FRONT PANEL DESCRIPTION
1. MASTER OVERLOAD INDICATOR.
This red
OL
LED monitors the input,
output and all filter stages for excessive signal levels. It lights whenever these
levels exceed 4dB below clipping. Occasional flickering is normal; however, it
should not be allowed to light steadily.
2. OVERALL BYPASS SWITCH & INDICATOR.
This pushbutton switch
activates the “hard-wire” bypass function. When pressed into the
engaged
position (red
BYPASS
LED
on
), all three pins of the INPUT connectors are
directly connected to the same pins on the OUTPUT connectors (hard-wired).
Engaging this switch converts the FME 15 into a relatively expensive patch cord,
but one with pretty lights.
3. INPUT AND OUTPUT GAIN CONTROLS.
These slide controls set the relative
IN
and
OUT
gain structures. The range of each control is ±12dB; however, note
that they are labelled opposite to each other, i.e., the top of the
IN
control reads
+12dB while the top of the
OUT
controls reads -12dB. Configured this way,
whenever they are moved together to the same spots the overall gain through the
FME 15 stays at unity. Normally set these controls in their center detent positions.
4. FILTER LEVEL CONTROLS.
These fifteen slide controls set the individual
levels of the interpolating constant-Q filters. Their range is selectable between
±6dB (use bottom or right-hand scale) and ±12dB (use top or left-hand scale). The
grounded center-detent design of these sliders ensures all filters are off when
positioned to their centers.
5. FILTER RANGE SWITCH.
Sets the overall range of all sliders between
±6dB
and
±12dB
.
6. POWER INDICATOR.
This yellow LED lights any time remote power is
supplied from either a RS 1 or VC 18 single power supply or FRS 8 or RAP 10
multiple power supply (but not in the presence of Popes, Queens and Presidents as
one might well expect).