CICOGNANI ENGINEERING Florence User manual

Florence
1176 OPTICAL COMPRESSOR
User’s manual

Introduction:
!
FLORENCE is an optical compressor that is inspired and evolves the “signal way “of the historic compressor
1176. Unlike its predecessor, Florence uses a latest generation of optocoupler that allows us to offer three
different modes of use: compressor, limiter, sustainer.#
Some guidelines to design this unit:!
* In/Out tube buffered!
* Extreme Audio Quality: Great linearity of the signal.!
* Easy to use thanks to the “magic eyes” that display the input and output signal.!
* Increases the clean threshold of the output volume.#
Florence is a compressor that does its job without altering the tone of the sound. To do this we used the highest
quality Jfet IC components combined with a sophisticated design. The new generations of opto couplers are
more faster and for this reason the signal enjoys excellent benefits.#
This compressor can be used at the beginning or end of the effects chain with input signal levels up to a
maximum of 1.5Vpp. Great together with tools (Guitar, Bass, Vocal, Drums) great with recording devices.!
!

The Guru’s advice
1) Connect the main power to 12Vdc (min 350mA). Make sure the power supply is negative tip.#
2) It is always better if the power supply current is higher; this reduces the preheating time of the valve.#
3) Connect the “Output” to the amplifier “Input” or to return device.#
4) Connect the “Input” to the instrument or to send device#
5) As soon as you turn “on” the pedal you will find the green bypass LED active.#
6) Check by displaying the input level.#
7) Make your favorite adjustments and check that the output volume is correct.#
8) The connections are: Jack 6.3mm mono and Jack 6,3mm stereo to D.I. Out#
9) The D.I. is a balanced low impedance out type and can also be used together with the main output.#
10) Do not cover the front size required for unit cooling.

Controls:

1) Bypass On/on switch#
2) Input signal #
3) Output signal#
4) 12AU7/ECC82 tube#
5) Input level#
6) 4 ratio modality#
7) 3 view modes of the “VU”#
8) Outpul level#
9) Compressor to Limiter balance#
10) Signal attack speed#
11) Signal release speed#
12) Compression tone control#
13) Main power 12Vdc negative tip#
14) DI balanced/unbalanced out#
15) VU meter (“magic eyes”)#
The connection cable must be constructed
following the instructions below.
Balanced/unbalanced DI. connection

POWER IN
12VDC (NEGATIVE TIP)
CONSUMPTION
FROM 350 TO MAX 500mA
S/N RATIO
87db @ MAX LIM.VALUE
INPUT IMPEDANCE
< 1M OHM
MAX INPUT SIGNAL
1.5VPP
OUT IMPEDANCE
< 100K OHM
MAX OUTPUT SIGNAL
2.2VPP
DI OUT IMPEDANCE
< 10K OHM
DI OUT SIGNAL
2.2VPP
GAIN REDUCTION
UP TO 42db +/-1db
DISTORTION
<0.28% @ +24db
TONE LEVEL AND FILTER
-6db @ 4400Hz
MAX RETURN SIGNAL
0,5Vpp
MAX SPK SIM OUT SIGNAL
0.5Vpp
VOLUME OUT
+4db
CONNECTION:
MAIN POWER
DC 2.1mm.
INPUT
JACK MONO 6.3mm.
OUTPUT
JACK MONO 6.3mm.
DI OUT
JACK ST/MONO 6.3mm.
BYPASS FUNCTION:
BUFFERED
LINEARITY
20-40000Hz
COMPRESSION RATE
4:1-8:1-12:1-20:1
ATTACK TIME
FROM 800 TO 80mS
RELEASE TIME
FROM 1.5 TO 90mS
TONE Q
4400Hz
TONE LEVEL
- 6db
CIRCUIT TECHNOLOGY
TUBE/JFET
INT. POWER BOOSTER
DUAL PWR +/-12VDC
METER VU AND PEAK
INPUT/OUT SIG. DIPLAYS
TUBE TYPE
12AU7/ECC82
TUBE LIFE
3000 HOURS
PREAMPLIFIER CLASS
A
WEIGHT
0.7Kg (1.5Lbs)
DIMENSIONS
22x13x51Cm-8.6/5.1/1.96”
CHASSIS
CUSTOM FE
PANEL
PMMA LASER ENGRAVED
KNOBS
VINTAGE PLASTICK BK
SWITCH
SABLE DPDT
Technical details:

PREAMP SIGNAL STAGE
Schematic:

POWER STAGE
VU STAGE PANEL LIGHT
ALL RIGHT RESERVED. THE CIRCUIT IS FOR
EVALUATION PURPOSES ONLY.#

Useful information:
FLORENCE is a high quality opto coupler compressor, limiter, sustainer optimized for live and studio recording
and can be used with guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, drums and DAW. Simple and intuitive to use FLORENCE offers
great performance and three modality of use:#
1) COMPRESSOR#
2) LIMITER#
3) SUSTAINER#
COMPRESSOR: The use of compressor is often necessary to guarantee a great sounds; a better length of the
note played; to attenuate excess signal peaks thus ensuring a unique sound stroke. #
LIMITER: The use of limiter it's right when we want to get up to a certain output level threshold. In this mode the
input level control will mark the exact point from where to start cutting.#
SUSTAINER: the optical compressor sustainer is the mode of use with long release times combined with midd/hi
ratio and hi sensivity input level.#
It’s ready to say that: INPUT CONTROL establishes the “level” of intervention; RATIO “how much”; ATACK “in
what time”; RELEASE “full signal return time”; TONE “bright or dark compression”.#
The Guru advises:
Use always good quality signal cables - The external power unit is very important. Is necessary pay attention to:
Connection negative tip; low noise; stabilized; voltage 12DC; current up to 350mA (0.35A). #
Working temperatures are maximum 60 ° Celsius

Compressor/Limiter/Sustainer:
The function of compressor is to automatically reduce the level of peaks signal so that the overall dynamic range
turn out better. Compression or limiting enables even the quietest sections to be made significantly louder while
the overall peak level of the material is increases only minimally.#
In the digital age, the compressor offers great benefits and is especially important in recordings. It’s helps ensure
that the signal is encoded at the highest possible level and offers a better signal definition. Other question, it helps
to prevent a particularly harsh type of distortion known as “clipping”. This is one kind of limitations of digital
technology.
RATIO selector allow four different modes of operation:
4:1 (moderate compression)
8:1 (midd-hard compression)
12:1 ( best use to mild limiting)
20:1 ( best use to hard limiting)
It is necessary to remember that a ratio of 4:1, however, means that
any time there is an increase of 4 decibels in the loudness of the input
signal, there will only be a 1db increase in output signal.
The decibel is a logarithmic form of measurement. Approximately 10db is normally required to increased the gain
for a signal to sound twice as loud
In the image you can see how the signal behaves relative to a compression with a 4: 1 ratio

Setting:
SOFT ENHANCING: FLORENCE will enhance your
soft touch and limit when your attack notes harder.
ACOUSTIC GUITAR: A perfect dynamic control to
touch. Using this setting “Live” or with your DAW
ELECTRIC BASS: With this setting you can obtain a
natural compression ideal for slap or pick use.
SUSTAINER: A good sustainer can be obtained by
adjusting the long release time. This setting is
indicated on ballads where an effective sound length
is required.

LIMITER: You can use the "Limiter" function to hardly
cut excess signal peaks. The volume control in this
case becomes the “Threshold” role.
MASTERING: This type of setting is suitable on
DAW. It provides a soft compressor intervention that
becomes hard when the signal excesses.
NOTE:
These settings are indicative because their
effectiveness depends on the quantity of the
input signal and the type of connection to the
other devices. #
FIRENZE offers the possibility to be connected in
line to instruments (hi-Z) or send / return (low-Z)
with input levels max of 1Vpp.#
I have no particular other advice to give you. You
must know that in music it has often been verified
that, "great sounds”, were also made with
technically incorrect use of the devices and with
crazy settings.
Trusting your ears is better…..!!!
The Guru

Terms of Warranty:
Cicognani Engineering product warranty covers 2 years from date of purchase with the exception of moving
mechanical parts such as foot switches, speakers and handles which have a 1 year warranty. The valves, lights
and cables are guaranteed for 3 months from the date of purchase.The warranty does not cover damage caused
by accident, misuse and / or neglect, failure to comply with the instruction manual, repair and attempted repair
by personnel not authorized by Cicognani Engineering, any damage caused during transport and delivery,
(claims must be presented to the carrier); damage to any product that has been altered or on which it has been
removed, defaced or altered serial number; damage caused by faulty connections or connections to equipment
failures and/or defective power cables. Responsibility of Cicognani Engineering for any defective product is
limited to repair or replacement of the product at our discretion.The Cicognani Engineering not be liable for
damages resulting from loss of use of the product, lost time operation interrupted by non-use of the product,
loss of business or any other damages or incidental, consequential or otherwise; damage in transit or damage
caused by inadequate packaging or of poor quality. #
Assistance: Please contact us for information on how, where and when to ship the product after the return has
been Authorized by Cicognani Engineering . The repaired goods should be packed carefully and we recommend
not include any accessories such as cables, effects, manuals, etc. ..!
Please attach a copy of the original receipt of purchase (invoice or receipt) together with a problem description
and your personal data.!
THE WARRANTY IS NOT VALID 'WITHOUT A COPY OF YOUR RECEIPT OF SALE CERTIFYING THAT THE
DATE OF PURCHASE.!
The costs of labor and material guarantee shall be borne by Gurus Amps.#
PACKING AND SHIPPING COSTS ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU

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Cicognani Engineering!
Via Faentina, 44 - 48013 Brisighella (RA) Italy!
Internet: www.cicognani.eu Mail: [email protected]!
P.iva 01277580393
Cicognani Engineering reserves the right to change technical features or look of his products in any moment
without notice. This product is pursuant to European Directives 89/366EEC