| AT issue 51 VU
Meters |
"It is this response time that’s
responsible
for the VU meter’s characteristic display of
audio ‘volume’ rather than the peak level. An
analysis of a VU meter’s characteristic would
show that it is integrating the audio waveform,
in a sense, adding up the area drawn out by the
shape of the waveform." |
| AT issue 53 Impedance |
"One of those terms we often
come across in
the audio world is the word Impedance, often
quoted as one aspect of a piece of equipment’s
technical specifications. Typically quoted is a
unit’s input impedance and output impedance.
So, what is it and what does it mean?" |
| AT issue 54 DIY
Repair |
"The question ‘why does
my equipment break
down when I need to use it?’ is one that’s
regularly posed to me by my clients. My usual
response is: ‘If you don’t use something it won’t
break, and therefore if you do use it, it will break.’" |
| AT issue 55 Transformers |
"How then does all this relate
to transformers?
Well, audio transformers have some easily
quantifiable qualities and in exploring
these qualities we can find some particular
characteristics that may just be the key to
generating some of this so-called ‘warmth’." |
| AT issue 57 Decibels |
"There’s no denying that
a certain lack of
technical understanding of equipment
specification and calibration exists within the
audio industry today. So this issue I thought I’d
have a crack at outlining some of the common
terms of technical specification ...." |
| AT issue 57 .... the
'missing bit'! |
due to a layout error a section of
the article fell off the page
this is the 'missing bit' |
| AT issue 58 Microphones |
"While we can emulate all sorts
of instruments
with quite good results these days, until
someone comes up with a 'plug-in vocalist' we
will at least require microphones for recording
the voice. The human voice with which we
have an innate familiarity is often the greatest
test of a microphone's characteristics, strengths
and deficiencies." |
| AT issue 61 Preamps |
"Probably the most common microphone
preamp
topology found today utilises a simple pair of
transistors implemented with variable gain
feeding an IC operational amplifier. With good
low-noise transistors running with variable
gain in Class-A, and an Integrated Circuit (IC)
op-amp, a microphone preamp can be built for
a couple of dollars." |
| AT issue 62 Equalisers |
"Probably the most ubiquitous
equaliser on the
planet is the humble bass and treble control
found on almost every hi-fi amplifier. Almost
without fail, this equaliser will be based on the
original design by Peter Baxandall." |
| AT issue 63 Electrical
Safety |
"While there are countless factors
that contribute
to providing a safe work place, one in particular
that naturally catches my eye is electrical safety.
So for this issue, let’s put aside the excitement of
learning what’s going on behind the front panels
of your outboard rack, and focus our attention
on the more mundane IEC socket or mains plug
on the rear. Occupational Health and Safety
(OH&S) mightn’t sound like a fun topic, but
it applies to anyone who works in the audio
industry for money." |
| AT issue 64 Studio
Wiring |
"Studio wiring is one of those
tasks that
should be so straightforward and
predictable that we could happily and confidently
leave it till the last phase of a studio’s
construction. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
Wiring a studio takes planning and skill, yet it
still remains one of the most neglected and
misunderstood aspects of studio construction." |
| AT issue 65 The
life of a Tech |
"This issue I thought I’d
bring you over to my
side of the bench, so you can see what it’s like.
Don’t touch anything now, its dangerous back here." |
| AT issue 66 Compressors |
"The design topology of compressors
directly impacts
on the characteristics they impart to the audio
passing through. Some have a greater impact than
others even when no gain reduction is occurring." |
AT issue 68 Compressors
- the Sidechain |
" ... before we examine the
myriad control possibilities of a compressor, let’s pause
for a moment and consider how many controls such a device can
successfully live without. The LA-2A, for example, is perhaps
one of the most successful
(and highly prized) compressor/limiter designs of all
time, yet it has only two controls… well three, if you
include the limit/compress switch, which, in many
situations, appears to do nothing at all." |
| AT issue 70 DIY |
"By all means push the envelope;
after all, one of the good reasons for embarking on DIY is to
gain knowledge and an understanding of what’s going on
behind the knobs. However, it’s equally important to make
sure the job’s achievable." |
| AT issue 71 Amplifiers |
"Ultimately, amplifier performance
hinges on the overall design, whether Class-A,
Class-AB, valve, transistor or FET, the synergy of the combination
of the
individual parts and how feedback is employed determines an
amplifier’s sonic
stamp." |
