Signal Audio Workshop MP-2 User manual

MP-2
2-channel Solid-state
Transformerless Mic Pre-amp
W/D.I and MCRC
OWNER’S MANUAL
Signal Audio Workshop
Abarbanel ST.53
Tel Aviv 66089 IsraelP.O.B 5169 TLV 61051Office: 972-3-6820892
Fax: 972-3-6824716
www.signal-audio.com

MP-2 Owner’s Manual
Content:
Preface______________________________
Front panel controls________________
Tips & Tricks__________________________
Installation____________________________
Maintenance __________________________
Specifications _________________________
Warranty___________________________
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5
6
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www.signal-audio.com
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Dear customer,
I’d like to personally thank you for the
confidence that you have shown in Signal
Audio Workshop by purchasing the MP-2.
You acquired the latest generation of
Microphone pre amp which is unequal in its
design and specification.
I am confident that working with the MP-2
will open new worlds of manipulating and
controlling audio signals with a tool like no
other. In order to produce the full potential of this sophisticated
tool I strongly encourage you to read and understand this
manual thoroughly.
Every piece of gear Signal AWS makes is meticulously hand
crafted in our workshop. We consider the development and
assembly as a form of art and take great pride in the final
product.
The combination of state of the art mic pre`s with an MCRC unit
states a revolutionary approach to a “non-console working
environment”, offering the high-end, cost-effective solution for
most modern computer-based personal project studios. This unit
covers all the analog I/O's of a small DAW (Digital Audio
Workstation): Mic/line/instrument and monitor's outlet, all offer
extreme audio performance in a unique solution.
The MP-2 features a special, passive control-room source select
& rotary stereo fader for CR level, connected to a dual speaker
select SW. This allows the user to plug the pre-amp's rich, fat,
‘tuby’ sound to his computer while transparently monitoring it.
The passive monitoring route of the MCRC enables pure listening
to your DAW without the use of any low-grade “traditional”
analog console’s channels & summing losses and without a hard
wired D/A’s output playing its self-noise through the monitor
system.
These features make this revolutionary tool outstand any other
in today’s market!
I hope you will enjoy working with the MP-2 as much as
we enjoyed making it for you!
With Honor.
Oded Levy
Signal AWS
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Front panel controls:
Mic amp section:
1) 48v phantom switch.
2) Phase reverse switch.
3) -20db pad (reduction of high level input signals).
4) Input select switch – selects input source
microphone/DI.
5) Direct input specially designed for high impedance
sources (input impedance 10M).
6) Gain knob from +22db to 60db.
7) H.P.F. selectable two frequency toggle switch –
changes low cut frequencies at 12db/oct.
Control-room section:
8) Source select switch: selects between three input
sources A, B, C, & cut.
9) Monitor select switch: toggles between
main/alternative monitors.
10) Control room level: main rotary fader for control room
monitors.
11) Dim switch: dims the control room level for fine mix
balance adjustments.
12) Mono switch: selects control room monitoring between
mono/stereo mode.
13) Mains power switch & power indicator.
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Tips & Tricks:
1. stereo recording: one of the most common methods of recording
stereo signals is done by locating two identical microphones in an
x/y mode and the calibration of the gain should be done by the
following steps:
A. Calibrate channel 1 gain to optimum
recording level by viewing the “in level”
meter on your recorder.
B. Repeat step A on channel 2.
C. Reverse the phase on channel 2.
D. Press mono on your control room
monitoring system.
E. Re trim the gain on channel 2 to maximize phase cancellation
between the two sides.
F. Return to normal phase and stereo mode.
2. As a rule of thumb: calibrate record level will be done by viewing
the recording level of the recorder and not other meters that may
be on the recording chain (such as compressor etc`).
3. Some microphones may produce very high output level,
therefore we recommend using the -20db pad switch, in cases of
high S.P.L. recorded otherwise the channel may clip while
recording.
4. Cutting environmental rumbles with the 65 Hz H.P.F. on male
vocals is preferably done even without compensating low
frequency with external EQ by wisely manipulating the proximity
effect of cardioid microphones.
5. M-S recording technique: place 3 microphones (center, left &
right) according to the diagram:
Reverse phase on left microphone.
Combine the three microphones on your
mixer. The sides channels should be hard
panned L<>R, and center panned to the
center. The center microphone level in the
resulted mix will affect the stereo images
width according to the balance between sides and center
microphones.
5

Installing the unit:
Always install this unit in a properly grounded environment!
Do not expose the unit to humidity or dusty environment!
Do not expose the unit to heat sources and unventilated places!
Always make sure that the unit operates on the correct mains
voltage. (230/115 VAC) before applying mains voltage!
Signal AWS will not be responsible for damages created by
improper mains voltage issues.
PIN1 GND
PIN2 HOT
PIN3 COLD
All audio connections are
balanced threw XLR connectors
with the pin list:
Maintenance:
Cleaning:
Do not clean the unit with water or with water soaked cloth.
Cleaning is best made with dry dusting brush and vacuum cleaner.
Dust and moisture are the primer enemy of switches and contacts
within this unit. Avoiding them as much as you can will prolong the
unit’s life significantly.
Maintenance:
There are no user’s serviceable parts inside the unit.
Opening and servicing this unit by someone who is not authorized by
Signal AWS is strictly prohibited.
Technical service is made only by those who are authorized from
Signal AWS.
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Specifications:
Electronics structure (from in to out):
300 ohm mic input impedance & 600 ohm on balanced out.Class-A discreet 10M ohm DI inputs on channels 1&2.Gain: continuously variable from +22db to +60db.-18 db pad SW, +48v phantom power switch, phase switch.Passive 2-state 12db/oct high-pass filters 75Hz, 160Hz & off.Frequency response 10Hz-40kHz +/- 0.4 db/120khz-2db!Maximum output level: +27dbm on balanced out with 600 ohm
load.Minimum signal path design (for maximum signal transparency).Only 2 dual-op amps per channel (balanced in to balanced out).
Control-room section:
3 stereo source input select.
Mono sum switch for monitoring L+R.
Dim switch.
Control room level knob w/large & accurate scaling.
Speaker select for 2 pairs of monitors.
Fully passive I/O ¼” connectors (back panel).
Specially designed for monitoring & maximum signal transparency.
All internal routing functions are passive & terminated .
Dimensions MP-2: H=3 units, W=19”,D=13.4”
Shipping weight:
All spec’s at RL=600Ohm.
Info subject to change without prior notice!
All legal rights reserved to Signal Audio Workshop!
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Limited Warranty
LIMITED WARRANTY: This product is warranted to the original
consumer purchaser to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship under normal installation, use and service for a
period of one (1) year from the date of purchase as shown on the
purchaser’s receipt. The obligation of Signal AWS under this
warranty shall be limited to repair or replacement (at our option),
during the warranty period of any part which proves defective in
material or workmanship under normal installation, use and
service, provided the product is returned to Signal AWS,
TRANSPORTATION CHARGES PREPAID. Products returned to us or
to an authorized Service Center must be accompanied by a copy of
the purchase receipt. In the absence of such purchase receipt, the
warranty period shall be one (1) year from the date of
manufacture. This warranty shall be invalid if the product is
damaged as a result of defacement, misuse, abuse, neglect,
accident, destruction or alteration of the serial number, improper
electrical voltages or currents, repair, alteration or maintenance by
any person or party other than our own service facility or an
authorized Service Center, or any use violative of instructions
furnished by us. This one-year warranty is in lieu of all expressed
warranties, obliga-tions or liabilities. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES,
OBLIGATIONS, ORLIABILITIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICU-LAR PURPOSE, SHALL BE LIMITED IN DURATION
TO THE ONE YEAR DURATION OF THIS WRITTEN LIMITED
WARRANTY. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an
implied warranty lasts, so the above limita-tion may not apply to
you. IN NO EVENT SHALL WE BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF THIS
OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, WHATSO-
EVER. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
special, inciden-tal or consequential damages so the above
limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives
you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which
vary from state to state.
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Warranty registration form
Please take the time to fill out this registration Form and send it to
the address mentioned below. Or send this page threw e-mail to:
Signal Audio WorkshopAbarbanel ST.53
Tel Aviv 66089 IsraelP.O.B 5169 TLV 61051
Fax: 972-3-6824716Or send it by
Registering your product will allow you to get full warranty service
plus product upgrades if there will be any at the warranty period,
according to Warranty rules.
We would like to seize these opportunity to thank you once again
for choosing Signal AWS as your product leader.
PRODUCT INFO:
Model: __________________________________________________
Serial No: ________________________________________________
Manufacturing date: ________________________________________
Supplier: _________________________________________________
OWNER INFO:
Owner’s name: ____________________________________________
Company: ________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________
City: ____________________________________________________
State: ___________________________________________________
Zip: _____________________________________________________
Country: _________________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________________________________
Fax: _____________________________________________________
e-mail: ___________________________________________________
Comments:
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
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