Joe Meek VC3Q Manual
Joe Meek VC3Q Manual
JOEMEEK
C O M P R E S S I O N
User's Guide
The PROCHANNEL VC3Q is a piece of precision electronics designed
to get the absolute best performance out of musical instrument,
microphone, recorder and the final mix. Read the instructions carefully; they
have been written as a result of practical experience.
Ted Fletcher
VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
What's in it
- The Input Amplifier 5
- The JOEMEEK Compressor 5
- The Meequalizer 6
Making it go
- Connecting your VC3Q 9
- VC3Q Inputs and Outputs 10
- Using the Input Amplifier 11
- Using the Compressor 11
- Using the Equalizer 12
- Sample settings 12
Common problems 14
Technical performance 15
Ted Fletcher
This instruction book was written by Ted Fletcher; the designer of the
original JOEMEEK compressor and the whole JOEMEEK range of
professional audio equipment. Ted worked in the studio with Joe Meek, the
legendary record producer, in the mid 1960s.
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
WHAT IT IS
The JOEMEEK PROCHANNEL VC3Q is an input conditioner. A
microphone or musical instrument preamplifier designed to bridge the gap
between the performing musician and the recording studio.
It has been designed specially to be easy to operate, yet will give the finest
professional 'glitter' to the sound; but without hours of tweaking knobs and
switches with unrecognisable names!
OVERLOAD MARGINS
In the mid 1970s I designed a range of mixers specifically for Independent
Local radio stations and the BBC. One of the specification clauses insisted
on by them was an extreme overload margin on the microphone amplifier.
The reason was that although momentary overloads (transients) are not
audible, they have an effect on the quality of the sound you hear. A high
overload margin amplifier just sounds better. Nowadays, many of these
notions have been forgotten and 'quality' electronics is getting rarer and
rarer. But the JOEMEEK range of Studio channels and the PROCHANNEL
apply these professional rules and you can hear the difference!
The function of a microphone preamplifier is not too difficult and the
microphone/input amplifiers on normal professional mixers do it quite well;
BUT they cut costs and corners. The JOEMEEK PROCHANNEL has a
specialist approach, it uses a super quality transformerless input stage in
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
An interesting fact is that the cost and quality of the parts in the ProChannel
input amplifier are on a par with those used in the very top professional
mixers and microphone amplifier outboards.
As well as giving the best performance with keyboards, guitars and basses,
the ProChannel is also designed to work well with the best capacitor
microphones; it is particularly good with the JOEMEEK JM47, Neumann
range, the AKG C414, Microtech Gefell, and Audio Technicas.
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
WHAT'S IN IT
MIC PRE - OPTO COMPRESSOR - MEEQUALIZER JOEMEEK
VC3Q
Mic Gain 20
15 25 6 6ms 700ms 0 0 0 -10
0 5 7 5ms 7ms 800ms -3 +3 -3 +3 -3 +3
10 35 4 1s -6 0
5
3
2
-10 +2
+4
Q dB Input Meter
1 11 1ms 11ms 125ms 1.5s -16 +16 -16 +16 -16 +16 ¥ +6
Phantom
0 60 Comp OnCompression Attack Release EQ In Low (80Hz) Mid (1.8kHz) High (8kHz) O/L Out Vol On -12 -6 0 +8
Input Gain
It's best to think of the JOEMEEK VC3Q PRO CHANNEL as three separate
pieces of equipment:
It can pull voices forward, control recording volume levels, help with internal
mix balance, and add 'presence' to your sound.
To get the best use out of the compressor it is necessary to get technical;
so even if you're not technical, read the next bit carefully and get to be a
compressor Guru!
A LIMITER is a device which stops the output of a signal path going above
a predetermined level. It is mainly used to protect amplifiers and recorders
(and radio transmitters) against overload. The sound of a limiter is a bit like
compression but it tends to be flat and uninteresting.
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
WHAT IS A COMPRESSOR?
A perfect compressor is an amplifier where the input/output ratio is
constant: So using a 2:1 compressor, increasing the input by 2dB gives a
corresponding 1dB increase in the output.
The effect of the equalizer can be switched in and out with the EQ IN/OUT
switch. When the EQ is in circuit, a yellow light shows beside the switch.
The general rule about using EQ is to be very careful about too much 'lift'.
Increasing the gain by say 10dB in the high frequencies has the effect of
taking the VC3Q closer to overload. This is generally OK as the VC3Q is
designed with very generous overload margins, but when using EQ this has
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
to be remembered. The rule is that when 'lift' is used, it's often necessary to
compensate by reducing the input gain.
Note, always start with the EQ controls set to the 'flat' position; that is, with
the three pointers set at the '0' position at the top of each control.
A red LED indicator show overload conditions at the output of the equalizer
section of the VC3Q. When this indicator flashes, it shows that the audio
signal is within 6dB of the overload point. This a very useful indicator as it
allows you to operate the EQ knowing that there will not be distortion in the
output.
If the overload light flashes more than 'occasionally', then decrease the
input gain control.
'ATTACK' sets the time that the compressor takes to act. At maximum
(slowest) it's possible to make the compressor 'overshoot' on some
percussive programme material: This means that the compression
electronics are driven hard before the gain has been controlled by the light
cells. The cells catch up and over-compress momentarily giving a tiny dip
immediately following the start of the 'note'. This is best demonstrated when
recording drums. Used sparingly this can contribute to musical drive.
Faster attack times (set to minimum) are used where the compression
needs to be less obvious, and more reliably gain controlling.
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
'RELEASE' sets the time during which the path gain returns to normal after
compression. Generally, the longer the time, the less obvious is the
compression.
HF controls the volume of the high frequencies in the audio spectrum. This
is a 'shelving' control with the full level of lift and cut available at and above
8KHz. Increasing HF content tends to make sounds appear closer and
more 'present'.
'OUT VOL' is simply a volume control for the output of the ProChannel. It
operates after the LED VU meter so does not affect the overload margin of
the ProChannel.
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
MAKING IT GO
CONNECTING YOUR VC3Q
The VC3 can be used in many applications, from recording to live work.
This section will help you get connected as well as explaining the
connections on the VC3Q to help you get the most from your Pro Channel.
5
3
2
-10 +2
+4
Q dB Input Meter
Phantom
0
Input Gain
1
60 Comp OnCompression
11 1ms
Attack
11ms 125ms 1.5s
Release EQ In
-16 +16
Low (80Hz)
-16 +16
Mid (1.8kHz)
-16 +16
High (8kHz) O/L
¥
Out Vol
+6
On -12 -6 0 +8 (Front)
The mix input may be used to add additional sources at the performance,
and the insert point may be used to add effects by diverting the line level
signal through and external processor (i.e. reverb unit or amp simulator).
This use of the VC3Q will improve the quality of sound recorded by its high
performance mic/instrument amplifier. Also, the compressor will
significantly improve the perceived impact of a sound.
Note that the compressor and equalizer may be added to a track after it has
been recorded by using the line input from recorder group output.
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
MICROPHONE.
The microphone input is an XLR connector. Preferably, any microphone
used should be balanced 200 ohm impedance although with dynamic (not
phantom powered) microphones this is less important.
Connections are Pin 1 is ground or screen.
Pin 2 is positive phase or 'hot'
Pin 3 is negative phase (or ground for unbalanced).
NOTE; plugging in a line (or instrument) signal disables the XLR mic input.
MIX INPUT - This is an auxiliary 1/4 inch jack line input which mixes with
the normal mic or line. Its main use proves to be for stacking up
ProChannels when overdubbing voices! It can also be used as a mixed
second input for musical instruments.
OUTPUTS - The two output sockets are 1/4 inch jack balanced low
impedance, and are connected in parallel. The output is auto balancing and
may be unbalanced without affecting output level. One can be used as a
recording output while the other is used for monitoring/PA.
POWER - Power input is 12Volt AC only. POWER THE PROCHANNEL
ONLY FROM THE JOEMEEK POWER SUPPLY PROVIDED. USE OF
OTHER POWER SUPPLIES WILL DAMAGE THE PROCHANNEL AND
WILL INVALIDATE ALL WARRANTIES.
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
Turn the INPUT GAIN knob down to minimum then, If you are using a
capacitor microphone, plug in the microphone into the XLR socket, then
switch on the phantom power by pressing in the 'Phantom' switch. (Do it in
that order)
Turn up the INPUT GAIN until sound into the microphone registers on the
LED VU meter. Adjust the level so that the second yellow LED (the next-
to-highest light) lights occasionally.
First, get a sound going through the PROCHANNEL so that the LED meter
is flickering.
When using the compressor, remember what it is doing; it's pulling down
the volume of the louder sounds in a particular way that fools your ears into
thinking that the sound is actually louder than it really is!
There is always the danger (particularly with the smooth response of the
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
JOEMEEK compressor) of increasing the input gain too far and causing
excessive noise or even distortion; it's easy to apply 20dB of compression
without realising it!
Always start with the equalizer controls set to '0' (the control knobs set
vertical). Experiment with combinations of settings of EQ always trying to
picture how the audio signal will be affected by changing the frequency
bands. Avoid using high levels of 'lift', and whenever 'lift' is applied, keep a
close eye on the overload LED. If this LED comes on more than
occasionally, turn down the input.
SAMPLE SETTINGS
This section is aimed at providing a good starting point for getting good
results. While these settings do not guarantee a good sound, they do work
in most situations. The correct level of the input gain and output gain
cannot be predicted. This depends on your source and monitoring
equipment. Always try to run these as high as you can without creating any
audible distortion.
5
3
2
-10 +2
+4
Q dB Input Meter
1 11 1ms 11ms 125ms 1.5s -16 +16 -16 +16 -16 +16 ¥ +6
Phantom
0 60 Compression Attack Release EQ In Low (80Hz) Mid (1.8kHz) High (8kHz) O/L Out Vol On -12 -6 0 +8
Input Gain
Comp On
- RECORDING VOCALS
Medium compression, slow attack, medium release, brightening eq but
keep subtle for this program material.
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
5
3
2
-10 +2
+4
Q dB Input Meter
1 11 1ms 11ms 125ms 1.5s -16 +16 -16 +16 -16 +16 ¥ +6
Phantom
0 60 Compression Attack Release EQ In Low (80Hz) Mid (1.8kHz) High (8kHz) O/L Out Vol On -12 -6 0 +8
Input Gain
Comp On
5
3
2
-10 +2
+4
Q dB Input Meter
1 11 1ms 11ms 125ms 1.5s -16 +16 -16 +16 -16 +16 ¥ +6
Phantom
0 60 Compression Attack Release EQ In Low (80Hz) Mid (1.8kHz) High (8kHz) O/L Out Vol On -12 -6 0 +8
Input Gain
Comp On
Caution!
- Electric guitar
Heavy Heavy compression, fast attack, short release, ‘cutting’ eq
5
3
2
-10 +2
+4
Q dB Input Meter
1 11 1ms 11ms 125ms 1.5s -16 +16 -16 +16 -16 +16 ¥ +6
Phantom
0 60 Compression Attack Release EQ In Low (80Hz) Mid (1.8kHz) High (8kHz) O/L Out Vol On -12 -6 0 +8
Input Gain
Comp On
- BASS/Drums
Caution!
Heavy Heavy compression, slow attack, fast release, plenty of bass boost,
and mid range cut - (especially good with slap styles)
5
3
2
-10 +2
+4
Q dB Input Meter
1 11 1ms 11ms 125ms 1.5s -16 +16 -16 +16 -16 +16 ¥ +6
Phantom
0 60 Compression Attack Release EQ In Low (80Hz) Mid (1.8kHz) High (8kHz) O/L Out Vol On -12 -6 0 +8
Input Gain
Comp On
- Cymbals
Compression, slow attack, long release, brightening eq
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
COMMON PROBLEMS
1) The microphone doesn't work!
- Have you got something plugged into the line input?
(this disables the microphone input)
- Is the phantom power on? (capacitor microphones).
- Is the output volume control up?
3) It's noisy.
- The ProChannel input amplifier and compressor are extremely
quiet, but by definition compressors raise the level of quiet
passages, and EQ can contribute high frequency hiss if overused;
this also means that if there is noise in the microphone channel,
there will be more noise on the compressed and EQ’d signal.
It's a compromise so try reducing compression and HF EQ.
- If you still have excessive noise, either there is serious noise in the
input signal being fed into the unit, or something is still turned up far
too high.
- Start turning things down.
4) It distorts.
- No it doesn't! Distortion inside the compressor is virtually
impossible, however it is possible that the microphone amplifier is
overcooking; turn down the COMPRESSION control and readjust.
- Too much EQ can sometimes sound like distortion.
TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
THE INPUT STAGE
The 'front end' is an entirely new design using 5 complete stages of
amplification controlled by a single volume control. The design gives
(microphone) input headroom of more than 30dB; the input is floating
balanced and will easily accept microphone levels from -70dB up to more
than 0dB. Phantom power is provided for capacitor microphones.
The nominal operating level at the 'insert' point is -10dB. but as maximum
output at that point is +24dB the PROCHANNEL can operate with any mixer
or outboard equipment.
THE COMPRESSOR
The built-in JOEMEEK compressor is slightly different from the big studio
units like the JOEMEEK SC2.2 or SC4, so that it is easier to operate with
musical instruments. The 'ATTACK' control is variable so that the impact of
the compression sound can be varied from a gentle effect (with the attack
adjusted fast) to more powerful sounds with longer attack times.
The compression release is variable from 125mS up to 1.5 seconds giving
a wide range of effects. An in/out switch allows comparison between
compressed and uncompressed sound.
transient signals; this effect works to retain brightness that is often lost with
other types of compressor.
THE EQUALIZER
The equalizer is so called because it 'equalizes' or corrects the sound. It
does this by modifying the relative volume levels of the various frequencies
in the audio signal.
The VC3Q equalizer is a phase correcting equalizer with shelving high and
low frequency correction, and a mid control with a 'Q' value of 1. As high
frequencies are added, the phase of those frequencies is moved forward.
This makes those frequencies sound more prominent and 'pulls the sound
forward'. This makes for an extremely natural and pleasing sounding
equalizer without harshness.
OVERLOAD INDICATOR
There is also a separate overload indicator, set to light when the input
amplifier (mic/instrument pre) is 4dB below clip. - this should be observed
closely when the unit is being driven hard, and/or heavy compression is
being used.
OVERALL PERFORMANCE
Frequency response +0 -0.5dB 10Hz to 50KHz Low frequency accuracy
maintained to get clear unmuddled bass sounds onto digital recorders.
Harmonic distortion less than 0.01% except where compression affects low
frequency wave shape.
Noise generally 100dB below input (125.5dB below input on mic at more
than 50dB gain)
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
Circuitry inside the VC3Q converts the 12V AC into 14.5-0-14.5V and a 48V
DC supply for the phantom power.
SAFETY
The unit complies fully with European Cenelec requirements (CE) and may
be used in all territories subject to safety approval of the power supply to
local regulations.
WARRANTY
In the unlikely case of a breakdown, please return the unit and power
supply in its original packing through the supplier.
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VC3Q Pro Channel - User's guide
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY.
This analogue audio processing equipment conforms to the standards and requirements of the
European Economic Community.