OceanAudio Signature Three User manual

Signature Three
Owner’s Manual
www.oceanaudio.co.uk

Signature Three - Owner’s Manual - Revision 1 - page 2
Contents
About the designer 3
Product Description 4
Connecting the unit 5
Operation 6
Trouble shooting 7
Technical Specifications / Warranty Card 8
Malcolm Toft Signature Series range 9

Signature Three - Owner’s Manual - Revision 1 - page 3
Malcolm Toft started his career in the late 60’s as a recording engineer and was the first engineer to be
employed at the famous Trident Recording Studios in London. Among his credits are the recording of
David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’ album, James Taylor’s first album and three albums for T-Rex. He was
also the mixing engineer on the Beatles ‘Hey Jude’ single.
In 1972 Malcolm founded Trident Audio Developments Ltd. which went on to become a leading
manufacturer of music recording consoles. One of the company’s earliest products was the Trident A
Range which became a landmark both for it’s innovative operational features as well as the sound of it’s
equaliser. Coming from a background of being a recording engineer rather than an electronics engineer,
Malcolm has always designed with his ears rather than a text book and it is this coupled with over forty
years experience that has enabled him to develop his own ‘philosophy of sound’ that is his trademark.
Malcolm has been designing recording consoles for over forty years and some of the artists who have
recorded hits on his consoles include: Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Rod Stewart, Queen, David
Bowie and Elton John. More recently, Radiohead, Muse, Dire Straits, Coldplay and Oasis have added
their name to the list.
Malcolm was made a visiting professor by Leeds College of music in 2008 in recognition of his unique
combination of experience as a recording engineer and console designer. It is this wealth of experience
and pedigree that is brought to the design of the Malcolm Toft Signature Series.
Enjoy working with the Signature Three
Best wishes
and the Ocean Audio team
Here are just a few artists, studios and bands whose names may sound familiar to you, and who have
used, or are still using, consoles designed by Malcolm Toft.
Elton John - David Bowie - Queen - Lou Reed - Harry Nilsson - James Taylor - Carly Simon
The Eagles - The Beatles - T-Rex - Dire Straits - Bachman Turner Overdrive - Linda Rondstat
Supertramp - Thin Lizzy - George Harrison - Jeff Beck - Radiohead - Tony Visconti
Ringo Star - Paul McCartney - Brian Eno - Supertramp - Chris De Burgh - Ian Anderson
Amy Winehouse - The Manic Street Preachers - Ricky Nelson - Paul Weller - Oasis - Muse
The Chemical Brothers - Hard-Fi - The Nice - Rick Wakeman - Joe Cocker - The Move
Aphrodite’s Child - Blood Sweat and Tears - The Nice - Phil Manzanera - The Record Plant LA
The Record Plant San Francisco - Chipping Norton Studios - Sarm Recording Studios
Trident Studios - Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts - Leeds College of Music - Sound 80 Minneapolis
Armin van Buuren - Lenny Kravitz - Dennis Ferrer - Vienna University of Performing Arts - Frank Sinatra
- Genesis - Cherokee Studios Hollywood - Esplanade Studio New Orleans - and much, much more
About the designer

Signature Three - Owner’s Manual - Revision 1 - page 4
Product Description
The Signature Three equaliser consists of two identical channels of discrete transistor - inductor based
equalisation. Silicon transistors as opposed to integrated circuits (op-amps) provide a much simpler
dedicated signal path, thereby providing a much cleaner signal path. Silicon transistors can also be run
at much higher voltages than integrated circuits which vastly increases the headroom capability.
Inductor based circuits are the ‘holy grail’ of equaliser designs. These were used for example in the
much favoured Pultec equaliser design, which dates back to the late 1950‘s. Owing to their unique
electro-mechanical properties, inductors impart a character all their own which is very distinctive.
Because of their cost and large size, inductors are rarely used in the low frequency ranges of other
currently available equalisers . Often the extreme low and high ranges utilise non inductive ‘shelving’
circuits that do not give the precise control provided by inductors.
The Signature Three uses inductors in each of the four sections (bands) giving precise control and the
distinctive inductor sound on each range.
Each range provides switch selection of any of six carefully selected frequencies chosen at musically
pleasing intervals. Each range is also provided with a continuously variable cut and boost control
allowing a maximum of plus or minus 15 dB. A centre detent offers instant return to the ‘neutral’ position.
An illuminated in/out switch makes it possible to compare the treated and untreated signal.
As mentioned above, the Signature Three uses inductors in each of the four sections and as a
consequence provides a ‘peaking’ characteristic. This provides much tighter control of the frequency
selected and the inductor values and components have been carefully chosen and matched to provide
an extremely musical sound. One example of this is the Signature Three’s ability to enhance bass
frequency signals without introducing the unwanted 'boom' so often found in many modern equaliser
designs.
A feature of the design made possible by the use of individual transistors is the ability to handle high
signal levels with very low distortion. The Signature Three is capable of providing output signal levels in
excess of +28dBm which could quite easily overload the equipment that is connected to the output. To
provide a visual indication when the output signal is approaching a level that could cause problems, a
large LED illuminates when the signal at the output exceeds +15dBm.
Because the Signature Three only uses individual silicon transistors, the noise and frequency response
of the unit is to a very high specification. With the equaliser section bypassed, the noise in the bandwidth
20Hz to 20kHz is below –85dBm. With the equaliser in circuit and all boost/cut controls in their centre
position, the noise in the bandwidth 20Hz to 20kHz is below –80dBm.
The precision components used in the design and manufacture of the unit guarantee close matching
between the two channels. This means that The Signature Three can be used as a mastering device
when accuracy between the two channels is extremely important.
When the equaliser is switched out of circuit (‘IN’ button depressed), the equaliser circuitry is completely
bypassed thereby ensuring the best possible signal to noise ratio and a minimum of electronic circuitry in
the signal path.
The Signature Three combines the very best of classic equaliser design with modern day technology and
components.

Signature Three - Owner’s Manual - Revision 1 - page 5
Connecting the Signature Three
The rear panel of the unit provides both XLR and ¼” jack inputs for the input and output of each channel.
All inputs and outputs are balanced and use the standard industry convention :
XLR connectors
Pin 1 : ground
Pin 2 : Hot / +
Pin 3 : Cold / -
Jack connectors
Tip : Hot / +
Ring : Cold / -
Sleeve : ground
The balanced outputs are low impedance and designed to operate with long cable runs without signal
degradation such as loss of high frequencies.
The balanced inputs are 20k ohms which is sufficiently high to match all connected professional
equipment.
XLR and Jack connectors on inputs and outputs are provided for your convenience.
These connectors are wired in parallel.
While connecting both at the same time should not damage the unit, we advice against doing so on the
input. To avoid distortion connect either XLR or Jack input.
A standard IEC mains inlet is provided for AC mains power and the unit will operate from any AC source
from 80 volts to 260 volts.
Please observe correct grounding procedures.
The AC inlet earth should always be connected to a good quality electrical earth.

Signature Three - Owner’s Manual - Revision 1 - page 6
Operating the Signature Three
To use either equaliser channel, first make sure that all of the boost and cut controls (top row of knobs)
are in their mid or flat positions. You should feel a small click at the mid position which denotes the 'flat',
i.e. no boost or cut position.
Depress the ‘IN’ pushbutton which will illuminate to indicate that the equaliser channel is now in circuit.
Select a frequency via one of the six way selector switches (lower row of knobs).
Turn the boost / cut control (upper row) for that frequency clockwise or anti-clockwise, depending on
whether you wish to amplify or attenuate the chosen frequency.
Repeat to your liking with the other sections / bands.
Note that the frequencies of the four bands of each channel are overlapping. So it’s perfectly possible to
boost a frequency at one band, and also boost the frequency right next to it on another band.
This can result in extreme EQ settings, so use caution because it is quite possible to overload the input
of the device to which the Signature Three is connected.
The Signature Three is designed to operate at zero gain.
Whatever level is present at the input will also be present at the output, providing all boost/cut controls
are in their mid position. If a large amount of accentuation (boost) is used either on one section or more,
it may be necessary to reduce the input of the device to which the equaliser is connected.
Similarly, if a large amount of
attenuation (cut) is used on one or
more sections, it may be necessary to
increase the input of the device to
which the equaliser is connected.
Alternatively, you could decrease or
increase the output of the device
which is connected to the input of the
Signature Three.
Use of the 'IN' switch allows
comparison of the signal for both
difference in sound and level before
and after the equaliser section.
Graph showing the shape and spacing of the 24 frequencies available

Signature Three - Owner’s Manual - Revision 1 - page 7
Trouble Shooting
1) No Power.
Make sure the unit is connected to a suitable AC outlet providing between 80 and 260 volts.
Check that the fuse (situated in the mains inlet socket) is the correct rating and that it has not
failed. Make sure the illuminated mains switch (situated in the mains inlet socket) is in the on
position (illuminated). A red LED on the front of the unit illuminates when the internal power
supply is operating correctly.
2) No Signal.
Check that the connecting cables to the unit are wired correctly.
If XLR cables are being used, try using the jack inputs with jack leads . If they work, it is likely
there is something wrong with the cables. Try the reverse if jack leads are being used.
3) Hum on the Signal.
This is more than likely to be caused by a ground loop. Ground loop occurs when two pieces of
equipment are connected to mains earth at different points. A small AC voltage becomes
present because of resistance in the cables or a resistance in the two different AC earth points.
This voltage is at mains frequency (50 or 60Hz) and becomes noticeable on the audio signal.
This can be eradicated or very much reduced by removing the shield of the signal cable on one
of the two units connected together. This does not affect the safety grounding of the two items
as they should still be connected to their AC earth points at the wall outlet via their respective
AC power connectors. The Signature Three is fully grounded in this respect and should always
have an AC ground connected at the power inlet. The electrical safety of the unit will not be
compromised by removing the signal shield, providing the equipment is properly earthed to the
electrical supply.

Signature Three - Owner’s Manual - Revision 1 - page 8
Technical Specifications
Input Impedance (Jack and XLR) : >15K ohm electronically balanced
Output Impedance (Jack and XLR) : <100 ohm electronically balanced
Frequency Response : ± 1dB 15Hz to 35kHz
Maximum Output level : >+28dBu at all frequencies EQ in or out
Dynamic Range : 110dB
Distortion : <0.005% T.H.D. at +4dBu
<0.05% T.H.D. at +27dBu
Gain : 0dB ±0.5dB EQ in or out
Maximum Level : >+28dBu at all frequencies EQ in or out
Noise : <-83dBu (EQ out, 20Hz - 20kHz)
<-80dBu (EQ in, 20Hz - 20kHz)
Nominal Operating Level : 0dBu
Dimensions : 19” rackmount, 3U

Signature Three - Owner’s Manual - Revision 1 - page 9
Malcolm Toft Signature Range
Signature Two
Dual Channel classic FET compressor
with Variable Mix Control for parallel
compression
Signature One
Channel strip with :
•Mic / Line Preamp with custom transformer
•Mic gain range from -10 dB to 60 dB
•Separate Line input with gain control
•Phantom Power and Phase Reverse switch
•30 to 350 Hz sweep hi-pass filter
•4-band classic Sweep Equaliser with Malcolm's Signature Sound
•High and low ranges switchable to peak or shelf
•Overlapping frequencies, chosen to be extremely musical
•Classic FET compressor with Variable Mix control for parallel compression
•Each section has separate input and outputs, and can be used independently
Signature Three
•All discrete Inductive Equaliser
•Two independent channels
•Four bands per channel with switchable, overlapping frequencies:
•Low : 50, 80, 100, 150, 300, 600 Hz
•Low mid : 125, 250, 500, 1K, 2K, 4K Hz
•Hi mid : 2.5, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 kHz
•High : 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16 kHz
Check our website for more details
www.oceanaudio.co.uk