summit Audio Model TLA-50
Tube Leveling Amplifier

ATTA CK

FAST SLOW

MEDIUM

FAST

RELEASE

OUTPUT

METER

SLOW

RED.

2

5

GAIN

6

7

8

9

10

4

3

1

0

Operation Manual

TUBE LEVELER

VU

40

1008060

112+33570

5

4

3

2

1

0

GAIN REDUCTION

TLA-50

6

7

8

9

10

LINK

ON

BYPASS

POWER

Summit Audio, Inc.
P.O. Box 223306
Carmel, CA 93922
[phone]
email: [e-mail]

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Introduction

The Summit Audio Tube Leveling Amplifier is a hybrid of tech­nogies. It contains both vacuum tube and solid state compo­nents. This combination of old and new technology produces
an incredibly warm and smooth sounding compression device
without the inherent disadvantages of the older designs.

DANGER!

HIGH VOLTAGE

Features

•

Ease of Operation

• “Soft Knee” Characteristic

Switch Selectable Attack and Release Settings
Side Chain Access
Stereo Coupling Capability
Balanced and Unbalanced Inputs
Balanced and Unbalanced Outputs
Hand Crafted in the U.S.A.

Carefully unpack the TLA-50 and it’s power cord. Save the car­ton and packing material for possible future use. Before pow­ering up the unit, read this manual and observe the cautions
for

HIGH VOLTAGE

•

IMPORTANT:

TLA-50 is configured for the voltage used in your country.
This is done at the factory

.

Check the back panel to make sure the

ONLY

.

Model TLA-50 Tube Leveling Amplifier

2

Front Panel

Front Panel

ATTA CK

FAST SLOW

MEDIUM

FAST

RELEASE

OUTPUT

METER

SLOW

RED.

5

4

3

2

1

6

7

8

9

0

10

GAIN

TUBE LEVELER

VU

40

1008060

112+33570

4

3

2

1

0

GAIN REDUCTION

Attack Switch

A three-position switch with Fast , Medium and Slow settings
which control the time it takes the TLA-50 to respond to the
incoming signal,

Release Switch

This three-position switch controls the time it takes the
TLA-50 to return to unity again. As with the Attack Switch,
there are three settings:
The release time setting is also controlled by the program
material. The slower the release time setting, the more the
program material determines and the release time.

Fast, Medium

and

Slow

.

5

TLA-50

6

7

8

9

10

LINK

BYPASS

ON

POWER

Meter Switch

This control switches the front panel meter to monitor either
the output level or the amount of gain reduction taking place.

Gain

This control sets the overall gain of the TLA-50. It controls
the Output Level which can be monitored on the front panel
meter.

Model TLA-50 Tube Leveling Amplifier

3

Front Panel

Gain Reduction

This knob controls the amount of gain reduction taking place,
and the operating point (threshold) where gain reduction
begins. The higher the amount of gain reduction, the higher
the compression ratio becomes.

Bypass Switch

This is a three-position switch. In the BYPASS mode, the
compression cell and the12AX7/ECC83 tube are removed
from the signal chain.

In the center IN position, the TLA-50 is switched into the
audio path.

In the left or
together by connecting the Stereo Link jacks together with a
standard 1/4” cable.

LINK

position, two TLA-50 units can be linked

Power

This switch toggles AC power on and off.

Important - Please Read!

The TLA-50 contains a vacuum tube which

generates heat.

Do not block the cooling holes on the top of the

TLA-50 and always allow adequate ventilation when

mounting the unit in a rack enclosure.

4

Summit Audio, Inc.

Rear Panel

Rear Panel

20
WATTS
MAX

FUSE

CLASS A -TUBE LEVELER
MODEL TLA-50

100V 50/60 HZ

115V 50/60 HZ

SUMMIT AUDIO INC.

CARMEL, CA USA

OUTPUTS

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

SIDE

CHAIN

INSERT

A.C. Receptacle

The TLA-50 is factory wired for either 100, 115 or 230
Volts AC. Before connecting AC power make sure the
TLA-50 is wired for the voltage used in your country.

+4 Balanced Output

Balanced outputs provide superior noise immunity in the
studio and when using long cable runs. +4 dBm corresponds
to 0 VU. The output connector is wired as follows:
Pin 1= Ground, Pin 2 = (+) Signal, Pin 3 = (-) Signal.

-10 Unbalanced Output

Connect the unbalanced output to equipment with unbal­anced inputs. 0 VU on the meter corresponds to -10dBm

LINK

PUSH

INPUT

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

Side Chain Insert

The side chain insert jack allows an equalizer to be inserted
in order to perform frequency selective compression.
A separate signal can also be connected to the tip of the jack
in order to duck the signal running through the TLA-50.

Model TLA-50 Tube Leveling Amplifier

5

Rear Panel

Stereo Link

Two TLA-50’s can be linked to process stereo signals. When
two units are linked in this way, the leveling action will be the
same on both units. The TLA-50 providing the most
compression will always control the other unit.

To “stereo link” two units:

1.

Connect a standard 1/4” cable between the two units.

2.

Set the controls on both units the same.

3.

Set the BYPASS switch on the front panel to LINK.

Balanced Input

The dual purpose input jack accepts XLR plugs for balanced
inputs and standard 1/4” plugs for unbalanced inputs. Input
impedance is 20K

Ω . Maximum signal input level is +26dBm.

6

Summit Audio, Inc.

Basic Operation

Important: For proper

operation of the
TLA-50 (or any vacuum
tube device for that
matter), allow the unit to
warm up with power on
for 15 minutes before
use.

Important:

the cooling holes and
allow adequate
ventilation.

Do not block

Four Easy Steps

1.

Set the Gain Reduction control to 0 and adjust the Gain control
for 0 VU on the meter.

2.

Switch the attack to slow and the release to fast.

3.

Adjust for the desired amount of gain reduction and recheck
the output level.

4.

Try different attack and release settings, depending upon the
program.

No Gain Reduction

OUTPUT

LEVEL

INPUT LEVEL

As the amount of gain reduction is increased, the processed audio follows a
smooth reduction curve, thereby changing the compression ratio.

If a large peak is detected, the unit will automatically increase
the compression ratio to keep the audio output controlled.

Model TLA-50 Tube Leveling Amplifier

7

Applications

Applications

Tracking, Live Sound Mixing

Plug the TLA-50 into the insert jack or patch bay of your
mixing console. If you’re using an external microphone
preamplifier, connect the TLA-50 directly after the preamp.

Insert Connection

Signal Out of Mixer

Signal Return to Mixer

Tip Ring

TLA-50 Input TLA-50 Output

INSERT CABLE

Signal is sent out on tip of plug and

returned to mixer via ring of plug.

Channel

Insert

20
WATTS
MAX

FUSE

CLASS A -TUBE LEVELER
MODEL TLA-50

100V 50/60 HZ

115V 50/60 HZ

SUMMIT AUDIO INC.

CARMEL, CA USA

TLA-50

OUTPUTS

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

SIDE
CHAIN

INSERT

LINK

PUSH

INPUT

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

To TipTo Ring

Mixer

8

Summit Audio, Inc.

Basic In-line Connection of the TLA-50

Inline Connection

TLA-50 MIC PREAMP

CLASS A -TUBE LEVELER

20

MODEL TLA-50

WATTS
MAX

100V 50/60 HZ

115V 50/60 HZ

FUSE

SUMMIT AUDIO INC.

CARMEL, CA USA

OUTPUTS

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

Channel

Input

CHAIN

INSERT

PUSH

SIDE

INPUT

LINK

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

CLASS A -TUBE PREAMP

20

MODEL

WATTS
MAX

100V 50/60 HZ

115V 50/60 HZ

FUSE

SUMMIT AUDIO INC.

CARMEL, CA USA

Input Output

OUTPUTS

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

PUSH

INPUT

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

Applications

Mixer

Model TLA-50 Tube Leveling Amplifier

9

Applications

Compressing a Stereo Mix

Insert a 1/4” cable into two TLA-50's link jacks, set the
attack and release switches and gain reduction on both units
to the same settings. Put both units in link mode. The
channel with the strongest signal will lead both units.

CLASS A -TUBE LEVELER
MODEL TLA-50

100V 50/60 HZ

115V 50/60 HZ

SUMMIT AUDIO INC.

CARMEL, CA USA

TLA-50

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

OUTPUTS

SIDE

CHAIN

INSERT

PUSH

INPUT

LINK

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

TLA-50

PUSH

INPUT

LINK

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

20
WATTS
MAX

FUSE

FUSE

CLASS A -TUBE LEVELER
MODEL TLA-50

100V 50/60 HZ

115V 50/60 HZ

SUMMIT AUDIO INC.

CARMEL, CA USA

OUTPUTS

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

SIDE
CHAIN

INSERT

20
WATTS
MAX

1/4" mono phone cable

Set controls to the same settings on both units

.

De-essing

Plug a TRS insert cable into the side chain jack on the back
of the TLA-50. Plug the send (tip) of the insert cable to the
input of an EQ, and the return (ring) of the cable to the EQ
output. Boost the frequencies on the EQ that you want to
compress (de-ess).

TLA-50EQUALIZER

PUSH

INPUT

LINK

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

Side Chain

Insert

Input Output

To Tip To Ring

FUSE

CLASS A -TUBE LEVELER
MODEL TLA-50

100V 50/60 HZ

115V 50/60 HZ

SUMMIT AUDIO INC.

CARMEL, CA USA

OUTPUTS

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

CHAIN

INSERT

SIDE

20
WATTS
MAX

10

Summit Audio, Inc.

Ducking

Send the output of the “lead” program material into the side
chain return after inserting the TLA-50 on the “background”
program material.

Example

Send the output of a vocal mic into the side chain, with the
TLA-50 inserted on the lead guitar track. As the singer uses
the vocal mic, the lead guitar will decrease in amplitude.

Applications

Lead Guitar

Channel

TLA-50

20
WATTS
MAX

FUSE

Channel
Insert

CLASS A -TUBE LEVELER
MODEL TLA-50

100V 50/60 HZ

115V 50/60 HZ

SUMMIT AUDIO INC.

CARMEL, CA USA

OUTPUTS

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

Side Chain
Ring

LINK

PUSH

INPUT

+4 BAL. -10 UNBAL.

SIDE

CHAIN

INSERT

To TipTo Ring

Vocal Channel Out

Model TLA-50 Tube Leveling Amplifier

11

Applications

Warming: Set the
TLA-50's gain reduc­tion to 0 with the unit
in “In” mode (not
bypassed). All audio
will then pass through
the vacuum tube
without compressing.
Adding a small amount
of compression at this
point will increase the
high frequency
response.

Using the TD-100 and TLA-50 together

For a great bass or guitar channel, try using the Summit
Audio TD-100 instrument preamp and tube direct box in
conjunction with the TLA-50.

Plug your instrument into the front panel of the TD-100
(see the TD-100 manual for more info) and run an XLR or
1/4" cable from the output of the TD-100 to the input of the
TLA-50. Use the 1/4” output of the TD-100 into the TLA-50
to go directly from the TLA-50 to your recording device, or
use the XLR output of the TD-100 into the TLA-50 and patch
the XLR output of the TLA-50 into a microphone preamp,
then into your recording device.

12 Summit Audio, Inc.

Circuit Explanation

Circuit Explanation

DIFFERENTIAL

BYPASS

INPUT

COMPRESSION

CELL

GAIN

12AX7/ECC83

AMPLIFIER

SIDE CHAIN

INSERT

STEREO

INTERCONNECT

SIDE CHAIN

ATTACK

The input to the TLA-50 is electronically balanced and directly
feeds the unique compression cell. The SIDE CHAIN allows
for stereo coupling or the insertion of an equalizer. Due to
the combination of tube and solid state circuitry, long term
drift of the compression circuit is minimal and tracking
between two TLA-50’s stereo linked is within.3dB.

RELEASE

REDUCTION

Tip

Ring

GAIN

DIFFERENTIAL

OUTPUT

The TLA-50 features a vacuum tube amplifier driving an elec­tronically balanced output stage. All the signal amplification in
the audio path takes place in the tube circuit. The balanced
output drivers provide a low output impedance for driving
cables and 600Ω loads.

Model TLA-50 Tube Leveling Amplifier 13

Electrical Connections

Electrical
Connections

Input

Note: The Input
connector accepts
either a 1/4” phone
plug or an XLR
connector.

Unbalanced 1/4” jack Balanced 3-pin XLR

Sleeve - - Ground Pin 1 - - Ground
Tip - - - - (+) Signal Pin 2 - - (+) Signal

Pin 3 - - (-) Signal

Output

Unbalanced 1/4” jack Balanced 3-pin XLR

Sleeve - - Ground Pin 1 - - Ground
Tip - - - - (+) Signal Pin 2 - - (+) Signal

Pin 3 - - (-) Signal

Side Chain

Tip - - - - Signal output to EQ
Ring - - - Signal input (from EQ)
Sleeve- - Ground

14 Summit Audio, Inc.

Stereo Link

Tip - - - - Signal
Sleeve- - Ground
Use a shielded patch cord with 1/4” plug.

Specifications

Output

+4 dBm corresponds to 0 VU. The output is electronically
balanced or unbalanced. Output impedance is 75Ω.
The recommended output load is 600Ω or greater.
Maximum output is HOT at approximately +29 dBm.

Input

The input is electronically balanced or unbalanced.
Input impedance is 20kΩ. Maximum input level is +26dBm.

Specifications

Power

20 watts
115 volts
50 or 60 Hz
Fuse size is .5 amp, slo-blo for 100/115 V
Fuse size is .25 amp, slo-blo at 230 V

Dimensions

W: 8.5”, H: 1.75”, D: 8.5” (Two units fit side by side on a
standard one-space rack shelf.)

Weight

4.4 pounds (2 kg)

Model TLA-50 Tube Leveling Amplifier 15

Summit Audio, Inc.
P.O. Box 223306
Carmel, CA 93922
web page: www.summitaudio.com
email: [e-mail]

TLA-50 Op Rev. D

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