ESOTERIC SOUND SURFACE NOISE REDUCER User manual

PERATING MANUAL FR
ESTERIC SUND
SURFACE NISE REDUCER

INTRODUCTION
Surfacenoisefromphonograph recordsisusuallythe result of minuteimperfections,
abrasionsand scratchestothe playing surfaceof the record. Whileuseof agraphic
equalizeror"scratchfilter"toremoveticks and scratchesissomewhat effective, such
filtersreduceoreliminatethe highsfound on records. The SurfaceNoiseReducercan
identifyand removemost clicks and popsfound on Lp'sand even 78'sand othervintage
records. It isalsoveryeffectiveinreducing ignition noisefromFMradiobroadcasts.
When used judiciously, it can often improvethe qualitygrade of recordsbyseveralgrades
withminimaldegradation toeitheraudiophileorvintage records. The EsotericSurface
NoiseReduceractsonlyon the clicks orpopswithout effecting programmaterial.
CONNECTION
The following representsatypicalconnection scheme, but shouldnot be interpreted as
the onlywaytoconnect the device. Yourspecificsystemand requirementsmayalterthe
connection schemesomewhat. Becarefultoobservethe basicrequirementsinorderto
obtainmaximumresults.
You must haveastereo phono pickup and stereo amplifier. Connect the right and left tape
outputsof yourphono preamporreceivertothe input connectorsof the SurfaceNoise
Reducer. Makesurethat thereareno intermediatedevices. The SurfaceNoiseReducer
must comefirst. All otherdenoising and equalizing devices, suchathe Esoteric
Re-Equalizer, must be connected following the SurfaceNoiseReducer. Inthe event that
you areattempting todenoisefromatrulymono sourcesuchasasingletrack tape
recording, makeconnection toonlyone of the SurfaceNoiseReducerinputs. Connect the
outputsof the SurfaceNoiseReducertothe inputsforthe tape monitorortothe next
sound processing deviceyou mayhave, suchasaPackburnNoiseReduction unit, or
OWL, orgraphicequalizer, etc.
TAPE RECORDING THERESULTS
Thereareseveralways of making tape recordingsof the improved sound. Hereareafew
suggestions: 1)Connect the tape recorderat the end of the chainof denoising
instrument(s)and monitoreitherthe "source" signalwhen just listening orthe "tape" signal
when taping orplaying tapes. 2)Employa"wye" connectortofeed the output of the
denoising instrument(s)tobothamplifiertape monitorand totape deck input. The output
of the tape deck can then be connected toan unused amplifier"aux"input.
OPERATION
1.Whileplaying loud musicportionsfromarecord, advancethe "DISTORTION
LIMITING"controltill the "THD"LEDilluminates. Nowback off the
DISTORTIONLIMITING controlslightly.
2.Advancethe "QUIETING"controltill the "NOISE REDUCTION"LEDflashes
indicating that clicks and popsareremoved.

3.Carefullyadjust the "QUIETING"controlformaximumreduction of noise
possiblewithout introduction of distortion.
4.If you noticedistortion during loud peaks of sound, advancethe "DISTORTION
LIMITING"controlfurthertill the "THD"LEDilluminatesand thusinhibitsthe
"NOISE REDUCTION"LEDand the resultant distortion. Thismayrequire
carefuladjustment of bothcontrolsand someinteraction will be observed.
5.If the “THD”LEDblinks on clicks and pops, it isadjusted too high. The “THD”
LEDshouldonlyrarelycomeon if at all.
HINTS
1.Note: Insomerareinstances, noisereduction will havetobe severely
compromised inordertoprevent distortion. Certaindiscs containan extremely
lowlevelof veryfine ticks. Somediscs displaysomedistortion fromworngroove
wallsand exhibit a“fuzzy”sound. Thesemaycausethe unit totrigger
unnecessarilyand attempt toremovethe abovecharacteristics with
unsatisfactoryresults. Suchcaseswill requirecriticaladjustment and
compromise.
2.When using singlechannelsources, asfromatape recording wherethe source
isidenticalmono frombothtracks, onlyone channelmust be connected tothe
SurfaceNoiseReducerexplained under"connection."Inthat instance, very
carefuladjustment of the controlswill be necessitated.
3.The SurfaceNoiseReducercan alsobe used withstereo FMtunersinorderto
removeignition and atmosphericnoise. Employthe sameadjustment
procedure.
4.Asafinalsuggestion, let yourearsdetermine the exact setting of the controls
and usethe LEDindicatorsonlyasguide forapproximatesettings.
OPERATIONWITHVINTAGERECORDS
1.Donot expect the samedegree of noisereduction asthat obtained fromLP's.
Asthe quantityof impulsenoiseisseveralordersof magnitude greater, wemust
focuson the morediscernibleclicks.
2.Acertaindegree of "frying bacon" cracklecan be removed bycarefuladjustment
of bothcontrols. It maybe necessarytoadjust the controlsfordifferent partsof
the record. Thisisespeciallyusefulif taping and then editing the recording.
PROBLEMS
If no noisereduction isobserved, check the following: 1)“THD”controlset too high. 2)
Thereisa“mono”connection ahead of the SNR. Makesureyou can playstereo

recordingsand hearthe separation. Anymono connection must be afterthe SNR. 3)You
areusing an oldmono phono pickup orhaveastereo pickup strapped tomono. 4)You
shouldbe abletoturnthe “NOISE REDUCTION”controltoo high and causedistortion, try
thistoverifyunit isoperating correctily. 5)You areexpecting too much-compareyour
resultstoourdemotape.
If no sound isheardwhen inthe “IN”position, check the following: 1)SNR isnot plugged
in. 2)Input and output connectionsarereversed. 3)Thereisan internaldefect, return
unit forrepair.
SPECIFICATIONS
DISTORTIONLess than 0.02%
HUM&NOISE95 dBbelowrated output
RESPONSE:20 -20 kHz+/-0.2dB
GAIN:Unity
MAX OUTPUT:6.5VoltsRMS
INPUTIMP:50 kOhms
OUTPUTIMP:50 Ohms
CONTROLS:BYPASS/IN, DISTORTIONLIMITING, QUIETING
LED'S:THD, NOISE REDUCTION
POWER:120 VAC/60 Hz, 230 VAC/50 Hz-on request for
foreign applications
CONSTRUCTION:Black anodized aluminumcase, gold-plated
connectors
SIZE:19" X1.75" X7,"standardEIAminimum-height rack
mount
- WARRANTY -
Thisproducthasbeen manufactured toprecisestandardsand rigidqualitycontrol. Return
authorization mustbe obtained beforemaking anyreturn. Unitshouldbereturnedinit's
originalpackingotherwise costofrepairfordamageincurredwill becharged.Wecan
adviseyou astoalternateproperpacking shouldthisnot be available. Suchreturnsshould
be accompanied byapaymentof$8.00 shipping and handling.It isfullywarranted against
defectivematerialsorworkmanshipunderthe normaluseforthe warrantyperiod of1year
fromtimeof purchasetothe originalowner. Repairs,adjustment fordefectsorreplacement
of partswill be performed free of charge, except:
a)If equipment hasbeen damaged byaccident ormishandling.
b)If equipment hasbeen serviced ormodified byotherthan ourauthorized agents.
c)Incaseof theft, loss, fireorothercalamitiesbyan Act of God.
ESOTERICSOUND
1608 HEMSTOCKAVE.
WHEATON, IL60187
VOICE/FAX [phone]
E-Mail: EsotericTT@aol