Analog Output; Headphone Out; Application Notes; Adjusting Push-It - Apogee Mini-Me Owner's Manual

Analog Output

Headphone Out: The headphone section of the Mini•Me is designed to offer flexible monitoring of the record-
ing process. This output is a 1/8 inch mini headphone jack on the rear panel. You have the ability to monitor the
analog inputs (before A/D conversion), the USB Audio return from the computer, or a mix of both signals.
To monitor the inputs, turn the "Mix" knob on the front panel fully counter clockwise to the "Direct" posi-
tion. To monitor the USB Audio return from the computer, turn the knob fully clockwise to the "USB" position.
This knob is designed to blend the two signals together in order to mix direct and USB signals for the head-
phone monitor output.
Another useful feature of the headphone monitoring section is the ability to switch the direct audio signal
output from a stereo to a mono signal. To toggle between mono and stereo, simply push in and release the
"Mix" knob. It is handy to use the mono setting when monitoring the direct signal of one channel, as it allows
the signal to play from both left and right sides of the headphones. This mono setting only affects the direct
audio signal feeding the headphone outputs; the digital outputs and USB I/O are not affected.
The volume for the headphone output is the knob labeled "Mon" on the far right of the front panel.
The following adjustments require the removal of the top panel of the Mini•Me. Unscrew and remove the upper
pair of hex bolts from the front and rear panels and lift the cover off vertically to expose the main circuit board
asembly.

Adjusting Push-IT

The ratios for the compressors in the PushIT circuit are user adjustable. There are two small trim pots on the
main circuit board in positions R165 and R166 (see picture below for detail of location). You'll notice that R166
is labeled "Preset 2" and R165 is labeled "Preset 3". The "Preset 2" trim pot adjusts the settings for curve "2"
compressor circuit while the "Preset 3" trim pot adjusts the settings for curve "3".
With these trim pots, you can adjust the ratio from 1:1 to 1:3. Each trim pot has the same range; the differ-
ence between the two compressors is in the time constant. With the trim pot turned counter clockwise all the
way, the compressor ratio is 1:1 – essentially turned off. With the trim pot set all the way clockwise, the ratio is
1:3.

Adjusting the Microphone Preamp Gain Structure

The Mini-Me includes sets of internal jumpers that adjust the gain structure of the microphone preamp (line
and instrument inputs are not affected). The standard setting allows for maximum gain – permitting the use of
low-output microphones such as ribbon types, or recording very quiet sounds; while the lower-gain setting min-
imizes the chances of overloading the mic input stage in very high sound pressure levels – for example while
Mini•Me User's Guide

Application Notes

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