Using The Filters; Using The Opto Compressor; Using The Tone Controller - Focusrite ToneFactory User Manual

is used to provide phantom power to microphones
+48V –
that need it (such as condenser mics). If you are not sure
whether your microphone requires phantom power,
refer to its handbook.

Using the Filters

The Filters can be used to modify the sound of the signal
coming through the unit, or to modify how the gate
works.When used on the sound, the filters remove
unwanted bass or treble.When used with the gate, the
filters remove bass or treble from the signal that is fed to
the gate, so giving frequency-selective gating (for example,
to get rid of bleed from the bass drum).
when lit, switches the filters into the audio path.
To Audio –
when in, switches the filters to the gate.When
To Gate –
using the filters with the gate, you can use the To Audio
button to temporarily switch the filters into the audio
path; this lets you monitor the signal that is being sent to
the gate, so you can adjust the filters to remove
unwanted parts of the signal, and just leave the
instrument you wish to gate.
removes unwanted bass from the sound.The low
Low –
filter has a gentle effect, so you can use it to tailor the
bass without cutting it completely.
removes unwanted treble from the sound.The high
High –
filter is more aggressive than the low filter, to cut noise
and harshness, though its design lets you cut high
frequencies without making the resulting signal sound
dull (this is particularly good for acoustic guitars).
when in, the Low filter removes all frequencies
Corrective –
below the selected frequency, and the High filter
removes all frequencies above the selected frequency.
Using the Opto-Compressor
The Opto-Compressor acts like an automatic volume
control, turning down the volume of a signal if it gets too
loud. It reduces variation between loud and quiet passages,
as it automatically reduces the gain when the signal gets
louder than a certain volume (threshold).Therefore, it tends
to even out a performance, stopping the instrument getting
very loud or very quiet in the mix.
I when lit, switches on the Opto-Compressor.
n –
determines when the Opto-Compressor starts
Threshold –
to compress the signal - the lower the threshold, the
more the signal is compressed. By setting a threshold, you
compress the signal only when it is louder than the
threshold, so that quieter passages maintain their natural
dynamic range, and only loud passages (that go above
the threshold) are compressed.
displays the amount of compression applied to the
Meter –
signal. Since compression reduces the volume of the
signal, the meter drops as compression is applied: for
example, a 9 dB drop shows as 9 on the meter.
sets the output volume of the compressed signal.
Output –
Since compressing a signal makes it quieter, use the
Output control to restore the signal to its original
volume. Compare the volume of the original and the
compressed signal by using the In switch to switch the
Opto-Compressor on and off.
sets the overall loudness.The faster the release, the
Release –
louder the signal appears to be.
when in, compresses the initial attack of a signal (for
Fast –
example, use Fast to get rid of the initial pluck of a
guitar string).This sort of compression tends to be more
noticeable than when the Fast button is not used. For a
punchy sound, do not use the Fast button.
when in, gives a very flat, compressed sound.
Hard Ratio –
Do not use the Hard Ratio button if you want to
maintain some of the original dynamics.

Using the Tone Controller

The Tone Controller is used to set the overall tone of the
signal, and to add any overdrive to it.
when lit, switches on the Tone Controller.
In –
provide standard tone controls, as you
Bass, Middle, Treble –
would find on any instrument amplifier.
when in, the Treble control acts on slightly lower
Hi-Mid –
frequencies, so is less aggressive.This gives you more
control over the tone of a guitar.
E n g l i s h
page 6