Universal Audio SOLO 610 User Manual
SOLO/610
Classic Tube Preamplifier
& DI Box
Universal Audio Part Number 65-00055
Revision B
Universal Audio, Inc.
1700 Green Hills Road
Scotts Valley, CA 95066-4926
www.uaudio.com
Customer Service & Tech Support: +1-877-MY-UAUDIO
Business, Sales & Marketing: +1-866-UAD-1176
Outside USA: +1-831-440-1176
ii
Notices
This manual provides general information, preparation for use, and operating instructions for the
Universal Audio SOLO/610 Classic Tube Preamplifier & DI Box.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. Universal Audio, Inc.
makes no warranties of any kind with regard to this manual, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Universal Audio, Inc. shall not be
liable for errors contained herein or direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages in
connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
Copyright
© 2011 Universal Audio, Inc. All rights reserved.
This manual and any associated artwork, product designs, and design concepts are subject to
copyright protection. No part of this document may be reproduced, in any form, without prior written
permission of Universal Audio, Inc.
Trademarks
SOLO/610, 4-710d, 710, Twin-Finity, 4110, 8110, SOLO/110, 2-610, LA-610, LA-2A, 2-LA2, LA-3A,
6176, 1176LN, 2-1176, 2192, DCS Remote Preamp, UAD, and the Universal Audio, Inc. logo are
trademarks of Universal Audio, Inc. Other company and product names mentioned herein are
trademarks of their respective companies.
Box Contents
The retail package should contain:
• (1) Universal Audio SOLO/610 unit
• (1) User Manual
• (1) IEC Power Cable
• (1) Warranty Registration Card
• (1) UA Full Line Catalog
iii
Important Safety Information
Before using this unit, be sure to carefully read the applicable items of these operating instructions and the
safety suggestions. Afterwards, keep them handy for future reference. Take special care to follow the warnings
indicated on the unit, as well as in the operating instructions.
1. Water and Moisture - Do not use the unit near any source of water or in excessively moist environments.
2. Object and Liquid Entry - Care should be taken so that objects do not fall, and liquids are not spilled, into
the enclosure through openings.
3. Ventilation - When installing the unit in a rack or any other location, be sure there is adequate ventilation.
Improper ventilation will cause overheating, and can damage the unit.
4. Heat - The unit should be situated away from heat sources, or other equipment that produce heat.
5. Power Sources - The unit should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the
operating instructions, or as marked on the unit.
6. Power Cord Protection - AC power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked
on or pinched by items placed upon or against them. Pay particular attention to cords at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the unit. Never take hold of the plug or cord
if your hand is wet. Always grasp the plug body when connecting or disconnecting it.
7. Grounding of the Plug - This unit is equipped with a 3-wire grounding type plug, a plug having a third
(grounding) pin. This plug will only fit into a grounding-type power outlet. This is a safety feature. If you
are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do
not defeat the purpose of the grounding-type plug.
8. Cleaning - Follow these general rules when cleaning the outside of your SOLO/610:
a. Turn the power Off and unplug the unit
b. Gently wipe with a clean lint-free cloth
c. If necessary, moisten the cloth using lukewarm or distilled water, making sure not to oversaturate it
as liquid could drip inside the case and cause damage to your SOLO/610
d. Use a dry lint-free cloth to remove any remaining moisture
e. Do not use aerosol sprays, solvents, or abrasives
9. Nonuse Periods - The AC power supply cord of the unit should be unplugged from the AC outlet when left
unused for a long period of time.
10. Damage Requiring Service - The unit should be serviced by a qualified service personnel when:
a. Objects have fallen or liquid has been spilled into the unit; or
b. The unit has been exposed to rain; or
c. The unit does not operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or
d. The unit has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
11. Servicing - The user should not attempt to service the unit beyond that described in the operating
instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel. See “Service &
Support” on page 24 for servicing information.
iv
Table Of Contents
Notices ................................................................................................................................................... ii!
Important Safety Information ........................................................................................................................... iii!
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 5!
A Letter from Bill Putnam Jr. ............................................................................................................................. 5!
Features ............................................................................................................................................................ 6!
Front Panel Descriptions ......................................................................................................................... 7!
Rear Panel Descriptions ......................................................................................................................... 9!
Interconnection Diagrams .................................................................................................................... 11!
Quickstart ............................................................................................................................................. 12!
SOLO/610 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 13!
History of the SOLO/610 ........................................................................................................................ 15!
Glossary of Terms ................................................................................................................................. 16!
Maintenance ......................................................................................................................................... 18!
Hardware Variants .......................................................................................................................................... 18!
AC Input Voltage Conversion ........................................................................................................................... 18!
Fuse ................................................................................................................................................................ 19!
Service ............................................................................................................................................................ 19!
Session Recall Sheet ............................................................................................................................ 20!
Block Diagram ...................................................................................................................................... 21!
Specifications ....................................................................................................................................... 22!
Additional Resources ............................................................................................................................ 24!
Universal Audio Website ................................................................................................................................. 24!
Product Registration ....................................................................................................................................... 24!
Warranty ......................................................................................................................................................... 24!
Service & Support ........................................................................................................................................... 24!
5
Introduction
A Letter from Bill Putnam Jr.
Thank you for purchasing the SOLO/610 Classic Tube Preamplifier and DI Box. The SOLO/610 is
inspired by the microphone preamp section of the 610 console designed by my father, M.T. “Bill”
Putnam, in 1960. The 610 was a rotary-control console and was the first console of a modular design.
Although technologically simple compared to modern consoles, the 610 possesses a warmth and
character that has kept it in demand for decades. As a prominent part of my father’s United/Western
Studios, the 610 was used on many classic recordings by Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan. The
Beach Boys Pet Sounds, the Doors LA Woman, and Van Halen’s debut album were all recorded on the
610. The legendary Wally Heider used the 610 in his remote truck for many of his best known live
recordings. At Ocean Way Studios (formerly United), the 610 is lovingly preserved and still used in
Studio B.
Most of us at Universal Audio are musicians, recording engineers, or both, and we wanted to build a
mic preamp that we’d be delighted to use ourselves. We love the recording process, and we really get
inspired when the basic tracks are beautifully recorded. Our design goal for the SOLO/610 was to
capture the original character of the 610, creating a preamp that would induce that “a-ha” feeling
we’ve felt when hearing music recorded in its most natural, inspired form.
The controls of the SOLO/610 are simple and essential: we added only those features required for
practical use without needless duplication of functionality found elsewhere in most studios. The
transformers and tubes received much of our R&D attention. We settled on a transformer design
featuring double-sized alloy cores with custom windings. Our tubes are carefully selected and tested
individually. This extra effort is well worth the time and cost because the result is a truly outstanding,
easy-to-use mic preamp!
Developing the SOLO/610 – as well as Universal Audio’s entire line of quality audio products designed
to meet the needs of the modern recording studio while retaining the character of classic vintage
equipment – has been a very special experience for me and for all who have been involved. While, on
the surface, the rebuilding of UA has been a business endeavor, it's really been so much more than
that: in equal parts a sentimental and technical adventure.
We thank you for your support, and we thank my father, Bill Putnam.
Sincerely,
Bill Putnam Jr.
6
The All-Tube 610 Console Mic Preamp Sound in a Rugged “Go Anywhere” Design
The SOLO/610 delivers the classic Putnam 610 tube console sound in a rugged, highly versatile mic
preamp design. This unit provides the silky, vintage warmth of the original console’s mic amp design,
and will flatter any microphone or instrument with its signature sound. Thanks to its convenient form
factor, the SOLO/610 can be conveniently used in the control room or the recording room, on stage, or
on a desktop. Functionally lean but sonically mean, the SOLO/610 maintains the character of the 610
console — at a price every serious project studio can afford.
The SOLO/610 offers Mic and DI inputs, and features Gain and Level control for a wide variety of clean
to colored tones. Unlike its predecessors, the SOLO/610 has continuous Gain control with even greater
range, allowing for more precise gain structuring — doubling as input signal padding. The SOLO/610
has all the essential features like 48 V Phantom Power, Lo-Cut filtering, Polarity Reverse, and flexible
dual impedance selection for both the Mic and DI inputs. The SOLO/610 includes essential DI (Direct
Input) features like Thru for use in conjunction with an amplifier, plus Ground Lift and a versatile
Mic/Line level output switch.
Microphone Preamplifiers have a critical role in the signal chain of recording, second only to the
microphone itself. The basic principle is to amplify a microphone level signal up to a useable line level.
In the same way that different microphones can provide varied sonic results, different mic preamps
can also display various sonic nuances. But more importantly, upgrading to a good quality mic pre can
make a huge difference in the overall quality of your recordings. The SOLO/610 preamp will flatter the
cheapest to the most esoteric microphones.
Direct Input (DI) plays an important role in the recording chain too, if an electric instrument is going
straight to the recorder without the use of an amplifier. The basic principle is to amplify an instrument
level signal up to a useable line level. It is very common to use a DI when recording instruments like
electric bass or electric guitar – either independently, or in combination with an amplifier. The
SOLO/610 features a DI input plus Thru, which allows the unaffected signal to also be sent to your
amplifier while also being sent straight to your recorder at line level. The SOLO/610 is an excellent way
to DI your favorite instrument alone, or with an amplifier.
Tonal Variety is where the SOLO/610 really shines. The Gain and Level controls offer a useful range of
tonal shaping. Gain and Level structuring allow the SOLO/610 to achieve from clean settings to rich
harmonic coloration. A lower Gain setting (0 to 5 range) with the Level output set appropriately for the
input of your recording device delivers a cleaner sound. Higher gain settings (5 to 10 range) with the
Level output set appropriately for the input of your recording device will increase the harmonic
enhancement. The LO-Z/ Hi-Z switch allows for impedance matching or additional tonal variety.
Rack mounting the SOLO can be done with the use of a standard rack mount shelf. Up to three units
may fit side by side occupying a total of 3RU worth of rack space.
Features
• Classic Putnam 610 console mic preamplifier and DI
• Legendary all-tube sound
• Gain, Level, and Impedance selection for maximum tonal variety
• Portable design for studio, desktop, or stage
• Rugged construction-steel chassis
• DI features include Thru and Mic/Line level output
• Hand-built in USA; backed by 1-year limited warranty
7
Front Panel Descriptions
(1) GAIN Knob – Adjusts the gain of the input stage. Turning the knob clockwise increases the gain.
Because this also has the effect of reducing negative feedback (see page 13), the GAIN control also
alters the amount of the input tube’s harmonic distortion, a major contribution to the “warm” sound
characteristic of tube equipment. The higher the GAIN setting, the more coloration the SOLO/610 will
impart to the incoming signal. For the cleanest, most uncolored signal from the SOLO/610, set the
GAIN to a low value while increasing the LEVEL knob until the appropriate output level is attained.
(2) LEVEL Knob – LEVEL determines the amount of signal sent from the input stage to the final output
stage and the rear panel OUTPUT jack. LEVEL behaves like a master volume control, where GAIN
controls the amount of coloration and LEVEL controls the final output volume.
1
2
3 4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11
! Many useful tonal variations are available by experimenting with different Gain and Level
settings.
The numeric values for the Gain and Level knobs are relative scale markings and do not
represent specific dB values.
8
(3) POWER LED – This blue LED illuminates when AC power is connected and the rear panel POWER
switch is in the ON position.
(4) SIGNAL LED – This is a tri-color LED that indicates the signal level at the input stage. The LED
glows GREEN with signal peaks, AMBER when the signal approaches clipping, and RED when the
signal is clipping (distorting). To eliminate clipping (for a cleaner sound), reduce the GAIN amount
and/or the incoming signal level.
(5) INPUT Switch – This switch specifies the active input. It selects between either the rear panel MIC
input or the front panel DI (Direct Input). Note: The MIC and DI inputs cannot be active simultaneously.
(6) LO-Z/HI-Z Switch – This switch changes the impedance of the
MIC and DI inputs. The available values are dependent on the input
type (MIC or DI), as shown in the table at right.
With DI inputs, LO-Z is typically used for instruments with high output and/or active electronics, while
HI-Z is typically used for instruments with low output and/or passive electronics. For more information
about impedance matching, see page 13.
(7) +48 V PHANTOM POWER Switch – This toggle switch applies +48 volts to the MIC INPUT when the
switch in the up position. Most modern condenser and ribbon microphones require +48 volts of
phantom power to operate. For more information, see page 14.
(8) LO CUT Switch – The LO CUT switch activates the low frequency roll-off (high-pass) filter. When in
the FLAT position (down), all frequencies are amplified equally for full-spectrum sound. When in the LO
CUT position (up), frequencies below 100 Hz are attenuated. This is typically used to eliminate rumble
and other unwanted low frequencies from an incoming signal. For more information, see page 14.
(9) POLARITY (“ø”) Switch – Determines the polarity of the OUTPUT. When IN ø is selected (down
position), the signal polarity is normal, and pin 2 is hot (positive). When OUT ø is selected (up
position), the signal polarity is inverted, and pin 3 is hot (positive). Polarity inversion is typically used
to reduce phase cancellation issues between microphones when more than one mic is used to record a
source. In normal use this switch should be off. For more information, see page 14.
(10) DI Jack – The DI (Direct Input) is a ¼” mono “TS” (tip-sleeve) jack for connecting an instrument
such as electric guitar, electric bass, electronic keyboard, or other unbalanced signal sources. The DI
impedance can be set to 50K ohms or 2.2M ohms with the LO-Z/HI-Z switch. Note: The INPUT switch
must be in the DI position to use the Direct Input jack.
INPUT:
MIC
DI
LO-Z:
450 ohms
50K ohms
HI-Z:
1.6K ohms
2.2M ohms
Keep phantom power off (switch down) when it is not required.
To avoid loud transients, always make sure phantom power is off when connecting or
disconnecting microphones.
Always check the power requirements of your microphone with the manufacturer before
applying phantom power. Phantom power may damage select microphones.
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