Microphone Input Mode; Line Input Mode - AEA rpq500 Owner's Manual

Microphone Input Mode

The Mic Gain control (ref. #10) provides +13dB to +62dB of gain for
the preamplifier input stage. The Output Level control (ref. #11) adds
another +19dB of output gain, following the optional CurveShaper™
circuitry, for a total of +81dB of gain.
Start with the Mic Gain control (ref. #10) fully counterclockwise and
the Output Level control (ref. #11) pointing one tick below the +6dB
indicator. This is the unity position on the Output Level control. Then,
with the microphone in position, increase the Mic Gain control until you
are happy with the input level in your DAW, console, or tape machine.
On the RPQ500, if the red LED is illuminated too often or too long,
reduce the Mic Gain control one step at a time until it illuminates only
briefly at the loudest peaks. The red LED is only triggered when the
input level is 4dB or less away from clipping the preamp's output. If the
red LED occasionally flashes while recording, it does not necessarily
mean that the preamp is clipping.
Note, however, that if you subsequently apply high-frequency (HF)
boost, you may need to reduce the Mic Gain control correspondingly to
avoid system overload.
Also remember, the energy and excitement generated during a
performance guarantees that it will always be louder than the rehearsal,
so after determining the gain during the sound-check it is a good idea to
set the Mic Gain control one or two clicks lower for the performance to
allow yet a little more margin for headroom.

Line Input Mode

When using the Line Input mode, the Mic Gain control (ref. #10) is
bypassed. The Output Level control (ref. #11) allows you to control
the overall level of the Line source. The Output Level control can apply
up to +19dB of gain in the full clockwise position or can attenuate the
signal as much as -60dB just like a fader on a console.
If you subsequently apply HF boost, you may need to reduce the Output
Level control correspondingly to avoid system overload.
Again, the LED level indicators (ref. #1) monitor the signal level at a
point in the signal path just prior to the input of the balanced output
amplifier. The green LED comes on in the presence of low-level signal;
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