FCS P3S ME User manual

P3S ME Class A Stereo Mastering Compressor
Thank you for purchasing the FCS P3S ME Class A Stereo Mastering
Compressor!
It was conceived and designed to be used in mastering applications.
All parameters are tailored to the needs of the mastering engineer who
wants the best in analog outboard dynamic processing.
The P3S ME boasts smooth sound and predictable control for easy, quick
setup.
The audio path of the P3S ME was meticulously crafted using the finest
available analog components.
Like any sophisticated piece of audio equipment, the P3S ME takes a little
bit of time for users to familiarize themselves with its capabilities and
myriad ways to treat audio signals.
A good place to start is what we call "Classic Mode", which is outlined
below:
1- Press the RMS pushbutton, being sure no other pushbuttons are pressed
**Note that the Attack and Release knobs are disabled in "Classic Mode"**
2- Set the Threshold knob to -8dB
3- Set the Ratio knob to 1.2:1
4- Set the Gain knob fully CCW
Connect the P3S ME to your audio source, a CD player or mixer output, and
play some audio.
You should be seeing some amount of activity on the Gain Reduction meter.
Now rotate the Threshold knob until you see around 3dB of G/R, which is
approximately 12 LEDs illuminated in the meter.
Now, you can adjust the "makeup gain" with the Gain knob, using the
bypass pushbutton (Bypass) to compare the compressed signal level with
the raw signal level.

HP Mode notes
After you have become familiar with the general "feel" and sound of
"Classic Mode" try pressing the "HPF" pushbutton while listening to the
signal.
On full range material you will notice that the character of compression
"relaxes" slightly, letting more detail and low frequency content through.
This is because low frequency content is contributing less to the control
signal that tells the VCA how much to compress the entire audio signal.
NL Mode notes
"N/L" stands for the non-linear capacitor circuit, which provides the P3S ME
with a very fast attack and release for short transient sounds, and a longer
attack and release for slower waveforms. This function is similar to effects
that can be had on the Valley 610 dynamics processor.
You will notice that this effect is rhythmically dependent and works on some
material very well and not as effectively on other material. But when it
comes together, you can almost erase the drum track leaving only ambient
room sound at the output.

Compressor Controls
The P3S ME panel can be broken down into 4 major groups of objects:
Rotary controls
> "Attack" control varies the attack time of the compressor when the AR
pushbutton is pressed. (CCW for shorter attack, CW for longer attack)
> "Release" control varies the release time of the compressor when the AR
pushbutton is pressed. (CCW for shorter release, CW for longer release)
The Attack control has a range of 1.5ms to 150ms at 10dB of compression
The Release control has a range of 15ms to 750ms at 10dB of compression
**Note that the AR timing circuit operates in the peak domain**
> "Threshold" Control varies the compression threshold between -8dB and
+15dB @ 4:1
> "Ratio" control varies the amount of compression between 1:1 to 4:1
> "Gain" control adds up to 11.5dB to the output signal.
C/A control pushbutton switch
> "C/A" pushbutton engages the Class A driver and custom wound FCS
output transformers. The Class A board uses Foote Control Systems’
discrete op amp, the FCS OA1 which operates in Class A mode down to 600
ohms.
Sidechain control pushbutton switches
> "HPF" pushbutton enables a -6dB @ 70Hz high pass filter into the
sidechain when pressed to prevent low frequency content from dominating
the compression action.
> "F/B" pushbutton sets the topology of the compressor to feedback when
pressed. When this switch is out, it is in feedforward mode. While in
feedback mode you will notice that the Gain knob now has influence on the
ratio of the compressor, as it is interactive with the Ratio knob.

Compressor Controls contd.
Time constant pushbutton switches
> "RMS" pushbutton enables the fixed RMS timing feature when pressed.
> "A/R" pushbutton enables the "Attack" and "Release" controls when
pressed. **Note that the AR timing circuit operates in the peak domain**
> "N/L" pushbutton enables the "non-linear capacitor" circuit when pressed
for automatic adaptive compression. Basically, NL mode selects between 2
fixed timings dependent on program material. It selects a very fast timing for
transient material and a slower timing for sounds with sustain.
**Note that the NL timing circuit operates in the RMS domain**
These functions are available at all times simultaneously and can be mixed
for unique and unusual compression types.
There is a "hidden feature" here. When the "RMS", "A/R" and "N/L"
pushbuttons are out, a distortion "effect" is available which is controllable
by the "Ratio" control. This distortion is the result of extremely fast
compression timings that result when none of the usual timing functions are
enabled. It might be useful or not. Technically it is the side effect of the
ability to mix time constant modes.
Bypass
> "Bypass" pushbutton bypasses the compressor when pressed. Note that
the bypass scheme is "full hardwire bypass" which completely disconnects
the P3S ME from the audio connections. When the P3S ME is unpowered, it
passes audio from its inputs directly to its outputs. Because of the bypass
scheme, the GR meter is not active during bypass.

Specifications
> Pristine, all analog audio path
> Fully balanced audio I/O on Neutrik XLR connectors
> Switchable Discrete Class A driver with custom output transformers
> Custom Stepped Goldpoint controls on Threshold, Makeup and Gain.
> High quality potentiometers on Attack and Release controls
> Gold plated switch contacts
> A/R Mode that allows the user to custom tailor attack and release times
> N/L mode that automatically adjusts time constants
> RMS Mode that uses the human ear's responses as a compression model
> A high pass filter, -6dB @ 70Hz before the detector.
> External HPF on 1/4" TRS connectors
> Threshold range from -8dB to +15dB
> Ratio range from 1:1 through 4:1
> Makeup gain range from 0dB to +11.5dB
> Fast 20 LED meter to display the gain reduction of the compressor.
> Maximum output level of +25dBu
> Phantom power protected output structure.
> Input Impedance: 20K Ohms balanced, 10K Ohms unbalanced
> Output impedance: 50 Ohms
> Output automatically configures itself for balanced or unbalanced loads.
(Pin 3 must be grounded during use with unbalanced inputs)
> Frequency response:
-1dB@ 8Hz
+0.02dB @ 20Hz
-0.09dB @ 20kHz
> Noise level
-102.6dBA
> Dynamic range
102.1dBA
> THD
0.006% (.015% with output transformers engaged)
> Stereo crosstalk -100.5dB
> Power: 100-240Vac 50/60Hz

Warranty
The P3S ME Class A Stereo Compressor is warranted to be free of
manufacturing defects for a period of 2 (two) years from the date of
purchase to the original purchaser only.
This warranty covers all parts and labor but does not cover shipping.
Failures due to accidental damage, being exposed to the elements, natural
disaster are NOT covered by this warranty.
If your unit needs service, please contact Foote Control Systems for more
information.
You will be asked to provide a copy of the invoice when warranty work is
requested.
The P3S ME design, panel, board layout, all drawings and all documentation
copyrighted
Roger Foote (c) 2005-2016
Any real or imagined damage due to the use of this product are the
responsibility of the end user, not Foote Control Systems, FCS or Roger
Foote
Foote Control Systems retains the right to modify or improve this design
without notification of any kind.
Foote Control Systems
PO Box 98
Hayfork, CA 96041-0098
USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: [phone]