THE SOUND SWITCH
The "sound" switch changes the amplifier type in the Flamingo. This alternative
amplifier creates a different sound. In the "Fat" mode Flamingo has a much
higher level of second and third harmonic distortion than in the non fat setting. The
amount of color heard will depend on the type of signal and the operating level. With some
material the change will be heard with the flip of the switch: and with other material
more listening may be required. Hearing a color change may take time and some ear
training. With the second harmonic being an octave it can have small or great effect
depending on the purity of the sound. For example, it will be easier to hear second
harmonic distortion on a flute than on a guitar chord. The main use of the sound switch is
to fatten, thicken and warm up sound. If the idea of distortion seems a bit scary,
remember that the reason two different amplifiers with the same frequency response sound
different is because of their distortion characteristics. With careful circuit design we
have created distortion that sound pleasing. The types of distortion that the
"fat" setting generates are similar to the distortion that tubes generate.
The sound switch is very useful on vocals, bass, drums, and any other instrument that
could benefit from a richer sound. Vocal arrangements may require a thicker sound on some
parts but not on others. As an example; using the fat sound for the lead line an the
harmonies, but not on the high vocal line can help separate the parts in a vocal mix
comprised of a lead vocal, vocal harmonies, and a high answer/echo line.
A trick that can be tried in order to get more color is to turn up the gain switch by 6
db, and attenuate the output by 6 db. The higher signal level in the fat amplifier will
result in more harmonic content being generated. This same idea holds true with the iron
amplifier.
Note that the sound switch changes both channels. An audible pop may be heard when the
switch is flipped. This occurs because a different amplifier is being switched into the
audio path. Be aware that flipping this switch during a recording take is not advised. At
any other time the audible pop is merely a momentary nuisance. Changing the circuit to
eliminate the pop would compromise the audio path.
THE IRON SWITCH
"Iron" has a different distortion characteristic than an amplifier. Iron will
distort low frequencies and not higher frequencies. The amount of iron in the component
will determine how much signal level at a specific frequency that the component can handle
before it's distortion levels start rising. This means that a signal level which will
produce 5% distortion at 40Hz, may only produce a distortion level of .5% at 120 Hz. In
recording a bass, for example, the distortion would be increasing the harmonic content of
its low notes, but would not have much effect on its high notes. Thus the low notes would
be easier to hear because of their increased harmonic content. The iron setting can be
used on anything with low frequency content. Above 400 Hz the setting has little effect.
Note that the "iron" switch changes both channels. An audible pop may be
heard when the switch is flipped because a different amplifier is being switched into the
audio path. Be aware that flipping this switch during a recording take is not advised.
Changing the circuit to eliminate the pop would compromise the audio path.
Using the "iron" and "fat" settings together on vocals and low
frequency instruments creates a vintage type sound.
THE GAIN SWITCH
The gain switch is a stepped switch with a 6 db change per step starting with 6 db of gain
and with a maximum gain of 66 db. This approach was chosen for those who do stereo
recording and would like to have matched gain of the stereo channels.
THE ATTENUATOR
The attenuator is continuously variable to allow gain trim when needed. The gain range is
from maximum gain as set by the gain switch to no output.
Some engineers like to be able to pull down the pre-amplifier's output at the end of
takes to prevent recording unwanted room noise. This is easily done with the attenuator.
An additional function that can be done is to increase the pre-amplifiers gain with the
gain switch and turn down the attenuator to allow for over drive of the fat or iron
amplifiers. In some cases this will allow an increased level of fatness in the sound
however, in some cases this may not be useable.
THE PHASE SWITCH
The phase switch allows phase reversal of each channel with the "+" symbol
indicating no phase change through the channel. Each channel has a separate switch.
THE PHANTOM POWER SWITCH
This switch allows the user to supply or not supply 48 volts to the microphone. Each
channel has a separate switch.
THE POWER SWITCH
Turns the unit on or off.
THE METER
The meter is an LED bar graph with 22 led's and follows a VU type scale with +4 dbm
considered to be )VU. The clip light indicates clipping in the input stage of the pre-amp
and is calibrated to turn on at .5 db below clipping.