VC8 - Joemeek
Contents
1. T ud nai qu Jovin Compression 12 8 6 3 000 in N ve JOEMEEK User s guide Contents ATULA User s guide 1 Getting Started basic setup studio playing recording 5 Advanced stage use 5 Use with a microphone 6 2 Using the Fathead Front panel J Rear panel 8 Sample settings 9 3 Understanding the Fathead The CurrentSense input amplifier 11 Opto distortion 12 The compressor 12 The Meegualizer 13 Digital Upgrade 14 4 Common Problems 14 5 Technical performance 16 6 System Diagram 19 7 User Settings 20 8 Safety and Warranty 21 Welcome ATU Af User s guide Welcome Thank you for purchasing the JOEMEEK Fathead We at JOEMEEK hope you will have as much fun playing through this unit as we had designing and building it About the fathead The JOEMEEK Fathead is an uncompromising pre amplifier for musicians It combines the best available audio quality with vintage effects to create a musical sound highly suited to recording and live performance The Fathead aims to be an artistic tool that gives the musician more tones and richness from their instrument The Fathead also presents a superb signal path with huge possibilities for interconnection in live performance and recording So whether recording live playing plugging in directly or using a studio microphone the Fathead will radically improve your results and give you more variety in sound J User s guide Get2. E eb le SSS Distort a Qi 129 6 3 LFf x amp G o e dB compression PCM 6 S O Super Joe O 9 FAT Meek rio xx Jan psu pA Electric Acoustic Bass guitar Warmth For a nice sound that is rich and full bodied use the Soft Meek setting with moderate compression This will give you more sustain and tone The EQ is used to round off the top end slightly while boosting the low end M 150 s ele ue t K Q i 129 6 3 LI LFf MEI e amp amp dB compression Fe Dr p E O Super Joe O A bo 9 O 9 FAT Meek io j EN AN N eek i Meek et us 150 ur p tie T4 by ac Electric guitar bass Vintage drive A combination of distortion and compression and mid high contouring gives a great big driving sound that is a lot like vintage amplifiers ak esed Sesim ps Qi 129 6 3 LFf MEI W JW E o o e ae dB compression pg No amp Super Joe Q O 9 FAT Meek in DE MEM KN i um E tie 150 ur pt tie T4 SE ARS Electric guitar heavy distortion Winding up the distortion and compression give amazing sustain and introduce some awesome harmonics Sound that would normally be unheard are amplified and distorted to great effect The roll off in HF makes for a much smoother sound Using the Fathead m User s guide 5 ew aar Sesim E ed Qi 129 6 3 EQ OLF LE X MF MF HE e p M dh E 2 G e e dB compression pg UR EN Qe Super Joe Q N O 9 FAT Meek ig Classic
3. listening recording eguipment DI Output Secondary balanced output with switchable signal source DI Gain Mode Controls the output gain of the DI out DI mode PRE causes the DI output to send a clean signal before the distortion compressor and EO DI mode POST causes DI output similar to the main output but controlled by the DI gain control See system diagram for more information FATHEAD controller Connection point for the supplied footswitch Insert Send Return signal breakpoint Allows access to the signal before the compressor and EQ but after distortion Tuner Constant output for connection to tuner device Line in Unbalanced input Mic In CurrentSensing microphone input Digi Upgrade Cover plate for optional digital card upgrade Footswitch The Fathead controller footswitch may be connected to give the musician easy access to bypass enable the compressor distortion EQ and mute functions Simply attach the footswitch with the supplied cable and enable disable the Fathead functions as required Using the Fathead ATHEAI User s guide Sample settings To help you get started using the Fathead here are some sample settings of some of our favourite sounds Note that input and output gain settings are not mentioned These should be set according to the input and output levels required Always set the input gain high without showing overload on the meters and set the output to be comfortable for equipment after the Fathead
4. Meek AN del o Soft Meek Warm Meek e MT 150 ur Y S16 T4 E Acoustic guitar Punchy With big compression and a fast release time FAT Meek setting the sound of an acoustic becomes a lot more punchy If you add to this eq contouring with big bass and hf boost with a mid cut a fantastic solo acoustic guitar sound is achieved Please remember that with this setting feedback through a PA or foldback may be a problem If so simply reduce the compression and bass eq until the problem goes Th ep le SSS rt Qi 129 6 3 LFf ME o e amp e dB compression Fe Dn p e SuperJoe Q ks O 9 FAT Meek 10 ian ruin K poda Mie i 16 186 g p wd ka Jt Use with mic guitar cabinet You can use the Fathead to great effect when using a mic on a guitar cabinet The Distortion and drive that you get naturally can be picked up and enhanced by the distortion feature and a little compression adds to warmth This is worth considering as an alternative when you have a naturally g00d sound to work with and want to get an enhanced version in a recording or PA system N A eee D a Qi 129 6 3 i AK j O 000 dB compression O Super Joe O 9 FAT Meek 10 a vaan lt in Out and out Electric guitar amp Bass When you are using an electric guitar with a big system there 1s not a lot more fun that winding everything up full and hearing your instrument like nothing ever before As with other high distortion settin
5. always alter sound from the ground up i e with the EQ controls set to the flat or O position 13 Understanding the Fathead f f HA User s guide UP If the overload light flashes more than occasionally then decrease the input gain control See block diagram for detail on overload indicators Digital Upgrade For use in the studio with digital systems it is possible to add JOEMEEK s VCIOD giving the Fathead an additional 24 96 S PDIF output This effectively bypasses all noisy analogue stages going into a digital system while leaving the analogue outputs free for monitoring Common Problems I ve got no sound Check cabling Never use an unbalanced cable for a microphone Check that mic inst button 1s pressed in Is the phantom power on capacitor microphones only Is the output volume control up Is Mute disabled Got signal going through but have no compression Is there enough input signal Is the compressor light on Have you turned the COMPRESSION control high enough It s noisy The Fathead input amplifier and compressor are extremely quiet but by definition compressors raise the level of quiet passages and EQ can contribute high frequency hiss if overused this also means that if there is noise in the input there will be more noise on the compressed and EQd signal It s a compromise so try reducing compression and HF EQ Disable distortion for quiet operation If you still have e
6. ary to get technical so even if you re not technical read the next bit carefully and get to be a compressor Guru A LIMITER is a device that stops the output of a signal path going above a predetermined level It is mainly used to protect amplifiers and recorders and radio transmitters against overload The sound of a limiter 1s a bit like compression but it tends to be flat and uninteresting A COMPRESSOR is a device that reduces the dynamic range of programme material Its use is necessary to squeeze both the loudest and softest sounds onto records so that they can be listened to in all environments ie in the car with lots of background noise lack of compression would mean the subtleties of a recording would be lost A secondary use of compression and most important for us is to introduce some artificial dynamics into sound to make it sound more exciting This is what the JOEMEEK compressor does best 12 Understanding the Fathead f f HEAT User s guide WHAT IS ACOMPRESSOR A perfect compressor is an amplifier where the input output ratio is constant So using a 2 1 compressor increasing the input by 2dB gives a corresponding 1dB increase in the output Early compressors which used variable mu thermionic tubes or photoelectric devices only approximated true compression over a limited range They had a soft threshold where compression started and held to a predictable ratio up to a certain level then they returned to a more li
7. ependent gain control and pre post switching Tuner output not affected by mute function Unbalanced insert point for use with pedals reverbs overdrive etc 24 96 digital output upgradability Ground lift switch on rear panel note the digital module is available now User Settings ATHEA User s guide use this page to record your favourite settings Ps Qo Distort Wi Q il 129 6 3 On OptoDistort On Compression 12963 EQ LF LFf 0 330 E 6 6 7 dB compression o 2 42 Super Joe FAT Meek 10 a Meek 12 Soft Meek 1 16 Warm Meek 16 TIT d ekHz Notes On Opto Distort On Compression 12 9 6 3 O co LF LFf 0 330 i o 5 6 7 o 5 6 7 o o amp e dB compression o 2 an 5 9 3 8 Super Joe 6 3 3 9 FAT Meek die 10 2 19 Classic Meek 12 e A Soft Meek 1k 16 1 u Warm Meek i l 16 to IE i eKHz On Opto Distort On Compression 12 9 6 3 Ea LF LFf 0 330 Hi o 5 6 7 o 5 6 7 e dB compression o gt 2 4 5 3 8 Super Joe 3 3 9 FAT Meek fiez 10 2 10 Classic Meek Lt 1 Soft Meek 16 iu 1 5 Warm Meek D 16 130 JUL M ekHz On Opto Distort On Compression 12 9 6 3 0 LF LFf 0 330 2 e 5 6 7 o 5 4 dB compression o 2 a 4 8 4 8 SuperJoe 6 3 3 9 FAT Meek QA le 10 2 10 Classic Meek 42 er 1 Soft Meek 1 16 1 n Warm Meek 16 350 DE i ekHz Notes 20 Safety amp Warranty f f H f Af User s
8. gs bass boost and hf cut adds weight to the sound This setting will generate a lot of noise but will sound fantastic ekHz 10 Understanding the Fathead f f HEAT User s guide The JOEMEEK Fathead is a complete instrument channel It has a lot of capabilities and functions that can interact with each other to create nearly infinite sounds and textures To use it best you need to understand each of the Fathead s facilities as separate pieces equipment then use them together to make your sound 1 THE CurrentSense input amplifier The input amplifier takes audio signals from any microphone XLR socket musical instrument front mounted 1 4 inch jack or high level source 1 4 inch line jack socket and amplifies them up to line level that is from a few millivolts up to about a volt The phantom power supply provides power to capacitor microphones through the mic input Dynamic or ribbon microphones should be used with the phantom power turned off then full advantage can be taken of the extreme low noise performance of this amplifier The CurrentSense pre amp design unique to JOEMEEK guarantees optimised performance from all types of microphones from dynamic to condenser to classic ribbon types It is important to select the best input for a given job here are some examples Mic input e Live mic in front of instrument cabinet e Acoustic instrument with extremely low output transducer e Acoustic recording of an i
9. guide SAFETY The unit complies fully with European Cenelec requirements CE and may be used in all territories subject to safety approval of the power supply to local regulations WARRANTY In the unlikely case of a breakdown please return the unit in its original packing through the supplier The unit will be attended to immediately and returned to your supplier If any breakdown occurs excluding physical mistreatment within 12 months of purchase no service charge will be made Manufactured by FLETCHER ElectroAcoustics Ltd St Marys Barton Road Torquay Devon TOI 4DP ENGLAND Tel 44 1803 321921 Fax 44 1803 321922 e mail sales joemeek net www joemeek net DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY This analogue audio processing equipment conforms to the standards and requirements of the European Economic Community The EC Harmonised standards that have been applied are a Electrical equipment safety Regulations 1994 S I 1994 3260 b Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 89 336 EEC incorporating S I 1992 2372 21
10. he Fathead can be used equally well as a head on stage unit or a pre amplifier for a mic or an instrument in the studio Currentsense Mic and instrument pre amp 65dB gain swing with 33dB overload margin THD lt 001 Khz O operating level 48V Phantom 20dB pad Phase reverse Extremely low noise noise is 28dB below input 50dB of gain Line XLR mic rear mounted and instrument front mounted inputs e Auto impedance matching for all microphone types CS mode mic pre Opto Distort To add to the Fathead s tonal variety we have given it an opto distort feature Technically this is an arrangement of filters and limiters that utilise optical circuitry to generate a distortion that can be fully varied from tube like warmth to screaming fuzz e Bypass control e Indicator and active optical distortion indicator e Distortion level tone control JOEMEEK compressor As with all JOEMEEK channels the Fathead boasts the JOEMEEK optical compressor The compressor in the Fathead has been tweaked to produce extremely high ratios capable of causing huge effect with instruments That 15 high compression without dulling of the sound The 5 position switch selects carefully chosen presets for the attack release and a basic ratio setting while you control the compression similar to threshold control 16 Technical Performance f f Uta User s guide The compressor can also be bypassed with the footswitch cont
11. n often be a problem Be careful with compression this can actually make feedback worse Always start with low gain and no compression and add volume slowly s 1P For a more natural sound remember to only boost frequencies that are present avoid excessive bass and HF boost with acoustic instruments 6 Using the Fathead f f Hl User s guide Front Panel gt W 4 o en Pa ETE e o 5 sang K gt nm iis Cx OEMEEK e e FATHEAD 20dB Enables a 20dB signal reduction on the microphone input 48V Enables 48V phantom power on the microphone input Only use with condenser microphones Mic Inst Switches between Mic pressed in and line inputs Plugging an instrument into the front input bypasses the mic input Input Gain Adds gain to the input signal Opto Distort On Rotary control from minimum light distortion to maximium heavy fuzz distortion The pushbutton enables the distortion sound Compression On Rotary control from minimum no compression to maximum full compression In actual fact this control is like a threshold control The pushbutton enables bypasses the compressor section Compression mode 5 position selector switch for compression effect The preset controls the compressor s attack release and ratio settings Warm Meek is the lightest setting Super Joe is the most severe Fat Meek is the most noticeable sound on solo instruments Compression meter 4 LED meter that shows the gain reductio
12. n from the compressor in dB EO Bypass switch for EQ section LF Controls gain of the low freguencies in the egualiser section LFf Controls the centre freguency for the LF cut boost MF Controls gain of the mid freguencies in the egualiser section MFf Controls the centre freguency for the mid cut boost HF Controls gain of the high frequencies 8KHz MUTE Disables sound output on the main DI digital optitional insert outputs Note does not affect tuner Output Gain Controls the output level of the main and digital outputs Input meter Shows the level of the signal before the output gain control Using the Fathead f f Uta User s guide Rear Panel TION W 4 Removal of covers will j GROUND LI FT MAIN OUTPUT DI OUTPUT DI GAIN MODE INSERT TUNER LINE IN MIC IN expose dangerous Voltages Lanka APA P oN M S when power is removed 1 a N Oo O 0000 o e A NO000000 No user serviceable parts N inside Service strictly by PRE ualified personnel only OUT 1 OUT2 POST MUTE A TIP RETURN PRE MUTE Ap 4 4 Post i W gt J OEMEEK FATHEAD VG Designed and manufactured in England by FLETCHER ElectroAcoustics Ltd F Ground Lift When button is out the mains earth is disconnected from the unit LEAVE PRESSED IN FOR NORMAL OPERATION it is generally safer to have the mains earth connected to electrical eguipment Main Output Dual balanced line level outputs for the main signal Connect to your main
13. near amplification allowing transients through This is in stark contrast to modern VCA compressor limiters where 1s seemed sensible to combine the functions of compressor and limiter and to stonewall any and all signals above a certain level excellent for technical level control but hopeless for musical effect Generally I know I m over simplifying modern VCA compressors sound muddy and flat while old compressors sound lively and retain sparkle The compressor in the JOEMEEK FATHEAD is unique it is a recreation of an early photoelectric compressor in use in the mid 1960s It is capable of producing the same punchy sounds that were so characteristic of the pop records of the time 4 The Meequalizer The equalizer controls the volume of three audio bands It s used to modify the tonal sound of the signal in the Fathead To be ideal for instruments the Fathead s low frequency and mid frequency centers can cross over allowing for superb musical effect The equalizer is after the compressor in the Fathead s signal path The general rule about using EQ is to be very careful about too much liit Increasing the gain by say 10dB in the high frequencies has the effect of taking the Fathead closer to overload This 1s generally OK as the Fathead is designed with very generous overload margins but when using EQ this has to be remembered The rule is that when lift is used it s often necessary to compensate by reducing the input gain a RP
14. nstrument with a microphone Line input e Use with keyboards e Usein subgroup on a mix e Dynamic mic in front of live guitar bass stack very loud Instrument input e Use with electric instruments OID If you have an active instrument that has a very high output level you may find that you get better headroom using the line input 11 Understanding the Fathead f f HEAT User s guide 2 Opto Distortion Technically the Opto distortion feature on the Fathead uses a combination of filtering and soft clipping using optical components to create anything from warming tube drive to screaming distortion This effect was originally developed for guitar and bass In the studio the optical distortion sound can be used on everything as a truly analogue effect that is extreme yet adds enormous warmth and character Live the sound gives the musician massive distortion sounds that are unmistakably analogue and have a warm feel Experiment with this control there is no correct or wrong way to use distortion just use your ears If it sounds right it IS right LAID Often the sound of the distortion can change greatly with different settings of the EQ section experiment with this interaction for more effects 3 The Compressor Compressors with instruments are great at adding punch and sustain but how The JOEMEEK compressor is especially good at giving you big vintage sounds To get the best use out of the compressor it is necess
15. roller Bypass control 4 LED compression meter Threshold control 5 position preset switch Automatic gain compensation Signal sensitive ratio JOEMEEK Meequalizer The Fathead features an all new 3 band dual sweeping EQ optimised for instruments The frequencies of the sweeping EQ bands cross over allowing for phasing and other classic effects The EQ is JOEMEEK s best phase levelling design featuring extremely smooth sound even with extreme settings 3 band classic EQ LF ME HE shelf LF sweeps from 150 to 1000Hz MF sweeps from 1k to 5k HF shelf centres at SKkHz MF and MF cut boost 16dB HF cut boost 14dB Mute To aid on line instrument changes and silent studio operation the Fathead is equipped with a silent operating mute function Operated from the front panel and the foot switch the mute silently cuts all sound from the main outputs and DI output whilst leaving the tuner output untouched Output Stages The Fathead 1s equipped with the best technology for solid quality outputs The unit has dual superbal outputs plus an additional DI output with gain control for Stage PA use The DI ouput is selectable pre post EQ and output eain control For use in the studio with digital recording the Fathead comes with 24bit 96k digital upgradability Fitting the VCIQD module adds digital output to the main output bus 17 Technical Performance ATULA User s guide Superbal balanced outputs Di output with ind
16. ting started f ATI HEA Get playing basic setup If you are a guitarist or bass player you will want to use the Fathead as a signal heater before your instrument amp so to start getting great sounds set up your equipment as follows Po EQ MUTE Output Gain on 20 4 0 max uly 14 00000 0dB 48V Micinst Input Gain On Erud OnCompressi n UF C NONO XE VE xl v JOEMEEK On A Lc o e gt E i se e Aw b MIC IN DI OUTPUT INSERT TUNER LINE IN DI GAIN MODE 2 le M ICI Inside qualified personnel only POST MUTE A p TIP RETURN PRE MUTE RING SEND Approved components a A sed CE J OEMEEK FATHERRD VG Designed and manufactured in Engla ms PETER ElectroAcoustics Ltd www joemeek net fathead rear panel 9 9 9 2 949 3 to effect return or instrument input ALL The output of the Fathead is extremely hot loud so it is advisable to use a pre amp link or effect return input on your instrument amplifier rather than the instrument input You will also get less noise Connect your system as shown Turn the output control of the Fathead to minimum Switch on the Fathead then the amplifier Play test notes on the instrument and adjust the input gain on the Fathead so that all but the last 2 leds are lighting 5 SLOWLY add output gain on the Fathead until a comfortable level is achieved 6 Experiment with the effects and enjoy pel Ge
17. tting started f EAI User s guide Studio playing recording In the Studio the Fathead makes an excellent pre amp for direct recording and acoustic recording alike For direct recording onto a computer you might try the following set DI mode to pre for clean channel GROUND LIFT MAIN OUTPUT pile eo NX DI OUTPUT INSERT TUNER LINE IN MIC IN e e TIP RETURN PRE MUTE D DI GAIN MODE PR e 6 0 NY N 4 oS olli 1 or 2 POSTIMUTE 5 7 PnE r TL a POST J OEMEEK FATHEJID VCG8 Designlld and manufactured in England by FLETCHER ElectroAcoustics Ltd No user serviceable parts inside Service strictly by qualified personnel only Approved components used Ce www joemeek net A a f s VU monitoring desk clean recording channel main recording channel Switch the DI output to pre mode and separately adjust the volume control This gives you a clean channel of pure guitar as well as a track with effects on it You can use effects liberally and record them while gaining a separate clean track that can be used later on Advanced stage use In a band that uses front of house PA where you also want a great stage sound you may want to set up the Fathead as shown here GROUNDLIFT MAIN OUTPUT DI OUTPUT VAIHE INSERT TUNER LINEIN MICIN TL DI GAIN MODE CAUTION temoval of covers wil jose dangerous voltages even PT GN when power is removed Q vie Q Se
18. x oe I No user serviceable parts inside Service Strictly by qualified personnel only olli 1 OUT2 Posiljuure g PRE TIP RETBRN PRENMIUTE RING SHIND EL o POST J OEMEEK FATHEJID VC8 Designed and manufili tured in England by FLETCHER ElectroAcoustics Ltd Approved components used PA sound KAA iO O fiii stage sound effects unit tuner always on Getting started ATHEAI User s guide 3 OTP The tuner output is not muted so check your tuning when you change instruments by pressing mute and using your tuner normally a LL You may want to send the PA both an on stage sound as well as a clean one feel free to use both the second output and DI outputs for greater flexibility SLL If you use extra effects i e delay chorus etc use them in the Insert point of the Fathead to increase the quality of your overall sound To do this use a stereo to two mono jack Y cable Use with a microphone The Fathead features JOEMEEK s CurrentSense mic pre so you can record and perform with all manner of acoustic instruments Acoustic players will find the Fathead superb on stage as a quality pre amp that also gives great control over your sound IFT MAIN OUTPUT DI OUTPUT LA INSERT TUNER LINE IN MIC IN DI GAIN MODE Acoustic instrument PA sound microphone source PU SR ZERO The Fathead is extremely sensitive when using live feedback ca
19. xcessive noise either there is serious noise in the input signal being fed into the unit or something 1s still turned up far too high Start turning things down 14 Common Problems f f ALA User s guide It distorts No it doesn t Distortion inside the compressor is virtually impossible however it is possible that the input amplifier is overcooking turn down the COMPRESSION control and readjust Too much EQ can sometimes sound like distortion I can t make the compression gentle enough It takes practice The setting of the COMPRESSION control is quite critical Select a preset that is more anticlockwise 1 e Soft Meek I have hum When you are using the Fathead with other amplifiers and studio equipment you may have a hum caused by double earthing To fix this press in the ground lift switch on the rear panel BE SURE THAT AT LEAST ONE MAJOR PART OF YOUR RIG IS EARTHED usually it is best to have your amplifier or mixing desk earthed Having an unearthed system is DANGEROUS But running parts of a system without earthing improves noise performance Are you recording in front of a computer screen Instruments often pick up noise from CRT displays 15 Technical Performance f f HE User s guide Pre amplifier The Fathead uses JOEMEEK latest generation CurrentSense pre amplifier circuit that gives ultimate flexibility and quality whether using line mic or instrument sources This means that t
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