Joemeek Three Q User manual

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JOEMEEK
DISTRIBUTED BY PMI AUDIO GROUP
23775 Madison Street
Torrance, California 90505 USA
THREE
Q
Joemeek User Guide
visit us on the web at joemeek.com
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JOEMEEK reborn – the legend grows
The Next Generation of Joemeek studio processors represents a quantum
leap in the history of the Joemeek legend. Long regarded for its “Big Sound”,
the original Joemeek gear was both revered and reviled for its somewhat
“quirky” nature. Now we have taken the best of what made the Joemeek
products sound great, refined it, distilled it, added to it and repackaged it.
Properly and robustly engineered for predictable, controllable performance,
the new range retains the famous Joemeek sound, with its wide, flat frequency
response extending from subsonic to ultrasonic. It also uses genuinely low
noise circuitry, with lots of headroom (immunity to overload). Accurate cali-
bration and metering, together with clear panel labelling, give you complete
confidence in what’s going on. While some equipment pays lip-service to
quality and “professional rules” but fails to deliver, the Next Generation of
Joemeek products are founded on good solid electronic and audio engineering,
and withstand direct comparison with the very best names in mixers and
outboard gear.
The Joemeek range provides everything you need to get your performance
onto tape/disc.
About the Designer
The Next Generation of Joemeek has been completely re-engineered by
renowned audio electronics consultant Allan Bradford. With his background
in physics and 30 years experience with the design of instruments, mixers,
processors and amplifiers, Allan’s unique range of expertise ensures that
Joemeek remains at the forefront of music technology.
Joemeek is manufactured and
marketed under the direction of:
PMI AUDIO GROUP
USA: 23775 Madison Street
Torrance, California 90505
toll free: 877-563-6335
fax: [phone]
email: [email protected]
UK: P.O. Box 358
Torquay, Devon TQ2 5XS
tel: [phone]
email: [email protected]
Written by Allan Bradford, MSc
Joemeek® is a registered trademark of PMI Audio Group.
©2004 PMI Audio Group. All rights reserved.
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Contents
threeQ Controls at a Glance..............................................5
Overview............................................................................6
Preamplifier........................................................................6
Insert Point..........................................................................7
Compressor.......................................................................8
Meequalizer.......................................................................10
Mix Input.............................................................................11
Output Stage.....................................................................11
Using the threeQ..............................................................12
Getting Connected.............................................................12
Using the Preamp...............................................................12
Using the Compressor.......................................................13
Using the Meequalizer.......................................................13
Troubleshooting..............................................................14
Technical Specification...................................................15
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4
threeQ Controls at a Glance
PREAMP GAIN - sets the amount of audio amplification. Too little gain
and the sound will be too quiet; too much and the signal could become
distorted.
PEAK LED - lights 6dB below clipping.
LINE switch - selects the Line (jack) input instead of the Mic (XLR) input.
The LED lights when active.
COMPRESS - sets the level of signal (or “Threshold”) above which the
signal starts to be compressed.
ATTACK - sets how quickly the compressor responds to peaks above
threshold.
RELEASE - sets the time during which the signal returns to its normal size
after compression. In general, the longer the time, the less obvious the
compression.
COMPRESSION METER - 4-Led bargraph indicates the amount of gain
reduction in dB, which is taking place at any given moment.
COMP switch - turns the compressor on. The LED lights when active.
LF - controls the volume of Low Frequencies or “Bass” in the audio spectrum.
15dB of boost or cut is available around 80Hz.
MID - controls the middle frequencies in the audio spectrum. 15dB of
boost or cut is available at the selected frequency.
MID FREQ - sets the frequency at which the MID control operates,
anywhere from 300Hz to 5kHz.
HF - controls the volume of the High Frequencies or “Treble” in the
audio spectrum. 15dB of boost or cut is available around 12KHz.
EQ switch - turns the equalizer on. The LED lights when active.
OUTPUT GAIN - is the volume control or “Fader” for the outputs of the
threeQ.
VU METER - 8-Led bargraph shows the output signal level in dB at
any given moment.
48V PHANTOM POWER switch - when pressed in, feeds 48V phan-
tom power to the microphone XLR connector. Most condenser type
microphones require phantom power to operate.
+4dBu/-10dBv switch - selects the output operating level of the threeQ,
either to the professional +4dBu level, or to the -10dBv semi pro level.
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6Overview
The JOEMEEK threeQ is like having one channel of a professional record-
ing studio in a small box. It takes a microphone or instrument, amplifies
it, compresses and equalizes it ready to be recorded. Simple to use yet
extremely powerful, the threeQ will bring out the best in any microphone
or instrument and give the gloss of a professional studio production to all
your performances. As well as recording it will also be found useful for live
work.
Think of the threeQ as four separate items of equipment:
• The Preamplifier
• The JOEMEEK Optical Compressor
• The Meequalizer
• The Fader
Preamplifier
This is the all-important front end to the threeQ. Its job is to accept any
type of microphone, instrument or other source of audio signal, and make
it loud enough; microphones often need rather a lot of amplification, while
guitars, keyboards and CD players need less. Mics need to be connected
to low impedance inputs, while instruments prefer high impedance inputs.
To ensure correct impedance matching, the inputs are split into an XLR
connector for Mics, and a jack “Line” connector for everything else. A switch
on the front panel decides which input connector is active. The LED under-
neath the switch lights to show that the Line input (jack) is selected.
In other words:
Switch out (LED off) = “Mic”
Switch in (LED on) = “Line”
Both Mic and Line inputs are electronically balanced. Note: although
the Line input is not normally used for microphones, it can be suitable
for some high output unbalanced microphones, such as battery pow-
ered Electret types.
The Line Input (jack) is balanced and wired as follows:
Tip: + (hot)
Ring: - (cold)
Sleeve: ground
The Mic Input (XLR) is balanced and wired as follows:
Pin 2: + (hot)
Pin 3: - (cold)
Pin 1: ground
PHANTOM POWER
Most high-quality studio mics are “Phantom powered”, which is to
say they have electronics inside them, which get their power from the
preamp. Most mics require a supply of 48 Volts, so Phantom Power is
often labelled “48V”. There is a switch on the back of the threeQ (next
to the XLR mic connector) to turn this power on or off. A red LED lights
when this power is on. When switching the Phantom Power on, quite
a loud thump may be produced, so it is a good idea to turn down the
Output Gain (or to momentarily select the Line input), when pressing
the switch.
When using dynamic or ribbon mics, do not turn this on. It probably won’t
do any harm but it certainly won’t do any good, so leave it off! Consult the
microphone handbook if you are unsure what kind of mic you have.
There is just one other control, labelled “Input Gain”, which covers a range
of amplification from 10dB to 60dB. In many other preamps the action of the
Gain control is rather uneven, with the 40dB to 60dB range being crammed
into the last 1/6th of a turn. All Joemeek preamps use a specially designed
control that ensures smooth operation over the whole range of rotation. The
(0) symbol next to the 25dB mark, means unity gain, or 0dB, for a signal
in the Line input. Hence for Line inputs the range of gain adjustment either
side of this mark, is +35dB, -15dB.
The PEAK LED lights 6dB below clipping, so occasional brief flashes are
OK but if it’s on all the time you need to back the Input Gain off!
TECHNICAL STUFF
Very low noise - does it matter? Yes and no, it all depends what you are
doing - what really matters is “signal-to-noise ratio”. All electronics produce
a certain amount of background noise - it’s in the nature of things. Providing
there is only a relatively small amount of noise, the signal will cover it up, or
“mask” it. So providing the signal is much bigger than the noise, you won’t
be aware of the noise. So in other words the “signal-to-noise ratio” needs to
be a big number, ideally such as 80dB or 90dB.
So how do you achieve that in practice? The trick is to keep the microphone
as close to the sound source as possible without overloading it, so as to get
as much signal out of it as possible. Then you set the Gain control to give
only as much gain as is needed to get a decent level into the recorder.
Of course when there is no signal going on, you may hear the background
noise of the electronics. In that case, given the amount of gain in the studio
monitoring system, this noise “floor” should ideally be in the region of
-80dBu or lower, in order for it not to be noticed.
The threeQ microphone preamplifier uses state-of-the-art electronics
and has an equivalent input noise of around -128dBu (with 150ohm
input load). Despite all the hyperbolae and obfuscation, the theoretical best
possible performance for silicon-based electronics is about -132dBu.
So the preamplifier design used in the threeQ and all other NextGen
Joemeek products approaches this limit. To improve significantly on
this would require highly specialised electronics and probably a vat of
liquid Nitrogen to cool it!
The maximum gain available from the preamp is 60dB, in which case
the noise floor will be -68dBu. This is actually quite noisy - if you record
that noise onto a digital recorder and play it back you can definitely
hear it. In practice of course, you do not record and play back “silence”
and the rest of the mix will probably be more than 70dB louder than
this noise and will mask it completely. Even so it is generally a good
idea not to use gains greater than 40dB or 50dB and indeed, it should
rarely be necessary to do so.
Insert Point
This is simply an unbalanced “Send and Return” jack on the rear panel.
It allows you to patch any other pieces of equipment into the signal
path, such as an effects processor or noise gate. To use it you will need
a “Y” lead wired as follows:
Tip: send
Ring: return
Sleeve: ground
When no jack is inserted, the socket is internally linked, or “normalled”,
so that the signal flows uninterrupted. Note that the Insert Point is after
the Preamp but before the Compressor and EQ.
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Compression Ratio
What?? OK, it’s simpler than it sounds. If the input gets 10dB louder but the
output only increases by 5dB then the compression ratio is “2 to 1”. If the
input goes up 10dB but the output only goes up 1dB, then the compression
ratio is “10 to 1”. In a theoretically ideal compressor, this ratio is the same
for any size of signal above the threshold but for that to be true, the gain
cell and its control circuitry must be perfectly linear over a very wide range.
In practice only compressors based on VCAs and digital potentiometers are
likely to behave in this way.
Some compressors have a control to set the ratio anywhere between 1:1
(ie: no compression), and 20:1 (which would be regarded as a “brick wall
limiter”). In the threeQ the “Slope” or “Compression Ratio” is fixed at 5:1.
This is a good compromise between being gentle enough for vocals and
hard enough for drums and guitars. However that’s not all there is to it.
Variable Ratio
In the Joemeek optical compressor the compression ‘threshold’ is not
clearly defined and the compression ratio varies with the amount of com-
pression applied. For signals only just exceeding threshold, the ratio is little
more than 1:1. As the compressor is driven harder, the ratio rises to 5:1, at
least up to a point. It is a feature of the Joemeek compressor that the com-
pression ratio actually reduces again during large transients and, adjusted
correctly, this helps to retain brightness that is often lost with other types of
compressor. This is why vintage compressors often sound more lively than
their modern counterparts.
Controls
‘COMPRESS’ sets the level of signal (the “Threshold”) above which the
signal starts to be compressed. Turning the COMPRESS control clockwise
lowers the compression threshold, and drives the compressor harder.
‘ATTACK’ sets how quickly the compressor reacts to peaks above
threshold. Turn this control anti-clockwise for a quick response. Slower
(clockwise) allows the fast leading edge of percussive sounds to pass
uncompressed for a moment, before the compressor reacts to control
the gain. This example of “changing the envelope” of a sound exag-
gerates the percussive nature of drums and other instruments. Faster
attack times (anti-clockwise) are used where the compression needs
to be less obvious. For vocals the Attack needs to be around 1msec
for a natural sounding result.
‘RELEASE’ sets how long the compressor goes on squashing the
sound for, once the signal has dropped below threshold. If it stopped
instantly there would be very noticeable modulation or “pumping” of
the sound. So we want it to stop compressing less abruptly and that is
what the Release control is for. Generally, the longer the Release time,
the less obvious is the compression. Of course some “pumping” might
actually be desirable as a special effect and that is another way in
which the envelope of a sound can be modified. The threeQ Release is
variable from 100mS up to 3 seconds giving a wide variety of effects.
How the compressor behaves actually changes with programme con-
tent and volume. So experiment with the controls with different kinds
of material to discover the range and depth of effects that can be
achieved. The “COMP” in/out switch allows comparison between com-
pressed and uncompressed sound (green LED lights when active).
The Compressor is after the Preamplifier and the Insert Point, and
before the Meequalizer.
8Compressor
The hardest device to understand, yet one of the most useful, the
PhotoOptical Compressor is what gives Joemeek products their unique
character. Its job is to make quiet sounds louder and loud sounds quieter,
or in other words to reduce the dynamic range of the programme material.
It’s a bit like manually riding the volume control, except the compressor
does it automatically, responding far quicker and more accurately than you
ever could by hand. The compressor is applied in several ways:
1. Make Sounds Stand Out
Because compressors make loud sounds quieter, you can boost the volume
of the quiet bits without the loud bits getting even louder. That means you
can raise the average level of an instrument or vocal in the mix, which has
the effect of lifting it and bringing it forwards. This can actually improve
vocals for example, bringing them out in front of a mix, making them sound
denser, more even, and more confident!
2. Crank Up The Volume
Raising the average volume of whole mixes means they can be heard in
noisy environments, such as vehicles and factories. Boosting the average
level is what makes radio stations sound LOUD and the same technique is
used on TV commercials too, which is why they always seem annoyingly
louder than the movie you were trying to watch!
3. Protection
Fast response times are generally used to control brief transients. In other
words if an occasional peak sticks its head above a maximum permitted
level, the compressor clobbers it; this is known as limiting and a compressor
designed solely for this purpose is known as a Limiter. Limiters are primarily
used to protect recorders and monitor systems from overload, radio trans-
mitters from overmodulation, etc. The Joemeek compressor is not primarily
intended for this purpose as the Attack is not really fast enough to satisfy
radio station requirements, although it is generally good enough to pro-
tect recorders and monitors, where the effect of transients is less criti-
cal. Normally you should not hear a limiter operating but if it is driven
hard constantly, it can render a mix somewhat flat and lifeless.
4. Accommodation
The dynamic range of the human ear is phenomenal, extending from
the threshold of hearing (eg: a pin dropping onto soft carpet) to thresh-
old of pain (eg: standing next to a jet aircraft) - some 120dBA in all. By
contrast, vinyl, cassette tape and radio broadcasts all have a dynamic
range of about half that. Since the advent of the CD, the dynamic range
of the medium is far less of an issue and compressors are used more
to give a certain “feel” to a production. AM and FM radio however, is still
very much compressed to fit its restricted dynamic range.
5. Modification
A compressor can change the dynamics, or “envelope” of the track and
it is here that the Joemeek Compressor excels!
Types of Compressor
Most compressors work in essentially the same way: a volume-con-
trolling element or “gain cell” is inserted into the audio signal path.
The level of the signal at any given moment is measured and that
information is used to control the gain cell. So if the signal gets bigger,
the volume is turned down. Various types of gain cell in common use
include FETs, valves (tubes), light-dependent-resistors (photoelectric),
digital potentiometers and voltage-controlled-amplifiers, better known
as VCAs.
The threeQ Compressor is a unique recreation of the sort of photo-
electric compressor used by record producer Joe Meek in the 1960’s.
Using modern components for consistency and reliability, it
nonetheless reproduces faithfully the same punchy sound that was
so characteristic of the pop records of that time.
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Mix Input
This is a jack on the rear panel, which allows you to connect a second audio
source (for example another Joemeek threeQ!) The Mix input comes after
the threeQ’s Preamp, Compressor and Meequalizer, but before the Output
Gain control. So the second source is not affected by any of the threeQ’s
signal processing but is mixed with the material which has been processed
by the threeQ. The usual application for this is in overdubbing in simple
recording setups.
The Mix Input is balanced and wired as follows:
Tip: + (hot)
Ring: - (cold)
Sleeve: ground
Another application is in a simple live performance setup. For example one
threeQ could process a vocal while a second processed a guitar. The two
signals would then be mixed before feeding a PA slave amplifier. Perhaps
a drum machine would also be added in to the spare Mix input on the first
threeQ. Voila! A complete performance mix without a mixer. In fact three
or more threeQ’s could be “daisy-chained” in this way, by connecting the
output of the first to the Mix input of the second and so on. The Output
Gain control on the last threeQ in the chain provides the overall volume
for the PA.
Output Stage
OUTPUT GAIN
This output volume control provides up to 16dB of gain, which may be
useful when a lot of compression is going on. It also goes right down to
nothing and so acts as a fader to fade a sound out completely.
VU METER
The LED VU Meter shows signal level at the outputs, after the Output
Gain fader. It covers the range -24dB to +12dB in eight steps. Note that
this is relative to the selected operating level of “+4dBu” or “-10dBv”. In
other words if you have selected “4dBu” and the meter reads “0”, then
you have +4dBu coming out of the output sockets. If you have selected
“-10dBv” and the meter reads “0”, then you have -10dBv coming out
of the output sockets.
CONNECTORS
Two identical paralleled output jacks are provided, so you can simul-
taneously feed (say) a recorder and a monitor amplifier. The adjacent
switch selects the output operating level to either +4dBu (suits most
professional studio equipment) or -10dBv (suits semi-pro or hi-fi equip-
ment). Check with the handbook for whatever you are feeding, to find
out which level is required.
These outputs are balanced and wired as follows:
Tip: + (hot)
Ring: - (cold)
Sleeve: ground
Balanced or Unbalanced
Here’s the clever part: to run unbalanced, just plug in a mono jack plug.
This increases the gain of the “+” signal by 6dB, so there is no drop
in level compared with balanced gear. Note that in the threeQ these
two outputs are not isolated from each other, so unbalancing one will
unbalance the other one as well.
Technical Stuff
All outputs on all NextGen Joemeek products are properly balanced,
which is to say there is a signal on both pins! In this way the maximum
possible common-mode rejection of interference, can be achieved at
the receiving end.
10
Meequalizer
The threeQ “Meequalizer” is a highly effective and musically rewarding
three-band equaliser, or tone control system. Each stage allows boost or
cut of up to 15dB around the frequency in question. The “EQ” switch turns
the equalizer on, and the green LED lights when active.
The LF or bass section is centred on 80Hz, the frequency most effective in
bringing out bass lines and kick drums when boosted. Cutting can be used
to reduce unwanted LF noise, such as hum or rumble.
The HF or treble section is centred at 12kHz and boosting this band gives a
sense of “air” or “sparkle” to vocals, instruments and mixes, without boost-
ing harsh upper-mid frequencies. Alternatively with bass instruments, cut-
ting will reduce HF noise such as hiss and crackle.
The Mid band can be tuned or “swept” anywhere between 300Hz and 5kHz
(at either end it will also have some effect on frequencies below 300Hz or
above 5kHz). This effectively covers the whole of the important range of mid
frequencies. It may help to think of it as like a graphic equalizer, only instead
of lots of frequency bands, you have just one, but it can be moved to cover
any given frequency band. Cutting the Mid can reduce sibilance, boominess
or other annoying resonances. Boosting can bring out the body of a vocal,
or the harmonics of a guitar or any other instrument. Increasing or reducing
the “presence” of an instrument or vocal in this way, can appear to move the
sound forwards or backwards in a mix.
The Meequalizer is after the Preamplifier, the Insert Point and the
Compressor.
Technical stuff
Each section of the Meequalizer has a peaking or “bell” shaped
frequency response, which will be found to be musically more satis-
fying than conventional “shelving” equalisers. The use of bell curves at
LF and HF also avoids boosting subsonics and ultrasonics which can
have adverse effects on other studio equipment, such as recorders,
monitor amplifiers and speakers. The “Q” value of the peaking filters
is 1.9 (or 1 and 2/3 octaves). Zero phase distortion ensures the best
possible audio coherence.
LF and HF frequency response
Mid frequency response (at 300Hz and 5kHz)
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Using the Compressor
Start with the Compressor and Meequalizer off and adjust the input and
output gain so that the VU Meter reads around 0dB.
Set ‘COMPRESSION’ and ‘ATTACK’ fully anti-clockwise and ‘RELEASE’ at
mid-position. Press the ‘COMP’ push-button and turn up the ‘COMPRES-
SION’ control until the compressor GR meter starts to read 2dB or 4dB on
audio peaks. You should now be able to hear the compressor working as
the volume diminishes. Use the Output Gain control to restore the signal
to its previous (uncompressed) level. Try slowing the Attack and listen for
percussive sounds getting louder. Reducing the Release time should em-
phasise this even more and the compressor should start to “pump” audibly.
The overall result of compression depends on the combined settings of the
Input and Output Gain, Compress, Attack and Release controls. Experi-
ment with different combinations to discover what best suits the material
you wish to compress. Watch the GR meter and don’t overdo things - it’s
possible to apply 20dB of gain reduction before you realise it!
Use the ‘COMP’ switch to make comparisons between compressed and
uncompressed signals.
Using the Meequalizer
Always start with the Meequalizer boost/cut controls (LF, MID and HF) set
to “0” (the control knobs set vertically, in their centre notches). This setting
is also known as “flat”.
You need to be careful about too much boost or “lift”, since boosting
takes the threeQ closer to overload. The threeQ has generous over-
load margins, but when a lot of boost is used, it may be necessary to
compensate by reducing the Output Gain or the Input Gain (the latter
will affect the Compressor setting though).
Keep an eye on the VU Meter when adjusting the EQ. When the red
LED (labeled “+12”) lights, the threeQ is within 4dB of clipping. This
may therefore be regarded as a “Peak” or “overload” LED. Occasional
flashes are OK but if it is on all the time, turn something down!
The way to use the MID FREQ is to apply quite a lot of boost, then
sweep the frequency until you “tune in” to the sound you are inter-
ested in. Once you find it, adjust the amount of boost or cut to give the
desired effect.
Experiment with combinations of settings of EQ and try to picture
how the audio signal is being affected. Use the “EQ” switch to make
comparisons between EQ’d and non-EQ’d signals.
12
Using the threeQ
GETTING CONNECTED
The figure shows the threeQ being used instead of a mixing desk
in a recording setup
• A microphone is connected to the Mic Input
• An additional source is being fed into the Line Input
• The insert point is being used to divert the preamplified signal through
an external effects processor
• The recorder output is connected to the Mix Input for monitoring and
overdubbing
• Previously recorded tracks may also be replayed via the Line Input,
to permit compression and equalization
POWER SUPPLY
Connect the threeQ Power Supply to the AC connector on the rear
panel and switch on the mains supply. NB: Use only the 12V ac mains
adaptor supplied. Use of any other power supply may damage the
threeQ and will invalidate the warranty.
Using the Preamp
Turn the ‘INPUT GAIN’ control to minimum and connect the input
source. If you are using a condenser microphone, remember to switch
on the 48V Phantom Power. Set the ‘OUTPUT GAIN’ to “0dB”. Turn
up the ‘INPUT GAIN’ until the microphone sound registers on the
LED VU Meter, adjusting it so that the yellow “0” or “+4” LEDs light on
sound peaks. When the red LED (labeled “+12”) lights, the threeQ is
within 4dB of clipping. This may therefore be regarded as a “Peak” or
“overload” LED. Occasional flashes are OK but if it is on all the time,
turn the Input Gain down!
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15
Technical Specification
Input impedances Mic: 1.2kohm; Line: 20kohm
Pre-amp overall gain 0dB to 60dB
Common mode rejection 70dB
Equivalent input noise -128.5dBu (unweighted)
Distortion 0.001%
(below Compressor threshold)
Frequency response 10Hz to 70kHz (-3dB)
Maximum input before clipping Mic: +19.5dBu; Line: +44.5dBu
Headroom before clipping +19.5dBu
Compressor threshold -6dBu to +20dBu (variable)
Compressor ratio 5:1 (typical)
Compressor attack time 1 msec to 100 msec (adaptive)
Compressor release time 0.1 sec to 3 sec (adaptive)
Nominal output levels +4dBu/-10dBv
Output impedance 75ohm
Output Level switch 12dB attenuation
Noise Floor -85dBu (typical, with ~40dB mic gain)
VU Meter 8 segment bargraph
Power supply 12V ac mains adaptor
Power consumption 12W
Mechanical 220W x 44H x 180D (overall)
Weight 1 kilo
14 Troubleshooting
1) No Power (no lights work)
• Is the power supply plugged in (both ends)?
• Is the mains power on?
2) The microphone doesn’t work
• Is it connected to the correct (XLR) input on the rear panel?
• If it is a condenser microphone, is the phantom power switched on?
• Is the ‘Line’ switch out (LED off)?
• Is the ‘Input Gain’ control turned up?
• Is the ‘Output Gain’ control turned up?
3) The line input doesn’t work
• Is the source connected to the correct (jack) input on the back of the unit?
• Is the ‘Line’ switch in (LED on)?
• Is the ‘Input Gain’ control turned up?
• Is the ‘Output Gain’ control turned up?
4) The compressor doesn’t work
• Is the ‘Comp’ switch in (LED on)?
• Is the ‘Compress’ control turned up enough?
• Is there enough signal, as set by the ‘Input Gain’ control, to drive the
compressor?
5) Too little or too much compression
• Turn the ‘Input Gain’ control up or down respectively, to adjust the
signal level to the compressor
6) The Meequalizer doesn’t ‘t work.
• Is the ‘EQ’ switch in (LED on)?
• Is ‘Input Gain’ control turned up?
• Is ‘Output Gain’ control turned up?
7) Too much noise
• Is the ‘Input Gain’ control too high? Try moving the mic closer to the
source
• Is the ‘Output Gain’ control too high (eg: when lots of compression is
being used)?
• Is there too much EQ boost?
• Is the noise already present in the input signal? (Try removing the
input)
8) Sounds distorted
• Is the ‘Input Gain’ control too high?
• Is the ‘Output Gain’ control too high?
• Is there too much EQ boost?
• When using the compressor, is the Release control set too low?
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replacement by Purchaser of any Product or part thereof shall extend
the warranty period as to the entire Product. The specific warranty on
the repaired part only shall be in effect for a period of ninety (90) days fol-
lowing the repair or replacement of that part or the remaining period of
the Product warranty, whichever is greater.
2. Exclusive Remedy: Acceptance: Purchaser’s exclusive remedy and
PMI’s sole obligation is to supply (or pay for) all labor necessary to
repair any product found to be defective within the warranty period
and to supply, at no extra charge, new or rebuilt replacements for
defective parts. If repair or replacement fails to remedy the defect, then
and only in such an event, shall PMI exchange to Purchaser a new or
reconditioned unit. Purchaser’s failure to make a claim as provided in
paragraph 1 above or continued use of the product shall constitute an
unqualified acceptance of such Product and a waiver by Purchaser of
all claims thereto.
3. Exceptions to Limited warranty: PMI shall have no liability or obligation
to Purchaser with respect to any Product subjected to abuse, improper
use, negligence, accident, modification, failure of the end-user to follow
the operating and maintenance procedures outlined in the users manual,
attempted repair by non-qualified personnel, operation of the unit
outside of the published environmental and electrical parameters, or
if such products original identification (trademark, serial number) markings
have been defaced, altered, or removed. PMI excludes from warranty
coverage, Products sold AS IS and/or WITH ALL FAULTS and excludes
used products which have not been sold by PMI to the Purchaser. PMI
also excludes from warranty coverage consumables such as fuses and
batteries, tubes, etc.
4. Proof of purchase: The dealer’s dated bill of sale must be retained as
evidence or the date of purchase and to establish warranty eligibility
Joemeek Limited Warranty
THIS PRODUCT IS FOR PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY
PMI Audio Group warrants that all products will be free from defects in mate-
rial or workmanship:
A: For a period of (3) three years from the date of purchase (hereinafter the
labor warranty period), PMI Audio Group will repair or replace this Product if
determined to be defective. After the expiration of the labor warranty period,
the Purchaser must pay labor charges.
B: In addition, PMI Audio Group will supply, at no charge, replacements for
defective parts for a period of (three years) from the date of purchase. During
the labor warranty period, to repair the Product, Purchaser must return the
defective Product, freight prepaid, or deliver it to PMI Audio Group Service
Center. The product to be repaired is to be returned in either its original car-
ton or a similar package affording an equal degree of protection. PMI Audio
Group will return the repaired Product freight prepaid to the Purchaser. PMI
Audio Group is not obligated to provide Purchaser with a substitute unit dur-
ing the warranty period or at any time.
Conditions
1. Notification of claims: Warranty Service: If Purchaser discovers that the
Product has proven defective in material or workmanship, then written notice
with an explanation of the claim shall be given promptly by Purchaser to PMI
but all claims for warranty service must be made within the warranty period. If
after investigation PMI determines that the reported problem was not covered
by the warranty, Purchaser shall pay PMI for the cost of investigating the
problem at its then prevailing time-and-materials rate. No repair or
Notes
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Product Registration Information
Please Fill in the Below Sections and Return
Name:
Address:
City: State: Zip Code:
Telephone Number: email Address:
Model Purchased: Date Purchased:
Serial Number: Dealer:
Comments:
What magazines do you read to influence your buying decision: (please check all that apply)
❏ MIX ❏ Electronic Musician ❏ EQ ❏ Sound on Sound ❏ Pro Audio Review ❏ Recording ❏ Pro Sound News ❏ Audio MIDI
Disclaimer of Warranty
EXCEPT FOR THE FORGOING WARRANTIES, PMI HEREBY DISCLAIMS AND
EXCLUDES ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR LIMITED, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO ANY/OR ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT ABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND/OR ANY WARRANTY WITH REGARD
TO ANY CLAIM OF INFRINGEMENT THAT MAY BE PROVED IN SECTION 2-312(3)
OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE AND/OR IN ANY COMPARABLE STATE
STATUE. PMI HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY THAT
THE PRODUCT IS COMPATIBLE WITH ANY COMBINATION OF NON-PMI AUDIO
PRODUCTS PURCHASER MAY CHOOSE TO CONNECT TO THE PRODUCT.
Limitation of Liability
THE LIABILITY OF PMI, IF ANY, AND PURCHASER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
FOR DAMAGES FOR ANY CLAIM OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, REGARDLESS OF
THE LEGAL THEORY AND WHETHER ARISING IN TORT OR CONTRACT, SHALL
NOT BE GREATER THAN THE ACTUAL PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PRODUCT
WITH RESPECT TO WHICH SUCH CLAIM IS MADE. IN NO EVENT SHALL PMI
BE LIABLE TO PURCHASER FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, COMPENSATION, REIMBURSEMENT OR DAMAGES ON ACCOUNT OF THE
LOSS OF PRESENT OR PROSPECTIVE PROFITS OR ANY OTHER REASON
WHATSOEVER.
Owners Registration Card
TO BE COMPLETED AT TIME OF PURCHASE
Name _____________________________________________
Date of Purchase ____________________________________
Serial Number ______________________________________
Dealer’s Name ______________________________________
RETAIN FOR YOUR RECORDS
PLEASE DISPATCH AND RETURN
YOUR REGISTRATION
TO JOEMEEK WITHIN 14 DAYS
OF PURCHASE
Specifications and model numbers are subject to change without notice
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