#9965 - Fatman2 Ops-Not Imposed 4/12/01 10:50 am Page 11
3.5 � OUTPUT
The output is via a 3 pin TRS jack socket on the rear panel, and may be
configured for balanced or unbalanced connection. Balanced operation is always
preferable to maintain maximum headroom and signal to noise ratio, but can only
be used if the following equipment is also capable of balanced operation:
Balanced inputs:
Y Screen = Ground,
Y Tip = Signal Phase (�+O or �hotO),
Y Ring = Signal Anti-Phase (��O or �coldO).
Unbalanced inputs:
Y Screen = Ground,
Y Tip = Signal Phase (�+O or �hotO),
Y Ring = Ground.
3.6 � VENTILATION
The Fat Man 2 generates a small amount of heat internally, mainly due to the
tube heater. This heat should be allowed to dissipate by convection through the
top grille, which must not be obstructed. Do not locate the Fat Man 2 where it
will be subject to external heating, for example, in the hot air flow from a power
amplifier or on a radiator.
The Fat Man 2 may be free standing (using the self-adhesive feet supplied), or
mounted singly or in pairs in the optional FAT-RACK 3U high 19" rack tray.
4 � OPERATION
4.1 � WHAT IS COMPRESSION?
Compression is an essential but often misunderstood process in modern
recording. Put simply, compression reduces the ratio between the loudest and
the quietest levels of an audio signal, which is known as reducing the �dynamic
rangeO of that signal. Before the introduction of compressors the only way this
could be achieved was by �gain ridingO, whereby an engineer would control the
fader manually in order to try and anticipate very large levels (which might distort
the signal) or very low levels (which may get lost in noise). The introduction of
compression devices meant that this process could be controlled automatically,
allowing the engineer to get on with more productive jobs!
Many instruments and voices have a very wide dynamic range which needs to be
controlled. A singer, for instance, may be singing quietly one moment and very
loudly the next, and unless compression is applied the vocal wonOt �sitO correctly in
the mix, in addition to the problems of distortion on loud passages and noise on
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ACEC
