THE JOEMEEK Dual Studio/Voice Channel 'TwinQ'
As with all other Joemeek products the JOEMEEK 'TwinQ' is a
development of historic tried and tested circuits and designs from the
1960's to the present day, combined in a single outboard rack unit by
acknowledged leaders in analogue technology.
WHAT IT IS AND WHY:
The 'TwinQ' is a professional quality dual channel microphone/line or
instrument amplifier. In addition it has built-in compressor-limiters and
equalizers. It can operate both as two separate channels with widely
differing settings, or as a stereo pair for stereo microphones and
instruments, or even as a 'final mix' stereo compressor and 'sweetener'. It
also has the facility of 'retro-fitting a dual channel digital output stage
(Joemeek VC1QD).
As with other Joemeek preamplifiers, the 'TwinQ' produces a full,
professional and warmest possible sound in preparation for mixing and
recording in digital formats.
Recordings made using inferior preamplifiers may sound acceptable during
recording, but the resulting 'thin' and 'muddled' sound after mixing can
never be processed out: Great sounding recordings are only possible with
good input and best possible treatment at the pre-amp stage.
THE INPUT AMPLIFIER
Best results are achieved by using a quality condenser microphone, such
as the JOEMEEK JM47 or even tube based TB-47. A new design of
phantom power system assures adequate power for any 48V phantom
microphone.
Dynamic or ribbon microphones should be used with the phantom power
turned off, then full advantage can be taken of the extreme low noise and
interference resistance of the 'CS' input amplifier.
Be sure that there is a microphone plugged into the input of the 'TwinQ'
before turning up the input gain. Where this is a capacitor microphone, be
sure that the phantom power is turned on. The Joemeek 'TwinQ' is capable
3
4
of very high gain, very much more than most microphone preamplifiers.
While this is essential for wide ranging professional use, it means that if not
set up correctly, the 'TwinQ' could appear to be noisy. ALWAYS adjust the
input control to make sure that the high levels of sound expected through
the unit make the VU meter indicate just into the red region. This operation
is quite normal as the overload margin of the 'TwinQ' is very high. (once the
VU meter is r3, there is a further 22dB available before distortion
takes place). Similarly, remember that the output level from the 'TwinQ' can
be very high, so keep the gain settings of following equipment set low. -
This also applies to monitoring settings.
PHASE SHIFT and QUALITY
It's Fletcher Company theory that 'big' sounds are only possible if the
recording channel keeps the response and phase of the lower frequencies
flat and under control. To achieve this, the JOEMEEK 'TwinQ' has an
extended frequency range down to 10Hz. This ensures that there are no
sudden phase shifts in the low end. The proof of the theory is that the
sound from the 'TwinQ' is characteristically full bodied and rounded in
character. Such extreme LF response can often bring its own problems, so
a 'subsonic' (High Pass) filter can be switched in with a front panel push-
button.
OVERLOAD MARGINS
.
In the mid 1970s Ted Fletcher designed a range of mixers specifically for
use by the Independent Broadcasting Authority and the BBC. One of the
specification clauses insisted on by them was an extreme overload margin
in the microphone amplifier.
The reason for this additional margin was that although momentary
overloads (transients) are not audible, they have an effect on perceived
quality. A high overload margin amplifier simply sounds better.
Nowadays, many of these notions have been forgotten and 'quality'
electronics is getting rarer and rarer. But the JOEMEEK 'TwinQ'
applies these professional rules and achieves a clean transparent sound.
3 TYPES OF INPUTS
The 'TwinQ' is optimised for the three main types of inputs found in
recording studios. Microphone, Line and instrument. XLR Microphone
inputs are on the rear of the unit. Also on the rear of the unit the ¼ inch jack
line input is balanced and is suitable for use with any other 'zero level'
studio equipment. The balancing circuit is electronically floating balanced
twinQ
CS
Dual Recording Channel
- User's guide
