Focusrite ToneFactory User Manual Download

Page: 7 / 36

On –

when in, switches on the overdrive.

Overdrive –

adds rounded overdrive to the signal, similar to

valve distortion.The overdrive also contains speaker
simulation, so you can, for example, record overdriven
guitar by plugging the guitar into the ToneFactory™,
and the ToneFactory™ straight into the recorder.

Bright –

turns off speaker simulation in the overdrive section.

U s i n g t h e P a r a m e t r i c E q u a l i s e r

The Parametric Equaliser is a sophisticated tone control,
that boosts or cuts selected frequency bands, and so
modifies the tone quality of the signal.You normally use
the Tone Controller to set the overall tone of the signal,
then use the Parametric Equaliser to fine tune the sound.
For example, you can use it to fix problems with the
original sound (by removing frequencies), or to help a track
stand out in the mix (by accentuating frequencies).

In –

when lit, switches on the Parametric Equaliser.

Band 1 –

is used to fine tune the bass.

Band 2 –

is used to fine tune the middle and treble.

dB –

cuts or boosts the frequency selected using the Freq

control for this band.

Freq –

selects a frequency band to cut or boost, centred on

the selected frequency.

Bell –

when in, the cut or boost applied to the selected

frequency band is changed to a bell shape (see picture).
This has the effect of emphasising the selected
frequency, since the cut or boost applied is reduced as
you move away from it.

Fine –

when in, reduces the width of the frequency band that

is affected.You normally use this in conjunction with
the Bell button, to notch out a small range of unwanted
frequencies (for example, fret rattle on a guitar).

U s i n g t h e N o i s e G a t e

The Noise Gate reduces the volume of quiet sections in
the performance, and so can be used to remove
background noise.

In –

when lit, switches on the Noise Gate.

Threshold –

determines when noise reduction begins.The

higher the threshold, the more low-level noise is reduced.

Hold –

when in, changes the Release/Hold control from a

release control to a hold control.The difference between
them appears when the signal passes below the
threshold: with release, the gate starts to shut, at the
speed determined by the Release control; with hold, the
gate stays open for the time determined by the Hold
control, then shuts immediately.When recording an
instrument on its own, you usually use Release as this
sounds most natural.

Release/Hold –

adjusts the release or hold of the gate

(depending on whether the Hold button is lit) from Fast
(F) to Slow (S). Release determines how quickly the
gate shuts once the signal has passed below the
threshold. Use Release on a signal where the gate
should close quite quickly in a controlled manner. Hold
determines how long the gate stays open once the signal
has passed below the threshold. On a signal that has, for
example, a short transient then reverb that you want to
record, use Hold to hold the gate open so that the
quieter reverb is not lost.

Fast –

when in, makes the gate open very quickly when the

signal passes the threshold. Use this on signals that have a
very fast attack (such as a snare drum), so that the gate
does not cut off the beginning of the signal.

Deep –

when in, reduces all background noise to below the

natural hearing level.This should only be used to clean
up a noisy signal when mixing down, as its effect can be
too drastic when recording, causing signal drop outs.

Shut –

when in, the gate is shut so no signal is being

allowed through.

U s i n g t h e M a s t e r F a d e r

The Master Fader is used to match the output level from
the ToneFactory™ to the input level of the next unit in the
chain (such as a DAT recorder or PC sound card).When
setting the output level, always start quietly and increase the
output level until you reach the correct level - do not start

p a g e 7

E n g l i s h

S H E L F / B E L L / F I N E

Normal Mode – Shelf

+18

–18

0 dB

+18

–18

0 dB

Bell Mode

Fine