Samson TM 500 Owner's Manual page 17

Setting the Correct Gain Structure
k. Repeat step (i) above for each instrument connected to the TM500 mono and stereo
channel line inputs.
l. The procedure for setting optimum microphone levels is virtually identical; sing or
speak into the mic at the level you expect to use in performance while slowly raising the
fader for that channel to its "0" position. Then adjust the Trim control for that channel
while watching the segment meter and channel Peak LED. You should expect that
microphone inputs will require rather more in the way of Trim boost than line inputs.
m. The general idea behind using the internal DSP is to drive it as hot as possible (short
of overloading it) and to then use the Aux Return 2 control to carefully set the amount of
processed signal you want to hear. (Note: When operating the TM500 in a "split mono"
configuration, the Aux Return 2 control determines the amount of processed signal in the
main [left] output and the Rev To Aux 1 Level control determines the amount of
processed signal in the monitor [right] output.) Press in the DSP On/Off switch to
activate the internal DSP and then select Bank 1, Parameter 1 (this is a general small
reverb) for the DSP. Begin by setting the Aux Return 2 control to its "0" (2 o'clock)
position (this can later be adjusted if you want to hear more or less processed signal).
Next, using a channel that has already had its gain structure adjusted in step (i) or (k)
above, play the instrument (or sing into the microphone) connected to that channel while
slowly turning the Aux Send 2 knob for that channel clockwise until you hear the desired
amount of processed signal added to the dry signal. If you hear any distortion, lower the
amount of signal being sent to the DSP by turning that channel's Aux send 2 knob (or
the main Aux Send 2 knob) counterclockwise. For more information, see the "Using the
Aux Sends and Returns" and "Using DSP" sections on pages 20 and 22 in this manual.
n. If you have any outboard signal processors connected to the TM500 Aux send jacks,
follow this step. Because outboard effects processors can sometimes be quite noisy, it's
particularly important to maximize the amount of signal being sent to them via the
Aux Sends. As with the internal DSP, the idea is to drive these devices as hot as
possible (short of overloading them) and then to use the Aux Return level to carefully
adjust the amount of processed signal being blended with the dry signal. To set
optimum Aux Send levels, use a channel that has already had its gain structure adjusted
in step (i) or (k) above. Turn the Aux Send 1 knob for that channel to its "0" (unity gain)
position and then play the instrument (or sing into the microphone) connected to that
channel. Adjust the input levels of connected outboard effects processors so that their
meter shows incoming signal normally in the 0 vu range (with just occasional higher
excursions). Then it's time to optimize the Aux Return level. While continuing to play
your instrument (or continuing to sing into the microphone), slowly raise the Aux Return
level control until you hear the desired amount of processed signal added to the dry
signal. Repeat for any external device connected to the Aux 2 Send jack (which is active
only when the DSP On/Off switch is "off"). For more information, see the "Using the Aux
Sends and Returns" section on page 20 in this manual.
o. The gain structure is now correctly set—you've optimized the level of all signals
coming into and out of the TM500, and the end result will be minimum noise and
distortion and maximum clean sound. You can now connect unity gain devices (such as
compressors, limiters, and noise gates) as needed to the channel and/or main inserts.
You'll now find that the majority of your mixes can be accomplished with most channel
faders at or near their 0 (unity gain) position and that the channel peak LEDs rarely if
ever light (remember, if they do light, it means that something is distorting!). If you need
to make adjustments to the overall level, use the main left/right stereo faders.
If you encounter difficulty with any aspect of setting up or using your TM500, you can call
Samson Technical Support (1-800-372-6766) between 9 AM and 5 PM EST.
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