STUDIO PROJECTS VTB-1 User manual

Mic
Impedance
Mic
In
Balanced
Out Line Out
12VAC
50Ω
200Ω
Insert
Tip=Send
Ring=Return
48
Volt
Meter
Input
Gain
Line In Tube
Blend Output Level
Studio Projects Tube Mic Pre
-8 0 +8 +15-20
6
0
6
12
•
70Hz Output
4
2
=
2
4
33
1
1
Line
In Pol Rev
Level
Input
HPF
SS Tube
6
30
50
60
0
20 40
25 +–
TIP
RING
SLEEVE
TO RECORDER:
RECORD-IN
FROM RECORDER:
PLAY-OUT
TO MIXER:
TAPE-IN
TO MIXER:
LINE-IN -OR-
RING= Hot
SLEEVE= Ground Studio
Projects
C1
Studio Condenser
STUDIO PROJECTS
(OR OTHER HI-QUALITY)
MICROPHONE
VTB-1
REAR CONNECTIONS
VTB-1
FRONT CONTROLS
INPUT GAIN: SETS THE LEVEL OF
SIGNAL FEEDING THE RECORDER
HI-PASS FILTER: AFFECTS SIGNAL
GOING TO THE RECORDER
TUBE-BLEND: ONLY AFFECTS THE SIGNAL
RETURNING FROM THE RECORDER
METER SELECT: LETS YOU VIEW THE
SIGNAL GOING TO THE RECORDER (IN),
OR FEEDING THE MIXER (OUT)
OUTPUT LEVEL: SETS THE AMOUNT OF
RETURNED SIGNAL FEEDING THE MIXER
POLARITY REVERSE: INVERTS THE
POLARITY (PHASE) OF THE SIGNAL
FEEDING THE MIXER
RECORD PLAY
STUDIO PROJECTS
Because of its specially designed signal path, the VTB-1 can be used to both feed and
monitor a recorded track using its Insert Jack. The insert point is after the HPF, but
directly before the Blend Control. The signal feed from the insert jack is before any tube
circuitry, so the recorded signal will always be a SS only signal. The Playback output
from the Recorder uses the return path of the insert jack which directly feeds the Tube
Blend control and then the Output Level pot. By using the Blend control, the user can
add the desired amount of Tube Sound at the final mix stage instead of when tracking.
This allows for more variety during mixdown and contributes to less finger-pointing when
it’s decided that the sound you originally recorded is not really what you want now.
VTB-1 HOOKUP DIAGRAM
Using the VTB-1 for clean
recording, with the option of
adding “Tube Sound” to the
track during mixdown.
NOTE: The VTB-1 meter is calibrated
for Pro level operation (+4dBu). The
meter may stay in its lower ranges when
driving semi-pro gear (-10dBV levels).
If your equipment has a level-select
switch, set it for +4 operation for best
results and quietest operation.
NOTE: RCA connections shown, but use the correct
cable and connectors for your particular setup.
TIP= Hot
SLEEVE= Ground
Connections to the 1/4” TRS Insert Plug:
NOTE: Microphone
input shown, but this
setup works the same
way for Line-In signals.
Use the front-panel
jack and switch to bring
instruments into the
VTB-1.
Using the VTB-1 for feeding and
monitoring a recorded track
Insert
Return Insert Send
NOTE: Plugging into the Insert
Jack interupts the normal signal
flow thru the VTB-1. If the
recorder is OFF, or no playback
is available, no signal will show
in the meter (OUT) or be
present at the Bal Out or Line
Out of the VTB-1.
1/4” TRS
Insert Plug

Mic
Impedance
Mic
In
Balanced
Out Line Out
12VAC
50Ω
200Ω
Insert
Tip=Send
Ring=Return
48
Volt
Meter
Input
Gain
Line In Tube
Blend Output Level
Studio Projects Tube Mic Pre
-8 0 +8 +15-20
6
0
6
12
•
70Hz Output
4
2
=
2
4
33
1
1
Line
In Pol Rev
Level
Input
HPF
SS Tube
6
30
50
60
0
20 40
25 +–
TIP
RING
SLEEVE
CLEAN OUTPUT:
To Recorder or Mixer.
Only affected by GAIN
and HPF controls.
NO TUBE SOUND
Studio
Projects
C1
Studio Condenser
STUDIO PROJECTS
(OR OTHER HI-QUALITY)
MICROPHONE
VTB-1
REAR CONNECTIONS
VTB-1
FRONT CONTROLS
INPUT GAIN: CONTROLS THE LEVEL
OF BOTH OUTPUTS
HI-PASS FILTER: AFFECTS SIGNAL
GOING TO BOTH OUTPUTS
TUBE-BLEND: ONLY AFFECTS THE ENHANCED
OUTPUT. USE IT TO ADD TUBE COLORING TO
THE ENHANCED OUTPUT
METER SELECT: LETS YOU VIEW EITHER
OF THE SIGNALS. CLEAN (IN),
OR ENHANCED (OUT)
OUTPUT: SETS THE LEVEL OF THE
ENHANCED OUTPUT ONLY
POLARITY REVERSE: INVERTS THE
POLARITY (PHASE) OF THE ENHANCED
OUTPUTS ONLY
Because of its specially designed signal path, the VTB-1 can be used to generate two
distinct outputs by using its Insert Jack as an additional output. The insert point is after
the HPF, but directly before the Blend Control. The signal feed from the insert jack is
before any tube circuitry, so the additional output will always be a SS only signal. The
insert cable needs to be wired as a “Borrow Cable” by tying the Tip and Ring connections
together. This allows the insert signal to feed the outside world but still continue through
the VTB-1 in its normal way. By using the Blend control, the user can add the desired
amount of Tube Sound to the main (Enhanced) outputs while still having a clean, all
solid-state output also available.
NOTE: 1/4” connectors
shown, but use the
correct cable and
connectors for your
particular setup.
TIP & RING= Hot
SLEEVE= Ground
NOTE: TIP & RING
tied together
Connections to the
1/4” TRS Insert Plug:
NOTE: Microphone
input shown, but this
setup works the same
way for Line-In signals.
Use the front-panel
jack and switch to bring
instruments into the
VTB-1.
STUDIO PROJECTS
VTB-1 HOOKUP DIAGRAM
Using the VTB-1’s Insert jack,
a clean (all SS) signal, as well
as a Tube Sound signal, can
be simultaneously generated.
Using the VTB-1 for generating
two different sounding feeds.
NOTE: Plugging into the Insert
Jack interupts the normal signal
flow thru the VTB-1. If the jack
is not wired with the TIP and
RING tied together, no signal
will show on the meter (OUT)
or be present at the Bal Out or
Line Out of the VTB-1.
1/4” TRS
Insert Plug
ENHANCED OUTPUT:
To Recorder or Mixer.
Affected by Gain
and HPF controls
PLUS
the Blend, Output and
Polarity Controls
NOTE: The VTB-1 meter is calibrated
for Pro level operation (+4dBu). The
meter may stay in its lower ranges when
driving semi-pro gear (-10dBV levels).
If your equipment has a level-select
switch, set it for +4 operation for best
results and quietest operation.

Mic
Impedance
Mic
In
Balanced
Out Line Out
12VAC
50Ω
200Ω
Insert
Tip=Send
Ring=Return
48
Volt
Meter
Input
Gain
Line In Tube
Blend Output Level
Studio Projects Tube Mic Pre
-8 0 +8 +15-20
6
0
6
12
•
70Hz Output
4
2
=
2
4
33
1
1
Line
In Pol Rev
Level
Input
HPF
SS Tube
6
30
50
60
0
20 40
25 +–
TIP
RING
SLEEVE
- EXTERNAL PROCESSING UNIT -
TO RECORDER OR MIXER:
LINE-IN
-OR-
RING= Hot
SLEEVE= Ground
Studio
Projects
C1
Studio Condenser
STUDIO PROJECTS
(OR OTHER HI-QUALITY)
MICROPHONE
VTB-1
REAR CONNECTIONS
VTB-1
FRONT CONTROLS
INPUT GAIN: SETS THE LEVEL OF
SIGNAL FEEDING THE EXT GEAR
HI-PASS FILTER: AFFECTS SIGNAL
GOING TO THE EXTERNAL GEAR
TUBE-BLEND: AFFECTS THE SIGNAL
RETURNING FROM THE EXT GEAR
METER SELECT: LETS YOU VIEW SIGNAL GOING
TO THE EXTERNAL GEAR (IN),
OR FEEDING THE RECORDER (OUT)
OUTPUT LEVEL: SETS THE AMOUNT OF
PROCESSED SIGNAL FEEDING THE RECORDER
POLARITY REVERSE: INVERTS THE
POLARITY (PHASE) OF THE SIGNAL
FEEDING THE RECORDER
STUDIO PROJECTS
Often, when recording, additional control is desired when tracking a signal. Most external processing
gear is designed for line-level operation and will not operate properly if fed directly from a
microphone-level input signal. The VTB-1 provides an Insert Jack at line-level strength to properly
interface to most gear. The Insert send-point is directly after the SS preamp and Hi-Pass filter
sections, the return-point feeds the Tube Blend control. The Insert Jack is a 1/4” TRS jack and
is wired as Tip= Insert-send, Ring= Insert-return, Sleeve= Ground. The nominal operating level
at this point is approx 0dBu. When a compressor is being used, use the Meter (IN) to monitor the
internal level and use the Gain control to set the SS preamp to a conservative level (keep levels
below 0 on the meter). This leaves more headroom in the first, critical stage. Then use the controls
of the external compressor to keep the dynamics within the desired range.
VTB-1 HOOKUP DIAGRAM
Add an equalizer, compressor
or other equipment to the
signal path before recording.
NOTE: The VTB-1 meter is calibrated
for Pro level operation (+4dBu). The
meter may stay in its lower ranges when
driving semi-pro gear (-10dBV levels).
If your equipment has a level-select
switch, set it for +4 operation for best
results and quietest operation.
TIP= Hot
SLEEVE= Ground
Connections to the
1/4” TRS Insert Plug:
NOTE: Microphone
input shown, but this
setup works the same
way for Line-In signals.
Use the front-panel
jack and switch to bring
instruments into the
VTB-1.
Using external processing gear
with the VTB-1
Insert
Return Insert Send
NOTE: Plugging into the Insert
Jack interupts the normal signal
flow thru the VTB-1. If the Ext
Gear is OFF, or its output is
muted, no signal will show in
the meter (OUT) or be present
at the Bal Out or Line Out of
the VTB-1.
1/4” TRS
Insert Plug
Line InLine Out
NOTE: 1/4” connectors
shown, but use the
correct cable and
connectors for your
particular setup.