Wunder Audio Wunderbar Super D User manual

Wunderbar
Super D
Operations Manual
Wunderbar Super D User's Manual Rev. 1, Dec. 2018 1

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PEQ2 Input Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Routing Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Control Room Master Section . . . . . . . . .1
Aux Send and Return Master Section . . . . 12
Track-Mix and Insert Bypass Option . . . . 13
Simplified Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
General Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Tracking and Mixing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Installing the Wunderbar Stand . . . . . . . 19
Stand Illustrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Depth and Height of Console . . . . . . . . . 23
Audio Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Typical Patch Bay Layout . . . . . . . . . . . 27
PEQ2 Module Connection . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Connecting the Power Supply . . . . . . . . 29
Cleaning Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Water and Moisture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Wunderbar Super D User's Manual Rev. 1, Dec. 2018 2

Introduction
The Fully Discrete Class-A Wunderbar will bring you years of the most enjoyable
trouble free recording and mixing experiences. The blend of transformer sounds and
bus flavors is infinite and it will be hard making anything not sound huge.
The Console utilizes the PEQ2 Channel Amplifier delivering from 8 to 56
channels. A "Fully Balanced Busing Scheme" is the heart of the Wunderbar, buffering
the ground out of the equation. This results in significant increase in dynamic range
while lowering noise substantially. There are transformer balanced direct outputs
and inserts on all channels. The Stereo Bus champions The Wunderbahn and has
three Stereo Amplifier choices: Wunder, 1272, and the 312.
The Wunderbar’s circuitry is shielded by Mu-metal, Aluminum, steel and includes
an external AC-DC power supply to reduce interference, to make it virtually immune
to Wi-Fi, EMI and RFI interference. This is very import in todays cell phone
environment.
The PEQ2 is a fully Class-A discrete 197 's-style mic-pre/ equalizer. The design
employs proprietary, custom-designed mic, line, and output transformers. It can
directly replace the 1 73 module. The 18-way gold plated Amphenol connector will
mate with vintage "8 Series" consoles or racks designed for a 1 73 or equivalent.
The key to the sound of the Wunder Audio modules are the Western Electric 618-
style transformers. The PEQ2 incorporates Upgraded "NICO" transformers
(Nickle/Iron/Cobalt). This “Mu” metal was made in the USA at the same factory that
supplied the Nickle/Iron/Cobalt cores that were use in the 196 ’s in our favorite
vintage gear. Wunder went through the painstaking steps of having this metal re-
made by the original factory and is the only recipient of this new batch of core
metal.They are to the exact specifications as transformers that were custom made
for the vintage console made for Led Zeppelin in 1971. These transformers are
physically large and just fit in the 1 73 style module housing!
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One of the most interesting features about the PEQ2, besides the magical mic-
pre and EQ, is that you can record bass guitar and other instruments by plugging
direct into the Line Input. When accessing the Line Input, you will get more low-end
than any direct box/mic preamp combination. There is a very wide range of gain in
the line input incorporating 6 dB of gain. The upper end of this gain stage from -24
to -42 dB is bracketed “HiZ” on the front panel which is suitable for tracking
instruments. Here you will have monster bass sounds like no direct box can achieve.
The “HiZ” range on the line input can also be used as a second, totally different
mic pre on the PEQ2 using a different transformer, thus a different sound. Try it. You
can actually plug a microphone into the “LINE INPUT” the PEQ2.
Interestingly, the 66 dB of line input gain is double that of a 1 73 and therefore
has a huge amount of headroom. Thus when EQ-ing a source coming back into the
PEQ2 from tape or hard disk to you will notice a fat, wide open sound with virtually no
phase shift.
All the switches are custom made by Greyhill. The custom made potentiometers
are Vishay audio-grade, made with conductive plastic for a long life (one million
cycles). Large Sprague "Orange Drop" capacitors are used in the equalizer circuit.
The Panasonic FC 1 5˚C Electrolytic capacitors are used to insure reliable high
temperature operation and long life. The hook-up wire is from the UK and is hand
assembled to "Military Spec". A single circuit board offers a vast sonic improvement
over 5 separate boards found in a 1 73 eliminating the use of multiple edge-board
connectors and redundant wiring. The enclosures are CAD designed to 1/1 "
tolerance and are bright-nickel plated and have PEM nut hardware throughout for
solid construction. Finally, the custom-designed anodized aluminum knob set on the
PEQ2 gives the module character. The boost and cut knobs are solid brass with
shiny nickel plating. The knob markers are embedded with white plastic dowels, so
the white mark will never wear off.
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Configuration
The Wunderbar Super D can be configured to any size in channels of multiples of
eight, up to 56 channels. Master section, cinema display, and patchbay can be
located in any position from left to right. Any number of channels can be added to an
existing console at a later date, as the desk is completely modular.
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PEQ2 Input Module
A Gain Switch - At the top of each channel PEQ2
module is a red winged knob which controls a 12-
position switch. Each Position will show two values.
The “Line” gain level is circled whereas the “Mic”
gain level is not circled. Unity gain for the Line level
is at “ ”.
HiZ range is the four most clockwise positions of
the Line gain (-24 through -42) has higher input
impedance ideally suited for “Direct In” instruments
such as Bass or keyboards. These four line
positions are can also be used as an alternate mic
input using a different transformer.
B High Frequency control - The high frequency is
adjusted using this dual concentric knob. The outer
black knob determines the frequency at which
boost or cut will occur. This knob also has an off
position. The inner silver knob provides
continuously variable BOOST or CUT from to +/-
2 dB of the selected frequency. This knob should
be set to the 6 o’clock position to achieve no boost
or cut.
C Mid control - The Mid frequency is adjusted using
this dual concentric knob. The outer black knob
determines the frequency at which boost or cut will
occur. This knob also has an off position. The inner
silver knob provides continuously variable BOOST
or CUT from to +/- 2 dB of the selected
frequency. This knob should be set to the 6 o’clock
position to achieve no boost or cut.
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D High Low control - The Low frequency is
adjusted using this dual concentric knob. The outer
black knob determines the frequency at which
boost or cut will occur. This knob also has an off
position. The inner silver knob provides
continuously variable BOOST or CUT from to +/-
2 dB of the selected frequency. This knob should
be set to the 6 o’clock position to achieve no
boost or cut.
E EQ Switch - The Equalizer is activated by
depressing this switch.
F Mic/Line Switch - This switch determines
whether the unit is in Microphone Preamplifier or
the Line Input mode.
G Discrete High Pass Filter - Corner Frequency is
set at 9 HZ.
H Signal/Clip LED – This dual purpose LED will
turn green when any signal is detected and red
when signal approaches clipping.
I Phase Switch - The Output Polarity is Shifted
18 degrees by depressing this switch.
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outing Module
A 48 Volt/Phantom Power - on/off switch
B Trim (Direct Out) Knob - The second of two active
gain stages. This is essentially a fade before the output
amplifier in the PEQ2.
Although housed in the routing module, it is completely
independent from the routing electronics. The VU meter
displays the level of whatever is plugged into the input
of the routing module.
This knob is very unique to the Wunderbar. Unity Gain is
just slightly before the 3 O’clock position. When making
boost and cuts to the EQ this knob can be adjusted to
achieve zero dB at the VU meter for unity gain. Not
enough can be said about lowering this knob below
unity gain and turning up the PEQ2 Line input knob
during mix down to achieve a different more distorted
color.
C Flip Switch - Swaps the trim knob and the P&G
1 mm conductive plastic channel fader. This allows
the user to “ride” the trim via the channel fader during
tracking if desired.
D Auxiliary Sends 1-4 - Send signal from the I/O module
(channel strip) to the corresponding aux master knob
(rotary fader) in the master section.
Pre/Post switch determines whether the auxiliary signal
is before or after the channel fader.
When sending signals to headphones, putting this
switch in the pre-fade position will allow the headphone
levels to be independent of the fader being used to
monitor levels on the console. During a mix, setting this
fader to post mode will conform its output to an effects
device in proportion to the fade being used in the mix.
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E Bus Assign Switches - Assigns the channel output to
the Wunderbar Left Right (L-R) bus, Neve 1-2 bus, and
the API 3-4 bus.
F The Pan Knob - Determines the proportion of signal
sent to the left and right sides of the selected stereo
buses. The pan law has a -3dB center attenuation to
approximate constant power panning.
When the Pan Defeat Switch is engaged (off) the
resistor that controls the pan is out of the circuit, the
signal is centered straight up, or if assigned via the bus
assign switches either left or right for a “hard pan.” It
also doesn't have a -3dB center attenuation if you bus
the signal to both left and right. With it on, the pan
functions normally.
G Solo Switch - Mutes all channels not in solo,
monitoring output is determined globally to be PFL or
AFL via the PFL/AFL lighted switch in the master
section. Listening in Pre-Fade Listen mode is a solo of
the input to the routing module and is good for setting
levels on the mic pre-amp. Listen in After Fade Listen
mode to make level changes on the fader and
adjustments on the eq.
H Mute Switch - Silences the output of the channel
using an opto for completely silent switching.
Wunderbar Super D User's Manual Rev. 1, Dec. 2018

Control oom Master Section
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