TK Audio The Strip User Manual

The Strip / ST1

Channel strip with preamp, compressor and EQ.

Thank you for purchasing the The S trip. All TK Audio product s are assembled by hand in Sweden.

The Strip (ST1) is a complete and easy to use channel strip with a mic preamp, compressor and
an EQ - a perfect tool for the recording engineer, songwriter or producer that needs a great
recording channel. The preamp is a transformerless design with up to 75 dB of ultra-clean
amplification; enough to power low output ribbon and dynamic microphones. The high-impedance
instrument input on the front is perfect for instruments like synthesizers, acoustic, electric and
bass guitar .
The switchable high-pass filter removes unwanted low-frequency energy below 80 Hz.
The compressor uses RMS detection without timing controls which makes it easy to use for a lot
of different sources like vocals, bass, acoustic guitar and more. The depth and character of the
compression is set with the threshold and ratio parameters. Parallel compression can be done by
adjusting the blend between dry and compressed signal. There is a 10 LED meter showing the
gain-reduction with a dot or the preamp headroom with a bar.
The EQ is a classic Baxandall design with two smooth-sounding shelving filters, the 100 Hz low­shelf filter is ideal for removing excessive bass energy or adding weight to the low-end, while the
12 kHz high-shelving filter is perfect for adding some ”air”.
Finally ST1 has two different output stages, one electronically balanced output stage and one
discrete transformer-balanced class-A stage which is built around a heavy Carnhill output
transformer. The vintage class-A mode produces a fat and punchy sound with mid range character
and a warm top-end. The IC-based output stage is less colored and ideal for clean amplification.
The Strip makes a perfect companion in almost any recording situation producing a smooth and
detailed sound.

Key Features:

*Up to 75dB of ultra-clean gain
*Easy to use RMS compressor
*Blend control for parallel compression
*Shelving filters at 100Hz and 12kHz
*Vintage class-A mode selectable
*Carnhill output transformer
*Hi-Z input on the front

Preamp:
Hi-Z input: High impedance instrument input. Keep the monitorlevel down when inserting anything in the jack

to avoid loud pops!
48v: 48v phantom power. Make sure you have cables in good condition as bad cables can damage the preamp

or the microphone. Keep the monitorlevel down when switching the phantom power in and out to avoid loud
pops!

Gain: Gain range from 20dB to 75dB, be careful as the gain raises a lot from 3 ’o’ clock!!
Pad: 30dB balanced pad infront of the preamp so that the mic-input can handle line level signals too.
Headroom meter with two modes, gainreduction or headroom: When the switch is out the meter is

showing the gainreduction as a moving dot. When you push the switch, the LED meter is showing the available
preamp headroom. With the level at max the meter indicates clip at +24dBm.

HPF: High pass filter 80Hz, 12dB/octave to remove unwanted low-frequency energy as rumble and hum. It is
placed directly after the preamp so if engaged it also affect the compressor behavior .

Compressor:
Threshold: Set the level were the compression starts.
Ratio: Set how hard the compressor will compress.
Make-up: This control is used to restore the compressed signal level.
Blend: With this control you can mix between dry and compressed signal. Very useful for bassguitar.
Compressor in/out: True bypass switch.
EQ:
EQ in/out: True bypass switch.

Low frequency, 100Hz.
High frequency , 12kHz.

Output:
Vintage switch: The switch activates the transformer balanced discrete class-A output-stage for a fat and

punchy sound with more mid character. For a clean and more transp arent sound, leave this switch out.
Output: Level control placed before the output-stage, fine tune the output level with this control or lower it so

you can drive the input-stage, compressor and EQ harder.

Phase: Switch the polarity of the output signal.
There is an internal jumper for chassis to audioground. First thing to check if you have hum!