The enhancer imparts a sense of presence and clarity to all types
of programme material. It does so by analysing a range of upper
mid frequencies and synthesizing musically related harmonics,
which are then added in small quantities to the original signal.
The 'EFFECT' control sets the percentage of harmonics to be
mixed with the original, while 'TUNE' selects the range of upper
mid frequencies used for harmonic synthesis (the part of the
audio spectrum
above
the indicated frequency, will be
processed). 'Q' emphasizes a narrow range of frequencies
around the frequency set by the 'TUNE' control and this can be
used to concentrate processing on a particular band of
frequencies. Using the 'TUNE' and 'Q' controls together allows
the Enhancer to lift out a particular part of a voice or mix.
The 'ON' switch allows comparison between processed and
unprocessed sound (LED lights when the Enhancer is active).
The De-Esser can be used to remove or reduce annoying
sibilance in vocal recordings, such as the "S" or "T" sound. It is
basically a frequency-conscious compressor that compresses
only a narrow range of frequencies rather than the whole
spectrum.
The 'TUNE' control sets the filter to match the "Ess" frequency
and the best way to do this is to press the 'LISTEN' switch (so as
to hear only the output of the filter), then adjust the 'TUNE' control
until the "Ess" is at maximum loudness. The 'DE-ESS' control
sets the amount of gain reduction within the "Ess" band.
The 'ON' switch allows comparison between processed and
unprocessed sound (LED lights when the De-Esser is active) and
the 'DE-ESS' LED lights when gain reduction is taking place.
'OUTPUT GAIN'. This output volume control provides up to 10dB
of gain and also goes right down to nothing, so acting as a fader to
fade a sound out completely.
CONNECTORS
Two outputs are provided, jack and XLR, so you can
simultaneously feed (say) a recorder and a monitor amplifier. The
switch adjacent to the 1/4" jack selects the output operating level
to 4dBu (suits most professional studio equipment) or
-10dBv (suits semi-pro or hi-fi equipment). The XLR output is
4dBu. Check with the handbook for whatever you are
feeding, to find out which level is required.
The XLR output is balanced and wired as follows:
Pin 2: + (hot)
Pin 3: - (cold)
Pin 1: ground
The jack output is balanced and wired as follows:
Tip: + (hot)
Ring: - (cold)
Sleeve: ground
Balanced or Unbalanced
To run the XLR output unbalanced, it will be necessary to ground
pin 3 of the cable connector.
To run the 1/4" jack output unbalanced, just plug in a mono jack
plug. Either way, this increases the gain of the "+" signal by 6dB,
so there is no drop in level compared with balanced gear.
All outputs on all Joemeek "Q
2
" series products are properly
balanced, which is to say there is a signal on both pins! In this way
the maximum possible common-mode rejection of interference,
can be achieved at the receiving end.
The Joemeek Digital Audio Interface provides high quality digital
audio outputs plus the ability to synchronize to an external word
clock. The digital audio outputs are compatible with most digital
recorders, as well as Digital Audio Workstations and mixers.
S/PDIF format is available from the optical and RCA Phono
connectors, while the transformer coupled XLR connector
provides a balanced, AES3 compatible output.
Highly stable onboard master clocks give low-jitter, hi-fi results.
Internal sample rates of 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz or 96kHz are
selected by means of rear panel switches. 44.1kHz is the
standard used for audio CD's, while 48kHz and 96kHz are widely
used in recording studios. In general, the higher the sample rate,
the better the audio fidelity, but the more disk space is required for
the recording. For example, recording at 96kHz requires twice as
much storage as 48kHz. Consult the manual of your recorder or
DAW as to what sample rates it will accommodate.
Alternatively the oneQ
2
may be set to the frequency of an
external master word clock, generated, for example, by the
studio's recorder or DAW. When connected to the BNC socket
provided, a suitable external word clock will be detected
automatically and will override the oneQ
2
's internal word clock.
The front panel LED labelled 'EXT CLK' illuminates when the
oneQ
2
is successfully locked to an external word clock.
To avoid distortion, care should be taken not to overdrive the input
to the Digital Interface. The red LED next to the Output Gain
control is labeled "PEAK FSD" which stands for "Full Scale
Digital". Occasional flashes are OK but if it is on all the time, turn
something down!
Note the Digital Interface is a two-channel device, with channel
one fed by the oneQ
2
's internal circuitry. In order to utilize the
second digital channel, an external analogue input is provided in
the form of a balanced 1/4" jack on the rear panel. In this way both
the output of the oneQ
2
and another analogue source can be fed
into one digital input of a recorder or digital workstation.
Enhancer
Output Stage
Output Stage (Cont'd)
12
Digital Interface
De-Esser