Free The Tone PHA-1 User manual

+ –
PHA S E A N ALY Z E R
Owner’s Manual
Ver 1.1
Support/Service
Contact the following for support and/or repair service.
e-mail address: [email protected]

Thank you for choosing a Free The Tone product.
In order to take full advantage of the features and performance it provides, please read this owner’s manual thoroughly, and
keep it in a safe place for future reference.
Handling Precautions
• Never connect or disconnect plugs to/from the input/output terminals on the PHA-1 when the external device that drives speakers is powered. Doing so
can cause noises and damage the speakers.
• Avoid applying excessive force to the knobs, tact switches, DC jack, and phone jacks on the PHA-1.
• Do not push or press the display on the PHA-1.
• If the unit malfunctions or behaves erratically, cease operation at once and contact your local dealer or Free The Tone directly.
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Table of Contents
Controls and Indicators .............................................................................................................. 3
Front Panel ........................................................................................................................ 3
Rear Panel ......................................................................................................................... 4
Basic Operation ...................................................................................................................... 5
Two Types of Phase Measurements and Phase Judgement Principle ............................................................ 5
Display Contents .................................................................................................................. 6
Adjusting Signal to be Measured .................................................................................................. 6
Measuring Phase of Electronic Device such as Effects Unit ...................................................................... 7
Measuring Phase of Amplifier with Speaker ......................................................................................7
Measuring Phase of Effects Unit Connected to ARC-4 ........................................................................... 8
Notes on Level Meter Display ..................................................................................................... 8
Precautions for Battery Use ....................................................................................................... 8
Examples of Measurement Results .................................................................................................. 9
Main Specifications / Ratings ....................................................................................................... 10
Safety Precautions .................................................................................................................. 11
Controls and Indicators
Microphone used for waveform
display and measurement.
Selects the signal path shown by the
level meter in OPTION-2 Input mode.
When the PHA-1 is in
OPTION-2 Input mode and
the IN LED illuminates, the
level meter shows the level of
the signal fed into the ARC-4.
When the OUT LED illuminates,
the level of the signal fed from
the ARC-4 is shown by the
level meter.
IN
SOURCE
SELECT
RANGE
+ –
MIC
OUT
TEST SIGNAL
LEVEL
SELECT
PHASE A N A LY ZER
PH A-1
POLARITY
TEST
START
Front Panel
START LED
MICSELECT Switch
IN and OUT LEDs
Illuminates when the phase
measurement is started.
By pressing this switch the
test signal is output and the
phase measurement starts.
Pressing it again mutes the
test signal and stops the
measurement.
TEST Switch
Changes the input level
range if the input signal level
is too high or too low.
Selects the input to be
measured from ANALYZER,
MIC, and OPTION-2.
RANGE Switch
SOURCE SELECT Switch
Shows measurement information
and signal waveforms.
Display
If the signal is in phase,
the + (plus) side green LED
illuminates. If it is reversed,
the – (minus) side red LED
illuminates.
POLARITY LEDs
Indicates the level of thesignal fed to the
PHA-1. When the ARC-4 Audio Routing
Controlleris connected to the PHA-1 in
OPTION-2 Input mode, this meter shows the
level of the signal fed into or from the ARC-4.
Level Meter
Adjusts the test signal’s
output level.
TEST SIGNAL LEVEL Knob
3

DC9-12V IN
OPTION-2
(from ARC-4)
OUT
TEST SIGNAL ANALYZER
IN
Rear Panel
Outputs the test signal used for the
phase measurement. Connect this
terminal to the input of the device to
be measured.
Connect the output from the device
to which the test signal is fed.
An AC-DC adapter that outputs
9–12 VDC can be used. Be sure
to confirm that the AC adaptor has
the center negative (–) type pin
assignment.
Used to connect to the ARC-4 with
the optional cable (RC-7).
TEST SIGNAL OUT Terminal ANALYZER IN Terminal
POWER DC9-12V IN Terminal
OPTION-2 Terminal
4
The PHA-1 provides the two types of phase measurements.
< Repeated Pulse Measurement Mode >
In this measurement mode the PHA-1 outputs an in-phase testsignal and judges the phase of the subject device by checking ifthe test
signal that goes through itis in phase or reversed phase. This mode can measure thephase of effects units such as aphaser, chorus, delay,
etc. in which delay elements are used, and devices that can causealatency in the output due toAD/DA converters or DSPs used in them.
NOTE
To measure the phase of a delay or reverb’s dry sound, set the effect sound to zero (minimum). To measure the phase of a delay effects unit’s delay
sound, cut the dry sound (Kill Dry) and set the number of repeats of the delay sound to 1.
< Continuous Measurement Mode >
In this measurement mode the PHA-1 performs phase analysis by comparing its output test signal with the input waveform in the
same length of time. A 440-Hz or 220-Hz measurement signal can be selected in this mode. Due to characteristics of this device,
phase judgement may change according to test signal frequencies. Use the 440-Hz signal mainly for effects units for guitars and the
220-Hz signal mainly for effects units for basses.
N.B. In this measurement mode the PHA-1 cannot measure the phase of the effects units such as a phaser, chorus, delay, etc. in
which delay elements are used.
NOTE
Pulse waveforms are used as the test signal for the PHA-1’s MICinput in order to minimizetheinfluencefrom ambient noises. If the first edge of the test signal
waveform afterpassing through the deviceis rising, then itis judged as in phase (+). If falling, then it is out of phase (–).
If the waveform level is too low, the waveform edges cannot be detected. Conversely if it is too high, noises other than the test signal are too strong and
the edges cannot be detected precisely. Adjust the RANGE switch, TEST SIGNAL LEVEL knob, or the output level of the subject device so that 4 to 9 LEDs of
the level meter illuminate.
Basic Operation
Two Types of Phase Measurements and Phase Judgement Principle
5

< Display Screen in Test Mode > < Display Screen in Usual Operation >
Display Contents
Adjusting Signal to be Measured
Input or Output Waveform
If signal waveform is too large to be shown entirely in
Display or Display shows “Over-Level”...
To show the waveform properly: Press the RANGE switch to
increase the range level value shown in the right top corner of
the Display.
Or if measuring the phase of the amplifier with speaker,
increase the distance between the speaker and the PHA-1 or
lower the amplifier’s volume.
If waveform is too small to see or Display shows “Low-
Level”...
To show the waveform properly: Press the RANGE switch to
decrease the range level value shown in the right top corner of
the Display.
Or if measuring the phase of the amplifier with speaker,
decrease the distance between the speaker and the PHA-1 or
raise the amplifier’s volume.
Selected Measurement Mode
Selected Input Current Range Level
Test Signal’s Waveform
Incoming Signal’s Waveform
Selected Input Current Range Level
6
Turn on the power to the PHA-1 and the device to be measured.
Turn the TEST SIGNAL LEVEL knob fully counterclockwise so that
the test signal will not be output.
1. Press the SOURCE SELECT switch until “ANALYZER” is shown
in the top line of the Display.
2. Press the TEST switch to select the measurement mode to be
used. Measurement modes switch each time when the TEST
switch is held pressed for about 1 second.
Two Types of Phase Measurements and PhaseJudgement Principle p.5
3. Slowly turn the TEST SIGNAL LEVEL knob clockwise. The
waveform and level of the signal fed to the PHA-1 are
indicated. Adjust the TEST SIGNAL LEVEL knob so that 4 to 9
LEDs of the level meter illuminate.
Adjusting Signal to be Measured p.6
NOTE
It may be difficult to adjust the outputlevel of a unit with high-gain
distortion orfuzz sound. In such a case, adjust the volume at the subject
effects unit. Beforestarting the measurement, set the device so that the
volume from itis almost the same whether the effect is on or off.
Turn on the power to the PHA-1 and the device to be measured.
Turn the TEST SIGNAL LEVEL knob fully counterclockwise so that
the test signal will not be output.
Lower the amplifier’s volume to mute it.
1. Press the SOURCE SELECT switch until “MIC” is shown in the
top line of the Display.
2. Press the TEST switch. In this operation mode only Repeated
Pulse Measurement mode is selectable.
3. Slowly turn the TESTSIGNAL LEVEL knob clockwise. Turn up the
volume of the amplifier little bylittle until the test signal can
be heard from the speaker. Bring the PHA-1’s MICclose to the
speaker to show the waveform and level ofthe signal. Adjust
the position ofthePHA-1,TESTSIGNAL LEVEL knob, oramplifier
volume so that 4 to 9 LEDs of the level meter illuminate.
Adjusting Signal to be Measured p.6
NOTE
If the amplifier to be measured is set to yield a high-gain distortion
sound, sometimes it may be difficult to judge the phase. In such a
case decrease the gain of the subject amplifier and perform the phase
measurement.
Measuring Phase of Electronic Device such as Effects Unit Measuring Phase of Amplifier with Speaker
DC9-12V IN
OPTION-2
(from ARC-4)
OUT
TEST SIGNAL ANALYZER
IN DC9-12V IN
OPTION-2
(from ARC-4)
OUT
TEST SIGNAL ANALYZER
IN
IN
AMP
7

Turn on the power to the PHA-1, ARC-4, and your effects unit(s).
Turn the TEST SIGNAL LEVEL knob fully counterclockwise so that
the test signal will not be output.
1. Press the SOURCE SELECT switch until “OPTION-2” is shown in
the top line of the Display.
2. Press the TEST switch to select the measurement mode to be
used. Measurement modes switch each time when the TEST
switch is held pressed for about 1 second.
Two Types of Phase Measurements and PhaseJudgement Principle p.5
3. Recall the desired ARC-4’s preset.
By putting the ARC-4 in Direct mode and turning on the
loops one by one, it is possible to check the phase of each
effects unit.
4. Slowly turn the TEST SIGNAL LEVEL knob clockwise. The
waveform and level of the signal fed into the PHA-1.
Adjust the TEST SIGNAL LEVEL knob so that 4 to 9 LEDs of the
level meter illuminate.
Adjusting Signal to be Measured p.6
5. To set the device in the reversed phase from the phase
judgement result, turn on the ARC-4’s Phase Invert function
and save the setting in a preset.
NOTE
If the recalled combination of effects units contains a delay or reverb
unit, set the effect sound to minimum and perform the measurement.
Measuring Phase of Effects Unit Connected to ARC-4
Notes on Level Meter Display
Precautions for Battery Use
Optional Cable RC-7
The PHA-1 can be driven by a 9-volt battery. When the Display
shows “Low-Battery,” replace the battery with a new one. If
the PHA-1 is not used for a long period of time, remove the
battery and store them separately.
Placing the level shown at the upper rightcornerofthe Display
as the reference(0dB), each LED element of the level meter
illuminates when thesignal level reaches the corresponding level.
For example, if “-10dBm” is shown at the upper right corner
of the Discplay, the 7th LED (reference)
illuminates when the signal level exceeds
-10 dBm. Similarly for “-22dBm,” the
7th LED illuminates when the signal level
exceeds -22 dBm.
10 (Top)
9
8
7 0dB
6 -1dB
5 -3dB
4 -5dB
3 -7dB
2 -10dB
1 (Bottom) -20dB
+3dB
+2dB
+1dB
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<< Repeated Pulse Measurement Mode >>
Example 1: “Over-Level” message
appears because the input signal
level is too high. Adjust the level
so that the “Over-Level” message
disappears and 4 to 9 LEDs of the
level meter illuminate.
Example 2: The phase is judged
properly but the input signal
waveform is truncated. To show the
whole waveform, switch the input
level range. Alternatively, decrease
the test signal output level or the
device’s output level to lower the
signal level fed to the PHA-1.
Example 3: The input signal level is
too low and the Display shows “Low-
Level.” Adjust the level sothat the
“Low-Level” message disappears and
4 to 9 LEDs ofthelevel meterilluminate.
If no level meter’s LED illuminates,
confirm whethertheconnection is
properly done and the power to the
subject deviceis turned on.
Example 4: The signal level is
properly adjusted and the incoming
signal’s entire waveform is displayed.
<< Continuous Measurement Mode >>
Example 1: The input signal level
is too high and all of the level meter
LEDs illuminate. Adjust the level so
that 4 to 9 LEDs of the level meter
illuminate.
Example 2: The input signal level is
too low and the Display shows “Low-
Level.” Adjust the level so that the
“Low-Level” message disappears
and 4 to 9 LEDs of the level meter
illuminate.
Example 3: The signal level is
properly adjusted and the incoming
signal’s entire waveform is displayed.
In this example, the shape of the
waveform fed into the PHA-1 differs
from that of the test waveform.
Please note that this is because that
the test waveform has been effect-
processed by the subject device and
is not a malfunction or failure.
Examples of Measurement Results
9

110 46
53
• Test signal maximum output Level: 660 mVp-p (Repeated Pulse Measurement mode), -23 dBm (Continuous Measurement mode)
• Terminals: standard 1/4-inch phone jack x 2 (TEST SIGNAL OUT, ANALYZER IN), 7-pin DIN connector x 1 (for connecting ARC-4:
OPTION-2), DC9-12V input jack (for connecting AC adaptor)
• Power supply: 9-volt battery, 9V DC center negative polarity
• Consumption current: approx. 52 mA (9-VDC operation)
• Dimensions: 110 (W) x 53 (D) x 46 (H) mm (incl. protrusions such as knobs, etc.)
• Weight: approx. 230 g
• Accessories: Warranty card, Owner’s manual
Main Specifications / Ratings
10
Caution
This symbol indicates that a risk of serious personal injury or material
damage may result if precautions are ignored.
Warning
This symbol indicates that a risk of death or serious personal injury may
result if precautions are ignored.
Be sure to read these precautions and the user’s manual before using this product.
Caution
Do not use or store the unit in environments where it will be exposed to:
• Extreme temperatures (direct rays of the sun, heat sources such as
radiators or stoves.)
• High humidity or moisture.
• Excessive dust or sand.
• Excessive vibration or shock.
Whenever leaving the unit unattended for long periods, be sure to unplug
the AC adapter from the power source to avoid creating a fire hazard.
Take care not to drop the unit, and do not subject it to excessive
pressure or weight.
Do not press the switches on the unit with a bare foot, or unexpected
injury may result.
Do not use solvents (such as benzine, paint thinner) on the unit, since
these may dull the finish or damage the surface.
Warning
Never try to disassemble, or modify the unit.
Stop using the unit if you notice smoke or a strange odor coming from it
and unplug the AC adapter from the outlet.
Never try to repair the unit or replace parts unless so instructed by the
user’s manual. For other repair or parts replacement contact your local
dealer or Free The Tone.
Never unplug the AC adapter while your hands are wet.
Do not apply too much pressure or tension or place a heavy object on
the power cord. Doing so may damage the power cord and create a
danger of fire or electrical shock.
Turn off the unit and unplug the AC adapter from the outlet and contact
your local dealer or Free The Tone for repair in the case of any of the
following:
• The power cord is damaged.
• Foreign objects (coins, pins, etc.) or liquid enter the unit.
• The unit gets wet from rain or other liquid.
• The unit is out of order.
Be careful of heat radiation from the unit.
Never cover the AC adapter with cloth or other objects. Built-up heat can
deform the case or cause a fire hazard.
11
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Precautions are identified by the two types of symbols below: