Maag Audio MAGNUM-K User manual

MAGNUM-K
Compressor
Copyright © 2017 Maag Audio, LLC
www.maagaudio.com
User Guide

MAGNUM-K™ Compressor
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read these instructions
2. Keep these instructions
3. Heed all warnings
4. Follow all instructions
5. Clean only with dry cloth
6. Do not block any ventilation openings.
7. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appa-
ratus (including amplifiers) that produce heat
9. Protect the power cord from being walked on
or pinched particularly at plugs and the point
where they exit from the apparatus
10. Only use attachments/accessories specified
by the manufacturer
11. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms
or when unused for long periods of time
12. Refer all servicing to qualified service person-
nel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has
been damaged in any way, such as power-supply
cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled
or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the ap-
paratus has been exposed to rain or moisture,
does not operate normally, or has been dropped
13. CAUTION: To disconnect the unit completely
from the MAINS, unplug the unit. Turning the
power switch off does not disconnect the unit
completely from the MAINS
14. The unit shall not be exposed to dripping or
splashing and that no objects filled with liquids,
such as vases, shall be placed on the unit
15. WARNING: This is a Class I apparatus. It
should be connected to a MAINS socket outlet
with a protective earthing connection
Copyright © 2017 Maag Audio, LLC
www.maagaudio.com
Model: MAGNUM-K
VOLTATE SELECTION AND FUSE
This unit is capable of operating over a range of
mains voltages as marked on the rear panel. En-
sure correct mains voltage setting and correct
fuse before connecting mains supply. Do not
change mains voltage settings while mains sup-
ply is connected. To avoid the risk of fire, replace
the mains fuse only with the correct value fuse,
as marked on the rear panel. The internal power
supply unit contains no user serviceable parts.
Refer all servicing to a qualified service engineer,
through the appropriate Maag Audio dealer.
For mains voltages from 100-120 volts, use a
0.5A 3AG fuse with Slo-Blo characteristics only
and configure the mains selector to display 115V.
For mains voltages from 200-240 volts, use a
0.25A 3AG fuse with Slo-Blo characteristics only
and configure the mains selector to display 230V.
The selectable fuse holder accepts 1/4” x 1-1/4”
or 5mm x 20mm fuses.

INTRODUCTION
The Maag Audio MAGNUM-K™ is a single channel Compressor built to complement the audio engi-
neer’s craft in a very big and impactful way. The MAGNUM-K is comprised of two compressor sections
(MAGNUM COMP and K COMP), a very musical Parallel EQ (with LMF and AIR BAND®), and a Soft
Limit (soft limiter).
Whether putting the finishing touches on a 2-mix or making a vocal sound bigger than life without tak-
ing your head off; the MAGNUM-K will help elevate your craft to a whole new level. Welcome to com-
pression nirvana and sonic bliss. Welcome to the Maag Audio MAGNUM-K Compressor were BIGGER
SOUND, QUICKER WORKFLOW, and OUTSTANDING CONTROL were designed to elevate your
craft.
BIGGER SOUND
The MAGNUM-K Compressor helps quieter sonic signatures become as big as you want them to be
while simultaneously reigning in those louder, more dominant tones.
QUICKER WORKFLOW
Tuning a MAGNUM-K Compressor is quick and easy, reducing your overall workflow time.
OUTSTANDING CONTROL
The MAGNUM-K offers outstanding control from its transparent INPUT ATTN (attenuator) and INPUT
GAIN controls, to its SIDECHAIN capabilities and MAKE UP GAIN. Controls are stepped (detented) to
allow for easy recallable settings and channel matching.
Copyright © 2017 Maag Audio, LLC
www.maagaudio.com
Model: MAGNUM-K
Cliff’s NOTES
The MAGNUM-K is Maag Audio’s 8-Function channel that controls gain and shapes tone like no other
product on the planet. It is used for Tracking, Mixing, Live Sound, and Mastering.
To accomplish what the MAGNUM-K does in one analog channel, an engineer would need the follow-
ing components:
1— INPUT ATTN (Input Attenuator)
1— INPUT GAIN
1— MAGNUM COMP (Multiband Compressor)
1— SIDECHAIN Hz (Internal SIDECHAIN filter or External SIDECHAIN)
1— K COMP (3 kHz Focused Compressor)
1— PARALEL EQ2 (LMF and AIR BAND)
1— MAKE UP GAIN
1— SOFT LIMIT (Soft Limiter)
16— XLR Patch Cables
Now multiply these components x2 to accomplish two channels… You would then need to send these
connections to multiple Summing Busses in a Console or DAW interface.
This is an extremely complex insert that would require many units, much thinking and patching to ac-
complish what the MAGNUM-K does in ONE simple channel. The MAGNUM-K does this work for us,
giving us more time to perfect our craft and make music. The Maag Audio MAGNUM-K provides BIG-
GER SOUND, QUICKER WORKFLOW, and OUTSTANDING CONTROL.
-Cliff Maag Sr.
MAGNUM-K™ Compressor

CONTROLS
MAGNUM COMP
COMP RANGE
Compression range selection limits (4, 8, 12, or 16 dB)
RATIO
Adjusts the slope of the compression (1.3:1 to 13:1). Varies with the
COMP RANGE setting
Blue LED
Indicates the level of compression for the MAGNUM COMP. The
brighter the LED, the more compression being applied to the signal
(simulating a meter)
THRESHOLD
Controls the level where compression occurs. Turning the knob to
the right adds more compression
SIDECHAIN Hz
Internal SIDECHAIN frequency filter at 40 Hz, 80 Hz, 120 Hz, 220
Hz or External SIDECHAIN
ATTACK
Adjusts the ATTACK speed of compression (5 ms to 200 ms)
RELEASE
Adjusts the RELEASE speed of compression (100 ms to 1.2 s)
FB / FF
Feedback (FB) or Feedforward (FF) to select compression type. In
FF mode, compression is more aggressive
INPUT ATTN
Input attenuator (0-12 dB)
PEAK
Red LED starts to illuminate
when the input signal reaches
23 dBu (clips @ 26 dBu)
SIGNAL
Green LED indicates audio sig-
nal presence. Illumination starts
@ -30 dBu
INPUT GAIN
Input gain (0-12 dB). Allows a
low level to be boosted, making
it more sensitive to compression
Copyright © 2017 Maag Audio, LLC
www.maagaudio.com
Model: MAGNUM-K
K COMP (Focused 3 kHz Compressor to control harsh/edgy tones)
IN
Engages the K COMP compressor. Green LED indicates when the K COMP is engaged or bypassed
Blue LED
Indicates the level of compression for the K COMP. The brighter the LED, the more compression being
applied to the signal (simulating a meter)
THRESHOLD
Controls the level where compression occurs. Turing the knob to the right adds more compression
MAGNUM-K™ Compressor

CONTROLS
PEAK
Red LED starts to
illuminate when the output
signal reaches 26 dBu
(clips @ 29 dBu)
MAKE UP GAIN
Used to MAKE UP GAIN
after compression (0-21
dB)
SOFT LIMIT
Engages soft limiter. Green
LED transitions to Pink
then Red (+17 dBu) as soft
limiting increases
(simulating a meter)
LINK
Used to link two (2)
MAGNUM-K Compressors.
Linked MAGNUM COMP
functions include:
RATIO, THRESHOLD, AT-
TACK, RELEASE. Green
LED
ENGAGE
Engage or disengage the
MAGNUM-K Compressor
(true bypass). Green LED
PARALLEL EQ2
The PARALLEL EQ2 boosts the original source signal at focused
frequencies and then blends it with the MAGNUM COMP and K COMP
signals (pre SOFT LIMIT). This boosting/blending also acts as a focused
make up gain.
LMF (Low Mid Frequency) EQ
GAIN (LMF)
Gain control for the LMF
15 dB max gain (W = wide bell)
12 dB max gain (T = tight bell)
IN (LMF)
Engages and disengages the LMF. Green LED
Frequency Selector (LMF)
Bell curve boost with W (wide) or T (tight) bell curves:
W (wide) = Sub, 57 Hz, 88 Hz, 220 Hz, 400 Hz, or 1.4 kHz
T (tight) = Sub, 40 Hz, 65 Hz, 150Hz, 250 Hz, or 1 kHz
Q (LMF)
LMF bell selection. Choose between W (wide) or T (tight) bell curves.
Yellow LED indicates selection
———————————————
AIR BAND® EQ
GAIN (AIR BAND)
Gain control for the AIR BAND
20 dB max gain
IN (AIR BAND)
Engages and disengages the AIR BAND. Green LED
Frequency Selector (AIR BAND)
Boost only shelf at 10 kHz, 15 kHz, 20 kHz, 25 kHz, 30 kHz, or 40 kHz.
Frequencies below the shelf peaks are also affected due to the
transitional slope
Copyright © 2017 Maag Audio, LLC
www.maagaudio.com
Model: MAGNUM-K
MAGNUM-K™ Compressor

CONTROLS
OUTPUT
3-pin XLR balanced output for MAGNUM-K
INPUT
3-pin XLR balanced input for MAGNUM-K
XLR Pinout
1 = G, 2 = +, 3 = -
LINK
1/4” TIP/SLEEVE to link two (2) MAGNUM-K
Compressors together
SIDECHAIN
EXT OUT
3-pin XLR balanced for SIDECHAIN output
INPUT
3-pin XLR balanced for SIDECHAIN input
XLR Pinout
1 = G, 2 = +, 3 = -
Copyright © 2017 Maag Audio, LLC
www.maagaudio.com
Model: MAGNUM-K
MAGNUM-K™ Compressor
Specification Value Specification Value
Frequency Response +/-1 dB 20 Hz to 40 kHz Headroom +28 dBu @ 10 K Ohms
Nominal Input Impedance (XLR) 48 K Ohms, balanced Nominal Output Impedance (XLR) 50 Ohms, balanced
Specifications

Product Warranty
Maag Audio expressly warrants its products for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase.
Products will be free of manufacturing defects. Within the warranty period, a product will be tested, re-
paired or replaced at the sole discretion of Maag Audio, free of charge. All warranty service will be con-
ducted through authorized Maag Audio dealers only. The end user is required to provide proof of pur-
chase (receipt or invoice) of the product. This warranty is offered solely to the original purchaser of the
product from an authorized Maag Audio dealer and is not transferable. This warranty does not include
the shipping charges to and from the authorized Maag Audio dealer from whom the product was pur-
chased. Maag Audio will pay for shipping costs between the dealer and Maag Audio. All warranty ser-
vice requires a Maag Audio issued RMA number. Please conduct warranty service communication with
an authorized Maag Audio dealer.
Warranty Exclusions
The foregoing express warranty is made in lieu of all other product warranties, expressed and implied,
including merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose which are specifically disclaimed. The ex-
press warranty will not apply to defects or damage caused by post purchase shipping and transporta-
tion, storage, careless handling, nor damage caused by misuse, hot swapping, accidents, neglect, al-
terations, operator error, or failure to properly maintain products.
Copyright © 2017 Maag Audio, LLC
www.maagaudio.com Model: MAGNUM-K
MAGNUM-K™
Mastering Compressor