ECM-519 compressor
Introduction We've strived to design a feedback FET compressor with personality, that can excel where plug-ins fall short and seamlessly integrate with your DAW to add some often needed analog warmth. The pleasing FET harmonic distortion, and some transformer saturation options really help to add that analog character. This compressor is extremely versatile. It's great on aggressive time settings and applying a lot of gain reduction, but can also be extremely transparent.
The Basics of Compression Compression works by narrowing the difference between high and low audio levels by reducing the gain of any signal over the threshold. By doing this at specific time constants, compression can add consistency, sustain, punch, detail, definition and personality to your tracks. The ratio determines how much gain reduction will be applied to the signal once it crosses the threshold. At a 3:1 ratio, for every 3dB of input signal above the threshold, there will be 1dB of output signal.
Quick Start Settings Vocal Tracking Drum Buss Smashing This setting is great for controlling the dynamics while tracking. The auto mode handles the attack and release times, so setup is super fast. This adds a ton of character to your drum buss. Set the input level for 25dB of reduction. Mixing in some dry signal keeps transients intact.
Quick Start Settings Acoustic Guitar Bass Extremely natural sounding on acoustic guitar. This setting will control the dynamics without feeling squashed. This will lock the bass in the mix, giving a solid bottom end that is very controlled. It will also even out any inconsistencies in the playing.
xformer: Select how the output transformer is used in the circuit. Off: The output transformer is not used and the output is balanced with active electronics. Very clean sound with the largest bandwidth. On: Inserts the output transformer in the circuit. Smooths transients providing warmer top end and thicker low mids. Loaded: Loads down the output transformer so it saturates easily. Provides a warm, vintage feel. Great for controlling cymbals and sibilance in vocals.
at a Glance bypass: Use to engage/bypass the unit. It will illuminate when the compressor is in the signal chain. It is true bypass and will pass signal when bypassed even if the unit is powered off. ratio: Determines the compression ratio for signals above the threshold. 3:1 - Gentle and transparent. 6:1 - More aggressive compression. 12:1 - Limiting. Note the threshold raises slightly with higher ratios so that the output volume is more constant when switching ratios at typical gain reduction settings.
Using the Link Function The link function allows two ECM-519s to work as a stereo pair. The front panels of both linked units should be set the same to maintain the stereo image and the link switch needs to be set to 'link' on both units as well. Connecting the link: there's two ways to connect the link, either through your 500 series rack enclosure (if your 500 series rack supports linking ) or through the supplied link cable using the link connector.
Linking through the cable is always engaged. If you'd like to link using the enclosure set the 'Link through rack' dip switch to the 'on' position. By having this dipswitch off (default), the unit won't interfere with any other units you may have linked in your rack. (Typically, racks link with pin 6 on the card edge connector). High Pass Filter The high pass filters cut out low frequencies in the side-chain below either 120hz or 220hz.
Auto Modes The auto modes react to the audio coming in and modify the attack and release in real-time depending on what the music's doing. In each auto mode, there are 2 detectors that run in parallel. One with really fast time constants at a higher threshold that reacts primarily to peaks, and a slower detector, with a lower threshold to smooth the overall signal. There is also some frequency compensation in these detectors which changes the ratio slightly depending on frequency.
Xformer Loading The compressor is equipped with an output transformer that can be switched in and out of the circuit. Off: In this mode the unit runs with an electronically balanced output. It is very clean and provides the largest bandwidth. On: This inserts the output transformer in the circuit. It is pretty clean sounding but you'll start to notice a smoothing of transients providing a warmer top end, and a slightly thicker low-mid from slight saturation in the low frequencies.
Specifications Input Impedance: Output Impedance: Frequency Response (-3dB): Distortion: Noise: Output Level: Input Level: Required Current: Attack Range (manual mode): Release Range (manual mode): 48kΩ 50Ω (600Ω with x-former) 10Hz – 35kHz Varies based on gain reduction Varies with settings Up to +22dBu Up to +22dBu 120mA per rail. 50us - 50ms 50ms - 1s user manual version 1.
