Black Lion Audio Bluey User manual

Bluey | User Manual

Introduction ..........................................................................................................3
Package Contents .................................................................................................4
Engineering Objective ..........................................................................................3
Front
.......................................................................................................................
5
Back .......................................................................................................................5
Trademarks
..................................................................................................................... 7
Notice ....................................................................................................................7
Safety Instructions ................................................................................................6
Warranty ................................................................................................................4
Disclaimer..............................................................................................................7
Warnings ..............................................................................................................6
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2Bluey | User Manual 2
.......................................................................................................4Specifications
.................................................................................................4Quick Start Guide

Thank you for purchasing the Black Lion Audio Bluey F.E.T. limiting amplifier. The “Bluey” is
a modified “Blue Stripe” compressor based off of the “golden” unit owned by Chris
Lord-Alge. When certain components became unavailable, techs were forced to change
the circuit, creating a one of a kind compressor that has been heard on countless hits.
This product was designed and engineered by Black Lion Audio in Chicago, IL USA. All units
are assembled and tested at our shops in Chicago and New York.
At Black Lion Audio, we believe in putting sound quality first. We strive to offer mind-blow-
ing products at incredible prices. We are committed to continuously innovating in pursuit
of the perfect sound. We live and breathe gear and can’t imagine doing anything else. We
hope you enjoy this product and share in our passion for all things audio.
Please be sure to follow the safety instructions on the following pages. We want you
around to purchase more gear!
3Bluey | User Manual
INTRODUCTION
Any audio engineer worth their weight in gear will tell you about the special moments that
occur on records by chance. We’re talking about the magic you can’t plan. It must occur
organically, being comprised of sheer randomness or even flat out mistakes. For instance,
the spontaneous banter from a vocalist in between takes that adds character to a track, or
a radical new audio effect discovered through a simple routing mistake.
The same good fortune sometimes shines upon a piece in the vintage gear world. Through
decades of maintenance and repair, some units, like wine, get better with time. The scarci-
ty of original parts leads technicians to diverge from the original design, creating an
improved, one-of-a-kind, modified unit.
Armed with an impeccable ear, decades of experience, and an abundance of coveted gear,
legendary mix engineer, Chris Lord-Alge, was able to recognize one of his four 1176 Blue
Stripe units as firmly sitting in this distinctive category. The particular unit, dubbed “Bluey,”
has a special “mojo” to it that shines on vocal tracks like no other.
Chris desired more channels of this golden unit, and reached out to the guys who know
modifications best – the team at Black Lion Audio! Intrigued by Chris’ praise of the unit,
head design engineer, Jesus Ortiz, boarded a plane from Chicago to LA to discover what
gave this Blue Stripe its edge. He found a series of mods done to the unit over the years to
keep it working that miraculously cumulated in a uniquely beast-like 1176! BLA analyzed
the unit with pain-staking detail, and has, in conjunction with Chris Lorde-Alge, recreated
the monster, now known as the new Black Lion Audio “Bluey!”
ENGINEERING OBJECTIVE
Bluey
Transformer Coupled FET Limiting Amplifier

On your sound system, mute your monitors and then using balanced XLR cables, connect
your Bluey to your mixing bus or patch bay. If you are using two Blueys in parallel (or
stereo), connect the RCA’s between the two units.
Set all controls to full counter-clockwise position, and all pushbuttons deselected or in the
off position. Set the COMP ON button to the off position, bypassing the unit, and apply
power.
Unmute the monitors, and verify that signal is passing to and from the unit.
Set the INPUT, OUTPUT, ATTACK and RELEASE controls to about 12 o’clock, set COMP
MIX to full clockwise, select RATIO 4, and press the ON pushbutton. Increase the INPUT
until the meter is deflecting a few dB. Again, verify signal is passing through the unit.
Your Bluey is now ready for use!
QUICK START GUIDE
Bluey | User Manual 4
LIMITED 3 YEAR WARRANTY
Black Lion Audio’s Bluey is warranted by Black Lion Audio to be free from defects in
materials and workmanship for the period of THREE (3) YEARS to the original purchas-
er. In the event of such defects, the product will be repaired without charge or, at our
option, replaced with a new one if delivered to Black Lion Audio prepaid, together with a
copy of the sales slip or other proof of purchase date. The warranty excludes problems
due to normal wear, abuse, shipping damage or failure to use the product in accordance
with the specifications.
All parts and labor are covered under this Limited Warranty. However, if it is deter-
mined by Black Lion Audio that the device was damaged or made defective through
abuse, we reserve the right to charge the customer for the cost of the repair.
Black Lion Audio shall not be liable for damages based upon inconvenience, loss of use
of the product, loss of time, interrupted operation or commercial loss or any other
damages, whether incidental, consequential or otherwise. This warranty gives you
specific legal rights, and you may have other rights, which will vary from state to state.
This warranty is not transferable.
SPECIFICATIONS
PACKAGE CONTENTS
Attack:
Continuously variable 20uS to 800uS
Release:
Continuously variable 50mS to 1200mS
Ratio:
Pushbutton selected 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1
and any combination
Voltage:
115VAC, 230VAC rear panel switchable
AC Mains Input:
IEC320-C14 standard plug.
Fuse:
50Hz uses F2AL both are 20mmx5mm
Dimensions:
438mm (19”) x 88mm (2U) x 250mm D
Product Weight:
8kg
• Bluey
• IEC cable

BACK
FRONT
1
2
11 12 13
3 5 6
4
9 10
7 8
1. POWER: On/off switch
2. INPUT CONTROL POT: Sets the threshold and controls the level at which the compressor starts com-
pressing
3. OUTPUT CONTROL POT: Applies makeup gained to compressed signal to compensate for signal lost
during compression
4. ATTACK CONTROL POT: Controls the amount of time it takes for the unit to react to an incoming signal
5. RELEASE CONTROL POT: Controls the speed at which the compressor releases the compressed signal
6. COMP MIX: Allows the user to end the dry uncompressed signal with the wet compressed signal to allow
more natural sounding compression
7. RATIO: Controls the amount of compression applied (Yes, it does all-buttons-in-mode)
8. METER: Selector switches GR meters the amount of gain reduction applied:
+4 meters output level at 0 with +4dB output
+8 meters output level at 0 with +8dB output
9. POWER IEC INPUT
10. VOLTAGE SELECTOR: Set to correct voltage in country used in
11. BALANCED XLR OUTPUT
12. RCA STEREO LINK: Use standard 2-conductor RCA cable for stereo linking
13. BALANCED XLR INPUT
Bluey | User Manual 5

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNINGS
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that
produce heat.
9. 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 third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an
electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11. Use only attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer
12. Use only with a 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.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. 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.
15. This apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing, and no object filled with liquids, such as
vases, shall be placed on the apparatus.
16. Not that this apparatus is not completely disconnected from the AC mains service when the power
switch is in the OFF position.
17. The mains plug or an appliance coupler is used as the disconnect device, so the disconnect device shall
remain readily operable.
18. Any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this apparatus.
19. Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hearing loss. Individuals vary considerable
in susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss, but nearly everyone will lose some hearing if exposed to
sufficiently intense noise for a period of time. Be sensible.
Bluey | User Manual 6
IMPORTANT !
Be sure to select the proper operating voltage (and install the correct fuse)
on the rear panel before plugging in the power cord. Improper selection can
result in damage to the unit that will not be covered under the warranty.
The lightning flash with an 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 (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the product.

DISCLAIMER
Bluey | User Manual 7
The Black Lion Audio Bluey complies with all applicable / RoHS/ WEEE European Union directives.
Do not attempt to service this unit yourself, as it will void your warranty. Please check your unit carefully
upon receipt and return to place of purchase immediately if there are any problems with the product. After
that, the standard Black Lion Audio 3 YEAR warranty will apply to defects in materials and workmanship.
(U.S.A.) Should your Black Lion Audio product require service, please contact the Black Lion Audio Service
Department. [phone]-or-contact us on our customer service site: www.blacklionaudio.com/contact
You must obtain an RA # (Return Authorization number) from us before shipping a unit back to us. This RA #
must be clearly written on the outside of the box.
Please safely pack the units…It is best to use the original packing materials. Black Lion Audio cannot be
responsible for any damages incurred in shipping to us due to poor packaging. PLEASE PACK CAREFULLY
and FULLY INSURE THE SHIPMENT.
(INTERNATIONAL) For service or warranty assistance, please contact the Black Lion Audio distributor in your
country through the dealer from whom you purchased this product.
NOTICE
This manual provides general information, preparation for use, installation and operating instructions for the
Black Lion Audio Bluey Compressor.
The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. Black Lion Audio 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. Black Lion Audio 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.
TRADEMARKS
The Black Lion Audio ‘lion face’ logo, BLA, Bluey are trademarks or registered trademarks of Black Lion Audio.
Copyright ©Black Lion Audio 2019
This manual and any associated intellectual property are subject to copyright protection. No part of this
document may be reproduced in any form without explicit written consent from Black Lion Audio.

Black Lion Audio
1801 W. Belle Plaine Ave.
Suite 105
Chicago, IL 60613
[email protected]
blacklionaudio.com
Copyright ©2019 Black Lion 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 Black Lion Audio Chicago, Inc.