Summit Audio ECS-410 User Manual
Summit Audio
ECS-410 Everest
Operation Manual
1ECS-410 EVEREST
2 Summit Audio, Inc.
ECS-410 EVEREST
Flagship Channel Strip
Operation Manual
© 2008 Summit Audio, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Version 1.2
Email: everest@summitaudio.com
Summit Audio, Inc.
P.O. Box 326
Gardnerville, NV 89410
Tel: 775-782-8838
3ECS-410 EVEREST
4 Summit Audio, Inc.
Contents
Introduction ..........................9
Front Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Suggested Connection Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
+4 Balanced Outputs (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
-10dB Balanced Outputs (2) ......................12
Contents
XLR Microphone Input ...........................13
Front Panel Hi-Z Input ...........................13
Insert Point (mic preamp) .........................13
Side Chain Insert (dynamics) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Stereo Link ...................................14
To “Stereo Link” two units: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
A.C. Receptacle ...............................14
TouchPatch™ Routing System .............15
Mz2 - Microphone & Instrument Preamplifier .17
Microphone Preamp Gain Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Pad Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Input Meter ................................18
Hi-Z Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
5ECS-410 EVEREST
Contents
TouchPatch Indicator .........................18
Polarity Switch ..............................18
+48V Phantom Power Switch ...................18
Tube/Solid-State Output Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Dc1- Dual Mode Dynamics Control ........20
Gain Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Threshold Control ...........................20
Attack Control ..............................21
Release Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Compression Type Switch ......................21
Bypass/Link Switch ...........................22
To “Stereo Link” two units: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
TouchPatch Indicator .........................22
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Fe1- Passive Three Band Equalizer .........23
Low Band .................................23
Mid Band .................................23
High Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Peak or Shelving Response .....................24
Bypass Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
TouchPatch Indicator .........................24
Db2 - Drive Bus Output and Drive Section . . . 25
Drive Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Master Output Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Output VU Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Tube/Solid-State/Bypass Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Bus Overload LED ...........................26
Drive LED .................................26
Applications .........................27
Vocals ......................................27
Voice Over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Acoustic Guitar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Bass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Electric Guitar Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Kick Drum ...................................33
Mic’ed Guitar Amp .............................34
Keyboard ....................................36
Tips and Tricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Contents
Need More Distortion? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Block Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Input/Output & TouchPatch Switching . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Mz2 - Microphone and Instrument Preamplifier . . . . . . 43
Dc1 - Dual Mode Dynamics Control ..............44
Fe1 - Passive Three Band Equalizer ...............45
Db2 - Drive Bus Master Output & Drive Section ......46
Electrical Connections ..................47
Balanced 3-pin XLR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Balanced 1/4” (TRS) jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
1/4” (TRS) jack ................................47
Specifications ........................48
7ECS-410 EVEREST
Contents
8 Summit Audio, Inc.
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Summit Audio ECS-410
Everest Channel Strip, a distinctly different, four section analog
processor and microphone preamp, ideal for tracking and
processing your most important signals.
Each section is completely independent with its own fully balanced
I/O and the ability to route each section together internally using
TouchPatch™ a unique and amazingly intuitive routing system.
You have four complete processors combined into one superlative
master channel strip.
Introduction
Mz2• - Microphone and Instrument Preamplifier
Dc1 - Dual Mode Dynamics Control•
Fe1 - Passive Three Band Equalizer•
Db2 - Drive Bus Master Output and Drive Section•
Features
Tube or Discrete Transistor Mic Preamp w/Jensen Transformer•
Passive LC Equalizer for unparalleled warmth and flavor •
Dual Mode Dynamics using Summit Classic Design•
DriveBus Transistor or Dual Tube Overdrivable Output•
TouchPatch™ Single Touch Routing•
Independent Balanced I/O on All Sections•
Hand Crafted in the U.S.A.•
9ECS-410 EVEREST
Introduction
Unpacking
Carefully unpack the ECS-410 Everest and its power cord. Save
the carton and packing material for possible future use. Before
powering up the unit, read this manual and make sure the power
selector switch is set to the correct voltage for your part of the
world.
Important Warranty Information
For your 3 year warranty, register your ECS-410 Everest online
today at www.summitaudio.com.
10 Summit Audio, Inc.
Front Panel Overview
Mz2
Mic/Instrument Preamp
Db2
DriveBus Output
Dc1
Dual Mode Dynamics
Fe1
Passive 3-Band EQ
TouchPatch
Signal Routing
DriveBus EQ Dynamic Preamp
-10 dB
Out
+4 dB
Input
+4 dB
Input
Side
Chain
+4 dB
Input
Insert Mic
Input
+4 dB
Out
+4 dB
Out
Stereo
Link
+4 dB
Out
-10 dB
Out
+4 dB
Out
Front Panel Overview
Rear Panel Overview
11ECS-410 EVEREST
Connections
Connections
Suggested Connection Scheme
The ECS-410 will normally be connected with every input and
output point wired into your balanced analog Patchbay. This
hookup allows convenient access to the plentitude of inputs
and outputs and provides the greatest flexibility.
Because you have the power of TouchPatch, you may be
tempted to connect just a single channel of input and output.
Although this simple setup is fine while you get acquainted
with this fine instrument, you’ll be missing out on a lot of
potential connections.
Note: You can use all inputs
and outputs at the same time
for versatility.
Important: For proper
operation of the ECS-410 (or
any vacuum tube device for
that matter), allow the unit to
warm up with power on for 15
minutes before use.
Important: Do not block
the cooling holes and allow
adequate ventilation.
+4 Balanced Outputs (4)
Each section of the ECS-410 has its own +4dBu XLR output. All
four outputs are balanced and low impedance, compatible with
professional recording and audio equipment.
Balanced outputs provide superior noise immunity in the studio
and when using long cable runs.
The output connector is wired as follows:
Pin 1= Ground, Pin 2 = (+) Signal, Pin 3 = (-) Signal.
-10dB Balanced Outputs (2)
The Microphone Preamp and the DriveBus Output sections both
have an additional -10dBV, 1/4” balanced (TRS) output designed
to interface with your recording device, compressor or EQ.
(0 VU on the output VU meter corresponds to +4dBu)
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Connections
Signal Out of Preamp
Signal Return to Preamp
Tip Ring
INSERT CABLE
Signal is sent out on tip of plug and
returned to mixer via ring of plug.
XLR Microphone Input
This is a balanced, low level input designed for microphones. The
gain can be adjusted from -20dB to +60dB using the front panel
Gain control and the -20 dB Pad switch.
48-volt phantom power can be applied to this jack using the front
panel switch.
Front Panel Hi-Z Input
This is a 10K Ohm impedance, unbalanced instrument level input
controlled by the front panel Gain control. This tube amplified
input is designed for electric instruments such as guitar or bass,
although higher level signals, such as a synthesizer, can also be
connected here. The Hi-Z input overrides the Microphone input
whenever a plug is inserted into this jack.
Insert Point (mic preamp)
The TRS insert jack allows you to insert another processing device
into the microphone preamp circuitry after the transformer and
gain control, but before the preamp (solid-state or tube) output
stage. An insert cable of the type required is shown at right.
Note: The Hi-Z input overrides
the Microphone input whenever a plug is inserted into the
Hi-Z jack.
This jack can also be used as another input or output.
(Tip is output; Ring is input.)
Side Chain Insert (dynamics)
The side chain insert jack allows an external signal (such as an
equalizer) to be inserted in order to control the Dynamics section
Gain Cell from a separate signal.
For example, by inserting an equalizer here (the Fe1 is handy), you
can perform frequency selective compression such as de-essing or
de-booming. A separate signal can also be connected to the tip
of the jack in order to “duck” the signal running through the Dc1.
13ECS-410 EVEREST
Connections
The TRS jack wiring on the Dynamics insert is as follows: the Tip is
the output of the Gain Cell, and the Ring connects to the input of
the Sidechain Processor.
Stereo Link
Link mode allows the Dynamics section of two ECS-410 Everest
units to be linked to process stereo signals. When two units
are linked in this way, the leveling action will be the same on
both units. When stereo linked, the channel providing the most
compression will always control the other unit.
To “Stereo Link” two units:
Connect a standard 1/4” mono audio cable between the 1.
“Stereo Link” jack of two ECS-410 units.
Set the controls on both units the same.2.
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Set the BYPASS switch on the front panel to LINK. 3.
A.C. Receptacle
The ECS-410 Everest is factory wired for either 100, 115 or 230
Volts AC. Before connecting AC power make sure the unit is wired
for the correct voltage used in your country.
TouchPatch™ Routing System
No Route
Pre-DriveBus
Pre-Dyn-DriveBus
Pre-EQ-DriveBus
Pre-Dyn-EQ-DriveBus
Pre-EQ-Dyn-DriveBus
Mz2
Preamp
Dyn-DriveBus
EQ-DriveBus
Dyn-EQ-DriveBus
EQ-Dyn-DriveBus
No Mx2
Preamp
TouchPatch
Bypass
TouchPatch™ Routing System
Unique to the ECS-410, the TouchPatch™ routing allows you to
route any section to and from any other section with a touch of a
single button. TouchPatch controls what is feeding DriveBus and
anything not routed is available to be used individually from the
back panel.
The first row of five buttons include the Mz2 Preamplifier as the
first processor in the chain. (The Db2 DriveBus is always last.)
The second row of four buttons have all the remaining effects
combinations but without the Mz2 Preamplifier.
The No Route button turns off all routing to the DriveBus, allowing
you to use each processor separately.
g TouchPatch makes setup
and experimentation a breeze
since all the patching is automatic.
In addition, the audio signals
remain on the circuit board
without being routed through
noisy connectors and switches.
15ECS-410 EVEREST
TouchPatch™ Routing System
Pre-DriveBus
Pre-Dyn-DriveBus
Pre-EQ-DriveBus
Pre-Dyn-EQ-DriveBus
Pre-EQ-Dyn-DriveBus
Preamp
Output/
Drive
Preamp Dynamics
Output/
Drive
Preamp EQ
Output/
Drive
Preamp Dynamics EQ
Output/
Drive
Preamp EQ Dynamics
Output/
Drive
No Route
Preamp EQ Dynamics
Output/
Drive
Dynamics
Output/
Drive
EQ
Output/
Drive
Dynamics EQ
Output/
Drive
EQ Dynamics
Output/
Drive
Dyn-DriveBus
EQ-DriveBus
Dyn-EQ-DriveBus
EQ-Dyn-DriveBus
Preamp Input
No Preamp
Independent Processors
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