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POWER INDICATION
The Aphex logo glows green when the unit is on and
ready for use.
CLASS A MIC PRE
The Project Channel works well with all professional
microphones. There is a red LED clip indicator that
will light when too much input signal is overloading
the preamp. When this happens, lower the input gain
knob until the peak LED stops flashing. If the input
gain knob is turned all the way down and the peak
LED is still flashing, you’ll need to engage the -20dB
pad and adjust the input gain knob appropriately.
The clean and stable 48V phantom supply is suitable
for even the most expensive microphones. The 12dB/
octave low cut filter starts at 70Hz. The filter is a
useful tool for removing unwanted low frequencies like
air conditioner hum or street rumble.
OPTICAL COMPRESSOR
The Project Channel includes an optical compressor
which has proven to be outstanding. It is very simple
to use with only an on/off button and ratio control. To
get deeper compression, turn up more Gain. To achieve
more gain reduction, turn up the ratio control. Note
that the units output level may need to be boosted once
the compressor has been used to control the dynamics
of the signal.
TONE ENHANCEMENT BLOCK
This section includes the popular Aphex Big Bottom
and Aural Exciter processors. These features increase
power, punch and presence without adding noise or
an increase in output level. As a real plus, they are also
very easy to adjust.
METERS
Meters are provided for peak output level and the com-
pressor’s gain reduction. The output level bar graph
will move upwards indicating level, and the gain reduc-
tion bar graph will move downwards indicating gain
reduction.
The output level meter is DBFS. It is meant to match
the digital input meter of your DAW when using the S/
PDIF coaxial digital output of the Project Channel with
an audio interface.
OUTPUT CONTROL
Once all processing is set where you want it, the output
level may need to be adjusted. 0dB on the peak meter is
equal to +24dBU for the analog outputs.
DIGITAL AUDIO
The Project Channel supplies an industry standard, coaxial, stereo S/PDIF digital audio output. The signal appears
on both channels as a mono signal. Sample rate options are available at the front panel.
Input gain adjusts
the input level of
both the mic and
instrument level
Lo Cut
Switches on
the 70Hz Low
Cut filter.
DBFS peak
output meter.
Invert polarity
when pressed,
inverts the
polarity
(phase) of the
mic input.
48V
When
pressed,
turns on the
microphone
48V phantom
power.
Red clip
light
indicates
input
clipping.
Compressor
Turns on
the optical
compressor
circuit.
Ratio
Controls
the
amount of
gain reduc-
tion for the
compressor.
Select an
internal
sample
rate with
the SELECT
button.
The GR meter displays the amount
of gain reduction when the com-
pressor is on.
BIG-BOTTOM
FREQ
Adjusts the
frequency
below which
enhancement
takes place.
AURAL
EXCITER
FREQ
Adjusts
frequency
above which
enhancement
takes place.
AURAL
EXCITER
AMOUNT
Adjusts the
strength
(boost) of
the Aural
Exciter
effect.
BB/AX ON
Switches the BB/AX on/
off. Provides full true
bypass of the circuits
when off.
OUTPUT
Adjusts the
final pro-
cessed output
level as seen
on the PEAK
meter.
Rear Panel Connections
S/PDIF
OUTPUT
Coaxial,
75Ohm digital
output.
TRS balanced
1/4” output
switchable
between
-10dBV and
+4dBu.
+4dBu
Balanced XLR
Output.
MIC INPUT
Works with all stan-
dard microphones,
phantom powered
or passive. Phantom
power activated
from front panel.
PAD
When pressed,
turns on the
-20dB input
pad.
BIG-BOTTOM
AMOUNT
Adjusts the
strength
(boost) of the
Big Bottom
effect.
Instrument
input
allows connec-
tion of a guitar
or bass.
1.0 CONTROLS AND INDICATORS
