Art TCS Twin User Manual

Twin compressor system

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION – READ FIRST
This symbol, whenever it appears,
alerts you to the presence of uninsulated
dangerous voltage inside the enclosure-voltage
that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock.
Read instructions:
Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference. Heed all warnings printed here and on the equipment.
Follow the operating instructions printed in this user guide.
Do not open:
There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer any service work to qualified technical personnel only.
Power sources:
Connect the unit to mains power only of the type described in this user guide or marked on the rear panel. The power
source must provide a good ground connection.
Power cord:
Use the power cord with sealed mains plug appropriate for your local main supply as provided with the equipment. If the
provided plug does not fit into you outlet consult your service agent. Route the power cord so that it is not likely to be
walked on, stretched or pinched by items placed upon or against.
Grounding:
Do not defeat the grounding and polarization means of the power cord plug. Do not remove or tamper with the ground
connection on the power cord.
Ventilation:
Do not obstruct the ventilation slots or position the unit where the air required for ventilation is impeded. If the unit is to be
operated in a rack, case or other furniture ensure that it is constructed to allow adequate ventilation.
Moisture:
To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock do not expose the unit to rain, moisture or use in damp or wet conditions. Do
not place container of liquid on it, which may spill into any openings.
Heat:
Do not locate the unit in a place close to excessive heat or direct sunlight, as this could be a fire hazard. Locate the unit
away from any equipment, which produces heat such as: power supplies, power amplifiers and heaters.
Environment:
Protect from excessive dirt, dust, heat, and vibration when operating and storing. Avoid tobacco ash, drink spillage and
smoke, especially that associated with smoke machines.
Handling:
To prevent damage to the controls and cosmetics avoid rough handling and excessive vibration. Protect the controls form
damage during transit. Use adequate padding if you need to ship the unit. To avoid injury to yourself or damage to the
equipment take care when lifting, moving or carrying the unit.
Servicing:
Switch off the equipment and unplug the power cord immediately if it is exposed to moisture, spilled liquid, objects fallen
into opening, the power cord or plug becomes damaged during a lightening storm or if smoke odor or noise is noted.
Refer servicing to qualified technical personnel only.
Installation:
Install the unit in accordance with the instruction printed in the user guide.
ART TCS Twin Compressor System
2
This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts
you to important operating and maintenance
instructions in the accompanying literature.
Read manual.

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Summary of Contents for Art TCS Twin

  • Page 1 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION – READ FIRST This symbol, whenever it appears, alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage inside the enclosure-voltage that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock. Read instructions: Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference. Heed all warnings printed here and on the equipment. Follow the operating instructions printed in this user guide.
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    VCA Basics ... 10 Understanding V3 ... 11 V3 Quick Reference Chart ... 13 Common Applications ... 14 Additional Applications ... 16 Warranty Information ... 18 Service ... 19 TCS Specifications ... 20 Contact Information ... 21 The ART TCS...
  • Page 3: Introduction

    With the ART TCS you now have one of the most versatile compression systems on the market. With both VCA and Optical compression underneath the hood of this compressor, and ART’s V3 presets you can...
  • Page 4: Tcs Features

    TCS FEATURES Optical Compression VCA Compression 4 Compression Modes /16 Different V3 settings Controls Per Channel Attack and Release Transient Controls Ratio Control Threshold Control Noise Reduction (Expander/Gate) with Threshold Control, Noise Reduction Tuning Control and Activity light. Bypass Control Tube Insertion Detector Loop V3 settings...
  • Page 5: Installation

    ART TCS Twin Compressor System INSTALLATION The TCS may be used in a wide variety of applications and environments. In a rack-mountable, all-steel enclosure, the unit is designed for continuous professional use. Mounting location is not critical. However, for greater reliability we recommend that you not place the units on top of power amps or other sources of heat.
  • Page 6: Controls And Indicators

    ART TCS Twin Compressor System CONTROLS & INDICATORS 1Power – Switches the unit’s power on and off. 2Instrument Input and Level – The front ¼” jack is intended for instrument level signals and the level control applies from 0 to 30db of gain to the signal.
  • Page 7 ART TCS Twin Compressor System 5Bypass, Tube, Det.Loop Switches – These 3 switches control the channel settings. When depressed, the BYPASS switch completely bypasses the compressor controls, including output level (It should be noted that this is an active bypass, so if the unit is unpowered no signal shall pass through).
  • Page 8: Rear Connections

    ART TCS Twin Compressor System REAR CONNECTIONS 1Rear Input Jacks – The TCS features both ¼ inch and XLR connectors on the back as inputs wired in parallel. The rear input jacks accept line level signals up to +20dBu. The rear inputs of Channel 1 are disconnected whenever the front panel ¼”...
  • Page 9: Operation

    ART TCS Twin Compressor System OPERATION Compression Basics – Compression is an effective way to gently control the dynamics of a signal. The most important setting in your compressor is the threshold. The threshold sets the average signal level, above which the TCS acts on.
  • Page 10: Understanding V3

    might be necessary. If a VCA compressor has one advantage over opto- based compression, it’s speed. VCAs have very quick response time when peaks need to be compressed very rapidly. For these reasons VCAs are especially good in situations that require amplitude protection. Stereo Operation When placed into stereo mode the TCS uses the left channel controls for all of its compression controls (with exception given to the detection loop).
  • Page 11 Manual – this is a general all-purpose setting, which gives you maximum flexibility; it uses a gate for noise reduction. Percussion compression on single instruments such as snare, kick, etc, and includes a gate for noise reduction. Bass – this setting is intended for more aggressive bass sounds and includes a gate for noise reduction.
  • Page 12: V3 Quick Reference Chart

    V3 Quick Reference Chart NAME MODE NICE STACK GUITAR STACK BASS OPTO OPTO MANUAL OPTO VOCAL OPTO CHORAL OPTO LEVEL VOCAL VOCAL MANUAL PERC BASS SUSTAIN STACK NOISE SPEED REDUCTION RANGE GATE Normal EXPANDER Fast EXPANDER Normal EXPANDER Normal GATE Fast GATE Fast...
  • Page 13: Common Applications

    ART TCS Twin Compressor System COMMON APPLICATIONS Setting up the TCS with a mixing console For most compression situations we want to set the TCS in series with the channels it will be processing. Start by first placing an insert cable (¼ inch TRS to 2 ¼...
  • Page 14 ART TCS Twin Compressor System Ducking One example of utilizing the detector loop inserts on your TCS is ducking. With the TCS connected to the source material to be compressed place a line level signal, such as a vocal mic run through a pre amplifier, into the side chain jack on the TCS.
  • Page 15: Additional Applications

    ART TCS Twin Compressor System ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS Setting up the TCS for sustain with a guitar amplifier If your guitar amp has a pre-EQ effects loop you can patch the TCS into it. Otherwise plug your guitar into the instrument input on Channel 1 of the TCS, and increase the instrument level until you’re working with a decent...
  • Page 16 ART TCS Twin Compressor System Setting up the TCS for stereo mastering For bus mastering or stereo mix mastering try placing the TCS in the signal chain after the mixer, or on a subgroup bus. From there try the OPL settings labeled MIX and VOCAL.
  • Page 17: Warranty Information

    ART TCS Twin Compressor System WARRANTY INFORMATION Limited Warranty Applied Research and Technology will provide warranty and service for this unit in accordance with the following warrants: Applied Research and Technology, (A R T) warrants to the original purchaser that this product and the components thereof will be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of three years from the date of purchase.
  • Page 18: Service

    SERVICE The following information is provided in the unlikely event that your unit requires service. 1) Be sure that the unit is the cause of the problem. Check to make sure the unit has the proper power supplied, all cables are connected correctly, and the cables themselves are in working condition.
  • Page 19: Tcs Specifications

    Tube Type Transformer Type Power Requirements ART maintains a policy of constant product improvement. ART reserves the right to make changes in design or make additions to or improvements upon this product without any obligation to install same on products previously manufactured.
  • Page 20: Contact Information

    ART TCS Twin Compressor System Applied Research & Technology 215 Tremont Street Rochester, NY 14608 USA (585) 436-2720 (Tel) (585) 436-3942 (Fax) cserve@artproaudio.com www.artproaudio.com © 2003 Applied Research & Technology - 21 -...

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