Ashly CLX-52 User manual

All Rights Reserved
CLX-52
Compressor/Limiter
Operating Manual
Ashly Audio Inc.
847 Holt Road, Webster, NY 14580-9103
Toll Free [phone], Telephone [phone], FAX [phone]
www.ashly.com
All Trademarks referred to herein, are the property of their respective owners. R-042707

Page - 2 Operator Manual – CLX-52 Compressor/Limiter
Copyright© 2006 – Ashly Audio Inc.
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Operator Manual – CLX-52 Compressor/Limiter Page - 3
All Rights Reserved
Important Safety Instructions
Consignes de sécurité à lire attentivement
1. Read these instructions.
2.
Keep these instructions.
3.
Heed all warnings.
4.
Follow all instructions.
5.
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose
this apparatus to rain or moisture.
6.
Do not use this apparatus near water.
7.
Clean only with dry cloth.
8.
Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
9.
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers)
that produce heat.
10.
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or
grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades
with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has
two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade
or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the
provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an
electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
11.
Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched
particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the
point where they exit from the apparatus.
12.
Only use attachments/accessories specified by the
manufacturer.
13.
Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table
specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the
apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when
moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury
from tip-over.
14.
Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when
unused for long periods of time.
15.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug
is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen
into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to
rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been
dropped.
1.
Lisez ces instructions.
2.
Conservez ces instructions.
3.
Observez les avertissements.
4.
Suivez ces instructions.
5.
Pour réduire le risque de feu ou la décharge électrique,
ne pas exposer cet appareil pour pleuvoir ou l'humidité.
6.
Ne pas utiliser l’appareil près de l’eau.
7.
Le nettoyer à l’aide d’un tissus sec.
8.
Ne pas bloquer les ouvertures de ventilation, installer
selon les consignes du fabricant.
9.
Eloigner des sources de chaleur tel: radiateurs,
fourneaux ou autres appareils qui produisent de la
chaleur.
10.
Ne pas modifier ou amputer le système de la mise à
terre. Une prise avec mise à terre comprend deux lames
dont une plus large ainsi qu’une mise à terre: ne pas la
couper ou la modifier. Si la prise murale n’accepte pas
la fiche, consulter un électricien pour qu’il remplace la
prise désuète.
11.
Protéger le cordon de secteur contre tous bris ou
pincement qui pourraient l’endommager, soit à la fiche
murale ou à l’appareil.
12.
N’employer que les accessoires recommandés par le
fabricant.
13.
N’utiliser qu’avec les systèmes de fixation,chariots,
trépied ou autres, approuvés par le fabricant ou vendus
avec l’appareil.
14.
Débrancher l’appareil lors des orages électriques ou si
inutilisé pendant une longue période de temps.
15.
Un entretient effectué par un centre de service accrédité
est exigé si l’appareil a été endommagé de quelque
façon: si il a été exposé à la pluie,, l’humidité ou s’il ne
fonctionne pas normalement ou qu’il a été échappé.
Safety Instructions – 3
Introduction - 4
CLX-52 – 5
Connectors & Cables – 5
Physical Description - 6
Installation – 7
Typical Applications - 8
Troubleshooting - 9
Dimensions - 9
Specifications - 10
Warranty - 11
This manual uses a
Perpetual Table Of
Contents. Each page
has a copy of the
manual’s contents in a
gray box just like this
one. The section you are
in will always be bold
with the other sections
“grayed out.” The feature
allows you to jump
directly to another
section without having to
return to a Table Of
Contents page.
L
e symbole de la flèche dans un triangle équilateral symbolisant la foudre est
p
révu pour sensibiliser l’utilisateur à la présence de tension de voltage non isolée
à l’intérieur de l’appareil. Elle pourrait constituer un danger de risque de
décharge électrique pour les utilisateurs. Le point d’exclamation dans le triangle
équilatérale alerte l’utilisateur de la présence de consignes qu’il doit d’abord
consulter avant d’utiliser l’appareil.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is
intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage"
within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a
risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and
maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying the device.

Page - 4 Operator Manual – CLX-52 Compressor/Limiter
Copyright© 2006 – Ashly Audio Inc.
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Ashly CLX-52 Peak Compressor/ Limiter. The
CLX-52 was designed to meet the need for universal peak-sensitive automatic gain control
(AGC) devices with exceptional audio performance and rugged durability. The CLX-52 has
the following key features:
Threshold control
Input/output meter with select switch
Balanced XLR connectors
A single TRS patch point detector loop
Premium components throughout
Quality construction through computerized, automated assembly
We are confident that you will be pleased with the high performance, superb sound quality,
and reliability that Ashly is known for.
About Ashly
Ashly Audio was founded in 1974 by a group of recording engineers, sound professionals,
and electronics designers. The first products were custom consoles for friends and
associates, but business quickly grew. The philosophy established from the very beginning
holds true today: to offer only the highest quality audio tools at an affordable cost to the
professional user – ensuring reliability and long life. More than thirty years later, Ashly
remains committed to these principles.
What Compressors And Limiters Do
Limiting – All musical programs have constant changes in loudness. It is the job of a
limiter to detect when the volume has exceeded a predetermined maximum safe level, and
to then turn down the volume. When the incoming signal returns to its original level, the
limiter should respond by restoring the gain to normal. Thus, when the level is within a
specified “safe” range, the limiter has no effect. When an occasional peak occurs, the
limiter responds.
Compression - A significant difference in dynamic range is achieved simply by changing
the relationship between nominal signal level and threshold, as a result of either increasing
the GAIN and/or decreasing the THRESHOLD control. The most interesting effect to be
noted, however, is seen by comparing the original input signal with the output signal. The
quietest portions of the original signal will be effectively increased in volume while the
loudest portions of the original signal will be decreased. In effect, both ends of the
dynamic spectrum will be pushed toward the “middle”. More than anything else, it is this
double-ended effect, which distinguishes compression from limiting.
Safety Instructions – 3
Introduction - 4
CLX-52 – 5
Connectors & Cables – 5
Physical Description - 6
Installation – 7
Typical Applications - 8
Troubleshooting - 9
Dimensions - 9
Specifications - 10
Warranty - 11

Operator Manual – CLX-52 Compressor/Limiter Page - 5
All Rights Reserved
CLX-52 Compressor/Limiter
A great deal of time was spent developing a wide-bandwidth, ultra-low-distortion, low noise
VCA (voltage controlled amplifier). The result is the CLX-52, a versatile and highly
listenable compressor/limiter suitable for use in professional sound reinforcement, recording
and broadcasting.
The CLX-52 has three different connector types:
1/4” inch stereo TRS jacks
Three pin XLR type connectors
Euroblocks
These three connectors facilitate interfacing to most professional audio products. Both
inputs and outputs can be used balanced or unbalanced.
Connectors & Cables
Your CLX-52 Compressor/Limiter is provided with three different connector types:
1. 1/4 inch stereo phone jacks (TRS)
2. Three pin XLR type connectors
3. Euroblock Connector
When possible, balanced connections are recommend between all components in your
system, as this eliminates ground-loop induced hum and noise.
CLX Connector Polarities
Unbalanced Connections and Grounding
If you must use unbalanced connectors, the negative lead of the connector should be tied to
the ground lead. Using unbalanced connections could result in chassis ground-loop noise.
Altering the signal/chassis ground relationship in equipment connected to your CLX unit
may eliminate the noise.
Safety Instructions – 3
Introduction - 4
CLX-52 – 5
Connectors & Cables – 5
Grounding
Physical Description - 6
Installation – 7
Typical Applications - 8
Troubleshooting - 9
Dimensions - 9
Specifications - 10
Warranty - 11