Fredenstein Artistic Leveler User manual
Artistic
Leveler
Operating Manual
Fredenstein Artistic Leveler
The Artistic Leveler is a single channel opto compressor with multi-channel link capability in the
500 series form factor. If used in redenstein Bento 6 or Bento 10 racks, an external side-chain
input is available through the Bento's Aux input connector.
The Leveler features rotary controls for Input Gain, Release Time, Compression Ratio, Make-up
Gain and Wet-Dry Mixing (parallel compression). The Attack Time can be set in three steps, as
well as the side-chain low cut filter. The side-chain can be fed externally by activating the SC Input
switch. The LED bar-graph meter indicates the gain reduction in the range of 1dB to 16dB. Its
punchy and detailed sound is generated by three major components:
1) redenstein's proprietary Reverse-Mancini opto architecture
2) our advanced OPA2 discrete Audio Operational Amplifier
3) the American made vintage style steel core output transformer
As all redenstein products, the Artistic Leveler is designed by a German-American team and
manufactured in Taiwan.
Installation:
Please power down your rack or box first, before inserting the Artistic Leveler. Since the Artistic
Leveler uses the link interconnect in the box or rack, it cannot coexist with any other third-party
modules using the same link interconnect (PIN 6 on the edge connector). If you are using a
redenstein Bento box, please turn off the compressor link switches to any third party module(s),
only turn on the link switches between Artistic Leveler modules.
Other third party equipment not using the link interconnect, such as most Mic-Pres and EQs etc,
can be used simultaneously with the Artistic Comp in any enclosure. The power requirements are
very light at maximum of +/-16V, +/-75mA and should not overload any enclosure.
redenstein Artistic Leveler Manual V1.0 Aug. 21, 2015 Page 1
Fredenstein Artistic Leveler
Rotary Controls:
INPUT : Sets the line level gain in the
range of -10 dB to +20 dB
RAT : Sets the compression ratio in the
range of 2:1 to 7.5:1
REL : Sets the release time of the
compressor from 0.3s to 5s
OUTPUT : Make-up gain control in the
range of 0 dB to +20 dB
MIX : Output Mixer between the
compressed (wet) and
uncompressed (dry) signals
Switches:
SC ilter : Selects the low cut filter in the
side-chain.
lower position: off
middle position: 300Hz
upper position: 150Hz
SC Input : Position INT: Normal operation
EXT: Enables the external side-
chain input when used in Bento 6
or 10 racks through the AUX
input connector
LINK : Multi-channel synchronization
for two or more Artistic comp
modules. All channels will have
identical gain reduction to avoid
shifts in the balance
ATT : Compressor Attack Time
lower position: 0.5 ms
middle position: 25 ms
upper position: 5 ms
ON/BYP : in upper ON position, the
compressor is active, in the lower
BYP (BYPASS) position or if the
rack is powered down, a relay
connects the output directly to
the input, the gain reduction
meter will still show the depth
of compression
Indicators:
CLIP LED : Lit when the output level reaches
+24dBu (2db before clipping)
GR (Gain Reduction) : Shows actual gain reduction in
the range of 1db to 8db in one db
steps and 2dB for 8dB to 16dB
redenstein Artistic Leveler Manual V1.0 Aug. 21, 2015 Page 2
Fredenstein Artistic Leveler
Detailed Description:
Like most opto compressors, the redenstein Artistic Leveler features a fixed threshold. The
compression depth is controlled by changing the input gain. Increasing the input gain will cause the
Leveler to apply an increased gain reduction. The output level control is used to make up for the
gain reduction. The maximum compressor output gain is +20 dB.
The ATTACK TIME switch and RELEASE TIME control define how fast the compressor reacts
and how fast it falls back after the signal is lower than the threshold. The perfect values are
depending on the program material and the desired sound..
The COMP RATIO control sets the relationship between input and output level for signals above
the threshold and can be varied from 2:1 to 7.5:1.
Additionally, so called dry/wet mixes can be performed (parallel compression). The dry signal
(uncompressed) and the wet signal (compressed) can be mix together in any relationship to achieve
special sounds. The Wet-Dry control of the Artistic Leveler dramatically boosts the versatility of the
device. If you put the Wet-Dry control fully counter clockwise, only the compressed signal is
present at the output, if turned fully clockwise only the unprocessed input signal reaches the output.
Another sound shaping tool is the three position side-chain low cut filter. If switched to 150 or
300Hz, it prevents low frequency signals below the selected value from being processed by the
compressor. If the external side-chain input is used, the dynamics of the signal can be controlled by
another source, which allows for more creative sounds.
Technical Data:
requency Response : 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz, +/- 1dB
Make-up Gain : + 20 dB
Distortion : < 0.05%, no compression
Noise : < -86 dB, no make-up gain (+4dBu reference)
Input Impedance : > 5000 Ohms
Max. Input Level : + 26dBu
Output Impedance : 600 Ohms
Max. Output Level : + 26 dBu
Clip Indicator : + 24 dBu
Input Gain Range : -10 dB to +20 dB
Side-chain ilter : 150 or 300 Hz (switchable)
Attack Time : 0.5, 5, and 25 ms (switchable)
Release Time : 70ms to 2.5s
Compression Ratio : 2:1 to 7.5:1
Power Consumption : +/-16V < +/- 75mA (~2W)
redenstein Artistic Leveler Manual V1.0 Aug. 21, 2015 Page 3
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