TL Audio Fat Track User Manual

T L Audio

User Manual

FAT TRACK Tube Production Suite

TL Audio Limited, Letchworth, England.

Tel [phone], Fax [phone].

www.tlaudio.co.uk email: [e-mail]

1

CONTENTS.

CONTENTS.................................................................................................................................................... 1

INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 3

PRECAUTIONS ............................................................................................................................................ 4

FIGURE 1 – BLOCK DIAGRAM ..............................................................................................................5

INSTALLATION........................................................................................................................................... 6

AC MAINS SUPPLY. .....................................................................................................................................6

CHANNEL MICROPHONE INPUTS. ................................................................................................................ 6

CHANNEL LINE INPUTS. ............................................................................................................................... 7

INSTRUMENT INPUTS.................................................................................................................................... 7

INSERTION POINTS. ...................................................................................................................................... 7

DIRECT OUTPUTS, L/S OUTPUTS AND FX SEND. ....................................................................................... 8

UNBALANCED OUTPUTS .............................................................................................................................. 8

PHONES AND TAPE OUTPUTS....................................................................................................................... 9

BALANCED XLR OUTPUTS..........................................................................................................................9

VENTILATION. ..............................................................................................................................................9

OPERATION. ..............................................................................................................................................10

INPUT SELECTION ....................................................................................................................................... 10

CHANNEL GAIN CONTROL .........................................................................................................................10

LINE INPUT .................................................................................................................................................10

INSTRUMENT INPUT....................................................................................................................................10

MICROPHONE INPUT...................................................................................................................................10

PHANTOM POWER. .....................................................................................................................................11

PHASE REVERSE ......................................................................................................................................... 11

HIGH PASS FILTER...................................................................................................................................... 11

30DB PAD ...................................................................................................................................................12

EQUALISATION ........................................................................................................................................... 12

INSERTION POINTS......................................................................................................................................13

EFFECTS SEND ............................................................................................................................................ 13

DIRECT OUTPUT ......................................................................................................................................... 13

PAN CONTROL ............................................................................................................................................14

MUTE SWITCH ............................................................................................................................................14

CHANNEL FADER ........................................................................................................................................ 14

TUBE STAGE DRIVE AND PEAK LEDS....................................................................................................... 14

STEREO ROTARY RETURN CHANNELS ......................................................................................................14

MAIN SELECT BUTTONS ............................................................................................................................15

MAIN FADER ..............................................................................................................................................15

EFFECTS RETURN .......................................................................................................................................15

MASTER INSERTION POINTS ...................................................................................................................... 15

PHONES LEVEL 1 - PRODUCER ..................................................................................................................15

PHONES LEVEL 2 – ARTIST........................................................................................................................ 15

MONITOR LEVEL ........................................................................................................................................ 16

ALTERNATIVE LOUDSPEAKER ...................................................................................................................16

LOUDSPEAKER MUTE................................................................................................................................. 16

MONITOR SOURCE ...................................................................................................................................... 16

OUTPUT VU METERS AND PEAK LEDS.................................................................................................... 16

DIGITAL OUTPUT OPTIONS ........................................................................................................................17

A FINAL WORD .......................................................................................................................................... 17

TIPS ON OPERATION .............................................................................................................................. 18

RECORDING A VOCAL TO YOUR DAW VIA THE FAT TRACK ...................................................................18

SUMMING VIA THE FAT TRACK .................................................................................................................19

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WARMING UP A STEREO MIX VIA THE FAT TRACK....................................................................................20

SPECIFICATIONS ..................................................................................................................................... 21

FOUR 2-TRACK RETURNS: .........................................................................................................................22

MAIN OUTPUTS: .........................................................................................................................................22

FX SEND:....................................................................................................................................................23

FX RETURNS: .............................................................................................................................................23

MONITORING: .............................................................................................................................................23

POWER REQUIREMENTS:............................................................................................................................ 24

SERVICE ......................................................................................................................................................25

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INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the TL Audio Fat Track Tube Production Suite
the complete solution for tracking, summing and monitoring.

Designed to be the centrepiece of any home, project or professional studio, this unit
combines some of the best-loved TL Audio features into one compact and professional
unit, adding warmth and sonic pleasure to all recordings and mixes. Drawing on our
larger and highly acclaimed M series consoles; the Fat Track offers you that unrivalled
big desk sound in a more compact, intuitive and affordable package.

The Fat Track can capture your recordings with two premium TL Audio tube preamps
as used on our M Series consoles contained within two fully featured channel strips
with 3 band swept musical EQ taken from our M1 console. Use the Fat Track for
summing and mix-down also, with 4 stereo and two mono returns. You will
immediately become aware of the richness and clarity of sound you gain when
summing your audio analogue via the Fat Track. You can even bring your entire mix
back via the 2 mono channels to add some EQ or final warmth, patch in a compressor
to the master inserts and suddenly you have a complete mastering solution too!

The monitor section also comes packed with features, including, separate return solo
and selection buttons, effects return, alternative loudspeaker mode, loudspeaker mute,
and 2 headphone outputs with individual rotary control. Headphone output 1
(producer) also follows your selections in the master section, whilst headphone output
2 (artist), stays fixed on the stereo bus to enable you to create a separate cue mix for
your client.

The multitude of inputs and outputs available within easy reach on the top panel
makes for a flexible and intuitive workstation where quick cable changes are made
easy. Space for fitting a TL Audio DO-8 ADAT interface is also provided allowing
easy digital connectivity.

Designed for the producer, musician, singer/songwriter, engineer or general enthusiast,
this product caters for every requirement, is easy to use and produces fantastic,
professional results.

4

PRECAUTIONS

The TL Audio FAT TRACK requires very little installation, but like all electrical
equipment, care must be taken to ensure reliable, safe operation. The following points
should always be observed:

- All mains wiring should be installed and checked by a qualified
electrician,

- Ensure the mains operating voltage stated on the rear panel is correct
before connecting to the mains supply,

- Never operate the unit with any cover removed,

- Do not expose to rain or moisture, as this may present an electric
shock hazard,

- Replace the fuse with the correct type and rating only.

Warning: This equipment must be earthed.

5

FIGURE 1 – BLOCK DIAGRAM

6

INSTALLATION

AC Mains Supply.

The unit is fitted with an internationally approved 3 pin IEC connector. A mating
socket with power cord and mains plug is supplied. All mains wiring should be
performed by a qualified electrician with all power switched off, and the earth
connection must be used.

Please note that when using this unit with alternate supply voltages (in foreign
countries, for example) the internal wiring of the unit may be set for 115V (accepting
voltages in the range 110V to 120V, 60Hz AC) or to 230V (for voltages in the range
220V to 240V, 50Hz AC). If the wiring needs to be changed, the unit must be taken to
an approved service centre.

Alternate supply voltages may also require a different power cable or mains plug. If in
doubt, consult local electrical regulations.

Warning: attempted operation on the wrong voltage setting, or with an
incorrect fuse, will invalidate the warranty.

Channel Microphone Inputs.

Each mono input channel has a female, 3 pin XLR connector, for connection to a
microphone. The microphone will normally be balanced, but unbalanced connections
may also be made as follows:

Balanced inputs:

- Pin 1 = Ground (screen).

- Pin 2 = Signal Phase (“+” or “hot”).

- Pin 3 = Signal Non-Phase (“-” or “cold”).

Unbalanced inputs:

- Pin 1 = Ground (screen)

- Pin 2 = Signal Phase (“+” or “hot”).

- Pin 3 = Ground ( screen or connect screen to pin 1 and connect pins 1 & 3
together ).

When using unbalanced signals, the signal ground may be obtained by linking pins 1
and 3 in the mating XLR connector. Do not leave pin 3 open circuit, as this may result

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in a loss of level and/or increased noise. Good quality screened cable should be used,
particularly for microphone or low level sources, to prevent hum or noise pickup.

Channel Line Inputs.

The line inputs are connected via a stereo TRS jack connectors. These may be wired to
accept balanced or unbalanced connection as follows:

Balanced inputs:

- Sleeve = Ground (screen).

- Tip = Signal Phase (“+” or “hot”).

- Ring = Signal Non-Phase (“-” or “cold”).

Unbalanced inputs:

- Sleeve = Ground (screen)

- Tip = Signal Phase (“+” or “hot”).

- Ring = Ground ( or connect screen and ring together )

Note: When using unbalanced connection on 3 pin plugs, the ring must be linked to
the sleeve to avoid possible reduction in level and/or increase in noise. ( alternatively a
2 way mono TRS jack may be used )

Instrument Inputs.

A 2 way (mono) jack plug is required, which should be wired as follows:

- Tip = Signal Phase (“+” or “hot”).

- Screen = Ground.

Insertion Points.

The insertion points on the input channels and stereo mix are balanced, with separate
send and return sockets. They are “half normalled” i.e. a plug inserted into the send
socket (to derive an additional output) will not break the signal path through the
channel, but a plug inserted into the return socket will override the signal through the
channel.

Mating plugs may be wired for balanced or unbalanced connection as follows: