The Levelar Owner`s Manual
Contents
1. Their values are 2dB 3dB and 6dB ART Levelar SPECIFICATIONS Dimensions Weight Input Connections Output Connections Input Impedance XLR 1 4 Output Impedance XLR 1 4 Maximum Input Level XLR Maximum Input Level 1 4 Maximum Output Level XLR Maximum Output Level 1 4 Frequency Response Dynamic Range THD 0dB out Equivalent Input Noise EIN XLR to XLR 1 4 to 1 4 Attack Time Release Time 1sec Slope Max Attenuation Power Requirements 5 25 L X 5 5 W X 2 0 H 1 32 Lbs balanced XLR amp 1 4 TRS balanced XLR amp 1 4 TRS 2K ohms 1M ohms 600 ohm 300 ohms 15dBm 15dBm 26dBm 20dBm 10Hz to 20KHz 5dB gt 100dB 20 20kHz lt 0 1 typical 99dBm A weighted 97dBm A weighted 6 5ms Fast 200ms Auto 70ms Comp 2 3 1 Limit gt 6 1 28dB 9 Volts A C 700ma typ ART retains a policy of constant product improvement Therefore specifications are subject to change without notice A R T reserves the right to make changes in design or make addi tions to or improvements upon this product without any obliga tion to install the same on products previously manufactured Applied Research and Technology Inc 215 Tremont Street Rochester NY 14608 716 436 2720 716 436 3942 FAX http www artroch com WARRANTY amp SERVICE INFORMATION LIMITED WARRANTY Warranty service for this unit will be provided by Applied Research amp Technology2. Inc in accordance with the following warrant statement Applied Research amp Technology Inc A R T warrants to the origi nal purchaser that this product and the components thereof will be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of one year from the date of purchase Applied Research amp Technology Inc will without charge repair or replace at its option defective product or component parts upon prepaid deliv ery to the factory service department or authorized service center accompanied by proof of purchase date in the form of a valid sales receipt EXCLUSIONS This warranty does not apply in the event of misuse or abuse of the product or as a result of unauthorized alterations or repairs This warranty is void if the serial number is altered defaced or removed ART reserves the right to make changes in design or make addi tions to or improvements upon this product without any obliga tion to install the same on products previously manufactured ART shall not be liable for any consequential damages including without limitation damages resulting from loss of use Some states do not allow limitation of incidental or consequential damages so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you This war ranty gives you specific rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state For units purchased outside the United States service will be pro vided by an authorized distributor
3. of Applied Research and Technology Inc Service The following information is provided in the unlikely event that your unit requires service Use this procedure to return units in the United States only For service outside the United States please contact your authorized A R T distributor 1 Be sure that the unit is the cause of the problem Check to make sure the unit has power supplied all cables are connected correctly and the cables themselves are in working condition 2 If you find the unit to be at fault write down a description of the problem including how and when the problem occurs 3 Call A R T s Customer Service Department to obtain a Return Authorization RA number 4 Pack the unit in its original carton or a reasonable substitute The packing box is not recommended for a shipping carton Put the packaged unit in another box for shipping Print the RA num ber clearly under the address 5 Include with your unit a return shipping address we cannot ship to a P O Box a copy of your purchase receipt a daytime phone number and a description of the problem 6 Ship the unit to APPLIED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY INC 215 TREMONT STREET ROCHESTER NY 14608 ATTN REPAIR DEPARTMENT RA 7 Contact our customer service department at 716 436 2720 for your Return Authorization number or questions regarding repairs Customer Service hours are 9 00 AM to 6 00 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday
4. ucts as well as any further developments from A R T 129 5004 101 Overview Compression is used to alter the dynamic range of a signal In recording and live sound situations compression and limiting is necessary to manage sounds with wide dynamic ranges Dynamic Range is measured as the difference between the loudest and soft est level of a signal i e from a scream to a whisper Once a sig nal rises above or falls below the set threshold selectable signal level the compressor automatically changes its gain to raise or lower the overall signal level Think of this as manually moving a fader up and down to try to keep a signal at a consistent level Limiting can be described as a ceiling When using a limiter once the signal level reaches the threshold it is unable to go any louder it is limited to a desired level In addition to making signal levels more manageable it is com mon practice to apply compression or limiting to a signal to make it louder or more in your face The benefit of using the Levelar for these applications is in its design By utilizing opto electronics the Levelar allows you to add more compression without sound ing like you re squashing the daylights out of the signal Unlike typical compressors that use VCA s to control level detection the Levelar is very musical The nature of its operation is much like the way your eye adjusts to light Just as your eye transparently adjusts to chang
5. A A R T APPLIED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY Levelar Professional Vactrol Leveling Amplifier USER S GUIDE Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Levelar and congratulations You now own one of the most sophisticated pieces of audio signal processing gear Similar in design philosophy to the classic tube limiters the Levelar utilizes a VCA less design for premium musical performance This design features electro optical Vactrol and vacuum tube electronics which deliver classic sound without the old noise Features Single channel tube and Vactrol based Leveling Amplifier Hand selected 12AX7 Tube Vactrol Optical electronic isolator Non VCA design transparent classic sound Balanced XLR and 1 4 TRS inputs Balanced XLR and 1 4 TRS outputs Limiting and Compression ratios Auto or Fast attack and release characteristics Variable Threshold rotary control Variable Output level rotary control Gain reduction LED ladder 10Hz to 20kHz Frequency Response gt 100dB Dynamic Range Extremely low noise Rugged portable all steel chassis Designed amp Manufactured in the USA Fill in the following information for your reference Date of purchase Purchased from Serial number 129 This is a great time to fill out the User Registration Card included with your Levelar to become a completely informed A R T Artist Returning the card to us ensures you of becoming the first to know about new ART prod
6. es in light the Levelar adjusts to changes in signal level Connections It s easy to interface the Levelar with other equipment All connec tions are made at the back of the Levelar Standard XLR and 1 4 inputs and outputs make patching simple Note For best audio quality always use high quality cables Inputs The Levelar provides both an XLR and 1 4 input jack Both jacks are balanced The 1 4 jack can be used with unbalanced signals by simply plugging in an unbalanced cable The inputs are designed for use with line level signals ranging from 30dBm to 10dBm While it is possible to plug an instrument directly into the Levelar it is desirable to run the instrument into a preamp before the signal runs into the Levelar This will provide a 3 stronger signal and will keep noise to a minimum Microphones must be run into a microphone preamplifier like A R T s Tube MP before being run into the Levelar Use the XLR input for use with equipment that provides an XLR output like the Tube MP Use the 1 4 input jack for balanced or unbalanced 1 4 applica tions XLR pin configuration pin 1 ground pin 2 Positive hot pin 3 negative cold The 1 4 TRS configuration is Tip Positive hot Ring Negative cold Sleeve Ground Do not use both inputs at the same time Outputs The outputs of the Levelar are active balanced You may use it in an unbalanced configuration without harm to the output c
7. ircuitry Use the unbalanced 1 4 jack for sending your signal to amps processors or other unbalanced configurations Use the XLR out put to send signals to equipment which accepts XLR connections Both outputs may be used at the same time Power Insert the supplied 9 Volt AC adapter s plug into the input labeled Pwr 9VAC on the Levelar s top panel The Levelar is powered by an external 9VAC adapter Always make sure the output plug is securely plugged into the rear of the Levelar and that the adapter is held firmly in an electrical outlet There is a U shaped knock out above the power jack which is designed to have the power cord looped into to prevent the cord from coming unplugged Never operate the Levelar or AC adapter in the rain or in wet locations If the AC adapter s cord is ever cut discontinue use and replace the adapter with a new one Unplug the adapter when the Levelar is not in use Refer to the label on the adapter or the specifications later in this manual for the appropriate operating voltages Controls Switches and Indicators Threshold Control The threshold control sets the point at which the Levelar will act on a signal Turning this control counter clockwise lowers the 4 threshold adding more compression to a signal Turning this control clockwise raises the threshold Setting the threshold control is dependent on the input signal The output from a guitar might be 20dB to 10dB where the
8. level from an insert on a console might be 5dB to 10dB The easiest way to set the threshold control is to start with the control fully clockwise Slowly turn the control counter clockwise lower ing threshold until you see the threshold LED light Now adjust the control either lower or higher until you have the amount of compression you desire Active Bypass Switch The Active Bypass switch must be pressed in for the Levelar to process a signal In its out position the Levelar is bypassed and signal runs from the input jacks to the output jacks with no pro cessing Use the Active Bypass switch when setting the Levelar s output level to achieve unity no boost or cut gain Unity gain is achieved when the active level is the same as the bypassed level Limit Comp Switch In its out position the Levelar s compression ratio is an active 2 3 1 ratio This means that for every 2 3dB over the threshold the input signal rises the Levelar s output will change by 1dB This is a very mild and musical compression ratio which is ideal for smoothing all types of signals In its in position the Levelar s compression ratio is greater than 6 1 This is typically called soft limiting as it allows only a 1dB change in signal level for any signal reaching over 6dB over the set threshold This setting is ideal for applications where exceed ing a set level is not desirable mixing popping bass etc Auto Fa
9. st Switch The position of the Auto Fast switch selects the release character istics of the Levelar The out position allows the Levelar to recover quickly once the signal falls below the threshold The in position allows the Levelar to adjust itself depending on the char acteristics of the input signal Use the fast setting when the sig nal has repetitive consistent characteristics kick drum snare vocals etc Use the auto setting when the signal has varying characteristics long decaying notes alternating with quick notes 5 mix material etc Output Control The Output control sets the output gain of the Levelar When the control is fully counterclockwise the output level of the Levelar is attenuated by 83dB Turning the control clockwise adds gain sometimes called make up gain Since levels can be decreased when compression is applied the Levelar has the ability to apply gain to bring the processed signal back up to unity same as input level To properly set the output level adjust the control while switching between Active and Bypass When these two levels are equal in volume the output control is set properly Gain Reduction Meter The four LED meter is provided to give a visual indication of how much compression is taking place The Threshold LED will light when the input signal reaches the set threshold level The remain ing three LEDs indicate how much the signal is being compressed
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