M Audio Microphone 81602 User Manual

T A M P A M a n u a l  
v e r s io n : Tampa-081602  
Table of Contents  
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2  
Temporal Harmonic Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2  
Dual Optical Servo Compressor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2  
Your TAMPAs Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2  
Front and Rear Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3  
Front Panel Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3  
Rear Panel Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5  
Setup and Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5  
AC power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5  
Connecting Your Tampas Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6  
Power-Up Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8  
Connecting To Your Tampas Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8  
TAMPA Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9  
Setting Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9  
The Input Impedance Selector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11  
Using the Phase Invert Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11  
Using the Low-Cut Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11  
Setting the Compressor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12  
TAMPA Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16  
Preamp Specs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16  
Analog Compressor Specs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16  
Technical Support & Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17  
Your TAMPAs Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18  
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Balanced/unbalanced TRS instrument input  
24-bit digital S/PDIF and AES/EBU output for direct connection to your  
digital recording gear  
20dB gain switch for an amazing maximum system gain of 66dB  
20dB passive output pad switch  
Low-cut switch to eliminate rumble  
Discrete, class A circuitry throughout  
VU-style meters for output level and compression gain reduction  
Clip indicator  
Introduction  
Congratulations on your purchase of the TAMPA, designed and  
manufactured by M-Audio. TAMPA is a professional, single channel  
microphone/instrument preamp unlike any other.Thats because our design  
team set out to discover just why expensive tube technology sounds so  
good, and devise a way to land that sound at affordable solid state prices.  
The result is far beyond tube modeling. Its a whole new technology called  
Temporal Harmonic Alignment™.  
Front and Rear Panel Descriptions  
Temporal Harmonic Alignment  
—the Secret Behind the Sound: In natural sound sources such as strings,  
drum heads and vocal chords, harmonics share a characteristic temporal  
(phase) relationship to the fundamental. Our ears exhibit the same  
qualities. Solid state electronics induce distortion in the form of additional  
harmonics that are out of phase with the original source. Tube-based  
devices strike the ear as having such a “warm” sound because the added  
harmonics have the same temporal relationship as natural mechanisms  
(although predominantly in the midrange).This results in a sweet spot that  
makes vocals, guitars and other midrange-rich content sound especially  
pleasing. TAMPAs revolutionary new Temporal Harmonic Alignment  
technology produces that same phase relationship found in both tubes and  
nature. And unlike tubes, TAMPAs sweet spot spans the full spectrum of  
your sound—from bass to cymbals.  
Figure 1 - TAMPA Front Panel Features  
Front Panel Features  
1. POWER:Turns master power on/off for the unit.  
2. +48V: Provides 48-volt phantom power to the XLR microphone input  
when engaged. Switch to the ON position when using a microphone  
requiring phantom power.  
3. +48V INDICATOR: Lights when +48V switch is engaged to indicate that  
phantom power is on.  
4. MICROPHONE/INSTRUMENT: Neutrix connector accepts both an XLR  
microphone input and a 1/4TRS balanced or TS unbalanced instrument input.  
5. INST/MIC: Switches between instrument and microphone inputs. Set to  
“INST” when using the 1/4” input jack, and set to “MIC” when using the  
XLR input jack.When INST is selected, the XLR input is disabled, and when  
MIC is selected, the 1/4” input is disabled.  
Dual Optical Servo Compressor  
TAMPA also includes a dual optical servo compressor that is worth the  
price alone. Three fundamental problems plague engineers in designing  
compressors—distortion, noise and accuracy.The VCA technology used in  
inexpensive compressors exhibits less than professional specs on all three  
counts. Simple optical servo technology is much more quiet and accurate,  
yet has its own issues with distortion. The dual optical servo technology  
we use in TAMPA yields low noise, consistent accuracy, low distortion and  
exceptional transparency—and it comes built-in to a great mic preamp.  
6. INPUT IMPEDANCE: Allows user to select input impedances of 2400  
ohms, 1200 ohms, 600 ohms or 300 ohms. This is particularly useful in  
conjunction with vintage mics requiring one of these impedances. For many  
modern mics, the recommended setting is 2400 ohms, though the load  
impedance setting is much more critical for vintage mics.  
7. GAIN: Master preamp gain where fully counterclockwise yields minimum  
gain (0db) and fully clockwise delivers maximum gain (34dB).  
8. +20dB: Provides an additional 20dB of preamp gain when engaged.  
Your TAMPA’s Features  
Professional mic/instrument preamp withTemporal Harmonic Alignment  
Built-in dual optical servo compressor  
Balanced phantom-powered XLR mic input with variable impedance for  
optimized performance with vintage mics  
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9. LOW CUT: Rolls off 12dB per octave at 80Hz and below when engaged.  
Use this to avoid rumble from passing traffic, footsteps and so forth.  
10. COMPRESSOR IN/OUT: Engages/disengages the TAMPAs entire  
compressor stage. When disengaged, TAMPAs compressor circuitry is  
removed from the signal path.  
Figure 2 - TAMPA Back Panel Features  
11. COMPRESSOR IN/OUT INDICATOR: Lights when the COMPRESSOR  
IN/OUT switch is set to the “IN” position to indicate that the compressor  
is on and is part of the signal path.  
12. THRESHOLD:Threshold level at which the compressor engages. Range is  
from –20dB to +20dB.  
13. RATIO: Ratio of the input dynamic above the compression threshold to the  
output dynamic above the compression threshold. Range is from 1.1:1 to 10:1.  
14. ATTACK: Controls the amount of time required for the compressor to  
reduce the gain once the threshold level is reached. Range is 1 millisecond  
to 11 milliseconds.  
15. RELEASE: Controls the amount of time it takes the compressor to return to  
normal or zero gain reduction. Range is from 250 milliseconds to 5 seconds.  
16. GAIN REDUCTION METER: Provides metering (in decibels) of the  
gain reduction resulting from compression, where 0 VU represents  
zero gain reduction.  
17. OUTPUT METER: Provides metering (in decibels) ofTAMPAs overall output  
level (prior to the 20dB PAD), where 0VU represents +26dBu.This meter is  
unaffected by the 20dB PAD switch. Note that this is a `quasi-peak type’  
meter whose ballistics respond with approximately the same dynamics as the  
human ear.  
18. CLIP: Indicator illuminates when output signal reaches +26dBu (approx.  
0VU on OUTPUT METER).This is equivalent to approximately 4dB below  
the digital clipping level of 30.5dBu.  
Rear Panel Features  
1. S/PDIF OUTPUT: Outputs a mono 24-bit S/PDIF signal on both left and  
right channels at the sample rate specified by the SAMPLE RATE selector.  
This female coaxial RCA jack accepts a digital coaxial cable with a male RCA  
plug, and connects to external gear that will receive a S/PDIF digital signal.  
2. AES/EBU OUTPUT: Outputs a mono 24-bit AES/EBU signal on both left  
and right channels at the sample rate specified by the SAMPLE RATE  
selector. This male XLR jack accepts a digital coaxial cable with a female  
XLR plug, and connects to external gear that will receive an AES/EBU  
digital signal.  
3. BALANCED/UNBALANCED 1/4” TRS OUTPUT: Outputs a balanced  
analog line-level signal when using a 1/4TRS plug, or an unbalanced analog  
line-level signal when using a 1/4” TS plug.  
4. BALANCED XLR OUTPUT: Outputs a balanced analog line-level signal on  
a male XLR jack, and accepts a standard audio cable with a female XLR  
plug. Pin 2 is positive. (You should verify that other equipment you are  
connecting is also wired with pin 2 positive.)  
19. PHASE:Reverses the phase ofTAMPAs output.The INVERT position forces  
TAMPAs analog audio output to be 180 degrees out of phase from the  
input, where the NORM position leaves the analog output in phase with  
the input. NOTE: Digital output is always in phase with the input.  
20. 20dB PAD: When engaged, attenuates TAMPAs analog output by 20dB—  
useful in avoiding the overload of subsequent equipment in the sound  
chain. The 20dB pad will also allow you increase the gain on the TAMPA  
preamp and force the signal into an area of greater soft-clipping/tube  
emulation.The 20dB PAD appears in the TAMPA circuit after the OUTPUT  
LEVEL METER. NOTE: Digital output level is not affected by the 20dB pad.  
21. SAMPLE RATE:Adjusts the sample rate ofTAMPAs digital outputs to match  
the sampling rate of the digital gear TAMPA is feeding. Settings are 44.1kHz,  
48kHz, 88.2kHz and 96kHz.  
5. 12VAC: Power connector for TAMPAs external power supply.  
(WARNING: Do not use any power supply other than the model that  
shipped with your TAMPA, as damage to your equipment may result.)  
Setup and Connection  
Connecting TAMPA to your equipment is simple.  
AC power  
To route AC power to TAMPA, connect the external power supply  
that comes with TAMPA between the 12VAC jack on the rear panel  
and AC power.  
WARNING: Do not use any other power supply than the model that  
shipped with your TAMPA, as damage to your equipment may result.  
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Connecting Your Tampa’s Outputs  
Figure 4 - TAMPA to Mixer Line Input (XLR Out)  
The TAMPA is a microphone and instrument preamplifier, outputting a line-  
level analog and/or digital signal. It may be connected to a variety of  
devices, such as the line input to a computer sound card and other types  
of recording equipment, the line inputs of a mixing console, or the digital  
inputs of a sound card or D/A converter.  
NOTE: The balanced configuration will yield 6dB more level than the  
unbalanced configuration.  
To output to analog equipm ent:  
Connect either the 1/4” or XLR OUTPUT on TAMPAs rear panel to your  
mixing console, recorder or other line-level device. Using an XLR or 1/4”TRS  
connector will result in a balanced output,while a 1/4TS connector will yield  
an unbalanced output. (Balanced cables help insure a cleaner signal—use  
balanced cabling when possible.)  
To output to digital equipm ent:  
1. Connect either the S/PDIF OUTPUT or AES/EBU OUTPUT to your sound  
card, digital recorder or other digital device using an analogous connector  
and a good quality digital cable.  
2. Use the SAMPLE RATE knob to select the sample rate matching that of the  
destination device. Set the destination device to receive its sampling clock  
source from an “external device.”  
Figure 3 - TAMPA to Analog Sound Card (1/4" Out)  
CAUTION: While connected to digital equipment, disconnect any  
unbalanced analog output connectors in order to insure optimal  
digital performance.  
(break-out box)  
Figure 5 - TAMPA to Digital Sound Card (SPDIF Out)  
1/4" output may be used with  
TRS or TR cable for  
balanced or unbalanced output  
Note: AES/EBU may also be used to output digital signal  
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Power-Up Procedure  
TAMPA Controls  
Setting Levels  
Normal power-up procedure would be to turn on the TAMPA first, and  
then the rest of the gear in the signal chain, with power amps or powered  
speakers being last.  
TAMPA has the ability to provide a massive 66dB of gain. Due to TAMPAs  
Temporal Harmonic Alignment technology, higher overall levels (also called  
“soft clipping”) bring increased levels of harmonics that commonly  
translate to the ear as greater warmth. Still, the signal level at the line input  
of the device receiving the TAMPAs output signal will ultimately be the  
determining factor in where you set TAMPAs gain controls.  
1. Turn off or turn down the volume on your monitors and/or the other gear  
that receives a signal from TAMPA.  
2. Turn the GAIN control on TAMPA all the way down.  
3. Set the POWER switch to the “POWER” position. The VU meters will  
illuminate to indicate that power is on.  
4. Turn on or turn up each successive piece of gear that your TAMPA is  
connected to in the signal chain.  
Since setting levels on the TAMPA may include the use of the Compressor  
section as well as the OUTPUT PAD switch, please refer to the sections,  
“Setting the Compressor” and “Using the Output Pad” for more  
information.  
Note: It is highly recommended to turn down the volume on your  
monitors and/or other gear that receives a signal from TAMPA before  
turning TAMPA on or off or making connections.  
To set the signal level:  
1. Make certain that the +20dB switch is set to the OFF position.  
2. If you are using analog outputs, make certain that the 20dB PAD is set to  
the OUT position.  
Connecting To Your Tampa’s Inputs  
3. While supplying a representative signal to the input source, slowly rotate the  
GAIN control clockwise until the OUTPUT meter begins to register a  
change in level. If you have rotated the GAIN control completely clockwise  
and are still not showing a level on the OUTPUT meter,then reset the GAIN  
control to the minimum position, engage the +20dB switch and slowly rotate  
the GAIN control clockwise until the OUTPUT METER registers.  
Instrum ent Input:  
1. Connect the instrument to TAMPAs MICROPHONE/INSTRUMENT  
INPUT using either a 1/4” TRS balanced or TS unbalanced cable.  
2. Switch the INST/MIC switch to the INST position.  
Microphone Input:  
NOTE: At this time, you may want to begin to examine the signal level  
showing up at the receiving device that the TAMPA is connected to.  
It is not unusual for the TAMPA to register a relatively low level on  
its output meter, while the receiving device is showing sufficient level  
for recording or other purposes.  
1. With the GAIN knob on the TAMPA turned fully counterclockwise,  
connect the microphone to TAMPAs MICROPHONE/INSTRUMENT  
INPUT using a cable with a standard XLR male connector.  
2. Switch the INST/MIC switch to the MIC position. If your microphone  
requires phantom power, flip the +48V switch to the +48V position.  
3. Use the GAIN knob to apply the microphones output signal to theTAMPA input.  
4. While testing the microphone, experiment with different INPUT  
IMPEDANCE settings to find the best combination of signal level and  
tonality for a given microphone. Experimentation is required because there  
is no standard impedance across mics, or even standard methodology of  
load balancing. Vintage mics and many modern tube mics typically work  
best when loaded with a matching impedance, so set the INPUT  
IMPEDANCE selector as closely as possible to the impedance spec of the  
mic. On the other hand, start with the 2400 setting for modern solid-state  
condenser mics because most are intended for connection to higher  
impedance loads (even though they might have low impedance specs).  
Again, we recommend experimentation because the only rule of thumb is  
to use the setting that produces the best sound.  
4. Experiment with GAIN control while continuing to provide  
a
representative source signal. Technically, you want to find a high GAIN  
meter reading without triggering the CLIP indicator. Since the threshold for  
the CLIP indicator is 4dB below digital clip, however, you may still have  
plenty of headroom available. Here again, you must use your ears to find  
the setting that sounds best.  
5. If possible, adjust the input stage of the mixer, recording gear or other  
devices that are connected to TAMPAs output in order to get an optimal  
signal. (Possible external device adjustments include operating level, trims,  
faders and pads.) If TAMPAs GAIN adjustment is the only level adjustment  
in your signal chain, then adjust it according to the desired level on the  
device receiving the TAMPAs signal.  
NOTE: If you find that TAMPA’s digital output is lower than desirable  
when compression is engaged, try summing the identical left and  
right digital outputs together. You’ll get 6dB more overall level and  
3dB greater signal-to-noise ratio.  
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About Soft Clipping and the 20dB Pad Switch:  
Feel free to experiment with this feature. It may be something that you  
choose to use with one instrument or mic and not another. Its up to you  
and your particular taste and needs.  
Soft clipping (often referred to as tube saturation in tube gear) is often  
desirable to add the perception of warmth to a recording.TAMPA exhibits  
a gradual soft clipping characteristic, where distortion increases with signal  
level.This distortion exhibits a non-linear curve as shown.  
NOTE: The 20dB PAD only affects the analog output circuitry.  
Engaging the pad will have no affect on the signal at the digital  
outputs—in the digital domain, the only way to avoid soft clipping  
is by running at lower signal levels.  
The Input Impedance Selector  
On some microphones, such as vintage or tube mics, you will want to  
match the TAMPAs input impedance to the output impedance of the  
microphone. On others, such as modern solid-state FET mics, the input  
impedance can be set to 10x the microphones output impedance or more.  
TAMPAs Input Impedance selector is designed to optimize performance  
with different microphones.  
For vintage (older tube or ribbon mics) or modern tube mics, check the  
output impedance listed in the microphones documentation, then set the  
INPUT IMPEDANCE selector to the closest setting. If in doubt, try the 300  
Ohm or 600 Ohm setting.  
For a FET mic (solid-state), start with the 2400 Ohm setting. For any mic,  
some experimentation might be in order.You may achieve varied results  
from alternate impedance settings, and the effect that you hear in tonal  
quality may be a desirable one.  
Soft clipping is tied to the internal signal level —a function of input level  
and gain.The OUTPUT LEVEL METER shows the internal signal level and  
is therefore a good indicator of soft clipping. In general, the more the  
OUTPUT LEVEL METER moves, the more soft clipping is present. The  
20dB PAD reduces the output level without changing the internal level.  
Engaging the 20dB PAD switch (thereby attenuating the analog output  
signal) allows you to drive the internal signal level higher, without  
overloading outboard gear and producing a warmer sound (for a more  
neutral sound, leave the 20dB PAD turned off.)  
Using the Phase Invert Switch  
When a single microphone is in use, phase will rarely be a consideration and  
the PHASE switch should remain in the NORMAL position.When multiple  
microphones are in use, the positioning and acoustic relationship of the  
mics and the room can cause phase problems resulting in loss of level and  
tonality.This often manifests as an atypical “thin” or “hollow” sound. In this  
event, try switching the phase of one of the microphone preamps.  
By engaging the 20dB PAD switch, you are allowed to increase the preamp  
GAIN knob setting, thereby bringing out the TAMPAs soft-clipping”  
characteristic. The higher the gain from the preamp, the more that soft-  
clipping will occur (up until the point of actual clipping). Increasing the  
amount of soft-clipping will give you a sound similar to what is known as  
“tube saturation,which is what occurs when increased signal levels are  
used in a tube-type preamp.This feature is unique to the TAMPA preamp  
and gives you emulation of tube warmth across the full frequency  
spectrum, at your discretion and complete control.  
To change the phase of TAMPAs output by 180 degrees, set the PHASE  
switch to the INVERT position. If the sound does not improve significantly,  
return the PHASE switch to the NORMAL position and look elsewhere  
for the cause.  
Using the Low-Cut Filter  
Unwanted low frequencies can sometimes be a problem when recording  
with a microphone. Moderate soundproofing, for example, tends to absorb  
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high frequencies more than the low frequencies produced by passing traffic  
or overhead jets. Low frequencies can also be prominently produced when  
someone bumps a mic stand or taps their feet.TAMPA has a built-in low  
cut filter that rolls off frequencies of 80Hz and below at 12dB/octave.While  
this can be instrumental in preventing unwanted rumble and other low  
frequencies from being recorded or amplified, it should be used with  
caution since some instruments and voices produce frequencies that fall  
below 80Hz.  
after the signal passes the threshold setting. In general, ideal attack time  
settings are a function of the type of instrument and inherent transients.  
For instruments like string and bass that exhibit slower attack, a slower  
attack time setting is usually best. Similarly, instruments such as snare  
drums exhibiting fast transients typically benefit from faster attack times.  
The release time controls how long it takes the signal to return from a  
state of gain reduction to a normal state of zero gain reduction. Longer  
release times tend to produce a smoother, more transparent compressor  
action, especially with low-frequency content such as bass guitar. Exact  
settings will be determining partially by the genre and tempo of the source  
signal, as well and how the instrument is played.  
To engage TAMPAs low-cut filter, set the LOW CUT switch to the LOW  
CUT position.  
NOTE: Some microphones have their own low cut switches. Be certain  
to use this feature on either the mic or the preamp, not both.  
To set TAMPAs compressor:  
1. Start with the COMPRESSOR IN/OUT switch set to the OUT position.  
2. Use the steps outlined under “Setting Levels” to achieve a good sound and  
output level.  
Setting the Compressor  
While the philosophy behind compressors is pretty straightforward, the  
process of finding the actual settings that work best varies from situation  
to situation and from ear to ear. A little compression can make the ideal  
difference in the dynamics of a track, where too much compression can  
suck the life out of a performance.  
3. Set the COMPRESSOR IN/OUT switch to the IN position, wih all  
compressor controls set fully counterclockwise. The COMPRESSOR IN  
INDICATOR will light to show that the compressor is engaged.  
4. Start by determining the approximate compression ratio for the desired  
result. Adjust the RATIO and the THRESHOLD to achieve the desired  
amount of gain reduction.TAMPAs GAIN REDUCTIONVU meter is useful  
in confirming what your ears are hearing by dynamically displaying the  
amount of gain reduction. For transparent compression, try to have loud  
passages incur a maximum gain reduction of about -3dB to -6db, while  
insuring that softer passages incur no reduction.  
5. Set the ATTACK and DECAY times to taste. 5ms and 1 second are good  
respective starting points.  
6. Continue to adjust all controls until you achieve the desired result. This  
may include the adjustment of the preamp gain controls, including the  
GAIN knob, +20dB gain boost, and the 20dB PAD.  
In general, the ideal is to record the hottest level possible without distorting  
or clipping, as this results in the greatest signal level in relation to the noise  
floor on your recording media. Many sound sources, such as the human  
voice, can vary significantly in level during the course of a performance. Even  
when the situation is not that severe, it is often desirable to lessen or  
“compress” the difference between the extremes in dynamics.Thats where  
compressors come in—automatic dynamic range reduction.  
The threshold setting determines the point in the compressors output  
level above which the compressor will engage. The compression ratio is  
expressed as the relationship of the signal level passing the threshold to  
that of the output level. For example, at a 2:1 ratio, for every 2dB of signal  
level over the threshold, the output is 1dB of signal level over the  
threshold. At a 4:1 ratio, for every 4dB of signal level over the threshold,  
the output is 1dB of signal level over the threshold. The higher the  
compression ratio, the more uniform the signal level is once the threshold  
is reached. In general, a lower compression ratio (4:1 and under) is fairly  
transparent.At 6:1 and over, compression may tend to become an audible  
effect.This may not be the desired result for a vocal performance, but may  
work well for a lead guitar track.  
As with many things in the audio realm, experimentation is required due  
to the differences between instruments, performance styles, microphones,  
recording environments and production styles. Remember to test dynamic  
extremes in the source material when setting the compressor. Keep in  
mind that the compressor is also responding to the signal level it gets from  
TAMPAs input gain stage.  
The next page lists some typical settings for compressor use and is a good  
place to start in your experimentation.  
The attack time determines how long it takes for compression to engage  
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Electric Guitar and Bass (Sustaining)  
Typical Settings  
Threshold: Set to realize -10dB or greater of consistent gain reduction  
Ratio: 10:1  
Attack: Medium  
Release: Very long  
Following are some starting points for different types of compression  
applications. As with many things in the audio realm, experimentation is  
required due to the differences between instruments, performers, style,  
microphones, recording environments and production styles. Remember  
to test dynamic extremes in the source material when setting the  
compressor.Also keep in mind that the compressor is also responding to  
the signal level it gets from TAMPAs input gain stage.  
Snare (Fat)  
Threshold: Set to realize –6dB gain reduction consistently  
Ratio: 6:1  
Attack: Fast  
Release: Medium  
Typical Vocals (Transparent)  
Threshold: Set to realize approx. 3dB of gain reduction on loudest passages  
Ratio: 2:1 to 6:1 (depending on how dynamic the vocalist is)  
Kick Drum (Slap)  
Attack: Fast  
Release: Medium  
Threshold: Set to realize –6dB gain reduction consistently  
Ratio: 6:1  
Attack: Medium fast  
Release: Medium fast  
Acoustic Guitar (Transparent)  
Threshold: Set to realize approx. 3dB of gain reduction on loudest passages  
Ratio: 2:1 to 4:1  
Attack: Medium  
Release: Medium (longer for guitars that are boomier)  
Acoustic Guitar (Maximum Presence)  
Threshold: Set to realize extreme gain reduction  
Ratio: 10:1  
Attack: Fast  
Release: Slow  
Electric Guitar (Compressed Effect)  
Threshold: Set to realize extreme gain reduction  
Ratio: 10:1  
Attack: Fast  
Release: Very slow  
Electric Bass (Transparent)  
Threshold: Set to realize 1 to 2dB of gain reduction on loudest passages  
Ratio: 2:1  
Attack: Medium  
Release: Slow  
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TAMPA Specifications  
Technical Support & Contact Information  
For additonal help, contact M-Audio Technical Support by telephone  
(626-445-7556, 9-5 PST M-F), by fax (626-445-8407) or by e-mail  
Preamp Specs  
Mic input:XLR with variable impedance loading (2400/1200/600/300 ohms)  
Instrument input (TRS): 200K balanced / 100K unbalanced  
Digital outputs:AES/EBU and S/PDIF 24-bit mono (44.1/48/88.2/96kHz)  
Continuously variable gain: 34dB  
Low-cut switch: -12dB / octave below 80Hz  
System gain (balanced in/out): 12dB to 46dB (20dB gain switch off; 32dB  
to 66dB (20dB gain switch on)  
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about this product, or  
any M-Audio product, we invite you to contact us directly by using the  
following information:  
M-AUDIO U.S.  
45 E. Saint Joseph St.  
Arcadia, CA 91006-2861  
U.S.A.  
Maximum analog output at soft clip:+30dBu (balanced);+24dBu (unbalanced)  
Output impedance: 600 ohms  
Digital clip level: +30.5dBu  
Discrete Class A circuitry throughout the audio path  
Frequency response: 20Hz to 40KHz (+/- 0.25dB)  
Distortion: Increases with level until soft-clip occurs (0.5% max at 10  
VAC balanced out)  
Sales Information:  
Sales Information (email):  
Tech Support:  
626-445-2842  
info@m-audio.com  
626-445-8495  
Tech Support (email):  
Fax:  
techsupt@m-audio.com  
626-445-7564  
Internet Home Page:  
M-AUDIO U.K.  
Unit 5, Saracen Industrial Park  
Mark Rd.  
Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 7BJ  
England  
Signal-to-noise: 110dB;“A” weighted (gain set to minimum)  
EIA noise rating: -127dBm; 600 ohms (gain set to maximum)  
VU meter: Registers 0 VU at +26dBu  
Sales Information:  
Sales Information (email):  
Technical Support:  
Technical Support (email):  
Fax:  
44 (0)144 241 6590  
info@maudio.co.uk  
44 (0)871 717 7102  
richard@maudio.freeserve.co.uk  
44 (0)144 224 6832  
Clip indicator: Lights at 4dBu below digital clip  
Analog Compressor Specs  
Internet Home Page:  
M-AUDIO Deutschland (Germany)  
Kuhallmand 34  
D-74613 Ohringen  
Compression type: Dual passive optical attenuator; servo controlled,  
peak responding  
Gain reduction: 20dB minimum  
Threshold: Continuously adjustable from –20dBu to +20dBu  
Compression ratio: Continuously adjustable from 1.1/1 to 10/1  
Attack time: Continuously adjustable from 1ms to 11ms (scale is in  
time constants)  
Release time: Continuously adjustable from 250ms to 5 seconds (scale  
is in time constants)  
Germany  
Sales Information:  
Sales Information (email):  
Technical Support:  
Technical Support (email):  
Fax:  
07941 98 7000  
info@m-audio.de  
07941 98 70030  
support@m-audio.de  
07941 98 70070  
Internet Home Page:  
M-AUDIO Canada  
1400 St. Jean-Baptiste Ave., #150  
Quebec City, QC G2E 5B7  
Canada  
Headroom: 30dB (20dB gain switch on); 24dB (20dB gain switch off)  
VU meter: Registers 0 VU at zero gain reduction  
Tel:  
Fax:  
Email:  
(418) 872-0444  
(418) 872-0034  
midimancanada@m-audio.com  
Internet Home Page:  
M-AUDIO Japan  
2-10-11 Marunouchi  
Naka-Ku, Nagoya 460-0002  
Japan  
Tel:  
81-52-218-3375  
Fax:  
81-52-218-0875  
info@m-audio.co.jp  
Tested to  
comply  
with FCC  
Standards  
Internet Home Page:  
Email:  
For Home or Studio Use  
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Your TAMPA’s Warranty  
Notes:  
M-AUDIO warrants this product, under normal use, to be free of defects  
in materials and workmanship for a period of One (1) Year from date of  
purchase, so long as: the product is owned by the original purchaser, with  
proof of purchase from an authorized M-AUDIO dealer and, the product  
has been registered to the original purchaser, the purchaser having  
returned to M-AUDIO the completed product warranty card. This  
warranty explicitly excludes power supplies and included cables which may  
become defective as a result of normal wear and tear.  
In the event that M-AUDIO receives, from an original purchaser and within  
the warranty coverage period, written notice of defects in materials or  
workmanship, M-AUDIO will either replace the product, repair the  
product, or refund the purchase price at its option. In the event repair is  
required, shipment to and from M-AUDIO and possible nominal handling  
charges shall be born by the purchaser. In the event that repair is required,  
a Return Authorization number must be obtained from M-AUDIO. After  
this number is obtained, the unit should be shipped back to M-AUDIO in  
a protective package with a description of the problem and the Return  
Authorization clearly written on the package.  
In the event that M-AUDIO determines that the product requires repair  
because of user misuse or regular wear, it will assess a fair repair or  
replacement fee. The customer will have the option to pay this fee and  
have the unit repaired and returned, or not pay this fee and have the unit  
returned un-repaired.  
The remedy for breach of this limited warranty shall not include any other  
damages. M-AUDIO will not be liable for consequential, special, indirect, or  
similar damages or claims including loss of profit or any other commercial  
damage, even if its agents have been advised of the possibility of such  
damages, and in no event will M-AUDIO's liability for any damages to the  
purchaser or any other person exceed the price paid for the product,  
regardless of any form of the claim. M-AUDIO specifically disclaims all  
other warranties, expressed or implied. Specifically, M-AUDIO makes no  
warranty that the product is fit for any particular purpose.  
This warranty shall be construed, interpreted, and governed by the laws of  
the state of California. If any provision of this warranty is found void, invalid  
or unenforceable, it will not affect the validity of the balance of the  
warranty, which shall remain valid and enforceable according to its terms.  
In the event any remedy hereunder is determined to have failed of its  
essential purpose, all limitations of liability and exclusion of damages set  
forth herein shall remain in full force and effect.  
Tampa-0813002  
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