Zahl HM1, Manual

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ZÄHL HM1 MANUAL V 1.0
P. 12 | DETAILS
Cross-fade
The mixing stage can also be used to crossfade two sources. A very musical alternative to the otherwise usual
"hard" switching.
Mixing two sources
And of course this stage is suitable for mixing any two sources. A new programme is created from two music
programmes. This new programme can then not only be listened to in the headphones but is also available at the
line outputs on the back of the unit, which can be used for connecting active speakers and recording units.
This turns the HM1 into a 2-channel stereo mixing console with reference quality.
Also important: If only one channel is used, the mixing stage is not superfluous "ballast". An unused channel is
switched off directly at the input stage and thus cannot negatively influence the signal integrity. This switch-off is
realised via relays and is triggered as soon as a volume control is set to minimum or a channel on/off button is in
the off position
Note
The HM1 volume controls are precision conductive plastic audio potentiometers that have an additional linear taper.
When a volume control is set to the full counterclockwise position, this linear taper provides a control voltage to cut
off the audio signal at a suitable point in the signal path by relays. This provides far better signal attenuation than
would be possible with a potentiometer alone.
Sound Adjustment
This stage is not designed to massively affect the sound. As a rule, all audio gear connected to the HM1 is of
extremely high quality, a classic tone control would not be appropriate.
However, it can be advantageous to make fine, precise adjustments in the frequency response domain,
depending on the headphones, music programme or even personal preference.
Low and high frequency adjustment
The low and high frequency adjustment, each in three fixed steps as boost and cut, is primarily designed for
musical purposes. We have further developed proven circuits from studio technology to achieve a stage which sets
subtle accents rather than changes the sound character. The basis are filters with selected components, of course
all circuits are precisely switched by relays.
Professionals use the functionality, for example, to find out whether a mix is balanced in terms of low and high
frequencies or can still be optimised.