Pendulum PL-2 User manual

PL-2 Analog Peak Limiter Manual
Features
· Two independent channels with stereo link
· JFET (hard) and MOSFET (soft) peak limiting modes
· Limiter circuit 'switched out' of the signal path when below threshold
· Precise readout of peak reduction
· Stepped input and output gain controls ideal for mastering or session recall
· I/O gain stages can be bypassed to shorten signal path
· Multiple units can be linked for multi-channel applications
· Active-balanced inputs and outputs
· Gold-plated switch contacts and I/O connectors
· Audiophile-grade passive components
· 120V or 240V ac voltage switch on the rear panel.
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Pendulum PL-2, a stand-alone two channel
version of the very popular peak limiter in our Quartet II Tube Recording
Channel. It uses a novel approach to brickwall limiting in the analog domain,
one that is fast enough to prevent digital overs without using time delay or
phase-shift delay techniques. This allows us to keep the analog signal path
short, and keep the limiting circuit 'switched out' of the signal path below the
peak limiting threshold. Distortion for all levels below the limiting threshold is
low, and does not rise as the threshold for limiting is approached. Unlike
analog peak clippers, which chop off the top and bottom of the waveform, our
limiter retains dynamic information at the top of the peak. And unlike digital
limiters, there is no latency, so it can be used as an insert on an analog mix!
The PL-2 has two modes of peak limiting, using either junction field-effect
transistors (JFET) or metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors
(MOSFET) as the control elements. While both are equally capable of
brickwall limiting, each type has its own characteristic sound. The JFET tends
to be a stiffer, harder mode of limiting, while the MOSFET has a softer, more
compliant response. The resulting waveforms look different, and each device
has its own characteristic sound.
The two channels for the PL-2 can be linked for stereo or used independently.
Multiple units can be linked via the Master/Slave jacks on the rear panel,
making it ideal for multi-channel processing.
In addition, Input and Output gain controls allow the user to scale the gain
structure for a wide range of applications, from driving the front end of an
A/D converter at +20 dBu, to inserting it as an effect into a +4 dBu patch bay.
The I/O gain stages can be bypassed globally to shorten the signal path for
mastering applications. Each channel also has an expanded 13 segment LED
display that accurately indicates peak reduction.
Unpacking

The unit was carefully packed at the factory to protect against damage in
transit. Nevertheless, be sure to inspect the unit and shipping carton for any
signs of damage that may have occurred during shipment. If there is any
damage, notify us immediately for further instructions. It's also a good idea to
save the carton and packing materials should you ever need to return the unit
for repair. The shipping carton should contain the following items: the PL-2
Analog Peak Limiter, an IEC 3 prong power cord, and this operating manual.
Mounting
The PL-2 uses one EIA-standard rack space, and can be mounted in any
standard 19 inch (483mm) equipment rack. If the PL-2 is mounted in a mobile
rack or road case, it is important that the rear of the chassis is supported to
prevent possible damage from mechanical shock and vibration. Please avoid
rough handling.
Ventilation
For proper operation, it is important that adequate ventilation is provided. Heat
generated inside the unit is radiated out through the ventilation holes in the
side panels. Do not block these vents. Never operate the PL-2 inside a road
case where the side panels are blocked.
Power Requirements
The PL-2 is equipped with a 3-prong IEC power connector and detachable
cord. Never operate the PL-2 with the ground on the power cord defeated.
Unless otherwise stated, this unit operates from either 115-120V/60 Hz or
230-240V/50 Hz at 16W. Before the unit is plugged in, select the correct ac
voltage using the switch adjacent to the IEC inlet on the rear panel. The ac
fuse is accessible within the rear panel IEC input jack and is rated at
1.5A/250V (5x20mm) SLO-BLO. To check or replace the fuse, unplug the
power cable from the IEC input jack.
Servicing
The user should not attempt to service the PL-2 beyond replacing the fuse. To
reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose to rain or moisture, or
operate it where it is exposed to water. Since potentially lethal voltages are
present inside the unit, it should only be opened by qualified service
personnel. Refer all servicing, or any questions about servicing, to Pendulum
Audio, Inc.
Hookup
Please refer to the rear panel layout (see the Condensed Operating Instructions)
for the location of the inputs, outputs, ac power inlet and power switch. Make
all connections to the PL-2 and select the proper ac voltage before applying
power.
Inputs and Outputs
On the right hand side of the rear panel are the XLR input and output jacks for
channels 1 and 2. Connect line-level sources to the PL-2 using standard
balanced XLR cables. Pin 1 = ground. Pin 2 = + (positive phase), pin 3 = -
(negative phase). Note: Do not connect the outputs of the PL-2 to an input that
has +48V phantom power applied to it.
Multi-Unit Link
The two 1/4" jacks on the rear panel located to the left of the XLR I/O

connectors are used to link several PL-2 units for multi-channel applications.
Master Out: Use this jack to connect the PL-2 designated as the 'master' unit
to the Slave IN inputs of the PL-2 slave units. Multiple slave units may be fed
from this Master output by using 'Y'-cables. This jack is half-normalled to the
Slave Input.
Slave In: Use this jack to connect slave units to the Master Output of the PL-2
master unit. This jack is half-normalled to the Master Out.
AC Power
· On the left side of the rear panel is the IEC input socket. Connect to a
120V/60Hz or 230V/50Hz receptacle with the 3-prong IEC power cable
supplied with the PL-2. Set the ac voltage switch for the correct line voltage
before connecting the PL-2 to the ac line. For safety reasons, do not lift the
ground on the power plug by using a 3-to-2 ground lift adapter.
· Turn on the power to the unit using the ac power switch located on the right-
had side of the front panel. When the unit is off, the inputs and outputs are
hard-bypassed .
· If necessary, replace the 1.5A/250V (5x20mm) SLO-BLO fuse (inside the
IEC input socket) only with the same type and rating.
How it Works
What is a Peak Limiter?
It's probably easier to first state what a peak limiter is not it's not a
compressor. In its simplest form, a compressor is a device makes signals that
are too loud softer, and signals that are too soft, louder. Actually, it does this
by reducing the overall level and then 'making up' the difference at the end of
the chain by adding level, the so-called makeup gain. The net result is an
increase in the average program level, which depends on the amount of gain
reduction that is applied and the parameters chosen (attack an release times,
ratio, etc). Since the ear is sensitive to the average program level, the overall
effect is an increase in apparent level.
Brickwall peak limiting is a special case of compression, where the attack and
release times are (nearly) zero, and the ratio is infinite. Infinite ratio means the
signal level cannot exceed at predetermined level, called the limiting threshold
or the 'ceiling'. Unlike a compressor, a peak limiter does not continuously
change the overall program, but acts on any signal above this ceiling. If the
peaks are short in duration, (meaning they do not contribute much to the
average program level), the average program level can increased by boosting
the output level by an amount equal to the peak reduction. The result is an
increase in loudness, without constantly adjusting the overall program level. It
sound simple, in theory, but the real trick is being able to reshape the peak in
such a way that it is largely inaudible. Certainly, clipping the peaks
accomplishes the same thing, but in most cases sounds rather nasty.
Our JFET/MOSFET Peak Limiter
Our goal with the PL-2 was to devise a way to reshape the peaks to make them
nearly inaudible for reasonable amounts of peak limiting. The JFET/MOSFET
Peak Limiter in the PL-2 uses a novel approach to brickwall analog limiting,
with both JFET and MOSFET modes for two different characters of peak

with both JFET and MOSFET modes for two different characters of peak
limiting, and accurate led metering. Unlike other designs, distortion remains
low until the limiting threshold is reached. When not triggered, the Peak
Limiter circuit is out of the signal path entirely. When not linked, the two
channels of the PL-2 are entirely independent.
A Few General Comments about Peak Limiting and the PL-2
· Peak limiters work best on short transients. Any peak limiter will be
audible when trying to act on steady-state program material (e.g. bass guitar).
The LED display can serve as a guide to how audible the peak limiting might
be. If the LEDs are lit continuously, you can be certain that significant
distortion is occurring. Listen carefully to see if you're hearing artifacts.
· All peak limiters add distortion when limiting. By their very nature, they
change the shape of the waveform, which is, by definition, distortion.
However, some peak limiters begin distorting well below threshold. The active
devices doing the peak limiting in the PL-2 are entirely out of the circuit until
the threshold for limiting is achieved, and switched out again after limiting.
This keeps distortion low when no limiting is occurring.
· The amount of distortion depends on how the peak limiting is
implemented. To make the peak limiting in the PL-2 less audible, a certain
amount of 'compliance' is built-in to the limiting action. This means that
instead of chopping off the peaks and losing all dynamic information, some
'wiggle' is left at the top. The JFET and MOSFET devices have differing
amounts of compliance, which results in differences in the character of
limiting. The JFET tends to produce 'harder' limiting, with less compliance,
while the MOSFET produces 'softer' limiting, or more compliance.
· Peak limiting should be used to avoid a worse-sounding alternative. For
example, clipping distortion from digital 'overs' will always sound worse than
a good peak limiter.
· Ignore all of the above when using the peak limiter as an effect. Heavy
limiting of an acoustic guitar might sound nasty, but heavy limiting of
distorted tracks, like electric guitar, can be a beautiful thing. The same goes
for snare and drum overheads. In fact, we structured the input and output gain
controls so that the PL-2 can be used 'creatively' on signals well below digital
zero. Since the PL-2 is analog, it can be used in situations the latency
associated with digital limiters make them problematic, like on a bus in an
analog mixer.
Operation
Please refer to the front panel layout (see the Condensed Operating
Instructions) for the location of all switches and controls discussed below.
IN/BYPASS
With the switch in the 'IN' position, the Peak Limiter activated, and the yellow
LED near the switch is illuminated. When in 'BYPASS', the Peak Limiter is
entirely out of the signal path. Channel 2 is controlled by Channel 1 when the

entirely out of the signal path. Channel 2 is controlled by Channel 1 when the
unit is in 'LINK' mode.
INPUT
The INPUT control is an 11 position stepped switch that increases the gain of
the input stage in 1dB increments from 0 (unity) to +10dB. Use it to increase
the level to the input of the peak limiter when the input level is below that
required for peak limiting.
CEILING
The CEILING control determines the reference output level at which the peak
limiter is activated. It can be set from +22dBu to + 10dBu. This encompasses
the range of 'digital zero' most often encountered with typical A/D converters,
as well as having additional 'margin' for using the peak limiter creatively.
Channel 2 is controlled by Channel 1 when the unit is in 'LINK' mode.
OUTPUT
The OUTPUT control is an 11 position stepped switch that decreases the gain
of the input stage in 2dB increments from 0 (unity) to -10dB, or increases the
gain of the input stage in 2dB increments from 0 (unity) to -10dB. Use it to
match the output level of the PL-2 to the device is driving. For example, it can
boost the level after limiting to match the input requirements of an A/D
converter (+20dBu), or cut the level to match the input of a +4dbu insert. The
input and output controls are scaled to span the range of I/O for either digital
or analog devices. When the OUTPUT control is set at 0, the CEILING
control sets the maximum output level.
JFET/MOSFET
The JFET/MOSFET switch determines which type of device is doing the peak
limiting. As discussed above, the JFET (red LED illuminated) gives a stiffer
form of limiting, while the MOSFET (blue LED illuminated) is more
forgiving. Due to the differing nature of the JFET and MOSFET devices,
slight re-adjustment of the CEILING control may be necessary when
switching between the two modes. Channel 2 is controlled by Channel 1 when
the unit is in 'LINK' mode.
Link
With the switch in the 'IN' position, Channel 1 and Channel 2 are linked for
stereo operation, and the yellow LED near the switch is illuminated. In LINK
mode, the INPUT/BYPASS, JFET/MOSFET and CEILING are all controlled
by Channel 1. The INPUT and OUTPUT controls are not linked and must be
set individually.
I/O GAIN
With the switch in the 'IN' position, the INPUT and OUTPUT gain stages are
switched into the signal path and the yellow LED near the switch is
illuminated. In the 'OUT' position, these two stages are bypassed, and the
output level of the PL-2 is determined solely by the level of signal at the input
of the PL-2, and the CEILING control. With no peak limiting, the unit
operates at unity gain. This mode is useful for mastering applications.
Multi-Unit Link
The MASTER OUT and SLAVE IN jacks permit the linking of several units
for multi-channel applications. Connect the MASTER OUT from one unit to

the SLAVE IN(s) of all linked units. When all units switched to 'Link', the
CEILING control of Channel 1 of the master unit sets the ceiling of all slave
units. All other controls are not linked and must be set individually.
LED Display
The 13-segment LED display gives a true indication of the amount of peak
limiting applied to the signal. It is obtained by continuously comparing the
input and output levels, and scaling this difference in dB relative to the
CEILING reference level. It displays the amount of peak reduction in 0.5 dB
increments form 0 to 4 dB, and 1 dB increments from -4 to greater than -8 dB.
The LED ladder uses a 3-color scheme to indicate how audible the peak
limiting might be on transient source material. Blue (0 to -4) is the 'safe'
region of operation, with yellow (-5) and red (-6 to >-8) indicating caution is
required.
PL-2 Specifications
Circuit Type: Class A solid-state peak limiter with transformerless balanced
inputs and outputs
and dual mono or stereo operation
Input Sensitivity: +4dBu
Input Impedance: 20k
Input Gain: 0 to +10dB in 1dB steps
Freq. Response: -1.0dB 5Hz and 80kHz
Noise: >90dB below +4dBu
Distortion: less than 0.03% THD+N, 20Hz to 20kHz, at all signal levels
below limiter threshold
Output Impedance: 300 ohms
Output Gain: -10 to +10dB in 2dB steps
Max. Output Level: +27dBu
Polarity: input and output XLR connectors are pin 2 hot
Display: 13 segment LED ladder from 0 to -8dB
General
Power: 120V or 240Vac, 16W
Power Supplies: +± 18Vdc, +15Vdc, +12Vdc, fully regulated
Dimensions: 1U enclosure, 19" x 1.75" x 8.0" (48.2 x 4.4 x 20.32 cm)
Weight: 6.7 lb. (3.1kg)
Note: Operating level is +4dBu = 0VU = 1.228v
Unless otherwise stated, all measurements are referenced to +4dBu, 0-80 kHz
bandwidth.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.

Limited Warranty
Pendulum Audio, Inc. warrants to the first purchaser of a new Pendulum PL-2
Peak Limiter that the unit is free of manufacturing defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase. Pendulum
Audio, Inc.'s sole obligation under this warranty shall be to provide, without
charge, parts and labor necessary to remedy defects, if any, which appear
within one (1) year from the date of purchase. All warranties expressed or
implied made by Pendulum Audio, Inc., including warranties of
merchantability and fitness, are limited to the period of this warranty.
Pendulum Audio, Inc. is not responsible for indirect, incidental or
consequential damages arising from the use or failure of this product,
including injury to persons or property.
This warranty does not cover damage due to: misuse, abuse, modification,
accident or negligence. The warranty does not apply if the unit is repaired or
altered by persons unauthorized by Pendulum Audio, Inc. in such a manner as
to injure, in Pendulum's sole judgment, the performance, stability or reliability
of the unit. The warranty does not apply if the unit is connected, installed or
used otherwise than in accordance with the instructions furnished by Pendulum
Audio, Inc.
If the equipment requires warranty repair, return authorization must be
obtained from Pendulum Audio, Inc. prior to shipment. Equipment should not
be shipped to Pendulum Audio, Inc. until return authorization and the proper
shipping address is obtained from us. The equipment (with all its components
parts and connecting cables) must be suitably packaged, including a note with
the owner's name, address, telephone number and a description of the reason
for return. The owner pays two-way shipping (we recommend UPS or Fed Ex,
not US postal service), and we suggest that the shipment be insured for its full
value.
This limited warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied,
and no representative or person is authorized to represent or assume for us any
liability in connection with the sale of our products than set forth herein. This
limited warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other
rights that vary from state to state.