Manley CORE - Questions; Reading a Vu Meter

9
Q: “Where’s the -20dB pad switch?”
Because the input aenuator precedes the tube gain stage, the input level control acts as a variable pad. It should be used to
either reduce the level of a hot input signal, or to simply set the overall gain of the preamp. For best performance keep the
GAIN switch set to LOW. HIGH gain should be used only if there is not enough gain with the INPUT LEVEL knob turned to
maximum.
Q: “Somemes I hear distoron in the peak limiter!”
To allow for maximum creavity, the release me of the limiter was intenonally allowed to operate over a wide range. This
means that with some signals, when the release me is set to the fastest seng some audible distoron may be created. But
not to worry, if this distoron is not desired, just turn the release me knob counter-clockwise and slow down the release
me. The sound of a super-fast release me can be used as a creave eect. Try it on vocals or drums! Try it on anything. You
won’t damage any circuitry!
Q: “I am having problems with troubleshoong ground loops...”
A Ground Loop is a low-level background hum at 50/60Hz in your setup, caused by more than one piece’s grounding creang
a “loop”. Try and resolve any grounding issues in your setup by using dedicated cabling etc. If you cannot remove a ground
loop in your setup, you can disconnect the Signal Ground from the Chassis ground on the Core by removing the Ground Li
jumpers, as shown in Diagram 9 (detailed instrucons on page 11). They are labeled P100 & p101 on the circuit board.
Note: earlier CORE units have two Ground Li jumpers.
Q: Why do I hear some hiss at the higher GAIN sengs?
The input control is an ATTENUATOR, not a volume control. It is used to reduce the level of a hot signal, not boost the
level of a weak one. The default posion on this control is FULL CLOCKWISE. Turning this control up does not raise the
noise level, but stepping up the gain DOES. The lowest noise performance is going to be with the INPUT control fully CW
(Clockwise), and with the GAIN switch set at the lowest seng (40db). When set to the 60db gain seng, you might hear
some hiss.
QUESTIONS
READING A VU METER